Forlot - Books 10-12

Chapter Seventeen

Also inside the shop were Mom and police officers. There were four officers in total. Two holding flashlights were searching the little shop, and the other two were questioning my mother.

Poor Mom. It was easy to tell that she was shaken up, and why would she not? There was a body - a dead body - inches away from where she was standing! Her legs were quivering, and her hands were shaking so much. I felt really bad.

First, she deals with a divorce. Then, she is threatened by Dad that she can never see her own kids again. Then, she is replaced with Kira. Now, she had to deal with the death of her one and only worker.

Speaking of which, who killed Stacy? And why?

I could hear my mom stuttering as she spoke with the cops. I could also hear her heavy breathing. That was because the door to the antique store was open.

"I-I do not know w-who would want to k-kill her," Mom told the truth to the officers. "I-I barely knew her l-life story. S-she never told me m-much."

Oh, how I had a desire to hug her. She needed someone for support. She needed me.

I ran up to the entrance and managed to make my way through the yellow tape. As soon as I was in, I cupped my hands around my mouth and called to the person who so desperately needed me and possibly my assistance.

"Mom!"

The cops who had been searching stopped what they were doing and turned their attentions to the front entrance. The other two did the same, and Mom leaned to the side to get a better view.

She gasped when she spotted me, and tears streamed down both of her cheeks. I was not sure whether they were tears of sadness or tears of joy. I am going to say a combination of both.

"Jackson!" she exclaimed with excitement in her voice.

"You know that young man?" one of the cops who had questioned her asked.

She nodded. "Oh, yes. He is my son. My biological son."

"Ah. Does he have any idea about the body?"

"Pfft! My smart and awesome son? Nah."

"I do now," I piped up. "I was walking by here when I saw the dead body. And now that I am inside the store, I can see the body more clearly."

Stacy's arms and legs were sprawled out. It was obvious that she had fallen, and there were multiple wounds in her stomach. Stab wounds.

"Young man, do you happen to know who the dead body was?" another one of the officers questioned me.

"Indeed," I said. I ran up to Mom and embraced her in a hug, and she did not hesitate to hug me back.

"Well, could you tell us who it is? Your mom already told us, but we would like to hear from you."

I glanced up at the officer as I snuggled close to Mom. "Her name is Stacy. Stacy Davidson. She worked here at my mom's antique shop."

"Yes, yes. Have you chatted with Stacy before?"

"Just once. That was yesterday."

"What did the two of you talk about?"

"Not much. We only chatted about my mother, my baby sister, and my family. Not once did she reveal anything about her. Nothing juicy."

"Right. So...does your mom treat you well?"

Wait a minute. Was he implying that Mom, the person whom I had always kept close to my heart, stabbed Stacy to death?

No...no! She is not that type of person to do such an evil thing!

I frowned and got the closest to her as I could, wanting to protect her.

"My mother is not a murderer," I stated. "She is one of the best people to come into my life. My sister would fit into that category as well."

I assumed that the cop was amazed at my bravery because he smiled and patted my head, gently ruffling my hair.

"Silly kid," he remarked. "In no way am I saying that your mom is the guilty one. I am a police officer. I need to ask all the necessary and unnecessary questions. The little bits do help the case."

I breathed out a sigh of relief, and my face softened. "Sorry," I apologized. "It is just that...I love my mommy."

He chuckled. "I am sure that you do. And I am definitely sure that she loves you too."

Mom pulled away from me, ending the hug. She wiped away her tears, and a smile spread across her face.

"He is my son. Of course, I love him," she said, placing her hands on my shoulders. "He and his sister, who is also my daughter, mean the world to me."

"We believe you, Mrs. Sanford," another one of the cops commented. "We know about the Lord and love."

"That is Ms. Blossom-Sanford to you."

Minutes passed, and all of the four cops said goodbye and left the store. They got in their car and sped off.

I pointed at Stacy's body. "What about the body...?"

"The cops said that they will call specialists to come and pick it up," Mom explained to me, removing her hands from my shoulders. "Until then, please do not touch the body."

"That is weird, Mom. Usually, the body is quickly taken away."

She shrugged. "Eh. It is Forlot. What are you going to do?"

I walked up to the dead body. It looked very skinny, and the skin was pale. "Who could have stabbed Stacy?"

"I know who. Your stepmom. Kira."

I turned to to her. "How do you think that? You told me and Milo that she was crazy, but she would not go as far as to murder somebody...would she?"

She massaged her fingers. "I have my suspicions, Jackson. Last night, I saw her running past my house...with a knife in her hand."