A Stroke of Courage

Chapter 5: Investigation

Chapter 5: Investigation

Ava's mind whirled with questions as she walked home from Samantha's studio. What secrets was Samantha hiding? And why was this mysterious messenger so determined to undermine her trust?

Determined to uncover the truth, Ava began her investigation. She started by researching Samantha's background, scouring the internet for any information.

At home, Ava's laptop glowed with search results. She discovered Samantha's impressive credentials:

- A degree in Fine Arts from the prestigious Bellvue University
- A renowned makeup artist with over a decade of experience
- Numerous awards, including the coveted Golden Brush Award
- A stellar reputation, with glowing reviews from clients and colleagues

But as Ava dug deeper, she found a few inconsistencies:

- A discrepancy in Samantha's timeline: a two-year gap in her employment history
- A mysterious lawsuit filed against Samantha in 2018, with all records sealed
- A cryptic interview with a former colleague, hinting at a "difficult" working relationship

Ava's curiosity piqued, she decided to investigate further. She searched for any connections between Samantha and the lawsuit, but found nothing concrete.

Just then, her best friend Rachel texted: "Hey, what's up? You've been distant lately."

Ava hesitated, unsure how much to share. "Just stressed about the Golden Brush Scholarship. And Samantha's been acting weird."

Rachel's response was immediate: "Weird? What do you mean?"

Ava filled Rachel in on the anonymous texts and her growing suspicions. Rachel's concern was palpable, even through the screen.

"I'll help you dig up dirt on Samantha," Rachel offered. "We'll get to the bottom of this."

Ava smiled, grateful for Rachel's support.

Undeterred, Ava turned her attention to social media. She scoured Samantha's profiles, looking for any clues:

- A sudden change in profile pictures and bio descriptions around 2018
- A brief hiatus from social media, coinciding with the lawsuit
- A few cryptic posts, hinting at a "new chapter" and "fresh start"

As Ava delved deeper, she encountered obstacles:

- A dead-end lead on a potential witness
- A locked social media account, belonging to a former colleague
- A frustrating lack of information on the lawsuit

Meanwhile, Ava received an email from the Golden Brush Scholarship committee, announcing a surprise meetup for finalists.

"We'll be discussing the final project and answering questions," the email read.

Ava's nerves fluttered. Was this an opportunity to network and gather information?

She decided to pay a visit to Mrs. Martinez, her former school counselor and a trusted mentor.

"Mrs. Martinez, can I ask you something?" Ava said, settling into the counselor's office.

"Of course, Ava. What's on your mind?"

Ava hesitated before sharing her concerns. "I've been working with Samantha, and I received these anonymous texts... I'm worried there's something I don't know."

Mrs. Martinez's expression turned thoughtful. "I've known Samantha for years. She's an exceptional artist and mentor. But..."

Ava leaned in, sensing a revelation.

"...there was a controversy surrounding her departure from a previous agency. I don't know the details, but it might be worth exploring."

Ava's investigation had just begun.