Simpler Things

Part 12: Observations.

"Dad?" I asked. He sat in his usually postion, sitting on the 3rd step, his elbpws on his knees as he intensly studied the ground. His head shot up,
"Hey sweetie. How's my favourite daughter?" He said. I squinted realizing and said,
"I'm your only daughter." He ignored my comment and continued,
"I'm guessing you know about ms. M?" He said looking up at me. I nodded. "Of course you did." He smiled grimly at me.
"She was a nice lady." I said, almost to myself. Flashes of her found their way into my thoughts. How she lit up every time she saw me. I felt so... untouched by her death.
"Alyson?" My dad's voice broke my train of thought.
"Yeah?" I said, ignoring the concern in his eyes.
"You... didn't hear my question, did you?"
"What question?" I asked, confused.
"Okay..." my dad said, continuing, "why were you at that club?" His question shocked me. How did he know?
"What do you mean?"I said, trying to play it cool.
"Why were you, and that Megan character, at that gay bar?" Each individual piece probbed me. I sighed.
"How'd you know?" I said.
"James' parents." He replied, looking up at me.
"You question them?"
"99% of the time, they had some... distractions." He said. I rolled my eyes,
"Oatmeal cookies?"
"With raisins." My father said, rubbing his stomach. He was in great shape for being a father with 2 children. But then again, mom had Charlie when she was pretty young.
"A family friend was over while I visited, he mentioned a girl and some descriptions, then blindly pointed out how simular I look."
"You still have that photo in your-"
"Always," He pulled out the photo of our family. Charlie was maybe 10, I was about 7. Mom and dad looked so happy there.
"And so, comes the question. How did James Cameron get left over 40 minutes away from his house, dead."
I shrugged. I guess James lived somewhere between my own town and Westborough. Nowhere near Huntsville, that's for sure.
"He told me he was a regular at a club." I gave him a questioning look, "His friend told me this. I was busy filing witnesses for the case, so Lee went.."
"Lee?" I mocked.
"Don't get off topic." He licked his lips and continued, "Word floats fast in... gay clubs, I guess."
"So he saw me fall in the lake?" I questioned.
"No. But he trailed you." My dad said.
"That's invasion of privacy." I said.
"At a distance." My father said.
"So, no suspects?" I said.
"Not one. Besides the man who found the body but even then..." he trailed off. I was worried my father's credibility would go down... all because of a murder case.
"I...I can help." I said, he shook his head. He said,
"That's okay. I'm sure we'll find something." my father's phone rang, he pulled it out of his pocket, Bringing it up to his ear. His eyes slowly widened. Another voice sounded from the other end.
"Okay..." he said, barley audible.
"What? What is it?" I whispered at him.
"Why?" He said, ignoring me. He paused, "Okay." Standing up, he started heading to his car. I followed,
"What? What is it!" I was getting frustrated. He got in the car without another word, and drove off.
○○○

I went inside. Alone, of course. Charlie should be done by 5. My house was cold, even though the air conditioning was turned off. Summer was dying off, and eventually fall would come. I was almost excited until I heard a nostalgic clicking of metal. The sound of the mail slit, carved into our door. I got up from my seat in the living room and saw a small envelope sitting on the ground in front of the door. I rushed and opened the door. A cold breeze rushed past me. I went down the steps poking both ways down the street.
"Come out, you little wimp!" I yelled, shivering, "Come out and face me!"
After standing there for 2 minutes, I accepted defeat. It was almost 4 when I went inside. The envelope sat there on the ground. I went into the drawer next to the fridge and fished out mom's leather gloves. I picked up the envelope, gingerly. I scanned the packaging; it was a simple white envelope. A thin clear strip of tape stuck the envelope closed. Dammit. No DNA. He knew what he was doing. I pulled the tape off, making sure to keep the paper intact. A small card fell out, I instantly recognized the scribbled handwriting.

Hello, my dear old friend.

Enjoying the weather?
I certainly have.
There has been some confusion I need to address.
Her.
Everyone.
Really?
You think you can solve a case while having a slumber party?
Or you think you need her.
Usually, these would be quite short, but I envy how naive you are.
Originally, I was going to take everyone you love, but now, oh, how the games have just started.
Rationally; you would've skipped town.
Honestly, why do you even stay? No one wants you here.
Everyone loves somebody, somebody they'd die for. It's a
Race. And I can't wait to win.

It was then that I stopped breathing.