Testament of Lies

CHAPTER 2—ZAYELLE

★

"What the hell!" I groaned into my palm as yesterday's events replayed constantly in my head.

I'm still unable to accept that someone touched me, crossed a line and left me shaken— Still, I my body reacted.

Am I really that touch starved?

Worst of all, I didn't even meet Jenna.

With no work today, I stayed in bed through the morning, staring at the ceiling as the hours slipped by.

Outside, the leaves where begining to fall, golden brown structures gracing the stone path. Autumn was slowly beginning to take over.

Eventually, I dragged myself downstairs to make breakfast. The sunlight was warm, so I carried my plate outside and sank into the rattan chair, letting the day wrap around me.

I scrolled on IG for a bit, getting lost in other people's lives rather than mine.

Admist my seemingly endless surfing, I stumbled upon an account I haven't seen in a heck of a while.

Liara's account.

My hand hovers over her username, memories of us together come rushing back like it was yesterday.

The girl who made me lie in court because I foolishly believed her. Now I'm paying for her sins.

Everything collapsed, all because she couldn’t stomach the idea that one boy didn’t want her.

My hand hovered over her username, and memories of us together came rushing back like it was yesterday.

Suddenly, I was back in my backyard with the pool umbrella shielding my eyes from the scorching summer sun.

The family butler has just brought us iced drinks and a speaker for a bit of music.

Liara’s voice rang out over the music, saying some things I couldn't quite catch. It was meant to be a chill hang out but she was actively bragging that she could make anyone fall for her.

Ivory, one of our friends smirked as she swirled her watermelon punch around her glass as she sat on the pool edge, "Even Corvin Ashthorne?"

"Who's that?" Liara paused, still floating on the pool.

"You know, that nerdy boy in the medicine department who doesn't look at anyone twice." Ivory responded, taking a sip from her drink, "No one really knows about his family background, except that he's rumoured to be from a billionaire home."

"Oh, i remember him. He got class valedictorian last year right? That wouldn't be a problem, he just needs to feel the touch of a woman and he'll be swept off his feet."

"He doesn't even have friends or talk to anyone so how do you expect to get close to him?" I finally spoke after a while, raising my sun glasses to the top of my head.

"I like a little challenge." She hops out of the pool, taking the towel beside me to dry off.

That's when I should have known that things will go to s**t and I'll unknowingly be pulled into it's middle.

I shake my head and snap out of my memory, my mood going damp at the memory.

She left the country after Corvin was proven innocent and I haven't heard from her ever since.

Instead of soaking in the warm sun, I opted to go inside and bed rot again.

Then my phone rang and of course it was Azalea. Who else would call me randomly on a Saturday morning.

"Hello?"

"Hello? What do you mean hello and not my beautiful jaw dropping bad b***h mind-blowingly gorgeous Azalea? Tsk, the disrespect I tolerate from you."

I smile and roll my eyes lightly at my best friends antics, "After you abandoned me and took a trip to Miami?"

"Girl if you say that s**t one more time. I literally asked you if you wanted to go together and you said you where busy."

"I was. How are you doing?"

"As fine as a hot girl in Miami can be." She switched to video call and I accepted.

She was getting ready for something as she did her makeup, "Going somewhere I see."

"Yeah, I'm getting ready for a beach party. ", She spoke as she prepped her skin, "I'm not really putting much makeup since I'm going to be swimming as well."

"Wait now you're making me regret not going with you."

Azalea grinned, "I'm lit the most fun person alive, of course you'll miss me. Also, you need to help me pick out an outfit."

She picked up two hangers, one had a green body con dress and one had a pink sundress.

"The pink one. It really flatters your skin tone."

"I love it too." She smiles

"Azalea we're late!" I hear someone scream from over the phone.

She yells back and turns to me, "I'm so sorry Els, I promise I'll call you when I'm back."

"Ok, bye-" she ends the call before I could even finish. Classic leah.

Smiling, I find my way upstairs, about to take a brain resetting nap.

_

A golden glow filled the house, the evening sun pouring in through the windows. The sky's hue had shifted to a blueish purple, shadows of trees stretched across the walls.

I got up to the bathroom, pulling off clothes clothes to take a shower. I stopped infront of the mirror, noticing the bandage has slipped from my ear.

"Stupid bastard." I wince, taking a bottle of methylated spirit to dab on my ear where the bullet grazed me.

Imagine if I took another step and he actually blew my brains. I change the band aid and trash the cotton wool.

After showering I sit infront of my mirror, already dreading to start doing my curly hair routine.

I take out all my hair products, lining them on the dresser.

I'm only doing this so late because I'm going to try to meet Jenna again tomorrow- hopefully without obstacles.

It's a Sunday tomorrow so I believe she should be at the cathedral. The main question I haven't fully considered is if she will be willing to answer and if she's grieving.

The possibility of her committing the murder is low but isn't completely ruled out.

My arms are burning like crazy from scrunching for about 30 minutes. I plug in my diffuser and bend my head to start diffusing.

When my hairs completely dry, I apply oil to the curls and throw on a bonnet.

—

The sounds of violins and piano's ring through the vicinity despite the speakers not being connected to the instruments.

The sky was as blue as can be and the sun was scorching hot, heating up every metal surface to an unreal degree.

I parked my car in the same spot as I did on Friday, holding the scarf the usher gave me.

Quite a few people, walked out of the door signaling that mass was probably over.

I waited till basically everyone was gone before stepping down from my car, picking my bag and the scarf.

The visitor centre was quiet, it's doors half open. I stepped inside, meeting the receptionist clicking away on her computer, only looking up when I was close enough.

"Hello. I'll like to meet Mrs Jenna Louise please."

She paused her typing,"And you are?"

I took out my badge, "FBI. On a case."

Her demeanor changed slightly, "I'll call to see if she's busy. You can sit in the waiting area."

I nodded, moving towards the metal chair's lined along the wall.

I don't know if she's still grieving or if the news has reached her, but I really hope this goes well.

The receptionist dropped the telephone from her ear, "Mrs Jenna told me she doesn't want to talk to you. She said she doesn't want to discuss anything except from prayers or religious consultations."

I take out my phone to check the time, "I need to talk to her. It's really important."

"I'm sorry. She just doesn't want to and you can't force her. You might need to leave if you don't have anything other appointments as mass is already over."

"Thanks." I say as I get up— arguing won't get me anywhere anyway.

Why did she refuse tho? Is it because she heard I'm from the FBI? Or she knows something that she doesn't want to tell?

Either ways, I'm going to find out.

"I need to get reach her s-"

I bumped into someone, cutting me off. I was the usher from yesterday— perfect.

"I'm so sorry sir."

"Not at all, I'm the one who bumped into you. Ar you ok?"

"Yes, thank you"

He smiles,"Did you meet Jenna?"

"No I didn't." Suddenly, I had an idea. He said she worked, so if I can find out where she works then I set.

"Sir, you said she works right? Do you know where does she works?"

"Oh she works at a special education department, not so far from here. It's around east of Chester."

"What days does she work there?"

"Mondays to Fridays. She takes a morning and afternoon shift. Why are you asking? You want to meet her there?"

"Nope, just curious. Oh look at the time, I need to get going. Bye, see you around."

I turn to leave.

"I never got your name. I'm Clinton!" He slightly yells as I've gone quite a distance

"And I'm Zayelle, nice to meet you Mr Clinton!"

"Just call me Clinton! Have a great day!" I smile a wave him goodbye as I get into my car.

As soon as the car door was shut, I immediately go online and check for special education departments around Eastside Chester and luckily there was just one, pinnacle peaks.

According to the information given, it's not so far off like he said. They are open every day and they have a number for inquires.

Visiting hours are from eight am to six thirty pm for individuals who have a relative or loved one.

If she works from Mondays to Fridays, I could meet her during any weekday. I don't think she knows what I look like so she wouldn't recognise me quickly.

I start the car and rev the engine. I need to return to the office to tidy up some incomplete tasks.

Freddie's body is currently in the forensics morgue and the test will be out later in the evening.

Despite news of his death already spreading, nobody has come forward to as his relative. We have no clue if he has children or if he is at good terms with his family members.

What's even weirder is that the records say he was a registered government official about a decade ago but no one seems to remember him.

The steel gates of the SVU came to view quite quickly as I slowed down, letting the IDETECT scan my ID.

The guard across asked my name and once I answered, he let me in.

I parked my car in the parking lot, it seemed like not a lot of people are present today because very few cars where in the parking lot.

The guard at the main door held it open for me as I muttered a 'thank you' while moving to the elevator.

My office was on the sixth floor, but before I could click six Mike came into the elevator as well.

Ah great.

He came in holding a few bags of food, judging by the logo.

"Hey." He clicked on the sixth floor as both our offices are on the same floor.

"Hello."

"You don't have to be so formal you know. Loosen up a bit."

"I'm just being professional." I reply in a painfully obvious bored tone.

Just on cue, the elevator door opens saving me from an extremely awkward conversation.

I quickly walk out muttering something along the lines of 'see you later'.

Unlocking my office, a cool wave of the AC welcomes me inside. I think it was left on since the last time the janitor cleaned.

I immediately turn on my laptop and get to work. Today I'm majorly compiling evidence for the previous cases I've handled.

Starting from the alleged suicide case— A twenty nine year old woman was found with a rope around her neck, hooked on her apartments ceiling.

Her family insisted that she wasn't struggling mentally in any way, even talking about plans for the future.

Although the case was ruled out as suicide, they protested to have it reopened. Although no sign of forced entry or physical trauma was reported, they still argue that she was murdered.

I was on this case about three months ago but we had to pause due to pack if evidence.

I compile the reports and enclose it in a file. I can't send it to them because there isn't a suspect for the crime and little to no evidence for the lawyer to work with.

The next case is a homicide. The victim is a 35 year old man who was found in a gutter, stabbed about seven times on his torso and two to his heart.

The culprit is was found to be his brother who confessed to killing him for his share of the inheritance.

He left so much evidence and even attempted leave the country.

He was said to go to trial in two days so I'm sending the report to his lawyer.

The remaining hours I spend here goes by in a blur, the moon slowly emerging from behind the clouds.

I get off my chair, the sound of my back cracking follows soon after. My ass is genuinely so sore from sitting for over four hours.

I sign out and shut down my laptop, returning it to my bag. I leave the office and go to the lobby, dropping my key with the receptionist.

My car was the only one left in the lot— I guess I really did lose track of time. But on the bright side, I finished an entire weeks worth of work.

I wind up my glass and switch on the AC, taking off my heels to reduce the stinging discomfort on my feet.

As much as I like heels, wearing them for too long will undeniably make my feet swell.

"Could this day get any f*****g better?" An irritatingly long line formed from the bridge to possibly the Pacific.

I hate traffic so insanely much.

The radio starts playing 'moonlight' by xxxtentacion.

I feel myself humming to the lyrics of the song, drumming lightly on the steering wheel. The line is starting to move slowly as the red light above changes to green.

Cars on the other lane breeze by quickly as there's barely any traffic there.

Classic New york.

—

My car comes to a halt in the garage as I turn it off. My phones screen lights up from the passenger seat—an email.

I click on the notification and discover it's a message from the lab. I guessing it's the test results.

I scan through the email, skipping the part talking about the temperature and missing parts and my eyes stop on the words at the bottom.

There where absolutely no fingerprints and not even a fragment of the bullet was found in his skull.