Ridgewood Town

Chapter 4

Peyton

June 21

Monday, 6:34AM

"Where were you last night, Mr. Wilkinson?" his voice was stern and it felt like I was convicted for a sin I didn't commit. If I’m being honest, he is one of the people I’m scared to deal with. He always has this kind of aura that could eat your whole spirit out.

“Dad, don’t ask him so harshly like that.” I’ve never seen Coover raise his voice and it actually felt warm.

“I’m just kidding, son. You should head inside since it’s cold. I’ll just need a talk with your friend.” Coover looked at his dad and gave him a nod. As he was walking past me, he stopped and gave me a pat on my right shoulder. "Be strong. We’re always here for you," he said in a low voice and walked away.

Now, he left me to face the final boss. The moment I saw Coover crying, I knew something was off. Coover may cry for almost every reason, but the cry he showed me meant something different.

Detective Philips was just silent and motioned me to follow him.

I never really understood what that was for, but not until now. We settled in the police car he uses to drive here. The whole surroundings are tense. I can even hear my heart beat pounding inside my head. I may look collected outside, but my thoughts are everywhere. His silence isn't helping me sane, either. He was silent for minutes and I just

kept on glancing outside the window waiting for him to talk.

"Mr. Wilkinson, I know you are now confused about my sudden appearance." He sighs and stares at the trees outside. "I don't know if you are aware or if anyone has already told you about this."

"Don't beat around the bush, Officer. What's wrong? Has something happened to my parents?" He looked at me like he was studying my emotions.

Sorry, Officer. I was trained to hide my emotions behind my eyes.

Right now, he’s starting to irritate me. The fact that he is Coover’s father is starting to slip away from my mind. If there's something wrong, he should just tell me right away. There are some things in life that cannot be undone. No matter what the

news he's about to say, I only had to accept it no matter how heavy it takes. I can't control fate. I couldn't fight nor change it even if I wanted to. Come what may.

"It’s not about your parents, son. This is about Taylah..."

He suddenly shifts his eyes from me to staring at the trees outside. "Taylah is dead. And now Luis Mason is missing."

I didn't feel anything when he broke me the news. I continued to stare, letting the news sink in to me.

Nana Taylah is dead. Luis Mason is missing.

And in a few seconds, it hits me.

What the heck?

“What do you mean dead? And now Luis is missing?”

“Yes.”

"Have you found who killed Taylah? What the hell are you doing here then? You should go find Luis. No! Can I go with you?"

I don't know what I should say. I don't even know how I should act. My mind is a complete mess. I want to know who killed Taylah but the truth about her death didn’t sink in right into my brain. It felt like this was all a joke that I was trying to believe in. And now, Luis is still missing.

He lightly shakes his head to answer me.

"I came for you as we are both completely aware that you are good friends with Luis. Can I ask you a few questions, Mr. Wilkinson?" His voice didn’t sound fatherly at all. He sounded like Ana Ricotta whenever there was new gossip in town.

"It's not what I'm thinking, right?" I clenched my fist in annoyance. "You're not actually blaming it on him, right?" I asked and didn't bother hiding the anger in my voice.

“I have known Luis all my life, Officer. Luis would never do anything like killing people. And never in his dreams would he kill his

grandmother.”

"I know that you are mad, Mr. Wilkinson-"

"Peyton. Call me Peyton, Officer Philips. It's my name."

"Alright, Peyton. I'm only following the department's protocol. I know Luis Mason is a good guy, but I still need to investigate this thoroughly. We never had a murder case in Ridgewood Town and this is odd for all of us. And I know this is upsetting to know, but he is our prime suspect now."

"Suspect?

With all due respect, Officer. Luis Mason aspires to be an artist not a murderer."

"I understand where you're coming from. You are his friend. Coover and I have already talked about this and I'm now going easy on you. If you want to prove his innocence, then you need to answer some of my questions. If you want to help him, you need to help me too."

He made it sound calming but I know that he's doing his job. I calmed myself for a few minutes and nodded.

"I understand. I'm sorry."

"Can I ask you some questions now, Peyton?"

I nodded at him and he grabbed his pen and notepad from the dashboard. He pressed something on the thing beside him that I recognized as a recorder. After doing all that, he faced me.

"How do you know Luis Mason?" A common question.

"He is my childhood friend."

"By that, you have known Luis Mason for years, right?"

"Yes, Officer. We have been friends since we were six.”

" Has Luis talked about some problems in the house lately?"

"No. The last time we ever talked was yesterday. He was sending me some snaps of his artwork and of his girlfriend, Sophia Chase. He also sent some mistyped chats last night. It is very natural of him because he sometimes sleeps and texts me." He scribbles something on his notepad and keeps on nodding his head.

"He never told you about fighting with Taylah or anything?"

"None. Besides, why would he even fight with Taylah? He respects her." He never even complained anything about Taylah. It will not be Luis Mason if he complains about anything regarding Taylah. Besides, Taylah wouldn't do things for Luis to complain about.

"I know, Peyton. Do you happen to know if he uses drugs or any sort? Does he even drink or smoke?"

My brow knitted but I didn't say anything. I just shook my head as an answer.

"Did he or did he not?" he repeated, his voice getting louder and firmer. He was still waiting for me to say something and it irritated me.

"Luis never really liked the taste of alcohol. He hates smoking because it reminds him of his parents. And he loathes drugs. If you know how to appreciate art, you would see it in his works, Officer."

"Did he ever act rashly to you or to anyone you knew?"

"No. He is a caring and gentle man. My best friend couldn't even hurt a fly."

He just keeps on nodding and scribbling on his paper. He finally taps the recorder and looks at me.

"Thank you, Peyton." His voice changed into a soothing one and he gave me a warm smile.

"Sure thing. I hope you update me with the case, Officer. I know Luis would never do that. Please, help us clean his name. I am more worried that he is missing suddenly."

"I will do that, son. Please, take care of my son too. We never know if it’s a killer on the loose who manages to get into our town. We still have to find Luis to close this case."

I opened the car door and immediately slipped myself out. Despite Detective Philips sudden mood changes, he is still untrustworthy. I can no longer stay in a police car. It actually felt suffocating and uncomfortable. I was about to head inside the gates when Officer Philips called me yet again.

“By the way, the school bus will be arriving soon to fetch all of you. Mayor Gardiner has asked everyone to be back in town for Taylah's burial tomorrow. And also, one of the reasons is, as someone died suddenly in town in the middle of the night, we are currently not going to let anyone get hurt. Keep safe."

And with that he drove away.

I can't help but wonder if Luis hated Taylah for the past few days, but no matter how hard I try racking my brain, I don't see any reasons for Luis and Taylah to fight.

10:32AM

"Glad you made it home safe," Mom greeted me at the front door and immediately pulled me into a hug.

"Your mom and I were so worried. Taylah was shot dead last night," Dad started as he filled me in with the details. He motioned me to sit on the couch as we talked.

And just as I thought, everyone suspected Luis as the murderer. My parents know Luis, that it fascinates them how stupid some Ridgewooders are to believe Luis would do it. After the talk, my parents instructed me to go rest in my room.

I tried to sleep my worries but I couldn't. I tried reaching Sophia but my call couldn't be connected in any way. I tried to call Luis by phone but I could't get a hold of him either. I wonder what really happened. Sophia and Luis were together before all this happened.

Luis, what have you done? Where are you?