William Jarvis - Sky Valley 02 - Beaches & Coffee Read online

  Trust Daniel. I know some days, you’d feel like it’s hard to do that but that’s love, I guess. Maybe in the end, it will be worth it.

  Say hello to your dad for me. Or not. I don’t know.

  Xx

  Audrina

  From: [email protected]

  To: [email protected]

  Re: Ruby

  Audrina!

  I miss you so much, you have no idea.

  One of the worst things happened today. I found some scissors—possibly the one that was used to cut Ruby’s dress in half and some papers with the words that were found on the card in Ruby’s dress. The thing is, those papers seemed to have been practiced on by whoever the person responsible for this is. I wanted to bring it to the police but Ruby said that I shouldn’t.

  But damn, I left it outside. How much of an idiot could I be?

  One more thing: Edward found out about Daniel and Ruby’s past and he is so mad. To be honest, I feel like Daniel’s been hiding something from me and that maybe, he’s still in love with her or at least, he has a lot of feelings for her. I don’t know anymore.

  Oh and you and dad have a lot of issues. *kidding* You guys should write each other. I know he misses you, too.

  Emmy

  From: [email protected]

  To: [email protected]

  Re: Ruby

  Emmy!

  Girl, get your grip on, okay?

  Fine. Maybe, Daniel still cares about Ruby but you cannot fault him out for that because well, he’s a nice person. And okay, I know it’s weird and it’s not nice knowing that but you’ll manage, okay? You will. I have complete faith in you.

  And well, yeah, that sounds weird. About those papers and the scissors, I mean. Maybe you could bring it to the police. You should.

  But then again, you know how stupid McMahon and her cohorts are. Damn, I wish I was there.

  Where’s Daniel?

  And no, I cannot write Troy. I think I’ll confuse him a whole lot more.

  Let me know how things go.

  Audrina

  From: [email protected]

  To: [email protected]

  Re: Ruby

  Daniel’s outside, I think.

  I checked the trash bin, and damn it. Those evidences were gone. Someone took them. I have a bad feeling that either Ruby or Edward has something to do about this. No one knows about those things but them and Daniel.

  Or if there’s somebody else, then maybe that person saw that I know about the evidences and he or she tried to take them away. I really am an idiot. I should have kept them when I had the chance.

  You and daddy are confusing. But I love you both.

  Come back soon! Or maybe, I could go to Guatemala and see you.

  Another thing, Audrina. I think I want to see Jimmy. Somehow, I’m still not convinced that he really is the mastermind behind all these.

  Em

  From: [email protected]

  To: [email protected]

  Re: Ruby

  Emmy!

  You know, I was thinking about that, too.

  Audrina

  But before Emmy could make another reply, she was astounded by the loud, terrifying screams of Ruby from the other room. She got up from her seat and hastily opened the door to check out what’s going on.

  She opened the door and noticed that Ruby was crying so bad that she was pretty sure that a lot of the people in the hotel heard what was happening. Ruby was slumped down on the floor near the entrance of the bathroom inside her room, her phone in one hand.

  “What happened?” Emmy asked. “What’s going on?”

  “No, no, no!” Ruby cried. “Oh god no.” She said, shaking. “This shouldn’t—I—“

  “Ruby!”

  “What’s going on?” Daniel said. He just got into the room and went towards Ruby and Emmy.

  “He—he’s dead.” Ruby said.

  “What?”

  She pointed towards the bathroom door. Daniel opened it and he and Emmy were shocked at what they saw.

  Edward, his face sucked out of life, his body limp, was sitting on the bathtub. He was dead.

  CHAPTER 13

  WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?

  “Oh god no!” Emmy said as Daniel came to her rescue and wrapped his arms around her. She wanted to cry but there weren’t any tears coming out. She was shocked and she didn’t know what to say or what to do.

  “What happened?” Daniel asked Ruby.

  “I---I don’t know. I—I went out for a bit to…to get some fresh air and when I came back, I noticed that the water was on.” Her voice was shaking. “So, you know, I thought that he was just taking a bath and I went back to reading one of the books from the shelf and…and suddenly, fifteen minutes turned to an hour and he still wasn’t coming out and I thought that it was weird because he never takes a long time in the bathroom. So, I knocked and he didn’t answer and that started to bother me. And…and so I decided to open the door and I saw him like that.” She cried some more. “It’s like…it’s like he has been electrocuted.”

  “Jesus Christ.” Emmy muttered. “It’s just…it’s just so weird. I mean, this never happened before. I just can’t believe this is happening.”

  “Maybe this has something to do with your company’s security problems.” Ruby said. “My husband’s life was cut short because of your problems! This is…this is crazy!” Emmy thought that she looked like a deranged person saying all those things.

  “Can you stop that, Ruby?” Daniel said. “We’re not even sure what happened or how it happened. He looks electrocuted, fine. But maybe it was just an accident. Like you said, you just went out for a bit and when you plan for electrocution, that takes a long time because you have to be sure that you won’t get electrocuted, too. Besides, why are we speaking this way? Call the paramedics.”

  “I—I can’t.”

  “What do you mean?” Daniel asked. “Ruby, you have your phone with you!” Daniel then knelt down and tried to get the phone from her but Ruby was hesitant to give it to him. She actually pulled it back.

  “Oh no I am not giving you this!” She shouted.

  “What the hell is wrong with you?!” Daniel asked.

  “Oh for crying out loud!” Emmy said. She was shaking. “Your husband just died and you care more about your phone?! How long has he been there, anyway? Why didn’t you call 911?”

  “Don’t you dare blame me!” Ruby screamed at her.

  “Fine!” Emmy said. “You don’t want to use your phone we’ll just—“

  “Oh my god! What happened?!” Ruby’s sister, Grace said. Apparently, she heard about the commotion so she decided to go to Ruby’s room. She was now staring at Edward’s dead body.

  “What is wrong with you all?!” She said. “Why hasn’t anyone called 911?!”

  “Ask your sister.” Emmy said. “I bet she’s hiding something.”

  “What would I be hiding?!” She said. “He’s dead! Can’t you see that?”

  “Shut up.” Grace said. “Just shut up!” She was shaking but she had the courage to take her phone out of her pocket and call the paramedics. It sure was going to be a long night.

  CHAPTER 14

  YOU’RE INVESTIGATING ME?

  After the Paramedics came, it has been said that Edward certainly died of electrocution although the toxicology reports would still take weeks to be brought out. Then, it was time for embalming so Grace, Ruby, Emmy, and Daniel went along to wait for Edward’s body to be prepared.

  When Emmy noticed that Ruby was not around, she made an excuse that she needs to go to the restroom. So, she did because she had a feeling that Ruby was actually there. Emmy went inside one of the cubicles and heard Ruby’s voice from another one. She was speaking to someone.

  “Someone’s here now, okay? Someone’s here and whoever it is will hear me and you know what? I am just through with this. You’re not even here to protect me. You’re making all of us your puppets!”

  E
mmy listened closely.

  “Yes, fine! Okay? I wanted this, too, but just so you know, this isn’t exactly easy for me. I am trying my best!” She was crying now. “I am trying my best and you’re not even showing your face to me! When will this end? Fine! But this is the last straw, okay? Hey—“

  Ruby stopped speaking. When Emmy heard that she got out of the cubicle, she hastily got out of hers too and stood just near the door so she could block Ruby from getting out.

  “Will you just let me through?” Ruby said. “I’ve had enough trouble for a night.” She was crying. Her voice sounded like it came from someone who was resigned from life.

  “I think I can say that for myself, too.” Emmy said. “And who were you talking to, Ruby?”

  “Why are you so concerned about whoever it is that I am talking to?!”

  “Because I know you’re hiding something. Who’s this person who’s not showing his face to you, Ruby? What are you hiding?” Emmy asked.

  “It’s none of your business, thank you.”

  “But it is.” She said. “Your husband died in my premises so it’s exactly my business.”

  “Exactly. Maybe, you’re the one who can tell me exactly what happened to him.”

  “I never said that you had something to do with this. Why are you so defensive?”

  “And why are you investigating me?” Ruby shot back. “I am dead tired of you trying to see me like a criminal. I am not a criminal, Emmy.”

  “I never said that you were. But now that we’re on that, why don’t you just tell me who you’re talking to and why are you so sketchy about it? If you have nothing to hide, prove it.”

  “I have nothing to prove to you.”

  “Maybe, you do.” Emmy said. “And for heaven’s sake, where did those scissors and those papers go? It was you who took them, am I right? I mean, come on, Ruby. You said you were outside for a bit. What were you doing there?”

  “I told you, I needed some air.”

  “Some air? Then, those evidences were gone? Who would get them, Ruby?”

  “You’re insane.”

  “Yeah, but you are, too.” Emmy said. “So, for all our sakes, can you please just stop being a bitch and tell us what happened so we could all move on?”

  “I’m through with this.” She said, pushed Emmy aside and opened the door.

  “Ruby!” Emmy called out.

  “Oh hi, Miss Byrne.” Officer Lena McMahon said. “Looks like you and Miss Ruby Riggs here aren’t seeing eye to eye, huh? We heard the commotion outside.” Officer McMahon was the head investigating officer of Annabeth’s death six months ago. She was keen on making Emmy feel like a suspect. In fact, she treated her like a suspect.

  “What are you doing here?” Emmy asked.

  “I think you know exactly what I’m doing here, Miss Byrne. We’re taking you in for questioning. And don’t worry, your boyfriend and Miss Riggs are coming, too.”

  CHAPTER 15

  WHY DON’T YOU JUST GIVE UP?

  “Well, you know how this goes, Miss Byrne.” McMahon said as she asked Emmy to sit down in her office. McMahon was scary, and had this domineering presence. It’s as if she wanted everyone to bow down to her just because she’s a police officer, but she was not competent enough and it’s as if she has it out for Emmy.

  Emmy hated McMahon’s office. It was bleak and depressing and it made her feel like she was one of those people in crime TV shows that were being investigated until they could not say anything anymore.

  “So…what were you doing while Mister Edward Monroe was dying?”

  “Well, for starters Miss McMahon, I had no idea that he was dying and if I had any idea whatsoever, I probably would have called the paramedics right away, don’t you think?”

  “Don’t answer my question with another question.”

  Emmy sighed. “I was in my room. I was sending some e-mails.”

  “For whom?”

  “For Audrina.” She said. “I’m sure you remember her.”

  “Wow, so you’re still in touch?” McMahon said. “That’s nice. And well, that’s also weird. I mean, six months after Annabeth’s death, you’re back here in my office, admitting that you’re still talking to Audrina Naimero who was one of the prime suspects for Annabeth’s death. It makes me think why you still do this job when people just for in your premises.”

  “Wait a second.” Emmy laughed. “Are you accusing Audrina and I of working on something?”

  “Maybe.”

  Emmy laughed some more. “You’re insane, aren’t you?” She said. “She is in Guatemala, Miss McMahon. I’m pretty sure she has better things to do there. And besides, I have no bad blood against Edward. He’s been nice to me.”

  “But people in the resort said that there was some commotion earlier in the day and that he had an argument with you, Daniel, and Ruby and that unfriendly words have been said.”

  “That’s true.” Emmy answered. “But we have nothing to do with it. I have nothing to do with it. Oh, and besides, since you said that you heard Ruby and I arguing, why don’t you just try to find the missing evidences instead of focusing on grilling me?

  "Will that help me find out who killed Mister Monroe?"

  "Who knows? Maybe whoever hid those evidences is also begins Edward's death. Maybe the reason why he hid those evidences is because there's something that he doesn't want us to know."

  "So now, you're telling me how to do my job?"

  "If that's how you see it then fine, I am."

  "Be careful, Miss Byrne. That could count as contempt."

  "Nothing I ever say to you is right anyway so why should I even bother?" Emmy said. "And you know what? I don't know why you hate me so much of what you're problem is but I don't care anymore. You should just do what you have to do instead of focusing on this hatred that you're harboring against me." She took a deep breath. "I am no longer goof to allow you to treat me that way because first of all, both of us are just doing our jobs. Of course, I'm not perfect, and obviously, the have been a lot of weird things that have gone on in the past couple of months but that doesn't mean that those things already define me as a person. I am more than that. If you don't like me then I cannot do anything about that anymore buy let's just stick to doing what we have to do, okay?" She took a deep breath. "Now do you have anything else that you want to ask?"

  McMahon looked shaken. It was as if someone had never spoken to her like that before and now she had no idea how to deal with it. She cleared her throat then spoke. "No, thank you. You can go "

  "Great." Emmy said and walked out of the room.

  Later that evening, she sent Audrina and e-mail and she was surprised when Audrina decided to call her.

  "Don't save this number because it's not mine. Audrina said. ri"I just wanted to see how you were."

  "I'm alright, don't worry." Emmy said as she paced the first floor hallway. "I just couldn't believe that this happened. I mean, it's so unfair. I was trying my best to do what's right and all, this happened. And I don't know if the way I spoke to McMahon was right, too, but I couldn't deal with his she was treating me."

  "First of all, it's not your fault. And secondly, McMahon deserved that. She's crazy. At least, she knows who she's dealing with now. And took know what? I think you're right. I feel like Ruby has something to do with this. Be careful around her though. She seems to be like a mean girl in sheep's clothing. I feel like we have no idea what she's capable of."

  "I'm thinking about that, too." Emmy then heard a vehicle parking outsidoutnd saw that Daniel and get farthest were coming out of it. "Dad and Daniel are here."

  "Oh." Audrina said. "I should go. I'll call you soon, okay? Just update me."

  "Okay. Thanks, A."

  "You take care. Stay safe."

  "You too."

  "Emmy!" Troy said and rushed to hug his daughter. "Honey, I'm so sorry." He said. "Are you okay? I know that's a stupid question but--"

  "I'm fine, dad. You shouldn't have come." />
  "Nonsense." Troy said. "Lena called me for questioning, too. She thinks we lacked security and all that."

  "McMahon's crazy." Daniel quipped. "She's into destroying the business but she won't be able to do it, I'm telling you. And Ruby and Grace insisted that there wake must be held here. I told them that they shouldn't but they were very insistent."

  "Let them have what they want. Then I'll make sure that they get out of here. I shouldn't have taken this project in the first place. Dad, I'm sorry."

  "It's certainly not your fault, sweetheart."

  "But I feel like such a failure." Emmy then started to cry. "I feel like I can never do anything right. Everytime that I try, things just end up getting worse. I never wanted this to happen, daddy."

  Troy wrapped his arms around her daughter. "None of this is your fault, Emilia. I love you. Don't cry. It's all going to be okay."

  "What if it doesn't?"

  "It will be." Troy said. "We have to believe that it will."

  After Troy left, Emmy and Daniel went to bed but Emmy cannot sleep. She just ended up crying with her back against Daniel.

  "Maybe, I never should have returned from Paris. You know, I'm pretty sure all your lives would be better without me here. Maybe, all of the things are happening because of me."

  "Emmy, you cannot blame yourself for this. This isn't your fault. No one wanted any of these to happen and blaming yourself won't help."

  "That's just do easy for you to say."

  "Of course it's not."

  "You shouldn't have left Ruby before. Maybe, Edward's life could've been spared and we'll all be at peace instead of having to deal with all of this."

  "Stop." He said. "You are just tired."

  "You're right." She said. "I am tired. I'm very tired." She was crying once more. She didn't bother wiping her tears away; she's just wanted all the pain to be gone. She's just wanted to start over and move on but right now, it seems to be impossible.

  "I am, too." He said. "But I'll never be tired for you. I'll always be here for you. No matter what." His voice was clotted with tears, too.

  He held her and she let him do so. They didn't speak afterwards; they both had no idea what to say.