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"I can't believe it!" Natalia said, slumping into the sofa. "That little-"
"Mommy!" Louise called out, running to her. Natalia laughed and saw her sister come out of the nursery with Tyler in her arms.
"Hey sweeties." Natalia said, collecting her son. "Hey sis." she said, kissing her younger sister's cheek.
"Hey. Look, it's been fun. But I have to go home now." Tiana smiled, hugging Ryan.
"Thanks for your troubles. Here." Ryan said, giving his sister-in-law a crisp 100 dollar bill.
"God, a lot." Tiana breathed out, smiling a little.
"You've done a lot over the week. Thanks." Natalia smiled. "Now get home to your boyfriend."
"See you!" Tiana said, leaving the house.
"I'll get them to bed. You go get a bottle of red out." Ryan offered, taking Tyler off his wife. Natalia kissed her son's head and then her daughter's and headed to the kitchen.
She looked through the wine cellar and got out a green bottle containing cheap red wine. The expensive ones were for occasions.
"That one better taste good." Ryan said, entering the kitchen.
"It is. If my dad recommended it." Natalia shrugged, getting two glass and pouring the wine inside. "I still can't believe it." Natalia said, shaking her head. "What about Xander Lottle? He'll be the next one saying he killed the kid. Just because we didn't question him." she said.
"I think Anya sorted it out alright." Ryan said, sipping his wine.
"I was so sure it was that little ass, Greg Bracknell." Natalia scoffed.
"I was sure it was Ruby." Ryan said. Natalia turned to him and raised an eyebrow.
"But you didn't question her. How can you know it was her?" Natalia asked.
"Anya told me she lied. She had to scare the kid to get the truth out of her." Ryan shrugged. Natalia leaned against the counter and stared at him.
"But she has a tight alibi." she reasoned.
"Not exactly, Lia." Ryan said. "Greg, who you questioned, had a tight alibi." he stated.
"But he's in the football team. They can lie for anyone." Natalia said. "This Coach Willis twitched when we asked him if Greg was telling the truth." Natalia put forward. "Greg was lying and then we can bang the coach up for lying for a murderer."
"If Greg is in the football team, wouldn't he dedicate his life to it? I don't think they were lying. Ruby and this Xander kid worked together to kill Arden." Ryan said.
"You know what?" Natalia asked, finishing her wine and putting the glass in the sink. "I'm going to bed. I hate this case." she mumbled, going upstairs. Ryan just stayed there, sighing to himself.
"Why did you kill Arden Vincent?" Anya asked Hannah Bracknell. Hannah looked to the door and saw Horatio standing by it, tilting his head expectantly at her.
"Because he was an outcast. We don't do outcasts in our school." Hannah smoothly said. Anya scoffed and leaned forward on her seat.
"Listen you little-"
"Anya..." Horatio warned.
"I got this H." Anya gritted out her teeth. "Now listen, kid. You didn't kill Arden, did you?" Anya hissed. Hannah just blinked and smiled.
"I did." she said.
"How, Miss Bracknell?" Horatio asked calmly.
"There are some bad fungi at our school. And being a science guru there, I made a sort of sap and poisoned Arden with it when I went to talk to him. Standing by his car." she confessed. Anya looked at Horatio.
"Cal was right." she told him. Horatio nodded and left the room. She turned back to Hannah. "I know you didn't kill Arden. But I will arrest you for helping a murderer create a poison." Anya said, standing up.
"Where's the evidence? I was alone on this. I did this all." Hannah muttered, holding her head.
"Did Greg tell you to do this? Did he threaten you as well?" Anya asked gently. Hannah looked up, tears falling from her eyes.
"No!" she whispered. Anya nodded and left the room.
"Her parents should be here soon." Walter said.
"You guys should go home." Horatio said to the remaining of the team. Natalia, Ryan and Calleigh had to go because of their children but Anya could stay because her husband was a stay-at-home guy who had the occasional FBI cases. Yes, her husband was part of the FBI team.
"I'm staying." Anya said. "Matthew's capable of holding the fort." she said, walking to her office. She got stopped by Xander Lottle sitting on a seat, looking shifty. Looking for her colleagues to find them busy, Anya walked up to the teenager. "What's up kid?" she asked sternly. Xander stood up and sighed, looking Anya in the eyes.
"Ma'am. I did it. I killed Arden." Xander confessed. Tensing her jaw, Anya turned and walked up to Horatio, Xander following.
Are you guys annoyed with this sudden change of direction?