Three computers + the stress of college = a 7-month overdue chapter update. There are not enough sorry's to cover this lack of update. The short version is that college papers became more important and I had a little trouble with computers that I owned for a couple months. Learn from my lesson: Don't go 48 hours without sleep that causes exhaustion which leads up to you accidently spilling water on your computer and not saving your work through email. Don't buy a new computer then trade it only to find that the internet security on the traded computer is outdated and you get a trojan by logging onto myspace. Let's hope three times a charm and this laptop will stick.
On another note, thank you so much for reading this. It is long and builds up the climax to this story. There is three chapters left in this story and I promise those last three will not take seven months each to update. As maybe a peace offering (if you choose to see it that way) I will post spoilers at the end of this chapter and the next two so you guys know what you're looking forward to, if you choose to keep up with the story. Without further ado:
Ch. 13 – Cat and Mouse
"…I really don't care."
Dan opened the door and saw a woman in a conservative pantsuit with sunglasses covering her eyes. He was intrigued about this girl. He never saw before but he could tell just by the curves he could get squirming in pleasure in minutes. Her clothes were subtle but he could tell how fine a body she had. He smugly thought this was starting to be a good day.
She paid no attention to him and only revealed her side profile. That bugged him, but he didn't let it show. No woman ignored Dan Scott. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed another man but paid no attention. He wanted to know who this woman was so he waited patiently with the scotch in his hand. She continued her banter with the man and it was starting to piss him off.
He swirled his glass as casually as possible and restrained to clear his throat.
Slowly, the woman turned her head and lifted her sunglasses, showing familiar brown eyes. He knew this woman, but where?
His mouth molded to a smirk. "Haley James," Dan said.
"Mr. Scott," she said. Haley stared right at him, fighting a smirk to appear on her on lips. Dan raised an eyebrow, knowing full well she wasn't fighting it hard which intrigued him. "Detective Haley James, NYPD." She flashed her badge and motioned to the man. "My partner, Jake Jagielski."
A tiny glimmer of something passed through his eyes, but it disappeared before Haley could comment on it. He was glad for it. She intrigued him further being in North Carolina, so he kept the flirty façade. She used the tiny two steps to reach his porch and she was eye-to-eye to him. He didn't back down and neither did she. Oh, she'd grown all right.
He watched as she tilted her head to the slightest and smiled a close-lipped smile. "Mind if we come in?" She didn't wait for his answer as she slid right by him, swaying her hips down his hallway.
He appreciated her ass when he heard a deep noise right by his ear. Dan turned his head to find that man, Jake, right in his face and glaring hard. He intentionally smirked, giving the non-verbal confirmation that this boy had nothing on him. Jake wasn't a threat. Jake glared again before following Haley.
This will be interesting, Dan thought.
She knew it pissed him off when she ignored him outside. She didn't need a psychologist or psychiatrist or any –ist to tell her what Dan Scott was. He was a class-A psychopath that wanted everything on him. Jake knew what she was doing outside and his disapproving glares while she provoked him with childish banter just fueled her glee more. She knew what she was doing and she was going to get this bastard.
Haley walked down his hallway and into the living room. She had a few seconds before Dan appeared so she took a quick inventory on what she saw. Neutral blah color, alcohol on the table, TV on with Nathan's pre-game and every speculation on the murder in every subliminal technique and of course the fire mantle and wall filled with memorabilia about one Mr. Dan Scott.
Asshole, Haley thought.
Once she thought it, he appeared. She faked being impressed with his humble abode and spun around to face him, with her hands resting on her hips.
"Not bad," Haley said. "But this isn't the mansion I remember in high school."
"Ex-wife has it." Dan said, calmly.
"Ah, how generous of you." Haley turned her back and paid attention to the TV.
She continued to stare at the TV. She wasn't going to speak until Dan addressed her. This was all part of the game. And Dan was smart. She banked that he catches on. Jake appeared in her peripheral vision and she knew he retreated in the corner to observe. He wasn't going to like what she was about to do.
"Is there a reason why you're here, Haley?" Dan asked.
She turned back to him, briefly. She shrugged her shoulders and turned her back again to the screen. "What can I say, I miss home. Watching the game, huh? That's Nathan, right?" Haley said.
"So the rumors aren't true, then?" Dan asked.
"So you know who I am," Haley said, finally looking at him. She kept her focus on him and moved towards him slightly. "But it seemed like you didn't recognize me a quick second."
"What can I say Haley?" Dan said while giving her a slow once over. "You've obviously grown more ways than one."
"Hmm. Yeah, the rumors aren't true. I haven't seen Nathan since we broke up eight years ago and all the sudden he's a prime suspect in my case. I'm surprised you're not in the middle of all this hoopla."
"What makes you think that?"
"Weren't you and Nathan close? I thought you'd be all over the media declaring your son's innocence."
He paused. "Nathan and I had a falling-out."
"Really?" Haley said, surprised. "When was this?"
"Two years ago. But he will come to his senses."
"Huh. Two years. That's around the time he got transferred from Los Angeles to New York, right?"
She watched Dan when she said this. He raised his eyebrows, slightly smirked and looked at her in amusement. Haley knew he thought she was stalking him; just another groupie. He seemed to be forgetting that she was a freaking cop, so she dropped the innocent girl act just a little.
She took another step and moved her hands from her hips. Her right hand pushed back her jacket to flash her gun and badge on her belt while her left ran through her hair. She watched his eyes flash down to her pants and she silently praised him, even though he didn't deserve it. She was very close to his face now.
"Did it ever occur to you, Mr. Scott that I'm over your son?" Haley said.
"I'm glad to hear it," Dan said. "I never thought he was good enough for you."
"Funny, I was under the impression it was the other way around eight years ago."
"You obviously came to your senses." His eyes leered at her breasts. "And what great senses."
Haley stared before turning around, her back to him once again as she talked to him. "It's public knowledge that Nathan moved to New York two years ago. I wasn't stalking him. Jake was."
She said this with her back still turned. She looked at Jake and even though he didn't roll his eyes physically, she saw that he did mentally. Their silent communication also confirmed that Dan was focusing all his attention on her and her body assets. Dan paid no mind to Jake and she cherished that information. All his focus was set on her and she wanted it that way.
"So," Haley said. "Why did you and Nathan have a falling out? You guys were always so close when it came to basketball."
"We had," Dan said, pausing. "Creative differences over his future."
His hesitation caused Haley to turn around. To an average person it sounded like Dan was pausing to find the non-chalice-right-word to describe the situation. But Haley heard the edge in his voice. A quick look to Jake and a slight nod Jake gave her confirmed he heard it too. She was skirting into dangerous territory. In her mind, this was good.
"So he defied you the first time since forever," Haley said. "That must've pissed you off."
"Nathan was making a decision," Dan said. "He wanted to leave L.A. I felt he had a few years left in his stock for the team, but he was being a child. He didn't like it so he demanded to be traded. I thought that was foolish and he's held a grudge since."
"Sounds pretty harsh. But, um, according to Jake and the rest of the boys at work, Nathan was king back West. Now he's dismal. I know about you, but, Nathan seemed pretty okay being second-string. That doesn't sound like him."
"Nathan is being indecisive right now. He'll come to his senses soon."
"Maybe he has."
"And what makes you say that, Haley?" Dan said.
She had him when she said that. She turned around again and admired his blah furniture. She spoke without looking at him again. "Did you know Antwan Taylor? Haley said.
"No, I didn't."
"Really? According to Jake, Nathan and Antwan were college buds. They played together at North Carolina State. Best friends, really. How did you not know your son's best friend?"
"When Nathan was playing college, his mom and I were going through a nasty divorce. And my business required me to travel a lot and most of the time it conflicted with Nathan's game schedule. I couldn't make every single game, especially away games. We just never crossed paths."
"But Nathan would've talked about him."
"Nathan was focused on basketball."
"And you?"
"Me?" Dan said.
"How's basketball for you, now? You seem to still love it, and yourself obviously," Haley said, as she gestured at his memorabilia. She looked at him again and nodded towards his television screen that had Nathan's face as he stretched. "And you still keep up with Nathan even though he's kicked you out of his life."
Dan smirked. "I loved basketball, Haley. It was my first love. But now, it's just… a hobby."
He said the last words in a calm, cool matter. But she heard the hardness and coldness at the word. It was time.
Haley turned around and lined her gaze to Dan's face. She leaned against the back of the couch and crossed her arms which pushed up her breasts. Her eyes followed Dan's as he zeroed in on the action and she had to restrain herself from punching him. She took a deep breath to remind herself that she was about to put Dan fucking Scott in his place.
"You're probably wondering why I'm here," Haley said, tilting her head.
"It… has crossed my mind," Dan said. "Among other things."
"I'm here about Nathan. I know I dated the guy, but that was eight years ago. A lot can happen in eight years and who knows him best than daddy dearest."
"I do know Nathan."
"Let's talk theories, Mr. Scott," Haley said, as she pushed herself off the couch. "Let's say Nathan did it. Nathan killed Antwan Taylor."
"Are you accusing him?" Dan said, quirking his eyebrow. Haley noted that wasn't a look of shock or even indifference. It wasn't even a question; it was a statement to Dan.
She took a step forward and kept eye contact. "There's a big difference between theory and accusation. Don't twist my words. Now let's say Nathan did it. And I'm not saying that just because the guy broke my heart eight years ago. There is absolutely no bias in this situation."
"Duly noted. Let's hear this theory, Haley."
"Now, what I know before and now is that Nathan grew up in an environment where the Scotts were number one, no matter what. They rule at anything. Basketball just proved to be the Scott boys' calling. So Nathan was used to being number one. Kiddie, youth, junior leagues. Middle and high school. Nathan was taught on and off the court he was alpha male. And anyone who defied or threatened him had to be eliminated. I did. He wouldn't dare hit a woman, so he broke my heart. But maybe I started a pattern.
Maybe Nathan loved me. Maybe Nathan realized with me, he had to keep this dominating, cold persona a secret. Nathan had to be smart because image is everything. I was the first to defy him. Then it was Antwan, but in college. Antwan put him in his place. And Nathan wanted so badly to punish him. But he couldn't. Because everyone was watching him. Nathan was charismatic; center of attention. So Nathan had to put a fake smile on and pretend everything was fine and he was this charming man.
Years passed and there were minimum people who challenged Nathan. But he never forgot the people who did and irked him more that he couldn't touch them. So his anger that his status was questioned in the past intensified, but he stayed calm. Because Nathan knew when the time was appropriate it.
Nathan accomplished his dream to play in the NBA and he was top dog. So that quelled his anger. But he gets bored, so he demands a transfer. And look here, he's reunited with the only guy who ever got away with defying him. Except you, Dan. They're on the same team. And he takes Nathan's spot! There was no way, no fucking way; this guy was going to take Nathan's spotlight! So his anger comes back and he absolutely snaps. Eight fucking years in the making and this guy is gonna pay.
Antwan Taylor, this Black man, is not going to defy a Scott standing. So he plans everything. Nathan plans his persona; pretends to be chummy with this guy again. Nathan waits for the perfect opportunity to teach this a lesson. A Black man is not going to take Nathan's legacy. So one day, Nathan waits in the locker room. Antwan arrives and gives a friendly smile and whatnot and turns his back. Because he knows Nathan. Nathan stabs him, and repeatedly stabs him until all his frustration and anger is gone. He gets rid of the knife and goes back to normal. Because everything will be normal for him again. Nathan, will be in the spotlight again. And he is. Only in a really bad way."
"Wow," Dan said. "That's very creative."
"Ya think so?" Haley said as she turned away from Dan again. When she finished she was almost kissing Dan, that's how close she was to his face. After Dan spoke she walked away in a clear breeze and started admiring his memorabilia.
"I don't know," Haley said. "I have been reading suspense novels as of late. But the psychology does make sense."
"Really?"
"Yeah, you don't think so? It was you, after all."
"Me?"
She saw the slight panic in his eyes and she knew he knew. Every time she said Nathan, she was really saying Dan. But he wasn't giving himself up. That would be too easy. And honestly, Haley was enjoying this game.
"You brought up under the circumstance that the Scott family is royalty," Haley said. "No matter what. You drilled that into Nathan's brain too, didn't you?"
"So now it's my fault." Dan said.
"Mr. Scott, you know they only blame the parents in the TV shows and movies. I'm just saying. It would explain Nathan's sudden mellowness the past two years. He was playing coy."
Haley noticed something in the middle of Dan's trophies. It was a plaque that had his name on a golden platter and what seemed like two wooden U-shaped sticks horizontal from each other. On the wooden base a name was carved. All caps: CUTCO. It stood out simply because everything on the mantle was either a basketball certificate or trophy. This was a trophy, all right. And the tiny dust marks on the base of the wooden sticks but not on the U told Haley that something was missing from this trophy.
"Cutco?" Haley said, turning her attention back to Dan. "Who's Cutco?"
"A company I endorsed," Dan said, with ease. But he slightly adjusted his shoulders and his pupils darted a mille-second fast to the left. He was lying but she gave no indication that she saw. "Very good at what they do."
"And you only endorse the best, right?"
"Right. So, Haley, since you're in town, do you mind going out to dinner? Catch up. It's been entirely too long since you've been back home."
He said this while looking at her crotch. She didn't know if she wanted to vomit or shoot him.
"It's Detective James, Mr. Scott and I'm going to have to decline. I'm back home strictly to collect evidence," Haley said.
"Evidence?" Dan said.
"Yeah. I figured coming back; digging into the past by asking questions would give us something to work with on the case. Bring a new perspective; see something I didn't see before."
"Oh? Is it working?"
"For the most part. Just so we're clear. You and Nathan aren't on talking terms."
"That's correct."
"So you were never in New York around the time of the murder?"
Dan stared at her. "Where were you?" Haley asked.
"Home." Dan said.
"Nobody can confirm that, can they?"
"Does it need to be confirmed?"
"No," Haley said, smirking. "I got what I needed here. Thank you for your cooperation, Mr. Scott. I'm sure we'll be in touch soon."
She didn't offer a handshake and moved to leave. Jake followed suit and she was almost to the hallway when Dan called out to her.
"Nathan did it, didn't he?" Dan said.
Haley huffed before looking at him. This was her kill shot and she was going to enjoy every moment of it. "Mr. Scott, you know I can't talk specifics on an ongoing investigation," Haley said. "But I can tell you this. Antwan Taylor had a family. I promised his beautiful widower, Bevin and his gorgeous six-year-old daughter, Cali that I was going to get the bastard. And I'm very close. I just need to tidy up a few loose ends."
The tense she saw in his jaw when she gave her theory intensified after what she just said. Good. He should start worrying.
Outside
"You're as sick as him!" Jake said, while they walked to their car.
"You know we could bicker about this or actually do our jobs," Haley said, keeping her pace just as fast as Jake's. "Are you done being a baby?"
They reached their car and slammed the doors at the same time, respectively. Neither made a move to leave. Haley stared at Dan's house while Jake stayed quiet and stared at his odometer. They were both pensive about the encounter and both were silently contemplating what just happened.
"What are you thinking?" Jake said.
"You met the prick," Haley said. "You noticed he never referred Nathan as his son?"
"Yeah. What does that mean to you?"
"He's definitely angry. He wants to punish Nathan."
"How do we stop him?"
Haley took her time; she narrowed her eyes at the house. Casually, her head started to nod.
"What is it?" Jake asked.
"Does Dan Scott seem like the type to downgrade willingly?" Haley asked.
"No," Jake said, pausing. "Why?"
"Either Nathan's mother really did take a chunk out of Dan's wealth, or he really did give that mansion up willingly. He went from extravagant to normal. That's not Dan."
"Where are you getting at?"
"I bet you people around this neighborhood keep to them. The only time they ever saw Dan was when he came out for his newspaper in a modest robe and waved like he meant it."
"I guess…"
"Jake why would somebody downgrade? I bet you if we asked his neighbors, Dan only moved into this neighborhood six months to a year ago."
Haley watched as Jake's eyes started to squint. His head slowly turned towards Dan's house and Haley watched her partner slowly start to get her line of thinking.
"Jake, what do you need when you travel?" Haley said.
His eyes lightened as Jake met her eyes. It finally hit him as he started up the car while jerking the gear to drive. "There's a money trail!" Jake said.
Motel
"No, I don't!" Haley said. "Why do you think I'm in fucking Tree Hill? I have to prove he was in New York to get a subpoena. Look, just get the information under the radar. Do you want to catch your favorite basketball star's murderer or not? Just… fucking do it and get back to me!"
Haley slammed her cell phone shut and continued with her research on her laptop. She distinctively heard Jake on his cell phone with his contact and noticed the frustration in his voice. She bitterly thought it sounded familiar because she had the same tone with the dumbfuck technician she was just on the phone with.
Haley and Jake were in their motel room for what seemed like hours. Jake borrowed a rolling white-board from management and his chicken-scrawl plus her haphazard feminine writing scarred the board. They wrote down every single possibility they could think of to place Dan Scott in New York at the time of the murder. Aliases, modes of transportation; anything. There had to be a money trail somewhere. Jake was checking aliases with his contacts and they wrote down an estimated timeline for Dan to be out of town.
Haley researched anything that could pinpoint Dan's exact last whereabouts in Tree Hill. She thought she could get help from that dumbfuck technician in getting a hold of Dan's phone records. The dumbfuck was hesitant because Haley didn't say anything about a warrant or subpoena. Asshole. That was the whole reason why she was in Tree Hill in the first place and all she wanted was a tiny bone to work with.
Haley and Jake both concluded that Dan most likely used cash. It was the most obvious thing in the world, and they should've discussed it before they left but she really had no excuse. She was too excited to go to Tree Hill to push the devil's buttons.
She was exhausted but she really needed something. Dan Scott fucked up. They all fucked up. She just needed to find it. Just focus and find it. There had to be phone records. He had to set up the trip somehow. He had to get the money somehow. She thought about banks. That had to be the way to get the cash. She knew that he had to have the best in New York. If he flew, it had to be first class. If he took a train, it had to be first class. If he drove (she highly doubted it), it had to be best premium gas for his extravagant convertible. The hotel he stayed in had to be the most expensive near Madison Square Garden. The most expensive restaurant to eat in. If anything, Dan would do just about anything to prove he was above the average middle-class. So he had to have copious amounts of money drawn from his bank account.
Haley knew Dan wouldn't risk taking out loads of cash in front of a bank teller. That would be suspicious. So her best bet was ATMs. Currently on her lap top was Google Maps with the nearest gas stations around Dan's neighborhood. On the top of her head, those were the nearest machines that would attract the least attention to Dan. Haley was studying every outlet the maps gave her and was mapping out which stores she would try.
Jake's phone snapped shut and Haley briefly looked over at him. He sighed and relayed the information he got from his informant, which wasn't much. The douche said he would try his best. She was sick and tired of that phrase. She sighed irritably before she went back to her list of gas stations to question. And then it clicked.
She had no idea why it came to her then, but it really didn't matter at this point. Anything that led to evidence that Dan Scott was out of North Carolina and New York at the time or better yet, the murder weapon – she was going to follow that lead. She had to know more about Cutco.
That trophy seemed out of place to her. It was obviously a stand, and missing the actual trophy and something told Haley it wasn't a coincidence. She didn't believe in one mille-second that Dan endorsed this company; she would've heard about the gloating in her early years. And as far as she knew, Dan wasn't the face of anything recent. But Cutco was involved in her murder case.
Haley pulled a new tab to research Cutco when a huge yawn escaped her. She looked down at her cell phone and noticed it was nearing midnight. She and Jake have been at this for nearly 12 hours. She shook her head slightly before letting her index finger glide over mouse pad on her lap top. She tapped once to get the cursor in her search engine and moved her fingers to type the word when she suddenly pulled her hands back. Jake shut the lap top on her.
"It's late," Jake said. "We'll pick up tomorrow."
"I was just going to research Cutco," Haley said, her eyes told Jake she was annoyed.
"It can wait. You won't focus if you're sleep deprived. And I'm sure Nathan hasn't heard from you yet."
She growled and pushed herself out of the uncomfortable chair and headed towards the bathroom to change. The bastard knew all he had to do was mention Nathan and she would back-off. Prick.
Haley changed and got into her bed on her side of the room. She snuggled in and flipped her cell phone open. She texted Nathan goodnight and sighed. She looked at her phone in longing before shifting her body to put the phone down on the nightstand. But it beeped with Nathan's response.
Playoffs don't matter until you're back in my arms. Hurry back. Love you and miss you.
Despite the day she had, Haley went to sleep smiling.
Next Day - Convenience Store
Haley closed the door to the Sedan and observed the gas station. It was bleary and a bit on the plain side. She took a sigh and razzled her hair and removed her sunglasses. This was the nearest gas station/convenience store to Dan's house. Nothing was out of the ordinary here. Few cars in the parking spots and only one car were parked to fill gas. It seemed pretty normal but Haley just had a feeling that this place met more than just first appearances.
She entered the store and her eyes quickly went to her left. There, right where she spotted it from the outside was an ATM. Haley was about to go over to observe the machine when a friendly voice called from her right. She turned to find an elderly man with a joyous smile graced on his face. He was behind the counter and stood proud and tall with glasses on the tip of his nose. The man looked familiar. And it wasn't until the man waved at her when she suddenly remembered.
The clerk waved at Haley in a circular motion like he was waxing a car with his right hand, and said hello in his classic southern drawl. "Hell-o!" He was Mr. Johnson – a friendly, kind gentleman that Haley grew up with. Age definitely got to him since the last Haley saw him, but his southern hospitality made Mr. Johnson a favorite of Haley's while growing up in Tree Hill. Plus, his memory was the sharpest.
"How're you dis fine mornin'," Mr. Johnson said while Haley approached him.
Haley smiled. "I'm doing just great, Mr. Johnson."
"Now how'd yu know my name?" He looked generally happy, but surprised.
"I'm marginally appalled you don't remember me, Mr. Johnson! Don't tell me your memory's goin' out."
He balked. "Oh, my memory's the sharpest in Tree Hill, youn' lady. Probably the best in Nort' Carolina. I never forget a—"
Haley leaned on the counter and made sure her eyes were sparkling. He always said she was a burst of sunshine whenever her eyes shined. Her friendly smiled widen to show off the tiny dimple that he pointed out when she was six. Despite her reasons, Haley was thrilled to see Mr. Johnson again and missed him.
"My God, Haley James?" Mr. Johnson said, and laughed heartedly. "Well, pinch me; it's been close to ten years!"
"Eight years," Haley said and laughed right with him. "Since high school."
"Well, how you bin, sweet angel? What brings yu back in town?"
"Unfortunately, work. I'm a detective up in New York."
"Bless yer heart. I almost don' believe my sweet angel a cop! But then again, yu wer' always protected. From New York, yu say?"
"Yes, sir."
"Yu know what's up in New York? That Nathan Scott boy, he's playin' professional fer the Knicks. He was a gud boy; a little cocky and arrogant but I always knew he was sweet. I remembered he showed it more too when yu two got together."
"Yeah," Haley said and chuckled. "But we're not together anymore."
"Oh, bless yer heart," Mr. Johnson said and he looked genuinely sad. "But don' tell me yer investigating that horrible murder?"
"I am. I'm back in Tree Hill for some background information."
"Oh, no. Yu don' think Nathan did it, d'ye?"
"I'm sorry, Mr. Johnson, I can't discuss it."
"Oh, I understand, sweet angel. Y'know, speakin' of Scotts, guess who lives in dis neighborhood? Nathan's father, Dan!"
"Really?"
"Yes, ma'am! Comes in here, like clock-work. Every day, 10 in the mornin', comes in here for a bagel and Powerade and a lil Snickers bar."
"So he's been here, like clock-work, about maybe a week and a half ago?"
"Now, that yu mention it, no."
"He hasn't?"
"No, now that I think about it, Dan didn' come in at 10 in the mornin' like usual. Instead, he came in at 10 at night. Rushed everythin'. Didn' even get his usual stuff. Didn' even say good-bye either."
"Do you remember the exact date?"
He paused. "It was a couple days before news broke of that point guard's murder," Mr. Johnson said.
"Are you sure?" Haley said.
"Why, yes. I remember 'cause I called out to him. I said, 'Mr. Scott, yu don' want yer usual?' He jus' breezed on by. Didn' get anything expect cash out of that ATM. Tons of it. Everything 'bout him changed."
"What makes you say that?"
"Well, everything 'bout him was mean. His physical appearance and his personality. He was never mean to me 'til that night. But I jus' chalked it up to a stressful day. He was back to normal, three days ago when he came back like clock-work."
"Do you remember what he looked like that night?"
"He grew a beard. Wore a red cap. Khaki pants and a t-shirt. Jean jacket. Thinkin' back, he seemed like he was dressed to travel."
"Do you know how much he took out of the ATM?"
"No."
"Does this thing have a camera?" Haley asked, while she walked towards the machine.
"'Course," Mr. Johnson said as Haley tapped the little camera with a smile on her face.
"Do you have the transactions?"
"Take 'em out every two weeks and file 'em in the back."
"Okay, Mr. Johnson, that's great. I'm gonna need all the transactions you have from the day you saw Dan leave."
"No problem, sweet angel. Do yu think Danny did it?"
Haley smiled tightly. "Let's just say Dan and Nathan has a relationship to this. That's all I can say."
"'Course," Mr. Johnson said. "I'll get yu what yu need."
Haley smiled victoriously on the inside. She excused herself to make a phone call and moved to exit the store. She got Jake on the phone and told him she got a lead. She relayed everything she found and told him to get Peyton and Tim on the phone. She pushed the door open to go outside when she saw Dan pulling up to a parking space.
"Jake, I gotta go, he's here," Haley said, before hastily hanging up.
Haley slipped her phone in her pocket and looked up to see Dan right in front of her. He looked perplexed for a second before the emotion passed from his eyes. Immediately, his smile transformed to a charming one.
"Haley," Dan said.
"Detective James," Haley said and she looked at her watch. "Right on time."
"Excuse me?"
"It's ten o'clock. I was just in the neighborhood and decided to get something to drink. And guess who I ran into. Mr. Johnson, the guy with the sharpest memory in all of North Carolina. And what a coincidence, he had a lot to say about you."
"Really?"
"Yeah," Haley said. One of her hands went from her side to her hair. She used her fingers to comb one side of her hair and her arm brushed against her ear before returning to her hip. Her other hand was all ready on the other side of her hips and her stance was an authorative one. "You come in this store like clock-work at ten in the morning for a bagel, Powerade, and a Snickers bar."
"Are you stalking me, Detective?" Dan said. He crossed his arms and regarded Haley in what she assumed was an amused gesture. But she saw it in his eyes. He was growing weary.
"No, I'm just trying to do my job. But it's funny; I seem to remember if you make a routine, you're bound to stick to it. It's pretty damn coincidence that you broke routine about a week and a half ago and didn't return three days ago. In fact, last Mr. Johnson saw you; you got cash out of the ATM machine. Lots of it. Mind explaining that?"
"Emergency spending. I had to pay some stuff."
"Your credit card couldn't work?"
"It was stolen."
"When did you report it?"
"Around the same time I got cash."
"So I could drop by Tree Hill Police right now and ask if you reported your credit card stolen ten days ago and they'd be happy to hand me over your file?"
There was silence and Haley knew she caught Dan in a lie. She felt the tension rise infinitely but she kept her face stoic.
She tilted her head. "Mr. Johnson hasn't seen you in Tree Hill for a week," Haley said. "And I'm sure if I pounded on your neighbors' door, they'd tell me the same thing, won't they, Mr. Scott? But they saw your car in the driveway the whole time, so they thought nothing of it. So, what, Mr. Scott, you were sick? That's the best excuse they're gonna come with since you've made it known you don't like to be bothered that much."
"I thought you were buying a drink?" Dan said. "I could do you the honors."
"No, thank you. My throat's suddenly not thirty. But tell me this. Did the beard help with the cold? It can get pretty chilly in May."
Haley's cell phone started vibrating in her pocket and she knew that was Jake basically warning her to stop baiting him and leave. She internally rolled her eyes and took her cue.
"I have to go, Mr. Scott," Haley said. "It was nice seeing you again."
Dan nodded and held out his hand in a formal handshake. "You, too, Detective," Dan said. Their hands gripped and Haley felt the tightness in her joints. "I'm sure I'll see you again."
Haley lifted her eyes to his and just stared. She squeezed back as much as she could and never wavered in the stand-off. He tried to intimidate her. She basically let the cat out of the bag that she knew he did this and she was on to him. She was finally standing up to him and hoping to God he was freaking out about messing up. She didn't let go of his hand.
"I'm counting on it," Haley said.
Dan let go and continued his way into the store while Haley got her keys out and got into her car. She refused to look up. She took her cell phone out and dialed the number she committed to memory when she walked into the store. She heard three rings before he picked up.
"Mr. Johnson," Haley said. "It's Haley. Listen to me very carefully…"
Motel
"What the hell is your fucking problem?" Jake said.
"We're not doing this right now," Haley said.
"He's knows we're on to him with your little tip. He might be fleeing right now."
"No, he's festering. He wants to know what mistake he made. Trust me on this."
"You know better. You know I'm supposed to be with you when he's around."
"There was nothing I could do! You heard everything on the bug. I had no idea he was coming and I took the opportunity," Haley said. "Look, you can tattle on me when we get home. Did you call Tim and Peyton like I asked?"
Jake let out a frustrated breath and started to pace in their motel room. "Yeah," Jake said. "Tim wants him to call him back. What you did was incredibly stupid."
"Whatever." Haley grabbed her cell phone from her pocket and dialed Tim. "Tim, it's Haley."
"Wassup?" Tim said.
"Classy. Jake said you wanted me to call."
"Yup. You remember that head of security dude you gave a guilt trip on? He requested you. We informed him that you were unavailable and he asked that you call him the moment you get the time. Extremely important. Only he said it in British jargon. Really confusing."
"Yeah, I'll call him back in New York. Did Jake call you about what I found?"
"Yeah, but I'd rather hear it from your sexy voice."
"Tim, my boyfriend is professional basketball player who works out for a living. He can kick your ass. I can kick your ass. Now is not the time flirt."
"Sorry. You found a lead?"
"Yeah," Haley said. A ring tone sounded and Haley turned her head over her shoulder enough to see that Jake got a phone call. From his insistence to go to the white board, Haley figured Jake got a call from one of his informants. "I need your next phone call to Peyton after this for the subpoena and warrant."
"Gotcha," Tim said.
"There's a convenience store right by Dan Scott's house. The attending clerk swears that Dan comes in 10 o'clock on the dot every morning for three things. 10 days ago, Dan didn't show up in the morning but at 10 at night and he went straight to the ATM machine. I'm in the process of getting his picture from that night and his transaction. According to the clerk, he took out butt's load of cash and he hasn't been seen in Tree Hill for a week, up until three days ago.
"10 days ago was two days before Antwan Taylor's murder. He grew a beard. It's been chilly in New York but it's sweltering here in Tree Hill. Is this enough for a subpoena on his bank records?"
"Maybe, if he can't account for that missing week in Tree Hill. But if you can that picture here, we can circulate it in nearby hotels of the Garden and see if anyone recognized him. That would get us the homerun of subpoena and warrant."
"Jake is working on aliases now," Haley said.
"Great," Tim said. "We'll connect all that once you get the info to us. I'll update Peyton. But a grandslam would be the murder weapon."
Something clicked for Haley. "Tim, I need you to look into something for me. Search everything you can about Cutco and its connection to Dan."
"Got it!" Jake said.
"Tim, you're going on speaker," Haley said. "What?"
"Royal Daniel Scott. An informant came through. A plane ticket was purchased 10 days ago from Charlotte to JFK, roundtrip. The second trip landed three days ago. The same name popped up on the registry in Hotel Pennsylvania; less than a tenth of a mile away from the Garden. All paid in cash. It's him, it's Dan."
"Tim, you heard all that?"
"Bet your sweet ass," Tim said.
"Okay," Haley said. "Jake and I are going to his picture. Flash it to everybody, including Jeeves at the Garden. See if they recognize Dan. And get back to me as soon as possible about that Cutco; I have a gut feeling on that."
"Calling Peyton as soon as we hang up. Talk in a few."
Hours passed. Haley and Jake did their part and emailed the ATM photo of Dan. That seemed like years ago to Haley. She tried everything; listening to music, a drive, flipping through the bad cable the motel had to offer. Nothing worked and she grew agitated. Jake wasn't any better. He kept doing things that used to mildly annoy her to full-blown annoying. She felt like she was stuck with her brat younger brother in a car for eight hours on a family road-trip.
Then, her phone rang. Haley leapt across her bed for it on the nightstand and flipped it open for speaker. She checked her screen long enough to know it was Tim.
"It better be my warrant," Haley said.
"Who's your daddy?" Tim said.
"Timothy,"
"All right, all right. We circulated the picture, positive ID on Dan. Including Jeeves, who found how Dan got into the Garden. Turns out Dan stalked one of his security guards and found out he had a gambling problem. Dan solved that problem by bribing him. It's enough for a subpoena and a warrant."
"We're going home?"
"Not quite, there's more. I looked in Cutco like you asked. It's a company that represents kitchen cutlery. And their connection to Dan Scott is that Dan used to sell their products."
"That explains the trophy," Haley said to Jake. He nodded.
"Thirty years ago, Dan was one of their top sales representatives in the North Carolina area," Tim said. "I did a little research on the knives. Cutco prides them on what they call the Double-D Edge. The teeth on the knives look serrated but it's not. In fact, in between the gaps are three sharp edges. It makes cutting smoother and faster and could keep your knives sharp for seven years. Looking at the picture, Detectives, the pattern is consistent with the knife wounds on Antwan Taylor's back."
"So the knife is Cutco-made," Jake said. "Where's the connection to Dan, Tim?"
"I'm getting there," Tim said. "One of the reasons why Cutco is so successful is because of their customer satisfaction. They have a thing called the 'Forever Guarantee.' There's four points but the main one is this: knives that are damaged or dull just needs to be sent to the factory to be fixed, sharpened or replaced free of charge. And the best thing? Former employees get the same benefit if they paid for their demo kit."
"Dan Scott paid?"
"Dan Scott paid. And I can do better. He called in the factory, saying he was sending in a knife that broke, asking for a replacement. The factory is in Olean, New York. I am on my way as we speak to collect the evidence in a murder investigation and they are ordered not to touch the packet. Peyton's running around like a headless chicken trying to get that arrest warrant for you guys in Tree Hill. Wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am!"
"Tim," Haley said. "If you weren't a disgusting perv, I would kiss you."
She hung up the phone and grinned at Jake. He returned the gesture and both their hands went up in the air for a high-five.
"That's what I'm talking about!" Jake said.
"He's actually going away," Haley said. "I am too wired for this. I-I have to leave and tell Nathan. Blow this adrenaline off."
"Haley—"
Haley was already at the door. "I'm good. I got the trackers. It's finally over, you know? We got him. All we got to do is wait and I can't do it inside this motel anymore. Just call me when the warrant comes through."
It was dusk when Haley stepped outside. She didn't bother with a jacket since the summer heat was starting to show. The moment the door closed, Haley pivoted to her left and started walking the outside hallway to the stairs, her cell phone all ready attached to her ear to call Nathan. By the time she got to the stairs, her phone stopped ringing and was instructing her to leave a message for Nathan. She took the two flights of stairs at lightning speed and she could hear the excitement in her voice.
"Baby," Haley said. "It's me. We got him. I'm on my way back home as soon as possible. Call me back I need to hear your voice. I love you."
She flipped her phone closed and saw the sedan in plain sight. She smiled again and headed towards it. It wasn't two feet when her world went black.
I know this is supposed to go at the top but I felt I rambled too much in my apology. I don't own these characters. I just play with them, but the plot is originally mine. And you're about to see how fucked up my mind really is. lol. Another thing is that Cutco is a real company. I actually used to work for them. The name is just used solely for the sake of the plot and I do not endorse stabbing people with kitchen cutlery.
Spoiler: Are you ready to get into the mind of Dan Scott? Do you really want to?
Please review if you want. I'm not the type to beg, but I do appreciate feedback and what you're likes/dislikes are. I do want to write for a living so let's say this is good practice. : ) Enjoy, and I'm sorry again.
CAli