chapter 2

In the dimly lit chamber of Richville's Town Hall, a clandestine gathering unfolded. Mayor Samuel Grant, an influential figure himself, had summoned the town's nine founding families to discuss a grim matter—the untimely death of Nate. The air was thick with tension, and shadows danced ominously on the wood-paneled walls.

The chamber filled with a silent anticipation as the town's most prominent figures took their seats, some accompanied by their partners. Here, in the heart of Richville, power lay not only in numbers but in old alliances forged through generations.

Mayor Samuel Grant, his poise unwavering, surveyed the assembly. "Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us on this solemn occasion."

As he spoke, the spotlight of attention fell upon the families in attendance:

The Grants, with Mayor Samuel and his wife, Roberta.

The Harringtons, led by Lucas Harrington and his wife, Margaret.

The Worthingtons, represented by Charles Worthington and his wife, Eleanor.

The Prestons, with Edward Preston and his wife, Victoria.

The Hamiltons, Thomas Hamilton and his wife, Catherine.

The Carters, William Carter and his wife, Isabella.

The Parkers, Richard Parker and his wife, Sarah.

The Andersons, John Anderson and his wife, Elizabeth.

The Spencers, where Henry Spencer sat as a somber widower.

In the midst of this assembly, the weight of responsibility fell squarely upon Sheriff Oliver, a member of one of the founding families himself. The families directed their discussion towards him, their questions relentless.

"What have you discovered about Nate's death, Oliver?" Margaret Harrington's voice was sharp.

The questions continued, aimed squarely at Sheriff Oliver:

"Why hasn't an arrest been made?"

"Do you have any leads?"

"Is our town safe with a killer on the loose?"

Only the mayor backed the sheriff. As the questions mounted, Sheriff Oliver could feel his patience wearing thin. Finally, he snapped, his voice cutting through the room like a whip.

"Have any of you ever been in my position? Could you have solved a murder in under 24 hours?!" Sheriff Oliver's frustration boiled over as he confronted the relentless questions from the founding families.

In response to the sheriff's outburst, Mayor Samuel Grant rose from his seat, his voice resonating with authority and frustration. "Ladies and gentlemen, I want to make it abundantly clear that Sheriff Oliver and the entire police department have been tirelessly working on this case since the moment it happened. They have not rested, and they will not rest until the killer is brought to justice."

The mayor's impassioned speech hung heavily in the air, a reminder that the town's law enforcement was committed to resolving the grim puzzle that had gripped Richville. The founding families, though skeptical, could not deny the dedication displayed by the sheriff and his team in their pursuit of the elusive murderer.

But among the families, the Hamiltons, grieving parents of Nate, stood out. Their frustration boiled over as they relentlessly bashed the sheriff, accusing him of incompetence and ineffectiveness. Catherine Hamilton, Nate's mother, ranted like a woman possessed by grief. Her husband, Thomas Hamilton, attempted to calm her, but his efforts seemed in vain.

"The sheriff doesn't know how to do his job!" Catherine Hamilton's voice cracked with anguish as she berated Sheriff Oliver. "Our son is dead, and he's here making excuses! We want justice!"

Sheriff Oliver, though battered by their accusations, couldn't help but think about what he would do if he were in their shoes. He imagined the pain of losing his own child, brutally murdered and left on the streets. It sent a shiver down his spine, and he knew that he would stop at nothing to bring the killer to justice. It was a haunting thought that fueled his determination to solve this case, not just for the town but for the grieving parents who deserved answers and closure.

After a series of misunderstandings, heated exchanges, and, eventually, some semblance of agreement, the tension-filled meeting at Richville's Town Hall finally came to an end. The founding families, though still skeptical, realized that Sheriff Oliver and his team were doing all they could to solve the tragic puzzle that had befallen their town.

As the meeting concluded, the families dispersed, each returning to their respective lives and responsibilities. The weight of the unresolved murder case hung over Richville like a dark cloud.

********

Sheriff Oliver entered the hospital with a sense of purpose. He knew that visiting the injured girl, the victim of the hit-and-run incident, could provide crucial information. As he reached her ward, an unexpected sight greeted him. Damon's mom was already there, engaged in conversation with two individuals who wore expressions of deep concern.

The sheriff discreetly observed the faces of the two people beside the girl's bed and recognized the unmistakable signs of grief and sadness. It was evident that they were the injured girl's parents. This unexpected encounter presented an opportunity for Sheriff Oliver to begin his questioning and gather valuable insights into the hit-and-run incident.

"Laura" He called Damon's mom.

Laura observed Sheriff Oliver standing at the door of the hospital room and excused herself from the conversation with the girl's parents. She walked over to the sheriff, who looked determined to speak with the parents.

"Sheriff, I understand your job, but please, not now," Laura implored, her voice filled with empathy. "They're still in deep grief, and it's not the right time."

Sheriff Oliver nodded, acknowledging her concern. "I apologize for interrupting. I just wanted to have a word with the girl's parents."

Laura could see the conflict in the sheriff's eyes, torn between duty and compassion. She placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "I know you're doing your best, but give them some time. They'll be more cooperative when they've had a chance to process this."

Before their discussion could escalate further, Mr. James, the girl's father, intervened. He stepped forward, his voice carrying a heavy burden of sorrow, and said, "Sheriff, I'll answer any questions you have. We want to help in any way we can to bring justice for our daughter."

Sheriff Oliver respected Mr. James' willingness to cooperate, especially considering the grief that engulfed the room. They began discussing the hit-and-run incident, keeping in mind that while it hadn't been proven to be connected to Nate's murder, the circumstances raised suspicion.

Sheriff Oliver sat down with Mr. James, a heavy silence hanging in the room. "Mr. James, I understand this is a difficult time for your family, and I appreciate your willingness to help. I just have a few questions to understand what happened that night."

Mr. James nodded, his eyes filled with sorrow.

"First, can you tell me if your daughter remembers anything about the incident? Any details, no matter how small, could be crucial."

Mr. James sighed, his gaze distant. "She hasn't regained consciousness since the accident. The doctors are doing everything they can, but we're waiting for her to wake up."

Sheriff Oliver nodded in understanding. "I see. I hope she recovers soon. Can you tell me what you know about her activities that night? Was she alone, or was she with someone?"

"We were at home," Mr. James explained. "She had been studying for her tests and said she was going out to get some fresh air. We didn't know she had left until we got the call about the accident."

The sheriff noted down the information. "Thank you for sharing that. Now, do you have any idea why someone might have targeted her? Any conflicts or issues she might have been involved in recently?"

Mr. James shook his head. "She's a good student, keeps to herself. We can't think of anyone who would want to hurt her."

Sheriff Oliver understood the grieving father's concern. "I appreciate your cooperation, Mr. James. We'll do everything we can to find out who did this. If you remember anything or if your daughter wakes up and recalls anything, please don't hesitate to contact us."

As the conversation ended, Sheriff Oliver gathered valuable information that might aid in the investigation of the hit-and-run incident, holding onto the hope that the girl's recovery would bring more answers to light.

In the midst of their conversation, Sheriff Oliver couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to the story. It seemed too much of a coincidence that both events had occurred on the same night and in the same neighborhood. It was as if someone had orchestrated these tragedies with a sinister intent, and the sheriff hoped that when the injured girl woke up, she would provide crucial information that might shed light on the interconnected web of mysteries surrounding that fateful night.

********

Damon was in his room studying for his tests when he got a video call from his best friend Fortune. Fortune asked what he was doing, to which he replied that he was studying. Then Fortune urged him to check his inbox. Apparently, a classmate of theirs, Alex, had sent an invitation to some of everyone in their class and the entire school's sports team to come to a party at his house. The reason for the celebration was that the swimming team had won the state championship, so Alex decided to throw a big party to celebrate.

RichVille earned its name because it had the highest population of wealthy people in the country living in one town. But Alex's family was next-level rich, and he didn't fail to show it off.

"Nah, hard pass," Damon replied after reading the invitation text.

"You're a fool if you think I'm taking 'no' for an answer," said Fortune.

Damon heard a loud horn and went to check from his window. There, he saw a flashy supercar honking impatiently. It was Fortune, who had already arrived, ready to take him to the party.

"Show off," Damon said to him sarcastically.

"Get dressed, buddy, we're gonna party," Fortune said.

Damon, dressed and ready for the night's festivities, met Fortune and hopped into his car. He reminded Fortune that they needed to be back before 9 pm because he was determined to continue his studies. Fortune chuckled and teasingly replied, "Okay, nerd."

With that, they set off towards Alex's grand celebration. As they arrived at the party, the crowd went wild upon spotting Fortune. He was exceptionally popular, being the captain of the soccer team alongside Alex. Damon, on the other hand, had his own brand of popularity. While he was recognized for his remarkable intelligence and impressive soccer skills, his reserved and gentle personality kept him from being in the spotlight. He was content with a smaller circle of friends, not particularly concerned with the fanfare of popularity.

"Hey, lemme holla at those guys real quick," Fortune told Damon as soon as he spotted a group of guys in a corner of the house, each holding plastic cups and laughing boisterously.

"Go on, I'll just stand and vibe to the music," Damon replied.

"Get yourself something, buddy. I promise I'll be back before you know it," Fortune assured him before making his way to join the group.

Damon observed as Fortune shook hands and joined in their merriment. It made him ponder what Fortune saw in him to consider him his best friend. Their energies didn't exactly match, and Damon often felt like he was a contrast to Fortune's vibrant personality. He wondered if Fortune ever felt like he was forcing himself to be around him.

His gaze returned to Fortune, who was now dancing and chatting with a few girls. Damon couldn't help but chuckle. His friend was a true chick magnet, effortlessly drawing attention wherever he went. Fortune was an attractive young man, tall and athletic, black with striking features that could turn heads. Girls seemed to gravitate toward him with minimal effort, leaving Damon curious about his friend's secret.

With a faint smile, Damon decided to take a stroll around the party. He didn't want to stand there like a mannequin, and perhaps, amid the festivities, he would find his own rhythm for the night.

in one of the many rooms, Alicia sat atops Alex's laps as they both of them made out. The room filled with arousal. He decided to take her clothes off but she stopped him. "What's wrong?" Alex asked as Alicia pulled away from their heated kiss, concern in his eyes.

She placed her hands around his neck and began to speak, her tone serious. "Look, I've been thinking, we like each other, right? Why haven't we started dating yet?" This was a conversation Alex wasn't quite prepared for.

Alex hesitated for a moment before responding, "We don't need to be in any official relationship, Alicia. I mean, we like each other, and that's all that matters."

Alicia, however, wasn't easily dissuaded. "You know all we do is make out all the time, and pretty much the whole school thinks we're dating. Why not make it official? I've given this a lot of thought."

Alex, sensing that perhaps others had influenced her decision, cautiously asked, "Did your friends put you up to this?"

Alicia's anger flared at the question. Did he think she was incapable of making her own decisions? "Do you think I'm stupid and incapable of thinking for myself?"

Panicking slightly, Alex tried to clarify, "What? No, I didn't mean it like that."

Alicia was frustrated and hurt. "That's exactly what you just implied. I can see that you're using me, and now you're saying I can't think for myself?"

Feeling overwhelmed by the intensity of the situation and the emotions in the room, Alex struggled to find the right words. "Alicia, I'm dealing with a lot right now, okay? Let's talk about this when we're done with the party."

But Alicia had already made up her mind. She stood up, grabbed her bag, and declared, "How about we forget about each other and accept that this was a mistake?"

With those words, she left the room, ignoring Alex's attempts to call after her.

As she got out of the room, Alicia bumped into Damon, who noticed her sad expression and asked what happened. She brushed him off, saying, "Not now, Damon," and continued on her way.

Alex emerged from the room shortly after, and Damon couldn't help but inquire, "What did you say to her?"

"Party's downstairs, D. This place is off-limits," Alex replied curtly, leaving Damon with unanswered questions as he too walked away.

Damon decided to put the matter aside for now and joined the party downstairs, leaving the tension of the previous conversation behind him.