Chapter Eleven
11:00 A.M. Saturday morning Hallie walked into the house and hung her purse on a hook next to the front door.
Chessy was in the kitchen and talking on the phone with Nick's sister and didn't hear Hallie walking through the house. Chessy was facing away from the kitchen entrance when Hallie walked into the kitchen.
"Jenny, the reason why Annie and Hallie are not switching back is that Annie found evidence that Scott was murdered and Annie believes she knows who did it," said Chessy. Hallie became motionless with a shock expression on her face. "Elizabeth doesn't like the idea of Annie going after the killer, but Annie insists on doing this." There was a brief moment of silence. "Annie doesn't want Hallie to know right now." Chessy turned around. "If things go…" As Chessy saw Hallie, Hallie turned and left the kitchen in a quick manner. "Oh God. Jenny I have to call you back."
Hallie grabbed her purse as she rushed out the door.
As Chessy was rushing out the door Hallie was driving away. Chessy rushed back into the house and dialed the phone.
Annie was getting dressed and as she was putting on a shirt, her cell phone sounded.
Annie answered the phone without looking at the number, "Hello."
Chessy said in a panicking manner, "Annie, it's me Chessy."
"Chessy, is there anything wrong?"
"I thought I was alone in the house while I was talking to your dad's sister about what you were doing. Hallie had returned home at some point and over heard me. I'm certain Hallie is on her way to the airport. I would go after her, but I have no keys to the vehicles that are here."
"I will see what I can do to stop her. Thanks Chessy for telling me."
After hanging up from Chessy, Annie scrolled through her numbers. She then pressed the send button.
Spencer was soaping his car with a sponge. As his cell phone rang, he tossed the sponge into a bucket of water and answered his phone. "Hello."
"Hey Spencer, it's Annie, I need your help."
"Annie? How did you get my number?"
"Spencer, your number has been on this phone since you called me. Now listen up. I need your help."
"What do you need?"
"How fast can you get to the airport?"
"I can be there in less than an hour. Annie, what's going on?"
"Hallie found out what's going on here and she is on her way to the airport. Spencer, I need you to stop her from getting on a plane."
"I will do what I can. Annie since Hallie knows can you tell me what's going on?"
"Scotts' death wasn't an accident, he was murdered. In about twelve hours I will be going after the evidence I need to catch the murderer. Given Hallie's emotional attachment to Scott she might interfere with my plans, so you must stop Hallie from getting on a plane."
"Annie, I understand and I will do what I can to keep her getting on a plane."
"Spencer, call me back if you can't stop her. Actually call me either way."
"I will."
After hanging up Spencer clipped his cell phone to his belt. He then picked up the hose and rinsed off the soap from his car.
An hour later, Spencer spotted Hallie in the process of buying a ticket. Spencer quickly walked up to her and exclaimed, "Hallie, wait."
The woman who was processing the ticket looked at Hallie and asked, "Hallie?"
Hallie gave Spencer an unpleasant look and said, "I'm Annie. This guy is half blind and gets me mixed up with my sister. Please continue processing my ticket. I will talk to this guy in private for a second." Hallie and Spencer walked a short distance from the woman. "Spencer, what are you doing here?"
"I came to stop you from getting on a plane."
"Spencer I'm going to Boston. How did you find out I was here anyway?"
"Annie called me and told me to stop you from getting on a plane,"
"How did Annie call you when… you called Annie a few days ago when I told you not to. That is the only way she would have your number."
"Okay you're right, but you can't go to Boston."
"Spencer, my parents stopped telling me what I can and can't do a year ago, so what makes you think that I would listen to you?"
"Annie is going after Scott's killer, and with you there she is scared you would interfere."
"I'm not going there to interfere; I'm going there to help. After all Scott was my boyfriend."
"That's exactly why you don't need to be there."
"What are you talking about?"
"Hallie, even a doctor would never operate on a family member because of the emotional ties a doctor would have for the patient…"
"Spencer, I'm not a doctor."
"Hallie, by you going after your boyfriend's killer is the same thing. You shouldn't go because you are too emotional to the victim."
The woman who was processing the ticket spoke out, "Excuse me, Ms. James. I need your credit card to finalize your ticket."
"Spencer, I'm going to Boston," said Hallie. Hallie then walked back to the counter and pulled out her wallet from her purse.
As Spencer was walking up to the counter he got his wallet and passport out of his pocket. He then said, "Excuse me Ma'am, but is there another open seat to that flight."
Hallie looked at Spencer in a shock manner.
The woman said as she was typing in the number from Annie's credit card. "Yes Sir. If you give me your passport I would be happy to book you on the flight."
Spencer held out his passport and said, "Here it is."
As the woman was taking the passport Hallie said, "Spencer, you can't afford to buy a ticket to Boston."
"I can afford it actually. I just won't be able to go to Oxford next semester."
"Spencer, why would you use your tuition money for a ticket to Boston?"
"Going with you feels like the right thing to do."
"Spencer, I will be all right. You don't have to do this."
"You're right, I don't have to. This is something I want to do. If you are going then I'm going. Besides, I no longer care about going to Oxford next semester if you're not going to be there."
"Mr. Prescott, I need your credit card," said the woman.
"Ma'am, I will be paying for his ticket as well, so put it on my credit card," said Hallie.
"Yes, Ms. James," said woman.
"I don't want your charity," said Spencer.
"I'm not doing this out of charity. It's a loan and I expect you to pay me back. Of course it doesn't have to be all at once or in cash."
"What do you mean it don't have to be in cash?"
Hallie grinned and said, "Just be romantic and use your imagination."
Spencer grinned in an uncertain manner. He slowly leaned towards Hallie to kiss her as if he wasn't sure if he should. Hallie realized what Spencer was doing and kissed him. The kiss lasted for a few seconds.
"That was nice," said Spencer.
Hallie just smiled.
"Ms. James, here are your tickets, passports and credit card," said the woman. "Now if you would sign here. Your flight will also be departing in one hour."
Hallie took the items and said, "Thanks." After handing Spencer his ticket and passport Hallie signed the credit card receipt. "Spencer, have you eaten lunch?"
"I can use a bite."
"I'm actually starving. Let's go to the cafeteria."
"Okay."
They then walked towards the cafeteria.
Minutes later, Spencer found the opportunity to warn Annie about Hallie and him leaving for Boston.
As Hallie and Spencer were exiting the plane, Julian and Annie were waiting in the waiting area. Hallie and Spencer saw them as they were walking towards them.
Spencer stared at Annie and said, "Hallie, I hope you're not mad at me, but I called Annie before boarding the plane."
As Annie and Julian were walking up Hallie said, "Actually, I would have been disappointed if you didn't." Julian was grinning as he was walking up. Hallie looked at him in a curious manner. "Julian, why are you grinning?"
"I'm seeing you and Annie together, and I am still having difficulty thinking of you as a twin."
"Do you think you can tell me and Annie apart if you didn't already know what clothes we have on?"
"Are you kidding? There is a chance I will forget who is who in thirty minutes from now without you changing clothes."
"Well, while you still know who I am, I want you to meet Spencer. Spencer this is Julian."
Julian and Spencer shook hands.
"Hallie, I doubt that I'm going to be able to talk you out of helping tonight, but can you please let me lead on this," said Annie.
"Annie, I'm not an emotional basket case," said Hallie. Annie showed an expression on her face as if for Hallie to get serious. "Okay, I was in the past, but I'm not now. Annie, I can do this. I need to do this."
"For my peace of mind please allow me to lead."
"Okay, you're the boss in this. I won't do anything unless you tell me to. So is there anything special I need to know?"
"There maybe one thing you should know before we get back to campus."
"I'm listening."
"Samantha Mitchell is helping us."
"What? "How did she get involved?"
"We needed a van and she has one that is perfect for what we need."
"Fine." Hallie showed an amuse expression on her face.
"Hallie, what are you thinking?" asked Julian.
Spencer watched in a curious manner.
"Annie, have you told Samantha about us?" asked Hallie.
"No, and I wasn't going to either; however, your presence here gives me know choice, but to."
"Good. I want to see her reaction when we show up together in front of her."
"You're definitely getting your sense of humor back," said Annie. "We should go. Cindy and the others are waiting for us at the coffee shop."
Hallie just gestured to Annie to lead the way. As they walked towards the exit Hallie asked, "Annie, so I don't look like an idiot, who all knows about us?"
"Kristina knows. We might have a small problem with that though."
"What do you mean?"
"Kristina has plans of being a FBI agent, and she may take an advantage of us switching places by busting us to color up her résumé."
"Annie, did you tell her about us?"
"Actually she figured it out on her own. If I didn't confirmed her suspicions about us she would have kept digging up clues to prove her suspicions, which could have been worse for us. Don't worry though; I have a plan to defuse what she knows about us."
"Who else knows about us?"
As Annie was thinking, Julian said, "There are two policemen, a woman and the woman's son who know about you two."
"What?" asked Hallie.
"Hallie, I filed a police report about my suspicions of Scott's murder," said Annie. "I had to tell the police the truth, or I could have been in trouble for falsifying a police report. Since we aren't hurting anyone they said they were going to turn a blind eye to us. The woman and her son are from the small airport. Tobias, the boy saw someone messing with Scott's plane."
"So are there anymore people that know about us?"
"Just Cindy, Todd, Craig, Becky and Susan," said Annie.
"Annie, who do you believe that killed Scott?"
"That piece of information I still would like to keep from you."
"Something told me you would."
After getting to the car, Spencer sat in back with Hallie. Hallie noticed a pleasant expression on Annie's face when Annie noticed Hallie and Spencer holding hands.
During the drive to the coffee shop Annie told Hallie and Spencer of her plan.
Minutes later Hallie, Annie, Spencer and Julian were walking into the coffee shop. Carrie walked up to them and asked, "So which one of you is Hallie?"
Hallie looked at Carrie in a curious manner and said, "I'm Hallie. You don't seem surprised of me being a twin."
"Hal, Carrie also knows," said Annie.
"I wasn't meaning to, but I overheard Annie talking to you and her boyfriend on the phone in the beginning of the week," said Carrie. "So can I get everyone their usual?"
"That would be good," said Hallie followed by Annie and Julian.
Carrie looked at Spencer and asked, "What can I get you?"
"Hallie, what is usual," asked Spencer.
"Spencer, you can call me Hal if you would like and I drink earl grey tea with lavender."
"Okay, I will. Carrie, I will have what Hal is having."
"I will be back with your drinks." Carrie then walked away.
"We should go join the others," said Julian.
As they walked towards the table Annie asked, "Hal, how long have you been drinking earl grey tea?"
"I started drinking it last year. Scott got me drinking it."
As they were walking up, Cindy and the others stood up. Cindy gave Hallie a hug.
Hallie asked, "So you are not mad at me for not telling you I'm a twin?"
"I was at first, but not anymore."
Hallie smiled. She then said, "Oh, everyone, I would like for all of you to meet Spencer." Hallie pointed out everyone to Spencer. They then took their seats.
Everyone talked for about an hour when Annie got up to use the restroom. Annie had just stepped into the restroom when Samantha walked into the coffee shop with Eric.
Becky saw Samantha walking in and said, "Hey Hal, look who just walked in."
Everyone turned to look. Spencer then asked, "Who are they?"
"The woman is Samantha," said Hallie. "And is she dating Eric?"
"They have been spending a lot of time together," said Todd.
"I will be back in a few minutes," said Hallie. She then stood up.
"What are you going to do?" asked Julian.
"I'm just going to use the restroom. Of course I'm going to make sure Samantha sees me when I walk by." Hallie then walked towards the restroom. Samantha looked at Hallie as she approached. "Hi, Sam; hi Eric."
"Hallie," said Eric.
"Hallie, just because I'm helping you tonight, it doesn't mean that we are friends," said Samantha.
"Hey, I never thought that for a minute." Samantha looked at Hallie in an uncertain manner as Hallie continued to walk towards the women's room. As Hallie was walking into the women's room Annie was washing her hands. "Annie, Samantha is here."
"Hallie, I'm glad you got your sense of humor back, but we should just tell Samantha instead of having fun with her." Annie then dried her hands. "If we get Samantha mad at us she might not help us and we need her van."
"Annie, relax. All I have planned is to let you go out first. Samantha and Eric saw me, so they are going to notice that the clothes you have on are different. After I let them scratch their heads for a minute I will leave the restroom. I will admit this is not a spectacular joke, but it should get her attention. And if you want, you can tell Samantha the truth and let her know I'm here."
"Why are you willing to let me tell Samantha the truth?"
"I really think she will believe that you are making me up… or you up actually. I will then show up to shock her."
"Hallie, if you do anything to make Samantha drop out, you are to find us another van."
"Fine."
After leaving the restroom Annie saw Samantha and Eric standing at the counter. She walked up to Samantha and positioned herself so Samantha and Eric were facing away from the restroom. Samantha and Eric looked at Annie in a curious manner.
Becky saw Annie stepping up to Samantha. She then pointed and said, "Hey guys, watch."
"Hallie, did you change clothes?" asked Eric.
"I can see why it would appear that way, but no," said Annie. "Samantha, I have a confession to make."
"Hallie, what are you talking about?" asked Samantha.
"That's just it, I'm not Hallie; I'm Annie, Hallie's twin sister. Up until a short time ago Hallie was in London. She is here now though. Oh and for right now, I don't want her to know who killed Scott."
Samantha looked at Annie as if Annie had lost her mind.
Hallie left the restroom.
After a moment of silence Samantha finally said, "Hallie, you had me going for a few seconds."
"I'm serious." Annie saw Hallie as Hallie was walking up. "Hallie is my twin sister. We switched universities for a semester. If you turn around you will see I'm telling you the truth. Hallie is walking up behind you."
Samantha said as Hallie walked up behind her, "Hallie, I am not going to fall for it."
"Fall for what?" asked Hallie.
Samantha and Eric quickly turned to face Hallie. Samantha made a quick yelp as if she was startled. She then did a double take of Hallie to Annie and said, "You were telling me the truth."
Annie slightly grinned and said, "I had no reason to lie about this."
"This is unbelievable," said Eric.
"So which one of you is Hallie?" asked Samantha.
Hallie slightly raised her hand and said, "That would be me."
"Hallie, so you were lying when you told me that bit about Scott wouldn't date a twin," said Samantha.
"I didn't lie. Scott didn't know I was a twin until the last date Scott and I were on. When I told him the truth about me he got angry and stormed out of the restaurant. I tried to apologize to him, but he wouldn't listen. That was on a Friday. On Sunday I found out that Scott was flying his plane. I went to the airport to apologize again and when I got there his plane crashed not too far away from me. If you don't believe me you can talk to Cindy about it."
Samantha looked at Hallie as she thought for a brief moment. She then said, "I now understand why you took Scott's death as personal as you did. You blamed yourself for his death." Hallie just grinned to acknowledge the statement. "Hallie, earlier this week I was trying to express my condolence for your loss, but I think I told Annie instead. Since I know the truth now, I would like to express them to you. Hallie, I'm very sorry for the loss you suffered."
Hallie smiled and said, "Thank you. Well, Annie and I should return to our table. Samantha, I know you don't care much for me or my friends, but you and Eric are welcome to join us."
"I will pass. I need to digest everything I learn from the past five minutes."
"Perhaps another time?"
"I never liked you Hallie and I don't see that changing."
"I don't know what I did for you to despise me as much as you do, but I'm done trying to make peace with you. After tonight you can stay on your side of the university and I will stay on mine."
"You know what you did."
"No, I don't."
"I have never been passed over by a man for another woman in my life. Every man I ever wanted to be with I got. Then you came along. You make me feel like one of those girls who stand on the side of a dance floor hoping to be asked to dance."
"Scott knew you were a twin, so he would have never dated you."
"Yes, he would have. As I said there was never a man that I couldn't get, until you entered my life."
"Samantha, I'm sorry that you feel the way you do, but I never meant to make you feel that way."
"I don't want your apology. Now if you and Annie will excuse me; Eric and I would like to be alone."
"We will see you at five O'clock," said Annie.
"And don't be late," said Samantha.
"We won't be," said Hallie.
As Samantha and Eric went to a secluded table, Annie and Hallie rejoined their friends.