The heavy rain pat on her window, the constant barking of her neighbor’s dog and the terrific rumbling of thunder, all contributed to Theresa’s splitting headache that morning. She had awoken feeling light headed and at the same time, the pain of what seemed like the inside of her head being pulled apart. She had spent the better part of the night explaining why she hadn’t made it to their dinner date the night before, to William. No sooner did the conversation change to Robert Johnson and her job as a journalist in his agency. Haven wondered why he’d been so techy since she got this job, she finally confronted him about it. He hadn’t given any rational explanation to anything so, she resigned to leave him to his paranoia and went to bed.
She rampaged the first aid kit for aspirins or any other analgesic drug but with little success as the only thing closest to a pain reliever had expired. Exhausted and with an e
“Miss Theresa Gray?” The man with the gun harness asked, flashing the badge on his wallet. “I’m Detective Richard Stones and this is my partner Veronica Hade,” he pointed to the woman in the police jacket. Theresa nodded as she stared blankly at them, waiting for them to state their purpose. What would the police be doing in her apartment so early in the morning? “May we come in?” the woman asked and Theresa stepped away from the door, giving them just enough space to brush past her. “We are investigating the death of Mary Johnson and we would like to get your statement.” Detective Stones spoke out when he had taken his seat in the couch. “Would you like coffee? I’m sure it must have been really cold out there,” William asked going into the kitchen and Vera eyed him skeptically
A good number of people attended Mary Johnson’s wake ceremony as expected. The compound had been well lit with orange bulbs and was decorated with white blooms. A few chairs were arranged behind the long bench in which the beautiful white casket laid and the requiem filled the house with a distinctive atmosphere that held only sadness. Mary was clothed in her wedding dress and adorned with white pearls. Her hair was neatly packed and pinned to the side with her favourite green hair clip which was given to her by Robert and the guests took turns to see her and or say a few words to her. Theresa arrived with a bouquet of blooms with a strap which read ‘In Loving Memory’. She proceeded to the bench, setting the flower beside it before saying a short prayer for Mary. “Rest in peace Mary Johnson”, she muttered softly. She was quite surprised the detectives attended the wake although she speculated
Although Mary had been laid to rest, she was even more popular in death as the mystery surrounding her death stirred up many questions like who killed her? Why was Mary Johnson killed? And, New Times Daily captured all these headlines in their papers. Theresa ran all the way from her office to the conference room where her colleagues were patiently seated, waiting for her to complete the circle. Just at the entrance, she quickly straightened her black thin skirt and smoothed her hair before entering the room. Certainly, everybody’s gaze turned to her but she particularly avoided Sam’s face as she searched for a vacant chair. Her shoulders fell when she found that the only seat was right next to him. She cussed. Robert told her she must be early in whatever dealings they might have together. And for the first time, she showed up late to the meeting he had called for. She muttered an apology as she took the seat, only to be met with a harsh glare. Oh God, w
In the next weeks, talks about Mary’s death began to dwindle. The sales of the Havens cloud newspaper had began to rise again and they prepared for the launch of their annual magazine. Theresa had been working tirelessly to get a lot of work done and ready for the magazine. It was a whole lot of work for her since she’d accepted to help her lunch buddy with his work as he’d come down with fever. She hadn’t found the time to go out to the field and asked a couple other journalists to cover for her, while she navigated the publication room, her office and the staff lounge everyday. She also hadn’t had the time to work on the article she intended to write for the magazine although, she was able to come up with a rough sketch. It was always eight long hours of work and most of the time, extra hours to complete her work for the day. A knock on her slightly opened door made her look up for the fir
The uneventful days past and it was the day of the magazine launch. At least, a hundred people graced the occasion including Theresa who couldn’t have been happier that rest finally came after all the workload she had bestowed on herself. No thanks to her lunch buddy, Paul. She strolled into the hall in her black laced denim dress and her favourite cover heel. Her make-up was light and her hair was styled into a high sleek ponytail which allowed the length of it drop down her back. ‘Wow’ was the first word that popped into Sam’s head when he sighted her from the platform where he stood. He’d noticed how attractive she was from the first day he saw her staring unabashedly at him in Robert’s office and smiling sheepishly. How she always dressed smart to work everyday. And how she never made an effort to look good. Today she did, and damn, she was definitely a standout from all the other ladies he had seen. He had lost himself staring at
“What can I do for you detectives?” Robert threw his coat to the settee in his office and took his seat in front of his desk. Detective Stones and his partner, Veronica Hade had arrived at his office a few minutes ago as he’s secretary had called, saying she found a note in his mail. It was a rumpled sheet of paper with red stains all over, his secretary thought to be blood and the words ‘They’re next’ was written boldly in another bright red colour she suspected to be blood. Staring at the note threat in front of her, she instinctively called the cops immediately. Robert glared harshly at his secretary and it immediately registered in her head that he didn’t like the idea of contacting the police before telling him anything. So, she cut her conversation with the cops and ushered them into his office. “Your secretary found this note in your mail,” Stones was the one to speak as he placed the sheet on the desk while Robert reached for it to scrutinize the paper
In her four years in New Havens, Theresa wondered how it is that finding an empty cab heading towards her block was the hardest thing she’d ever ventured into. As always, she had stood in the bustop for like ever, hoping on a cab or in the least a bus. The bus she’d eventually taken, thank goodness didn’t break down halfway but had in so many passengers, she had to stand all through the journey home. From quite the hectic day at work, to the stress filled ride home, she wanted nothing more than to take a cold shower and down a hot cup of tea. Her heart came up to her mouth when she flipped the light switch and found William sitting on the couch, a glass of scotch in hand. Startled, she held a hand in her chest and exclaimed. “Babe, you scared me!” She hung her coat, moving further into the living room. “Why were you sitting in the dark?” She had reached for the fridge when she heard his voice come up in a deep husk. “Where have you been?
For each step he took, her heart raced a little faster as she was almost certain he’d follow her. After somehow turning her perfectly shaped butt and glancing over her shoulders to wink at him, she knew she’d just given an unofficial invitation to the devil himself. As speculated, he came upon the door to her office and gently pushed it open, revealing the devilish smirk he had on. Oh my! She gulped as a surge of hunger electrified her body, increasing her pulse rate. He was looking especially exhilarating and ravishing in his black dress shirt which hugged his body tightly, revealing his well toned muscular body. His tousled black, black hair came down his forehead complimenting his hazel coloured eyes which was filled with only lust and desire. Her back was pressed against the desk and he stalked towards hers that smirk still plastered on his face. “Do you know what you just did?” he stopped when she was just an inch away, h