xvii - The case

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Isabelle

Standing on the curb I watched Tyler's car drive off. The smile on my face had no intention of falling off and my heart felt light because of the happiness. I couldn't understand at that moment what was it that was making me so happy. I wasn't even aware that I was happy.

Walking through the door I entered the dark house. Suddenly realizing how late it was. I was not expecting anyone at this hour, so when the lamp lit up beside the couch, I shrieked.  My hand was over my erratic beating heart and my eyes widely staring at Vernon's face which was illuminated by the lamplight.

"I didn't mean to startle you." Vernon apologized with his expressionless face. I took a moment to compose myself before nodding at him. "Why are you back so late?" He asked. "Were you waiting for me?" I asked, confused. "My mother was." He replied after a short pause. "I sent her off to bed and stayed here to let you know that you are to contact home and let her know if you are coming in late," Vernon added in one breath, his voice rising by the end. 

Was he mad at me because I troubled his mother? That's the only reason I could come up for her anger. He, of course, didn't care about me. "She was worried." He added, his voice back to neutral. "I'll keep that in mind," I replied, still confused at the whole conversation. Vernon just gave a nod and walked upstairs back into his room.

I turned the lamp off on my way to my room. I couldn't be bothered to turn on the lights or do anything for that matter. I just wanted to lay on my bed. A long, heavy sigh escaped me when my back touched the soft mattress. All the fatigue came rushing back to me and my feet began to tingle painfully. As I was resting on the bed, there was a knock on the door. "Come in!" I mumbled after forcing myself to sit up. Gia entered the room with a tray and turned on the lights. "You look so tired." She said with a look of concern. "Here, I got you some tea," Gia added while handing me the steaming hot cup. I didn't have the strength to mumble thanks so I just gave her a weak smile. The warm drink melted away the fatigue and calmed my muscles as it trickled down my throat. 

Suddenly Gia grabbed my legs which made me look at her in surprise. "You're feet must be sore." She said and dipped her fingers in a bowl beside her before touching my feet with the warm oil lacing her fingers. The feeling was too good to complain. Leaning back I sipped on the tea while Gia massaged my sore feet. "Did you find a new job?" Gia asked after a moment of silence. I shook my head and exhaled in stress. I need to find a job as soon as possible. I have signed up on all possible sites for the job hunt and have called the people who posted ads in the newspaper but got no response. Either my qualification didn't fit or my pregnancy was an issue as they couldn't afford to teach me something new and then have me take maternity leave. I was trying very hard to not let the stress be evident but it was. I was worried for my baby's future, my future. The money that I make from Tyler is just enough to buy me food and pay the rent.

"Ella?" Gia called out loudly to grab my attention. "Why don't you take Vernon Sir's offer? It will make things easy for you." She suggested. It was an option I had no intentions of taking, but I couldn't tell her that so I just smiled in response. Gia took the cup and helped me clean up before leaving me alone in the room. I was tired mentally and physically so sleep came soon but my phone rang when I was about to pass out.

Groaning in irritation I answered the call and heard a groggy Sean greeting me from the other side. "You know what the time is?" I asked. "I just came back. I have taken two days' leave, want to spend it here?" He asked. I thought for a moment. I would give anything to get away from this tense situation with Vernon and Victoria so I immediately said yes.

When the birds chirped outside my window, I was out of the shower dressed in fresh clothes. The tiredness from last night was washed away. I went to the dining table to find Stephanie already there enjoying a talk with Gia. "Good morning!" We greeted each other. "Vernon?" I asked. "He left early," Gia answered while serving me my breakfast. By now I was used to Gia serving me food. She has now become an elder sister of mine. Suddenly, I remembered my conversation with Vernon last night and I looked at Stephanie. "I'm sorry I didn't inform you about last night," I said. Stephanie looked at me in confusion. "What about last night?" She asked. "Me being late," I answered. Didn't Vernon say that Stephanie was worried for me? "Ella, you pay to live in this house. Even though I care for you, you are not obliged to inform me about your whereabouts." She said with a chuckle. I frowned and continued to eat my breakfast while thinking about why Vernon said what he said last night. If it wasn't Stephanie who was worried, then who was?

"I'll be staying over at Sean's tonight," I informed her when I remembered the event. "That's nice. You need the change" Stephanie said and we chatted a bit over breakfast before she departed to her business and me to mine. As I was packing for my stay at Sean's I thought of calling him to check whether he was serious or he was just talking in his sleep. Stuffing my yellow dress in the bag I kept the phone on speaker and went back to packing. "Yes?" Sean's voice echoed in the room. "Where are you?" I asked. "On my way to pick you up." was his answer. "Okay, I'm done packing," I replied and we disconnected the call. I lifted the packed handbag and exited the room when suddenly Gia was in front of me.

"Hey!" I greeted. Just then there was a familiar horn outside. "Here is the chamomile tea. Have it before bed." Gia gave me a small bottle of chamomile leaves and I nodded with a grateful smile. "Bye!" I yelled over my shoulder to Gia while leaving the house to meet Sean.

"Howdy!" Sean grinned at me. I mocked him with a salute and got in the car. "You look dead!" I commented on his appearance with a scrunched-up face. "Work baby" Sean answered with a sigh while starting the car again. "What are you working on?" I asked out of curiosity. "The same case I told you about." Sean looked like it was taking every ounce of his strength to speak those words. I felt pity seeing his tired eyes.

"The psychopath?" I picked up my legs and folded them under me to get more comfortable. Sean just nodded in reply. Sparing him the agony of speaking any further, I stayed quiet and listened to the radio playing in the car.

My forehead rested against the cool glass and my eyes watched the blue sky filled with white cotton candies. It looked so beautiful and serene. Trees and cars passed by us as we drove down the familiar road. I was thinking about the leisure moments I was going to share with my best friend and sighed in peace.

Entering the familiar small room felt nostalgic and a smile crept onto my lips but soon was replaced with a disgusted frown. Papers were scattered all around the living room and the house now looked like a raided office.

"Don't even bother," Sean said before I could even utter a word and walked into his room. "I'm taking a nap. Make yourself home." He said over his shoulder and then I heard the spring of his bed creak. There goes my leisure moment to sleep.

Shaking my head I went back to my old room and kept my bag. Tying my hair up in a bun I decided to pick up all the papers and tidy up for him. At least have enough room to walk around before someone steps on a pin.

My eyes went on the board holding paper cuttings and post-its. Upon moving closer I noticed the newspaper article pinned at the center of the board.

A 5-year-old stabbed his father 11 times and fled the scene.

On a chilly night on 18th November 1998; a 5-year-old, Melvin Rosco allegedly stabbed his father, Stewart Rosco 11 times and fled the scene. Mark, the neighbor of the Rosco family, told the media that after the death of Stewart's wife he found his solace in drinking and would abuse his son upon returning home wasted. The neighbors were troubled by his yelling but also concerned about Melvin. However, nobody expected the little child to take such gruesome action. Police are now in search-

I couldn't read the further details as I heard Sean's door open behind me. He was now dressed in fresh clothes and his eyes were a little brighter. "Good morning!" I greeted with a chuckle at his grumpy face. "Coffee might help that face," I commented and walked into the kitchen to brew some fresh caffeinated drink.

"This wasn't necessary, though my house looks like a house after a long time," Sean said looking around the moderately tidy house. I just chuckled in response and placed the ceramic mug in front of him while I sat with my chamomile tea.

"What is all this?" I asked, pointing towards the board with clippings

Sean looked at the board and stared at it for a good minute before answering, "The woman, the little boy's aunt, is pressuring us to find him. So right now this is a top priority case."

"Do you have any leads?"

"Strangely no. It's like the boy has completely vanished." Sean sighed heavily. The burden on his shoulder was evident. "He's not even a boy anymore. Must be a 28-year-old grown-up."

"Maybe he passed away," I suggested with a shrug. It was a decades-old case, what was the point in digging it up now?

"Most likely, but the woman doesn't believe it." He replied. "Why is the woman insisting?" I asked in confusion. "I think she knows something, but won't tell us. She wants us to find it ourselves." Sean replied.

"Why don't you ask her personally?"

"I did, still nothing. Just a few days and we'll shut the case."

"That's strange," I commented and sipped on my tea.

Suddenly, Sean smiled while staring at his coffee. "What is it?" I asked. "It's just like old times." He said. The soft smile was mirrored on my face as Sean continued. "Every morning your dad shared his cases and we all came up with different theories."

"Dad always said, two brains are better than one," I added with a chuckle. Sean looked at me for a moment before reaching out for my hand. "Things would've been different if they were still here." He said. "There's no use in crying over 'what if's" I added and patted the back of his hand although every word brought back memories that were suppressed deep into my mind.

"It was not your fault," Sean assured me. "You know it, Sean." I swallowed the bile that rose up my throat before saying the bitter truth of my past that I was trying to forget. "I killed them."

***

Hey guys!

How are you all? It's been a long time. If you haven't read the message I posted few days back then let me tell you, I was busy the past month in upskilling my writing skills as I have started to officially make it my career.

I started freelancing as a Content Writer. I still have lots to learn and lots to do but now I can afford to write. I'll be updating in bulk from next time as I want to get this book completed before the Wattys India. I updated spontaneously today as it's my birthday. So a small gift from me to you all.

I hope you guys enjoy this chapter.

I have a question, are you guys writers as well? Have you ever considered making it your career? I would love to know.

Love,
Aastha.

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