Discovery
Finally it will all make sense...the JD is on its way as well. Chapters 20 and 22 both have some JD work in them. Also, the story has been extended to 23 chapters, leaving me four more to write...wish me luck! Enjoy :-
PS-In chapter 18 when Donna reveals the truth behind the bomb, about how she threw the pencil--for all you detectives with bad memories, go back to chapter 2 and you'll see she actually did throw the pencil. Most of you probably already remembered that but for those of you who didnt...she threw it in chapter 2.
When CJ opened her front door, Donna was hopping with excitement.
"You're going to work tomorrow, CJ!" she squealed excitedly, and pointed at an envelope in her hands.
"Come in, dear girl, and we will hear your discovery."
CJ and Donna settled down in CJ's living room and again sipped their hot chocolate.
"CJ, I'm just so excited. Oh and by the way…have I mentioned that this is a beautiful house you have? It's so big…"
"Well I'm moving into a smaller apartment next year."
"Why?"
"I used to be a publicist for Hollywood movie stars…so that paid well. More than five times my salary here. I bought this house on my savings from that job. But savings run out eventually. Anyway, Donna, who cares about the house…what have you found out?"
"Sorry, I often get distracted when I've just discovered something amazing. Anyway…"
"What did you find on my computer?"
"Nothing."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"At least no edited files…but I did check the time of your last login. And it was April 12th, at 10:23 PM."
"April 12th…wait a minute…that was the day before the incident with my office…and I left work at six with everyone else."
"Right. But I stayed until seven. And Toby was still there when I left."
"Meaning…"
"Meaning Toby was on your computer."
"The little hacker! Looking at my personal—"
"CJ! Calm down."
"Sorry Donna…but I'm gonna get that guy as soon as I get to work tomorrow…"
Donna grinned. CJ was already talking about going to work tomorrow. She trusted Donna completely, trusted her enough that she took it for granted that Donna had everything sorted out. Of course, she did.
"Anyway CJ…You'll also remember Toby was reacting strangely to Pedro Palachino being mentiond?"
"Right."
"Well I did a little family tree checkup. Toby's sister Maria and Pedro Palachino were married. Until last month, when she filed for a divorce."
"Wow…so what's all this mean?"
"That Pedro assumed Toby had advised Maria to break off with him for some reason, and was after Toby. The night of the 12th, Pedro called Toby and told him to stay late at work."
"How do you know?"
"Checked the phone records. After making that call, he showed up and found Toby in your office. When he pulled a gun, I'm guessing Toby tried to lock him out. Palachino wrenched the doorknob open, which accounts for the fact that it had been toyed with. He fired at Toby who was narrowly missed, but the bullets shattered your window. Toby must've made the jump to a balcony below and escaped."
"Oh my God…you can't be serious."
"All the details fit. That's what happened. Toby probably wouldn't come to work out of fear. That is, until Palachino was locked up for planting the bomb. Then he was safe. After I explained to everyone that the bomb was an accident and not a bomb at all—"
"You did?"
"Yeah, another story. After that, Palachino was freed and Toby ran home."
"I see…"
"In fact, I need to head over to Toby's right now and tell him I know."
"Alright…good luck and be careful!"
"Donna…I don't know how the hell you figured it out but…I don't need help. It's a matter of honor. I did encourage the divorce…so…it's just wrong for me to turn him in."
"OK, you won't. I'll do it. And you will return to work and be happy."
"You won't do that."
"I will Toby."
"If you do, I'm not coming back to work."
Donna had predicted this. She pulled an envelope out of her jacket. It of course contained nothing.
"Then I'll just have to deliver this little love letter you wrote to CJ."
"What the—how'd you get your hands on that?"
So there was a letter! Donna had just been bluffing…but this made the threat all the more lethal.
"My little ways. Now agree to this plan."
Seeing the trap he was now in, Toby was forced to agree. And so Donna had solved each mystery the White House had offered her this week—without plotting for her own kidnapping along the way.
