A/N: Here is my next chapter! I hope you all enjoy! Thanks for the reviews! I do not own Leverage.
''Bella didn't take her own life; David James did it!''
''Audrey… calm down….''
''No I am not going to calm down! He killed my best friend, mum!''
Audrey had become hysterical. Sophie got off the bed and approached her daughter. She grabbed Audrey's hands and forced her to look into her eyes.
''Take a deep breath.''
Audrey did what she was told.
''Okay, good, now let's sit down and talk about this. Do you really think that David would cross the line from hitting Bella to killing her?''
''Yes. I don't know why I didn't think of this before; Bella once told me about this one time when David got really drunk. He started hitting her mom, and at one point Bella saw him chocking her. He almost killed her but he stopped when he saw that Bella watching them. It's possible that he snapped, killed Bella and made it look like she took her own life! That is possible, isn't?''
Sophie and Nate both sat there for a moment looking at Audrey, taking in her words and processing the information. They both felt like what Audrey had said could be possible, but they also couldn't help to feel that perhaps it may just be the grief talking. Sophie and Nate looked at one another for a moment and made an agreement with their eyes. Sophie then looked back at her daughter.
''Okay Audrey, listen to me. What you are saying could be possible but right now you are very upset, as you have every right to be, and I am just afraid that this may be the grief talking. No matter what the case may be, we will take a closer look at David James and we will check into Bella's death. We will look to see if there was any signs of foul play.''
Audrey just looked at her mother for a moment. She was hurt that Sophie didn't fully believe her, but a small part of her knew that what her mother just said could be true. Sophie could see that her doubt had hurt her daughter and she knew how much pain she was already in after the loss of her friend. All of a sudden, Sophie took Audrey into her arms and held her for a moment. Then she whispered the following things into her ear:
''My darling girl, I wish I could take away all the pain you are feeling. I wish I could make all of this disappear. I wish I could bring Bella back. However, since I can't do any of that, what I can do is try my best to help you trough this. I can help you start to heal and put your heart back together. I will keep loving and supporting you, and I will be there for you no matter what. I will help you to learn the truth, no matter what that may be, and I'll help you come to peace with it. That is what I can do, and I promise you I will do it.''
Sophie then looked down at her daughter, who met her eyes. Audrey really didn't know what to say.
''Okay…thank you.''
Sophie gave a small smile through her tears, and then kissed Audrey on the forehead. Then Nate, who had been sitting nearby, finally spoke.
''I am going to call in the rest of the team on this. They should be here so we can come up with a plan to find out the truth about David James.''
Nate left to make the call, while Sophie and Audrey remained seated on the bed. Audrey's head rested on her mother's shoulder while Sophie ran her hand through her daughter's hair. They sat there in silence until Nate returned.
"The team will be here in the morning.''
''Okay, we should all try to get some sleep. Audrey, come on my dear, I will lay with you until you fall asleep.''
Audrey took her mother's offered hand, and they went to her room. As promised, Sophie stayed with her daughter until she fell asleep. Then Sophie stayed a little while longer, just watching her daughter. Audrey looked peaceful; something Sophie hadn't seen in her daughter for days. She kissed her forehead and left the room. She then joined Nate in their bed. As soon as he wrapped his arms around her, and she put her head on his chest, she fell asleep.
Early the following day they all awoke to the sound of someone banging on the door to the suite. Nate got up and answered the door to find the team standing in the hallway.
''Hey man! What's good? Oh come on, close that robe up! We are not close enough for me to be seeing you in your boxers!''
Nate tightened his robe then gave Hardison a look.
''Hello to you too Hardison.''
Nate nodded a hello to Eliot and Parker. As the three carried their luggage and gear in from the hall, Sophie and Audrey made their way out of the bedrooms. Before they could say a word Parker dropped a suitcase and ran to them, throwing her arms around the both of them.
''I've missed the two of you. It was no fun being the only girl! I've gotten used to having you two around.''
Sophie smiled.
''We missed you too, Parker.''
Parker let them both go, beamed at Sophie, and then went to stand beside Hardison. Sophie greeted Eliot and Hardison while Audrey just stood back and remained silent. Nate then decided it was time to get down to business.
''Hardison, what did you find out about David James?''
Hardison was about to speak when Sophie interrupted him.
''Nate, I think perhaps you, Audrey and I should all go change before we begin; wouldn't you agree?''
Nate looked down at his attire. He had forgotten he was still only wearing his boxers and a robe.
''Yes, that might be best.''
They all got dressed quickly, and rejoined the others in the living room. Hardison had managed to set up all his gear and he was ready to give his presentation. They all took their seats promptly, allowing Hardison to finally begin.
''Mr. David James is a real piece of work. Despite the fact that more than fifteen people, including Trisha Abbot, have filed complaints of physical assault against him, he has never been formally charged. I'm sure you're wondering how this could happen. Well it turns out David's father was a police commissioner who still has a lot of pull and he's been able to squash any charges against his son. So even if we can find something suggesting that David killed Bella, it's going to be difficult to make the charges stick without a whole lot of proof.''
Nate stood and clapped his hands together.
''Okay, so let's go get some proof. We'll regroup and prepare today, then tonight is Bella's wake. Hardison and Parker, you two go and check the places where David James has been around town. Retrace his steps and see if you can find anything. Eliot, go look deeper into Bella's death and see if there's any signs of foul play. Sophie, Audrey and I will be attending the wake.''
They all spent the afternoon inside the suite, before getting to work. The guys watched a football game on the TV, while Parker slept in the corner. Sophie sat nearby, often complaining about the game and trying to make small talk with guys who got mad at her for interrupting them. It had turned into quite an argument. Audrey sat beside her mother and worked on Bella's eulogy. When the time came for Bella's wake Nate, Sophie and Audrey made their way to the funeral home. Eliot, Parker and Hardison took the opportunity to go on search of information about Bella's death and David James. During the wake Sophie watched her daughter. Audrey just sat there and it was clear that she wasn't fully paying attention to what was going on. Something all of a sudden hit Sophie; Audrey hadn't said one word all day. She had shut herself off from the rest of the world. She still hasn't even allowed herself to cry yet. Sophie then noticed that Laura was watching Audrey as well. She could tell that Laura was as worried as she was. Then the two women made eye contact, they formed a silent agreement that they would get Audrey through this no matter what. Sophie's thoughts were interrupted when she felt Nate's hand on her thigh. She looked at him and he motioned for her to get up. When Sophie looked around, she saw that people were making their way out of the funeral home. She then looked over at Audrey, took her by the hand, and then they all got up and left. When they arrived back at the suite Eliot, Parker and Hardison were there waiting for them.
Nate was first to speak.
''So what did you guys find?''
''We got nothing, man. I hacked his personal computer and Parker went through the hotel room he has been staying in. Came up empty. If there is any proof out there, this guy has a mighty good hiding spot.''
''Okay, Eliot what about you?''
Eliot looked at Audrey for a moment. He really didn't want to say what he was about to say in front of her, but Audrey looked as though she had no clue what was going on. Eliot then looked back at Nate.
''I managed to get a look at Bella's coroner's report. There was no mention of any signs of foul play… Bella committed suicide.''
It turns out that Audrey had been aware of what was going on at the other side of the room because she shot a death stare in Eliot's direction, and then she looked at her mother.
''Audrey…''
''No, don't.''
Audrey needed her mother. She needed her to be on her side and to believe what she believed, that David killed Bella. But when Audrey looked into her mother's eyes all she could see was sorrow, and worse than that she saw pity. Her mother believed what Eliot said. Audrey had to get away; she couldn't take it anymore. She made her way out of the suite with her mother following close behind.
''Audrey, where are you going?''
''Away from here!''
''Audrey, please stop…''
''NO! I need you on my side; I need you to believe what I believe!''
Sophie finally caught up to her daughter and got her to look at her.
''Audrey?''
''Mum, Bella didn't kill herself. I don't care what the report said. I am not being hysterical and this isn't the grief speaking. I know in my gut that David killed her. She would have told me if something was wrong. She was just not the type of her person to take her own life. Something isn't right… something doesn't fit. I am not going to stop until I figure out the truth, whether you help me or not.''
Sophie looked deep into her daughter's eyes. She really didn't know what to believe, but what she did know was that her daughter needed her. She had made a promise that she would be there for her no matter what, and Sophie knew that Audrey needed to see this through no matter what the outcome might be.
''Okay, I am on your side. I will be there for you, and I will help you see this through.''
Sophie held out her hand to her daughter. Audrey looked at her mother's hand for a moment before taking it, and they both returned to the suite. They didn't say a word to the others when they entered; they both just went quietly to Audrey's room where they stayed for the rest of the night. Nate thought about knocking but he decided that it might be best to give them some time alone. When morning came Sophie and Audrey were the first up; both dressed and ready for Bella's funeral, eating breakfast when the rest of the team entered the kitchen. Sophie greeted Nate with a kiss on the cheek, but other than that they all ate in silence. An hour later Nate, Sophie and Audrey left for Bella's funeral while the rest of the team stayed back at the hotel. When they arrived at the church Audrey took a seat next to her mother, Laura. Sophie then took the seat beside her daughter and Nate sat next to Sophie. The funeral began and the priest spoke for about twenty minutes about loss and finding comfort after death. Then he asked if Audrey could come up and give the eulogy. Audrey walked up to the microphone and made eye contact with both of her mothers before she began giving the eulogy she had prepared.
"In life we all hope for someone who truly understands us; for someone to be on our side no matter what. We hope for someone to be there for us when we cry, and when we laugh. If we are fortunate enough to find this person, we call them our best friend. I found that person in Bella. She is, and always will be my best friend. I first met Bella when my parents and I were invited to her parent's house for dinner. It was the summer before second grade, and we were seven years old. We just connected, and after that night nothing could split us apart. Bella and I attended summer camp together and when fall came she begged her parents to let her attend boarding school with me. They eventually caved and I remember being so happy that I would finally have a friend at school. The other kids used to bully me and Bella would always step in to defend me. She always took my side. She would tell me that they were just jealous because I was smarter, prettier and richer than everyone else. That would always make me smile when she said that. I soon became more confident in myself and eventually the other kids stopped picking on me. Bella was the one person in my life who I could tell all my secrets to, and she never judged me. She always made me feel that anything was possible; that I could do anything I wanted. We helped each other through everything, big and small. After Bella's father died, there was a time when I was the only person she would talk to. Bella adored her father; she was certainly a daddy's girl. It gives me some comfort now, knowing that she is up there with her dad. I will always miss Bella. I was truly honored to have her as my best friend.''
Audrey began walking back to her seat, but for some reason she felt like she just had to get out of there so she went outside for some air. Audrey heard the door of the church open then close behind her. She expected to see one of her mothers standing there, but when she turned around she came face to face with David James.
''That was a nice speech you gave in there miss Audrey.''
Audrey tried to back away from David but every time she took a step back, he kept coming closer.
''What do you want Mr. James?''
''Oh, you know better than that Audrey. You can call me David. So, I hear you have a memory like a hard drive.''
''Yes. I have a good memory.''
''Good, because what I am about to tell you is something I don't want you to ever forget.''
''What's that?''
''I took your little friend from this world… Ah, there is the look I was looking for… And no one can touch me.''
Before Audrey could even react, David walked away. Then she looked toward the door of the church and saw her mother standing there, eyes blazing. Sophie approached her daughter, took her hands and looked straight into Audrey's eyes.
''I promise you, he will pay.''