Mystery Loves Company

Chapter 33 - File #5.4: The Inevitable Encounter

Avery

How can I tell Rhett that the person he's been looking for has been under his nose this whole time?

I couldn't sleep thinking about this. His thrilled voice when he knew he could tie the loose ends between these cases added more burden to my shoulders.

That's why when I arrived at Alex's school, I always looked around like I was about to steal something. I blended in with the crowds, letting Mom took care of Alex, who most likely would go checking on the set, which would have Kyle working on it, which would be helped by Rhett.

The point was, if I interacted with my own brother, I would most likely end up meeting that guy.

I was almost jumped out from my seat when someone elbowed me. Turned out it was my mom, with both her hands occupied with two paper cups, and a bag of popcorn clamped between her right hand and her chest. I took a cup from her.

"I thought we're not gonna get any seats," she said as she fixed her position next to me.

I was glad that she was finally talking to me. I guessed yesterday's argument was just a mere misunderstanding.

"Aren't you supposed to help Alex?"

"He doesn't want his mother there, saying he's not a kid anymore," she giggled. "I'm so proud of him. He grows up just fine without a father figure."

I glanced. "You said you didn't want to talk about him."

"I was just convincing myself that we've been living a good life all this time."

A long sigh slid out of my mouth. I nervously slurped the latte Mom bought me—only it wasn't a latte. "Ugh, Mom, I don't like soda!"

"It's a kids' event, Avery, all they sell is junk foods and soda," Mom grumbled. "Maybe there's a coffee stall somewhere."

I got up, still shuddering with the aftertaste. "I'm gonna get a strong black coffee."

"No, no, you won't be able to sleep. It's school day tomorrow," she warned.

Yeah, like I cared about that. I started thinking that I would still do amazingly well even if I wasn't present at classes.

I finally found a coffee stall, which had a long line. Some people just had the same thought as me. After getting my vanilla latte, I quickly drank it to lose the soda taste on my tongue—but it tasted even more horrible! I spun around to hide my expression from the seller, but another person showed up. A collision couldn't be avoided—my latte splashed down to his shirt, leaving a light brown stain.

"Aaahhhh that's cold!" He shouted. "Avery, what the hell?!"

I was as shocked as he was. I stepped backwards and let my cup fell down. So much for avoiding Rhett Carver.

"You sneaked up on me!" I chided. It was easier to put the blame on him.

"You didn't hear me calling. I had no choice but coming over," he hissed while wiping the stain with his bare hand, but it was only getting bigger. He ignored it and said, "We need to talk."

Rhett cocked his head, suggesting that we sat on the table near the coffee stall. Oh, no, what should I tell him? That his roommate was probably also involved in that case?

He began to brief me about the case, even though I already knew the majority of it. He showed me a letter from Paul, which I read in a second.

"This is the flash drive that Hal referred to. It was stored in a locker belongs to Mrs. Chang—the one that Paul mentioned in the letter," he said, holding the drive in his hand.