What We Once Were

Chapter 10.

"Okay, so, our prime suspects are Patricia Fellows, Daxton Garcia and Jude Harland." Bridget said, tapping her pencil against her temple.

"Yeah, we've listed possible motives right?" Greyson asked.

"Yes. Patricia Fellows, high school varsity cheer leader. Adored Alison above all other girls, even planned on helping her get into the New York School of Dance. Motive: possibly jealous of Alison's talent and success as an athlete, maybe she wanted it for herself. As for the other two, she seemed resentful towards Colleen and maybe Becky did something to piss her off." Bridget elaborated.

"Right, then Daxton Garcia. The current physics teacher was apparently hanging around practice a lot in the last two weeks before the three of them turned up dead, one and two weeks later. Motives: was fighting with Colleen, supposedly about her grade. But then Daisy claimed she saw them sneaking off somewhere in the school after practice, an affair possibly?" Greyson summarized.

"Ooh scandalous." Bridget cooed, Greyson couldn't fight the breath of laughter that escaped his lips.

"Of course there's an affair, why does that almost always happen in every case?" Greyson rolled his eyes at the sad cliche.

"Speculation, but yes there's always an affair." Bridget giggled, "Now get on with it. It's nice to hear all this aloud."

"Okay. Yes the possible affair. But what he had against the other two girls is not clear, we need to investigate that more." Greyson concluded.

"That brings us to Jude Harland." Bridget jumped into the next suspect.

"Ah yes, the shady, dark, mysterious boyfriend of Alison and possibly Colleen and Becky. Surprise, another possible affair." Greyson furrowed his brow and Bridget giggled.

"Yes, but if he was jealous, in love or wanted revenge on any of the girls, that checks almost all the boxes for committing a murder. Besides, there's clear evidence that he liked attention, especially from the girls on the team. Hadley and Danica were smitten when they talked about him." Bridget said, a momentary memory also passed through her mind as she recalled the way Danica looked at Greyson.

"Yeah, and did you get the time when Daisy said she'd come and talk to us?"

"Yeah, she's coming tonight after practice at 6:00, I can stay late." Bridget offered.

Greyson immediately protested, "No, I'll stay and interview her, go home to your family Bridge, they need you home at a reasonable hour."

"Greyson, it's just one night."

"One night always turns into more. Bridget, your daughter misses you, I'm not letting you stay late." He insisted and Bridget groaned, knowing that she wouldn't win this battle.

"You know I love my daughter and she is my top priority, but this is important to me too, Grey. Please, let me make my own choice for once." Bridget pleaded, reversing the guilt tripping roles.

"Fine, do what you wish. It's your decision, not mine." Greyson finalized, carefully massaging his injured hand.

"I still can't believe you did that to yourself last night." Bridget noticed his discomfort with his hand. He already couldn't hide anything from her and being a mother heightened Bridget's already natural instincts for sensing pain in others.

"Bridge, I'm fine, it's just a bruise. I wasn't myself at all, and had a little too much to drink. It'll be fine in a few days." Greyson sighed, wishing she'd drop it but at the same time was relieved that a part of her still cared and worried about him.

"If you say so, but I'm giving you two days before I force you to go to the hospital." Bridget threatened, throwing him a devious smirk.

"I'm gonna go over the newspaper articles, do you have the yearbooks? And the school paper from the weeks before, during and after the girls were killed? I want to see if there's some sort of pattern." Bridget's work mode kicked back in.