The Search

16. Prutha

"Do we absolutely HAVE to go there, Daddy?" Claire whined "I don't feel like it." 

"Neither do I, James" I said. 

"Girls" James warned "We promised the Mason's that we'd be there. We can't cancel now without there being an emergency. It wouldn't be right." 

I sighed and got out of the house. The Masons were holding the New Year's party in the country club this year. James had already sent our RSVPs weeks ago and we couldn't cancel now. Finding out that your father may or may not have been murdered was not a reason enough to cancel on the New Year celebration apparently. 

"Prutha, Claire" James said as we climbed inside the car "It's New Year's Eve and I want you both to cheer up and quit whining. There will be many kids your age and you could actually try and have a nice time" 

Claire rolled her eyes. She hadn't actually talked to me after the incident with Martin. I could see that she was guilty about it, the way she hung her head down, trying to call me without getting a word out her mouth were indications enough. Frankly, I had forgiven her already. I could say that I was over Martin; well, at least I was ready to get over him and Claire could have him for all I cared. All she had to do was say sorry and we would be fine. 

I hadn't heard about the progress of the case for the past couple of days either. The last I had heard was when Detective Ryan had called to inform me the next day that they had tracked down father's cousin Darwin Henderson and got his signatures. They were on their way to exhume the body then. What happened after that, I had no clue. 

I hadn't actually wanted to go to this party either but since I was rounded, going to this party was supposed to be my punishment as well. I had failed to understand James' logic behind this but I kept quiet since Ayden was going to be there and I wanted to hang out with him. 

"And I have noticed that you two haven't been talking lately, too. Now, I don't know what happened and if you don't want to tell me, it's fine. But you should try to sort it out. Start the New Year afresh. Don't let the quarrels go forward. 

Claire and I kept quiet. 

I turned to look at Claire and found her looking at me too. However, as soon as our eyes met, she hung her head low. 

I sighed and turned towards the window again. 

After another ten minutes of uncomfortable silence, we reached the country club. 

It was like just another country club where rich people flaunted their assets and tried to outdo each other. I had always hated this part of staying in a wealthy community. It was one thing to buy something because you like it but if you were buying something just to feel superior to someone; there had to be something wrong with you.  

This time, since the Masons were holding the party, they had tried their best to outdo the last year's decorations by the Millers. I had to admit though, they were amazing. The club lit up nicely and it did give a nice feel to the place. 

James held out his hands in front of us. I smiled and took one of his hands. Claire took the other and James led us inside the country club. 

"Be nice and don't consume alcohol" James told us both as we moved to greet the host. 

"James" the host, which I presumed was Mr. Mason, greeted as he saw us. "Welcome." 

"Thank you Jeffery" James said. 

"You remember my daughters" James said "Claire and Prutha" 

The Masons had moved into the town a couple of years ago and I had met Jeffery Mason once in a business party James had hosted last year.