05

HALLÉ

*His deep dimples, His lips being pulled apart and the deep gravelly sound of his laugh. Michael.

Michael happy, his arms around me.

Then everything went dark and now I'm back in the house, and I'm watching him struggle with someone behind him, watching him scratching at the belt, watching him choke*

I sit up in bed with a loud gasp and put my hand to my chest trying to calm myself down and I find I'm soaked with set. That entire experience had felt too real, as I clutch my hand closer to my chest Solange rolls over towards me and sits up as she takes in my expression.

"Michael?", I looked at her and sigh in response, but instead of giving an actual answer I just got out of bed,my mouth was dry, I needed water and really didn't feel like talking.

As I walked into the kitchen, I wondered if it would ever get any easier. That thought alone made me shiver and on instinct I pulled my robe tighter, and as I lifted the jug and poured the water into my glass I smiled as I recalled that I would be picking my parents up from the airport this evening.

Just on cue, my doorbell rang and I put down the glass wondering who could be here and so early; it was barely 7 AM. I moved cautiously towards the door and looked into the peephole to spot the visitors and there they were; my parents. Almost like they could hear my heart calling out for them.

In a flourish of excitement, I pulled the door open and jumped into their already welcoming arms.

**********************************

DETECTIVE GOMEZ

As I watched Hallé's parents get into the house, I knew today would be perfect for me to pay the family a "visit".

I then turned towards my young Shadow who was fast asleep and snoring quite loudly; obviously stakeouts were not for her. I pondered how exactly to jump her out of sleep without touching her, then I saw her cup of water in my car's cup holder and smirked.

I picked up the cup and splashed the water on her face-

"WHAT THE-"

I didn't let her finish whatever swear word she was about to throw at me "I realize that you're new but you know the entire point of a stakeout is for you to be *awake* and *watch* the suspect".

She was still in shock as she scrambled to give a response "I know..but..but..my clothes..there was no need to-"

I rolled my eyes "Don't worry about it, you're going to need to go home and change anyways"

She looked even more scrambled, so I continued explaining "If you were paying attention, you'd realize the parents just arrived, meaning the entire family's at home. Meaning it's the best time for an interview, so you're going home to have a shower and get ready to meet your idol"

Now that much she seemed to understand as a big smile took over her face.

*Lord help me*

**********************************

HALLÉ

I couldn't stop smiling, as I looked at my house and watch it fill with the warmth of a home.

My parents, my sister, Pastor Brown and even Richard was here, he came in looking really sorry and sayin' how he was an inconsiderate ass. He groveled so much it was hard not to forgive him.

It was so easy to forget and just lose myself in the warmth of family; *especially with what I knew was coming*. I shook my head and laughed in response to a story my mum was telling about their vacation. Something involving an over eager caramel skinned hussy and her extremely wandering eyes around my father.

She was just at the part where she almost threw the *bitch* overboard their cruise ship, when the doorbell rang; an overwhelmingly loud tune of *I wanna Dance with Somebody* which broke into everyone's reverie; it had everyone frozen with the same expression that read *who could that be*

For the next five minutes we stayed like that, still and unmoving as if just not responding to the uninvited stranger at the door would be enough to keep us within this warm bubble we'd created to keep the world and its troubles at bay; *it almost seemed like it worked* until the bell went off again and this time followed by an incessant pounding.

I sighed, deciding it would be easier to just deal with whoever it was as I moved to the heavy iron oak door and pulled it open.

The face I saw had me wishing it was a stranger.

*Detective Gomez*; *Just when everything was going right*

DETECTIVE GOMEZ

I could just tell from her face,I was the Last person she wanted to see; I had her on edge, *Good*.

As she stared me down with a stoic expression, I returned it with the flashiest smile I could muster.

"Hey Hallé, aren't you going to invite an old friend in?" I was positively twinkling by then. I could see her turn completely red, a colour I never thought possible for a black woman.

She shook her head and scoffed "Luiz what the hell do you want".

I smirked in reply "Now I don't think that's any way to talk to an officer of the law on duty"; I reached into my pocket and pulled out my badge "Detective Gomez Local PD, I need to ask you a few questions"

She froze, scrunching up her nose and turning towards my young Shadow who had been watching our conversation in silence "And who is she?"

I moved my hands towards her doing my best game show host impression "This little lady right here, is Molly and she's your number one fan" At that she brightened up, Hallé truly adored her fans.

"Alright come in, I have nothing to hide and I'm looking forward to talking to miss Molly. We can go upstairs to my room, my family is here right now and I don't want us to get in each other's way" She replied opening the door wider for us to walk in.

I paused staring at the room full of people I also once called family and friends but were now all potential suspects to me "Wow the whole gang's here, I was actually going to interview you all later but this here is perfect I mean after all you're all basically family and as my good friend Hallé said She has nothing to hide".

The first person to reply to my taunting words was Solange, standing tall her face clearly revealing pure frustration in a room full of sincere shock *odd*

"Yes and neither do we, so please just ask whatever you want; I mean the sooner you start, the sooner you leave. Take a sit *Detective*" She spat the word detective like it left a bitter taste in her mouth and took a seat, the others quickly following.

I took a seat across the room, giving me a perfect view of everyone.

I watched as Hallé pulled out a seat for Molly right next to her, smiling at her kindly while Molly's face just burnt up like it was a sunny day and she'd been at the beach too long. Her being here had already served its purpose, *keeping Hallé nicely placated*.

I stayed quiet, feeling the temperature of the room rise and the tension filled silence wrap around me like a snug coat.

I stayed quiet still, memorizing the faces and the names I was already familiar with while adding little notes on their "role"- Hallé -His wife,Richard - Hallé's manager Solange - Hallé's sister, legal representative , Mr & Mrs Carter- the parents.

Someone in this room either knows something about Michael's murder or actually killed him.

I continued running my eyes across them all, until I saw Solange was about to lose it and so I took that as my cue to start talking "So I am sure ya'll know why I'm here, I don't want to waste anymore time so please Miss Hallé I was a part of the Mayor's security detail on the day of the murder, at your concert. So tell me what was the name of the hotel you claimed to have stayed at?"

At my words Molly pulled out her note pad, ready to put down the response, while Hallé sat up straight and replied "Actually it was a motel, I didn't want anything too fancy or public, I remember it well cause it had a cheesy ass name,- Motel 6"

I nodded and asked my next question "And your sister and manager can account for this?"

She was about to answer before Solange quite literally jumped in, moving forward on her seat "Yes, Hallé and I even slept together that night. So I can account for that but if you need more concrete proof I can email you an electronic receipt of the transaction I made to book the room".

*Odd* "Okay... " , "I turned towards Richard "How about you, did you also stay at the motel?". He nodded as he responsed, " Yeah we decided that we all needed a rest away from it all and we all left together in the morning, you can confirm that with the on shift receptionist, I assume you will when you pay a visit to the motel".

*Quick to provide a witness, provide an alibi*

I turned my attention towards Pastor Brown who in my opinion was the more distant piece of this puzzle "And what about you?", He raised an eyebrow in an -*Are you serious*- sort of fashion, before replying "Me?...well I didn't even attend the concert and I was at home with my wife, go on and give her a call; she'll testify to that- I spent the whole night in her arms".

*Right,not like your wife would ever lie to protect you.* Finally I turned to her parents, and at my action Solange rolled her eyes and practically screaming "Come on! Luiz they were on vacation, you know this".

I squinted my eyes at her, I did know that but I just wanted to find out who was the most on edge and I think I found her. It was almost like Mrs Carter could see the wheels turning in my head as she reached towards her daughter, telling her to calm down with a squeeze on her shoulder.

I looked towards my young Shadow again and I saw the awkwardness she was feeling in her eyes; *This was probably not how she wanted to see her idol and family* I felt sorry for her and decided it was about time to wrap things up.

I faced Solange directly "It is still my job to ask, plans could have changed from what I previously heard. I suggest you don't treat my relationship with you as anything but professional and not assume I already know the answer to a question I'm asking".

I watched her lips draw into a thin line at my reply *yeah definitely overstayed my welcome*.

I cleared my throat "Well that's about all the answers I need right now and I think it's time I take my leave" with that I stood up and nodded my head towards Shadow who already looked more than ready to leave "Molly ?"

She just stood up in reply, and Hallé copied her actions "Hold on, I'll see ya'll out".

We moved to the door and Hallé pulled Molly into her arms "Take care Miss Molly, I hope to see you again under better circumstances"

**********************************

DETECTIVE GOMEZ

As I drove back to the station, I could feel Molly's eyes on me, probably wondering what I was thinking, she finally cracked and spoke first.

"So, thank you so much for today, I can't believe I got to meet Hallé and she actually hugged me. I mean it was really awkward with the family- "

At that I spoke, "That family, I don't know why I feel almost everyone connected to Hallé is hiding something especially *Solange*. I think my previous theory is right; the people connected to Hallé are definitely more involved in this case than they let on. Shadow, you better get your head in the game, 'cause it seems we're about to have our work cut out for us"

At that she too went completely silent.

**********************************

UNKNOWN

Good, the family had been interviewed. It seemed we had gotten to the end of phase one and soon justice would be served.

I smiled as I thought out loud "We've got them hook, line and sinker"