LOGINShare
10. Suspect
Last Updated:
2021-07-07 20:53:365th August 2027,
Unexpected incidents happen to everyone. Things you never expect eventually find you and make you expect them. But that doesn’t mean they will remain forever. They come, yes, trigger a lot of things in you, and then finally, they leave with a scar.
But one way or another, they leave. Because they can’t stay forever. Nothing can. There only job is to leave an impact on the host. Once done, the rest is up to us, how we decide to live with it.
The case is same here. Joslyn’s death left a huge scar on all of our lives, but in time, most people have moved on. Why shouldn’t they? There are people dying every single day, why should one death of a millionaire mean so much to them?
If there’s anyone who is still effected by her death, then it’s us. I, Kate and Ben. Not to forget her family. But people like Cara and others, it’s not a big deal to them. Joslyn’s death is one of the many deaths in there list tha
Related chapters
Oak Tree 11. Kate Is Innocent
The words take me a full one minute before they sink in. As if on reflex, I push him away, much to James surprise. Now, I must look more than menacing to him. I can feel my heart beat quicken as I say, more like hiss, “What the hell are you talking about?” Now, it was time for James to act like the man he was. He doesn’t get scared, or doesn’t flinch. Instead, he runs his hand through his hairs before replying, “That’s what they told me. Ms Akirdnach is the prime suspect.” I almost scream at James for making such a joke before he holds me by the shoulder this time, as if expecting this reaction, “Rose, hear me out first, please!” All the formalities vanish but I don’t care. Nor does James. He has worked with me long enough to know what kind of relationship I have with Kate. I don’t want to be calm, not when the police have Kate, but I can’t do anything for the present. I feel helpless, but all I can do right now is hear James out. &nb
Last Updated : 2021-07-07Oak Tree 12. Help Me
The corridor leading to the suspected prisoner’s prison isn’t a long one. Grayson insisted that I meet her as a visitor in the visiting area, saying that since I’m her ‘Friend’ I should visit her that way, but I said him I wasn’t visiting her as a ‘friend’ like he places it. I’m seeing her as her lawyer. So we decided to meet in the interrogating room. So here I am, sitting on one of the chairs, rocking back and forth in nervousness. I don’t know why if feel this nervous. Is it because it is my friend as the suspect? I don’t know. The cameras are shut down, on my request so that I can have a quiet conversation with my client, or friend. I know Kate isn’t guilty, I know it and I believe it. But somehow, deep down, I’m scared, scared that I might be wrong. Scared that what if, just what if I’m wrong, what then? How will I face Kate? How will she face me? What will Jos think? I shake my head , trying to push the thoughts away.
Last Updated : 2021-07-07Oak Tree 13. Mrs Madeline Fairchild
06th August 2027 Mrs Madeline Fairchild’s residence is situated not far from the police station, just four blocks away in the residential area. Grayson and I checked it out first yesterday, after he had made his phone call to the forensics and I finished my business at work. The second investigation is over and Grayson promised to fill me in once we are done with Mrs Madeline, Kate’s boss. We sit in Grayson’s car, watching the building from a safe distance. Her apartment is in the 11th floor, which means we won’t be able to find a proper view from where we are. The only option is to go in. I can’t see any sensible reason why I didn’t do that in the first place itself. “Do you really wish to go in?” Grayson asks, for the eighth time now. “Are you scared Mr Grayson?” That very moment, Grayson’s cheeks flush red in shame. “Of course not! Whatever made you think that? I’m a detective!” Grayson sho
Last Updated : 2021-07-09Oak Tree 14. Before The Trial
“So what next?” Grayson asks, once we are secured in our car. Grayson takes hold of the steering wheel, but does not start the car, as if waiting for me to speak. I pull out my cell phone from my coat pocket and check the digital map. “We pay a visit to the call centre.”Grayson groans dramatically but the detective part of him tells him that’s the right thing to do. Before Grayson can start the engine, I stop him, “Now, care to tell me how the second investigation went?” Grayson smiles, something he never showed before as he says, “Patience.”I sigh in frustration, but there was nothing I can do. Pissing Grayson off wouldn’t be a good idea either. It seems like the investigation bears good news, since Grayson is always in a good mood when I talk about it.Let him rejoice in his victory. I’l
Last Updated : 2021-07-09Oak Tree 15. The Trial
1stSeptember 2027The court room shuffled to stand up when the judge, McCarthy entered the room. Once seated, I turned to look at Kate sitting beside me. Her condition has worsened from the last time I had seen her. Skin pale and cheeks hollow, she could pass for a Halloween ghost. Kate blinked several times, as if she was fighting to stay awake. I took her hand and pressed it firmly. Kate picked up her bowed head to look at me. I smiled at her, despite almost losing my breath at the look in her eyes. She is indeed a Halloween ghost. Turning away, I scan the room to find any familiar faces. The back rows are so packed with people that I barely notice Ben, Joseph, Charlie and Grayson. Before I can send a gesture of gratitude towards them, the clerk intones,“People of the state of New York against Katelin Akirdnach. Appearance, please, counsel.”“Blak
Last Updated : 2021-07-11Oak Tree 16. Dr. Powell
Heely’s eyes grow wide. That’s it. She has done it. She just blew off her cards. Heely had no idea this was coming, now that she got to know, she just lost her temper and blew up in the middle of the case. Well, good enough for me.Madeline leaves the box, and Heely calls her next witness in a rather sulky face. The witness is none other than the forensics scientist. Now I have no idea what Heely is up to. If she knows about the second investigation and what they found, why would she call them? The second investigation only proves that someone else was in the room other than Kate and Jos.“Dr. Powell, did you investigate the crime scene in the 16thof July?”“Yes I did.”“Will you relate to us what your findings were?”Powell clears
Last Updated : 2021-07-11Oak Tree 17. Kate's Testimony
I turn to look at Kate, she doesn’t look up, and I fear she has dosed off and didn’t hear a word that was said. I nudge her with my elbow, just then, she picks her head up and slowly but surely, stands up to give her final testimony.So she did hear everything.“My name…my name is Katelin. Katelin Akirdnach. And I am an airhostess.”Kates words are almost a whisper, but loud enough to be heard. She closes her eyes and continues, as if in some kind of pain. “Joselyn Airam was my best friend. In fact, we three were, and always will be. And the fact that every body think that I, the very best friend of the victim killed her, is just unbearable. A friend for ten years. I know that whatever I say doesn’t sound very convincing, because there are so many cases like this, where a friend kills another friend for reaso
Last Updated : 2021-07-11Oak Tree 18. FLASHBACK 3 [A Sick Drama]
11thMarch 2016 The bell rang just when Mr Hamilton had been giving his speech on states of matter, which we have been learning since kinder garten. Nobody had actually been listening to him, so when the bell sounded, everyone just rushed out without even noticing that Mr Hamilton was calling their names. Why would anyone listen? It was break time after all, and besides, Mr Hamilton was one of those teachers in every school students love to ignore. The three of us decided to go too, since we were hungry and we wanted lunch. “What’s todays menu?” asked I, to which Kate laughed and said, “Jees Rose! you make it sound like we are in a real restaurant and there PLENTY for us to choose! Look, it’s just the same as yesterday.” Since I had nothing to say, I just kept my mouth shut, instead, it was Jos who spoke, “Sam
Last Updated : 2021-07-11
Latest chapter
Oak Tree 55. Epilogue
5th January 2028,Dust kicks out underneath us, the dried dead leaves crunching as the car comes to a halt, and I step out immediately.The warmth of the car disappears the moment I step down on the dirt path covered in dried leaves, my breath coming out in wisps of fog every time I exhale.From the other side steps down Kate, coming to join me as we watch the view together. None of us say a word for a long time, before I finally turn around, pull out the bouquet from the car seat and shut the door behind me. Immediately, the car speeds off, living the two of us on our own.Together we start moving forward, listening to the leaves crunching under our feet while the birds chirp rhythmically, more like arguing with each other for the freezing weather.At least it has stopped snowing.At long last, we finally reach our destination, stopping a few feet away while I move forward and place the bouquet of prim roses on t
Oak Tree 54. Together, Forever. That's A Promise
03rd October 2017, Dave was finally in jail. Finally. How you ask? Hmm, let's just say, Mrs. Airam had had enough of that bastard. The reason he was let off the first time was because the elders wanted to save their reputation as well, thinking that making him fend for himself for the rest of his life would be the best punishment. Sure it was, but not enough for what he had actually done. His crimes did not end with attempted murder and abuse, it was way past that. Dave had sexually abused Kate, and had photographed it all. That was the reason why Kate hadn’t asked us for help earlier, because she feared what he would do with them if she did. Of course he threatened her as well, and Kate thought the only escape was to let him have his fun for a while until he got bored and left. Little did she know that he would get bored, but he wouldn't let her go when the time came. He would end her to get rid of evidence of his
Oak Tree 53. FLASHBACK 8 [Broken Us]
19th September 2017, It was a fit. Kate had a fit. That is what the doc told us when Kate and had been examined in the hospital. When I woke up, my parents were present in my chamber, making a fuss to call the doc or the nurse to see what my condition was now. They had been so busy calling the doc that none of them heard my plea for water, until they were both already out of the room, and it was Charlie who had given me the water. "Thank you." I said with a hoarse voice, feeling the rawness itch my throat and making me want the glass of water even more. Charlie stared at me the whole time I drank, making me nervous to the core that I almost choked. But when I was finally done drinking and took a good look at his face, I notice the actual way he was staring at me. There was no hint of worry, or pain at seeing me in the state I was. If anything, he looked bored, like I was some kind of...burden, that he didn't want to be
Oak Tree 52. It's All For The Best
29th September 2027,The first rays of winter are finally beginning to show their colors, with the breeze being slightly colder than the usual warm ones and a familiar fog settling down every morning.It isn't winter yet, but I can already feel the chill in my bones, or is it because today is the day?The doorbell rings, indicating that I have a visitor. Without checking who it is, I swiftly move to open the door and let the guest in, for I have already been expecting them."Are you ready?" Ben asks first and foremost, letting himself in while I dump the dishes in the sink that I had ruined during breakfast. "Y-yeah, just give me a minute."Then I went on to make my bed, stuff my used clothes in the laundry basket, clear the garbage in the kitchen and-"You are stalling, you know that right?" Ben's voice pulls me out of my trance, stopping me midway with the broom and dustpan in my hands.I stare at him wit
Oak Tree 51. Once And For All
I lean back in the chair while assessing Lara's reaction, who, as a matter of fact, begins trembling in her seat, hands into tight fists and eyes bulging."So...you are telling me, that you did all this, with a child's code language?" Lara all but whispers, to which I shake my head in an unsure manner. "You can say it like that as well."I would have flinched if I didn't expect it, but I saw it coming sooner than it happened. Lara slamming her hands against the hard wooden table and rattling everything on it, which are her handcuffs.She glares at me with all the venom, while I stare back at her, an amused expression on my face. "You are lying. You are a liar. You-""It's unbelievable isn't it? Even I didn't know I could be this dumb and not think about something as easy as writing notes. But of course, my case was different. I needed someone to come see me to write a note, but you Lara, you were a real damn fool." I laugh at the last part, shaking my hea
Oak Tree 50. To Each A Secret
12th September 2027, Three days ago:I stayed rooted to my spot, unable to bring myself to move a muscle as the whole news sunk in. Lara had murdered Joslyn, and not just that, but she had also been to my house, left this creepy note and the clothes here, in the room Kate stayed in.Slowly but surely, I sunk to the bed behind me, dropping the clothes and staring at my hands while the silence around me thickened, and yet everything around me felt too loud. The distant honking of cars, the sound of leaking water from a tap, and my own breathing. Everything sounded just…too much.The words from the note circled in my head, giving me a nauseous feeling and the urge to throw up.Miss me? What kind of note is that? And why to me? The silence grew thicker, and so did my breathing, which was turning haggard. I didn’t know why, but I felt the hairs behind my neck stand on edge, goos
Oak Tree 49. It's Over Now
"Are you sure she's okay to move doctor? Isn't there still something else?" "No Katelyn, Rose is perfectly okay to walk now. We have managed to stop the bleeding and save it from getting infected, and the blood clotting has already begun. She will feel slight itching while moving, but other than that, she is fine." This is the nth time the doctor has to explain this to a stubborn Kate, who isn't letting me out of the hospital emergency. She questions the doc about each and every single thing that every time a doctor turns to answer her, I internally wince at the look of impatience behind their fake tight lipped smile. And I can't blame them. Kate is getting quite annoying now. "Kate," I call out, my voice stern as she finally looks down at me on the bed. "I'm fine, okay? Now let's leave." "But-" "Kate." "Fine, let’s go." Kate finally admits defeat, walking over to me with a sigh while the doctor she had been literally murdering
Oak Tree 48. FLASBACK 8 [Doom's Day]
It seemed like time itself had no idea what on earth was going on, or why it didn't know whether to speed up or slow down. Everything seemed to be in a standstill, and yet in a roller coaster at the same time. I wanted to find her, but every single thought or idea seemed to freeze in my head at the same time I knew I was getting late. My whole nervous system was going into a panic mode. The only calm thing was the beating of my heart. How are you so calm at a moment like this? Our friend is kidnapped and missing and we don't have a clue as to where she could be. What's there to be calm now? And as if my heart already knew the answer, my eyes scanned the hallway once again, my sight turning blurry as another wave of tears flowed out. I was dead tired. My muscles hurt, and my bones felt weary. Exhaustion was getting the best of me and the health issue part of my brain was forcing me to retreat, to go back home and call the cops. But the
Oak Tree 47. Obsession, Or Love?
"Hello Rose.It'sme Lara.Let'scatch up on our good ole times hmm?" Lara. Lara has called. Finally. I glanced at Kate, whose face read confusion. Without replying, I begin to pull the phone from my ear in an attempt to place the call on loud speaker, but just then, Lara's voice rings out. "I wouldn't do that if I were you." Of course you wouldn't. I scoff, putting the phone back in my ears. "That is true. Because you are not me and I'm not you, Lara Ahdieur." The mention of Lara's name had Kate widening her eyes. Then she looks away, having that look in her face when she is trying to put two and two together. Soon she looks up at me again, this time alarm written all over her face. Lara laughs on the other end, while I keep a straight face although my teeth are hurting from how hard I'm gritting them. "Same old Rose, with her sassy yet cool atti
