14 Accusations

As everyone was dispersing, Doris volunteered to see Paris off. Outside the compound, it was blind dark and they had to find their way through the blackness using brightly lit phone torches.

"So what is your next plan, Jessy Paris?" Doris asked. "Because all you have done so far is point accusing fingers at people. The real thing hasn't being done yet. I understand you suspect all of us but you are taking this whole thing to another level. Find the culprit. That's your job. But you waste time talking about who and who you suspect."

Paris stopped on her tracks and stood motionless for a few seconds. Then she faced her. "Why are you talking to me? I did not ask for you to see me off." Her voice as cold as the night.

"Because," Doris stopped too, bit her lips and began to walk again, this time in circles around Paris. "You aren't very important to this investigation. You are not even licensed to work on such a case. The information you've provided so far is baseless. It has all been Detective Judith doing all the work. Your investigation has no foundation."

"Judith is smart I concur. But I am not here to argue who is doing better between me and her. That's our business not yours. Anyways, you might be shocked to know I know who the culprit is already." She said still motionless.

Doris stopped encircling her, her jaw dropping. "Oh? Tell me."

Paris adjusted her Jacket. "Doris I have been wondering where you fit into this." She said. "Where were you on the day the boy dissappeared? You continue to act smart and relevant, but for every time you try, you only end up exuding an unrivaled level of stupidity. I can pin this whole murder on you and you will live the rest of your life being beaten up in jail."

Doris sensed where she was heading to. "Oh you suspect me too?"

"Of course I do! Why are you dodging my question? Where were you on the day James disappeared?"

"And what if I don't want to answer?"

"I'll just walk away."

Doris peered into the dark night. "With Abim Robinson in my house. Making love." She declared with a sense of pride garnishing her voice. "Satisfied?"

"No." Paris said. "I want more. How did you come to know about James's love for Da Vinci's paintings? You seem to have known James a lot more than expected of his brother's girlfriend. Did he really like you?"

Doris let out a cackling laughter. "Jesus Christ, Paris. Abim is my boyfriend. We've been dating for a year now. What do you expect? That I wouldn't know anything about his family? Are you crazy?"

Her voice began to rise.

"Be careful with your words, woman." Paris warned.

"Or what?" Doris challenged. "You will beat me?"

"No. I will kill you." Paris said flatly.

Doris moved back, a look of terror flashing across her eyes. "Are you threatening me?"

"If that's what it sounded like, then so be it."

"I will be very honest with you. I do not like the way you stare at Abim."

Paris was taken aback. "Wait. What? Oh you think I'm interested in your dude? Is this what this is about?"

Doris shrugged.

"I care nothing whatsoever for posh blokes like Abim." Paris said and walked off.

Doris just stood there, mouth agape, watching the diminishing figure of Jessy Paris.

***

Abim was in the expansive kitchen of their home making coffee when Max walked in.

"Hey Bro..." He said and walked towards the sink to wash his hands. "Our brother is gone."

"Yes and I still can't believe it. Do I make you a cup?" He turned coffee into a small mug and added some sugar.

"No I'm fine." Max finished washing his hands and approached the fridge. "I heard you telling the cook to boil some potatoes earlier, are there any remaining?"

"I think so. Check the fridge."

Max opened the fridge and brought out a small bowl containing potatoes. He picked one and threw it inside his mouth. It was cold. Still munching he asked, "Do you trust our friends?"

"Well I did but I'm beginning to have serious doubts. There are other friends in our social circle that these Detectives don't know about. You know this, but I've never thought they could have any motive for doing this. They don't even come around that much." Abim sipped the coffee with care as it was steamy hot.

"Abim you speak like a child. People do not need any reason to hurt you. They just hurt you when they want." Max preached. "But I was referring to David especially, and your girlfriend. Do you trust them?"

Abim waited a while before answering. "Is there a reason why I shouldn't?"

"C'mon bro!" Max sighed in frustration. "You are smarter than this. The people closest to you are the ones with enough access to hurt you the most."

"True." Abim nodded. "Or was it you?"

Max choked on the potato in his mouth. "Me?"

Abim shrugged. "Talking about people closest to you having access to hurt you. You once almost stabbed James your own brother in the neck. Is it because I never mentioned it to the Detectives?"

Max dropped the bowl of potatoes. "Abim have you gone insane? That was a long time ago and it was in anger. You know how bad tempered I used to be. And you know how remorseful I was about that incident. It was what motivated me to start therapy for anger management and my anxiety issues."

Abim poured himself another cup of coffee and added a sprinkle of sugar. "Well, if you had succeeded and he had died, we wouldn't be saying this. You almost killed your own brother."

"Hey little brother, this isn't the time for you to take out your frustrations on me and..."

"Or maybe it was not you who did it. Maybe you are just covering for someone. Who might it possible be?" Abim raised his head in mock thought. "Oh! Jolene! Could it be Jolene? James caught you two once doing the nonsense you always do."

"That's not enough reason for anyone to kill anyone Abim. And no! I'm not covering for anyone."

"Hmmm." Abim smiled and rested his back against the long kitchen table.

"Why are we even doing this? Sounds like you are trying to transfer your guilt to me. You did it didn't you? You have more reasons to want to kill your brother!" Max picked up the bowl again but this time infuriatingly.

"That doesn't make sense."

"Yes it does. You never truly loved James. You always felt it was his fault that Mom died and you held no reservations in spitting it to his face, telling him you wished he was never born at the slightest opportunity."

Tears gathered suddenly in Abim's eyes. "I loved James. And trust me I regret those things I said. Don't taunt me with them."

Max sighed. "Do you now understand how it feels to be accused by your own brother of killing your brother?" He dropped the bowl again and grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge. "We are both extremely hurt by what has happened and I know we are looking for who to blame for this misfortune. But this is not the best time to point accusing fingers at each other. I know it wasn't you bro. It can never be you. And I know you know it isn't me. That's why it's our responsibility to fish out the culprit no matter who they are even if it means distrusting our friends."

"Yeah." Abim sniffed. "I'm sorry, Max."

"It's okay. By the way I did something really terrible." He rubbed his forehead.

"What?"

"I made out with Detective Judith in her office." He looked away from the expression of stun on his brother's face and his feet began to tap nervously on the floor.

"Oh My God. Are you in love with her?"

"No no no. I don't love her. We were talking and in that moment I just got a little lost. I was distracted and..."

"Is she mad about it?"

"No, but she told me earlier it didn't mean anything. She has a girlfriend."

"She is a lesbian?!" Abim's mouth hung open.

"Bisexual."

"Okay. This has to be the weirdest stuff I've heard tonight."

They looked at each other and burst into laughter.