The Ex

'And what have you been up to?' Sineas asked her.

She sighed deeply. 'Inspector Charles threatened me with a summons last night.'

'A summons?'

'Yeah, that document that demands your presence in court and or whatever. It concerns the deaths of Justin and Miss Bale.'

'He doesn't honestly think that you did that, does he?' He sounded bewildered.

'Perhaps…perhaps not. He claims that it's just "standard procedure". I'm convinced that it has something to do with the fact that I dated Justin.'

'But you said he only threatened you with it…'

'Yes. He said he'd drag me to court if I refused to come to the station tonight for an "interview", he called it.'

'So you're going?'

'What choice do I have, Sineas? I'll look even guiltier if I don't.'

'But…'

'Tomorrow's a Saturday, remember?' she interrupted him her face looking suspicious. She was smiling now.

He looked confused. 'Yes, and..?'

'Don't you remember your promise? Saturdays?'

His eyes were wide open in ignorance. Well, it wasn't her birthday. To be fair, she never told him when her birthday was so what was she talking about?

'Sin! Saturdays…your promise…the park?'

'Oh, of course…that.' He was embarrassed. 'Of course I remember! I'm still game if you are.'

She grinned wildly. 'Hell yeah! So…' she began playing with her hairpin, '…what time will you pick me up?'

Soon after lunch, it was time for Physics. Mr. Sawyer looked sterner than usual. His arms were folded as his eyes raced through the classroom as if waiting for another Trevor to dare start something else. Just before the lesson had started, "Bubblegum girl", the girl from the corridor, the one who had tried to "persuade" Sineas into helping her put up the missing posters of Justin stood at the front of the class in her usual attire.

'Thank you for dis opportunity, class,' she began with her bad English. She was holding a piece of paper in front of her. She went on, 'The school sports committee and staff have authorized a memorial service ta be held in honour and memory of Justin and Miss Bale next week on Monday…'

'Didn't we already have that?' Sineas whispered into Clarissa's ear.

Clarissa did not reply. Perhaps she was hypnotized by Bubblegum girl's mastery of the English language. Although crooked, her unique way of speaking made it hard not to listen.

Bubblegum girl continued, 'We've decided ta cull it the "Foyer and Bale Memorial" service and not only are the students and staff invited but also the families of the victims. This service is meant ta comfort those who was close to Justin and Miss Bale and it's also meant ta be an attack on the murderer, that maybe a credible witness may be moved enough by the service ta come forward. So, for the sake-a time…' she nodded at Mr. Sawyer who nodded back at her, '…I just wanna say, come all and let's honour our friend and teacher ta-gether. Rest in peace, Justin…Rest in peace, Miss Bale.'

'Rest In Peace,' the class responded sombrely. They gave her a round of applause as she made her way back to her seat. She looked half naked with the jacket concealing half of her tiny body only to leave exposed her bare legs.

Sineas was extremely baffled. Justin and Miss Bale, both murdered…in only four days! And the savage way they were murdered. He could not help but think that there was some sort of correlation between the murders. The same weapon had allegedly been used and both bodies had been cut up in the exact same way. Six pieces! But how? And why? He was dumbstruck. It seemed everyone had the answer to every question except "why?"

'You coming?' Clarissa said to Sineas.

He was ignorant. 'Coming to..?'

She rolled her eyes, 'To the memorial, Sin. Weren't you paying attention?'

He looked shaken. 'Of course I was,' he replied.

Clarissa said, 'The memorial might take up half the school day which means there might be no lessons on Monday. So maybe we can hangout afterwards, presuming Inspector Charles won't have me locked up by then,' she concluded angrily.

'Sure.' He could see she had become troubled…and angry.

Clarissa had expected Inspector Charles to pick her up from her house that night but instead, it was his Deputy, James. He had arrived at her house in the patrol car and hauled her away after a very short and awkward looking conversation with her parents in the kitchen while she obediently sat in the living room. James had finally led her to the car, they got in and immediately drove off to the station.

James dropped Clarissa inside Inspector Charles' office while he went out to call him. Her hands were trembling and she could feel a few droplets of sweat dripping underneath her heavy cotton jersey. She placed her hands between her knees to at least try to hide her fear. Her face, however, betrayed massive panic.

She had already begun to fantasize herself in a prison jumpsuit standing in a long queue for a very nasty breakfast. She could already see a mean and bulky manlike lady ordering her not to finish her meal "or else…" She also fantasized about her prison nickname. Maybe "Dangerous Claire" or "The Axe wielding…or Wielder…" or even an alliterated name like "Callous Claire". She shivered at the very thought. She was just about to fantasize about the prison showers when the inspector finally walked in. Much to her surprise, and relief, he was grinning.