Disclaimer: Still don't own it
They ended up being affected by the break-in after all.
As Mona and Spencer sat on the Vanderwaal couch; Detective Wilden was directly in front of them with a notepad.
Leona Vanderwaal sat not too far away; slightly put off by the appearance of the police officer given that this was the second time he had been over. She had already called Spencer's parents and they were already on their way over; having left their club where they were attending a Rosewood event being thrown by the Mayor. Leona herself was supposed to have attended the event herself but had been waylaid by the arrival of the Detective. The woman was in a long black dress she liked to wear during the events and matching heels; her makeup been helped be put on by her by Mona. The two daughters were working on homework together so they had been exempted from going to the party. Truth be told, they had no desire to even go to the party given that formal events were to their foray. They also wanted to take advantage at some alone time together. They had to keep it PG-13 since Mona's mother had recently clamped down on them spending too much time together.
The two daughters were dressed a little more casually with Mona in a pair of black pajama bottoms with a white t-shirt. Spencer was dressed in a pair of blue jeans and a green shirt; neither teen had any shoes or socks on. On the table in front of them was all their schoolwork that they had been working on. Funny enough, they had been actually working on the assignments when Wilden stopped by. The papers were scattered about as well as their schoolbooks; though it was by no means messy. There were two empty cups that once held coffee on the small table as well as only three freshly made cookies; one which had been offered to the older man. Even though Spencer was going to stay late, she wasn't staying overnight due to her having a family thing to go to in the morning; a brunch at the club celebrating Wren's birthday. Mona had been invited along with her mother but Leona declined; citing that the Vanderwaals had family business as well.
It had been an interesting week to say the least; things proceeding very rapidly that Mona and Spencer were doing everything they could to keep up. The break-in had happened the night after the duo's; though the girls had been rather messy about it. It was obvious by the crime scene photos, seen courtesy of Mona's hacking of the police database, that the girls had practically tore up the house though they never went as far as destroy anything of value. The girls had gone through every drawer and every book to fine what they were looking for; throwing everything on the floor. The spot where Mona had placed her fake evidence looked that it had seem more attention than most of the house; other than the bedroom. Spencer noted that there were lots of photos on Jenna and Shauna's undergarments which made her believe that there were a few perverts in the police department. That next day, the entire town had found about the incident and it had been the talk of the school for a while now; which ceased when a very angry Shauna was around. Both the teens noticed the death glares she was giving Alison and the rest of the posse.
It was tempting to simply tip the police or even Jenna off to the fact that it had been Aria, Emily, and Hanna that had broken into the house. It was even discussed that they would somehow make it that it was Alison who ratted them out as A; though it wouldn't work since Alison was seen with her family at a dinner at the club. Also, if the girls thought that Alison didn't know about the break-in and the lack of A Texts harassing them about it, it could further solidify the idea that the blonde was their mysterious nemesis. Both teens had already seen how Aria and Hanna seemed to give the blonde the cold shoulder when they thought she wasn't looking; even going as far to rifle through her purse when she was in the bathroom. They also seemed to glare at her and often questioned her if she mentioned that she was doing something else that just involved her; even wanting details of where she was at all times. They were also following her a bit more too; which prompted Spencer to suggest that they plant some more evidence but on Alison this time; even allowing for the discovery of Cece.
Things were going according to plan; though this new obstacle had now arisen.
"So you have no clue on who could have broken into Jenna Marshall's and Shauna Fring's house?" asked Detective Wilden in a serious tone as he sat across from them in the chair. He noted the close proximity that the two teens were sitting with one another; seeing something similar when it came to Jenna and Shauna.
From what Mona was able to read online, it was now believed by the police that this wasn't a random break-in; especially with nothing appeared stolen. As a result, the investigation had been somewhat elevated and Wilden was now going to everyone who had some sort of relationship with the blind teen in order to get information; whether they be friend or enemy. The dup knew for a fact that they were not suspects because of their airtight alibi; both having been with Mona's mother at the time of the break-in. Spencer and her friend had deliberately sabotaged her own car so that Leona could be there to help; by driving a nail into one of the tires. The older woman had helped the teens change the tire; which had lasted a few hours and had been near the center of town so there were plenty of witnesses. Wilden knew all that of course so he wasn't even considering that the teens were involved. He did know Mona however and considered the possibility that she might know something about the break-in.
"We were as much surprised by what happened as you were. As far as we know, Jenna doesn't have any real enemies," lied Mona as she faked a sad smile at the man. Spencer made a similar gesture though the police officer didn't really buy it.
"What about her relationship with Alison DiLaurentis? I have heard that there is some sort of enmity between the two teens," the Detective baited in order to draw something out. He had a feeling that there was something going on and wanted to dig further.
The two teens were expecting it though and had been ready for the police officer; which is why they made sure that Leona was there when he questioned them. When they had heard that Wilden was making the rounds, the two teens made sure to carefully prepare a story for the older man so that they could further their goals. Things were coming together a fast pace and the two had finally planned a date for the endgame. Wilden being here tonight was just the beginning step in something that would go over for the next couple of weeks. Mona's answer was designed to make sure that the older man would press further; which then would prompt her to release a carefully planned statement that would lead to something else. The goal was to show a link between Alison and Bethany subtly though without tipping her mother off. Wilden was still on the case though it was growing cold; thus Mona could provide him with something to flare up things for her and Spencer's advantage.
"I remember it being said that Jenna being a rival to Alison but my former friend never really mentioned her to the rest of us; though Emily might know more," Spencer answered the man; with a sort of half-truth more than anything else. While it was true that Alison never really mentioned Jenna in her company as well as Emily being more of a confidant to the blonde, it was a lie that Spencer didn't know about any sort of enmity that Alison had towards Jenna; given the night with the prank gone wrong.
"Would you find it believable that Alison and her group of friends could be behind the break-in?" the older man inquired after making some notes. Spencer feigned surprise and seemed to appear to think about the man's words.
"I suppose it's possible but I thought Alison was with her family that night? I heard it talked about at school," stated the taller teen as she leaned back in her seat. It was now obvious that Wilden was trying to create a link between Alison and the break-in on the behalf of Jenna; who obviously believed that the blonde was behind the attack.
"Yes she was but that doesn't leave out her friends; would they follow Alison's orders to vandalize someone else's place of residence?" Wilden asked as he leaned forward a little and stared into the girl's eyes. Mona now understood that the older man was trying to get anything that could be used against the blonde and her posse.
"I suppose they would but there would be no point in it right now. From what I have heard and seen, there has been zero contact between Alison and Jenna so I cannot see a reason why my former friends would even want to break into Jenna's house in all honesty," Spencer said with a shrug and using a fake confused tone of voice. Wilden appeared to be disappointed at that and made a slight glance at Mona; as if he wanted something.
"Maybe it has something to do with Bethany Young," Mona suggested suddenly which caught everyone by surprise. While Wilden looked confused and Spencer hid her smirk, Leona narrowed her eyes and wondered what her daughter was up to.
"What do you mean by that?" the Detective asked, also curious to what Mona was saying. He knew the teen quite well and could recognize that she was throwing him a bone.
"Well, all this chaos seemed to start when Bethany was dug up in Alison's backyard. We may try to stay out of her way every chance we get but Spencer and I have definitely noticed that Alison seemed to be really spooked by that; thus she seems to be more secretive," the shorter teen informed the police officer. Wilden seemed interested and his face seemed to indicate that he wanted her to continue.
"That could be that she is just rattled on what the police found dear," Leona said to her daughter in a tone that seemed to dismiss her daughter's words. Wilden seemed to but that as well though he was still curious to what the teen had to say.
"A little too rattled; I personally could care less but I just say that Alison has been acting really weird lately and it all started when that gazebo burned down," the daughter said with a wave of her hand. All she wanted to do was plant the seed and let the Detective figure out the rest; hoping that was all it took.
"Well that is interesting but circumstantial at best; thank you for your time though and have a good night," Wilden said to the three as he stood up; Leona rising to escort him out. While his words seemed to dismiss the theory, his demeanor told the teens something completely different and that made them happy.
"Well that went well; do you think he will find anything?" Spencer asked her friend when they were truly alone. She kept her voice low even though Leona was out of the room; not wanting the mother to overhear them.
"Wilden might be incredibly corrupt but he is in no means incompetent. Once he gets a sense of something, he will pursue it no matter what. All we need to do is to plant some breadcrumbs to keep him on the tail," answered Mona in a quiet voice of her own. She glanced to see that Leona had just let the officer out and went upstairs.
"This then forces Alison to fight a war on another front; thus limiting her actions. Maybe we should get Wilden to help us frame Alison as A to the girls somehow; making one of the breadcrumbs indicate that," suggested the taller teen and that seemed to make Mona smile; liking the idea. She even had the perfect tidbit to provide though it would take a little work to accomplish; starting with Radley.
"I like it; want to take a trip to Radley tonight? Once my mother leaves, we can get there and back before anyone knows we have left," stated Mona, wanting to move on this immediately since the night was still young. Like everyone one of interesting all the drama going on, Mona had bugged her mother's phone so that she could track the older woman's whereabouts at all times.
"Are you sure about that? Radley is about a twenty minute drive without traffic and someone is bound to notice us," countered the other teen, believing that this would not be a good time for it; though she was also eager to get started right away. It was just too risky to head to Radley without a comprehensive plan in place in Spencer's opinion.
"So you want to try tomorrow night and then tip Wilden off? I am still available for the evening though it won't be until late," informed Mona as they got up to bring the dishes to the kitchen to put in the sink. She could hear her mother coming down the stairs and before the woman could leave, there was a sudden knock at the door.
Everyone was surprised to see that it was Lucas; who was supposed to be at the event in town.
"Hello Mrs. Vanderwaal; is Mona available?" asked the young man in a polite tone of voice though it could be noted that it was also rushed as well. He was dressed formally and it appeared at first glance that he was dressed for what was going on tonight; with clean pressed black slacks with a blue blazer.
"Hello Lucas; yes she is but I am surprised to see you here. I'd thought you would be at the party tonight," Leona stated, somewhat confused at seeing the young man on her doorstep. The two teens were also put off by the appearance on Lucas showing up suddenly and were more than curious on why he was here.
"I need to talk to her about something personal as well as could use her advice if you don't mind," said the young man as the older woman let him inside. He eyed the two teens and noticed the slight glare that Mona was giving him; which was understandable given their past history and such.
"Well go ahead; I am leaving honey so I will see you later," Leona told her daughter as Mona came up to give her mother a kiss goodbye. The mother then left the house and Mona watched her get into her car before driving off.
"What do you want?" Mona asked, both curious and annoyed by the sight of her former partner being here. Spencer was still on the couch while Lucas sat down on one of the spare chairs; which faced the duo as the shorter teen joined her friend.
"I need your help; I think Alison is after me and there is no one I can turn to," answered Lucas and by the sound of his voice, he was very nervous; with a trace of fear which the girls could pick up. There was also a hint of desperation in his tone and Mona believed that he would only be here if he was really out of options.
"Why do you think Alison is after you?" Spencer asked the young man before her friend could get in a word. From their constant surveillance of the blonde, the mere mention of Lucas had never once come up.
"Because I have spotted Cece Drake watching me and my house the last few days. I know It was her that broke into my place a few months ago and I am worried that she will try to do something to harm me; especially with what happened to you guys," answered the young man and the fear was now quite evident in his voice. Both the girls were also concerned since Cece was a wild card in all this and prone to violent attacks.
"Why come to us and not the police? We are trying to stay out of all this," declared Mona firmly even though it was a complete lie. Given his betrayal of their partnership, Lucas was the last person she would ever trust something as the A Game again.
"Because I found out that Cece Drake is not who she claims to be. I think she was a former patient and that she has ties to Jessica DiLaurentis; who we both know has more than one police officer under her thumb," informed Lucas and he watched as the two teen's eyes bulge at the revelation.
"Cece Drake is a former patient at Radley? That is impossible; I was in the place and not once did Cece's name come up as a patient," Mona said with both surprise and confusion. She had gone through the patient files, both past and current, quite closely and not once did the blonde ever come up.
"That is because Cece Drake is not her real name. I don't have a last name but what I do know is that her real name is Charlotte," stated the young man adamantly and he leaned back in his chair as the two teens processed the information.
Mona waved him to continue.
Please Read and Review; also a shout out to Paraddicted for the pre-read!