Twenty-Five

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Twenty-Five: Information

After Tyler had left this morning for his day of meetings and business and whatever else it is that he does when he works, I expected to sleep the majority of the morning away. However, my plans for a nice slumber were ruined when I woke up to Tom calling me.

When I answered, I immediately got a mouthful from him, saying I better be getting closer to solving this crime for me to be missing two days of work so suddenly. The conversation led to him telling me about more details, confirming my suspicions that maybe one of the men from the photos committed the murders.

The only evidence recovered from the crime was the bullets discovered in the autopsy. Jane, one of the forensic scientists on the case, ran it for prints, but nothing came back. Security footage had been removed from the bar, along with any of Joeli's records on recent meetings and business plans.

Whoever planned these murders, they are smart. It was without a doubt a premeditated murder by someone who has knowledge on how to get away with murder.

After not being able to match the blown out shell to any type of weapon, Jane finally was able to match the bullet to the weapon; Sig Sauer P938. Of course, I had no idea what that was and had to do some research to find out it is a semi-automatic pistol.

According to Tom, it didn't give us much to go off because apparently it is a very common weapon used in crimes. He directed me to 'search Tyler's house' to see if I found a weapon.

I would hope that with how smart Tyler is, that if he did commit a murder - which I know he did not - he would at least dispose of the weapon and not keep it in his house.

The information that he gave pertaining to the businessmen Tyler works with though was a car parked across the street from Joeli's. Some passerby's claim that there were three men in the car during the time of the murders, looking suspicious.

The piece of information that sparked an interest was a drawing description of one of them. It wasn't hard for me to recognize him as one of the three stooges on Tyler's porch that day.

I knew 'lanky' probably did not commit the murder. He seemed like he didn't know his left from his right, but I know that could have been a facade. However, I also know that he works for Kensley, and it just so happens that Kensley is the one orchestrating this entire business deal.

I know it isn't right to assume someone is guilty based off that little of evidence, but knowing that Lanky was seen outside of Joeli's during the time of murders gives a lot to go off of.

My current task is to talk to lanky and figure out any information I can. I'm not too worried about it, though. Tom says if I can't pry any information out of him then they will be bringing him in for questioning when we arrive back in Madison.

Walking down to the conference room of the hotel Tyler and I were in, I knew I would find lanky somewhere. I remember seeing him on the plane, but haven't seen him since.

When I turn the corner of the hallway, I see him standing there, wearing the same black suit uniform as the previous two times I saw him. He's standing outside the doors to the conference room, arms held together in front of him.

There's actually a good amount of men standing the same way as him, all assertive and ready to pounce if needed. I didn't know what their jobs were. I assumed drivers at first, but is a driver really needed to stand outside a conference room in a very well protected hotel?

He could be an assistant, maybe even a body guard. Lanky doesn't give off the impression that he can fight someone off, but you never know. After all those sessions with Jace, I definitely wouldn't go down without a fight against anyone.

"Ms. Bradley," one of the men says to me, making me stop in my tracks.

"Yes?" I ask, a bit confused on how he knows who I am.

"We can not permit your access to the conference room at this time. If you need to get into contact with Mr. Watson then you will have to wait until the break at noon," he says.

I don't like his tone. I know he's just being professional, but in a way it makes me feel like he's belittling me.

"Actually, I am in need of a driver. Mr. Kensley said that one of you could do it," I lie.

"Certainly, Miss," the man says, faking a smile and nod at me. "Thomas can accompany you."

A different man, one standing to his left, steps forward.

"I was hoping he can do it," I say, pointing towards lanky, who looks quite surprised by my request.

"Lewis," the man says, giving him a nod of approval.

Lewis steps out of line and comes to stand at my side, still puzzled as he scratched the back of his neck.

"Come on, Lewis," I say, faking an eager smile as I was back down the hallway.

Lewis trails right along side me, not speaking a word. The only sounds that could be heard was my boots clicking along the hardwood floors of the lobby and Lewis' heavy breathing as he scrambled to keep up with my fast pace.

Once outside, Lewis leads me to a black Suburban and opens the back door for me. I slide into my seat and he hurries around to the opposite side and gets in he drivers seat. Once inside and buckled up, the engine is started and we are pulling out away from the hotel.

"Where is it your destination, Ms. Bradley?" Lewis asks me, taking peaks at me through the rear view mirror.

"I don't know. Where do you want to go?" I ask, sliding over to the edge of my seat so I can lean into the space between the driver and passenger seat.

"Uh, can you sit back in your seat. It's not really safe to do that and if we ended up in a wreck then you, uh, you might go through the windshield," Lewis says, speaking must faster than usual.

"You're right," I say.

Instead of sitting back in my seat, I use my legs to push my self through the small space between the two seats and maneuver my way to the front seat. I then pull the seat belt over my body and buckle up.

Lewis doesn't say anything to me. I notice the bob of his adam's apple as he gulps, but no words leave his mouth. I take this as an opportunity to spark up conversation.

"How long have you worked for Kensley?" I ask.

"About a year. My dad was his original serviceman, but after his health took a turn for the worst I offered to step in," he answers.

"And you enjoy being his little servant?" I joke.

"No, but when you owe John Kensley a debt, you have to repay it," He tells me.

I remember being told that Joeli owed Kensley money. Tyler said that was why they all pushed him to buy Joeli's; so that he would have the money to pay Kensley back.

"And what debt do you owe Kensley?" I ask, getting into the deeper questions.

"My father, he uh, he needed money. My mom needed cancer treatments and he was desperate for the money," Lewis starts.

I could tell this wasn't something he liked to talk about, and I wondered why he was so open to sharing with me.

"He went to Kensley. A lot of people go to Kensley for help. My dad didn't have anything to offer him. There was no way working the job he did that he was going to have the money to pay him back. So Kensley hired him as a servicemen."

"What exactly is a servicemen?" I ask.

"We just provide are employer any service he or she needs. Whether it be to drive them or protect them or cook for them."

"Kill for them," I say, making sure to look at his expression for any sign of emotion change.

Lewis' hands grip the wheel tighter, making his knuckles turn white.

"Mr. Kensley has never asked me to do anything illegal, Ms. Bradley," he answers.

I couldn't help but notice the way his words are arranged. He has never asked 'me' to do anything illegal. That didn't rule out the idea that Kensley has asked someone else to. He had already said that when a debt is owed to Kensley, you have to repay it.

"And if he did? Would you do it?" I ask.

"Where would you like me to take you?" He asks, trying to avoid my question.

"Taco Bell," I answer, not really knowing what to say. "Would you do it?" I ask once more.

"I would have to," he finally answers.

If Lewis is under some kind of forced job to repay a debt to Kensley, there's no telling how many others are too. It's no wonder why Tom was so eager to push this on me. I may be running in a whole field of ideas, but there's a possibility a lot of crime in Madison are tied to these men.

"What if I could get you out of it?" I ask him.

"Octavia, I am warning you. It is best if you keep your nose out off all this," he warns.

"You can have your life back. You can be free of Kensley if you just give me the information I need," I try to negotiate.

Lewis pulls over on the side of the road and stops the car. He turns to look at me, eyes drawn together. I can't tell if he's mad or if he's concerned about my interest in all this.

"Why are you doing this? What information do you even need?" He asks, and I can tell I have just about pulled him in.

"Five people were murdered a few months ago. Five families are all waiting for justice and peace from this. A whole town is scared to leave their homes because they believe a killer is on the loose. If Kensley had anything to do with it I need to know," I say, practically begging him to give me an answer.

Lewis sinks back into his seat. He brings his hand up to his mouth and begins to bite on the tips of his nails. He doesn't look at me, only at the view from the windshield.

"I wish I could give you an answer, Octavia. The truth is, I don't know who did it," he tells me, making my heart sink.

I should have known it wouldn't be that easy.

"But if you want me to tell you what I do know, I can do that," he says, turning to look back at me.

I nod my head and mutter, "please."

"I was outside Joeli's for hours, waiting. I knew it was going to happen. I sat there and let I happen. Hell, I may have even drove the get away car. I don't know. During that time, four men went into that bar. Two were with me; employed under Kensley. One I didn't know," he tells me.

"The fourth?" I ask.

When he hesitates to answer, I know.

"Tyler Watson."

I throw my head back and rest it on the head rest of my seat, feeling lightheaded all of a sudden. That's definitely not the news I wanted to hear. Tyler told me he was at home at the time, so maybe he was. There's still a possibility.

"You're actually with him, aren't you? This isn't a paid thing?" Lewis asks, making me turn over to look at him.

"Yes, it's all real," I clarify.

"Shit," he mutters.

I didn't know if he said that because he doesn't have an actually chance with me, or because of something else. The way he's been acting, though, makes me believe it's the latter. I only need to figure out more.

"What can you tell me about Tyler?" I ask him.

"You're the girlfriend. Shouldn't you know?" He asks back, starting the engine of the car as he does so.

A mix of snow and rain start to hit the windshield, and the sound of it makes me feel uneasy.

"Tyler is not the best at opening up," I inform him.

"All I know is he isn't from Madison, which makes Kensley wary of him. I don't think Kensley likes him, actually. Him not being able to snag Joeli's started some tension between Tyler and the rest of the group," He tells me.

If Kensley doesn't like Tyler then why would he still want to do business with him? Why would we even be here right now?

"The two that were with you the night of the murders, who were they?" I ask.

"Gregory Thomas and Nathan Newsome," He answers.

I wonder if Gregory Thomas was the man from earlier that almost drove me. I wonder how different this car ride would have been if it was him who drove me.

"How do I get into contact with them?"

"You don't. Greg and Nathan aren't the same as me. They have been doing this for a long time. They aren't under some contract like I am. They do it for the money and not because of blackmail."

"I don't care what they do it for. I have to prove Tyler is innocent and I can help free you of all this," I try to convince him.

"They're professional. I don't know much about their personal lives. I know that Nathan goes to the casino on the weekends. The one in Belleville," he disclosed.

"What does he look like?" I ask

"He's the one you talked to earlier. The one who addressed you. If you want any leads that lead to Kensley then he's the one you're going to need to open up," He informs.

I sigh and rub my temples. I know exactly how I'm going to be spending next weekend.

A/N: very sorry for the long break between updates. i type these on my phone and i messed my phone up and it took a few days to get fixed. anyways, boring chapter but needed to tie loose ends up. i don't really have a set of events or outline i just write what pops in my head so you just gotta bare with me. hope you enjoyed!! remember to vote and comment i really appreciate it

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