Disclaimer: I do not own Private. Kate Brian does!
So I promise my mystery character will come out in this chapter. I will remind you it is not Thomas.
The remainder of the car ride was mostly silent except for the occasional sniffle, sneeze, cough, or sigh. I thought the car ride would never end when we pulled up to a very large house. I am talking a four story house with at least five big rooms on each hallway of each floor. There had to be at least three hallways per floor. This was a mansion.
The color of the house was white with pure gold and silver linings. There was a gate that opened as soon as Noelle stated her name. The lawn on front of the house was large with many gardens and many flowers that I could never grow. There was a huge fountain the sprayed water in all sorts of shapes. It changed formations almost as if it was dancing to a song in its own mind.
There was a door bell and when Noelle pushed it you could hear:
Ding dong ding dong. Ding dong ding dong. It repeated like four times before Suzel came to the door. She was dressed in a dress that looked like something that my mom would wear out on very special occasions and she was wearing it simply for around the house activities.
"Hello girls." Suzel said.
"Hello," I said.
"I hope you don't mind but I tagged along." Josh said.
"Not at all," Suzel said and smiled. It was only Me, Noelle, Ariana, and Josh because everyone else decided to stay at the hospital.
"There was an incident. Taylor's boyfriend was injured by a rock thrown in our window." Noelle said noticing the question in Suzel's eyes.
"Very well then, come on in. We don't want the neighbors to suspect anything." Suzel said. I looked around. The bushes were so high you couldn't even dream of seeing neighbors. We walked inside only to see a very fancy home with shiny floors and beautiful furniture. It was all very expensive and classic.
"Well what is it that you haven't told us." Ariana said quite urgently. I thought we would be a while but she didn't want us to be.
"Well my dear, some of us would like to enjoy this time and take our time to learn all of the information without messing up so if you would be so kind as to be patient and take a seat I would be willing to tell you the story." Suzel said.
The look on Ariana's face was priceless. She was stunned.
"We should go quickly though." Ariana said.
"Well Ariana I don't know about you but I am not running form the law. I have ever killed anyone." Suzel said. She smirked while saying it and I tried as hard as I could to hold in a laugh.
"So would you girls like tea or coffee?" Suzel asked.
"Sure I'll have tea with lemon." Noelle said.
"I'll have the same." I said.
"Me too," Josh said.
"None for me." Ariana said.
Suzel called out for one of her maids and gave her our orders. In about two minutes our teas were ready.
"So what is it you girls wanted to know?" Suzel asked.
"Well," Noelle was about to say but Ariana interrupted her.
"I know that you remember Suzel. Don't play dumb. Lives are at risk. Reed was almost killed today and her brother is in the hospital." Ariana said.
"Well Reed I am sorry." Suzel said.
"Don't worry," I said.
"Suzel I don't mean to be snippy but I really want to know why this person is out to get us." Ariana said.
"Ok so you asked me if there was anything in the Billings past that was left off of the c.d. The thing is that there is something. All but one person agreed to let me say this something." She said.
"Who was it that didn't vote yes?" I asked.
"Mrs. Ryan." Noelle said.
"Exactly, how did you know?" Suzel asked.
"Lucky guess," Noelle muttered.
"Well I asker the other alums what I should do and they said to tell you. Like I said all but one person agreed and we felt they were for personal reasons." Suzel said.
"So what happened?" I asked.
"Well it started my junior year. The first day of school when I found out that I was accepted into Billings. I was very excited. It was the year Mrs. Ryan was accepted too. My best friend made it but not hers. She weighed a few more pounds and was on scholarship. She wasn't what we would accept. She was also into drugs and not very smart. She just didn't meet the requirements. Mrs. Ryan remained friends with her and she was jealous. She got off of drugs and lost a few pounds and even brought her grades up enough to be firsts. She could be accepted. When one girl left Billings because of a family emergency she was one of the people who could be considered. By that time though, Mrs. Ryan had changed. She wanted nothing to do with a girl from a less fortunate family. This girl was upset and devastated. She just wanted her best friend back so when she was told to accomplish a few tasks she accepted and went to tell Mrs. Ryan she found her having an affair with one of our teachers. She couldn't believe it. When she was finally accepted into Billings she confronted Mrs. Ryan about her behavior and Mrs. Ryan laughed at her. The girl went to the headmaster and brought him back to Billings. She was going to tell on Mrs. Ryan for the affair Mrs. Ryan came back and said that the girl had stolen test answers. She had planted them in the girl's room the first day she got there. The girl was devastated. Mrs. Ryan had one the battle with a lie and had always planned it that way. No one had ever heard from this girl since. We were ashamed of it and everyone was mad at Mrs. Ryan. We all actually liked this girl. It wasn't until a year later we found out this girl went to a public school in Pennsylvania for her senior year. We heard she was back on drugs. Her life was ruined." Suzel said. It was then I remember my mom saying she went to a private school for high school. She only moved back to Croton for senior year. She went to a community college and met my dad. Weird, but it couldn't be.
"This girl is not a likely suspect but it is all we have as far as grudges. Like I said we were ashamed but I think you can guess who it is." Suzel said looking very sorry.
"Who is it Suzel?" Noelle asked.
"My mom," I said.
"How is that possible?" Ariana asked.
"She had gone to a public school when she was in high school. She told us her parents wanted her back home though so she came back to Croton for senior year. She went to community college and met my dad. She had struggled with drugs in her youth but she was clean when she had kids. When I was young though after a car accident she went back to them. Her life was ruined for a while." I said.
"But you don't think she did this do you?" Noelle asked.
"No she wouldn't try to kill me. Or my friends, or my brother." I said.
"How can you tell it wasn't her?" Noelle asked.
"Well when she was still on drugs sophomore year she was really mad about me going to Easton. She was clean when I went back for junior year and when she dropped me off she was crying. I thought they were of joy and because she would miss me. But now I remember the look in her eyes. They were somewhat happy and I knew she would miss me but they also had a pained look. It has to be from bad memories." I said.
"Well it didn't click to me at first that it was possibly your mom and then it did and I was shocked. It didn't seem right." Suzel said.
"What it didn't seem right that I was in Billings or that she was in Billings or that I am even at this school?" I screamed.
"Not that, that she would be the person behind this." Suzel said.
"So did you assume it was her because she wasn't rich, she couldn't buy herself into a new boarding school, she was a little bigger, or she was on drugs?" I asked.
"No Reed! I am not Mrs. Ryan. I am not like that. I liked your mother. She was my favorite. She had never been on drugs before she was in Billings. It was an ugly rumor started by Mrs. Ryan. Your mother was new and fresh. Something Billings had never seen before. Reed she was an amazing woman. I never thought even for a second that it could be her. That's when I had a new theory. Girls I think I know who it is." Suzel said.
"I need to be excused." Ariana sad flatly looking worried. As she walked out Suzel narrowed her eyes.
"Excuse me girls. I need to check on the cookies." Suzel said.
She walked out of the room. She hadn't said anything about cookies. If she had wouldn't her maid take care of it?
"When did she mention cookies?" I asked.
"Who cares I am starving." Josh said.
"It will sort of be like a fat Phoebe party. Except it is tea instead of champagne." Noelle said
"That sounds good." I said.
"Are you ok with this whole thing? I mean the thing with your mom is pretty big." Noelle said.
"So is the thing with Thomas. And Cheyenne and with Ariana and Sabine. The thing with me and the boat. Dash and Tiffany. Scott. The new thing with Thomas. Noelle I am worried. I swear it couldn't be my mom." I said.
"I never thought it was." Noelle said.
"Me neither. It is too unreal. I don't think she could ever kill anyone." Josh said.
A few seconds later Ariana walked back out.
"Where is Suzel?" She asked.
"She went to get some cookies." Noelle said.
Ariana nodded and Suzel came out with a tray of chocolate chip cookies. Did I mention it was a solid gold tray?
The cookies melted in your mouth. Each chocolate chip was gooey and delicious. I loved these cookies that came off of a solid gold tray.
"So who do you think it is?" I asked.
"Well I thought I knew but I don't. It is a mystery but Reed I would like you and Josh to stay for a minute today. I will arrange a ride but I would like to have you talk with your mother." Suzel said.
"Ok well I guess I will se you back at the hospital." Noelle said as she left with Ariana.
"So Reed could you dial your moms number?" Suzel asked.
I dialed her number on my iPhone. As it rang tears were brought to my eyes. I put it on speaker.
"Hello," My mother answered cheerfully. She was still off the pills. You could tell by her voice. It made me happier than I was.
"Mom," I said.
"Reed baby, is that you?" My mother asked.
"Yeah mom, Scott he got hit in the head with a rock. It came from a stalker or something and I don't know. Last I heard he was in a coma." I said the tears were almost flowing.
"Reed should your father and I come down?" She asked.
"Well I will see but the reason I called is different." I said. The tears were flowing now. Josh patted my back to support me.
"Why did you call honey?" My mom asked. She had no idea what I was about to tell her.
"Mom what was the private school you went to?" I asked.
"Now honey what is this about?" My mom asked.
"Mom, why didn't you tell me? Why didn't you tell me that you went to Easton and that you were in Billings for however short a time? Why mom why?" I asked. I was getting really upset. I was crying like crazy into the phone.
"To protect you honey. I had the worst time of my life there with that awful woman Mrs. Ryan. I was going to tell you but then when you told us you were in Billings and you were president I was proud. I was proud that you did better than me. I was proud that you showed those girls that a scholarship girl could do well. I was proud that my daughter had been in Billings. I didn't know what to tell you or how to tell you but my dreams were the same as yours and then those girls crushed them. My best friend got me kicked out because she did something wrong, not me." My mom said. I thought I heard her crying too.
"But mom how hard could it be to tell me that you went to my boarding school. That you are sort of an alum? That I am a legacy?" I asked.
"Because sweetie I was too upset about what happened to me. I didn't want anything like that to happen to you." My mom said.
"Hello Mrs. Brennan. You probably don't remember me. It's Suzel." Suzel said.
"I remember you; you are one of those brats who got me kicked out!" My mother practically yelled.
"Well no but I was on your side. It was all Mrs. Ryan. We were all too embarrassed to face you or the school." Suzel said.
"Even if it wasn't directly you, you didn't exactly stick up for me." My mom said.
"I am sorry that is why I had your daughter call." Suzel said.
"Well if it weren't for you I might be able to send my daughter to those legacy parties and I could live a good life like you. Instead you guys got me kicked out and now I hurt for money. No Ivy League school would accept me. I got stuck in community college." My mom said.
"Well I am terribly sorry." Suzel said.
"Well I'm not because unlike all of you idiots I didn't marry into money or for money. I married for love so while all of your relationships crumble mine will be stable." My mom said. I looked at Josh I knew his parents didn't have issues but Noelle's did. I wondered if Noelle's mom was in Billings then.
"Mom we have to go." I said.
"No Reed we don't. I am sorry Mrs. Brennan but for your information no one even likes Mrs. Ryan anymore." Suzel said.
"Well she deserves it." My mom said.
"I agree," Suzel said.
"Well I have to go but I will see you in a little while Reed." My mom said and hung up.
"Well I would love to stay but I need to get back to my brother." I said.
"Of course there is a limo waiting out front for you." Suzel said and dismissed me and Josh.
When we got in the limo I started crying again but I don't know why. That's when my phone rang.
"Hello?" I asked.
"Reed, Scott he's gone. There was another note, with blood. It's Thomas's he has to be alive. There is still a person buried. It isn't a match. Thomas was never dead. Reed they tested the blood. The person is very much alive and very much Thomas Pearson." Noelle said.
"But you said he would be ok." I said.
"Yeah Reed I know. Go to Billings, someone is working from inside the hospital or our group. Reed get to Billings. Not the hospital." Noelle shouted.
"But you said he would be ok Noelle. This is all your fault." I said.
"I'm sorry Reed." Noelle said.
"Sorry won't bring Scott back." I said and hung up.
"Driver could you bring us to Billings?" I asked.
"Of course Madame." The driver replied.
"Reed what's wrong?" Josh asked.
"Scott is gone. There was another note written in Thomas's blood. Josh he is alive. He was never dead. It's his blood and he is alive. He is with Tiffany and Dash and now Scott." I said. I was crying even harder when I pulled up to Billings.
"Let's go see what Noelle and Ari…Bree want." Josh said.
I nodded. We walked into Billings to meet Noelle and Ariana waiting for us.
"Can we go up to my room now?" I asked.
"Of course." Noelle said.
"Well actually your room for the time being." I said.
Noelle nodded and when we opened he door my jaw dropped. What was she doing here? I recognized the long black hair.
"Ivy?" I asked.
"Reed?" She asked sarcastically.
"What do you want Slade?" Noelle asked.
"Well quite frankly your help." Ivy said.
"Help?" Ariana asked.
"I'm sorry we haven't had the pleasure of meeting. I am Ivy Slade." Ivy said with a fake smile.
"I am Briana Leigh Covington, Bree for short." Ariana said.
She flipped her hair in a way I recognized from before she was sent to prison. Ivy looked her over. She looked her up and down and studied her every movement.
"Bitch," She said.
"What?" I asked.
"Ariana Osgood." Ivy said.
"How did you know?" Ariana asked.
"Do you think I would forget the person who made me kill my grandmother?" Ivy said.
My mystery guest has been revealed!
Ivy Slade.
Should she keep
Ariana's secret?
Who is behind the kidnappings?
Who is AO?
How should everyone react about Thomas?
Should he be alive when and if they find him?
What will the drama be between Reed Josh and Thomas?
Review!!!