CHAPTER 3: WHY?
The doorbell rang and after a little while it opened to reveal a bewildered Bo on the front porch. Jeffrey let him in and closed the door behind him. In silence they went to Jeffrey's room to talk.
The room they entered looked messy. Stuff was all over the place, pretty much like it was when they first moved to Redington, but that was just the way Jeffrey liked it. On his desk stood a hi-tech computer. Furthermore the room was filled with papers and curious magic devices. Bo was too shocked about Shirley to show interest in them. Jeffrey sat down in the chair near his desk while Bo dropped down on the bed. For a moment he buried his head in his hands. He tried not to cry, but he was very near to doing just that.
"Why?" he whispered while aiming his eyes up directly at Jeffrey. "Why? I just can't believe she would do such a thing. There has to be a mistake." Suddenly he couldn't take it anymore. He stopped trying and let his tears roll down his cheeks.
"You're right. There has to be." Jeffrey answered. "I haven't known Shirley for long, but I'm sure she would never go out stealing." He sighed. "But what can we do about it?"
"Isn't that obvious?" Bo exploded. "We should go talk to hear her side of the story!" Right after he said it he knew what he had done and spoke to Jeffrey in a much softer voice. "I'm sorry but it's all so frustrating. I never suspected this to happen."
"I know. You're right but the police already think they caught the culprit. Even if we get to talk to her, it will be the question if we can prove her innocence."
Bo gave Jeffrey a probing look. His bright, blue, moist eyes trembled. "I'm her best friend. I owe it to her to try."
********
Mr. Black sat in a big leather chair at his big oak desk. Behind him on the wall was the picture of a 4 enclosed by some wavy lines and curves. He was reading through some confidential files when there was a knock on the door. He safely put the files away in his top desk drawer and locked it with a key. He put the key in his coat pocket.
"Come in!" he yelled at the person on the other side of the door. After a second the door opened to reveal a man in a spotless suit approach the desk. He stopped approximately 2 steps away from it and waited for his leader to speak. The leader spoke indeed. "Welcome, Mr. Brown. Status report?" Mr. Brown looked at his superior in amazement. Didn't he read newspapers? Didn't he watch the news on TV? He decided not to ask questions but answer some instead.
"The mission is going according to plan, sir. Ms. Holmes is arrested by the Redington Police Department. Some detective called Tremain, I believe. He didn't even bother to look for any other evidence. He just barged into the house, found her backpack, arrested the girl and left."
Mr. Black nodded in approval. "Very well." He paused for a moment. "What about her friends?"
At that moment Mr. Brown's cellphone rang. He excused himself and answered the call.
"Yes?" There was a long silence. "Excellent. Continue surveillance and keep me posted." He pushed the off button on the device and replaced it in his pocket. He then returned his attention to Mr. Black with a smile. "I just received word they are seen near the office of the Police Department where Ms. Holmes kept. All is going as planned."
TO BE CONTINUED…