[Love Hits Hard Volume 2] Deception or Truth?

Ch11 - Fractured Friendship

I approach the cops , frustration etched on my face. "So , are we going to take action?" I ask.

"Hm"

"What does that even mean?" I press, "She  admitted she's not the Mastermind. What are we waiting for!!??"

"We know and we will take action", they reassure, " but let's gather more information first."

"Fine" , I agree reluctantly.

I'm frustrated , knowing the culprit but unable to act.
I have no idea why he did it but I swear I will make him pay for his actions. I never imagined he'd  betray me.

My phone rings , breaking the silence.

"Hey Daphne"

"Hey Emy, I  was worried about you. Is everything ok? Is she arrested?"

"Yes"

"Thank God . Now his soul can rest in peace."

"Not really."

"Why? What happened?"

"....... I shouldn't share this but I trust you. She is not the Mastermind."

"Then who is?"

"...........Alan"

"What!!!????"

"Yes , he is behind all this. The culprit was always in front of our eyes but we weren't able to catch him. It was like we had our eyes closed till now."

"Oh my god , I can't believe it."

"Me neither, but this is the truth and I won't spare him."

After ending the call , cops are ready to arrest him and so am I to hear my answers.
We're taking the shortcut to reach him quickly.

Something felt off. Despite repeated knocks and rings , no one answered the door.

"Break the lock" a cop orders.

We enter , finding the house empty. The  Cup of coffee is still hot and filled. The house is messed up as if he was packing bags hurriedly.

"This all just means one thing."

"What ?" I ask.

"He knew we were coming."

"How?"

"You should know that , Ms Cooper. Did you tell anyone about this?"

"....yes but she won't do that . She is my best friend."

"Just to remind you , Alan was also Noah's best friend."

"No..no she won't do this."

We are on our way to Daphne's house , she is not picking up my call. Does that mean...that...officers are right!? Is she one of the killers? I can't believe this. I am  sure  she is busy with work and so isn't able to pick my calls. Someone else might have gave this information to Alan but on the other hand no one else knew it.

"Its her father" I informed to the cops.

"Mr. Warner."

"Cops , is something wrong?"

"Where is your daughter ?"

"She is in her room."

"We need to meet her."

"Umm... Sure."

As we climb the stairs to her room , we overhear her on a call.

With a quick twist we open the door. There she is standing in crop top and skinny jeans, her hair in French braid.
She swiftly cuts the call.

"Emily?" Daphne's eyes narrow.

"Ms. Daphne Warner , we are here to question you about  Noah's death ," a cop states.

"Emily , what is this ? We're friends ; why are they asking me questions ?" Daphne feigns innocence.

"Just answer their questions."

"How can you do this to me, Emy?" Her voice turns venomous. " I thought we were best friends. You are just jealous  because I can pull boys when you can't , because I have friends and you don't. You're obsessed with me," she spat.

"You're not my Daphne. You would never say those things."

"I am not the same?? You're not the same."

"Why? Because I don't follow you around anymore? Because I  know the truth?"

"You think you are bigger than me? You think you are superior!? Yes , I killed him. So what?" She declares.

The crazed look in Daphne's eyes sent a shiver down my spine , leaving me heartbroken and betrayed.

"Daphne , you need professional help." I said while holding back my anger.

"Help? Just because I did what was right? But I won't let you go. I know you better than anyone, and I know Noah deserved someone like me,  not you."

"You say you know me but did you notice the way I begged for the answers and reasons for his death? You say you know me but did you notice my laughter that changed?"

"You always knew I had feelings for Noah. I remember telling you how I wanted something exciting to happen with him. But instead, you pretended to dislike him just to get his attention for yourself. By becoming his girlfriend, you constantly hurt me and bruised my pride."

"I thought you were genuinely happy for  me when I started dating him. I assumed that you were thrilled to see me laughing and in love with someone who truly cared for me."

"I wanted him for myself, but you took him away from me. You're  not even pretty. You Know what , he died because of you."

Just then ,  her phone rings.
A cop accepts the call.

"Hello?" a familiar voice says from the other end.

Daphne's eyes sparkle with malice. "You see , I am not alone in this," she sneers, "And you'll always regret making him yours."
She said with a smirk.

My heart skips a beat. Whose voice is that on call?

I inch closer to the cop, craning my neck to glimpse the phone's screen and identify Daphne's mysterious yet familiar caller.