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Chapter 13

      Sorry im late, I said to the team. What we got so far? Like I said, this was an inside job. There is no signs of someone breaking in, no fight or nothing like that. You can tell the mother and the sister was in this area when they were killed. The brother comes out the kitchen to see what's going on, the attacker shoots the brother. Clearly the dad and the other brother didn't hear anything. The attacker then goes upstairs, blasts the father first and then the brother. From the looks of it, he shot right threw the door, and killed the father. Obviously, he knew where the father was sitting. This was a well planned attack every way you look at it. Damn, I said while looking around. I checked Braxton's story, Smith said. You did what? I went to his job, checked the time he clocked out, and calculated the distances from his job to here. I gave you orders to wait until we fully investigated all of the evidence before checking his story. We checked the evidence and it still seems like an inside job. You still don't know for sure if this is his doing. I gave you orders and you didn't follow them. I think I made the right call, Smith said. Really, how is that? It's clear this was a setup. You've said that, tell me something that'll make me think differently right now. This house is full of high-end stuff, stuff that an attacker would want to steal. The fact nothing in this house is taken, let's me know this was planned. A normal attacker would have stolen something. That still doesn't mean he's behind this Smith. You were out of line by checking his story AFTER I said, wait before doing so. What if his job tells him you came there questioning his story? He gon think we're accusing him or labeling him as a suspect. You would have done the same thing, you've done the same thing before. That case was nothing like this and you know that. When stories don't match up or evidence tells us different from the story, then we make that call. You done for the day, I said. What? You heard me, you're off this case. You can't be serious right now, Smith said. I'm very serious, leave. NOW!

    Wow, never seen you like this before; Blake said. He was out of line. I can agree, that guys' story checked out. The time he gave us matches the time he clocked out, the time he arrived home matches, and the time he called 911 matches. Really, how you know? I went with Smith and took notes. Why? I knew you told him to wait before checking his story. I also knew you wasn't going to be happy once you found out he went. I never liked or trusted Smith. I didn't want him to flip the story and make it seem like he was making the right call. Thanks for looking out, I said. I also did a little background check on this guy. Really? There is no way he could be behind this, Blake said. He's the oldest, he bought his parents that house as an anniversary gift, he was putting his twin brothers through college, and he just bought his sister her own nail shop. Clearly, he loves his family and will do anything for them. There is no way he could have killed his entire family. Did y'all find any type of evidence that may help? Nope, not a finger print nor a trace. Whoever did this definitely knew how to cover it up to where we couldn't find nothing. Just keep looking, im sure something would come up.

     Hey, have you talked to her? Naw, not yet. Why not? We both been busy with work really. Well you have to say something, Honest said. I am, trust me. I just been busy with work and trying to figure out exactly how I want to go about this. Just come out and comfort her. I need full proof first. You have a picture of you in her office after she clearly lied and said she was in her office. That ain't enough, Chance said. I want text messages, recorded conversations, all of that. Well, sound like you need to be doing some spy work. I have an idea, Honest said. What? I'll invite her out for drinks, get her wasted, and watch her secrets fly. Women always tell the most when they drunk. What if she don't talk? Trust me, she will. Leave it to your little sister to get the job done. I'll call her and invite her over. She working this bad case so I know she'll need the relaxation. Cool, ill call her now. Ok, talk to you later. Hey, you busy? Kind of, what's up? I just wanted to invite you over for a little girl time. We haven't really talked or hung out in a while. I think it'll be nice if we caught up and chill how we use to. Yeah, im working this crazy case. I could use a few drinks in my system. I'll stop by when im done here. Ok, see you later. Honest hung up and called Chance. She coming over when she get done. Cool, make sure you get her wasted. Wasted enough for her to do a lot of talking. Record the conversation if you have to. I got you, Honest said.

    This is Washington? I hope im not disturbing you. Who is this? Braxton. Oh, hey. Hey. Everything ok? I don't know honestly, Braxton said. You told me to call you whenever. Yeah, I did. Now that ive called you, I don't know what to say. Just say what's on your mind. It's so much on my mind, I don't even know where to start. Where are you? Still at the coffee shop. Really? You've been there since this morning? Yeah, I don't know where to go. You just need to go somewhere that will help you take your mind of things. I know, I just don't know where. I know this place that might be great. It's this nice hotel with a great entertainment lineup. Nice arcade, they have some great shows playing, and the musical entertainment is always good. Sounds like fun, would you mind meeting me there? That's if you have time, Braxton said. I probably can meet you there but I can't stay too long. That's fine, a few minutes of company would do me just fine. Ok, ill text you the address. Ok, see you shortly. I heard it all in Braxton's voice that he wasn't doing too good. I know this is extremely hard and difficult for anybody to process alone. Any alone time with him could help this case. From the looks of it, we won't be finding no helpful evidence no time soon. This has got to be the worst case we've ever had. Clearly the attack or attackers has done this before. Hopefully we crack this case soon. I don't think Braxton can make it too many days.

    Hey, sorry im late. It's ok, Braxton said. You found this place ok? Yeah, thanks to my GPS. I haven't been here in a good little minute. I been so wrapped up in work and stuff. Sounds like you could use a little fun too. Yeah, a little fun wouldn't hurt. Let's check out the arcade, Braxton said. We played air hockey and basketball. I was having a good time with him. He has such a cute smile. After playing games for a minute, we got something to eat. I'm having a good time with you, Braxton said. I'm glad you are. I really needed this, im glad you suggested this place. You got a little something on your face, Braxton said. What? It's a little sauce on your cheek. Where? I got it, Braxton said while grabbing a napkin. I couldn't help but stare in his eyes. Thank you but I could have gotten it myself. I know, I just wanted to have a reason to get close to you. You could have just gotten close to me, I said. If I knew it was that simple, I would have just pulled you closer to me. Hey, can I get y'all another refill, the waiter asked? No, we're fine. Are y'all staying for the show? What show? We have a live band about to go on now. They are GREAT! I guess we can stay, Braxton said. Y'all might wanna go in before it gets too crowded. Thank you, I said. Let's check them out, Braxton said while pulling my seat out. 

     We were heading to the show when Braxton grabbed my hand. I was really enjoying my time with Braxton. For somebody to be going through such a tragic time, he still manage to make sure I was having a good time. We couldn't get good seats at the show but we enjoyed the music. Why you smiling, I asked? This moment just reminds me of this tape I watched of my parents dancing. They were at this party, like a house party. They were dancing, laughing, and having fun. You remind me a lot of my sister. Really? Yeah, she was my partner in crime. She was a tomboy and girly at the same time. We always played games and had little bets going on. She was super competitive, she pushed me to be great at everything. She was more than my little sister, she was my best friend. I was closer to her than my twin brothers. They were closer to each than us. At times, people wondered if me and my sister were twins just based off how tight we were. Never did I think I would lose all of them at the same time. This is going to be the hardest thing I ever had to accept. I know it is but you'll get through it. You just have to ask God to give you the strength you need to get through it. Out of nowhere, Braxton kissed me. In that moment, I didn't know if I wanted to stop him or keep going. I was enjoying it and I could tell he was enjoying it too.

I'm so sorry, Braxton said while backing away from me. I don't know what came over me. It's ok, you just got caught up in the moment. It's not ok, you dating someone. This is so out of my character. It's ok, really. I have to go, thank you for coming. Braxton rushed off so quick, I couldn't even respond. I know I shouldn't have enjoyed that kiss but I can't help it. His lips were so soft and he kissed me like we've been knowing each other forever. I know with everything that he going through, he just need somebody right now. I don't mind being there for him. Everybody needs somebody.