The Perfect Posse

Chapter 44: Snooping Around.

Kelly's POV.

I hissed in pain as I retracted my hand from the hot vessel. I had made myself some tea to soothe my restlessness. Valerie was going to text me once she reached the gala and that was my cue to go to Derek's house.

I sat down on one of the dining chairs and sipped on the hot liquid. Coming to this town was supposed to be my break. When Val first called me up, I was hesitant to help her even when she was my good friend, but later my boss said how I needed a breather and I should take on the case.

But as I spent more time, I realised the severity of the situation. There were many sleepless nights where I wondered to myself how was I unsuccessful in catching the killer and what made this case so different that I was unable to help.

One fine day, I got my answer. The residents of Maplebirch were smarter than I pegged them to be. They were masters at deception and could lead on anybody who did not belong to this town and they had been fooling me and Blake all along. Well, probably not all of them but Derek and the other shady people we previously suspected to be the murderers.

Living in the city, I was used to a different kind of culture. So, it was easy for me to point out the people who lied to me. It was the complete opposite here. I knew nobody and had zero idea how things worked around here.

When I first met the group, I knew I could trust no one. I did background check on every single on of them and that is why I was skeptic about Jordan at first. He had criminal records and although they were not to serious, I did not want to take my chances.

As time passed by, I knew Jordan could not have done it. It was Blake's hunch and his hunches were never wrong.

Upon investigating solo, I stumbled upon new facts that gave me an entire new perception about the case but still led me nowhere. I was impressed by the killer. Derek had done a good job covering his tracts. Then again, he had a lot of time to get rid of the evidence because the cops of the town ruled our murder and announced that it was a suicide.

Upon reading the clues a lot, I also discovered that this entire game was personal. Blake and I did not belong here and we were not needed. This was a a vendetta against Valerie, Brianna, Lenny and Jordan. So, I stayed out of it unless I was needed desperately.

I took one of the last sips of the tea and stared into the darkness. It has become a close friend of mine. After solving every case, I always returned home only to be met with this darkness.

I had made a wall of the stronger bricks and made sure nobody entered inside. There was a part of me that feared if I let myself allow to feel something, I would get hurt because the person was bound to leave me after knowing the things I know about the world.

Plus, having a loved one and being a detective is a very dangerous risk. Every single person you have put behind the bars hates you automatically and if they ever get out, to get to you, they usually target the people you love. So, it was easier for me to live alone.

Blake was the only one who knew me the best because we had clicked immediately. Plus, I helped him get over his first case which was a very brutal murder and made sure he did not suffer from serious PTSD. Slowly, the both of us grew closer and closer. Blake, just like me, had also shut down his emotions and banned himself from feeling anything ever again.

I wanted him to experience love but I could never talk about it with him because it would make me a hypocrite. So, I was on top of the world when he could experience love with Valerie.

She was so gentle with him and never pushed him to speak up or show emotions because she knew she had her own flaws to concentrate on.

My phone pings, lightening a little part of the dark room and I check the notification to see Valerie informing me that she has reached. I grab the phone and shove it in my back pocket, making my way on the couch to get the bag.