Chapter 45

Beauty's POV
I opened my eyes to see Jennifer watching me. She smiled at me. Before I could scream, she was no longer there.
I couldn't move anymore. I was paralyzed to the bed. Jennifer laid beside me smiling. Within seconds, her smile turned to a frown. She took a pillow and began to suffocate me with it. I struggled.
"Help!"
I woke up. It was just a dream. Jennifer is dead. The living and the dead have nothing in common. I was thankful my parents didn't hear me scream.
I checked my bedside table. There was no water and I was really thirsty. I head downstairs towards the kitchen to get myself water.
I saw a shadow pass by. Who was awake by that time of the night? "mum? Is that you?" There was no reply.
I followed the shadow. I saw a figure standing at the center of the sitting room. I walked towards it. "Mum? "
I turned the person around. It was Jennifer. I screamed. I covered my eyes.
"Please don't kill me. I'm begging you. Please.... Please.... Please.... Jennifer please!" I cried.
The sitting room's light was turned on. My parents rushed to me. My siblings stood afar watching.
"What happened Beauty?" Father asked.
I looked up. Jennifer was no longer there. I had to confess or else Jennifer was going to kill me. She spared me today. It was not my fault.
" I saw Jennifer's ghost. She came to kill me."
"What are you saying? There is no such thing as ghost. Why would Jennifer hurt you? You are taldave nonsense," my Father said.
I wasn't taldave nonsense. I did believe in ghosts. I saw Jennifer.
"I know who killed Jennifer and I supported her. We all did. It was Claire. Please help me," I begged.
"What did you do Beauty?" my mother looked at me with pity and shock in her eyes.
Claire's POV
I woke and saw my dad on the phone with someone. He seemed to be disappointed with the caller. I tried to go near him as possible to listen to the rest of the conversation. The stairs squeaked and dad turned around. I paused at the end of the stairs. Our eyes met.
"I'll call you back, Mr. Renard," my dad said disconnecting the call.
The Detective Inspector called! My heart began to beat fast. Had he found out what happened? My thoughts were filled with so many questions and dad's finally words didn't help at out. My heart stopped.
"You have been called in for questioning. The Police want to ask you questions concerning that girl, Jennifer."
"Why? Claire has no connection." my mother rushed into the sitting room. She must have overheard the conversation.
"Get ready. Be down for breakfast in 15 minutes, " Father said ignoring mother.
Fear was finally getting to me. My hands trembled each time I thought about the outcome of the interrogation. I wasn't ready to go to jail. I inhaled and exhaled. Everything was going to be fine as long as I look the D. I. in the eye and lied.
15 minutes later, I practiced what I was going to say to the Police. I was sure I had everything under control. Tadave a glance at the mirror, I smiled. Yes, I was indeed ready. Poor Jennifer, no one will able to give you the justice you deserve.
"I'm just too good."
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Renard's POV
I couldn't wait to meet this Literature Queen. I hoped she will be as exciting as in Jennifer's book. Was this girl involved in Jennifer's killing? I picked up my phone to call Dave. I wanted a clearer picture of the story from his point of view.
I arrived at the Power Mansion. I must say my breathe was taken away by the beauty and uniqueness of the house. It was massive. The house keeper opened the door and walked me in.
"I'll get the young master," she said.
Within minutes, the arrogant Dave had arrived. He answered questions with so much honesty. He talked about once being in love with Claire. He was crazy about her and he could do anything for his girl. Jennifer was Claire's biggest enemy at school. She made Claire unhappy he had to intervene.
He plotted with Claire to ruin Jennifer. Their plan was to make Jennifer fall in love with him, date him and he dumps her later for Claire. He seemed hesitated to say the next thing I already know.
" She was involved with the Literature teacher, " I said.
He nodded twice. That must have hurt him so much. To have your partner cheat on you. I kind of didn't feel for him. At this age, education should be important. The things of the heart is not child's play
"I found out about her and the teacher. I still cared for her so I decided to just let what we planned flow but this time it was for real. She found out that I wasn't on her side. She posted the video. Little did she know, she was playing with fire. It burnt her," He smiled.
The missing story was loodave for started to add up. One by one, little pieces of the puzzle because a whole. One question was left to confirm my suspicions.
I asked, "Do you think the Literature teacher and Claire had something to do with what happened to Jennifer? "
His face was filled with shock like he just realized something. " Why didn't I think of them? I am certain Claire had a hand in what happened to Jennifer. She wanted to so badly get rid of Jennifer. She's a suspect," he said.
I got the answer that I needed. All that was left was to question Claire.
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Lillian's POV
I woke up late and I didn't find my husband on bed. I guessed he went to work. It was unlike him to leave without saying goodbye. I turned to the bedside table to get water from the jar. There was no water in it.
I blushed after remembering the wild night. Stone kept me awake all through the night. He pleased me in ways I didn't know one could receive pleasure. We were like newlyweds.
Our joy would have been doubled if we had Jennifer with us, I thought. I was ready to do anything to have my family whole again. I prayed a silent prayer before heading to the kitchen to get water.
Something did seem right. I felt weird. I drank my water while slowly glancing through the backyard from the window, to the kitchen and to the living room. The glass of water fell from my hand onto the floor. If the door was locked from inside, how did Stone get out?
The back door opened and fear griped me. My mind was racing. Why was it open? What is going on? I ran to my room to get my phone. I called his number and his phone rang. I saw his phone outside the door of our room.
His things had to be in the cupboard. I opened it and nothing in it was touched or moved. I called the Police.
"You need to help me. I don't know what is going on. Stone is missing. Please come here now.... " I cried.
The Police arrived on time to investigate. Renard and his team searched the house. They found that the back door's lock was broken. They also found blood stains on the door. It was fresh blood which meant it happened few minutes before I woke up.
"Who do you suspect to be behind this?" one of the Police men asked.
There was no one with a greater motive than my heartbroken ex boyfriend. He is the only one who could harm my husband.
"Alan. Alan Coles, " I replied.
"He is not the suspect. The Police has been keeping tabs on him. He didn't live the house. No one visited him either. It has to be someone else," Another officer said.
"Think Mrs. Stone, Who could really want to do this?" Renard finally spoke.
I cried, " I don't know. Alan is the only one I can think of. Find my husband, please."
The Police left with the samples the got from the house. I hoped my husband was okay. If Alan was responsible, I was not going to spare him. I had a feeling he was the one. I would prove him guilty. The only way to find out was to pay him a visit.
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Renard's POV
The day was becoming more and more difficult as seconds passed. Mr. Stone went missing. Could all these be linked to Jennifer? Why would someone go after him? Did he know something?
The blood test result came in quickly. The blood on the door belonged to Mr. Stone. The other samples didn't get us anyway. I had one problem, telling Mrs. Stone about my findings.
There was no other way but to tell her. I called her and she immediately answered.
"Hello, Renard? Hello? Say something!"
I couldn't open my mouth. I couldn't break her heart. Place in that grieving heart the bad news. The possibility that her husband could be dead.
"The blood test results came in."
"What does it say? Tell me," she was eager to know.
"The blood belonged to your husband. I promise you we will find him. Be positive. My men are pasting his picture all over town," I assured her.
"I know you will find him. I believe in you. Thank you for everything," she thanked me.
"It's nothing. I'm just doing my job. Take care."
Her response gave me positive vibes. After I interrogate Claire Monte, I would personally take over his case.
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Claire's POV
I waited patiently for the Detective Inspector for hours. Why was he keeping me waiting. I looked at the time, it said 11am. I have been here since 8. The colourless room with only a mirror was madave me lose my mind.
A man walked in. He introduced himself as Mr. Renard and apologized for being late. He seemed pretty shaken up.
"I know you know Jennifer. I have heard stories about you and her. I want to hear your own side of the story."
The question took me down Memory Lane. Jennifer and I weren't usually like this. There was a time we used to be close. Shocdave, right? I know. Things happened and we became cat and dog.
"Jennifer and I used to be pretty close. If things would have worked out, maybe we would have been best friends." The D. I. appeared shocked. So would the world, if they found out.
"I'm the reason Jennifer doesn't have female friends. We met at school and vibe immediately. She was a sweet girl. I always envied her life . I used to wish I was her. How she got things without giving nothing in return. Then.... " I paused.
"What went wrong?" he asked.
"My then crush in JSS1 Jazzy asked her to be his date at a party. He should have asked me. I was more beautiful than Jennifer. That bitch! knew she wasn't good for him accepted and went to the party as his date. I was her friend but she didn't value my happiness. Thank God Jazzy relocated to another state."
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Renard's POV
I didn't believe I was still listening to this arrogant brat. Could you believe? She had a good reason to want to harm Jennifer.
"You plotted with Dave to ruin Jennifer. You felt betrayed by Dave and Jennifer. You uploaded a video of them. It turns out it was a video of you and your teacher," I said.
Her face changed from happy, sad and to anger. This was the right opportunity to trigger something in her.
" Jennifer and Dave ruined you and the teacher's reputation. You felt angered that once again, she was able to be better than you. She took Dave away from you without lifting a finger. She took your crown and your glory. You were really angry and you decided to harm her. You left Dave alone thindave he'll love you after you got rid of Jennifer. Well planned."
She began to laugh. She laughed so hard. It left me in confusion. Who would laugh after being accused of committing a crime.
"Mr. Renard, I'm not that crazy. Yes, I agree Jennifer ruined me but that won't make me want to hurt her. Who do you think i am?" she said. "I haven't gone out since that day. My dad locked me up in my room. Today is the first day stepping out of the house. You are free to find out. Check all our cameras at home. Ask my parents and all the workers at home. I was home all through the period. You are loodave at the wrong person. I admit I hate Jennifer but hurt someone? I would never," she added.
She had a point. I was left with few options, to find out how true were her words and question the Literature Teacher. "Who do you suspect would harm Jennifer?" I intentionally decided not to give her time to think. I gave her a name. "Mr. Ben, your teacher?"
She smiled, "I was expecting you to be smart enough. Why would he hurt Jennifer and do absolutely nothing to Dave. Jennifer didn't expose our secret. It was Dave. Besides, Mr. Ben adored Jennifer. Why hurt her? I don't suspect anyone."
Instead of being the one angered, she was getting me angry. Acting all smart and intelligent. I saw clearly why Jennifer disliked her. Claire thought she was better than others. Spoilt brat!
"You will have to remain here until I confirm what you just said."
She smiled again. I was starting to hate it. " No need D. I. my father made that available. It make your job a whole lot easier."
I felt angry that I found nothing on her. Everything she said was right. Something was not adding up at all. She was definitely putting on a show. Diverting my mind from an important clue? Could she be hiding something? Lord show me a way. People's happiness depends on this.
Ben's gf's POV
He invited me over. He said he had big news to share with me. He said I was a part of the big news. I was still mad at him over that crazy girl but my love for him knows no bounds. I dreamt of us spending the rest of out lives together.
I knocked on the door. I knocked again and again. There was no response. Did he go out? I called his mobile line severely and he didn't answer. I began to panic and worry.
"Ben?! Ben?! Ben?!" I rushed to his bedroom window and there he was laying in a pool of blood. Lifeless body and soulless eyes. My world shattered.
"Ben! Ben!! Ben!!!"
"What's going on?" one of his neighbours enquired.
I simply pointed at the window. He came to check in out and he saw it. Someone had murdered my Ben. He decided it was best the police handled the issue. He informed them about what happened.
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The Police might not have believed her but she knew there was only one person who could hurt her husband. Alan Cole. She took a deep breath, preparing herself for what she was about doing. What she was about to do was a sin before God, man and against her husband. She didn't care. She would commit lots of sins just for her husband's well being. She would do anything to keep her family a whole. She wasn't going to let him ruin it.
"Alan? It's Lillian."
The door opened immediately. "Lillian? What are you doing here?" She kissed him passionately, touching him places she knew would make him respond. "What about Stone?" he asked.
She looked into his eyes with so much love and desire. She had to make sure he didn't see through her hate for him. It wasn't going to be easy. She knew that for sure. Alan could suspect foul play if she didn't do it right.
"Make me feel good, Alan. Please," she pretended to beg.
He ran his fingers skillfully through out her body. She faked a moan. Yes, his touch affected her so much. It made her want to throw up. Months ago, it would have brought goosebumps out of her body. All she felt at that moment was hatred for him. She despised him.
"You don't know how much I love you. I want you so badly, Lillian," Alan said while kissing her.
She wished to punch his mouth and make him chew all the nonsense he spatted. In order to find out the truth, she would have to endure. She erased the negative thoughts from her head.
"I'm sorry. I am so sorry. I hurt you. Forgive me my love," I pleaded. " I'll make it up to you. Come with me."
She led him towards a chair and sat him down. She turned on the music and danced on his lap. Alan went crazy and wanting more. This was a new Lillian and he loved the change.
"Let me spice it up, baby," she whispered in his ear and he groaned.
She took off his clothes and tied him to a chair. This got Alan excited for the outcome. Lillian undressed and stood half naked in the room. It was time to punish him. She dragged another chair from across the room and sat in front of him.
"What's going on, baby? "
She couldn't stand him anymore and placed a slap across his face. Alan stared at her in disbelief. He felt another slap again on his face. He raised his head and saw the woman he thought was different with him. She laughed so hard.
He knew what had occurred. Alan knew he had been tricked and struggled to free himself. "Stop this Lillian! What have I done?!" he asked with tears in his eyes.
"Stop all this fake tears! It will not work on me. I know what you did to my husband. Where is he?"
Alan looked confused. Did he not know what happened to Stone? "I don't know what happened to him. I haven't met him since the day at the Police."
Lillian refused to believe him. She was going to get the truth out of him. If it meant killing him to get it. Suddenly, she left the room. Alan didn't know what to expect. She was acting strange and crazy. He struggled to lose the ropes.
Lillian came in with a knife. Her eyes were lased with hatred. The never left the target. Slowly, she walked towards him with an evil smile. Alan feared for his life.
"I will not repeat myself? Where is my husband?"
"I don't know. I have no idea. I have been here all day. Please believe me," he literally begged for his life.
"Wrong answer!" she sliced his arm with the knife and Alan yelled. Lillian enjoyed the fact that he was in pain. He had to do something quick or else, he was going to be dead in seconds.
" Why can't you leave me alone? You have done enough. Why can't you let me fix my broken life? I don't know where your husband is? Just kill me at once," he cried.
She had never seen him break down before. Was she wrong about him? Where could her husband been? She left him be. She sat on the bed to think about what she said. She turned on the television and saw the news.
The truth was clear to her. Whosoever hurt Jennifer was responsible for all that was happening. She got dressed and rushed out. Jennifer's life could be in danger.
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No one knew how the media found out the murder. The area was filled with them. Each reporting what they saw. The town wasn't safe until the culprit was found. The murderer was roaming free and nobody knew when he or she would attack.
The Police arrived to investigate the crime scene. Ben's body was carried to the autopsy to be examined. Renard was washed in stress. The day brought more than he could handle. He examined all the evidence found in the house. There was a connection to all these events.
Jennifer, Stone and Ben. Renard realized that he had neglected an important part of the case. He hasn't been checdave on the girl. Was she alive or dead? She was the only one who could tell him what really went down that day. He was convinced the same person was responsible for other incidents. His suspect was Claire. He knew she had not been honest with him. She must know something.
"David, I want you to personally supervise everything here. I am going to see Jennifer. I pray she is okay. "
David nodded and gently tapped Renard on the shoulder. He assured him that the case will be solved in no time. His encouragement boasted Renard's determination. He got into the Police's van and off he went to the hospital.
Claire got home to find her bags packed and ready. Her father sat in his usual chair and her mother stood behind him. Her face was wet and seemed like she had been crying. Claire knew something was off.  The servants were staring at her with sad eyes. She turned to look at her father. His expression would relief Her of the stress to enquire about her packed luggage. His facial expression gave out no clue. It was like he didn't care.
Her father cleared his throat and spoke, "I have decided you are no longer going to stay here." Her mother broke out in tears.
"I am sending you away until everything in this town calms. I have made my decision. I do not care if you agree to it or not. You are leaving. Period."