FrAcTuReD (Part One) (Completed continued in Part Two)

Chapter. 25

"Only after you pushed her to it!" Will snapped. "Don't go acting as if you had nothing to do with it!"

Duke looked to Will, slightly surprised before that smug smile returned. "Your still on about that? How weak-skinned are you cousin?"

"Fuck off," he said. "Anyone would be when they find that their own family member pushed someone into taking their own life."

He scoffed as he pulled out a cigarette from his inner coat pocket. "Well then maybe it should teach people if they don't want to have a ruined reputation then they should stay out of the limelight as it were." He was about to light it only for it to be snatched away by Claud. He tsked and looked at the man with a glare. "Well if it isn't our note-taking detective, shouldn't you be looking for a serial killer or something?"

"I actually have business here, in fact it was to find you about the article you wrote."

Again, Duke scoffed before giving an arrogant grin. "Come on Detective, you know I can divulge my sources, you know how this business works. Its my job to give the news that everyone needs to know."

"Claiming events without even having the facts isn't what I would call your job, your trying to spread panic where there shouldn't be any. What's more your impeding on the investigation because of what you caused."

Duke just looked at Claud. "Oh really? You think I am, well during my return I've been hearing some interesting rumors about you Detective about you and the fact that at your age you haven't even remotely found yourself a wife, and your always sticking close to that Joshua guy. People are wondering why, some are even saying something might be wrong with you. Care to comment on that for me?"

"If anyone here is wrong that'd be the ass-hat blabbing away."

The room went silent and Duke turned his attention to Charla who looked at him with distaste before looking to Tom. "Where the hell is his damn off switch? His constant gum flapping is starting to really annoy me." She said as she put her hands in her sweater pockets. "Honestly, and here I thought I'd be able to avoid this kind of crap from the city. Guess it's just not my lucky day."

Duke just looked at her before letting out a feigned laugh. "Well if I live and breath, we seem to be in the presents of the head of the founding families of the town. You're Charla Liebert, right? A girl of your standards shouldn't be in a shoddy place like this."

Then maybe you should get the hell out if you don't like it. Will thought sarcastically.

Charla scoffed. "As if what I do is any of your business."

"That's where you're wrong Missy," he said causing Charla to give an arch brow in return. "It is my business; my job is to know about it's people and I've been hearing the most interesting rumors about you. And what you've been through."

"And?" Charla said with a disinterested tone as she moved to stand by Claud's side. "Why exactly should I care about a bunch of rumors that hold no water? Seems to me that you itching for anything you can clump together for a story like that god-awful TV show talking shit about a celebrity and think that what they wear is news worthy. Gag me."

The man scoffed but then smiled slyly. "You know, it's a sad thing to hear, about your accident, the loss of your twin. So many people saw him as a prodigy, someone that would do great things in the future. While you were stuck in his shadow, I know people say your smart but come on, you must be happy he's dead, right? I mean who wouldn't be when their sibling is hogging all the limelight for himself."