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But instead, she locks eyes with Heather Crane, the newly appointed lead detective for the Marquette Cove Police Department. She moves almost like a Robocop, with exact precision, never making a single misstep. She moves with a purpose.
"Ladies and gentleman," Heather says, her voice booming loudly. "My name is Heather Crane, I am a detective with the Marquette Cove Police Department. I'm aware that you may all be familiar with my predecessor, Detective Kincaid. He and I run things a little bit differently. I play by the book, none of you are my friends, I get results. I will not end up a security guard at the local community college."
Akilah shifts uncomfortably, turning her eyes to everyone else in the room. Across the dance floor, she sees Felicia Bale covered in blood, surrounded by paramedics. She's the one who discovered Aaron's body. Hovering around her are the three perpetual men in her life — Robert, Michael and Simon.
Nearby she sees Jessica, not an actual attendee of the wedding, but one of the Mata Hari's staff working the reception. Near Jessica, of course, is Akilah's brother Vince, because apparently he's a glutton for punishment. Blake Thomas stands with them, along with Eric Hanley, and neither of them look too broken up about Aaron.
The rest of the people Akilah recognizes — Denise, Valerie, Kyle, Rebecca, and Kane — whisper amongst themselves. From what she's heard, Aaron was shot in the head. By someone in this room. It's enough to make her want to run from the restaurant screaming and...
"You."
Akilah's eyes flutter when she notices that Detective Crane is pointing at her. "Yes?"
"You look shifty," Heather says. "I'll question you first."
At that moment, Akilah feels almost like a cartoon character... because she's sure everyone in the room can hear her gulp loudly.
Farrah Louis carries Phillip into the living room and cuts off the radio, having heard all she can hear about Aaron's death on the radio. It's the probably the fifth news report she's heard on it in the past hour, and the fact that she knows Alec was headed to the wedding to pickpocket Aaron for his bank cards are causing her slight anxiety attacks.
Something could have happened to him. Or he could have been discovered... which would ruin all of their plans.
But she tells herself that Alec Bale rising from the dead would be pretty big news. News enough to warrant at least a mention in the story of Aaron Maddock's untimely demise. So he cannot be dead. The news reporters would have hammered it into her brain by now.
Farrah is startled as Alec barges through the door, obvious splotches of blood on his clothing. She sets Phillip down on the couch and crosses to the door. "Alec... what happened to you?"
"I got the money," Alec says, smiling. "From all his bank cards, I got us five grand to get our tickets to New Orleans and finally leave this shitty town."
Farrah doesn't immediately respond.
"What's wrong?"
"Where did that blood come from?" Farrah demands.
"Aaron," Alec says matter-of-factly.
"Oh God," Farrah gasps, covering her mouth in horror.
She backs away from Alec, going into the kitchen and gripping the sink as if she's about to vomit. Seeing him beat his wife Jessica Bale within an inch of her life last year has already given her nightmares that will last forever. But the fact that he's actually killed someone?
"Farrah, what's wrong?" Alec asks, joining Farrah at the sink.
"How could you, Alec?" Farrah says, shoving him away from her. "You killed Aaron, didn't you? Is that how you got the money?!"
MATA HARI'S
Heather Crane's idea to interrogate Akilah Moore first failed miserably when Akilah doubled over and vomited on the floor. As she hurried to the restroom with a police escort, Heather moved on to the rest of the people in the dining room. The rest of her team takes fingerprints and checks for gunpowder residue, while she sets people up and gets ready to knock them down.
"And you were friends with the victim?" Heather asks, circling Michael Hanley who is seated before her.
"No, I actually despised the man," Michael answers.
"So you have motive, then?"
"No," Michael says. "Anyone who makes a living out of making hell for Robert Bale deserves to stay alive as long as possible."
"Of course I hated him," Robert Bale says. "He molested my son and framed me for it. Darren and I all but heard him admit to it."
Heather nods. "So you killed him?"
"I don't own a gun. After my wife was killed with one, perhaps you can see why I'm not too fond of them."
"Frankly, I'm concerned about my own safety!" Rebecca Maddock snaps, grabbing Heather by the arm. "Everyone in this family ends up dead! Aaron's niece, Erin? She was murdered five years ago. Last year? Aaron's cousin Melissa gets shot to death! And now Aaron's dead too! I just married him, so I'm a Maddock now. I'm going to die! My family is cursed!"
Heather sighs, leaning against her chair wearily. "To be fair, you're not actually a Maddock by blood, so..."
Rebecca narrows her eyes. "What's that supposed to mean? We got married legally. I still get his money, right? Because I'm his wife. We're married, right?"
"I don't have any say on whether or not the marriage is legally..."
"We signed a certificate," Rebecca continues. "We're married. Right? I mean, we are married, right?"
"And I just have to think, what does that say about my skills? You know, that my singing drowned out the gunshots?" Lil Rounds asks, pure elation on her face. "It really puts me up there."
Heather runs her fingers along her chair, wishing she could punch a hole through it. "Uh huh."
"You know, apparently some girl was murdered during a Brandy concert here five years ago! Isn't that like, a sign? Me? And Brandy? I just hope I don't end up hitting someone with my car..."
"And now, back to you Ms. Moore," Heather says, zeroing in on Akilah as she takes her seat once more. "Are we finally ready to talk?"
Akilah nods... barely able to calm her nerves as she looks back and forth at everyone in the dining room. She doesn't want to have to say anything about Alec, but if there were surveillance cameras... she could be caught lying. And maybe this Mrs. Officer is spying her because she knows Akilah was charged with cocaine possession and shoplifting recently.
They probably keep that stuff on your record and get extra mean with you whenever they need to question someone. She could be on a permanent witness or informant list.
Or possibly even perpetual jury duty.
"I'm ready," Akilah says.
"Several witnesses say they say you leaving the wedding early, then showing up toward the end of the reception," Heather begins. "Mind telling me where you were?"
"I did not want to be at the wedding. Aaron's a creep."
"Aaron's a creep?"
"Yeah, he was sleeping with my brother's best friend," Akilah answers. "Blake Thomas. So if you're questioning anyone, you should go and ask him."
"Blake only showed up to the reception to speak with his ex-boyfriend... a Mr. Darren Reynolds."
"That's a lie," Akilah scoffs. "They broke up! Darren can't stand his lying ass. You know, he was out on the patio and I... I..."
"Spit it out, Ms. Moore," Heather snaps.
FARRAH LOUIS' APARTMENT
"No, of course I didn't kill him!" Alec snaps. "What the hell is up with the interrogation?"
"Gee, I don't know, Alec... maybe because you're covered in blood?" Farrah suggests. "And I saw you almost kill your wife last year!"
"What happened with Jessica was... it was an accident," Alec insists. "I didn't try to kill her."
"And so Aaron was an accident?"
"I didn't do anything," Alec insists. "He was already dead."
Farrah is taken aback. "Excuse me?"
"He was already dead when I took his cards. Someone got to him first and shot him in the head."
"Oh God," Farrah says, leaning back against the sink. "You stole from a dead man's body?"
"He doesn't deserve anyone's pity, Farrah," Alec says. "At all. Not after what he did to me.
"I know that he hurt you, Alec. But still... you stole from a dead man's body. That has to be a sin or something."
"And sleeping with a married man isn't a sin?" Alec scoffs.
Farrah shakes her head. "That's low, Alec."
"Yeah, then I'm in good company, aren't I?" Alec says. "Hurry up and get your shit packed. We're leaving tonight."
MATA HARI'S
Akilah catches herself before she continues talking. If she mentions what she heard Blake tell Aaron out on the patio, then she'll have to mention why she was there.
She turns her gaze toward Darren Reynolds and motions for him to join her at the table. He seems confused as to why she's beckoning him, but he approaches her nevertheless.
"Yes, Akilah?" Darren says.
"This is my lawyer," Akilah says, jumping to her feet and grabbing Darren's arm. "So I need to speak with him before I answer any more questions, right? Darren, we have to talk."
"About what?" Heather and Darren demand simultaneously.
"About... stuff."
"Is this about Blake Thomas?" Heather asks.
"What's this about Blake?" Darren asks.
"You said you spoke to Blake at the reception," Heather says, turning to Darren.
"I did."
"But did he come here specifically to talk to you?"
"No, of course not, we're... we're not dating any longer," Darren mutters. "We're not anything. But what does that have to do with anything?"
"A lot," Heather says. "If the reason you're broken up is because he was having an affair with the victim."
Darren lets out a loud sigh, shooting Akilah an exasperated look. "Seriously, Akilah?"
"Will everyone quit talking to me like I'm an idiot?" Akilah demands. "I thought it was pretty big news, you know? Blake sleeping with the dead guy?"
"Blake would never hurt Aaron," Darren insists.
"God, will you take off the blinders? Blake doesn't care about you! He doesn't care about anyone," Akilah says, hitting Darren in the arm. "When I came up, I saw him on the patio talking to Aaron. And I heard him say that he wanted to kill Aaron. So if you want to talk to anyone, go ahead and question Blake!"
"You're lying," Darren growls, hurrying over to where Blake is standing, next to Vince and Jessica. "Blake, were you out on the patio with Aaron?"
"No... of course not," Blake says. "I saw you, and then..."
"What's this all about?" Vince demands.
"Akilah Moore told us that you threatened to kill the victim," Heather says, joining them. "Is that true? You never mentioned having a reason to hate the victim."
Vince trades an awkward glance with Blake, as if they're both hiding something. Akilah notices it as she spies them from the table, making a mental note to demand some answers from her brother when they get home. Everyone always wants to keep secrets for each other, but no one ever wants to do it for Akilah.
"I didn't threaten to kill anyone," Blake insists. "Darren... you have to believe me."
"Then can you explain your whereabouts?" Heather asks.
"I need to speak to Darren alone," Blake says. "He's my attorney."
Heather raises an eyebrow. "Apparently the entire town has him on retainer."
A police officer heads toward the group, handing off a sheet of paper to Heather. "Detective Crane, here's the report you wanted."
"Is this the gunpowder residue test?" Heather asks, checking the sheet. "Looks like... just what I expected." She lowers the sheet and turns back to the officer. "Go ahead and cuff him."
"Cuff who?" Darren demands.
"Blake Thomas," Heather says, staring intently at the young man like a mongoose that has just snared a snake. "You're under arrest for the murder of Aaron Maddock."
