Protecting Alice

Chapter 6: Friends?

Asher drove his dark blue SUV and turned on the radio. He saw his beautiful girlfriend moving her head to the music. The song "Seeing Blind" by: Niall Horan and Maren Morris came on and Asher started to sing along to it. He smiled at Alice while singing it to her.  It was one of her favorite songs right now and he knew that all too well.  She thought, " It was sweet that he was singing it for her."

Asher told her a while back when they were first getting to know each other that in high school, he was the lead singer in a band with his friends. His singing voice sounded heavenly and rich. Alice said, "I wouldn't mind you singing to me anytime!" He chuckled and said, "I will always only if you join in, kitten." Asher got her to sing along with him on the final verse of the song. Alice thought his southern accent was cute when she first met him. It confused Alice when her dad said Asher moved from Connecticut. Asher explained that he was born in Natchez, Mississippi. He lived there until they moved to Hartford, Connecticut when he was a freshman in high school.

Asher interrupted her thoughts by saying, "You have a beautiful voice, kitten. I can't help but fall more in love with you every minute I spend with you. You had me when you stared your dark brown eyes my way." Alice giggled and replied, "That makes two of us my sweet Asher." He parked the car in front of Carly's apartment. Asher gave her a kiss which put them both in a daze. Jeremy came up out of nowhere and knocked on the car door. They both got out as he said, "I am so very sorry I was such a jerk to you, Asher. I would like to become friends.  Can I start fresh with you, Alice?"  He then gave Asher a serious look and commented, "If you ever hurt her then you will answer to me." Asher held out his hand and Jeremy took it. He said, "Friends, Jeremy. Everyone deserves a second chance." Alice excitedly pulled them both into a hug. She said, "It is so good to see my boyfriend and best friend finally getting along! Yes, a fresh start is great, Jeremy.  Now lets get to work and find clues pointing to who killed Carly. Jeremy picked the door lock and they started to search.

Alice remembered Carly saying her journal was hidden. It was taped under her bed. She finally found it. Alice read the entries and finally found something. Carly wrote she was scared that the guy she quit seeing before Max was going to kill her. Her journal never mentioned a name but it ruled out her ex boyfriend, Justin because they ended on good terms. Carly wrote in big letters that she hated going to history 300 with the teacher, Wallace Burke. She stated that the guy she was afraid of would always leave her threatening notes before that class. The only positive thing she talked about was Max. She loved him very much but was worried about his life being in danger too.

Alice showed Asher and Jeremy the journal. They all agreed to give it to Alice's Dad and were about to leave when there was a knock at the door. Jeremy went to answered it while Asher made Alice get behind him. He still had his protective arm around her waist. Alice always felt safe with her boyfriend by her side. It turned out to be Penny. She was battered and bruised. Tears were trickling down her face as she said, "A guy with a black hoodie and a red baseball cap told me to give you a message. Stop investigating or suffer the same fate as the girl I once loved. If you don't follow my warning, then Alice will watch her boyfriend die in front of her while being helplessly tied up. The rest of you will be murdered when I have time to kill you."

Penny was shaking and stuttering with her words. Jeremy held her close when she finally got herself together. She turned to Alice and said, "I feel terrible for being so mean and not a nice person. The truth is I was jealous of you. My parents abandoned me since I wouldn't agree to an arranged marriage to a guy I didn't love. I had to work two jobs all through college and still have to pay off my student loans. I am truly sorry. Can you ever forgive me?"

Alice gave her a reassuring hug and replied, "I misjudged you, Penny. Your apology is accepted! We can be friends now since you and Jeremy are already." Jeremy blushed from embarrassment and spoke, "Alright guys, shouldn't we leave before Carly's killer decides to come for us here?" Alice whispered to Penny, "Give Jeremy some time to mend his heart. I can tell he likes you!" Penny could tell that her and Alice would be great friends. Jeremy pulled Penny aside before getting into Asher's car. He said, "I will protect you from that psycho. He won't get another chance to hurt you." Jeremy touched her face as Penny gave him a smile. She felt her heart skip a beat at his sweet words. Her blonde hair covered her blushing cheeks.

Asher and Alice were singing along to songs on the radio.  He wanted to make sure to keep his girlfriend smiling through the hard times.  Jeremy and Penny followed them on his motorcycle.  They finally arrived at Alice's house.
Nick, Tara, Ashton, Becca, Jake and Janie were there. Alice introduced her family to Penny and they encouraged her to tell them what happened. Alice gave her Dad Carly's journal.

Nick said, "I will turn this over to the police since Carly's parents hired us to find her killer." Ashton went to his sister, Alice. He gave her a hug and said, "Don't do anymore investigating. I can't lose my baby sister. I love you. Let me and Dad handle it." Alice nodded and spoke, "I promise, Ashton." Asher locked eyes with Alice and gave her a certain smile that she knew well which indirectly said he agreed with what her brother was saying.