Chapter 6
I disclaim!
Quick Notes:
-Updating as promised... hope you like this chapter, it's where the action really starts.
-Thanks again for your reviews and support... it really means a lot to me;)
-Oh and don't forget to please review, criticize, advise... anything you wish ^.^
Fours days and I have nothing. I broke in again to Ashlie's room and found zilch, again. Now, it was on to Jake's where the cops were about finished with the place. Jake's fancy apartment would have to have something. The kid spent a lot of time there... partying, studying, inviting many of his lady friends. He was the classic teenager who was able to get away from his family at an early age, and like any frat boy, he lived the nightlife to its dirties and richest epitome. Though he might of had many connections, I doubt any of them would turn against him... Jake was the kind of guy who couldn't hurt or pain anyone. And yet, why would anyone kill him?
Well, it was time to find out. A brief talk with Skylar, just in case he had any new found evidence, and then onto Jake's apartment. But, before anything, I had to make a stop at the Lizzie McGuire set... the writers and producers had called for a meeting.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Due to the murders, the fall season of Lizzie McGuire will be cut short. Tomorrow we'll start shooting a special two-hour episode where the characters will bid their farewell to Kate and Matt, in honor of Ashlie and Jake. I know this will be hard for all of us, but unfortunately, TV business runs coldly and we can't warm it up. So I'll see you all of you tomorrow at 7 AM," Charlie, our executive producer, finally finished. He had spent an hour explaining how sorry he felt about the two deaths and how it was important to remain calm, while Hilary attempted to compose herself.
We all then stood up and left. I decided to head to Jake's dressing room to eliminate the possibilities of any evidence. As I was about to open the door, Hilary came out of her own room.
"Adam, what are you doing?"
"Nothing," I quickly took my hand off the knob.
"You were going into Jake's dress room. Why? I thought you weren't going to do any investigating of your own... you said you'd keep your nose out this whole business." She looked straight into my eyes, almost hoping I saw the plea in hers.
"Look, Hil, I know you're worried. But, I never said I would stop my own temporary PI work. It's important... Jake came to me for a reason and I couldn't help him then... so I'm gonna make sure I help him out now."
"Oh Adam," she whispered as she closed in the proximity between us. She caressed the side of my face endearingly with the back of her fingers, "It's not your fault." Her mere soft touch sent chills through my body. Even after she let her hand fall, my face tingled with elicit exultation as my heart began to race.
I stepped back, knowing that our close distance would be too much for me. "I know it's not my fault Hil, but I have to do this for Jake. I owe him this much."
"I knew you wouldn't stop, that's why I've decided that you can't do this alone."
"No, Hil... I'm not gonna let you call in Skylar or anyone else. They'll only keep me from investigating... just keep out of MY business." There was no way I was going to let her jeopardize my probing into the murders. If she didn't understand, then I wasn't going to hear of it... so I turned around and was about to go into the Jake's dress room when...
"Adam, wait. Hear me out." Hilary put a hand on my shoulder, urging me to stay.
I turned to her, "Alright... go ahead."
"You can't do this alone, that's why I want to help you... I want to help you find the killer."
"Uh... no way, Hil. I don't want you to get in trouble or, God forbid, in any danger."
"I'm sorry you feel that way, but there's no way you're going to keep me from helping you out. You can other accept this partnership and allow a helping hand, or I'll tell Skylar." She put her hands on her hips and confidently waited for an answer. Obviously, there was no stopping her.
"Fine... but if something happens to you, don't blame me."
"Oh Adam! I knew you'd see it my way," she yelped as she threw herself at me... hugging me tightly, almost to the point asphyxiation.
"Alright, Hil... let go," I barely managed to say. Hilary released me and headed onto Jake's room as I caught my breath. "Hey, Hil... wait up. You see, you're already jumping into things."
"Shut up and start looking for clues."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We had looked through all of Jake's stuff for hours. It was eight o'clock at night and we were still in his room. "Hil, I think we should give it up. We've looked everywhere and we haven't found anything, except lots of junk. Who'd of thought Jake was such a pack rat?"
"I had no idea, but Adam, we can't give up now. There's got to be something here... hey, what's this," Hilary asked as she picked up a small, green stem from all the trash that surrounded her.
"I can't tell... let me take a closer look." She handed it to me. As soon as it hit the palm of my hand, I saw and felt exactly what it was. I sniffed it just to make sure my assumptions were correct.
"Sooo... what is it?"
"Where'd you find this?"
"It was in the trash-can that I laid on the floor. Why, Adam? What is it?"
"You can't tell," I asked with a smirk. "You're more naive than I thought."
"What are you talking about?" She really had no clue what it was. It was so funny to see her wonder with such frustration.
"It's marijuana, silly."
"Are you serious? But... but... Jake wasn't a junkie."
"He wasn't a saint either... and he was a teenager who was attending college." It was truly priceless to see her face contort into disbelief. "Relax, Hil. Jake was just being a teen experimenting, like any ordinary kid at his age. Granted, it's a bad thing... but he was just a kid."
"Still... I mean, it's just... it's just, I never thought he was the type. And... and how did you know it was marijuana?!"
I had to laugh, "Hil, relax. We have to go now. I had planned to check Jake's apartment, but I guess that'll have to wait till tomorrow. I can still call Skylar, though. C'mon let's get this place cleaned up and get out of here."
"Alright... but you still didn't answer my question."
"That'll have to wait for another time... maybe during an 'evening drinks and memories' session."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Once Hilary and I got to my place, I gave Skylar a call. "Good evening, Detective Skylar. This is Lamberg."
"Lamberg... what's wrong kid?"
"Oh nothing. I was just wondering if you had gotten any leads yet for any of the murders?"
Seconds passed before I heard anything on the other end, "Look kid, I can't tell you anything. But, I like you kid... you're okay, you're the only one who seems to really want to catch this guy."
"Um... thanks, I guess. To tell you the truth, Detective, I just don't like seeing any of my friends get hurt, especially when they're good souls... like Jake."
"I understand, kid," he said as I heard him shuffle some papers. "Now, look kid, you didn't hear this from me, but we at Jake Thomas' apartment we found an ounce of marijuana and some heroin, which leads us to think he was involved with some disgruntled junkies."
"So what... you think the two murders aren't even connected," I asked with surprise.
"Yeah. That's how we're handling it. We don't have any clues as to who killed Ashlie, but we think that some junkie or Jake's dealer might have some to do with his death."
"But, what about what he last said? Jake sounded scared and anxious because it sounded like Ashlie's murderer was going to silence him, which he did." It just didn't make any sense, and I knew in my gut that the cops were heading in the wrong direction.
"Look, kid, he could've just wanted to reveal some other information. 'Morning' and 'affair' just don't click, so that's that," he breathed heavily into the phone. "Just get some sleep, and I'll talk to you later." And with that, he hung up.
It was so damn frustrating. The cops weren't going to find the killer thinking like that. For God sake, it was clear that it was the same murderer. Jake knew he was coming after him that's why he called me, which explains why the cops thought his killer was different. They probably thought Jake didn't want to get in trouble with the drug issue, and so he didn't make the call to 911. But, they were wrong. First of all, Jake might have been a weedhead, thus explaining his behavior on the set sometimes... but heroin? No way.
"What's wrong,"Hilary asked, startling me. I had almost forgotten she was there. She had been in the kitchen the entire time was speaking to Skylar.
"Skylar thinks a junkie might have killed Jake. They found some marijuana and heroin in his apartment."
"Heroin? So he was a real druggie."
"No, Hil. I think the heroin was planted in his apartment"
"How do you know?"
"I just know that Jake wouldn't be that stupid so it must've been the killer who put it there."
"But, if Jake smoked weed, what makes you think he didn't dabble with heroin?" She had a point, but I knew Jake didn't shoot up.
"Look I just know because I remember last weekend... when Jake and I went over to his parent's beach house in Malibu. The whole entire time we were there, Jake was shirtless and I never once noticed any suspicious bruises on his arms or hands. Jake acted normal the whole entire time."
Hilary looked at me with concerned, "Adam, he could have just been acting that way so you wouldn't suspected anything, or he probably didn't use any of that stuff while you were there."
"I don't think so, Hil. Heroin is a terrible addiction, plus he would have told me he was using it."
"What makes you so sure," she asked with curiosity.
"Alright, I'm gonna tell you something and I don't want you to get mad... promise you won't."
"Promise," Hilary answered reluctantly.
"I knew that Jake was a bit of a weedhead. He had offered some during that weekend. When he did, I declined angrily... yelling at him for doing stuff that could get him in serious trouble with the law. I made him promise he'd stop, and that's when I asked him if he did anything else. I remember that he didn't even hesitate to say 'no.' I could tell he meant it... he was telling the truth."
Hilary sat down on the couch, stunned by all the news. I sat next to her, grabbing her hand... urging her to understand that Jake was no heroin addict. "Hil, he was a good kid. Believe me when I tell you that he was no addict. Ashlie's killer murdered him to keep him silent."
She finally looked up into my eyes and with a serious tone in her voice, said, "I believe you, Adam."
I was relieved. "Thank you, Hil. Now, let me get us some coffee."
"Alright... do you need any help?"
"No, it's okay... I think I can manage."
"Fine, but don't say I didn't offer any help when you're having trouble with the coffee-maker."
"Oh right... like Lamberg here can't handle some easy-to-use contraption."
She giggled and then with a wry smile answered, "I guess you forgot the ironing incident where someone almost set their place on fire."
"Don't even say it, Hil... that was a mistake, a simple mistake that could've happened to anyone."
"Whatever," she smiled devilishly.
"I'm going to make some coffee. Bye."
"Go ahead. Be careful," she waved as she headed to put some music on the radio.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fifteen minutes later, I returned with some coffee. "Here we are!"
"Took you long enough,"she mumbled as she grabbed her cup.
"My... aren't we rude? No thank you, or simple gesture of gratitude."
She laughed, making my darkly lit living room glimmer with her radiant smile and laughter. I truly adored seeing her happy, blissfully content at my side. She just made me feel so damn good inside.
"Hey hear that, Adam? That's our song... Pink Floyd's Wish You were Here! Do you remember we imagined that we danced it together?"
How could I forget? I was at the brink of telling her I loved her when we first heard the song. "Yeah, I remember. I was in LA and you were New York. It was the summer your parents didn't let you go with me to Europe."
"And you ended up not going because you said it'd be no fun if I wasn't there." She stepped towards me, putting her hands on my shoulders. My whole body grew warm at her touch.
"And I meant it, too," I told her truthfully.
"Then you called me up, and as we talked, our radios played this song simultaneously... it was incredible. You said that song was exactly how you felt... you wished I was there," she smiled as she remembered the memory. Her blue eyes stared into mine, enchanting my soul.
"Just like the song, we were 'two lost souls' at the moment."
"But, in our hearts, you said, we were together... dancing to this song slowly, gently, blissfully." Hilary closed her eyes, taking in the memory, reminiscing that feeling we had both felt at that time... love. "Let's dance, Adam."
I wrapped my arms around her waist, pulling her near me. Her head was on my shoulder as we gingerly moved to the electric melody of guitars and Roger Waters' heartfelt voice. It surrounded our every step, gripping at my heart... feeling the music and her in my arms was intense. She was everything I needed, wanted, loved. Just having her in my arms was enough, if only it could remain that way forever. I loved her so much, and at that moment, I wanted to just become one... embrace our souls... reveal my love.
But I couldn't... and wouldn't. All I could do was enjoy just having her near me.
Song: Wish You Were Here, by Pink Floyd (really nice song, recommend listening to it)
I disclaim!
Quick Notes:
-Updating as promised... hope you like this chapter, it's where the action really starts.
-Thanks again for your reviews and support... it really means a lot to me;)
-Oh and don't forget to please review, criticize, advise... anything you wish ^.^
Fours days and I have nothing. I broke in again to Ashlie's room and found zilch, again. Now, it was on to Jake's where the cops were about finished with the place. Jake's fancy apartment would have to have something. The kid spent a lot of time there... partying, studying, inviting many of his lady friends. He was the classic teenager who was able to get away from his family at an early age, and like any frat boy, he lived the nightlife to its dirties and richest epitome. Though he might of had many connections, I doubt any of them would turn against him... Jake was the kind of guy who couldn't hurt or pain anyone. And yet, why would anyone kill him?
Well, it was time to find out. A brief talk with Skylar, just in case he had any new found evidence, and then onto Jake's apartment. But, before anything, I had to make a stop at the Lizzie McGuire set... the writers and producers had called for a meeting.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Due to the murders, the fall season of Lizzie McGuire will be cut short. Tomorrow we'll start shooting a special two-hour episode where the characters will bid their farewell to Kate and Matt, in honor of Ashlie and Jake. I know this will be hard for all of us, but unfortunately, TV business runs coldly and we can't warm it up. So I'll see you all of you tomorrow at 7 AM," Charlie, our executive producer, finally finished. He had spent an hour explaining how sorry he felt about the two deaths and how it was important to remain calm, while Hilary attempted to compose herself.
We all then stood up and left. I decided to head to Jake's dressing room to eliminate the possibilities of any evidence. As I was about to open the door, Hilary came out of her own room.
"Adam, what are you doing?"
"Nothing," I quickly took my hand off the knob.
"You were going into Jake's dress room. Why? I thought you weren't going to do any investigating of your own... you said you'd keep your nose out this whole business." She looked straight into my eyes, almost hoping I saw the plea in hers.
"Look, Hil, I know you're worried. But, I never said I would stop my own temporary PI work. It's important... Jake came to me for a reason and I couldn't help him then... so I'm gonna make sure I help him out now."
"Oh Adam," she whispered as she closed in the proximity between us. She caressed the side of my face endearingly with the back of her fingers, "It's not your fault." Her mere soft touch sent chills through my body. Even after she let her hand fall, my face tingled with elicit exultation as my heart began to race.
I stepped back, knowing that our close distance would be too much for me. "I know it's not my fault Hil, but I have to do this for Jake. I owe him this much."
"I knew you wouldn't stop, that's why I've decided that you can't do this alone."
"No, Hil... I'm not gonna let you call in Skylar or anyone else. They'll only keep me from investigating... just keep out of MY business." There was no way I was going to let her jeopardize my probing into the murders. If she didn't understand, then I wasn't going to hear of it... so I turned around and was about to go into the Jake's dress room when...
"Adam, wait. Hear me out." Hilary put a hand on my shoulder, urging me to stay.
I turned to her, "Alright... go ahead."
"You can't do this alone, that's why I want to help you... I want to help you find the killer."
"Uh... no way, Hil. I don't want you to get in trouble or, God forbid, in any danger."
"I'm sorry you feel that way, but there's no way you're going to keep me from helping you out. You can other accept this partnership and allow a helping hand, or I'll tell Skylar." She put her hands on her hips and confidently waited for an answer. Obviously, there was no stopping her.
"Fine... but if something happens to you, don't blame me."
"Oh Adam! I knew you'd see it my way," she yelped as she threw herself at me... hugging me tightly, almost to the point asphyxiation.
"Alright, Hil... let go," I barely managed to say. Hilary released me and headed onto Jake's room as I caught my breath. "Hey, Hil... wait up. You see, you're already jumping into things."
"Shut up and start looking for clues."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We had looked through all of Jake's stuff for hours. It was eight o'clock at night and we were still in his room. "Hil, I think we should give it up. We've looked everywhere and we haven't found anything, except lots of junk. Who'd of thought Jake was such a pack rat?"
"I had no idea, but Adam, we can't give up now. There's got to be something here... hey, what's this," Hilary asked as she picked up a small, green stem from all the trash that surrounded her.
"I can't tell... let me take a closer look." She handed it to me. As soon as it hit the palm of my hand, I saw and felt exactly what it was. I sniffed it just to make sure my assumptions were correct.
"Sooo... what is it?"
"Where'd you find this?"
"It was in the trash-can that I laid on the floor. Why, Adam? What is it?"
"You can't tell," I asked with a smirk. "You're more naive than I thought."
"What are you talking about?" She really had no clue what it was. It was so funny to see her wonder with such frustration.
"It's marijuana, silly."
"Are you serious? But... but... Jake wasn't a junkie."
"He wasn't a saint either... and he was a teenager who was attending college." It was truly priceless to see her face contort into disbelief. "Relax, Hil. Jake was just being a teen experimenting, like any ordinary kid at his age. Granted, it's a bad thing... but he was just a kid."
"Still... I mean, it's just... it's just, I never thought he was the type. And... and how did you know it was marijuana?!"
I had to laugh, "Hil, relax. We have to go now. I had planned to check Jake's apartment, but I guess that'll have to wait till tomorrow. I can still call Skylar, though. C'mon let's get this place cleaned up and get out of here."
"Alright... but you still didn't answer my question."
"That'll have to wait for another time... maybe during an 'evening drinks and memories' session."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Once Hilary and I got to my place, I gave Skylar a call. "Good evening, Detective Skylar. This is Lamberg."
"Lamberg... what's wrong kid?"
"Oh nothing. I was just wondering if you had gotten any leads yet for any of the murders?"
Seconds passed before I heard anything on the other end, "Look kid, I can't tell you anything. But, I like you kid... you're okay, you're the only one who seems to really want to catch this guy."
"Um... thanks, I guess. To tell you the truth, Detective, I just don't like seeing any of my friends get hurt, especially when they're good souls... like Jake."
"I understand, kid," he said as I heard him shuffle some papers. "Now, look kid, you didn't hear this from me, but we at Jake Thomas' apartment we found an ounce of marijuana and some heroin, which leads us to think he was involved with some disgruntled junkies."
"So what... you think the two murders aren't even connected," I asked with surprise.
"Yeah. That's how we're handling it. We don't have any clues as to who killed Ashlie, but we think that some junkie or Jake's dealer might have some to do with his death."
"But, what about what he last said? Jake sounded scared and anxious because it sounded like Ashlie's murderer was going to silence him, which he did." It just didn't make any sense, and I knew in my gut that the cops were heading in the wrong direction.
"Look, kid, he could've just wanted to reveal some other information. 'Morning' and 'affair' just don't click, so that's that," he breathed heavily into the phone. "Just get some sleep, and I'll talk to you later." And with that, he hung up.
It was so damn frustrating. The cops weren't going to find the killer thinking like that. For God sake, it was clear that it was the same murderer. Jake knew he was coming after him that's why he called me, which explains why the cops thought his killer was different. They probably thought Jake didn't want to get in trouble with the drug issue, and so he didn't make the call to 911. But, they were wrong. First of all, Jake might have been a weedhead, thus explaining his behavior on the set sometimes... but heroin? No way.
"What's wrong,"Hilary asked, startling me. I had almost forgotten she was there. She had been in the kitchen the entire time was speaking to Skylar.
"Skylar thinks a junkie might have killed Jake. They found some marijuana and heroin in his apartment."
"Heroin? So he was a real druggie."
"No, Hil. I think the heroin was planted in his apartment"
"How do you know?"
"I just know that Jake wouldn't be that stupid so it must've been the killer who put it there."
"But, if Jake smoked weed, what makes you think he didn't dabble with heroin?" She had a point, but I knew Jake didn't shoot up.
"Look I just know because I remember last weekend... when Jake and I went over to his parent's beach house in Malibu. The whole entire time we were there, Jake was shirtless and I never once noticed any suspicious bruises on his arms or hands. Jake acted normal the whole entire time."
Hilary looked at me with concerned, "Adam, he could have just been acting that way so you wouldn't suspected anything, or he probably didn't use any of that stuff while you were there."
"I don't think so, Hil. Heroin is a terrible addiction, plus he would have told me he was using it."
"What makes you so sure," she asked with curiosity.
"Alright, I'm gonna tell you something and I don't want you to get mad... promise you won't."
"Promise," Hilary answered reluctantly.
"I knew that Jake was a bit of a weedhead. He had offered some during that weekend. When he did, I declined angrily... yelling at him for doing stuff that could get him in serious trouble with the law. I made him promise he'd stop, and that's when I asked him if he did anything else. I remember that he didn't even hesitate to say 'no.' I could tell he meant it... he was telling the truth."
Hilary sat down on the couch, stunned by all the news. I sat next to her, grabbing her hand... urging her to understand that Jake was no heroin addict. "Hil, he was a good kid. Believe me when I tell you that he was no addict. Ashlie's killer murdered him to keep him silent."
She finally looked up into my eyes and with a serious tone in her voice, said, "I believe you, Adam."
I was relieved. "Thank you, Hil. Now, let me get us some coffee."
"Alright... do you need any help?"
"No, it's okay... I think I can manage."
"Fine, but don't say I didn't offer any help when you're having trouble with the coffee-maker."
"Oh right... like Lamberg here can't handle some easy-to-use contraption."
She giggled and then with a wry smile answered, "I guess you forgot the ironing incident where someone almost set their place on fire."
"Don't even say it, Hil... that was a mistake, a simple mistake that could've happened to anyone."
"Whatever," she smiled devilishly.
"I'm going to make some coffee. Bye."
"Go ahead. Be careful," she waved as she headed to put some music on the radio.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fifteen minutes later, I returned with some coffee. "Here we are!"
"Took you long enough,"she mumbled as she grabbed her cup.
"My... aren't we rude? No thank you, or simple gesture of gratitude."
She laughed, making my darkly lit living room glimmer with her radiant smile and laughter. I truly adored seeing her happy, blissfully content at my side. She just made me feel so damn good inside.
"Hey hear that, Adam? That's our song... Pink Floyd's Wish You were Here! Do you remember we imagined that we danced it together?"
How could I forget? I was at the brink of telling her I loved her when we first heard the song. "Yeah, I remember. I was in LA and you were New York. It was the summer your parents didn't let you go with me to Europe."
"And you ended up not going because you said it'd be no fun if I wasn't there." She stepped towards me, putting her hands on my shoulders. My whole body grew warm at her touch.
"And I meant it, too," I told her truthfully.
"Then you called me up, and as we talked, our radios played this song simultaneously... it was incredible. You said that song was exactly how you felt... you wished I was there," she smiled as she remembered the memory. Her blue eyes stared into mine, enchanting my soul.
"Just like the song, we were 'two lost souls' at the moment."
"But, in our hearts, you said, we were together... dancing to this song slowly, gently, blissfully." Hilary closed her eyes, taking in the memory, reminiscing that feeling we had both felt at that time... love. "Let's dance, Adam."
I wrapped my arms around her waist, pulling her near me. Her head was on my shoulder as we gingerly moved to the electric melody of guitars and Roger Waters' heartfelt voice. It surrounded our every step, gripping at my heart... feeling the music and her in my arms was intense. She was everything I needed, wanted, loved. Just having her in my arms was enough, if only it could remain that way forever. I loved her so much, and at that moment, I wanted to just become one... embrace our souls... reveal my love.
But I couldn't... and wouldn't. All I could do was enjoy just having her near me.
Song: Wish You Were Here, by Pink Floyd (really nice song, recommend listening to it)