Bloody Bracelet

Part 6

As I stood infront of the Stone's residence I felt my palms turn wet and the now insanely weight on my shoulders trying to force me down to the floor. I hated this part of my job. Questioning the vic's family. The house was nice, white picket fence, rose gardens, trimmed hedges. The normal shit. Even the damn doorbell sounded all cheery and happy, ironically.

Then they opened the door. Her parents.

This was hell. Their eyes were still red and puffy from sobbbing. I couldn't blame them. It was their daughter for God's sake and to to happen they way it did. It's just bullshit.

"Mr. and Mrs. Stone?"

"Yes, that's us.", said the middle aged man. He wasn't old yet, he had grey linings on both sides of his head.

She definitely had her mother's eyes.

"Sorry to bother. My name is Detective Murphy. I was wondering if I could ask you a few question about Ashley?"

The tears in the mother's eyes began to build up. The cheek muscles in the father's jaw started to tense.

It was hell.

"Yes, please, come in."

The house's interior had a gloomy linger around it. You wouldn't even believe it was the same house. The whole damn house looked like it was collapsing, brick by prick.

"Cup of java?", the father said, walking away from me into the lounge.

"No, thank you. Already had three mugs, anymore and I'll be jumping off the walls."

The unmoved faces of the parents told me that my attempt at a joke had failed.

"What could we do for you, Detective?", the mother said as she took a seat on the sofa, waving me to sit in the lounge chair opposite them.

"Well, ma'am, I just wanted to ask you a few questions about Ashley. It won't be long, I promise."

"Please, call me Dorlene and that is my husband, Hank."

Amazing. Even after losing their daughter, these people still keeps the 'American Pie' bullshit going. Maybe I would feel better if one of them would just break down in tears instead of worrying about politeness.

"Very well, Dorlene. Let's try and get through this quick and painlessly. Was there anything strange about happening with Ashley in anyway prior to the night?"

"No, she was the same as always. Things were actually better than usual.", said Hank.

"How so?"

"She had just been promoted at the school. She was a full time teacher now."

"I see. Has she been seeing someone new, that you know off? Anyone from school or through friends?"

"Not that I know off, Detective. Ashley and i would tell each other everything.", said Dorlene, her eyes were tearing up again now.

"Do any of you maybe know of someone that would want to hurt her? Long time rivalries or maybe a bad break up recently?"

"Ashley has been dating the same boy now for almost three years. Jimmy Dangavich, they went to college together, but there is no way that he would hurt her."

"Anything else you could tell me about Mr. Dangavich?"

"Well, he's a intern at Jay & Goodson's accounting firm. He's been a straight A's student, along with Ash, had plans for engagement, but he-", Hank cleared he's throat before continuing, trying his best not ball infront of me like his wife,"he, uhh, he was saving up for the perfect ring. He said she only deserved the best."

"That's a real shame. Was Jimmy ever in any type of trouble? Maybe pissed off the wrong people along the line?"

"As far as we knew, Jimmy was a straight shooter."

"I see. Tell me where was Ashley on the nights of and prior to her death?"

"On Tuesday she was with Jimmy, but on that night she said she was at the school, 'grading fingerpaintings' she said."

I scratched on my leatherbacked notebook 'CHECK OUT JIMMY'. The questioning felt like it went on forever, but only lasted a solid 17 minutes before I stood up.

"Thank you so much for the cooperation. If we have any further information, I'll let you know. In the mean time, try to stay strong. We might also need further questioning if something new comes up."

"Much appreciated, Detective. We'll do whatever we can to help catch this son of a bitch.", said Hank as he walked me to his front door.

"Don't worry, Mr. Stone, he has to slip up somewhere and when he does, we'll nail him."

Hank was able to force a jokingly smile. "Please Detective Murphy, the name's Hank."

I held out my hand as if I was meeting the man for the first time.

"Please, call me Tom."

Dorlene's eyes focused for a bit before she could get the words out.

"Detective Thomas H. Murphy?"

"Yeah, that's the name momma gave me." I couldn't even help but smile for the change of mood.

"Sorry, Detective, I don't mean to pry, but wasn't your wife who had the horrible car accident some time ago?"

"Dorlene.", Hank said in a disapproving tone to which she definitely felt guilty to now.

"Yes, that was my wife, Jesse. How did you know?"

"Well, Ashley was the key eye witness to the crash. She was first on the scene. I am so sorry for your loss"

Now I know they say it's a small world, but damn. It just can't get any smaller. Yet another reminder of what was taking from me. Another way for Jesse to pop up in my life.

"Thank you, but it was sometime ago. I have had chance to heal. I won't take up any of your time. You folks have a great day."

"Thank you, Tom. You too.", Hank said as he closed the door behind me.

I tried to erase that whole fucking accident from my memory, but now that it's mentioned again, Ashley Stone sounded very familiar. She WAS at the accident.

Why?