Into the Unknown

Liz

I look over the cover of the journal – it's filled with intricate colorful designs of mandalas, as if they were Mehndi patterns. Running my fingers over the front cover, I feel the different bumps and textures that create the "hills and crevasses," identifying the borders and edges of each unique mandala.

Opening up to the first page, I see there's a "Before You Read" disclaimer that Shelby had written. She wrote things such as, "Before you read this, I would like you to know that my innermost thoughts and feelings have been inscribed on the pages of this journal. Some may agree with what I have to say. Others may simply argue against my opinions. Either way is fine with me, as long as nobody gets killed over it." That last sentence makes me flinch a little and I purse my lips together tightly. As long as nobody gets killed over it. What would that possibly have to do with this diary of hers?

The first actual entry that Shelby had written is dated from over two years ago, before William and Shelby started dating. She mentions how she gets nervous around Will and that she's afraid to talk to him. Deciding to skip over this, since I didn't care much for the 'flirty' things at the moment, I find another entry she's written that's from mid-September of last year. From these pages, I read:

Dear diary,

Today was one of those days that I won't forget. It is William's and my six-month anniversary today! He took me out for dinner at the loveliest restaurant I've ever been to. It's called The Abbey. Will told me it's a fairly new restaurant. They have the best minestrone soup I've ever had. I'll definitely have to go back there sometime and take Mother with me. She'd LOVE to go somewhere as elegant as there.

Afterwards, we took a stroll around the park. Will told me that recently my grandfather has been coming by his house frequently. Apparently Grandfather and James are "friends" as Will likes to put it. I know Grandfather well enough to know that he likes money. He never could put the thought of being wealthy away. He always told me he wanted to get Grandmother everything she's ever wanted, including the prettiest, most expensive tea pot he could find. The first time he told me that, I thought he was ludicrous. Now, it seems like a sweet, loving action.

William keeps saying how he doesn't want to work for his father's company, Extend Corp., and I understand. He complains that his father is never home. Also, Will jokes around saying that James should've married the company instead of Will's mother. That's how much time James spends away from home. Will says there's something secretive about his father, like there's a part of him that Will doesn't know. It makes me feel so guilty, but I just try my best to cheer my baby up when I can.

Especially now that I know that James and my grandfather are becoming closer, I'm not sure what to think of either of those blokes anymore. Something has definitely changed in my grandfather, anyway. He's not the man I used to know.

Mother still won't let me go see my father. I feel guilty about that too. I guess tonight is just a night full of guilt.

On a more positive note, I have an interview at Esme's Café with Nancy in a couple days, so I'm looking forward to that!

Sincerely,

Shelby

"Melissa, did you know your father was apparently becoming friends with James?"

"Oh, you mean that Mr. Herman? No, I had absolutely no idea. My father hasn't really spoken to me much since Shelby died, and even before that, he always preferred his granddaughter over his own daughter." She cocks her head to the side. "Why do you ask?"

I show her Shelby's writings, where she mentions James and Phillip. Melissa gasps, covering her gaping mouth.

"I honestly didn't know," is all she musters up to say.

"Can you think of any reason as to why Phillip would befriend someone like James?"

Biting her lower lip, she pieces together her thoughts. "Well, he did always say he wanted enough money for him and Mother to live happily without financial trouble. For years, even as I was growing up, Father always wanted to make sure we had enough money whenever trials would come upon us. Maybe James was giving him money?"

"Well, we can't assume anything at the moment. As it is, we've only just discovered that James and Phillip have some sort of relationship." I bite my fingernail, which is something I never do. Uncovering all this information about those two men is starting to make me nervous. "If it's alright with you Melissa, I'd like to take this journal back to Princelan with me. Maybe there's something else I'll be able to find that might shed more light into this situation."

"Yes, that would be great. Please keep me in the loop if you can."

"Of course, I'll do that." I look towards the clock she has mounted on the wall. It's nearly 11:00 at night. "Melissa, I should probably head back home. I'll come back soon and visit you, is that alright?"

Melissa shakes her head up and down, giving me a sign of approval. "That will do, dear."

Just before I exit the house, Melissa speaks again. "Liz . . .?"

"Yes?"

"Do you think . . . Shelby might've known who her killer was . . .?" She asks me as a tear rolls down her cheek.

I hesitate before I respond. "Honestly, Melissa, I don't know. But I'll find out soon, okay? Something in Shelby's journal could point us in the right direction."