Suddenly Pearl marched up to Jake with a massive scowl on her angelic little face. He gave a mirthless laugh.
"What's with the frown, little girl? Oh, are you angry with me? Oh, I'm so scared!" Jake taunted sarcastically. Pearl scowled even more and gave Jake the slap of death, straight in the ribs! He yelped and clutched his ribs. She did it not once, not twice, but ten times! I was mentally cheering for her! Trucy looked like she was doing the same.
"How dare you be friends with Shelly De Killer! He kills people! You big meanie! You're just like your stinky brother!" Pearl shouted ferociously, whilst she was slapping him. The sight was hilarious. Jake Engarde getting beaten up by a nine year old! Classic! Pearl finally relented and hid behind me.
"Scared now?" I asked sarcastically. He glared at me.
"I'm Jake Engarde. The girl's right, I do have a brother. A twin, to be exact. Matt Engarde. You've heard of him. Now, before you ask, I killed Viola. I wanted to kill you, but that Dahlia woman told me to kill Iris Hawthorne and frame you. That failed. So I decided to kill that Viola girl whilst Iris was close by, and frame her. I sent Viola a letter to meet me at midnight outside Tres Bien, because I knew Iris would be at the area at that time. How I knew this? That Morgan woman channeled Dahlia for me whilst Iris was still in prison. Iris had a visitor at that time. She was very small, and very fat. She had told Iris that she would cook a special meal on the fat woman's birthday, which happens to be Viola's death day. She had said that they would need ingredients, but Iris could get them on the fat woman's birthday, to let Iris relax at home first. Dahlia told me to forget killing you and kill Iris instead. Or frame her. So I decided to make a plan. I had Viola meet me outside Tres Bien." Jake explained. I found something strange. I interrupted him.
"HOLD IT! Why would you kill Viola? She wasn't even part of the equation!" I asked, puzzled. Jake chuckled. His chuckle was cold, without any passion.
"She humiliated me in Tres Bien. She broke the vase and the water spilled onto my pants. It looked like I wet them. She declared quite loudly that it looked like I had wet my pants. She dragged me to the men's bathroom and told me to clean up the spillage. When I came out everyone was laughing at me. I have a reputation to uphold. Anyway, I decided to kill three birds with one stone." He explained. It still didn't make sense! I interrupted him. AGAIN.
"Three birds?" I pressed. He sighed.
"You and your questions. This isn't a cross-examination, Mr. Attorney. Yes, three birds. Viola, Iris and you." He answered.
"How am I affected?" I asked. Pearl gasped suddenly. I had almost forgotten Pearl and Trucy were here!
"Mr. Nick! How could you? Mystic Maya has been kidnapped! That's how you're affected!" Pearl chided. I agreed quickly.
"Okay, Pearl's just clarified the three birds thing. Continue." I ordered.
"As previously said, I knew Iris would be passing Tres Bien on that day. So I waited for her, and when I could see her, I killed Viola and threw the gun into her hands. I later heard a gunshot and a scream. Now before you ask how I knew Iris would be coming at midnight, let me tell you. Hazakura is far away from here. It takes about eight hours to get from there to here. She would probably be setting off at around four in the afternoon, the fat lady had said she wanted to celebrate her birthday, and then cook the dinner. Well formulated plan, am I correct? My explanation ends here." He finished. I was stunned. Trucy and Pearl wore the same expressions as each other; stunned. But one tiny question was buzzing around my head like a very annoying fly. I looked away from Jake, like I would do when I'm not interested in what Apollo has to say. I opened my mouth slightly, and darted my eyes elsewhere. I finally spoke. My voice was careful.
"Why did you tell me all that?" I asked. I could feel the tension mounting in Jake's overly fancy bedroom. He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. Much like Kristoph.
"Well, I figured you should die knowing the truth."
A/N- Dun dun duuuuun! Phoenix is going to die! Read and review please. Especially review! I need the good word and the helpful hints!