Ugh, why do you guys do this to me? I was so sure I was going to wrap this story up in a few chapters, but now I'm in too deep. I'm really excited to see your reactions as you watch this unthaw. This is my first longer-than-one-page fanfiction and I really enjoy writing it! Keep writing reviews! Stay Twisted people, and enjoy!
Lacey drove immediately from the precinct to Jo's house. She began knocking on the door erratically until some answered.
"Lacey!" Jo was surprised to see her there, she and Lacey were still friends but had not really been that close in recent years. It didn't help that Jo kissed Danny at homecoming. "How did things go with you and Danny?" She winked.
"Archie was murderdered," Lacey broke out, "The authorities think Danny did it!"
"Whoa," was all Jo could say. She stood there in shock. "Are you serious?"
Lacey nodded her head.
"But when?"
"His body was discovered today in a dumpster near McNally park."
"A dumpster?" Jo was still dumbfounded by the situation.
"They said based on the level of decomposition, he must have been there for three days."
"Since homecoming," Jo noted. "Do you think it was the same person who killed Regina?"
"I think so."
"Okay so what do we know?"
"Danny's phone was planted near the scene of the crime."
"He couldn't have possibly have done it, we were just texting in fifth period study hall."
"I'm sure they would have deleted his most recent text messages." Lacey reasoned.
"Well whoever did it had to have stolen his phone sometime during or after school. And in order to pin this on him, they had to have known that Danny left the dance early."
"He left the dance early?" Lacey asked curiously.
"Yeah, as soon as you left, he was all sad, so Cole took him home."
"Cole?" Lacey said questioningly, her eyes widening.
...
Danny was greeted by company of his own.
"Hey man, I heard about what happened. How are you holding up?"
"My arch enemy is dead, you would think this would be a happier moment." Danny joked, but he quickly realized he shouldn't be joking about death, especially one being investigated with him as the leading suspect, still, Cole thought it was funny.
"Coach called me and asked me to organize a vigil in his honor. Can you believe that? He wants us to honor that worthless piece of-"
"Hey, chill man. Archie may have been a raging jerk, but he was still a good soccer captain - an arrogant, misguiding, often corruptible one - but still a good captain."
"Yeah, one that poisoned me and let you take the blame for it," he said beneath his breath. Danny didn't hear him. Just then, the home phone rang, and Danny went to pick it up.
"Danny," he heard Jo's voice, "I'm with Lacey. Can you meet us at the fort? Like now," she asserted.
"On my way," he answered as he hung up the phone.
"I have to go," Danny started heading out of the door.
"Danny," Cole grabbed his arm. "You'll always have my back, right?" There was a quiver in his voice and a hint of terror in his eyes.
"Of course I will."
Danny led Cole out of his home, and he followed quickly thereafter.
...
"No, Cole wouldn't do something like this," Danny was repulsed by his friends' accusation.
"But he was the only one that knew you went home early." Jo said.
"Lacey added, "Yeah and he had every reason to be mad at Archie. Archie poisoned him."
"It wasn't Cole!" Danny shouted defensively. "You know what? Why even bother finding the culprit, we're not detectives."
"Danny, we just want to help." Lacey said sweetly.
"Yeah, it's not like you've made many friends with the Green Grove police. Who else is going to defend you." Jo immediately realized her comments were inappropriate. "Sorry." She squeaked, "I'll just be quiet now."
Danny fiddled with his fingers, and thought quietly to himself. "No, you're right. They're not going to believe me, but they're not going to believe either of you either. I just wish you guys would stay out of it," he said. "Jo, I don't want to put you through all that stress again. And Lacey, you shouldn't have to be the girlfriend of some sociopathic murderer. You deserve better than that. He looked at her with glassy eyes.
The room was filled with utter silence. Finally Jo spoke up softly, "Danny, Cole is our best lead. I'm not giving up on you." She walked out of the fort.
"Lacey," Danny grabbed her hand with care, "Promise me you won't do anything on my behalf that will get you into trouble." Lacey couldn't look at him. "Promise me," he insisted.
"I promise," she gave in. "But I can't bear the thought of losing you again."
"Hey, look at me," he pulled her chin up to him, forcing her to make eye contact. "You will never lose me," he assured her.
Lacey wrapped her arms tightly around him. "I love you. Danny, so much." She wept, her face buried in his chest.
Danny tightened his jaw, his eyes sharpened. He knew this would be the worst possible time to tell her that he may have to be sent to an insitution.