No Honor Among Thieves

Chapter 8 - "Why'd you have to make it harder for the both of us?"

"Oh hey, didn't you say you needed to talk to me today?" Greets Ron.

Catching my breath, "Yeah. Yes, I did."

Ron smacks his hands together, "Cool what's up?"

I raise an open palm as I continue to steady my breathing and take the tickler from my pocket. "Yesterday during lunch time, you were with your friends, right?"

I intentionally but very carefully mislead to test Ron's credibility.

"No, I had to go home. I have a heart problem."

Jason lists down all points necessary. "What time did you get back to school?"

Ron shrugs, "I don't know. It was only a short while until the class ended, so I'd say around... 4:30."

"Where'd you go after classes that same day?"

"The basketball court in the Oval with Klein, Henry, and the 'giant'."

He closes his tickler and says "Thanks. We might need to talk to you some other time when it's necessary."

Ron nods. "Sure. Whatever that can help the both of us." He then jogs away and looks at his wristwatch, making me do the same.

2:10

"I got five spare minutes. Better head back, then."

Everyone attended the last class, and after informing everyone that there's no new developments in the case, Maria speaks with Jason.

She smiles. "Hi. I never got your name."

Jason chuckles softly. "I'm Jason, but please don't tell anyone." He raises a hand for a shake.

Maria reaches and shakes his hand. "I'm Maria, but that's something you already know." She chuckles and continues, "This morning, after our meeting outside the room, Ron approached me and said that he didn't take my phone at all."

Jason continues to listen intently as she goes on.

"Then I asked him why he was late for class yesterday."

I nod and asked, "What'd he say?"

"He said that he went home to play with his friends."

That piqued my attention. "Really? His story doesn't match at all."

Maria asks why.

"Because he told me and his friends that he had to go home because of his heart problem. And that he only played here with Klein and the others in the court."

Maria and I went quiet for a few seconds...

Until I spoke again. "Damn, Ron. Why'd you have to make it harder for the both of us?" I lightly shake my head in disappointment before turning my attention back to Maria. "Thanks for letting me know, Maria."

"No problem. I just want this to be over soon."

"It will be."

She nods and before going her own way, Jason asks her who of their classmates know about her birthday.

Maria replies. "No one."

"Okay, and if you're birthday can also be seen in your Facebook profile, you should find a way to remove it as soon as possible."

She goes blank for a while in realization before speaking again. "Okay. Thanks, Jason."

"Welcome. Take care."

She then walks away, leaving me on my own to think...

"Ryan. He's good with the ladies. He might know something 'bout Jane, and I know just where to find him every Tuesday at 3:30."