Dark Times In Day Light

Chapter IV

"Your actually pretty," Mary once said to Ashley during a lunch break. " Though not pretty enough. That's why you can't make more money."

She was teasing Ashley about being a bar tender. She seemed to be really proud of being a stripper.

" If being pretty was the key to money, you'd be the most broke ass I'd know," she replied with a teasing smile which Mary didn't take lightly.

Ashley rolled her eyes at the memory, she gave a small smile as reality hit her again.

Mary was dead.

Bang!

She heard the bang on the door and came back to her senses. Her bedroom door opened and her little sister walked in with her dog, a small fluffy and white house dog. Her little sister was wearing a big smile that showed her innocence.

" Guess who misses mommy?" Rita said smiling at Ashley.

" Is it you? Or Daisy? In the end you're both my pets," Ashley teased grabbing Daisy in her hands who was already wanting to lick her face, and Rita sat next to Ashley on her bed.

" Is something wrong?" Rita asked.

Ashley looked at her little sister. She knew how much Rita loved her and she loved her too. She didn't want to worry her or her twin brother Ian.

" No. I'm super fine."

" You're worried about the death of Mary aren't you?" Rita asked and Ashley felt her insides tighten.

" Why would you ask that?" Ashley didn't hide her emotions.

" Did the police interrogate you as well?"

" What is wrong with you, you little inquisitive cat!" Ashley said letting go of Daisy to playfully pinch Rita.

She wanted to avoid such questions, she knew Rita would want to ask. The thirteen year old had dreams of being a lawyer, she knew this would excite Rita.

" Hey-" Rita said playfully fighting back." I'm not a baby," she replied.

" Oh , but you're my baby sister," Ashley carried on teasing, pinching her some more almost tickling her.

" Sister not daughter-" Rita broke free," cmon, let's go you eat."

" I don't wanna," Ashley came back making Rita frown.

" Why?" She asked.

" You cooked ," she teased and Rita dropped her face in disapproval making Ashley burst in laughter.

" Somebody needs to be grounded," Rita said taking offense." Cmon Daisy, don't listen to her, I'm an amazing cook," Rita said grabbing the dog who barked in approval.

" You wish," Ashley said poking her by the arm.

" Enough-" Rita spoke." Let me tell you about this cute guy I met at school..." She carried on talking.

Ashley rolled her eyes releasing her famous dimple smile. She stared at her little sister. She was a joy in her life, her black hair, grey eyes, the two barely looked alike , but she loved her so much.

Mary had a sister too, Ashley remembered, she'd met her once only two years older...what was her name... Prudence? Princess? Patricia? Whatever, she probably doesn't remember her either.

The thought of her dying or going to prison and leaving Rita scared her, so much so she gave her a hug.

" What's this for?" Rita asked but with a huge smile obviously enjoying the comfort of her second mother.

" Just shut up,okay?" Ashley replied with a faint smile closing her eyes and fighting tears.

******

James sat on his couch, he was watching the news, well... barely. He sat with one ankle on the other knee, his head resting on his left hand, which balanced on his arm chair's arm. He sat like the King of the house he was. Deep in thoughts.

He couldn't get any of this out of his head, and as he sat there, something caught his eye and ears.

A woman of New York has been murdered by her husband....the tv and headline read.

Another death, well at least Washington wasn't the only place.

Though, he thought through it again, by her husband. Husband? Lover?

Come to think of it.....

He rose from his seat and went to grab his cellphone he left on the kitchen counter. He dialed for Melissa who answered as soon as the phone rung.

" Can't I sleep?"

" I'm pretty sure you were already with your phone," he replied.

" So, it's night. Go to bed!"

" I wanted to ask you something."

" What is it?"

" Are you watching the news?"

" James me being a police lieutenant doesn't mean I watch the news. I hate it," she confessed.

" Well a man in New York murdered his wife."

" Oh! So now you work for the NYPD? Well we're all Americans and-"

" That's not the point-" he cut her,-" I wanted to know if any of the victims were married."

There was a long pause from Melissa's side." No!" She finally came through." None of them where married, so far only one was in a relationship as for the rest, excluding Mary, who we're yet to find out, none of them where reported to have been in any form of relationships."

" I see," James responded.

" Could it be a coincidence?" Melissa now started thinking out loud. " Or does this serial rapist and killer study his victims? Is this a clue?"

" Well, let's find out," James replied.

Thank you for your time guys. I'll always appreciate the love you guys have for my book❤️💜

And also feel free to drop a comment.

Do you think James is onto something?