When Shadows Rise | I

Ch. 4 | Truth and Lies

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It was only a matter of time before two detectives arrived at Seth's room.

"Seth Elbaz?" One of the detectives called out. He detached his badge from the clip attached to his trouser belt and held it up for Seth to see. "I'm detective Mason Cabot; this is my partner, Hank Walker." Hank copied Mason's movements.

"Yes, that's me," Seth confirmed. "How can I help you?"

"We need to ask you a few questions, sir," Detective Walker said. "This has to do with your wife's murder."

Seth understood. He jutted his head in Talia's direction, signaling to leave him be with the detectives. Talia only grabbed April and headed out, leaving the two to wait outside the door.

"You wanna grab a drink while we wait?" April suggested.

"I'm alright, April. Thank you," Talia kindly rejected. She then sighed heavily. "Later is my mother's funeral. . . And I don't know if I'm strong enough to attend. It feels like half of my heart is missing."

"Hey, I know that what's happening to you is extremely hard, but you're not alone," April said in a comforting tone. "We're here for you. Now more than ever." She hugged Talia with all the care in the world. April wanted to add something else, something along the lines of 'It will be alright', but she knew better than anyone that nothing would be alright after the death of a loved one. That four-word sentence was nothing more than an illusion to divert away from the pain and loss.

Talia drew back from April's arms before she spotted a familiar person approach them. The woman had tanned skin and the most deep-set eyes Talia had ever seen; the woman's thick hair was as dark as chocolate and tumbled loosely down her shoulders. Worry was the only thing Talia could see in the woman's eyes as they made contact.

"Priya?" Talia knew Priya not only as a former employee of GenTech Labs, but also as her mother's best friend.

"As soon as I heard what happened I came here as fast as I could," Priya explained, gripping her handbag. "I'm so sorry, Talia. I wish there was something I could say."

"Thank you, Priya," Talia nodded, accepting her condolences.

"How is your father? I heard on the news he was sent to the hospital."

"He is fine. Thankfully whoever wounded him missed his heart. The police are questioning him inside right now."

Priya shifted her feet. "Actually, can I talk to you, Talia? It's important."

One look from Talia made April get the message. "I'm going to ask where the bathroom is." With that, April was off.

"What is it that you want to tell me, Priya?" Talia folded her arms.

"I assumed you already watched the news, yes? About your mother and her making illegal money transfers?"

Talia frowned slightly. "I am going to speak to the press and the police that what they are saying isn't true. I'm not going to let them tarnish my mother's memory."

"Talia, you and your father need a lawyer." Priya fished something out of her handbag and gave it to Talia. Talia saw that it was a business card for a certain Floyd Hitch— one of New York City's acclaimed attorneys. "Please call him at once."