Chapter 41

The call disconnected."Lady Calvary! "I yelled out.
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Renard's POV
Aunt wasn't happy to see me.  She eyed me each time our eyes met. I had to put up with her nonsense. I made it clear to her that I wasn't there to joke around. I gave her the needed information. Warned about her attitude and behaviour.
Honestly, I tried my best. I did my part.  Now, it was up to her to change or choose not to. If she did something wrong again, I was going to arrest her with so much pleasure.
I drank my coffee one last time before I pulled the car out of my aunt's house. "Brook Street," I read the sign post again.
I admired the street and buildings. Brook Street was better than Liberty Street were I lived. I saw a crowd from afar. Something has to be wrong.  People were with their phones, I guessed. They were recording.
I pulled over. A guy ran over to me. "Thank God you are here. We've been trying to call the Police. Something awful happened. "
"Relax. Get the people to move away."He nodded his head.
I got to the scene. A young girl was bleeding on the floor. These people couldn't help. They just stood and watch. Where did our humanity go?
I informed the Police Department of the incident. The ambulance arrived on time. They took Jennifer away in the van. She was alive.
I questioned someone people about what happened and a name came up.  Lady Calvary. I  walked towards the old lady. She seemed shaken by the incident. I tried to calm her down but she broke into tears.
"Who would do this to Jennifer? Sweet girl. Her mother called me earlier. She was worried about her. I decided to help her by checdave up on Jennifer. I found her on the floor beside a knife," she cried more.
I rushed to the scene. The knife was still on the floor. I looked around. Everything in the house was in order. This might be a murder or a suicide case.
I saw oranges on the floor and on the plate. This is definitely murder. I stepped outside.
"Madam, did you see anyone? "
She shook her head. I questioned others but no one knew what happened. This was indeed strange.
My colleagues arrived soon after. Examined the house and questioned the old woman more. The knife was the only evidence.
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Stone' POV
"Dav, you need to help me. I need it more than ever. You know my situation. "
David eyes rolled."I warned you about it. You were stubborn. You want to do good. Look at the consequences. You still haven't learnt your lesson. No wise man will be stupid enough to help you. I'm leaving. "He left the restaurant before I could stop him.
He was my only hope. None of my friends or colleagues wanted to help. They didn't want to experience what I had gone through. I was warned but I didn't listen. I tried to be everyone's saviour. I risked the lives of my family. My Lillian, Jennifer. I was selfish.
Lillian found someone better. Alan. I won't lie. I couldn't deny it anymore. I was jealous of him. He gave her the love she deserved. —but there was something dangerous about him. He was a ghost. There was no details about him and his family. Nothing. I feared for Jennifer's sake. I wished to expose him.  Lillian was blindfolded by her love for him that she neglected Jennifer.
She was a good woman. Her views about life made me fall for her. Now, Alan turned her against Jennifer. The phone rang. An unknown number.
"Hello? "I answered the call.
"This is Detective Inspector Renard. Are you Mr. Stone? "
Detective Inspector Renard. I wondered why he would be calling me. I didn't commit a crime. Did he find out about the truth?
"Are you Mr. Stone? Are you Jennifer's father? "
"Yes, I am Stone and I'm Jennifer's father. How can I help you? "
I received the most shocdave news. I froze for a while. Jennifer? I rushed out of the restaurant not after paying the bill. I ran like a madman.
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Lillian's POV
I prayed silently. Please let Jennifer be safe. Don't let anything happen to my daughter. I arrived at the house. I could sight a crowd near my house. The media were there. I saw the Police vehicles and Policemen. They won't let me near the house.
"I live here. Let me in. This is my house. What happened? "
An officer took me to the Detective Inspector. I was told his name was Renard and he wanted to talk to me. I met him and we shook hands. I was eager and nervous to hear what he had to say.
"What happened? Where is Jennifer? I am her mother" I tried to remain calm. He looked at me with a sad expression. Oh...yes...i knew. What he was about to tell me wasn't good. I felt it in my bones.
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Eric's POV
Beny and I had not said a word to each other after I confronted him about seeing Jennifer. We had an argument in which I won.
I didn't know why he chose Jennifer over his own mother. He had no respect for his mother. Instead of him to stand up for her after Jennifer's mother rained insults on her. Mother was hurt. She was reminded of her pain. Something that took years to heal.
If Beny was going to betray mother like Father did, I was going to have to teach him a lesson. I had threaten to do something to Jennifer if he didn't stop.
Of course, I was trying to scare him. I couldn't hurt Jennifer. I wouldn't even dare. She was my best friend but my mother came first.
I was bored while waiting for mother to finish madave Lunch. I decided to watch TV. I laughed so hard at what the heroine was doing to the villain. She tortured him real good.
I hissed angrily when the movie didn't end as expected. The heroine took a bullet for the villain. After everything he did to her, she still helped him. I changed to the news channel.
My eyelids did not blink. I was too shocked to answer my mother's question. Mother stormed in when she didn't receive her reply. "Did you hear me call you? Come and help me boy. "
I struggled to look at her. I heard a fall to the ground. Mother had fallen. She saw the news. Tears left my eyes. "Mother? It's Jennifer. "
The door sprang open. Beny glared at me. I knew why he was glaring. I couldn't hurt Jennifer. It wasn't me.
"I swear I didn't do that to Jennifer. I just wanted to scare you. " I managed to left myself off the chair. Beny kept moving towards me quietly.
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Emperor's POV
I had never seen him so angry. The look on his face scared me. Majesty and I tried to talk sense into him but it seemed useless.
"What is his problem?" Majesty enquired. I shrugged.
What could make him so angry? prak! prak!! prak!!! He broke Mother's ancient statue that was in front of me.  I stared at the broken pieces in disbelief. Mother was going to be super mad.
"Dave!" I yelled his name. "Calm down!" He turned to look at me. When I got his attention, I continued."What's wrong? Why are you so angry?"
He ignored my questions and continued like a lunatic. He kept breadave things. Mother's things. A bell rang in my head. I looked at the clues. He was definitely angry with mother. What did she do? I wondered.
Almighty and his wife rushed in. They tried to calm him down. He just gave us deaf ears. He went on and on, breadave mother's valuables.
"What is his problem? "My Elder brother, Almighty asked.
"He is being childish again" Majesty added.
"Look at this place. He is going to be in big trouble," Almighty's wife joined in.
I was getting tired of their complains. "Will you all stop this pooh pooh. Can't you see? He is breadave mother's stuffs."
"It means he is angry with mother. But why?" Majesty reasoned.
"I know why." A voice behind us spoke.
We turned to the direction of the voice. Prince pointed to his phone. We all saw.  The colours on our faces drained.
"Mother! "
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The Detective Department
Renard's POV
The results came in early that morning. The knife which was our only evidence proved to be useless. Only the girl's hand print was on the knife.
The department did not want to investigate the case because they believe it was suicide. They gave so many reasons she would try to kill herself.
First, the problem at school. I heard it had a connection with the Power family. Next, her family situation. Christ! Their reasons were baseless to me. I had an hunch that it wasn't suicide.
I paid the girl's family a visit. I look at where I found Jennifer for a while. I sat on a chair calculating the odds. There was more to this. My colleagues were not thindave outside the box.
"Mr. Renard? "A voice dragged me from my thoughts.
"Mrs. Stone, thank you for having me," I smiled warmly.
"I hope you don't believe them. I know Jennifer. She won't just give up like that. Someone killed my daughter, "she cried . I tried to comfort her but she wouldn't hear me out.
I had a second to think. Maybe there was a way I could help. 'Think!' I told myself. An idea popped in my head. My son had a diary which is strange. Jennifer must have one too. Girls own diaries. It could get me my needed information.
"Mrs. Stone, does your daughter have a diary or a book? " She lifts her face from her wet palms that was soaked in tears and gave me a confused look. Did she not know what I was taldave about? I thought.
"Yes, she does. Why do you want it? How's that important? "
I wanted to roll my eyes at her lack of sense. "The diary is essential. It might help in your daughter's case. We will get to know what was on her mind."
She hugged me in tears. She kept thandave me."Thank you... Thank you...for not giving up on my Jennifer." The hug became even tighter as she spoke.
She ran upstairs to get the diary. It was like I gave her a reason to smile again. She took long but I waited patiently. I wanted to at least try to help. This mother needed to know the truth.
A man walked with a cigarette in his mouth. I wondered who he was. He couldn't be Mr. Stone. He was too young. He seemed to be angry, very mad.
He threw the cigarette on the table and sat opposite me." Who are you? Never seen you here." He tried to sound sane but I could see right through the act. He was drunk.
Mrs. Stone ran downstairs with a book in her hand. She stopped by the end of the stairs after she saw the stranger. I took notice of the looks the were exchanging.
The man spoke again, "I waited for you.  You didn't show up! What took your time?! "He screamed at the top of his lungs. He actually startled me.
"Not now Alan. I'll explain later,"Mrs. Stone spoke in a calm voice.
He won't just listen," What could be important? I booked that restaurant for us" He grabbed her by the arm. I had to step in but Mrs. Stone beat me to it.
"Jennifer is in the hospital fighting for her life. They found her in cold blood. Now, the Police think it is suicide. I know my Jennifer wouldn't do that. Someone fucdave killed her! " Her last statement showed she was done playing nice with the stranger.
"I didn't know. I'm sorry" He ran his hand through his hair. I was confused. Everyone knew about Jennifer's incident but him. I brushed it off my mind.
"Yes, you wouldn't. It's all about you. Stop acting like a child, Alan. Grow up." He tried to go close to her but she pushed him away. She turned to me, "Here is the diary. Jennifer writes everything about her life in it. I have never read it because she won't let me. I hope it helps."
"I hope so. If you suspect anyone let me know. I'll be tadave my leave." I picked up the car keys.
"Alan, you should leave too." He was shocked by her statement but he didn't want to argue. He left silently.
After Mrs. Stone went inside, I received a call from my wife. I hadn't called her since yesterday. I didn't even return home.
"Hello honey... I know... I know. I'm sorry. There is a case I'm waldave on. I might be coming home late tonight. Don't yell. Relax babe. It's important. Talk to you later. Love you. Bye." I quickly ended the call. Victoria can be impossible at times.
I got to the police station by one and I was welcomed by the news that certain persons wanted to talk to only me. Was this connected to Jennifer's case?
My colleagues were in the questioning room waiting for me. I walked loodave at the man in front of me. I knew who he was. Jennifer's father.
"I know who did this to Jennifer. It has to be Alan Coles."
Alan? There was something about the name. I have heard it somewhere. Alan...ohh, the guy I met at the Stone' House.
"I have met him. Who is he?" I asked.
"He is my wife's boyfriend." It all made sense to me. No wonder. He was the boyfriend. Pretty violent boyfriend.
"What makes you suspect him?"
"I use to be a reporter. I did a research on him. He is a ghost. No family details. Isn't it strange? He looks dangerous to me. He doesn't like Jennifer and I."
Oh yeah... It was strange. For someone to be a complete ghost was fishy. His dislike for Mr Stone and his daughter didn't surprise. Mrs. Stone had to be the reason. I went on asdave him few questions but he said Mrs. Stone would have the answer.
"Thank you Mr. Stone. Keep in touch with us." He exit the room.
"I checked for this Alan guy. No police record too. He's clean. This is a waste of time,"James said.
"We found a name that might help us. Precious Coles. We will find her,"David added
I nodded my head while paying attention to the book in my hand. Jennifer's diary.
Beny's POV
My mother must have been able to stop me from killing Eric but she couldn't stop me from going to the police station. He needed to be punished for what he did to Jennifer.
I thought he was a quiet and timid boy. He proved me wrong. He was a heartless beast who was trying to please his mother. Like an evil creepy puppet.
No matter how convincing he sounded, I didn't care. He threatened to do something to Jennifer and he actually did.
I met Dave at the Police Station. He became my second suspect. I kept him at the back of my mind. I demanded to speak to Mr. Renard because to me, he was the only sensible person on his team.
I was taken to a waiting room. I sat on the chair and I was informed that Mr. Renard will be in the station shortly. I waited.
Dave's POV
I was sure my mother got the message I was sending across to her. I was not to be messed with. Can you imagine? I actually did as she told me. I stayed away from Jennifer. I was ready to end all ties with her. —but mother wanted to make a point by attacdave Jennifer.
Oh yes...i was going to make my own point. We might be powerful when we are together but once divided, it was a whole new story to tell.
I was prepared to ruin my mother, reveal all her skeletons and show the world the Power's weakest side. I willing to risk it all for Jennifer. She didn't deserve what she was getting. She deserved justice.
I was to be taken to the questioning room to meet with the Detective Inspector. I was told he was the best man for the job.
If the Police Department could not handle this case. I was willing and prepared to have it privately investigated by the town's best Investigators and Detectives.
I sat down on a bench to recollect my courage. It was going to take a lot to ruin my family. I inhaled and exhaled, relaxing my nerves. I repeated the exercise three times. It wasn't going to be an easy fight. It was I against my family. I was all alone.
Beny walked into the Police Station. I felt so much guilt. It was all my fucdave fault. If only I just let Jennifer be. I also had a hand in it.  "I'll make sure to tell the D. I. that," I said to myself.
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Lillian's POV
"What happened? Did they let you see her? " I was worried about my daughter. He shook his head in sadness.
"This is all my fault Lillian. What can I do to stop this? Tell me,"he said, crying.
There was no need for him to blame himself. I was the biggest culprit. I was suppose to be the pillar of this family. I just gave up on my family. I went against my morals. I failed.
I pulled Stone into a hug. We hugged each other and cried. We missed those days. "I'm sorry Stone. I cheated on you. I abandoned our family. Forgive me," I cried even more.
"Shhh...don't cry. It's my fault. I am a coward. I just didn't know what to do."
We kept playing the it's my fault game. I was tired of everything. I wanted my old life back. I wanted to be happy again.
"Stone? Take me back. I want you back. I want to be your wife again. Please, " I begged.
He just looked at me in shock like he couldn't  believe his ears.
"Say that again?" it sounded like he was asdave. I smiled.
Stone' POV
I went to the hospital to see Jennifer but the Doctors wouldn't let me. They told me to wait for one or two more days. They didn't even let me know if she was OK. Was she alive or perhaps dead?
They wanted to carry more test on her. This was my fucdave daughter. She was no lab rat. I stormed out of the hospital.
When I got home, Lillian rushed to me. She wanted to know if they let me see Jennifer. I shook my head and dropped to the ground. I was at fault.
"This is all my fault Lillian. What can I do to stop this? Tell me, "I cried.
We kept going on, blaming ourselves. It's my fault. I wasn't interested in whatever she had done. I forgave her long ago. I blamed myself for her actions. I didn't give her the attention she needed. I neglected my wife.
We hugged each other and cried. I prayed silently that our lives should go back to normal. I mean when there was no Alan, Power and the rest.
"Stone? Take me back. I want you back. I want to be your wife again. Please, "she begged.
Her declaration threw me back. I just looked at her speechless. I wasn't expecting her to say that. I wasn't expecting her to want me after everything. I couldn't believe what I had heard.
"Say that again? "It sounded like a question but I wasn't asdave. She smiled at me.