Nothing is what it seems
Part 2 – Suspect number one
The corpse of Brock was almost unrecognizable. Blood was staining his face and there were visible bruises that indicate a fight. His clothes were tore and his expression was shocked, surprised. Everyone was getting interrogated while Brock's body was getting transported to the hospital where it'd receive an autopsy. Officer Jenny and other policeman were on the case, examining the scene of crime and keeping an eye on the young adults and principal suspects. The authorities asked them about their alibis and stories.
Mister and Miss Oak explained how the day before they had had a birthday party for Ash and how nothing abnormal had happened; no fights, no arguments and no unusual comportments. Everything had gone as planned and no complications had occurred. The two of them were shocked by the news of Brock's murder but worse by the news of having kept under their roof a murderer. Samuel and Delia explained that part of Ash's birthday gift was to leave him the house for him and his friends as a symbol of the new trust they were giving him as a young and new adult. They had booked a reservation two weeks ago for the occasion in the Indigo Hotel and assured that they didn't leave the hotel before the morning at 5 o'clock because Miss Oak was too much worried.
Casey, Catherine, May and Misty told that they were talking and helping the nuns to make the dishes and clean the kitchen. Catherine, Misty and Casey added that they went to bed together around 10 o'clock and don't know when May went back as they were sleeping. Catherine told what she saw when she was looking for Gary and Brock with Ash outside and found them. Then the nuns told that May stayed with them until midnight and then went to bed. Officer Jenny frowned as no one had seen May go back directly to the room she shared with the other girls.
Richie indicated that he was playing games alone in the living room for awhile after the dinner and he doesn't know what time it was when Ash joined him later to play most of the early morning. It was a little past three in the morning, they knew it as they had heard the clock strike three before returning, when they went in their room together as the boys shared a room and the girls another one. Brock wasn't there and they didn't see him while they played.
Officer Jenny sighed, it had been seven stories, without counting the servants who went in their rooms at midnight as they live in the mansion and were quite tired, that she had heard. "The problem is that I don't know near when Brock died during the night. May may have killed him before going to bed or Richie while he was supposedly playing. It's very difficult for me. Anyways go on, it's your turn Gary."
Gary explained what had happened in his version. That he was in his room almost during all the night but unfortunately no one could confirm it.
Now it was Ash's turn. Ash told that after the feast he walked with Brock throughout the house then they had saw Misty get out of the girls' chamber to go to the bathroom then come back. They stopped her and talked to her for a moment.
"What did you talk about?" Officer Jenny asked
"How she shouldn't have feelings for Gary and stuff like that" Ash admitted sheepishly
"And what time was it, do you know?" she ignored Ash's bashfulness
"Yeah" he exclaimed almost proudly "I had asked the time to Brock and he had told me 11:30"
"You didn't mention this Miss Waterflower" Officer Jenny suspected Misty
"I totally forgot about it" Misty tried to innocent herself
"She's not the only one to forget parts, when I found Gary in the warehouse he had a piece of paper in hand that told that he had to meet Brock there at 2 o'clock"
"Is that true Mister Oak?" Officer questioned him
"Sorta…" He then added about the letter Brock had let him and how he got knocked when he joined him with nothing else more than what Catherine had said. "I didn't tell it sooner as I thought that no one would believe me" he added almost childishly
"I don't care any information is vital in a murder case and like I love to say it; everything isn't always what it seems to be. So don't worry if you're innocent no harm will be done to you. Now please don't hide and try to remember every information, please it's essential"
"Yes madam" they all replied in unison
"Thank you" she smiled "As for now I'll contact you tomorrow in the evening when the finger prints on the dagger will be identify and more clues found. I'm sorry for the death of your friend" With that she left.
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"Oh my god… I can't believe Brock was murdered! This is so unfair!" exclaimed May not restraining her sobs anymore. Now that the cops were gone they had the time to feel the pain properly which they didn't know was a good thing or a bad.
"The person who did this is cruel!" commented Misty mad. As the other girls she had tears troubling her view.
"Don't worry girls, the murderer will get what he deserves" Richie assured them
"I hope he does" Ash added, throwing one last nasty look at Gary before going upstairs in the guy room.
"C'mon Ash, calm down" Casey told him, going after him.
"Don't worry Gary, I don't think you're the murderer" Misty said
"Me neither, honey" Catherine added
"Thanks" he smiled to the both of them
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Gary was lying on his bed with his fiancé next to him. The room was lightened by the daylight and Gary's book was still on the table where he had let it. He hadn't the heart to read it as all the suspicion wouldn't have been on him if he hadn't locked himself up to read it…
"Gary?"
"Hmm?" he finally snapped out of his thoughts
"Did you hear what I said?"
"No…"
"Yeah… I guess it's true that there's a lot going on in your head at the moment"
"Sorry babe"
"It's okay… I was talking about marriage when we're more into funeral… kinda stupid huh?" she laughed nervously
"What's up?" Gary asked concerned
"I can't help but think that if I hadn't insisted on sleeping with the other girls I would have been with you and could confirm that you were in your room…"
"It's not your fault babe. You just wanted to get to know my friends. Nobody knew it'd turn out this way…"
"Yeah but still…"
"C'mon" Gary held her closer to himself and reached for her lips with his own. Catherine answered positively to the invitation and deepened the kiss. Soon enough, Gary was placed on top of her and gently caressing her face with his rough finger. Catherine started to unbutton his shirt and got rid of it in an expert way without interrupting the kiss one second. "Damn baby, I love you…" Gary managed to murmur between two kiss
"Shhh" she cut him off and covered his mouth with a new forceful kiss.
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Catherine was now sleeping peacefully while Gary was watching over her sleep, a smile plastered on his face.
"With such an innocent face, no one could guess how vicious you can truly be" Gary laughed to himself, caressing tenderly her face. He dropped another kiss on her forehead. Just then he heard knocks on his bedroom door. "Not again…" he quickly dressed up and try to arrange his messier than usual hair and wipe out any trace of lipstick. "Coming"
Once again when he opened the door he found no one but a letter on the floor… hesitating he took it and opened it.
Gary let's talk if you're a man…
Meet me outside your front door where anyone can see us
Don't want to get killed too, murderer.
The person didn't sign his name but nevertheless hadn't to as his identity made none doubt in the mind of Gary. Sighing, he got out of the room to go to Ash's meeting place. On his way to the front door, he saw Misty and May discussing on a low tone of confidence. Not stopping to spy on them, something he would have normally do, he got the chance to catch one or two sentences: "Maybe I had feelings for him but that wasn't a reason…" the rest was cut as he was too far.
He finally arrived at his meeting place, outside. Ash was patiently waiting for him with a glow in his eyes. He was dressed with cargo brown pants and a red shirt. For once, he didn't have his stupid cologne on. The one he loved to put to seem more manly and mature. Gary could how disturbed Ash was since Brock's unfortunate death.
"Here you are… I thought you had chickened out" Ash said not seeming too pleased to see him. At the contrary, Gary couldn't be more please; this time he wouldn't be implied in another new murder.
"Why would I?"
"Look, I'm sure that you killed Brock. You have the motive, you were on the crime scene and both of you didn't like each other. Just admit it… you guys may have been in a fight and it was in self defense…"
"I didn't kill Brock. I may not have liked him that much but I did respect him and I would never do that to anyone"
"But you could FOR someone"
"Shut up"
"One way or another I'll prove that you did it!"
"This is just your way to deal with his death-" Gary was suddenly down as he had received a powerful punch from Ash. "What the f-?"
"Don't you dare talk about him" he cut him off fortunately for our ears to not hear what he had to say. Gary got up on his feet.
"I don't wanna pick up a fight with you Ash…" he warned
"We both know that I'd kick your ass…"
"Hmm riiiiiiight" Gary smiled sarcastically. At that moment, maybe filled with the anger born with Brock's death this one remark made him explode, he threw itself at Gary. Gary however gifted with good reflexes stopped him on time and paralyzed him with a painful arm bar. "What were you saying" he smirked. At the next instant he reached for his mouth with his reddened and injured hand. There stood teeth imprints, Ash's. "Aw… Why'd you do that?" he yelled looking at the bite marks.
"You're not so cocky aren't you" Ash said in a victorious, immature tone. When you'd think about it … you'd find it rather sweet or funny. The Ash Ketchum's charm as they call it in Pallet Town.
"You little bastard, I'll-"
"Don't threaten me… I don't want to end up like Brock"
Gary decided to leave. He went for the door to return to his comfy room where a beautiful lady was probably waiting for him to return. He opened the door but before closing it threw these last words at Ash:
"You fight like a girl!" he said like a little child with little arguments, then BAM the door was closed.
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Catherine was heading for the boys' dormitory; Ash had planned a meeting about the past events that had occurred. Once again, Mr. and Mrs. Oak were out, this time for formalities to the police as they were the responsible adults and owner of the mansion. When she arrived, she heard the clock ring two times before entering the chamber. There, were Ash, obviously, Misty, May, Casey and Richie. No sign of Gary… Why wasn't he there? She sighed probably guessing that he had refused Ash's invitation.
"Hey Catherine!" Casey greeted her
"Glad you could make it" Ash more formal, added. She was Gary's fiancé after all even if she was indeed beautiful. Gary always knew how to pick his women.
"So what is all this about?" Misty asked impatient "And why isn't Gary there" she added. Catherine glared at Misty… she somewhat felt menaced by her. She was great but she had something with Gary that she couldn't have… he trusted her. He'd always ask her advices even when he'd pretend not to follow them. He was always taking them in consideration though.
"Look, I think I know who killed Brock"
"Let me guess… Gary?"
"Yeah….! See even you think so!"
"I was sarcastic Ash" Misty rolled her eyes "You keep saying that since this morning!"
"Yeah… let him breathe Ash" Casey agreed
"You don't understand guys" Ash pleaded "He was on the scene crime, he had no alibi yet a motive and I have the ultimate proof that he did it"
"C'mon Ash we're all sad about Brock's death bu-"
"No Richie listen! When the police will come I'll tell everything I know! You'll see! Mom called and said that they'll be there near three with the results"
"Okay… well I'm leaving. I'm gonna help prepare dinner" May got up
"Me too" Misty and Richie said in unison
"Guess I'll go too" added Casey and they four of them left, unintentionally leaving Catherine and Ash alone. Silence soon rose upon the room.
"Ash…" Catherine broke the mute "Are you certain that…" she suddenly stopped
"That Gary is a murderer?" Catherine only nodded "I'm sorry but… yes I do"
"But why would he do that?"
"Probably to be with Misty" Ash said honestly still piercing her green soul windows with his glare. "Sorry to be this harsh"
"I knew it… somehow…" she had tears in her eyes. Ash took the liberty to hug her.
"It's okay"
"No it isn't" Ash didn't answer this time "I'll be here to hear your theory but now I better go search for Gary"
"Okay" He let go of her and watched her leave. She didn't close the door and Ash noticed a little sheet of paper lying on the ground. Catherine must have missed it due to a blurry vision. He went to take it.
I have the solution to your questions
Come meet me in the garden
Someone that wants justice
"Strange how these little shit of paper became our way of communication despite the phones and intercoms" Ash smiled, taking out his jacket from the closet "Whoever you are, I know we'll bring Gary down" was his last thought when he headed out.
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"Where's everyone?" Delia asked to Catherine who had answered the door. She was accompanied by Pr. Oak and a couple of policemen.
"The girls are in the kitchen, still talking with the nuns, Richie used to be there but he left like 40 minutes ago and Gary is nowhere to be seen… probably on one of his lone walk again. Where's officer Jenny I thought she was responsible of the case?"
"She'll arrive later, she was kinda busy with work to do when we called her" a policeman answered. "Reunite everyone please" The outsiders all entered the house and went to the living room where a bigger amount of people could be assembled.
Soon the living room population was doubled as the others arrived all with a questioning face launched at the officers. Catherine and May came back from their trip to reunite everybody.
"Sorry we couldn't find Ash and Richie"
"Richie?" questioned Misty "He went out for groceries… he'll take awhile"
"We need everyb-" started one of the represents of justice but was cut off was the ring bell.
"I'll go opened" proposed Gary. Within 5 minutes, he came back with both Richie and Officer Jenny. They all had stern faces…
"Sorry I'm late but I also have bad news…" started Jenny "Richie found… Ash's corpse in the garden…."
Everybody has been expecting anything but THAT… Ash? Dead?
Delia broke down in tears as Samuel tried to comfort her not able to stop his own tears. May and Catherine were crying while Casey and Misty, somewhat more prided, sobbed. Richie already had his unshed tears in the corner of his eyes, Gary stood there shocked. He couldn't mutter anything and wouldn't cry…
"But how…? He was about to prove us who did it!"
"The little bastard . . ." Gary couldn't help but think of the dead as he knew who would have been the murderer in Ash's point of view.
"I also have the results of the DNA test… but before telling them I need you all to go see the body as disgusting as it may be"
With a lot of protestations, sobs and cries, everybody submitted to the order… helped with the couple of policemen. You can't resist to guys in uniform … especially the armed ones. As they arrived at the scene crime, they all saw a not very bruised Ash… he seemed normal as he was just sleeping peacefully… no blood everywhere this time. The only abnormality was his complete motionlessness that proved Jenny's words to be right.
"He's dead? How?" Officer Jenny didn't answer yet. She took a better glance at Gary and noticed something…
"Is that teeth imprints? These were probably made while fighting with Ash"
"What?" asked Gary
"That's just another proof to my theory…" Officer Jenny explained the theory she had come up with: "It's very simple, for this case the victim has been choked. You see the little chain mark around his neck there" she pointed "He has clearly been suffocated and I believe that only a man would have had the strength to do this as Ash was almost in his twenties." All the audience gasped except for the other officers that stood cold hearted "The DNA and imprints that were on the dagger and most repeatedly on Brock's clothes were … Gary's" she finished
"What… What do you mean! I never saw this dagger in my whole life!"
"Yet you were holding it…" Jenny continued
"Bu-"
"That's not all… Look there" she designed a place where a little amount of red ink was. It looked like a deformed Yin and Yang drawing… made with blood you could tell when you'd take a look closer.
"Who's blood is this" someone dared to ask
"I presumed it to be Ash's" then with her gloves on of course she showed Ash's hands. They were stained with dried blood! "He probably scratched his hands when debating with his aggressor and trying to take the chain off… with this he surely tried to design the responsible and we all know who was famous for wearing a…"
"Yin and Yang necklace" finished Misty, still stunned
"Exactly"
"No way I was taking a walk ! I-I couldn't have done this!"
"What about the bite mark?"
"It's a coincidence! He bite me during an argument but when I left he was still alive!" Gary cursed Ash as somehow he was sure that this action of Ash was premeditate.
"So you admit to have had an argument with him"
"No! I mean yes but anyways… why would I even do it?" Gary desperately tried to innocent himself
"Ash was about to reveal why and how Gary could have killed Brock…" let out Casey timidly
"You have no alibi… again dear and a motive now"
"Bu-"
"You have the right to remain quiet…"
"It can't be!"
"I have enough proof to lock you for at least awhile until a trial" she replied "If you don't have a lawyer the court will give you one for free…" an officer put him handcuffs.
Gary turned to everyone else as other policemen were pushing him towards the cars "Look guys I didn't do it" no one replied to him or even looked at him, shocked as they were.
"Ga-Gary…" hesitantly said his grandpa giving him a last stray of hope that twinkled in Gary's eyes as he was put away "If your words are true, justice will settle this" The I word killed Gary inside… Even his gramps didn't believe him! He looked over at Catherine that was completely stunned and not even looking at anyone but Ash's disappearing body. The police was putting it in one of those black bags that you see on TV but never expect and hope to see in real life… well in Gary's case. He looked around for his last option… Misty. She was looking back!
"Misty!" he cried out for her "I didn't do it. I swear!" he begged "You gotta believe me! You know me I'd never do that!" Tears were falling freely from her eyes without her being able to stop them. Gary knew how Misty rarely cried… He looked at her once last time before being rudely thrown in one of the backseats of the police cars. Even with their impartial faces, Gary could guess easily that they hated murderer and criminal… So even without a trial they thought that he had done it. And they were justice…supposedly.
What was he going to do…?
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Gary was still in the backseat of the second car that was unbelievably hard… guess that they didn't really care for the criminals' comfort… His two 'companions' were not friendly at all. One of them was very slim and the other at the contrary fat… they kept on giving him mean glares whenever they could but didn't talk. Gary sighed but hided a little smile at the corner of his lips to comfort himself… at least that was a beginning …
Flashback
As he was put away and begging Misty for her to believe him he looked at Officer Jenny that did not seem as sure as she had been when she had explained her theory… Maybe she was starting to doubt her own theory and believe him? He switched her image with Misty's with and in the blink of an eye.
"You gotta believe me! You know me I'd never do that!" he cried at her. Then just before being thrown in the backseat he saw her muttering something that no one could have heard not even his self. He just read it on her crimson lips: I know…
He then saw one of her tears dropped on the ground followed by many others as they were now a too big amount for her to keep in her face, worse her eye.
End of Flashback
"This little fucker was lucky at first as his family are rich and protected him despite all the evidence for the first case… too bad he didn't had the sense to at least find an alibi for the second!" the officers in front laughed for the first time and brought Gary out of his thoughts.
The first car that Officer Jenny was driving suddenly stopped, probably to avoid an accident, Gary took a decision quickly… it was risky and unbelievably ashy, as for one of those brave things only Ash would do, but he couldn't be in more shit than now… he took off his belt, took his handcuffs and placed them, quickly, threateningly at the second officer's neck.
"The little fucker wants you to open the door and let him out if not this little bastard will pay the price"
"Calm down guy, we…"
"Shut the hell up I have no time to waste, want to end up like Ashy boy?"
"He's not kidding Jake open the freaking door" The guy threatened opened his door at his co-worker's remark
"I'm not stupid, there're cops out there, you coming with me fattie"
"Ok" the cops muttered in fear and quickly he and Gary were out of the cars. As he was out Gary saw a bunch of curious persons and the other two cars filled out.
"Gary calm down, you better not worsen your case" Officer Jenny tried to put some sense back in his mind
"Look, I know what awaits me! None of you believe I'm innocent and if you don't, you the justice soldiers, who will? Just step back" The policemen who had raised their guns at him looked at Jenny for indications. Followed a stare contest between Officer Jenny and Gary …
"Dropped the guns and do as he asked" Jenny finally commanded
"You're sure officer? I mean he's probably just bluffing… no one in his right mid would aggravate such a heavy case…"
"The most dangerous men are the desperate ones" she answered "Drop your guns and step back everyone!" Everyone did so and waited for the future events to take plaee "Now let him go, Gary. That doesn't help you"
"Throw him the keys to my handcuffs… I'll let him go after my escape" The policemen once again looked at their chief to know what to do and she nodded as a sign to obey the crazy foul. Slim guy throw them at Jake the fattie who was shaking in fear.
"You have them?" Gary asked his hostage
"Y-yeah"
"So let's go Jake is it?" They were now running; Gary following what seemed to him to be a path to freedom but really was a ticket for a minimum of ten years of probation if caught…
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End of Part 2