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Blood and Motive 8
I knocked on the door and waited a while, then I knocked again.“I'm coming, hold on.” She opens the door, her face screwed up. I've been here about three or four times I can't remember. Before Cassidy and I started staying at hotels, she and I used to come here. She always loved Jeanine’s apartment, which was so luxurious, she always said."Oh!” she exclaimed.She's dressed in a short denim dress, and a charming brown coat, and her long brown hair is free. She’s not wearing any shoes. I can't tell if she's on her way out or she just came back."Manuel, come in," she cheered.Taking a step back to make room for me to enter"Oh, darling, I heard what happened. I'm so sorry.”She hugs me, but I don't hug her back, my hands still in my pocket. I wonder if the apology is for the death of Cassidy or the fact I'm being charged with her murder."Thanks, Jeannie, but I have a few questions to ask.”She looks at me with a glazed look before she rolls her eyes."Fine, you have 10 minutes. I h
Blood and Motive 9
The Century Hotel I type into the search bar; it's not too far from my apartment, so I take Michael's car while he's out running some errands.It takes me about twenty minutes to get there with the traffic and all. It's not a big hotel, but it has this homely vibe.I understand why Cassidy would come here; it's so nice and sophisticated, just like she was.I enter the hotel lobby and head straight to the reception desk. A lady with ginger-coloured hair and glasses is seated at the reception desk. She is attending to guests, so I wait my turn. She's wearing a white shirt with Gwen embroidered into it, so I'm guessing that's her name.“Good morning Gwen, I was wondering if I could take a look at your guest book." I begin, going straight to the point.She looks at me, raising a brow. “Are you a guest here?”“No, I'm not,” I reply.“Are you with the police or something?” she questioned "No, I'm not, but...” She doesn't let me finish, she cuts me off mid-sentence.“I'm sorry, then I c
Blood and Motive 10
I met Nick at, no, no I didn't meet Nick; he met me. Nick met me at my last job; I was a waiter at a restaurant.He waited for me one evening outside the restaurant till my shift was over. It was kind of weird. I thought he was a tourist because he dressed like he was on vacation, but he wasn't. He stopped me on my way home and offered me a job. He told me I had good looks that ladies would love and I could make good money, but he didn't tell me what the job was, but I was already interested.He handed me his business card and left in a black Audi A4, and I was sold. I was tired of my shitty job with shitty pay and shit customers. The next day I went to the address on the card; it was a club. The Red Room. It was during the day, so the club wasn't active, but it looked nice and fancy.I asked one of the bartenders for Nick, and they pointed to this office at the far end of a hallway.He was inside smoking a cigar when I opened the door. He told me what the job was, and I was skeptic
Blood and Motive 11
After listening to Jill's voice note, I called her back five more times, but it all went to voicemail.Screaming into my palms, I feel a sense of dread wash over me.“I have news regarding your case; it's not good” the sentence keeps replaying in my head.Nothing had gone as planned since the beginning of this whole ordeal.I wonder what's happening now.Getting into Micheal's car I start to drive to Jill's office and when I get there the whole place is in chaos.The phones are ringing non-stop, everyone is walking around, papers scattered everywhere like a hurricane just passed through.I see Jill before she sees me through the glass door. She's on a call, her back towards me. She was in her normal attire, black dress pants and a white button-down shirt, her hair was in waves flowing down her back.She turned around, her face frowning in deep concentration, trying to understand what the person on the other line was saying, as soon as she noticed me, her expression hardened.She ended
Blood and Motive 12
It's been two weeks since the argument between my lawyer and me. That was all she was to me, my lawyer, but sometimes I think there's something more.I did as she said for a few days but I couldn't stop thinking about the boyfriend Rachel told me about, the one Cassidy was seen in the club with. The case had died down in the media but would come up now and then on the news. All they talked about now was how she was having an affair outside her marriage, cheating on her husband with a prostitute.They are now beginning to change the narrative and it's not right, Cassidy was so much more and her name doesn't deserve the tarnishing.Today I was going to go back to the club, to review security videos and ask around. Maybe someone would be able to give me a description of this man. Getting dressed in my now everyday attire; black pants, a black t-shirt, a baseball cap, and sunglasses I head towards the subway.I get to Nick's club and make my way to his office and he's in the middle of s
Blood and Motive 13
What the fuck.I peer at the cotton wool in my hand, my head working to process what I'm seeing.And then it clicks like a lock in my head.The blood, the blood on my pants, the police, the search of the house.“No fuckin way!” I thought.I stomp on the cigarette take the cotton wool into the kitchen and search for a Ziploc back to put it inside.Tonight is going to be a good night I say to myself.******* It's 9:57 when I arrive at the location for my meeting with Mrs O’Neil. Her bodyguard gives me a curt nod and allows me to pass.It's 10pm on the dot when I knock on her door. After a few seconds, she opens the door and greets me.“Hello darling,” she greeted, her voice angelic as always.Mrs O'Neil was a woman in her mid-forties, but in reality, she didn't look a day over thirty. She had brown hair and whiskey-coloured eyes. She was a little on the curvy side in terms of size and had a beautiful body underneath all the blazers she wore. I've been with her maybe three or four time
Blood and Motive 14
After I left Mrs O’ Neil yesterday I went straight to Jill's office to ask how today was going to be. All she said was to look sharp and not be late before she went off to another meeting. As I stood in front of the full-length mirror dressed up to the nines in a black Armani suit, I found myself praying to God. Yes I was raised Catholic, but I wouldn't call myself religious, add my line of work to the mix and there was no spot for me in heaven, ever. But on this day I prayed, I knew it wasn't a big deal but it was a big deal to me. Heart racing and petrified, I took a deep breath to calm my nerves and keep my anxiety at bay before I made my way to the courtroom. As soon as the cab pulled up to the curb, I spotted Jill waiting for me in front of the court, she was wearing a beige suit, with pearl accessories. Her hair was snatched back in a low bun. Dressed to impress and still looking professional and feminine, she looked beautiful. I walked up to her and she said “Mr Sala
Blood and Motive Prologue
“Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, my name is Jill Baker.” I adjust my blazer as I stand up and walk towards the jury box.“And I am the lawyer for the accused,” I look back and point to my client sitting on the right side of the courtroom. He looks at me with a sorrowful stare, and I give him a reassuring nod as I begin my opening statement.“The case before us is an unsettling and disturbing one and a tragic reminder that a night of intimacy can sometimes turn into something scary. My client has been accused of murdering Cassidy Jones. A woman whose future was so bright but was cut short due to her murder. Someone killed her but it wasn't my client.”“But as we begin, I'd like to urge every one of you, the jurors, to dismiss anything you've heard in the media or anything you'll hear about this case, or my client during this trial. This trial is about nothing but the truth, and the truth will be revealed.” “Now, during this trial I will prove beyond a reasonable doubt that my clie
Latest Chapter
14
After I left Mrs O’ Neil yesterday I went straight to Jill's office to ask how today was going to be. All she said was to look sharp and not be late before she went off to another meeting. As I stood in front of the full-length mirror dressed up to the nines in a black Armani suit, I found myself praying to God. Yes I was raised Catholic, but I wouldn't call myself religious, add my line of work to the mix and there was no spot for me in heaven, ever. But on this day I prayed, I knew it wasn't a big deal but it was a big deal to me. Heart racing and petrified, I took a deep breath to calm my nerves and keep my anxiety at bay before I made my way to the courtroom. As soon as the cab pulled up to the curb, I spotted Jill waiting for me in front of the court, she was wearing a beige suit, with pearl accessories. Her hair was snatched back in a low bun. Dressed to impress and still looking professional and feminine, she looked beautiful. I walked up to her and she said “Mr Sala
13
What the fuck.I peer at the cotton wool in my hand, my head working to process what I'm seeing.And then it clicks like a lock in my head.The blood, the blood on my pants, the police, the search of the house.“No fuckin way!” I thought.I stomp on the cigarette take the cotton wool into the kitchen and search for a Ziploc back to put it inside.Tonight is going to be a good night I say to myself.******* It's 9:57 when I arrive at the location for my meeting with Mrs O’Neil. Her bodyguard gives me a curt nod and allows me to pass.It's 10pm on the dot when I knock on her door. After a few seconds, she opens the door and greets me.“Hello darling,” she greeted, her voice angelic as always.Mrs O'Neil was a woman in her mid-forties, but in reality, she didn't look a day over thirty. She had brown hair and whiskey-coloured eyes. She was a little on the curvy side in terms of size and had a beautiful body underneath all the blazers she wore. I've been with her maybe three or four time
12
It's been two weeks since the argument between my lawyer and me. That was all she was to me, my lawyer, but sometimes I think there's something more.I did as she said for a few days but I couldn't stop thinking about the boyfriend Rachel told me about, the one Cassidy was seen in the club with. The case had died down in the media but would come up now and then on the news. All they talked about now was how she was having an affair outside her marriage, cheating on her husband with a prostitute.They are now beginning to change the narrative and it's not right, Cassidy was so much more and her name doesn't deserve the tarnishing.Today I was going to go back to the club, to review security videos and ask around. Maybe someone would be able to give me a description of this man. Getting dressed in my now everyday attire; black pants, a black t-shirt, a baseball cap, and sunglasses I head towards the subway.I get to Nick's club and make my way to his office and he's in the middle of s
11
After listening to Jill's voice note, I called her back five more times, but it all went to voicemail.Screaming into my palms, I feel a sense of dread wash over me.“I have news regarding your case; it's not good” the sentence keeps replaying in my head.Nothing had gone as planned since the beginning of this whole ordeal.I wonder what's happening now.Getting into Micheal's car I start to drive to Jill's office and when I get there the whole place is in chaos.The phones are ringing non-stop, everyone is walking around, papers scattered everywhere like a hurricane just passed through.I see Jill before she sees me through the glass door. She's on a call, her back towards me. She was in her normal attire, black dress pants and a white button-down shirt, her hair was in waves flowing down her back.She turned around, her face frowning in deep concentration, trying to understand what the person on the other line was saying, as soon as she noticed me, her expression hardened.She ended
10
I met Nick at, no, no I didn't meet Nick; he met me. Nick met me at my last job; I was a waiter at a restaurant.He waited for me one evening outside the restaurant till my shift was over. It was kind of weird. I thought he was a tourist because he dressed like he was on vacation, but he wasn't. He stopped me on my way home and offered me a job. He told me I had good looks that ladies would love and I could make good money, but he didn't tell me what the job was, but I was already interested.He handed me his business card and left in a black Audi A4, and I was sold. I was tired of my shitty job with shitty pay and shit customers. The next day I went to the address on the card; it was a club. The Red Room. It was during the day, so the club wasn't active, but it looked nice and fancy.I asked one of the bartenders for Nick, and they pointed to this office at the far end of a hallway.He was inside smoking a cigar when I opened the door. He told me what the job was, and I was skeptic
9
The Century Hotel I type into the search bar; it's not too far from my apartment, so I take Michael's car while he's out running some errands.It takes me about twenty minutes to get there with the traffic and all. It's not a big hotel, but it has this homely vibe.I understand why Cassidy would come here; it's so nice and sophisticated, just like she was.I enter the hotel lobby and head straight to the reception desk. A lady with ginger-coloured hair and glasses is seated at the reception desk. She is attending to guests, so I wait my turn. She's wearing a white shirt with Gwen embroidered into it, so I'm guessing that's her name.“Good morning Gwen, I was wondering if I could take a look at your guest book." I begin, going straight to the point.She looks at me, raising a brow. “Are you a guest here?”“No, I'm not,” I reply.“Are you with the police or something?” she questioned "No, I'm not, but...” She doesn't let me finish, she cuts me off mid-sentence.“I'm sorry, then I c
8
I knocked on the door and waited a while, then I knocked again.“I'm coming, hold on.” She opens the door, her face screwed up. I've been here about three or four times I can't remember. Before Cassidy and I started staying at hotels, she and I used to come here. She always loved Jeanine’s apartment, which was so luxurious, she always said."Oh!” she exclaimed.She's dressed in a short denim dress, and a charming brown coat, and her long brown hair is free. She’s not wearing any shoes. I can't tell if she's on her way out or she just came back."Manuel, come in," she cheered.Taking a step back to make room for me to enter"Oh, darling, I heard what happened. I'm so sorry.”She hugs me, but I don't hug her back, my hands still in my pocket. I wonder if the apology is for the death of Cassidy or the fact I'm being charged with her murder."Thanks, Jeannie, but I have a few questions to ask.”She looks at me with a glazed look before she rolls her eyes."Fine, you have 10 minutes. I h
7
Jeanine was Cassidy's close friend; they went everywhere together. She'd even followed us out to dinner. Sometimes I wondered who was the third wheel.“Jeanine was Cassidy's friend. I'm sure you know her,” he sniffled."Yes, I know her,” I shifted in my seat.“I think she met her 2 or 3 years ago; I don't remember. It was good she had a new friend. Friend. They were always out and about.”“Always out,” he said bitterly.I just sat there listening. You could see the grief in his eyes and hear the pain in his voice.“Cassidy started spending so much money, but it wasn't a problem. I had enough money for both of us, and I didn't want to ask her questions.”“Always buying clothes, flying out to Paris, Spain, or BoraBora, Mexico; it was one place or the other, but she always came back home to me, her husband, her best friend,” he paused.“Until she met you,” the color drained out of my face as he said that.“I don't know how she met you or why, but she started going out Wednesday and Satur
6
The media camped outside my building keeps getting worse every day but I can't just sit inside and do nothing.So our motion to dismiss was denied, so now it's becoming quite clear I can go to prison for this crime even though I didn't do it.I'm going to go see Cassidy's husband to see if he can tell me anything about Cassidy.I check my phone for any new messages before I put on my shades and make my way to the train station.I remember Cassidy showing me pictures of her house, but she told me I could never show up at her house, but I'm here and I need answers.It's a pretty big house that gives off a modern, chic vibe. It's probably Cassidy who decorated it. I press the doorbell, and after what seems like a minute.A middle-aged woman dressed in a maid's uniform comes to open the door. I take off my glasses, giving her a small smile, and she returns it.“I'm looking for Daniel. Is he in?” I asked her “Mr.Jones isn't receiving visitors at the moment, but I'll let him know that you
