After Death

CHAPTER 2- AFTER DEATH? WE MOURN

Steve sat totally unaware of any inkling of bad news. He was watching an interesting  food show. Another thing he was so interested in after painting. It was the artistic side of it that attracted him.

Suddenly his phone rang, he looked at it half expecting it to be his wife but was met with the name id of Owen's fiancee. Owen was his best friend from before they had grown teeth, a silly young man who had no intentions of marrying until he met Brielle Schield.

Steve endured her presence for the sake of his best friend but his wife Ada, was the bolder one of both of them, she couldn't stand the woman and she showed it. Steve was at least consoled that she loved Owen's son, Mackenzie.

He picked up the call, "hello Brie."

"Good morning Steve." She replied dully, too dull. Brielle was a lively person and very hyper, so something huge must have happened between her and Owen.

"Is there a problem? You sound so dull."

"I-I is Ada there?"

"No she's out. Are you okay?"

"No." She sobbed. "Steve, Owen and I had a fight and he hasn't come back since. Kenzie keeps asking about his father and I can't keep lying to the sweet boy." She sobbed harder.

"I've searched all the possible places he could be but nothing. I really messed things up with my anger haven't I?"

"When did this happen?"

"About three days ago." She replied.

Steve was aghast. Three days were more than enough for Owen to cool out his anger no matter.

"Enough with the tears Brielle. I'll call him now and talk some sense into his thick head."

She sniffed back a response, "thank you Steve I knew I could count on you."

"Sure I'll get back to you soon. Don't do anything rash." He cautioned.

He could feel her nodding behind the phone. "I'll try. I'll let you be now. See you Steve." She said and ended the call before he could reply.

Steve sighed and dialled Owen's line but it kept going straight to voicemail.

After trying five consecutive times he decided to leave a message, "hey pal call me once you get this and get your ass back home."

He stared at the time, it was barely five minutes past eleven. He sighed and relaxed going back to his show. His wife would soon be home.

*****

Back in the forensic lab Liliane was perched on a stool while detective Gareth stood beside her, pieces of a person's properties scattered on the table.

Detective Drummond stood at the large glass and stared at the very busy London street. Her mind reeling but surprisingly blank.

Jesse Gareth stared Adeline's back in frustration. "Have you even heard a word of what we've been saying?" He asked hands akimbo. She had been too quiet since the discovery of Owen's death and Ada's possible infidelity.

"An antenatal card that reads an appointment of eight fifty, an international passport with Ada's face but a different name, a cheque that was never cashed, a phone and some cash." Adeline said but never turned around.

"Wow. She really was listening." Liliane said to Jesse.

Jesse Gareth ignored the Adeline adoring Liliane and asked, "what do you say?"

"I don't think I would say anything yet. Everything says accident." Detective Drummond said and finally turned around.

"But." Liliane said.