chapter 6: secrets revealed

The results of the corpse found in Grace town cemetery coming back as that for Maureen Hughes shook Cassie to the core. She already knew what the outcome would be,but she was still troubled.

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Cassie's car growled up the winding hilly road to Langston's estate. She could see it sparkling from a distance because the larger part of it was covered with building materials made from expensive gold. Dust settled in. The atmosphere was serene, and the tall- standing Baobab trees surrounding the high perimeter walls added to the aesthetic nature of the manor.

Cassie stopped her car in front of the large metallic gate. She took out her cellphone ready to call in the manor,and notify them of her impromptu visit,but before making the call,she saw the gates sliding smoothly to the left side,leaving a large entrance,too large that two cars would go in at the same time.

That was fast!

A security guard sprung behind the gates and summoned her in. She started her engine and drove right past him into the large compound. She knew that she was walking right into the lion's den,this could be the end of her story,just like Maureen and Sarah,but she knew it was not the time to back down.

She stepped from her car as she was keenly monitoring the surroundings. It was quiet,really quiet. The structure of the house,the grooming of the flowers,the perfectly trimmed grass,the expensive security lights, the huge CCTV cameras...of course that is how they saw that she was at the gate.The entire ambience,she could not deny that it was breathtaking. It was more tranquil inside...tranquil in an ominous way.

"This way,madam." Cassie was distracted from her thoughts by the Langston's butler.

Cassie faked a faint smile and followed her into the parlor,where Eleanor Langston was supposedly waiting for her.

"Good evening Sheriff." Eleanor greeted her with a smooth but cold voice. Her lips twitched as they formed a smile. A sinister smile. She sat elegantly in her cozy and large living room, her aura,she exuded sovereignty. She looked like someone who was used to giving orders and being obeyed. Her green piercing eyes could see through someone's heart. She had a death stare.

"Tell me, to what pleasure do we owe this unannounced late visit?"

Cassidy went straight to the point without wasting time on exchanging pleasantries with her.

"I'm looking into Maureen Hughes murder. Her body remains were found in Grace town cemetery,not far from this place. And your family is being connected to the murder."

"The Langston family existed even before you,sheriff. We've achieved so much,we're woven into Grace town fabric. We're widely known,admired...and perhaps envied."

Cassidy leaned towards Mrs Langston. "Or feared,perhaps?"

Eleanor's veins became visible,her jaws tightened. " Fear is only sold by people who have something to hide,my family has nothing to hide,sheriff." She said,her expression becoming more serious.

Cassie looked at her without blinking. She could see that beneath the steel exterior she was displaying, Her confidence and courage intimidated her in a way.

"Rumors have it that your family has powerful figures protecting it. The Langston's are known to be above the law. But if there's any validity to these stories; if your family is behind the death and disappearance cases,I assure you,I'll get to the bottom of it all,and you'll have no choice but to face the law.''

" Sheriff, certain truths are better left buried. You're getting yourself involved in something that is bigger than you."

"Consider me involved, cause already I am." Cassie answered her confidently

As Cassie was leaving the manor, a deep voice full of tension cut through the living room.

"Is something wrong,mother?"

A young man,roughly in his late twenties,stepped into the room. Cassie stopped in her tracks to get a better sight of him. He was tall,he had a broad chest that was proportionate to his long legs and hands. His hair was silky dark,he had a thin and well-trimmed mustache on his sidelines,and his blue eyes that were well placed above his long nose completed his beautiful features. His smile,there was something about it,it was attractive in a beguiling way. He was attractive,no doubt.

"Aaron,this is Sheriff Grayson. Sheriff,this is my son,Aaron Langston."

Cassie nodded. She could feel Aaron's gaze savoring her whole body. Her skin prickled. His aura, he had an aura so deep and dangerous that seemed way above someone his age.

"Sheriff Grayson, nice to meet you." He said in a calm voice. "I hope you find what you're looking for." He added,sacarsm written all over his face.

Cassie reciprocated his gaze. "That's what I intend to do." She answered him without flinching.

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Back in her office later that day,she sat there,thinking deeply about the Langston's family. In their short interaction,she could tell that they were hiding some secrets, and naivety they trying to display when she went to their house was just a facade. She was deeply convinced than before that the Langston's had darker secrets,even more darker than she had anticipated,especially Aaron Langston who seemed more diabolical than his mother.

After settling at her desk,and was about to go through the files on her desk, a message popped on her phone from the unknown number.

_"Careful sheriff, you don't want to be enemies to people who can destroy just with a snap."_

Her pulse beat faster,her eyelids became heavy,and she started trembling. Whoever was sending those messages was close,too close. And the person was watching all her moves.

Before she could gather the strength to respond to the sender, Mark walked in, looking a little shaken."

"Cassie,you need to see this."

Mark gave Cassie a file. She quickly opened it. Mark had done a background checkup on Aaron Langston,and according to the file,he found out that Aaron had been linked to a case involving a girl,who went miss five years ago,and the case was quietly closed without any charges.

"The case was just swept under the rugs,Cassie. It seems like something that was not just erased by the local authorities,but by a powerful person. And with the death of Maureen now,and the body being found,it seems like someone who has an entire system favoring and protecting them."

Cassie's stomach roiled in an uncomfortable way. She knew she weighed war against invincible people. She knew she was not a threat to them cause they had all the resources to finish her off. All the threats,the anonymous messages,it was just a game to them, of course, a game where innocent people were the pawns,Grace town people. The thought of it disgusted her.

They suddenly had a loud crash,echoing down the hall. Cassie jumped up and quickly grabbed her gun. She moved cautiously towards the direction of the noise,and mark followed.

They traced the noise up to the evidence locker. The door was opened and still swinging supposedly from being handled ferociously. They got inside,pointing there guns in all the directions,in case the perpetrators were still there.

When they got inside, Cassie's heart sank. All the files they had on Maureen Hughes case,along with several key evidence they gathered were scattered all over the floor,torn and scorched.

Her chest burnt up with anger,she clenched her fists. Whoever was orchestrating all these cover-up plans was cunning and quite devious,and it was now very clear,that they would go to any lengths to bury the truth. But the more the more the person scared her off,the more resolute she became on solving the case.

As she was still taking in what just happened,her phone buzzed. Another message.

" _Consider this the last warning,you're are treading on dangerous ground. Told You."_

Cassie's head stiffened,she looked up at Mark,her eyes burning with determination.

"We're not backing down,Mark." She said