Mystery Loves Company

Chapter 41 - File #5.12: The Birthday Bash

Rhett

Birthdays are supposed to be exciting, but not when your assignments are piling up, when you're under a bad guy's nose, and when your older siblings you've been trying to get away from are right here, in the same town as you.

I already got a headache knowing that Beth was planning a 'party' that no one asked for. Not to mention that I had to deal with this case in which one of the people involved knew I was onto them all this time, while my one and only 'partner' bailed on me. Bad luck has taken another form, and it was no longer hurting me physically only, but also mentally.

Beth decided to hold the party in Uncle Dave's house because it would feel more 'intimate'. We haven't exactly had a family time since Beth got married two years ago. It wasn't even exclusive to just family, because Beth had so many friends and was already a best-selling author. She still received gifts even weeks after the wedding.

I came early to Uncle Dave's house to avoid any encounters with my family, but Beth and Eddie were already there. Usually, Aunt Ella's cooking would make everyone happy, even if it was just the smells, but none of them had joys on their face. I could be a jerk and ignored my own sister to greet my brother-in-law, but I had to save my pettiness for TJ later.

"Hey, Beth, how was the seminar?" I forced a smile.

"You wouldn't ask that if you came," she replied curtly. "The tickets were on demand and sold out fast. I had to beg the EO to give me two free tickets. You can't imagine how mad he was seeing one empty seat in the hall."

"I told you I wouldn't come, that's not my fault. Who even cares with that stupid sem—" I quickly stopped as Eddie, who sat beside her, crossed his hands. Now I knew why Eddie was quiet. His wife was on a phase when no one wouldn't risk their lives to talk to her. "I'm sorry, I should've called back. I was..." —afraid and avoiding everyone because I think my life is in danger— "...so busy."

Gosh, it really was hard keeping something in your chest. I usually could just spill everything to my notebook, but now, I couldn't even talk to my best friend about this, or my partner, who probably shared the same concern and was even in the worse state.

Beth slowly nodded. She walked closer and patted my back. "I know how hard college life is. I just wanted you to take a break for a second and get some inspirations. I'm sorry if I was too demanding."

I just smiled while pulling my body away. "Okay. Thanks."

While Beth went to the kitchen to help Aunt Ella, I finally could talk to Eddie. "Any new case?" I asked.

"There is always a case," he smiled. I forgot how much I admired this guy. Like I've said before, I probably looked up to him more than to my own siblings. "I'm here to learn about my past case actually, which is still kind of ongoing."

"Which one? Not to brag, but I keep track of your cases," I proudly said. I hoped it didn't sound too creepy.

"That's nice," he complimented. "Well... in Beth's seminar, one of the guest speaker was the lawyer that was involved, Wanda Pratt."

"Oh, the Luke Mercer case? That was an interesting case!"

"It sure was. And uh... Chief Snell said he's investigating a similar case right now?"

"Not too similar, but it does revolve around rivalry... and politics. Yikes."

"Still like playing detective, huh?" He chuckled.

"I just can't stay away from it," I grinned. "Hey, Eddie... You have a partner, right? Have you guys ever... fight?"

Eddie laughed. "Fight? Kids fight. Me and Rico? We do argue a lot. We may not always have the same principle in handling our cases, but arguments happen, right?"