The Falcon Feather

Chapter 8: Mr. Smith

'So there are two people we haven't spoken to'.

You look through the old files, 'Frank Falcon and Jackie Smith', you look at the profile photos of the two men. John is looking over your shoulder and you feel your face grow hot once again.

Can you get away from me!

You tap your fingers on the desk for a few moments as John continues looking at the file. 

Remember, he's a lot older than you and he also has a partner!

'Anyway, I'd say they would be back in town by now'.

You look at your watch before looking up at John, 'you want me to go alone or?'

'I can come'.

The conversation was less strained than before and you don't know whether you're happy about it. It felt a little awkward because it wasn't that long after you had that very weird dream.

Indeed, Frank Falcon had returned not that long after you and John had left. 
He was a short stock man with a small moustache, a man who you thought that Mrs Falcon would never marry, it made you laugh.
He was far from happy when he was told about his "daughters" death.

'I- I can't believe it! My little girl!'

He had fallen back onto the sofa, 'I know we had fights but they weren't over board, I loved her!' Mrs Falcon was by his side in seconds, rubbing his back and hushing him.

'I'm sorry for you loss Mr Falcon I-'.

'Just do your job and fucking find who did this to my girl!'

'Frank!'

Mrs Falcon was quick to stop him, 'they're doing their best!'

Yes, we're doing out best.

Mr Falcon looked away and sighed, 'I'm sorry I just- please, try and find the fucker, I want my daughter to be laid to rest properly'.

'You were away at the time that we found your daughter'.

'Off at work, I work at a construction site, Masons' Constructions'.

You write down the name, 'so I'm taking it that you're away quite often?' Frank shook his head, 'not all the time, I always try to spend time with my family. The pay in this job is pretty damn good, so I can take at least two weeks off before heading back to work'.

Frank Falcon was a clean man, you couldn't find any imperfections, there were people who could account for his whereabouts, but you were glad that you had ruled him out. The second person that you and John would have to talk to was Jackie Smith, Melody Smiths' father.

'You think he'd be in town now just like Mr Falcon?'

You ask as you hop into the passenger seat and John started the car, 'I have a feeling he would, maybe they work in the same place'.
The only way you could find out was to talk to the man yourself.

When you reach the Smiths's house, you see a man standing outside watering the front garden. It was obvious that this man was Mr Smith. 
You hopped out of the car, 'Mr Smith?' He looked up at the mention of his name, 'hey, is everthing okay?'

You show your badge, 'Detective (Y/N) and this is Liuetenant Wick, we spoke to your family about-'.

'Yes! Melody told me... Shit I- here, come inside, would you like a drink?'

'No thanks'.

You do take the offer to enter because you needed to talk to the man.
Marlene Smith was sitting on the couch, her feet were tucked under her, her eyes were closed and she had the TV on. The moment you stepped in front of her she woke up. Quickly sitting up properly when she realized who it was.

'Oh! Detective, you're back!'

'Yes, sorry to bother you but we're just here to talk to your husband'.

'That's fine, here I won't be in your way'.

You turn your attention back onto Jackie Smith, 'so, how well did you know Stacey Falcon?'

'For quite some time now, we could call her our second daughter, she stuck by Melody whenever she had the chance, they were inseperable'.

'Was there anything idfferent that had caught your eye before you left for work?'

Jackie shrugged, 'well... She would have fights with her father, so sometimes I see her a little agitated, and she was like that not long before I left, she was with Melody and they both saw me off to work'.

So, maybe she's replaced Frank?

'Have you had any fights with the Falcons'?'

'Fights? Oh god no... Well, before I went off to work I had a disagreement with Frank but it didn't mean anything, we got it sorted out'.

'Would you mind telling us what it was about?'

'Melodys' birthday, we were planning out where we could have the party'.

There seems to be more to this Frank, planning a party? That doesn't sound right.... Isn't that what women do?

John stepped in, 'so you've never had any heated arguments?' Mr Smith narrowed his eyes at you and John, 'what are you getting at? Are you trying to say that I had something to do with Staceys' death?'
John was quick to block, 'no, we're just trying to rule you out, we're doing this with everyone who is close'.
You're relieved to see Mr Smiths' shoulders relaxed, 'I'm guessing you'd like to know where I've been seeing as I was out of town the time you came over. I work at this place called Ma-'.

'Masons' Construction?'

You quickly interrupt and you ignore the sharp look from John but Mr Smiths' eyebrows rose, 'yes... Yeah that's where I work? I guess you really didn't need to ask me huh?'

'Mr Falcon works there as well'.

The smile on Jackies' face was gone in seconds, 'wait what? Frank works at Masons?'

Oh now this is getting interesting.

'Yes, I thought you would know that, wouldn't you have worked with him a few times?'

Mr Smith shook his head, 'the damn place is massive, we're all set off into groups, I don't even know half the men and women out there'.

'Mr Falcon happened to be working at the same time as you, that's all'.

'Wow, I should probably talk to him'.

'Was there anyone that you know of that the Falcons' didn't mix well, specifically Stacey?'

Mr Smith nodded, 'yeah, there's this one kid uh.... Sam Whitlock, Melody mentioned him a couple of times, it didn't seem like the girls liked him, apparently he was causing trouble'.

'Have you seen Mr Whitlock lately?'

Mr Smith shook his head, 'sorry, I haven't but he's bound to be hanging around', you put your notebook away and thank them.

When you reach the car with John he turns to you, 'you're a hot rod you know', you hear him suddenly say and you're caught off gaurd, 'wait what? A hot rod?' You cock and eyebrow at him, 'what the hell is that suppose to mean?'
John doesn't say anything but he smiles at you before hopping into the car.