A/N: Hey! Hey! I'd like to take this time and answer and comment on some of my reviews;
Athena Kyle, you have reviewed me the most so far. Thank you for the advice. I was thinking about upping' the stakes, too. You'll be surprised in this chapter. Neobabyluna, thank you for the compliment. Also JupiterHime, LightningStrikes, and Boris. That made my day :D. Everyone else thank you graciously. I hope you will continue to read and review this story. I'm having fun writing this story. Don't be shy email me 2. Ask questions or give me some advice. I always get writer's block so that would be helpful. Enjoy this part. We will now look deeper into the plot of the story (I think). I just saw the movie 'Napoleon Dynamite' it was too funny. I almost died laughing while watching it. I highly recommend it if you like movies like that.
...
Makoto ran into her car and jumped in. Andrew was at her heels.
"Brooks where the hell are you going?"
Makoto remained silent and turned on the ignition. She backed out and drove out the parking lot leaving Andrew there alone.
...
Nephrite stood in his studio alone. The lights were out except for the room he was in. He wasn't dressed in his usual attire, but in a muscle shirt and ripped jeans. His face and arms were smeared with paint. He stood there with a brushed arched in his hand. His thoughts lost and confusing. He finally smiled and added on the last touches. (Perfect.)
...
Makoto parked her car on the curb and got out. She glanced at the paper in her hand to check if the address was correct. She walked up to the porch and rang the door bell. An elderly man opened the door and looked at her.
"May I help you?"
"Yes, does Maggie Huston live here?"
"It depends; do you have any business to attend with her?"
Makoto raised her eyebrow and pulled out her badge.
"I'm Detective Brooks, Las Vegas Homicide."
The man cleared his throat.
"Come in, please."
She followed the man into the house. He pointed to the couch.
"If you'll sit there, I'll go get her."
Makoto sat down and he ran upstairs. She looked around the room. Pictures of a young boy were hanging up on the walls. (Must be Xavier.) A few minutes later, Maggie walked down the stairs and into the living room.
"Oh, hello Detective! I didn't expect you to come here."
Makoto smiled slightly.
"Hello Mrs. Huston. Sorry to bother you, but we came across something during our investigation."
Maggie sat down in a chair.
"Really?"
"Yes, something about a young man by the name of Xavier Thornton, your son."
Maggie froze and gripped the armrest.
"What does this investigation have to do with my deceased son?"
Makoto frowned.
"I am not at liberty to say."
Maggie looked down at the ground.
"Do you have children Detective Brooks?"
Makoto shook her head.
"Then you won't know the pain of losing a life you brought into the world. I apologize for not mentioning my son's death, but it didn't seem relevant at the time, and with his twin brother Dorian missing-"
"Xavier had a twin brother? They never mentioned it in the report."
"I didn't want it known. He was sent to live with his father overseas. We were divorced when the boys were 5 years old. I remarried a few years after that to my second husband, Marvin. When their father died, they sent Dorian to military school hoping his problems would go away. The last time they saw each other was when they were ten years old."
Makoto rubbed her head.
"Do you have a picture of them together?"
Maggie nodded her head and got up. She came back with a photograph and handed it to Makoto. She looked at it closely. It was of two boys playing in the sand on a beach.
"I don't know how this would help. We took that in California in June. About a month before my husband and I got divorced."
She handed the woman back her photo.
"Thank you Mrs. Huston. I'll get back to you soon. Here is my card if you have any questions."
Maggie walked her to the door.
"I'm happy to help Detective Brooks. He is still out there, my Dorian. Please don't go looking for him. If he wants to come find me, he'll do it in his own time. My boys were so different. Xavier was always popular while Dorian was a loner, but they still loved each other."
Makoto looked at Maggie closely. She seemed lost in her thoughts. She bid her farewell and got into her car. She turned on the ignition. (Time to go back and tell Andrew and Darien the news.) Her cell phone vibrated across the seat. She picked it up.
"Hello?"
"Brooks, it's me. Remember that gallery opening we got invited to?"
"Yeah?"
"Well it's tonight."
"It completely left my mind. Alright Rivera, I'm gonna stop by Silverton's studio. I've got something big to tell you when I get back."
"Okay then. See you in an hour," Andrew said.
She turned the car around and drove to the gallery.
Downtown Las Vegas...
Makoto parked the car and went into the gallery. Nephrite was talking to a group of people who were setting up the place. She waited until they walked away to go over to him.
"Hello Mr. Silverton."
He turned around and smiled. She felt butterflies in her stomach. Caught in her own thoughts, Makoto didn't notice and beautiful blond walk up to Nephrite and put her arm around his waist.
"Nephrite, who is your lovely friend," she purred softly.
Her dark blue eyes lighting up mischievously.
He chuckled.
"Mina, she is the detective I was telling you about."
"Hello Detective Brooks, I'm Mina Troy. Please to meet you."
"Likewise," Makoto froze, but smiled icily.
Nephrite smiled.
"Ladies, I must go, but I'll be back soon."
He left to go up to his office. Mina smiled. (He wasn't lying when he said she was beautiful. Hmm... Too bad I'll never know.) Out loud she said,
"So Detective Brooks, Nephrite has told me so much about you."
"Well there wouldn't be much to say. We've spoken once twice."
Mina giggled.
"I'm sure, but if I would be as bold as to say, but I think Mr. Silverton may be smitten with you."
"Your relationship with Mr. Silverton?"
"I'm his publicist. We've been working all day getting the gallery together. Are you coming tonight?"
"Yes, my partner and I are attending."
"So what are you wearing?"
"Actually with this case I'm doing and all the weird hours I'm working, I haven't been able to really figure out what it is I'm going to wear."
Mina patted her hand.
"Don't worry. I'll fix that. We'll go shopping. We'll find something sexy yet classy for you to wear tonight what do ya say?"
Makoto sighed. She really needed to go see Andrew, but that could wait. (I'll just call him later.)
"I need to get some last minute paperwork done-"
"Nonsense. Paperwork will be there in the morning. I won't take no for an answer."
Makoto sighed deeply.
"Okay. Let me make a quick phone call."
Mina clapped her hands.
"Then it's settled. I'll get my purse and then we're off!"
She turned around and looked up at the office window that faced the gallery upstairs. Nephrite was looking in the blinds. She winked up at him and walked out the gallery with Makoto. Nephrite smiled and closed the blinds.
...
Andrew sighed while sitting next to Amara. It had been an hour since Makoto had called and now he was getting aggravated.
"Why are you still here Andrew? Makoto called you and said she would meet at the gallery opening," Amara said while typing on the computer.
"I don't know. I wonder why she changed her plans."
"Calm down. Maybe she got sidetracked. Things happen Rivera, get over it," she replied.
Andrew sat down again.
"You think her and that Silverton guy?"
Amara chuckled.
"It's none of my business. Besides, why do you care? She's an adult."
Andrew frowned. He didn't like that man at all. It was just a matter of time before he would mess up.
"I just worry about her. We've always looked out for each other. Well I'm gonna head out."
"Enjoy yourself Rivera. Stress doesn't suit you."
"Bye Amara."
He glanced at his watch. (Shit. Only an hour until this damn party!) He ran into his car and drove home without a second thought.
...
"You look so pretty," Mina squealed.
Mina had taken Makoto to small dress boutique on the Vegas strip. Makoto had been trying on dresses for two hours and she was getting sick and tired of Mina squealing. She finally came out the dressing room to show one of the dresses Mina picked out. Makoto gasped when she looked in the mirror. She stood there wearing an emerald dress. It was form fitting and hugged all her curves. She grinned. (About time I found something.) Mina licked her lips. (She is so sexy.)
"How do I look Mina?" she asked.
Mina smirked.
"Beautiful."
She got up and walked over to her.
"But we need to make a few changes. Hair."
Makoto took out her ponytail out and her hair fell like silk down past her shoulder blades. Mina ran her fingers through it to make it look presentable. She moved the strands off her face and ran her fingertips against her neck. Mina tried to hide her lust, but she couldn't help it. (Just one kiss...one kiss.)
"Nephrite is a lucky man. No wonder he has fallen for you," she whispered her face only inches from Makoto's.
Makoto blinked.
"What?"
"Yes, it's true. How could you not tell? You are a beautiful woman Makoto. You should get this dress. It's perfect for you and we'll get you some amazing shoes for you to wear," Mina offered.
Makoto simply nodded her head and walked back into the dressing room. Mina sat down and grinned maliciously. (Nephrite, I owe you.)
...
Makoto got out the limo as it pulled up to the gallery. Flashes from cameras went off as she walked down the aisle. People whispered as she walked by.
"Who is that?"
"Someone famous... I think."
"She is gorgeous! I'm going to interview her!"
Makoto smiled inwardly and kept walking. Inside Nephrite was talking to reporters.
"So, anyone special in your life?" a reporter named Raye Mason asked.
He chuckled and put his hands in his pockets.
"No, not anyone in particular."
"Well maybe sparks will fly with you and that beautiful woman walking in right now," she said.
Nephrite turned around slowly. His heart skipped a beat and his eyes grew wide.
-WooWoo316
