Two months ago...
Clara sat in a restaurant down the road, not so far from their apartment. She worked several part time jobs and this was her free time, she decided to eat out. Once in awhile, you treat yourself to a nice meal not minding your paycheck.
"...they had been caught at exactly 2am...." The news kept going as she felt a presence beside her."I think I've seen you around beautiful" the male voice sounded and she turned to stare."Mr James?" She smiled"You do know me" he smiled"Who wouldn't know the chatty reporter, Mr James Cavendish" she smiled, she was in a happy mood"Brooks? Am I right?" He smirked"I see you did your digging as usual.. Clara... Clara Brooks" she laughed."I can't help it" he grinned."What are you doing here anyway?" He asked"Probably the same thing that brought you here" she replied"Nice answer" he chuckled"Why don't I treat you to a better meal than this" he offered."I think I've got this part covered, I take what I can pay for" she replied curtly."Nahhh, don't worry about no payment, I'd take care of it" he said with a wave of hand signalling the waiter."Get the lady what she wants, I'd just have clam chowder" he smiled and the waiter turned to Clara.Who was she to refuse, she had tried and he insisted, she had nothing to loose."More steak" she smiled."Steaks? Seriously?" He laughed"I think that would do" she smiled."By the way, I have nothing for you, if that's why you're buying me lunch, there's definitely nothing to scoop here" she clicked her tongue."Oh there is something I want, there is always a scoop" he grinned like a teenager. The waiter arrived with their orders and Clara muttered a thank you, while Mr Cavendish took his time to admire her features.He had always noticed her right from the very beginning they moved in but Ellie had been so over protective of her, now he met her alone? There's no stopping him."Like it?" He asked"I haven't started" she said."My bad" he raised his hands"So to what do I owe this meal? What's the scoop?" She asked digging her fork in."You" he blurted out and her hand stopped. She knew the man, everyone did, she just didn't know this day would come."Me?" She asked in surprise, "what could you possibly want from a minor like me" she smiled"Oh, I know you're over twenty" he said. He was correct, she was twenty-one as Ellie was twenty three."Full background check huh?" She smiled placing the steak stylishly on her tongue and chewing slowly."So whaddya say?" He asked"I say... They sure serve the best steak" she smiled and he swallowed nothing staring deeply at her lips. He had drown in lust for her."Mr James, quick question yeah?" She asked and he nodded."You not married?" She asked and he readjusted on his seat. He had had many girls but none ever asked him that."I was not any more, why? You prefer married men?" He asked and she laughed."No? I respect them, I see them as fathers, if I need a man, I'd need strong bones" she dropped her fork, the man had made her loose her appetite"I'm stronger than you think" he smiled"Oh really? I guess we'd never know" she returned the smile which didn't reach her ears as she stood"Thanks for the steak though, I got to taste something nice thanks to you" she bowed slightly before leaving."This is the beginning..." He smiled staring at her backside.***
Tyler pulled up in front of the station, Ellie didn't wait for him to park before stepping down and rushing in."Clara?!" She yelled attracting the attention of everyone."Hi, excuse me, how can I help you?" The receptionist called her attention."Where the hell's my sister?!" Ellie raged."What?""Where Wheeler? Detective Wheeler?" She asked and the receptionist tried to calm her down"Please take a seat, he'd meet with you shortly" she said.Tyler rushed in immediately and held her, "let's sit please" he said.Whenever she was scared or tensed, it was really hard to control her emotions and the tone of her voice, she needed someone by her side to calm her down, maybe that was why she didn't mind taking Tyler along, maybe she expected this."Ellie Brooks!" Detective Wheeler walked up to them and Ellie jumped on her feet "Where's Clara?" She growled"Can we talk?" He ignored her question walking her and Tyler to his office "Your brother?" He asked referring to Tyler"None of your business" she snapped."I'm her boss, where's her sister?" Tyler spoke up."She's been detained" he finally answered"Why? Why exactly is she detained ?" Ellie blasted"She's involved in the murder of Mr James Cavendish" the detective replied and it was definitely the holy spirit that withheld her from disfiguring the grunt's face."What murder?" She asked in a calmer but dangerous tone, "Clara? Involved in a murder?" She chuckled, "she didnt enter the fucking apartment that day!!!" Her pitch escalated again "We can't say that, there was a light outage for over three minutes, anything's possible" he said and her rage grew."What evidence do you have?" Tyler spoke up"The fingerprints on the knife and blood on the broken mug matched hers" he said."So you saying in three minutes, sh sat for coffee, killed a man and appeared right inside their apartment, drunk, before the lights came on" Tyler chuckled, but the man wouldn't say more.."I want to see her" Ellie said sternly with her eyes bloodshot.Detective Wheeler hesitated a bit before standing, "this way" he walked in front of them and they followed."Ellie!!! Ellie!!" Clara screamed in tears the moment she sighted her sister. The sisters hugged while Tyler watched from a distance.
"I didn't do it, I didn't" Clara cried"You would never " Ellie cried too."They just took me away" she cried the more"And I'm gonna get you out" Ellie assured."They said something about my DNA being all over the place, I've never been into that shit hole" she said" Some one set me up, who would do this to me. Ellie, someone set me up, I've never quarrelled with nobody" she cried the more and Ellie hugged her tightly."I'd find help and I'd be back, trust me we're getting you out of here " Ellie caressed her hands as Clara nodded continuously."I'll be back for you, you know that right?" Ellie asked and she nodded."I trust you" Clara said amidst tears as Ellie left."You can get her a lawyer if you want to" detective Wheeler said dryly to her before leaving."Let's leave" Tyler held her shoulder and she nodded slowly..."Please take that turn and drop me" Ellie said to Tyler."That's not the way home" Tyler said"I need to see someone " she said."I'd drive you there then" he offered but she declined nicely"I'll take it from there, thanks , you've done a lot already" she said and he stared briefly at her before taking the bend and killing the engines"Be safe " he said as she stepped out."Thanks again sir " she smiled and he frowned at the last word but she had left already.She continued walking until she came to face with the large gate. She breathed in and went through the gate onto the wide compound. She walked steadily till she got to the big door, she used the bells. Soon enough, someone opened the door.
"Ellie?" The elderly man called surprised"Sir Gerald" Ellie forced a smile. She wasn't surprised her aunt hadn't changed her butler, they've been together for years."My aunt's in?" She asked"Why certainly" he smiled leading the way."Someone I thought I'd never see, how little the world is" a woman in her late fifties walked in, in such gracious gait."Aunt Kathy" Ellie stood in respect."Oh sit" the woman smiled"I'm pretty sure something's up, you definitely didn't come to see how I'm faring" Kathy sat opposite her.Ellie wasn't in the mood for pleasantries either, thankfully her aunt understood the issue."Good evening aunt" Ellie smiled"How can I help you?" She asked"It's about Clara" Ellie began trying to find a way to table the matter."She hasn't been released?" The woman asked sipping from her juice and Ellie looked up immediately."Oh please, it's all over the news" the woman shrugged.Ellie didn't mind being popular, but trending from such a case as murder, she'd rather be hidden in the shadows for eternity."She didn't do it" Ellie defended immediately."The cops doesn't think so" the woman chuckled"Please help us aunt" Ellie went on her knees."Bail, a lawyer, anything at all, Clara doesn't deserve to be in there" she pleaded and the woman went mute "Who does then?" She said after a minute of silence."Huh?" Confused Ellie asked"Who does deserve to be in there?" The woman met with her gaze, "do you know who this murderer is?" Kathy asked and Ellie shook her head negatively, not understanding where the conversation was headed."Well, you already know what my part of the deal would cost" she said and Ellie swallowed"You are poor, you possibly can't pay for that else you wont be here and I obviously don't need your pennies, I have that in abundance" she blurted."Tell me when you're ready, a lawyer would be ready too" sbe smiled and stood"I believe this conversation is over and you wouldn't be staying for dinner, right?" She asked but Ellie's mouth was too heavy for her to speak."Say hi to Clara for me" she said before retiring to her room or wherever she came out from.Ellie managed to drag herself off the floor and out of the house onto the streets. How could she be this mean, we're her nieces, there should be no terms and conditions in helping family right?Her condition?...Kathy is Ellie's mother elder sister. Their mother_ Ellie's grandma_ had only two girls, Kathy and Sarah. After Sarah had gotten married, Kathy refused to marry to maintain their family name, she claimed she needed no man in her life and she could provide herself with all that she needed. Her initial plan was to have a one night stand with whoever and have a child of her own but she has had even her one hundredth night stand but couldn't conceive. She stopped after awhile and after the death of Sarah and her husband, she wanted to take care of the girls but on the condition that they would not marry and also have their names changed back to their maiden names.She reminded the girls that their beloved relatives from their paternal side weren't ready to take care of them, of what use was it to keep the name.She was ready to take care of them and adopt them as hers since she couldn't have hers. Ellie being older had asked her once why she didn't want to adopt a child since she needed one badly. She gave a reply, "I need my baby to be my egg, the sperm? Not really my business" she had said to Ellie.Ellie calculated her options on her way home and she realized she really didn't have much of an option. She definitely couldnt afford to hire a lawyer, but she was sure her aunt's condition was ridiculous."I need to rest, I'd definitely get to the bottom of this, I'm Ellie Brooks after all" she assured herself.TBC..."Detective! You need to see this" he rushed in with the tab in his hand."What?" Wheeler sighed"Here" he placed the tablet in front of him."What is this?" Wheeler asked not understanding a thing."The little CCTV positioned right towards his door in his apartment captured this" he pointed and the detective squinted his eyes."What the..." Wheeler gasped as he stared at the foot that was almost invisible, leaving the apartment, clothed in brown boots."Miss Brooks had black sandals on" he said"Potter?" He called the attention of the man."Yes" officer potter replied him"Get me the footage from that day, starting from morning down to evening" he ordered and potter nodded before leaving."This is going to be hard" he sighed.Mr James Cavendish had been a reporter before he died, it was hard for wheeler to investigate secretly because the press badly wanted the publicity.***"That's the only option left Ellie" Clara said again"Hmm" Ellie hummed"Ellie, look at me? Do you want me to
"can I come in?" He decided to speak up after minutes of staring at each other."I don't like visitors" she insisted "Oh Nina, we're just neighbors" he smiled trying to persuade her."I have nothing to say to you sir" she said flatly"Oh please, do call me James" he grinned"Mr. James, I have nothing to say to you" she said yet again and tried to slam the door but he put out his foot preventing her from doing so."I heard you make perfect lattes" he smiled"No one says that" "Fine, you caught me" he chuckled raising his hand in surrender, "but I want to find out if you do, I'd gladly spread the word around then" he smiled and shoved his way in while she stared at him"Nice place you have here, so sad you staying alone" he blabbed but Nina remained at her spot with a blank expression."Should I sit or?" Mr James asked"You let yourself in already.." she rolled her eyes."You love collecting artworks huh?" He asked trying to touch a painting but she sneered at him"Painted them myself
#Flashback"Sorry, my bad" Clara chuckled as she apologized."Jeez bitch watch it!" Carly snapped"Bitch?! I apologized already" Clara retorted"You stepped on me""..and I apologized, but bitch? Take that back" Clara snapped.She had accidentally stepped on Carly's foot while rushing to get to the elevator."You prefer to be called a slut?" Carly chuckled"Too bad I ain't like you" Clara smirked"Did you just call me a slut?!" Carly gasped"I pretty sure I didn't mention that word in my speech earlier" Clara grinned enjoying the anger on her faceDing! Sounded the elevator as the doors whooshed open"See you later neighbor" Clara rolled her eyes but Carly went after her pulling her by the hair"Trust me, you don't want to get in my black book" she growled "Jeez, let go" Clara winced in pain knocking her hand off."You're sick Carly, I don't know what this is all about, but I'm determined to have a blissful day ahead of me and you or no one can ruin that" she spat and walked off.#fl
Ellie cleared her throat once more before giving a knock at the door. There was no response, she used the bells next, she could hear footsteps approaching from within and she took a step backward. Nina looked through the hole and saw Ellie to her surprise. She opened up sticking her head out and giving her a look that spelt _need something?_"Uhhh... Hi" Ellie gave her best smile but Nina blinked in maybe response."Can I come in?" She asked and Nina sighed before letting her in"Thanks" Ellie muttered as she stepped in.They got to the living room and she sat down"Hi" Ellie started again"You said that already" Nina rolled her eyes."Nina, you do know Mr James is dead and my sister's in jail for it" "Never knew she's the type to kill" Nina chuckled"Cause she ain't, Clara would never hurt a fly, I need your help Nina" she blurted her reason out."If he wasn't dead someone would still kill him" Nina said in her head."My help with what?" She asked instead"As much as my sister is in
"she's meeting someone" potter reported"A guy" he said"Follow them still" Wheeler ordered."This is one crazy case, ain't it?" Harry chuckledHarry Guerrero had been the medical examiner for fifteen years, he knew his job well, this was little compared to what he had seen in the field."All I need is evidence to plant the girl in there and prolly find her accomplice and this shit is over" wheeler sighed."It's not as you think" Harry clicked his tongue"Huh?" Wheeler asked confused as Harry dropped the file in front of him.Wheeler grabbed it quickly tearing it open and glancing through immediately."It's worse enough that new suspects keep popping up, now this?" Wheeler looked up."You sure about this?" He asked"You care to do my job?" Harry retorted "Nah, I know you, this is your tuff" wheeler smiled knowing he had pushed a button"Wanna grab a drink?" Harry asked"Sure, just one last report from Potter and I'd be standing before our old man" wheeler grunted as he stood."Mr Eva
"oh it's been stressful as you know" Ellie giggled."You were quite little back then" Gerald smiled."Hey, it's been five years" Ellie countered"Definitely not five days" Gerald kept his smiling face."Gerald!!" Aunt Kathy called"She's back" Ellie laughed as they both stepped out."Ellie?" Aunt Kathy gasped"Hi aunt" Ellie smiled."What are you doing here?" She asked as Gerald took her bag"Came to say hi""Thought you didn't need my help with your sister""I said I just came to say hi, I didn't realize it's been so long we last visited" Ellie walked up to her and took her hand."What's going on?" Kathy asked shocked"Nothing, I'd be gone in a few minutes, been around for two hours now, let me lead you up" Ellie offered and Kathy just stared at her not withdrawing her hand."Thanks" aunt Kathy smiled as they got to her room."But seriously Ellie..."Aunty, I ain't here to poison you" Ellie chuckled."How's Clara faring?" The woman asked"She's doing fine, not great, she's needs to b
The kids had gone to school and she kept pacing by the door. Her aunt would never stop her from strolling or visiting a friend but she felt nervous on how to obtain permission. She could just disappear and appear before her aunt returns from the mart, but she decided to tell her and seek her permission before leaving the house."Winter?" The woman stepped out in a flowing gown, she wasn't dressed to leave, maybe she won't be going to the Mart today, Winter thought."Winter!" She called again"Aunt Mary" Winter smiled"Goodmorning" she greeted."Why are you here?" Aunt Mary asked after nodding to her greeting"Uhh, aunt.. don't get pissed" she smiled holding the woman's hand, "I'd like to go out today" she said but her aunt had an indifferent expression on."Aunt?" She called when the woman said nothing."Were you rehearsing on how to tell me this?" Aunt Mary asked amused and Winter blinked cutely."A friend?" She asked"Nahh.. the bakery you met me at the other day, I love their cupca
Rushing out in her black jeans and a pink tank top, she flags down a cab taking her straight to the bakery she's dreamt of all night. Winter felt excited and nervous at the same time like one going for an interview. Maybe the thoughts about her reuniting with her sister made the drive shorter, she was surprised how fast they had gotten there. She paid and stepped out checking the time on her phone"11:58, I'm on time" she smiled to herself and walked in slowly as though she was counting her steps. Her eyes didn't wander but went straight to the counter, it wasn't who she was looking for.."11:59, a minute more" she sighed rubbing her hands together as she took a seat by the window again. She didn't order nothing but had her eyes glued to the door, she was growing impatient."Does she work on shifts? Ain't she coming today?" Winter's shoulders dropped as she looked down at her phone, contemplating on whether to walk up to the girl behind the counter and probably ask for Nina's contact.