Bertelli Investigations Volume 1: Noteworthy Mysteries

Chapter 28

Hannah Smith walked through the cold,steel,door,not knowing what awaited her. Tony and Tino sat there filling the room with a sense of professionalism and seriousness. You could feel the tension lurking in the air. All that Hannah could see as she walked in was dark,glaring eyes and recording devices. They were dressed professionally,in dress shirts and ties, which added even more to the serious feeling in the room.

Hannah walked in wearing a plain pair of jeans and a light green sweater with a pink tank top underneath. It was apparent that she had no clue what she was coming into."What did you guys want me to talk about?",Hannah asked with innocence. Worry appeared prevalent in her big hazel eyes.

"Don't even act innocent",Tony demanded,his brown eyes shooting a sharp glare into Hannah's.

Hannah was struck with shock." I don't know what you mean.",she said in a gentle voice.

Tino,being the more calm twin as usual,was more mild."Sit down Hannah",he said as he calmly pointed to the chair in front of her. His eyes were still red from staring at a computer so long. They ached with tiredness. But finding his sister was worth any sacrifice.

She pulled out the medal chair and sat in it with obvious concern written on her face." I really don't understand what I'm doing here."

Tino started one of the recorders they had,placing it in between him and Tino and Hannah."Im going to start out by reading you your rights",Tino said pulling out a piece of paper from his jacket pocket. As he read them,Hannah's face looked very confused and curious. After reading the Miranda rights, Tino calmly started the conversation."Does the name Tia Bertelli mean anything to you?",Tino asked in an extremely serious tone.

Hannah's face suddenly became sullen. She  sighed deeply,looking down. "I...I had a bad feeling you guys would find out."

"Find out what exactly?",Tony asked with his arms crossed.

"You know.",Hannah said weepingly."That I used to know her."

Tony cleared his throat. He couldn't believe that after all these years,his sister's cold case could finally be solved. It was hard to accept though. Both him and Tino were excited and nervous about he information that lay ahead of them with Hannah. Tony had a burning lump in his throat,while Tino had a knot in his stomach. Neither of them were prepared for this.

"How did you used to know her?",Tino asked with a hard swallow.

"We went to school together",Hannah said looking up at Tino and Tony,curious why they wanted such information.

Both of the brothers knew that Hannah's statement was true from looking her information up all night. She had went to school with all three of them,as a matter of fact. But she was 3 years older than them,which made her a senior at the time of Tia's disappearance.

"So why were you afraid of us finding out?",Tony asked as he clenched his jaw.

Hannah pushed a stead of blond hair behind her ear nervously ."Because I didn't want it to be awkward. I didn't want you guys to think I'm the same person now that I was then."

"You better just start telling us everything you know",Tino said demandingly. He rubbed his forehead,trying to get rid of the headache that was barely looming as he prepared to hear what Hannah would say.

Hannah's face flushed,and her innocent look went away quickly. She looked more solemn and straightforward now. The small brown purse she had been carrying she sat on the table,obviously planning on being there for a while more.

"Until I was about 20 years old,I was a troubled kid, to say the least. Me and Jade had a far from normal life. We were both in and out of foster homes,and we never were taught right from wrong. And even when we did wrong,there was no punishment -that's why Jade was with as many men as she was. -And that's why I did the things that I did."

Tony straightened up in his chair,taking a breath. "Stop beating around the bush. Tell us how you knew our sister."

Hannah sighed." I was into drugs as a teen. I would often meet with Sammy and Tia to go pick up drugs from a nearby dealer at school. Of course,Tia never had anything to do with drugs. But she would voluntarily follow Sammy as he went to get them."

"So what was the name of this dealer?" Tino questioned curiously.

Hannah squinted her face a bit." Oh gosh,it's been so long. Honestly,all I remember is that his first name was Jaden."

"Would it be Jaden Sage?",Tony quickly asked.

"Yes. That's it",Hannah said raising her eyebrows. "Does he have anything to do with all of this?"

Tony and Tino looked at each other and smirked.

"What?", Hannah asked as she went back to her more innocent tone.

Tony puffed up his chest, his arms still crossed as his muscles hid behind his long-sleeved dress shirt. "You really need to be honest with us and tell us everything that you know."

Hannah paused, taken aback by Tony's words. She smiled nervously. "I have told you everything I know." She covered her mouth as a realization came to her. "Wait...you mean...you guys are interrogating me? You think I have something to do with something?"

Tony unfolded his arms,grabbing some files from his briefcase." Okay look, we have got evidence here that,as you said, you hung around Tia. And as we've done our investigation it's come out pretty clear that you've been the culprit."

"Me?!",Hannah exclaimed as her voice shrilled." How am I the culprit?! I hired you guys to find out who murdered my sister. Why would I do that if I was the one that did it?!"

"I don't know",Tino said." Maybe to throw us off?

That's crazy!

Tino remained calm,trying to get out of Hannah what he could."Tell us,how did you feel when Hannah was capable of getting any guy she wanted and you had another failed relationship?"

Hannah's face was full of disgust. Her mouth dropped open and her big hazel eyes were starting to get teary. "What are you talking about? I never had any jealousy towards my sister! This is insane! I want my money back that I payed you guys!"

Hannah grabbed her purse as she planned on leaving. As she went to swing it over her shoulder, a pair of little golden keys fell out and clanged on the ground. Both Tony and Tino looked as the keys hit the floor,recognising them instantly. Tony scoffed."Looks like you picked up our buisness keys from somewhere."