Dark (on hold!)

Chapter 4: Up's and Down's

Drake's POV

After thinking all night, about all the possible criterias, angles and provisions, I sorted out my thoughts. They were too messed up to be put into action before. I got ready after waking up early in the morning, wearing black pants and a white button down shirt, putting a tie and some cologne on, made myself coffee and gulped it down with morning news. After putting my shiny rolex and coat on I exited my apartment. I live in the Green Scenery apartments. One of the Most luxurious in Georgia.

Taking out my keys, I was about to get in the car when I got a call. I picked it up as Officer Rason called me "Good Morning officer". I said formally. "Good Morning Mr. Drake, just wanted you to know that after all the formalities, we will be able to give you the victim's phone today, you an pick it up at about 2." he said from the other side. "That's great, thanks so much officer".We are finally getting started. "No problem Mr Drake, Keep up good work", he chirped."You too" I said and ended the call.

Reached my office just on time, I called a meeting. One by one everyone entered and I started, "Guys, we have no time to waste, I will assign you your tasks today." By their expressions I could make out that they knew my 'Boss' mode is turned on. "I am going to interview Miss Rachel today at 12 noon, Sara,you go to Robert's mother, console her,do anything just get something out of her." I said looking at her.

She nodded "Jerry go to the station with Robby to get Harley's phone and get the hacking started". He flashed a smile at me and gave a thumbs up. It was his favourite hobby,hacking. Robby too nodded, well he's a quiet kid, the youngest amongst us, still a learner but good at what he does. "And finally, Emily. I talked to Officer Rason and got the government's data base, search for the missing DNA, if found, report immediately." She nodded like an obedient kid. "Cool let's get to work then" I said and exited.

SARA POV

I just reached my destination, Robert's house.Gosh..now it is gonna be hard, Drake's 'Boss' mode is officially turned on. Poor us. Anyway, getting back to work. It was an old house, probably ancestoral property. I rang the doorbell, no one answered, After ringing it for almost ten times I thought no one was at home. Just as I was about to go back, the door opened. An elderly woman came out. She was a tall and thin lady, face was looking worn out, eyes were swollen and her hands held a knife. I paniced. Before she could ask me anything I took the knife away from her (snatched it, to be more precise) "Who-" she asked. "Hello, I am Sara, Sara Sharma. I am the investigator of your son's finance case, l am here to talk to you, can I?" I said all of this in one breath. She looked at me for a minute or two and said " I don't know what exactly what you guys want from me but come in." I entered, looking down. I was feeling terrible. She is a mother who lost her son just a day ago and here I was asking (interviewing) her about it. I feel so quilty. "Sit here,I will bri-" I cut her off by saying. "You don't need to do anything Ma'am, you are already doing a lot by talking to me" I said.

"Okay tell me whatever you want to know." Mrs. Clarke replied. Okay I want some information about Late Ms. Harley Edward. She was your daughter-in-law."I said.
I could see sadness fill her eyes. "Harley was a very sweet girl. The 1st time I met her, she was with Rob, she made me carrot cake. She was a lovely girl. Rob was very happy because of her. Rob really loved her. She was on the verge of breaking down.
"The wedding was supposed to be their new start, but it ended before even it started. I've lost both Rob & my husband. I'm alone now. How am I supposed to manage?", she questioned.

She was very disturbed. Obviously she's not well. "I'm so sorry for your loss ma'am, but you see, in order for Robert & Harley to get justice, you need to cooperate with us, tell us something that will help us find who is behind this horrendous crime". I replied. "I'm sorry, ask whatever you want." she said. "So what date were Robert & Harley engaged?" I asked. This can tell what happened in between the time they were engaged. "They were engaged on 24th July, 2023. They were supposed to get married yesterday. But I lost both of them, they were very happy. Of course there were fights here and there, they had disagreements because Harley was earning a good amount but Robert was just a bouncer..."

"Hm.. okay" thats new, Robert was jealous of Harley... that's different... "Okay what about Rachel ? She was Robert's best friend." I asked. Maybe she knows something. "I don't know much about Rachel. Rob & her usually met at the Club. She has only been here once or twice. She seemed like a nice girl... but she seemed too engrossed with Rob. I told him about this so he just shook his head and told me I'm overthinking...

" I don't know much about her..." she said. I asked her a few more questions and bid good bye. "Thank you so much Mrs. Clarke, you've been a great help!" I said " Ofc, please find my son's killer. He deserves justice." She was almost pleading. "We will, don't you worry."
And with that, I left. Nothing much of use, I guess.
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Drake Pov

Me and Rachael agreed to meet at the Cafe she owns, 'The Tea Tree Cafe', the signboard said as I reached there at 11:45am. I entered and sat down on one of the tables. It had a nice and cozy vibe. I ordered myself a hot cappuccino waiting for Rachael. After sometime, she came and sat down in front of me. "Hey, you're here." I said straighly. "Yeahh, I hope you are okay sitting here." She said. "Yup absolutely. Without any further delay, let's get started." I said as she nodded. I took out my notepad on the tablet and started, "I will be proffessional from now on, I hope you understand."
"Go on." "she hesitantly said." What's you relationship with Robert and how long were you friends with him?" l asked. "We met in the City Club,Robert worked in and were friends from then, then Harley came and we were k-kinda separated, he started giving more time to her." She replied looking distressed as she should be. "Were you JUST friends or-" I asked again.. "I-I-y-you k-know" she sluttered biting on her lip, her eyes filled with tears. " I-I'll just tell y-you the truth." She said, finally breaking down, burying her face in her palms. I tried to calm her down, panicing as everyone was looking at us weirdly. I handed her some tissues and patted her. She sniffed and finally looked up. "I had feelings for him, not had but have, I love him, I was jealous, too jealous to see that he genuinely loved Harley. The were happy together and were even getting married, I was heartbroken, couln't take it. I wanted them to break off their engagement but I couldn't do anything, so I did something awful at their wedding." She said avoiding eye contact. Okay, Please don' tell me SHE killed Harley, I am just so shocked (for the 100th time). "Continue please" I said. I really don't want her to continue if she confesses of being the killer.

"Robert was at the bachelor's party one day prior, at night; they were partying and I was there too... I sent a girl to him to get him to the make out with him, I just wanted them to be apart (Harley & Robert). She forcefully made out with him. He didn't want to. I recorded the video and sent it to Harley 2 hours before their wedding. I did this so they could be apart." She finished confessing. She is awful and pathetic at the same time. "I-I-didn't know th-this would h-happen" She broke down again I just sighed. It made everything clear now.

Harley and Robert fought before the wedding that's why shoutings and breaking of things would be heard. Harley probably scratched Robert and Robert tried to shut her off by kissing her, when he was frustrated, he left from there (as the car was missing),got into an accident (planned or really an accident?) and died. But what happened in the meantime? How was Harley murdered? About Rachael, she is innocent, did play a little bit of a trick but did nothing else. Who is the killer then ? I was in my own thoughts after I consoled her when she spoke again.

"Anyway, how's Robert doin', I have been too busy since yesterday to even look at anything, I was out of town because my uncle passed away at the same time". I frowned, was confused as hell. She didn't know that he passed away too. If I tell her now, she might not be able to take it but I have no other choice. I stood up and said "Robert is dead, Miss Rachel." I bowed to her and walked away without waiting for a reaction.

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