July 13
Archie Andrews woke up on the morning of July 13th at 6:30 AM. Coach Clayton had decided that football tryouts would be held later that day. Archie recalled a flashback with Fred when Archie was on the run.
(Flashback Begins)
"Archie, I was your age when my father passed away", Fred said. "And I never got to say goodbye."
"This isn't goodbye, Dad", Archie said as he hugged Fred tightly.
(Flashback Ends)
Now Archie knew exactly how Fred felt when Artie Andrews (Fred's father and Archie's grandfather) died. It was like Fred unknowingly predicted his own death.
Archie walked downstairs. Oscar had made pancakes for all three of them and had already started eating.
"Hey Archie, did you read the newspaper?", Oscar said.
"Yeah, something about a new principal to replace Weatherbee", Archie said. Even though Waldo Weatherbee had returned to Riverdale safely after the Evernevers were arrested, he had chosen not to return to his former position at Riverdale High School.
"Yep. They replaced Weatherbee with someone named Mr. Honey. And that's not all."
Oscar showed Archie the third page of that morning's newspaper. The headline said this in bold black letters:
WOMAN FOUND STABBED TO DEATH IN CENTERVILLE
The article that followed started like this:
Gladys Jones, the former wife of Riverdale sheriff FP Jones, was found dead on the night of July 12th. Her throat had been slit, and her knees had been stabbed multiple times.
After Archie finished reading the article, he saw a picture of Gladys on the bottom of the third page. The top of the fourth page showed the street where the murder had taken place.
"I can't believe Gladys is dead", Oscar said. "I remember talking with her a couple of times. Have you spoken to FP or Jughead about this?"
"Actually, I haven't", Archie said. "I better talk to Jughead on my way to football practice. We were supposed to walk together to the Riverdale High School football field."
"Go ahead", Oscar said as Mary walked downstairs.
"Also, Oscar, are you going to take over my dad's construction company?", Archie asked.
"I guess I'd have to", Oscar said.
Archie nodded and walked outside.
Meanwhile…
Jughead Jones couldn't believe it. But it was true. FP had driven to Centerville to see the location of the murder. FP saw and identified Gladys's body in the morgue. The autopsy clearly showed that this was murder.
Jughead had asked FP who he thought was the killer.
"If I had to guess, I'd bet Hiram was involved somehow", FP said.
FP planned to visit Hiram's prison and confront him about this situation.
Jughead then walked outside and then met with Archie. The two friends walked in silence to the Riverdale High School football field, neither saying a word for a few minutes.
Meanwhile…
Archie couldn't imagine what Jughead was thinking. Archie found it really hard to believe that they both had lost a parent during that same summer.
"I'm really sorry for your loss", Archie finally said to break the silence.
"Thank you, Archie", Jughead said. "But to be fair, my mother had numerous enemies. She could have been a target for anyone."
Archie couldn't deny that. Gladys Jones was nowhere near as innocent as Fred Andrews. The question was, who would be angry enough to want to viciously murder her in such a ruthless manner. Then again, if the murderer was from Riverdale, that would not be a surprise. The citizens of Riverdale were far from innocent.
"There's one more thing I have to mention", Jughead said. "I'm not returning to Riverdale High in the fall."
Archie couldn't believe it.
"Why?", Archie asked.
"I got accepted into a prep school that liked my drawings", Jughead said. "Greenwich Prep."
"Does Betty know?", Archie asked.
"Not yet", Jughead said. "I'm planning on telling her tonight, though."
The two boys then walked in silence for the rest of the walk until they reached the field. Jughead sat in the bleachers to watch everything that was happening on the field. Archie noticed that Reggie, Kevin, Adam, Bruiser, and Chuck were already on the field playing catch.
Chuck gave Archie a strong handshake. They both clearly seemed to have made peace with each other the past year and apparently were on good terms.
"I thought you were permanently banned from the team", Archie said.
"I've improved my behavior and changed my ways", Chuck said. "The new principal, Mr. Honey, was willing to give me a second chance and lifted my ban."
"Well, we have some new guys trying out", Reggie said. "Once Coach Clayton gets here with the rest of the team from last year, you all will have a chance to prove yourselves."
"Does that include us?"
Everyone turned to the person that said that. It was Sweet Pea, and Fangs Fogarty was right next to him. Sweet Pea and Fangs had quite the reunion after Edgar and Evelyn were arrested.
Kevin and Fangs hugged each other tightly.
Reggie took a deep breath before speaking. He and Sweet Pea were sworn enemies two years earlier, when the Bulldogs and the Serpents were rivals. But after what happened to Archie last year, not to mention all the death and chaos, all differences and prejudices seemed to have been tossed aside. Reggie and Sweet Pea were far from friends, even though they were no longer at odds. Even though the fighting between them was over, Reggie was still hesitant about playing football with Sweet Pea.
"Yeah, sure", Reggie said. "Show your abilities in front of Coach Clayton, and he will make a decision."
Eventually all the starting and substitute players from last year that hadn't graduated showed up, even the ones that had been brainwashed by the farm. Then all the incoming freshman came. Then Coach Clayton arrived.
"Welcome, bulldogs! I'd like to introduce Adam Chisholm, Bruiser Bleedum, and Kevin Keller. I'm also welcoming back my son, Chuck Clayton. Mr. Honey lifted his ban."
Some of the players applauded.
"We're having tryouts for the positions of defensive tackle, middle linebacker, and tight end. For those of you who are trying out for defensive tackle, please move to this side of the field and await further instructions."
Kevin went with the other players that were trying out for defensive tackle. In Jughead's opinion, Kevin seemed to do pretty well in his tryout. Kevin tacked all the offensive guards that tried to get past him. The others that tried out for defensive tackle were not as successful.
"Now will everyone trying out for middle linebacker move over here", said Coach Clayton.
Adam Chisholm performed well during his tryout for middle linebacker. Adam successfully helped the defense in their tackles against the freshmen offensive players who would be substitutes. Adam even managed to successfully blitz Reggie twice. Jughead and Archie were both amazed by this.
After the middle linebacker tryout was finished, then the tryouts for tight end began. Bruiser Bleedum was able to successfully catch all the passes from Reggie without interference. Bruiser also was able to block the players on defense almost perfectly.
Reggie had to admit Sweet Pea had played pretty good as well during the trials. An hour later, Coach Clayton called them all together.
"All right", Coach Clayton said. "I made my decision. Reggie, you'll be quarterback again. Archie, you'll be the fullback. Kevin, you'll be the starting defensive tackle. Adam, you'll be the starting middle linebacker. Bruiser, you will be the starting tight end. Sweet Pea, you'll be the starting wide receiver. Fogarty, you will be starting offensive tackle. Chuck, I'm having you as a substitute for now, if you don't mind."
"The first game is against Baxter High School from Greendale on October 1st. Be ready."
The Riverdale Bulldogs cheered. Kevin slapped high-fives with Adam and Fangs. After the tryouts Archie and Jughead walked to Jughead's new trailer, which Jughead and FP had bought to replace the old one after Alice and Polly returned to Riverdale.
When Jughead entered the trailer, he found Betty sitting at the dining table. Betty ran to Jughead and hugged him tightly before kissing both of his cheeks.
"Betty, I have something to tell you", Jughead said. "I'm going to a prep school in the fall instead of Riverdale High. Greenwich Prep."
"Oh", Betty said. "It's not going to be the same at school without you."
"Don't worry, you'll be fine", Jughead said as he hugged Betty tightly.
"I got to get back home", Archie said.
Archie walked back to his house. There, he found Veronica talking to Oscar.
Archie told Veronica and Oscar about tryouts. They both seemed pleased that Archie had managed to preserve his starting position on the team.
"I knew you could do it, buddy", Oscar said. "But there is something else we need to discuss. Hermione's trial, which is next week."
"Don't worry, Veronica", Archie said. "We'll get your mom out of there."
Meanwhile…
FP and Jughead decided to pay Hiram a little visit.
"I'm here to see Hiram Lodge", FP said to one of the guards. The guard led them to a window. A few minutes later, Hiram appeared on the other side of the window, handcuffed.
"FP and Jughead, what a nice surprise", Hiram said.
"Didn't come here for a chat, Hiram. You can cut the pretense", FP snarled.
"So, what's the issue?", Hiram asked.
"I think you had something to do with my ex-wife's death", FP said. "You killed Gladys!"
Hiram scoffed and shook his head. "FP, you still seem to have difficulty controlling your temper and your habit of making rash decisions. Clearly, you're accusing me without any proof. And your accusation is invalid. May I remind you that I am locked in this prison under surveillance for 24 hours every single day. Not only that, but I'm banned from having visitors. Well, except you, of course."
Jughead hated to admit it, but Hiram was right. It didn't seem like he had anything to do with Gladys's death.
"Let's go home, Jughead", FP said, while glaring at Hiram.
On the way back home in the car, Jughead and FP stayed silent.
When they got back to the trailer, Jughead had questions.
"If Hiram didn't have anything to do with my mom's death, then who do you think killed her?", Jughead asked.
"I truly do not know", FP said.
July 14
Toni Topaz was waiting for Cheryl Blossom at her house so they could go on their date. Cheryl was probably in the bathroom, applying extra makeup. Toni didn't think that was necessary. Cheryl already looked exquisite as it was.
Toni then thought she smelled something from one of the bedrooms in the first floor. Toni walked to that bedroom and noticed a white sheet with something hidden underneath it. Toni moved the sheet…and screamed when she saw what was under it.
It was the corpse of Jason Blossom.
