We let go of each other’s hands as quickly as we had grasped it earlier.
Great. Just how great. After all we did, we lose like this, not even winning the debater of the day award. Were we that bad? Did we do it that worse? I don’t think so. That’s not how I saw it. Then why?
I could feel the tears that where forming, stinging my eyes. I blinked twice, trying to pull it in. but no matter how hard I tired, I kept recalling all that had happened in just the last few minutes and that made me angrier and upset even more.
To avoid embarrassment, I quickly stood up from my place, turning everyone’s attention towards me. I knew it was imprudent of me, trying to break rules in another school. But I couldn’t help it, not when I had so much anger bubbling inside me.
My eyes where already blurry from the tears, so I walked out with my head bowed down, the other two following me. Through the blurriness, I saw a hand stretch out to me for a hand sha
5th August 2027, Unexpected incidents happen to everyone. Things you never expect eventually find you and make you expect them. But that doesn’t mean they will remain forever. They come, yes, trigger a lot of things in you, and then finally, they leave with a scar. But one way or another, they leave. Because they can’t stay forever. Nothing can. There only job is to leave an impact on the host. Once done, the rest is up to us, how we decide to live with it. The case is same here. Joslyn’s death left a huge scar on all of our lives, but in time, most people have moved on. Why shouldn’t they? There are people dying every single day, why should one death of a millionaire mean so much to them? If there’s anyone who is still effected by her death, then it’s us. I, Kate and Ben. Not to forget her family. But people like Cara and others, it’s not a big deal to them. Joslyn’s death is one of the many deaths in there list tha
The words take me a full one minute before they sink in. As if on reflex, I push him away, much to James surprise. Now, I must look more than menacing to him. I can feel my heart beat quicken as I say, more like hiss, “What the hell are you talking about?” Now, it was time for James to act like the man he was. He doesn’t get scared, or doesn’t flinch. Instead, he runs his hand through his hairs before replying, “That’s what they told me. Ms Akirdnach is the prime suspect.” I almost scream at James for making such a joke before he holds me by the shoulder this time, as if expecting this reaction, “Rose, hear me out first, please!” All the formalities vanish but I don’t care. Nor does James. He has worked with me long enough to know what kind of relationship I have with Kate. I don’t want to be calm, not when the police have Kate, but I can’t do anything for the present. I feel helpless, but all I can do right now is hear James out. &nb
The corridor leading to the suspected prisoner’s prison isn’t a long one. Grayson insisted that I meet her as a visitor in the visiting area, saying that since I’m her ‘Friend’ I should visit her that way, but I said him I wasn’t visiting her as a ‘friend’ like he places it. I’m seeing her as her lawyer. So we decided to meet in the interrogating room. So here I am, sitting on one of the chairs, rocking back and forth in nervousness. I don’t know why if feel this nervous. Is it because it is my friend as the suspect? I don’t know. The cameras are shut down, on my request so that I can have a quiet conversation with my client, or friend. I know Kate isn’t guilty, I know it and I believe it. But somehow, deep down, I’m scared, scared that I might be wrong. Scared that what if, just what if I’m wrong, what then? How will I face Kate? How will she face me? What will Jos think? I shake my head , trying to push the thoughts away.
06th August 2027 Mrs Madeline Fairchild’s residence is situated not far from the police station, just four blocks away in the residential area. Grayson and I checked it out first yesterday, after he had made his phone call to the forensics and I finished my business at work. The second investigation is over and Grayson promised to fill me in once we are done with Mrs Madeline, Kate’s boss. We sit in Grayson’s car, watching the building from a safe distance. Her apartment is in the 11th floor, which means we won’t be able to find a proper view from where we are. The only option is to go in. I can’t see any sensible reason why I didn’t do that in the first place itself. “Do you really wish to go in?” Grayson asks, for the eighth time now. “Are you scared Mr Grayson?” That very moment, Grayson’s cheeks flush red in shame. “Of course not! Whatever made you think that? I’m a detective!” Grayson sho
“So what next?” Grayson asks, once we are secured in our car. Grayson takes hold of the steering wheel, but does not start the car, as if waiting for me to speak. I pull out my cell phone from my coat pocket and check the digital map. “We pay a visit to the call centre.”Grayson groans dramatically but the detective part of him tells him that’s the right thing to do. Before Grayson can start the engine, I stop him, “Now, care to tell me how the second investigation went?” Grayson smiles, something he never showed before as he says, “Patience.”I sigh in frustration, but there was nothing I can do. Pissing Grayson off wouldn’t be a good idea either. It seems like the investigation bears good news, since Grayson is always in a good mood when I talk about it.Let him rejoice in his victory. I’l
1stSeptember 2027The court room shuffled to stand up when the judge, McCarthy entered the room. Once seated, I turned to look at Kate sitting beside me. Her condition has worsened from the last time I had seen her. Skin pale and cheeks hollow, she could pass for a Halloween ghost. Kate blinked several times, as if she was fighting to stay awake. I took her hand and pressed it firmly. Kate picked up her bowed head to look at me. I smiled at her, despite almost losing my breath at the look in her eyes. She is indeed a Halloween ghost. Turning away, I scan the room to find any familiar faces. The back rows are so packed with people that I barely notice Ben, Joseph, Charlie and Grayson. Before I can send a gesture of gratitude towards them, the clerk intones,“People of the state of New York against Katelin Akirdnach. Appearance, please, counsel.”“Blak
Heely’s eyes grow wide. That’s it. She has done it. She just blew off her cards. Heely had no idea this was coming, now that she got to know, she just lost her temper and blew up in the middle of the case. Well, good enough for me.Madeline leaves the box, and Heely calls her next witness in a rather sulky face. The witness is none other than the forensics scientist. Now I have no idea what Heely is up to. If she knows about the second investigation and what they found, why would she call them? The second investigation only proves that someone else was in the room other than Kate and Jos.“Dr. Powell, did you investigate the crime scene in the 16thof July?”“Yes I did.”“Will you relate to us what your findings were?”Powell clears
I turn to look at Kate, she doesn’t look up, and I fear she has dosed off and didn’t hear a word that was said. I nudge her with my elbow, just then, she picks her head up and slowly but surely, stands up to give her final testimony.So she did hear everything.“My name…my name is Katelin. Katelin Akirdnach. And I am an airhostess.”Kates words are almost a whisper, but loud enough to be heard. She closes her eyes and continues, as if in some kind of pain. “Joselyn Airam was my best friend. In fact, we three were, and always will be. And the fact that every body think that I, the very best friend of the victim killed her, is just unbearable. A friend for ten years. I know that whatever I say doesn’t sound very convincing, because there are so many cases like this, where a friend kills another friend for reaso