by Allen Dark
Chapter 16
Aubrey spent the the better part of her day exploring the city in doing a bit of shopping. She didn’t have a phone and thought it was useful to keep in contact with Bexley and her uncle. She stopped into the Apple Store and picked up an iPhone8 which was recommended by something called a genius as a best phone to have in 2018. She didn’t really care about the specifics of the phone all she needed was a call button with reliable service. After spending almost an hour just setting up her phone which she didn’t know could be so stressful she stopped into moans bar for a drink. She didn’t know she was allowed alcohol after a heart transplant so she decided to just grab lunch there instead. Aubri didn’t realize how much the city had changed and how much construction work they were doing downtown. It made in a hassle to actually find a decent place to park without circling blocks at a time. The bar was a bit busy and it was hard for her to find a place to sit. She scouted the bar looking for an open booth she can sit after walking so far from her parking spot. You can find anything on the chairs and booths have been taken up by some. She thought about it she should stay and wait but she was exhausted from walking and wasn’t sure how long she would have to stand there. She looked one last time hoping that maybe she glanced over the seat. Instead of finding an open seat she seen a familiar face. The guy who had been fighting with Bexley’s friend the other day. He was sitting in a booth almost near the back of the bar. Across from him was empty seat to her surprise. She didn’t know his name and wasn’t positive if she even heard someone say it. It would be awkward if she tried guessing his name and asking if she could sit there with him. For a brief moment she wondered what he was just sitting there alone not doing anything. He had no training no food. Is he waiting on someone she thought. Then she figured he probably just got there and was able to find a seat. Aubri’s heart throbbed. She held her chest impressed and will her bandage hoping that was just on one time occurrence. It wasn’t painful but it was noticeable enough that she could feel it in her throat. Maybe I was walking two much she thought. Her uncle did tell her to take it easy but after fainting the other night she thought it might be helpful to try again in order to get used to going out and being around people again. Aubri looked around one last time just to see if there’s had been another chair that opened but there wasn’t. She walked to the back of the bar squeezing through people who had been standing because there were no more seats. The closer she got to him watching him stare out the window the more her familiarity with him through even though they never had a single conversation. She didn’t understand. Just looking at him made her feel anchored to him. It wasn’t love more like she’s known the sky her entire life and yet she’s never late eyes on him before the other day. The seat had opened up in the booth in front of him and she thought it was perfect that is seat finally opened up for her to sit. Seto taken the empty booth she passed it and stood at Eric’s watching him turn and look at her from whatever he was staring at out the window.
Hi she said nervously clenching on her purse. He didn’t respond he just stared at her as though she was interrupting something important. She tried to guess what it could be but she wasn’t quite sure how important staring out a window could been. Do you remember me from the other day? She said. If elected took him minutes to respond she thought it could’ve been him just trying to think if he remembered her or not.
I do. She said he said. He looked back out the window as if she he made her miss if something happened out the window. You will with Bexley right? He asked.
Yes she said taking a seat in the booth. She dropped her bag to the side and made herself comfortable. He looked at her with a look that said she wasn’t invited to sit with him. Aubri reached over the table with her hand out. Not 100% sure heard your name the other day. I’m Aubri. She said.
Eric. He said. He didn’t take her hand.
Aubri took her hand back. She was now aware of the fact that she was intruding on his space. How do you know Bexley? She asked.
We both share the same class at the University. He said before looking back of the window. Aubri looked herself curious to what was so fascinating going on outside the bar. Besides the occasional people passing by in the cars slowly making their way around construction she didn’t see anything worth staring at.
Have you ordered anything yet? I came here for lunch but I wasn’t sure how long it takes for them to cook it. She said. She thought it couldn’t be long it was a bar and was pretty sure that most of their food came frozen anyway. All you need to do is warming up.
No he shook his head. I’m not here to eat or to have a drink for that matter. Just waiting on someone. She didn’t know what was but it was hard for her to since any emotion coming from him.
The young woman long blonde curls came to the booth asking if she wanted to order anything. Instead of doing what she originally came to the bar for she tells her no. She sat there just watching Eric stare out the window. She had forgotten how hungry she was an Shiite speculating what happened the other day when Herne Bexley came in the bar. She was sure someone would leave in handcuffs but that never happened.
If you don’t mind me asking what happened the other day? Why were you so angry that guy? She asked.
Eric looked at her. Eric knew had to look back from the outside but at the same time it was not without reason. He sighed but it was barely noticeable unless you were staring at him. My mother was taken from me not too long though. He paused. He washed hands collapsed on the table in front of him. In my dad, well he’s being framed for her murder. He said I’m sure why he was opening up to the woman he never met. It was none of her business. Is no one’s business but his own. He would want somebody telling him on their personal information. Especially if he had his own a deal with.
Wait Chloe and Drake Gibbs? She asked. She’s been hearing about that story on TV and everywhere she went. No wonder he was so angry both his parents were taken from. Whether Gibbs did not he would still have to live with her loss. That didn’t explain why he was angry at Nepolai though. What does he have to do with? She thought.
Yeah I guess you been watching the news? He said.
Yet it’s hard to go anywhere without hearing some type of chatter about it. She said. When it does happen again she asked.
Last Thursday. He said that was weird to Aubri. Just a couple days before she woke up in the day she had her surgery.
God, I’m so sorry. She said putting her hand over his folded hands. Eric didn’t seem really interested in her affection. But she really was sorry because she knew how it felt to lose both of her parents. In a way they were almost the same even though she tries not to blame her father for his and her mother’s death it was ultimately in his hands. If Gibbs really did kill his wife and wasn’t framed like Eric said he was there stories couldn’t be more similar. It was weird at least her.
Well the guy you were with yesterday as the one responsible. He said leaning into the table. Eric’s eyes flared. Aubri could tell he was upset. Maybe she should’ve brought it up she thought. She was a little unsettled at the swelled increase of his voice but She doubt he was actually upset with her. If she was in the same position she would have taken that anger out on anyone she could’ve. It was hard for her to be angry when she was in her accident. Considering that she was in bad shape at the time physically.
Nepolai did this to your mother? She asked softly inching in towards the table with him.
Either that or my father is an incredible liar. He said. Leaning back into the booth. My dad is a lot of things but he’s not a liar. He said.
What you see that?. She asked.
Because my father was investigating him for two separate murders before my mother was killed. It wasn’t want to be long before he was murdered for a girl at our school and some guy found mutilated in his own home. He said a disgusted expression crept in on his face. Aubri covered her mouth dropping at the mirror thoughts of someone who possibly did such heinous act was hanging around her and Bexley. She ca
n’t believe what she’s hearing. Her heart pinched a little or at least that’s what it felt like. Eric was quiet for a moment. And he started tapping his index knuckle on the table. And I just found out that my mother’s heart was missing. He said almost losing his voice. They found pretty much every other part of her but they couldn’t find her heart. Her heart throbbed again. She started to think maybe it wasn’t the walk that was causing it. She have been there for at least 20 minutes and she wasn’t tired at all. We think Nepolai has it or at least had it at one point. Who knows what he may have done with it. Eric ran his hand up his face and back down as if he was trying to scrub the discussed from it. He sighed a little harder than before. That’s what were going now, trying to figure out where I went or at least find something that would give the police department probable cause to search his property. Maybe they could find some there. He said. It’s the only way will be able to get my father out of jail and justice for my mother.
Aubri rubbed the top of her bandage. She couldn’t help to think about what her uncle was telling her the other day. She was still number 12 on the heart transplant list. She was conflicted. Bexley told her that she got the heart from a family, a woman that was pronounced brain-dead. Oh my God. She said under her breath.
Excuse me? Eric asked.
Aubri eyebrows began to clinch inward on each other. She was upset starting to realize what her sister told her was a lie. She was sure but couldn’t be sure at the same time. But the possibility of Bexley doing it considering what Eric just told her was more than a possibility. Her skin was clammy and her chest felt like it was on fire. She felt Her stomach curdled. She was no longer hungry but thinking about what Bexley did was start and to make feel sick.
If your father is so sure Nepolai did it why can’t they interview him and check out his house why waste all this time? She asked.
Because the last time he did he end up throwing up a man’s long on Nepolai’s floor. His chiefs of suspended him after that and everyone was ordered to stay away from him and fear of a lawsuit. Keep an eye on him is only thing or able to do right now. He said
as she sat there listening to him her body and mind wouldn’t let herself believe it was a coincidence. She knew there was something evil about Nepolai and consent sit the day she met him. She just didn’t think it would be something so horrific and attached like a cancer to her sister. There’s so many things a person can walk away from but this wasn’t one of. If what Eric was saying was absolute truth she would have to come with terms that she is walking around with a murder woman’s heart. She rubbed her bandage even harder enough to cause it to bleed.
What’s up with your chest? He asked. It wasn’t the first time she was ask that today on her journey throughout the city and she could understand why they were curious.
I recently had heart surgery. She said almost grinning but not to be funny. She knew what she said would oddly sound weird and may be to ironic. And she was right. She could see on his face. His eyebrows arched and half of his face was arched as if he just seen something file. Aubri wasn’t sure what she should do and was quiet for a few moments. I was in a bad car accident a while ago and it it turned out I needed a pacemaker. Put in.’s. She said. I’ve been having heart problems my entire life. She said.
Eric didn’t quite believe her. And rightfully so she avoided eye contact as she explained what her surgery was for while scratching the top of her shoulder. He knew that she was ill because Bexley had mention it one day in class. But there was something he she wasn’t telling him. Aubri looked at her watched and noticed another 20 minute had passed. She grabbed her bag. I got ago she said standing up from the booth and storming to the front door.
Chapter 17
Eric was tired. He didn’t sleep much but when he did it wasn’t even sufficient to be considered sleep. He watched the low stratus clouds gloomy and gray drift over the tightknit neighborhood. It was nice and almost reminded him of his parents neighborhood. He didn’t really grow up in that house. They had only moved there his senior year of high school and then he went off to college. Eric had decided to meet up with detective Lane on or off time. They wanted to see if they could find Nepolai at his home And then follow on to see where he went. It felt slow. While they waited to see if there was any activity coming from his home Eric thought about how life would continue on wants his dad was out. Would they be close or what it continue on how it was before all this mess happened. He didn’t consider his relationship with his father to be close but that didn’t mean he didn’t love him. They just didn’t share the same ideas goals and hobbies. He didn’t believe he needed those things to be close with his father but for some reason his father did or at least that’s what it seem like. When his father wasn’t working there was nothing that they did together both of him enjoyed. Eric thought maybe it was his fault. It wouldn’t have hurt if he tried to like the things his father did but it also want the same way for his father.
If we don’t find a heart what will happen to my dad? He asked. He was curious because if this is the only information they can use to confirm that he didn’t do it they might not have long to find it if it’s not gone already that is. I mean how do even know if he still has it. He asked.
Detective Lane was just as worried maybe even more but that wasn’t something she would debate about. She sat next to him in the driver seat with her head leaning the back against the headrest. Yeah thought about that too. Unfortunately the heart is the only thing we have that we can use to tie Nepolai to Chloe’s murder. It sucks that is the only thing we have that can free your father. She said. She let out of relieving sigh and looked at him. I’m optimistic though. And you should be to. Will find something even if it’s not the heart. She said and smiled at Nepolai. The poll I wanted to be optimistic but it was hard he was curious to why Lane was so sure did she know something he didn’t or was she just dedicated to get dad out of jail so she could Fuck him. He thought it was weird.
Eric glared at her. Are you having an affair with my dad? He asked remembering now it wouldn’t be considered an affair. He knew he wasn’t around his parents much but the way she looked at him back at County reminded him of the way he looked at his mother when he was a boy. There was no mistake in his love for his mother and a dark part of him speculated who detective Lane really was. If she was in love with his father she could have easily been the one to take her life and try to blame it on someone else. If that was the case her plan had an been working out so well for considering the wrong person ended up behind bars. Maybe that’s why she so optimistic about finding something, because there was really no sure fire way to know. He thought.
Detective Lane was quiet as quiet as she’s ever been around the Pauline. She stared out the dashboard. She felt put on the spot. She did know how to respond knowing that she didn’t have an affair with his father but they’ve been partners for over five years and have grown close. Closer than any partner should.
I do have feelings for Drake, strong ones and at some point I thought he felt the same about me but we never had an affair. She said.
Not a detective or lawyer but isn’t that something they can use against dad at the trial? He asked.
You shouldn’t think about that right now. She said almost barking at him. It’s too early and we still have time to prove he didn’t do it. She said.
Eric turned his head away from her looking halfway through the passenger door window and the dashboard. He banged his head repeatedly on the headrest. Waiting there was becoming more anxious by the minute. His even here? He asked exhausted at waiting.
As far as I can tell his cars parked a couple cars up. Lane said not showing any signs of being irritable. She was a detective and most of her job was spent waiting so she didn’t mind. From what she could tell so far Eric was going to make it.
He thought about what Lane said about being optimistic. It drove him crazy because he wanted to stay calm but a part of him imagined what he would do if he caught Nepolai. He thought about t
aking a something dance and thick and bashing it in to his face. Eric’s head shot forward when he seen the front door of Nepolai’s house swing open. He watched him lock the door and leaned down the steps heading to his car. It was almost like he was in a rush and running late for something.
Finally! Eric said.
Detective Lane started the car and pulled from the curve following behind Nepolai.
Nepolai pulled in the driveway of the large Victorian house. And got out. Lane part is Street behind right in front of a stop sign to keep her distance after following him over the past 20 minutes across town. She was careful not to get close or run any stoplights she was good at what she did.
What are we supposed to do for Molly back here? He asked.
Eric relax we need to wait for something that happened as all we can do right now. She said Eric didn’t feel like waiting anymore every minute that went past was like torture to him. Who would want to wait for the man who destroyed his family to pay for what he did.
The center watched Nepolai pull out a phone and walk up to the front porch. He couldn’t do it he couldn’t wait anymore. Do you have a phone recorder? He asked.
Like a nap? She asked.
Yet? He said.
Yeah but not 100% sure how to use it. She said.
Eric popped the door open and hopped out the car. Figured it out. He said
weight! Were you going? She yelled but it was too late. Eric had slammed the door and rushed off pulling his phone from his pocket.
