Discovered

Chapter 10: A New Cop In Town

"Have you heard that the police caught the criminal?" one of the girls asked. The other just stood there, looking dazed. "You mean the preacher's kid?" another girl asked. "Pastor Gerald?" The first girl nodded. "I can't believe it, Wallace would never hurt a fly."

I wanted to keep the conversation between me and Uncle Seth going, but with the girls whispering about my grandfather's supposed killer, it was getting hard for me to say anything out of my mouth.

So, Wallace Gerald's father is a pastor? Immediately, my hand flew into my knapsack as I pulled my tablet out and searched the name. "Cleo?" Uncle Seth asked. "Did you hear my question?"

I looked up at him while my fingers tapped on the keyboard. "Yes," I answered, startled. "I will try and find the truth behind Grandpa's death and why Wallace is framed." For a minute, I could see Uncle Seth biting his lip and closing his eyes.

"Cleo," he sighed. "The killer has already been caught. Your grandfather's death is avenged." I rolled my eyes at this. "What if Wallace is framed for something he didn't do?" I asked. "Was he a witness-"

Just then, something or someone opened the door. For a while, I thought that it was Grandma or Grandpa's friends. But when I walked to the door to answer it, it was a police officer.

He had sandy brown hair, black sunglasses, and wore a police uniform. A small square mustache reached over his upper lip. "Hello officer," I answered politely. I didn't understand why he was here, but I know it has to do with my grandfather's death.

The officer tipped his hat then smiled at me. "Hello," he answered. "Is there something going on?" I asked. The cop nodded slowly then asked me if there was an adult in the house.

But as soon as Dad came up behind me, the cop removed his sunglasses then glared at him. It became evident that the cop knows him. "Ben Hamilton," he greeted coldly. "Still being a smartypants, I see?" Dad flashed a bitter smile then allowed him to come inside.

Reluctantly, the officer came inside the house and made himself comfortable on the living room couch. He set his hat on the coffee table and watched as Dad sat on the chair right in front of him.

"Xavier Rodgers," Dad smiled. "What brings you here in my mother-in-law's home?" Xavier was about to answer until his eyes met mine, standing behind him. "It's okay, Cleo." Dad said calmly. "Go and change out of your dress."

Reaching in the pocket of my bag, I pulled out my listening device and secretly dropped in a vase full of emaciated flowers. "Sorry," I chuckled. "I always felt that the vase was missing something."

Xavier gave me a curious look while my father only nodded then allowed me to walk upstairs. While I walked upstairs, I took out my earpiece from out of my bag then put it on. With the bug inside of the vase, I could hear what Dad and Xavier are saying.

The end of the speakers let out a quiet cackle, but thankfully I could hear the conversation. "I heard that you are a show off," Xavier snickered. "I never knew that you had a daughter." "Xavier," Dad sighed. "There is no need for you to act like a Big Man On Campus. This is the real world after all, not Quantico."

Dad and Xavier know each other, I wondered. "Why are you here, Xavier?" he asked. "I am just checking to see if the rumors about the killer is true." "What rumors?" Dad asked sternly. I heard some shifting around the chair then a sigh. "I am starting to think that you are not convinced Wallace didn't do it." Xavier said.

"Is it because you were in his shoes or because you were involved in your father-in-law's murder?" "You placed a narc to spy on me," Dad said unsurprised. "That is so like you, Xavier." A wrinkle appeared on my eyebrows. Dad knew that we were being followed? Since when?

"You think I had something to do with the murder, because you are jealous of me or because of what I said to your wife?" Dad asked. Xavier didn't say anything. "You keep your mouth shut about my wife," he threatened.

"Ex-wife," Dad corrected. Xavier let out an annoyed sigh then changed the subject. "I am promoted as the head of the police." he explained. "So since we are good friends, let me let you off with a warning: stay away from my investigation or you are going to get it."

I heard a loud squeak coming from Dad's  chair. "No promises," Dad replied. "Now, get out." I put away my earpiece and marched downstairs, but this time I hid behind the wall and watched as Xavier walked out of the living room.

But as soon as he left, Xavier turned around and met Dad's angry eyes. "Tell your wife I said hello," Xavier reminded. "Of course," Dad beamed coldly. "And tell your future girlfriend to find another boyfriend to slobber on."

Xavier glared at him for a moment then left the house. Dad's footsteps stormed across the floor as he headed back into the coffee table and yanked my bugging device from out of the vase.

I quietly walked up to Dad, who stormed up to me and place the bug into my hand. "That was very foolish of you, Cleo." Dad scolded. "You deliberately disobeyed my orders." Instead of saying sorry, I asked him about Xavier.

"That idiot used to go to Harvard with me," Dad explained. "Like your mother and me, he wanted to be a detective, but unfortunately he failed every criminology course in Quantico."

"The jerk must have had it out for you and Mom, right?" I asked. Dad nodded his head then sighed. "After we graduated, I became a private investigator for a short period of time."

"Let me guess," I began. "His wife came to you out of the blue, ask if you can stalk Xavier, and exploit his activities?" Dad's scolding look was instantly replaced by a smirk. "Right on all corners," he answered. I tilted my head at him. "Does Xavier have something to do with the murder?"

Dad shrugged his shoulders then said something that made the color of my face drain. "I want you to stay away from him." he insisted. "I don't trust that man or his tricks."

Suddenly, Mom came to the house with a shocked look on her face. "Why is Xavier here?" she asked, crossing her arms. "And what does he want from us?" Dad placed his hand on her shoulder then shook his head. "Trouble," he muttered.