Living Without A Heart

The Truth Will Unfold

"Joaquin, did FP kill Jason?"

"Yeah... I don't know... I assume so!"

Betty, Jughead, Archie, Veronica and Kevin stood in Archie's garage, interrogating the young serpent.

"Did you see him pull the trigger?" Kevin asked.

"No, I just met FP in basement of the Wyrm and he was stood just looking at the body on the floor - there was blood everywhere."

"So you helped him hide the body? You're a criminal!"

"Look, we look out for each other - I wasn't just going to abandon FP."

"Why did FP call you?"

"He said to lay low..."

"You don't waste your one call to say 'lay low'." Betty cut in.

"He said not to go on with the plan. It was too dangerous,"

"Joaquin, did my father pay FP to kill Jason?" Veronica asked for the first time.

"I don't know, I heard Mustang talking to FP about 'some rich guy' I don't know who though."

"Mustang's body was just found dead..."

"Yeah I heard. It was more than likely a cover-up. But there is one more thing... I don't know whether it will help FP or just make things worse." 

"What is it?"

"Under the old maple sign. I hid something there for FP. He said it was some sort of contingency plan."

"Thanks Joaquin... We'll check it out,"

Betty, Jughead and Kevin drove to where they had been told to go. They dug through the bush of nettles and thorns until they found an old black bag. Tentatively opening the bag, Betty pulled out a blue and yellow jacket. Embroidered on it in yellow thread was the name - Jason.

*****

"Miss can I help you?"

"You must be Smithers, is Hermione home?"

"She is, right this way,"

"Thank you,"

Alice was led down the corridor of the penthouse to the front door. She rasped on the door three times.

"Alice! What a surprise! Come in,"

"Hi Hermione, thanks."

A good ten minutes passed as the two women sat on the coffee coloured leather couch.

"So, how did it go?"

"Erm, it was... well... I don't really know."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I was shouting the majority of the time, and then I cried. He held my hand, we kissed..."

"What!? I need all the details!"

"I told him off for shouting at Jughead and driving him away, I then shouted because he promised me he'd never let me down or leave me lonely and now this. He held my hand through the bars, he said he messed up and I said I don't believe he killed Jason. We spoke about the kids and he held my face in a very loving and longing way... As I was leaving he pulled me back and kissed me on the corner of my mouth!" she ranted and then was out of breath.

"Wow! Sexual tension through a metal cage!" she teased.

"Hermione!"

"Was that the first time --"