The Mystery Writer

Shadows

Shadows haunted her through her fitful unconsciousness. She saw remnants of her long deceased mother. It was a much happier time when she had been alive. Although most of her memories were gone, Darcy could still smell the Chanel perfume on her mother's skin and the way her long, blonde hair flowed over her shoulders. She could remember smiling and not having a worry in the world.

It seemed like the world was a better place while her mother had lived. It quickly became cold after her death which came like a nightmare. She lashed out at the fearful memories that seemed broken into pieces. Flashes of light, screams filled of horror and the shadows. What was even worse was the silence afterwards. The terrible silence that seemed like it would never end.

“She will be ok, Leo. She has low blood sugar and shock, but she will be ok.” Mrs. James' voice pierced the silence. It seemed to allow Darcy back into the conscious world and when she opened her eyes, she recognized the ceiling of her bedroom. Everything was blurry, but that was because the tears had instantly flooded her eyesight. When she made a small groan of agony, she found that Leo was suddenly staring down at her.

“Darcy.” His voice was a whisper but also a sigh of relief.

“I'll go heat up some soup, you'll need energy Darcy.” Mrs. James left the bedroom, leaving her alone with Leo. She closed her eyes as tears welled up and overflowed down her cheeks. Warmth spread into her hand and she vaguely realize Leo had entwined their fingers together.

Through the bleariness, Darcy noticed that Leo was staring at their hands as if he wasn't sure how they had become joined. She watched his face and the emotions that seemed to cross it for a long time, which helped her tears to dry up. When she sat up, Leo seemed to snap out of his reverie. Their eyes met again and the contact remained.

“My brother is angry because I won't send him money.” Darcy spoke first, she winced as she regretted the topic that she had brought up. When she tried to pull her hand free, she grimaced at the pain in her muscles. Bruises had formed where Andy had grabbed her. In the end, their fingers still remained intertwined.

“How old is Andy?” It was a question, but there was bitterness in Leo's voice.

“Twenty-two.”

“Then he is certainly old enough to make money for himself.” Anger flashed through his response and this time he broke the hold he had on her. “And he is certainly old enough to know how to treat a woman. Especially his older sister!”

Darcy watched as he rose from the edge of her bed and stood in front of the large window. The same window that he had once popped the screen out of. Then she dropped her head, ashamed once again of the family she had once claimed as hers.

“It is my fault, really. When Andy was younger I would send him money. I thought it would make us closer. I never expected that my father and Andy would start demanding that money from me.”

“Didn't your mom ever step in to help you?”

Darcy swallowed, Leo's question recalled the shadows of her nightmare. She closed her eyes, once again smelling the familiar perfume her mom used to wear. A new type of pain made her shake and she refused to open her eyes in case Leo would be able to see how much pain she was actually in. No one would see her weak.

“My mother died when I was only a few years old. Andy is actually my half brother.”

“Oh Darcy! I'm so sorry.” Darcy swiveled her head towards the entrance to her room. Mrs. James' stood there with a bowl on a tray. The bowl began to sway back and forth as Mrs. James began to cry. Leo was quick to take the tray, resting it safely on the end of the bed.

“Your brother, he is the one who broke into your apartment? He is also who you discussed with Chief Grant, correct?” Darcy nodded and watched as Leo crossed through her room once more, settling in front of the large window once again. Her attention was snatched when Mrs. James suddenly picked up her hand and squeezed it gently.

“Eat Darcy, you'll need your strength.”

 ____________________________________

It was a few days before Darcy felt well enough to go for a run. She had too many thoughts and not nearly enough distractions. She also felt a nagging sense that she had forgot something important and her dreams, or nightmares, were trying to force her to remember. In any case, she didn't sleep well through the night and hoped that some exercise would be the perfect remedy.

She couldn't contain her surprise when she entered the kitchen where Leo and Max were sharing a quiet conversation. They both looked to her, their gazes falling down over her as if they were inspecting her. They would be joining her on her jog around the neighborhood.

Darcy found it hard to keep up with Leo's endurance as they ran through different trails and along the sidewalks. Max kept a safe distance behind them as he filmed, but they maintained a comfortable silence.

After their run, Darcy immediately went for a shower. She felt a million times better and told herself that the shower was her way of cleansing the unwanted memories from her past. When she returned to the living room, Max was working on his laptop. A bagel and coffee awaited her and she smiled.

“You need to see something.” Max moved his laptop in front of her where a video was ready to play. Although it was a small clip, it clearly showed Leo carrying an unconscious Darcy towards the bedroom. It had been right after she had fainted a few days ago.

Darcy glanced quickly towards Max, unsure of what to say or do. Max only stared angrily towards the video clip that was now replaying over and over.

“The country is going crazy. Almost everyone is fighting about whether you are fit to report anymore. The videos of your encounter with Andy are still going viral and now this. It may be a tough week or two before everything calms back down.” Max whispered as he did his best to make no facial expressions that the camera would pick up on.

“Lets talk about it later.” Darcy whispered back before returning the laptop to her friend. She had just taken a sip from her coffee cup when Leo entered the kitchen in a hurry. With one look at him, she knew that he had seen the video clips as well. She shook her head, begging him not to say anything.

“What is the schedule for the day?” Darcy glanced at Max, thankful for his intuition to begin the conversation. Hopefully they could avoid the subject of the video and maybe, just maybe, the whole clip would blow over before too long.

“I have a press conference. There will be a special announcement to make. Malakai will be here in about an hour to pick me up. I'm sorry about this, but I'll request that you take the news van this time.” Leo hesitated for a moment as if there was something more he wanted to say. Then he was back to his studio which left Darcy flying off of her chair to run as quickly as possible to the camper parked outside. Christine wasn't going to have a lot of time to work her magic.

 ___________________________

Although Darcy was quite far from the stage of the press conference, she could feel the heat that radiated off of the lights that shined down as a spotlight. A grimace replaced her normal pleasant expression as she couldn't imagine what it must feel like to work under such lights on a regular basis. Due to being apart of Leo's entourage, she had a prime spot right in front of the podium while all of the other reporters gathered around her. Many had already asked her about an interview. She respectfully declined all of the interviews and expressed her wish for privacy. Max and Malakai tactfully placed themselves on either side of her which effectively took the attention away from her.

When the room finally erupted into motion it was because Leo had finally appeared on the stage. Darcy stared at Leo, getting a clear look at him from where she stood. She usually never allowed herself to look too long in case someone would classify her curiosity as something more than what it was. Now she had the opportunity to study him as much as she pleased.

“Hello everyone! Thank you for coming here today and for all those who are watching, I thank you for your continued support! You should know that I appreciate it beyond belief. Now, I'd like to reveal why I chose to have this press conference today.” Leo glanced around the room, smirking as he knew he left everyone watching in suspense. “I'd like to announce that I am moving forward with a plan to release a new album next month. I will also be participating in a special project with my closest friend. I know the news surrounding me hasn't been pleasant, but I hope you can support me and believe in me. While I am up here, I'd also like to clear up any misunderstandings. I once again wish to tell you all that I am not a murderer. There has been no proof to say otherwise. I'd also like everyone to stop trying to misinterpret my feelings. Anything you may have seen recently that agonizes you, please understand that I was only trying to help someone in need. I'll take any questions now.”

Darcy crossed her arms as a swell of shouting chorused around her. The reporters that had surrounded Darcy was now desperately trying to ask all of their questions at once so that no one was coherent. The reporters began to claw their way closer to the stage while Darcy was pushed towards the back of the group.

“Darce! We need to talk.” She had to admit that she hadn't been expecting JT to show up at Leo's sudden press conference. She was so stunned that she barely noticed his fingers wrap around her wrist. When she finally did try to shake him off, he had already dragged her half way across the room while his hold only tightened. When they were in a hallway outside of the main room, she finally threw off his grip and rubbed at her sore wrist. She glared furiously at him.

“Oh don't look at me like that, Darce! We have a long history!” JT smiled as though abusing her like this was enjoyable for him.

“Don't call me that. So you forced me to come out here, what do you want?” JT sized her up, obviously noting the long sleeved blouse she was wearing.

“I wanted to see how you were. I saw that you fainted the other day and I also saw the video with your half brother.” Darcy detested the way he smiled as if he was trying to come off genuine and caring. She knew him better than that.

“It is old news, Johnny.”

JT's smile faltered for a moment. “Yes, I guess you're right, but you won't answer my calls.”

“I have my reasons not to and I'm always on the clock. I don't want to keep picking up personal calls. It may look unprofessional.” Darcy glared at him and he only smiled back at her. “Now, is that all you wanted?”

Even though Darcy had turned to go back into the main room, she cried out when JT caught her around the waist and refused to let go. “Not so fast Darce! Say you'll go on a date with me, hmm? Just like the good old times.”

“What is going on?”

Darcy swatted then pulled JT's hands off of her before distancing herself. She didn't dare look up.

“Oh, hey Leo. Sorry you had to witness our little lover's quarrel.” JT laughed at his own comment, but Darcy shot him a quick look.

“I swear, Johnny. If you ever do or say something like this again I will quit and cause the company millions. I'd assume even your job, as well.” She narrowed her eyes at her boss, at that moment she wanted nothing more than to tear his eyes out. JT raised his arms, feigning defeat as he retreated backwards.

 When Darcy glanced at Leo, she found that he was staring hatefully back at her. He didn't say a word before turning back inside the conference room. He did glance over his shoulder, however. “See you at home.”