Shattered to Pieces |Percabeth Story |

24

Part 3

Annabeth

"How close were you to Ben Chase?" asks the lawyer, as he stands opposite William Dare, who is standing in the witness box.

"Quite close. We were partners in work for years and we would go to the bar after work together sometimes," William replies, looking as confident as ever.

"During those times working or at the bar, did Ben Chase ever seem violent towards you or anyone else?" the lawyer questions.

Will shakes his head. "No. Ben couldn't hurt a fly," Will says and I scoff. "I mean, at times he would have had to be rough with some suspects, but other than that, Ben seemed a genuine, nice guy."

"Did you ever see any interaction between Ben Chase and his niece, Annabeth Chase? If so, what was it like? How were they towards each other?"

"I've only seen a few interactions between them over the years and, to me, Ben came across as a doting uncle. He worshiped Annabeth. However, Annabeth always had a mysteriousness to her. She seemed to be analyzing people all the time. Ben did complain to me a few times that Annabeth was becoming troublesome. He would find alcohol hidden in her bedroom but he was really understanding, and would say that she was still grieving her father and the mother that didn't want her."

"'Mother that didn't want her.'"

To anyone else here, they're just a few words in a sentence. To me, it's a stab in the heart.

Angry tears threaten to flood my eyes but I refuse to allow this man the satisfaction of hurting me. I've been hurt too many times.

This is where it stops.

"Also," Will continues. "Ben allowed my daughter, Rachel, to stay with them while I went away. When I got back home, Rachel told me herself that Ben was kind and looked after her well. Rachel said, however, that Annabeth would say things to her. Things like, 'watch your back' and 'he's not as nice as he seems'. Rachel said that Annabeth would practically beg for attention."

I scowl as I hear what this man has to say.

'Beg for attention?'

All I wanted was for Ben to leave me alone.

"Can you go on to describe the day you found Ben Chase?" the lawyer asks.

"Yes. I remember it clearly. I was working a long shift, one that I usually shared with Ben. I noticed instantly that he didn't show, which was strange because Ben rarely had days off at all. I went on with my day, thinking he'd turn up late or he might phone in sick. However, he didn't turn up and he didn't phone in. I decided to go around to his place as soon as my shift ended. I knocked the door several times and no one answered. I looked through the window but I couldn't see Ben in the living room."

Will's face crumbles. He holds his head in his hands as emotion takes over him. He's a good actor - too good.

"I was going to leave. But, out of the corner of my eye, I saw something on the floor by the doorway of the kitchen. I knew what to do. I kicked the door down and ran inside to find Ben lying on the floor. I looked for a pulse but I couldn't find one. I instantly knew he had been stabbed as there was a wound in his chest, which was bleeding profusely. I called the police immediately and they arrived shortly after."

"What time did your shift end that day?" the lawyer asks.

"I believe it was 2.30pm," Will replies.

"The call you made to inform us of Ben's death was at 3.30pm. It took you an awful long time to report the incident, especially as you went to Ben Chase's home after your shift, which did end at 2.30pm that day. There is a one hour gap. That slot of time seems a little too long," the lawyer points out, his voice suspicious.