I drove Adrian and Paul to my home where they shared a drink while I drank juice (I did not drink; but I kept some wine with me anyways for the guys). I checked my telephone and found out that I had a voicemail from an unknown number.
“Hey Peter. It's me, Antei. If you're wondering why I'm calling from a new number, it’s because I bought a new phone. The last mobile was getting all sluggish so I sold it. Anyways, how’ve you been? I just returned to town – should've probably told you before I left but then I sold my old phone for the new one and the process took a while because I was from another state and yadda yadda yadda … so yeah, I am back. I'll come over to your house tomorrow afternoon. Tell your cat I said hi.”
The voicemail ended. I just stood next to the telephone, an amused look on my face (as Adrian told me later).
“So, he gave his old cell away huh?” Adrian said in a mocking tone. Paul stood there confused while I chuckled. I grabbed my mobile from where I’d placed it next to the telephone and started a text message.
‘So, which sewer did you sell your old Samsung to?' I wrote and sent it to Antei.
I immediately received a reply. ‘U’ve been talking to Adrian havent u’
I replied back. ‘Nah man, got psychic powers just last weekend.’
'Im gonna deck Adrian in da balls'
“What'd he say?” Adrian asked.
“He's embarassed,” I replied.
“What are you two talking about?” Paul asked.
Adrian explained what had happened to Antei, what he had told me in the voicemail, what I'd messaged him and what he'd replied back.
“Tell him, I missed him too,” Adrian said.
‘See you tomorrow then. I have a lot to fill you in on.’ I sent.
‘Alrighty then’
“Deck you in the balls,” Paul repeated with an impressed look. “He's embarrassed alright.” We had a good laugh at the whole situation. Then Paul turned to us. “Thanks guys, for helping me out.”
“Well, I had a fun time exercising my - ow!”
I had stomped on Adrian's foot.
“You know what he means Paul,” I said, shaking my head. “Besides, he was livid when he found out you had been arrested,” I said.
“I was not livid. I was composed when I was arguing with Cuth,” Adrian defended himself.
“Yeah. So composed I could hear him from the other room,” Paul added with a laugh.
“You could?” Adrian asked, embarrassed.
“Every word.”
Adrian became quiet at that. It was after a while that he spoke. “Thank goodness that girl gave in so easily. She could've easily argued back.”
“But you did give evidences didn't you?” I asked.
“According to Dianne herself - circumstantial evidence. The wife could've put that knife in the cake and she could've been the one to kick Damon. She was sitting right beside Dianne.”
“When you put it that way, it could've been Jeff too,” I said.
“Oh but it was Dianne. When she collapsed to her knees, I could tell from her face that she knew she had been caught and there was nothing she could do. For a person who planned such a crime, she was rather weak, not standing up for herself,” Adrian said.
“Or might be she didn’t want to,” I said.
The motive for murder became clear when Cuth called Adrian the next day. I was with Adrian and Paul at my home (they’d stayed the night), waiting for Antei to arrive when he had received the call. I could not discern any emotion on Adrian’s face as he talked to the Inspector.
“What’d he say?” I asked as soon as Adrian hung up.
“Well, Damon and Dianne’s parents are divorced. We – I knew that. What I – we didn’t know was that they had fights on almost a daily basis. More often than not, when they were young, they would often be left home alone by their parents. Dianne refuses to say what Damon exactly did to her but sounds like she is awfully traumatised.”
“That is horrible,” I gasped.
“Well, now we both know why she did it. Why she killed her brother.”
“If her story is true then I say the sick bastard deserved it,” I said.
“If her story is true, then she’ll need a good lawyer to fight the case for her,” Paul said.
“I guess she–” Adrian turned and stared at Paul. He raised his head and widened his eyes. “Paul, no.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t think that’s a very good idea,” Adrian said.
“What’s not a good idea?” I asked, not understanding what Adrian or Paul were talking about.
“Paul wants to represent her. Don’t you Paul?” Adrian asked.
“You can’t be serious. She tried to frame you for a murder she committed,” I said.
“That’s not true. She didn’t frame me; I was a victim of the circumstances. Just like she was,” Paul said. “Look, she is guilty of killing her brother. But, if the reason behind it is true, then she doesn’t deserve a harsh punishment. What she would need instead is help.”
“You like her don’t you,” Adrian said.
“I’m sorry, what?” I asked.
“Why else would he decide to fight for a girl who could’ve gotten him jailed for life for a crime he did not commit.”
“That is not true,” Paul said.
“Come on, it is at least partially true,” Adrian said with a smile.
I could see Paul turning red.
“Well,” I interjected, hoping to lessen Paul’s embarrassment. Or was it anger? “True or not, he does have a point. The girl does need help if her story of abuse by Damon is true. But to be honest, I’m not so keen on you representing her.”
“But you’re not against it.”
“If her story is true, no.”
“Forget what I said about it not being a good idea. I’m cool with whatever you decide to do as long as it’s not illegal,” Adrian said.
“Aww. I almost thought you cared for a second back there,” I said.
Adrian smiled.
“I do care Peter. I do care.”
ns 15.158.61.51da2
