THE STARKS ALLEY

39

KELISE'S POV

I hate this scene. It involves a lot of sweating and panting and I guarantee you, a lot of tension. I wonder why modern technology hasn't found a way to just make delicate actresses, like me, look like they are putting more effort than they actually do. I also don't get why we had to do it OUTSIDE, ugh! I hate the open air and grass and all that crap that nature lovers talk about.

"It's to bring out the authenticity." Jerry's voice echoed in my mind as we finish a lap. I was the last of course. Sports wasn't my thing and I couldn't think of any reason why anyone would be into that kind of stuff. I had a natural fit figure so working out had never crossed my mind. I just had to watch what I eat.

"Ladies another lap!" Kristie shouted the minute we stopped, "We need to get you as sweaty as possible. Let's go!" The other girls ran swiftly. They were happy to be a part of the series because their sad lives depended on it. But that's besides the point. Kristie knew I wasn't enjoying it one bit and that satisfied her.

We went for another lap and I struggled all the way to the finished line where I fell breathlessly.

"Are you okay?" Kristie asked, full of concern.

"Yeah I..."

"Good. Stop laying around. We've got work to do." That's how she always was since she came back; cold. We never talked outside work related issues and that's just how it was. After I confessed about the whisky, I had been suspended for sometime, not longer than Kristie's time out because we had deadlines to meet with this new series.

"Don't mind her," Hozzby whispered to me, helping me up. We talked from time to time, especially when we had a common scene. Ella hadn't warmed up to me yet and I knew why. She was fond of Kristie, isn't everyone? They had grown so close and I felt replaced but who needs them anyway? NOT ME.

We got back at The Starks Alley where we found officer Theodore and Detectives Kala and Jones. I dreaded this day ever since Mr. Haymahn tried to kill himself and I knew they would be coming for me after the doctor's clearance that I was of good health.

We went down to the precinct where we found an interrogation room.

"Has Mr. Haymahn woken up yet?" I asked.

"He has, but the doctors still won't let us in. He's in critical condition," Detective Kala said, which made me gasp.

"Will he be okay?"

"We can only hope, Kelsie," Detective Jones said, holding my shoulder. He was the good cop. Detective Kala on the other hand...

"Anyway," she said, "You had been informed about this interrogation weeks in advance. You are not a suspect, we just need your help, Kelsie." I nodded in agreement as I took a deep breath.

"We just want to know what happened inside Kristie's old apartment the day you found her," Detective Jones encouraged me.

"Well, that day we skipped work and decided to go to Kristie's apartment after having lunch. The apartment was locked and Mr. Haymahn had the key. It was spotless when we got in, almost as if someone had been living there," I stopped.

"We already have this information from Izzy, Ty and Kelly. Tell us more," Detective Kala said, "Especially after the rest left you with Mr. Haymahn." I had never spoken about that to anyone because of the trauma it caused me. I wasn't sure if that was the right time to come out with it.

"We had been talking about Kristie and about what each of us could have done differently to prevent all this drama from happening to her and that's when we heard a struggle in Mr. Haymahn's apartment. I ran to the door but he was already there, closing it."

"I have been compromised," Mr. Haymahn said, shakily, "They know."

"What's going on?" I asked, following him to Kristie's room.

"I may not know what happens to me, but you must be careful, Kelsie." He was so terrified by then as he shut the bedroom's door. I was terrified by then.

"I don't understand anything right now."

"I haven't always been like this. Things were different before. If only fame didn't change your mother's side of the family."

What?

"Your mom knew the most influential people are those with great natural hair and single moms. She didn't have the first so you can guess what she chose."

"All this time, I said nothing and even when he wakes up, he will tell you the same," I said, standing from my seat.

"Oh we're not done here," Detective Kala said, holding me back, "I know there's more. If you could just give that information to us, then we can help you."

"You can't help me! All of this is my mom's fault and that is why I'm so dysfunctional," I almost cried.

"Kelsie," Detective Jones said, helping me to my seat, "Did he say anything else about your mother?"

"Well," I said, composing myself, "He talked about how they were in love and he wanted to expose her but he knew my reputation was on the line and he cared because..." I stopped, "I need a glass of cold water."

"Right away," Detective Jones said, going out. He came back with cold water in a plastic cup and I gulped it all down.

"Because of what Kelsie..." Detective Kala said, eagerly waiting.

"He cared because he's my father."