Hometown Detective

Part 2 (The Spiral)

I woke up the next morning, and I knew today was going to be different. I got out of bed, and I walked over to my dresser. I grabbed my Edwardo's Pizza uniform and took it into the bathroom. I jumped in the shower.

I got out of the shower and threw on my clothes. I got in my car and drove to Walmart where I ran into Taylor who was Christmas shopping for her family.

"How was work yesterday night?" She asked with a smile on her face.

"I guess it was okay. Edwardo fired the only other pizza guy left." I replied as I was looking at some nice dress shirts.

"Why did he fire them?" she asked.

"Edwardo fired him because he called in and told him that he hated him." I replied, "Which personally I think is stupid. If you were wanting to get fired from the place of employment you have worked at for many years, why would you do it over the phone?"

"Good question. I got good news." replied Taylor.

"Oh! What is it?" I replied.

"I start my job at your competitor today, and I could not be more excited about it. Alejandro Morris hired me yesterday. Anyways, it was nice seeing you. I have to get to work now." she explained as she walked away.

I watched her walk away and then I turned around and walked back to the electronics section.

I grabbed a few things, including christmas presents, and checked out. I walked out to my car and threw the stuff in my trunk. I drove across town, and drove to work. When I got there, the place was dead, and the open sign hadn't been turned on yet. I drove behind the restaurant and seen police cars and the employee vehicles. I parked my car and went in.

I walked in, and saw the employee's were sitting at a table talking among themselves. Bethanie was sitting at a table by herself and she was bawling. I looked around the room some more, until I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"Good Afternoon. I am officer James Birge. Can I speak with you for a few minutes?" asked the person behind me.

"Sure." I replied.

They led me into the kitchen where they had moved some things around and set up an interview table. They told me to sit down, and I could tell something was coming.

"Where were you at 8 this morning?" asked James.

"I was in bed. I typically do not get up until 10 on weekends." I replied.

"Is there anyone who could back that up?" asked James.

"Yes my mom. What is going on?" I asked.

"We received a phone call at 8:30 this morning telling us Edwardo was murdered." replied James," When we got here, we found Bethanie Willard crying in the dining room. We walked into Edwardo's office and found him in his chair. Stabbed to death."

"Damn. I can't believe it. I loved Edwardo." I replied shaken up.

"Bethanie told us that you would be here around 2. So stayed, plus, we suspect it was an inside job. Bethanie said the door was locked when she came in. Can you help us find out who did it?" said James.

"I mean I guess I can. I do not know how much help I will be. Do you mind if I go hug Bethanie?" I asked.

"Sure, but come back here in about an hour so we can get to the bottom of who killed Edwardo. It was an inside job." he replied.

I walked over to Bethanie and gave her a huge hug. She was terrified that whatever was going to happen next would happen to her. I walked past all of the other employees without looking at them, and went back to James.

"So why do you think it was an inside job?" I asked.

"The video tape shows that who ever killed him was wearing all black and pulled a key out of their pocket to unlock the door." he replied, "Who has a key to the restaurant?"

I started to think who else would have had keys to the building besides Bethanie and I. Then it came to me. There were 5 other people.

"Okay, so the people you are looking for are Tanya Ballard, Josh Dally, Zander Cole, Chris Allen, and Juan Mitchell. They must be your suspects." I replied.

"Good. Can I trust you to help me?" he asked.

"Yes." I replied.

"Okay. we have till the will reading when his family show up for the will reading." James replied.