Chapter 43

The D. P. O came in few seconds ago but Inspector Renard was too focused on Jennifer's book. Mr. Cletus, the D. P. O walks towards James and taps him, enquiring about the investigation.
"There is no progress. Renard has been reading that book." Before Mr. Cletus could reach for Renard, David stops him. "Let's leave him to do his own investigation. I and James will do the needful. I believe Renard knows what he's doing."
The D. P. O frowns but agrees later with David. "I want you and James in my office." The two police officers follow Mr. Cletus.
The telephone rings. Renard moves his eyes from the book to the phone.
"Hello, Police Station. How can I help you?"
There is no response. Soon after, the caller ends the call. Renard dials the number again, no reply. Was this call connected to Jennifer's case.
He rushes to have the call trace but it couldn't not be traced. Maybe it is a random caller.
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James' POV
The D.P.O. called us to his office. He didn't seem pleased due to the arrest of Mrs. Powers. The Powers automatically controlled the police department. You could choose to call them 'anti Justice'. No one dared their powers.
Renard was in for a big one. His life would be completely ruined after Mrs. Powers is proven not guilty. That was a good thing for me. Renard portrays himself as a honest man. Law abiding citizen. He had ruined my chances of ever getting richer. I was willing to do anything to get rid of him.
I planned on privately taldave to Mrs. Powers. In exchange for my help, she is to ruin Renard. I wanted his ruin to be remembered for many generations to come. I was going to solve Jennifer's case and take credit for it.
I felt a tap. It went on for a while. Gosh! I must have been lost in my thoughts.
"Yes? I'm so sorry Sir. This case has turned me into a thindave box. Renard is doing absolutely nothing. I'm left with the job of thindave," I tried to act convincing.
"It would be more helpful if you do a lot of actions and less thindave," Mr. Cletus said.
David gave me a curious look. He might have been suspecting me of plotting evil. This man and honest are best friends. He literally worshipped Renard like he's some god. Oh wait and see. Once Renard is gone, David will be a waldave corpse.
"You can stop loodave now. We have to interrogate Mrs. Powers," I eyed David.
Mrs. Powers is a stubborn woman. All the questions that was asked, she chose to ignore. I kept and keep wondering what they all see in Renard. This woman was proving difficult. I so badly wanted to strangle her. —but, no...she was a pun in my little game.
"I will only speak to the Detective Inspector," she said.
"I'm right here, Mrs. Powers. Let's talk."
Renard walked in with hands in his pockets. I intentionally rolled my eyes. He was an expert in getting attention. Not for too long.
Renard's POV
I silently watched Mrs. Powers and her lawyers. The clip was played over and over again. I could see many questions in her eyes. In here, I did the questioning. She had no right. Inside those same eyes, I saw hurt and anger. My eagerness doubled.
"What you see in this video, is it real? A simple Yes or No."
"My client clearly did not threaten Jennifer. The son misunderstood his mother's intention," the light skinned Lawyer spoke.
"Mrs. Powers can speak. Am I right?" I looked at her waiting for reply. She signaled her lawyers to remain quiet.
"What do you think, Mr. Renard? You are the Detective. You tell me."
She wanted to play me as a fool. She was cunning. I must commend her. I could see why she ended up as the daughter in law of the Powers. A feisty woman.
"The statement you made, give me a clearer picture of what you meant."
"I said that out of anger. My son misunderstood my intentions. I was pljennyng on warning Jennifer to stay away from my son. I would never harm an innocent girl. Jennifer can attest to that. I have no hand in this."
I almost got convinced with her statement. I remembered. Some criminals always said the same thing. Trying to be the victim. I understood well.
"Why you want to separate Jennifer and Dave? "
"She wasn't good enough for my son. With all her family history? I would never allow an immoral girl to become a part of my family."
I laughed and everyone in the room looked at me in confusion.
"Did you know that your son also convicted himself. He said he was also to blame."
I always seem to carry shock with me, everywhere I go. Mrs Power's mouth dropped. Her face radiated a mother's fear. I have seen my wife display it before when I forgot to pick my daughter from school.
The look scared me. It still does. Never mess with a mother's child. I always keep it in mind.
"Don't listen to him. He is naive. An idiot in love," her voice betrayed her confidence. She's his mother after all.
"Let me tell you what I make of this story. You don't like Jennifer because she's immoral. Dave is crazy about her. He is willing to go against his family. You don't agree with him. In order to separate them, you threatened him. One thing that baffles me, why would you still go ahead and do it after Dave obeyed?"
She shook her head repeatedly.
"Or is there another reason?"
The Police official hours were over. Mrs. Power and her son were placed under house arrest. Dave insisted that he should be locked in the cell. After the convincing from his family members and some police officers, he still didn't change his mind.
His mother assigned body guards to watch over her stubborn son. She was worried about him. He was not used to sleeping in an harsh environment.
They were not the only once whose freedom were restricted. Due to the official closure, Alan and Eric were going to spend the night in prison.
Alan was not in anyway bothered about it. He was used to the prison life. He laid on the floor mourning his broken heart and thindave about his old life. The cell reminded him of so much. He wished to forget but he couldn't.
"No!!! He can't stay here! Why can't he go on bail?" Eric's mother kept yelling in the station. She troubled the Police and got herself arrested for raising her hand to an officer. She was placed in a cell opposite Eric's.
She looked at her son whose face has been drained of happiness. He just sat there staring at the wall. Hopeless. Tears rolled down her eyes.
Lillian and Stone decided to pay Jennifer a visit in the hospital after a quick conversation with the D. P. O. They wanted to make sure she was fine.
Renard's POV
I relaxed myself on my chair. I was tired and weak. I had not been home since yesterday. I missed the warmth of my wife's body. I missed my annoying kids.
I continued reading the girl's book. I was surprised she finished writing her story under hours. I was completely sure I couldn't do that. I should try.
Her book was ranked number two. I guessed, Claire Monte's must be number one. I wanted to deny the facts but Claire is still number one. Jennifer
didn't get number one.
I was glad she got into the Literature club. Her reasons? I did not agree with. That should not be a reason at all. Crushing on your teacher? Jealousy? Jealousy is never a good thing and will never be.
My saliva chocked me after I read the next line. Dave was Claire's boyfriend. Dave Powers? Unbelievable! These generation kids were complicated. Something fishy was going on in that school.
Dave broke up with Claire for Jennifer. What?! That will add more fuel to the fire. These girls were enemies. What was Dave thindave?
Prang! Prang!! Prang!!!
My wife was calling.
"Hello Honey"
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Lilian's POV
St Joseph's Hospital
We sat in the car too scared to go out, too scared to have the Doctors tell us the same thing again. 'you can't see her yet until all the testings are done'.
I didn't want to hear those words again.  I tried to be positive. I squeezed my husband's hand. He kept encouraging me, pouring in the needed confidence. I could do this.
We stepped out of the car. Stone gave me an assuring smile. We waited in the waiting room to see the Doctor. Stone left the room to get us drinks. He said, it was needed in our situation. I trusted him.
I listened to the conversation of two women behind me. It's not what you think. I was bored of waiting for the Doctor. So, I decided to add my ears to their conversation.
I was certain they were gossiping. I don't like gossips and I also don't encourage you do that. I just had to listen.  Don't blame me. Blame boredom.
"I heard her daughter committed suicide,"the woman by the left muttered.
"Poor girl. With a mother like hers, why wouldn't she end her life. A woman who kicks her husband out of the house and brings in another man. Not even an older man but a young one. A woman who neglects her daughter. She's a worthless piece of shit," the woman by the left added.
Their words stabbed me in the heart. They didn't fall out of point. There were truths in their words. I am to blame for what happened.
"Will you two shut up?! Judge her if you are perfect," one of the nurses spoke. She looked at the women with disgust. "Why are you quiet? You no longer want to judge her. Look closely and you will see society's biggest problem. It's written on each of your faces."
Stone stood by door with the drinks in his hands. He must have heard what the two women said about me. He handed me a drink. His eyes were on the women. I knew what he was about to do.
He kissed me on the forehead and followed the women who gossiped about me outside. I wanted to stop him but a voice interrupted me. The voice of the nurse who defended me.
"Don't listen to them. They are jobless. The Doctor is in Jennifer's room. He is checdave on her. You may go and see him"
Happiness hugged me tightly, filling my soul with its charm. I was allowed to see my daughter.
"Listen," she said. "You are not allowed inside the room. Just stand outside."
My bones weaken. I hoped but...
I stopped by the door of Jennifer's room. I couldn't help but cry. I blamed myself for everything. I wasn't a good mother. I neglected my daughter due to the problems in the family.
Dr. Manny came out of her room and saw me crying." Mrs. Stone? Are you sure you don't need help?" I saw concern in his eyes for me. Maybe this was normal to doctors.
"Doctor, I'm OK. Is Jennifer's health improving?"
The Doctor didn't reply. He shook his head and walked away. There was something he wasn't telling me. He was definitely hiding something.
"Is Jennifer alive?!"
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Renard's POV
"8:00pm"
My wife called earlier. She pleaded with me to come home. Let's cut the long story short. She bribed me with her body. Which is very sexy. I couldn't refuse.
Work got in the way and I came home late. Victoria called around six and...you know the rest. She must be asleep. Angry. I opened the door of the house quietly. I didn't want to wake anyone.
I went upstairs to check on the kids. Kennedy was asleep. Laurence...you don't want to know. I pretended to not see him with his phone. He was watching porn. We were going to have a talk in the morning.
Bright.
"Daddy?" she hugged me.
"Hey sweetie. Why aren't you asleep?"
I picked her up and she giggled. I placed her comfortably in bed.
"I heard the sound of your car. I missed you Daddy." She hugged me again.
I kissed her on the cheeks. "I missed you too, Princess. Now sleep," I whispered.
I went downstairs, towards my room. I felt nervous go in.
"Renard, you can come in."
Ohh...she was awake. I sluggishly walk inside the room. She didn't pay me attention. She took off her slippers and tugged herself in bed. I strolled towards her and knelt beside the bed.
"I'm so sorry. I promise I'll make it up to you." I tried kissing her but she rolled over to my side of the bed. She was mad.
An hour later...
I made myself a bed on the couch. I didn't want to bother Victoria. I was going to make it up to her.
I kept loodave at the first suspect in Jennifer's case. I wrote a bunch of names. Claire Monte was the first on the list. I wasn't sure she could kill her. Why would she?
I stared at Jennifer's book for some minutes and I picked it up. I had to finish the book.
Renard's POV
I wondered why Dave would have kept his and Jennifer's relationship a secret if she finally accepted. Jennifer's reasons made me frown. A girl like her would not just commit suicide but instead make a lot of enemies.
I read up to the fight scene between Claire and Dave. Their argument was intense. Once again, Dave saves the day.  I began to suspect Claire Monte more. She had a motive.
I gazed at a line in Jennifer's book. He kissed her. Did Dave really like Jennifer that much? Of course, he did. A boy who disobeys his family members for a girl. I wanted that kind of man for my Bright. A man ready to risk it all.
Eric felt betrayed after he catches Jennifer and Dave kissing. I would have felt the same way. Friendship is not to be joked with. She lied to her friends. Was this where all the problems started?
I didn't agree with Jennifer on some things. There are times you have to let go. She wrote about herself as an unforgiving girl. She was doing all this in order to get revenge on Claire. How did it reach that point?
I was getting tired and annoyed of reading the book. Plenty things didn't add up. Claire's friends leaving her for Jennifer. They must be self centered friends.
Mr. Ben. The name was beginning to irritate me. Why should it? It wasn't his fault that his student was head over heels for him. Teachers like him suffer a whole lot. Mr. Ben gives her a name. James Patterson.
James Patterson is the world's popular thriller writer. I've read most of his books. I, Alex Cross, Alex Cross's Trial, Cross Country, Double Cross, Kill Alex Cross, Four Blind Mice, etc.
My favourite is the Four Blind Mice. The book keeps me ratcheting up the tension. James always delivers. He never disappoints.
Jennifer. Was Jennifer really that generation's James Patterson? I have to read her book, Broken to find out. I repeated that statement in my head over and over, so as to not forget.
Reading her diary mesmerized my little knowledge about teenagers. She is still in love with her Literature Teacher. Beny and Eric stops taldave to her. She stops writing. Broken sold out. Mr. Ben stops calling Claire, Chinua Achebe.
Some teenagers and their craziness. Jennifer must have been a really annoying child. Seriously...
I laid back to push sleep from my eyes. I heard the stairs squeak. I turned around and saw my wife. Our eyes met and I tried to seduce her with my killer smile. She rolled her eyes and walked towards the kitchen. Once again, I got ignored.
I held Jennifer's book close to my face to avoid sleeping. I felt a presence in front of me and I let my eyes roll off the book to the sexy figure. Victoria sat on the table opposite the couch I was sitting on.
"I waited for you. You didn't even have the decency of calling me. I'm your wife for Christ sake!" she raised her voice.
"Honey...you'll wake the kids and the neighbours," I whispered.
"I need an explanation Mr. Police officer,"she lowered her voice. "You better come up with an excuse. A good one."
I dropped Jennifer's book and shifted the table towards me. I reached out for her hands and held it. I placed kisses on them. We looked at each other and laughter came after.
"Don't know why I can't stay mad at you for long. You really messed up, Renard," She kissed me on the forehead.
"I'm sorry honey. I promise it won't happen again. I love you."
She smiled,"You're not going to bribe me with that." She takes off her night gown, leaving only her panties on. "I will have to punish you."
I chuckled softly,"Oooo...I'm scared." Let me eyes enjoy the view she was displaying. She is my everything.
"Give me some minutes let me finish this page. I'll meet you in the room," I said to her and she frowned.
She hugged me from behind. It was time for bed."Honey? Few more minutes..." She wouldn't take no for an answer. She sat on me in order to distract me. Oh...yes...i was...who could resist her body.
Midnight...i checked the time to confirm. I turned to my naked wife. She was sleeping soundly. I didn't want to disturb her but Jennifer's book had to be completed that night.
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Next Day...
Claire's POV
I arrived at his house in the afternoon. I kept asdave myself why I couldn't just forget Mr. Ben. We kept meeting each other at his place, kissing and having sex.
I could not stand the sight of him with another woman. I knew keeping him to myself forever would be impossible. I dreamed of being a Power not with Mr. Ben.
A loud knock on the door interrupted our love madave. Ben groaned in frustration and anger. Did I really call him by his name without addressing him formerly? I guess I did. He was A1 in bed. Marvelous.
Ben opened the door and Destiny, Beauty and Fate came, rushing in. They looked disturbed. I was hoping they wouldn't ask about Jennifer. I warned them not to. I wasn't ready to trade on that path. Jennifer was old news.
"Why are you here?" I said.
"Why are you celebrating a fake victory. Jennifer has not been pronounced dead," Destiny said.
I didn't even think towards that direction. Jennifer should be dead. Even if I didn't make sure she was. I was very certain she was indeed dead. The news would have gone viral and it worried me a whole lot.
"Do something Claire? Confirm if that bitch is alive or not," Destiny spoke again.
She was right. I needed to see to it that Jennifer was no longer in our lives. What if she was? That was the problem. I wouldn't mind sending her back into the cold hands of death.
"I'll handle the situation. Don't worry about it."
Their faces shone with smiles. I could see their nerves relax. Beauty seemed scared and lost in her thoughts. She was the weak one on our team. Killing was not her thing. I squeezed her lap gently, reassuring her that nothing would go wrong as long as I am Claire Monte.
"Thank you," She whispered into my ears and I gave her my best smile.
I picked my phone and dialed some numbers. It wasn't going to hard locating the hospital Jennifer was in. After the call, I was fed the required information. I was paying Jennifer a visit.
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Earlier that morning...
Renard's POV
I woke up late. My wife was kids had already left. Victoria let me sleep that long. I was still holding Jennifer's book.
I must have slept while trying to complete her book at midnight. I didn't even complete the book. I was tired, I won't lie but I hoped to solve the case on time.
Prang!  Prang!! Prang!!!
My phone rang. Four missed calls from David. Was it urgent? Of course, I was an hour and forty five minutes late. I answered the call.
"Hello, David. Tell me."
"You need to get here right now. Where are you? We found Alan's sister, Precious Coles. She's at the station," he said.
The news he gave drove the remaining sleep out of my eyes. We finally found her. A connection to Alan Coles. It was the best news I have ever received.
"I'll be there in twenty minutes," I ended the call and ran straight into the bathroom.
I drove to the station like a mad man. I actually abused my power as an officer to get there on time.