Chapter Five

Matt, Evie, Risa, Brian and Jason all stood out side the Willow Creek suites looking up and the top floor where they knew that Jamie was staying.

Matt sighed and Evie looked at him compassionately.

"Matt are you okay?" asked Evie

"In all the times that I've played detective, time this is the first time that I have ever had to question someone who's a close friend." Replied Matt

"I know this is hard for you," said Evie, "but a good detective must look at all the possibilities."

"You're right, of course." Said Matt, "well come on, let's get this over with."

They all started toward the front door.

A few minutes later they were standing in front of the Jamie's door. Matt knocked on the door and seconds later the door opened. It was Jamie.

"Oh, hi Matt." She smiled, "Come on in!"

Matt and his group walked into her room.

"Jamie," Matt started, "We need to talk."

"That's sounds ominous," said Jamie

"I'm serious." Said Matt, "Earlier today Evie and I were attacked by hired thugs, after we turned the tables on them, the one we caught admitted to Risa, that they were hired by someone."

"I'm sorry that happened to you," said Jamie, "and I'm glad you're alright, but what does that have to do with me?"

"Because," said Evie, "The paper that the culprit used to send instructions to their hired thugs was your stationary."

Risa handed Jamie the note.

"We're not accusing you of anything," she said, "But we do need to know who has access to your personalized stationery?"

Jamie read the note and thought for a minute.

"The truth is I left my stationery on the desk while I've been here," she said, "Anybody who's been in this room or my dressing room would've had access to it."

"And you have a lot of company," said Matt, "So that doesn't narrow the suspect list down much."

"Yeah," agreed Risa, "We would need a handwriting expert to do anything else with this letter."

"And a fingerprint kit." Added Brian

The others nodded.

"Well, Thanks." Said Matt sounding relieved that the whole errand was over, "the truth is I was afraid of what you might say when I asked you about this. I was afraid you'd think I was accusing you."

Jamie smiled

"Well, there was no need to be," she said, "I know you better than that, Matt."

A few minutes later the whole group was outside. It was getting dark.

"Well, that was frustrating," muttered Jason, "Here I thought we were on to something, but now were right back where we started."

"Not necessarily," said Risa, "Brian and I questioned Vanessa and Vera, and their stories were a little too much alike, so don't take them off the suspect list just yet."

Matt and Evie nodded in understanding.

Brian looked at his watch.

"It's almost suppertime." He said, "I've got to go, Mom is having some bigshot from grandpa's company over grandpa wants to show off, and if I'm not there I'll catch it!"

"Okay go ahead," said Risa, "I'll see you tomorrow."

Brian pecked her cheek and hurried off to where he had parked his bicycle.

About half an hour and a couple of shortcuts later, Brian arrived at his home. he walked through the front door and was immediately met by his mother Veronica.

"Brian, good you're home." She said, "go straight to your room and change for dinner."

"Oh boy," said Brian to himself as he hurried up the stairs, "Whenever she calls it dinner instead of supper and expects us to change it means where all in for escargots, Steak Tartare, and any other so-called fancy dish that my mother can think of. Why can't grandpa just take his business associates to a French restaurant if he wants to impress them? I don't think I will ever develop a taste for snails!"

Brian finished changing into a suit and dinner jacket, and was walking down the hallway. He past his parent's bedroom and heard his mother on the phone with someone.

"Yes, Arthur," she was saying, "I know, I know. I'm sorry we missed you tonight too, but you know my father, this isn't the first time he has disrupted our lives to make a buck, and knowing him it won't be the last either…raincheck…definitely…okay, bye!"

"Mom." Asked Brian, "Who's Arthur?"

"Oh, he's Vanessa's uncle on the other side of her family," replied Veronica, "as well was a friend of mine and your fathers from our WRI days."

"So, his last name isn't DiAngelo?" asked Brian

"No, his last name is Wilcox I believe." She Replied

Brian stopped short at this name.

"Mom does Arthur have any kids?"

"Yes," said his mother, "a son, his name is Justin."

TO BE CONTINUED…PLEASE REVIEW