Chapter 1: Cast
Chapter Text
John Cena as Benoit Blanc
Randy Orton as Lieutenant Elliott
Austin Theory as Hugh Ransom Drysdale
Becky Lynch as Marta Cabrera
Stephanie McMahon as Linda Drysdale
Triple H as Richard Drysdale
Shane McMahon as Walt Thrombey
Marissa McMahon as Donna Thrombey
Trish Stratus as Joni Thrombey
Vince McMahon as Harlan Thrombey
--
Guys, I personally wanted to add this. I understand if there is any controversy over casting Randy in the role of a black guy (I would've had Bobby Lashley or Titus O' Neil doing Elliot) but I felt that owing to the great friendship between our 2 champs and the camaraderie between Blanc and Elliot in the movie, I felt a conversation between John and Randy over a mystery like this would be more imaginable.
Please do not take this as any sign of racism, because hating people for not being fair-skinned is.. well.. stupid. Ya'll know how much it'll cost to get a whitening skin cream every month? And I'm from India, so as it is, I ain't a fan of that.
This is also the second (or is it third?) time I'm posting this on Ao3; the first time was good, the second, not much reception. I do hope y'all hit those read and kudos buttons, I haven't posted on Ao3 for a WHILE now.
Do read on and enjoy the story!
Chapter 2: A Terrible Morning
Summary:
A cold morning in the New England manor of the McMahons begins on a terrible note.
Chapter Text
Dawn came around. A misty atmosphere surrounded the area in which a New England manor, belonging to famous detective author Vince McMahon was situated. McMahon was a well-respected figure in literary circles, and had gained a reputation as one of the most famous writers in the genre.
The corridor which you would see upon entering the manor was pretty fascinating and creepy at the same time - a gothic setting with decorative weapons, antique games and arcane puzzles. The first floor had a drawing room with a fireplace, a lovely kitchen, detritus from what seemed like a party, and some stray champagne flutes. The second floor had a hallway, with all the doors closed, evidence of the fact that the family members hadn't woken up yet.
Renee, the housekeeper, was carrying a tray of coffee up a flight of stairs leading to Vince's room. The staircase, known for creaking a lot (as we'll see in this story) felt only a light force of Renee's legs on them. The third floor contained the master bedroom suite, as well as an attic, one of Vince's favourite places in the house (perhaps the favourite too).
She walked into Vince's bedroom, careful as to not disturb his sleep. "Good morning Mr. McMahon."
But she found nothing. The bed was empty, the bedsheet perfectly kept, and a robe thrown across it. She went up a narrower flight of stairs just near the bedroom, onto the landing, which led to a single door.
"Mr. McMahon are you up there? I'm coming in."
She opened the door, and started, "Mr. McMaho-"
Her words stopped. On a leather dry bed, lay the dead body of Vince McMahon, throat slit, drenched in blood, with the red fluid falling down to the floor.
The tray in Renee's hands nearly slipped down and fell as well. "Shit."
Chapter 3: The Questioning Hours: Part 1
Summary:
Becky Lynch receives an unexpected call from the McMahon manor.
Chapter Text
Becky woke up with a gasp. It was around 9:30 am. Rubbing her eyes, she opened the curtains in the bedroom of her house, plain, cramped, yet modern, before deciding to head to the dining table with her laptop. It had been one week since that incident.
Her mother was at the table too, while her sister was sitting on the counter top, watching CSI on her IPad. Becky simply scrolled through a job site, her eyes trying hard to betray her, make her fall asleep while she was trying to work. Her mom simply watched in motherly concern.
As the CSI episode went on, naturally, up came a murder-related scene.
"Maria, turn that off now."
"Why, it's almost over, what-"
"Now please, just turn it off."
"They're finding out who did it and the Wi-Fi sucks in my room so it doesn't play it's like-"
"Turn it off, now," her mother's voice became stern.
"-two minutes left what there isn't even anything bad on it-"
"They're talking about murder on it, your sister just had a friend she loves slit his throat open-"
"-it's just normal TV and they're just talking-"
"-she doesn't need to be hearing that right now, LET'S BE SENSITIVE!"
"Okay okay, God, whatever, okay, whatever."
Becky sighed, putting her head in her hands. Not such a good morning.
Her mother looked back with protective sympathy. She started laughing at the absurdity of it, but her laughs turned to crying. Her mother pulled her in for a motherly hug. Pulling back, she turned to her sister.
"Maria, it's okay, you can watch your show."
"No, I guessed who did it anyway. I'm sorry Becky."
She gave her sister a hug, which seemed to last long before her phone rang.
"Just a sec," Becky said. Picking up the phone, she read the name: Shane McMahon.
"It's Vince's son, I need to take this."
She answered the phone. "Hey Shane. Uh huh."
On the receiving end, the Prodigal Son said something which left her face tilted in confusion.
"What?"
--
A long private road led to the enchanting, delightfully old-school mansion of the McMahons. Becky's subcompact Hyundai Accent (whose production was dropped in 2020 but whose models remained alive) buzzed by along the house. As she drove towards the house, several cars were there, including what she could make out to be a police cruiser, along with some police officers standing. She pulled up, after which an officer approached.
"Hey! Excuse me Ma'am?" he asked, attracting Becky's attention. "Are you with the help?"
Her nervousness and the fact that she hadn't prepared to wake up to a day like this was not a problem, thanks to some divine intervention.
"Hey! Her name is Becky, she was grand-dad's nurse, she's with us. 'The help'?"
Toni Storm trotted out, pretty pissed at the treatment her friend was being subjected to. She and Becky had become good friends. They had each other's back. Hell, even in Science.
Well.. it was Becky who had Toni's back as far as Science went.
"It's okay, sorry," Becky turned to the cop.
"No, it's not okay, what the hell," Toni muttered. They faced other, hugging and crying, before laughs found their way in.
"This is nuts.." Becky said.
"Tell me about it."
They walked along to the house.
"How're you now?"
"Not very good. Lot's of just, this," she paused to cry, "and not knowing what to do next."
Toni turned to her. "Hey.. anything you need, you're part of this family Becky."
Becky was wet-eyed. Simply sniffing with her head down, she looked up at Toni. "Thanks."
--
The entry to the foyer was provided after the door was opened by Stephanie McMahon. Vince's daughter, self-made woman and one who spoke with just about a little more sharpness than any situation she was in required. She had been married to Paul Levesque, a.k.a. Hunter Hearse Helmsley, 'Triple H' since 2003. Stephanie owned a real estate company in Boston where Hunter was the Executive Vice President. She, naturally, was the CEO.
"How you doing kiddo?" She asked with an affiliative smile, embracing Becky.
"Hi Stephanie. How are you?"
The eldest of the McMahon kin gave a rueful smile and sighed. "Well, the funeral helped... I guess. Just seeing him there. I thought you should've been there, I was, outvoted."
Just then, Hunter walked in, talking on the phone. He was 7 years older than Stephanie, and a gruff and confident man. Someone who would put his feet up on anything if he felt he needed to.
"I'm not the cop so I don't know. Alright fine, don't come, get arrested. Die up your own ass all I care."
Stephanie and Becky were naturally concerned.
"He's not coming," Hunter said after hanging up, turning to Becky. "Austin, little shit. Missed the funeral."
State Trooper Cody Rhodes, fresh-faced and in his mid-30s, poked his head out through the door.
"Excuse me?" After ensuring that their attention was drawn, he continued, "we're ready for you now. We'd like to see one of you at a time."
"Alright, I'll go first. I'm assuming this will be all be wrapped up before the memorial tonight."
"We'll do our best Ma'am."
Stephanie entered the room, whose door was then closed.
"So, how you doing kiddo?" Hunter asked Becky, while scrolling through his phone.
Chapter 4: The Questioning Hours: Part 2
Summary:
The interrogation begins in full swing.
Chapter Text
Vince McMahon was a strange fellow. Just look at his library.
Workaholic till the end, Vince's library and the man himself were made for each other. Mystery and horror memorabilia were scattered on the shelves. An ornamental wall of knives, a tribute to his most memorable book, A Thousand Knives, was the main attraction.
Here, sitting on an armchair, Stephanie was opposite Detective Lieutenant Randy Orton , and Rhodes. Orton was in his working suit. A man prolific at his job, Orton was aged 42. Rhodes, 5 years younger, and son of the famous police officer 'The American Dream' Dusty Rhodes, stood behind.
Randy cleared his throat to begin.
"We are just going to reintroduce ourselves as a formality, I'm Detective Lieutenant Randal Keith Orton , this is Trooper Rhodes. Now, I'm going to record, just makes it easier," he squinted as he switched on the voice recorder on the phone, "Alright, we're here with Stephanie McMahon-Levesque, Vincent Kennedy McMahon's daughter, in discussing the events the night of his demise one week ago, on November 8th."
Cody chipped in. "We're sorry for your loss."
In a voice dry as chalk, yet sincere, Stephanie simply replied, "Thank you, that means a lot."
Checking his notes, Orton continued, "So, we understand that night the family had gathered to celebrate your father's 75th birthday."
"Yes."
"How was it, the..."
"The party? Pre my dad's death? Oh that was great."
Flashback
A warmly lit living room was the setting that night. Classic rock was playing in the background, and food laid out ready to be devoured. Stephanie and Hunter mingled happily with the rest of the family - Stephanie's brother Shane, his wife Marissa, her widowed sister-in-law Trish and her daughter Toni.
Present
Orton continued, "Did anyone else show up?"
"Um.. there was Renee, the housekeeper, and Becky, Vince's caregiver. Good girl, hard worker. Family's from Ireland... And Vince's mother, Victoria."
Flashback
Not much in this flashback, just the sight of Vince's mother devouring the chips and dip as if it's the last piece of food in the room.
Present
Orton felt like the Sun had started rotating around the Earth.
"His mom ? How old is she?"
"... we have no idea. Should be 100."
"Okay, your son, Austin Theory, was he there as well?"
"Yes, but he left early."
Austin Theory, a stunningly handsome guy, about 11 girlfriends, breezed out the side door, past Victoria.
"Austin are you leaving?"
And then they heard something from the corner.
An F note.
Randy didn't need to turn around. Rhodes did. Stephanie simply looked in the direction of the sound.
A man was sitting in a blue suit, absolutely attractive, well-built, another should've-been-bodybuilder type, sitting with his legs and arms folded sharply, almost blending into the background, almost as if you couldn't see him.
(Sorry, but the pun is.. let's face it, pretty much eternal).
That F note seemed to remind Randy to ask Stephanie something.
"Right.. um.. did all three of you show up at around the same time?"
"N....o..."
Stephanie was really intrigued by the man in the suit.
"Hunter came early to help the caterers, set up."
"Okay, and you and your husband Paul Levesque, a.k.a. Hunter Hearse Helmsley work for a real estate firm in Boston?"
"No, it's my company," Stephanie was hurried, quick and sharp to point out.
"Sorry, right."
"I built my business from the ground up."
"Oh, just like your father."
Stephanie smiled. "You two were very close it seems."
"I mean.. yeah, we had our own secret way ofc ommunicating. You had to find that.. with dad... You had to find a fun game, to play with him. And if you did that,and played by his rules..."
Her eyes welled up, unable to say more. Wiping them off, the mysterious man's face was laiden with pity and pain for the woman.
--
"Everyone, idolises their dad, right?"
"I don't know, do they?"
"... very much not. Don't know why I said that. But my wife Stephanie does."
Stephanie and Hunter stood near the dinner table, on either side of Vince, as he smiled when his cake came with blazing firework candles.
"Vince started with a rusty Smith-Corona and built himself into one of the best-selling mystery writers of all time."
"Wow," Randy beamed. "Seems like all of his kids are self-made overachievers."
"... Ssssure," Hunter smirked.
--
"For the record I'm speaking with Shane McMahon, Vince McMahon's son."
Shane McMahon, aged 51, was sitting in a chair, wearing a sweater and Air Jordans. A reputation for taking some pretty nasty bumps, Shane was basically an example of something that just doesn't stay down.
The fact that his leg or any body part was not in a cast or bandages was honestly surprising.
"So, you run your father's publishing company."
"Yeah. It's my - it's our, it's the family's publishing company, dad trusts me to run it. 30 languages, over 80 million copies sold. A real legacy. You guys fans?"
"I mean, I don't do much fiction myself-"
"BIG FAN. BIG."
Shane nodded with a smile at Cody's enthusiasm.
"His plots, like something like ' Thousand Knives', with the - I don't want to spoil it but - the cow andthe shotgun, like where do you comeup with that?"
"Dad said the plots just popped into his head fully formed, that was theeasy part for him -"
And then came another F note.
Randy, professional that he is, continued, "You live in town, right? You guys probably arrived at around the sametime?"
"Uh..." Shane started, thrown by the man in the blue suit, "we all got here at around 8?"
--
Shane laughed and mingled with the people around. His wife Marissa stood beside, as he pressed a kiss to her cheek with an arm around her.
"I'll just be back one second honey."
As Shane walked away, Hunter backed up into Marissa accidentally, who yelps in fear and throws her martini in the air. Hunter jumps, while Shane doesn't even register it.
"JEEESUS, MARISSA, YOU OKAY?"
Shane's eldest son Declan James McMahon, turning 16 in December 2020, sat on some stairs, eyes locked on his phone.
--
"My wife Marissa... she's my rock. We have three sons, Declan, Kenyon and Rogan. Declan will turn 16 in December. Very politically active."
Hunter: The boy's literally a Nazi.
Toni: He's an alright troll dipshit.
"Kids today with the internet.. it's amazing," Shane shook his head.
"So the night went well?"
"I mean. We're all gutted but I'm happy we got that night with him. To be by his side, to think about ourbooks and what we've accomplished with them."
Shane and Marissa stood near the dinner table, on either side of Vince, as he smiled when his cake came with blazing firework candles.
"It's like I can still feel his hand on my shoulder. Passing the torch."
Shane regretfully looked down and sighed. "I miss him. We had many arguments, he scolded me whenever I took a nasty bump, and I realized that he saw Steph and Hunter as the heirs to the throne.. and I got tired of him overlooking my ideas for what he envisioned for the company.. but I miss him."
--
"So we are with Trish McMahon, Vince McMahon's daughter-in-law?"
"Mm. I married his son Ron. We had one daughter, Toni, and then, Ron passed on, 3 years ago."
"And you remained close to the McMahons?"
"Oh, they're my family," she laughed.
Trish danced with various family members, free and flowing. Stephanie, who was chatting with Vince, didn't seem to share the same energy.
"I feel simultaneously freed by and supported by them, that balance of opposites is the nugget of Cagna."
"Sorry, the nugget of?"
"Cagna."
"Oh, that's right, your skincare company, sorry."
She smiled. "I forgive you, yes. It's skin care but it promotes a total lifestyle. Self sufficiency with an acknowledgment of human need. That's Cagna, but it's also Vince. He got me and Toni through some tough times."
Cut to Toni in the chair
"Granddad gives my mom a yearly allowance, and he's never missed wiring a tuition payment to my school. He's a genuinely selfless man."
"And you left tje party early?"
"To meet some friends at Smith."
Toni trots out, waving goodbye. Stephanie, a little pissed, whispers furiously to Hunter, but loud enough for Trish to hear.
"You know, Dad's paying for her crypto-Marxist post-deconstructual feminist poetry theory whatever major," they chuckled, "she could have stuck around for the cake."
Trish takes a bite of a chicken wing.
"I think Stephanie was upset..." Trish said.
"But Vince understood."
And finally.. another F note.
Trish looked in the sound's direction, and saw the mysterious man.
"Right.. so, You two arrived together tothe party at the same time?"
"I'm sorry, if I could - pause - for a sec, because I mean.. who is that guy? And why are we doing this, again? "
"Just some follow up questions, just being thorough, in order to determine the manner of death."
Cut to Shane in the chair
"So by manner of death, you mean if someone.. killed him. If one of his family, one of US," Shane started raising his voice, "killed him," Randy noticing the trouble, tried to calm him down, "is that what you're suggesting Lieutenant?!"
"No, no, none of us think that, this is just pro forma, all of it."
Cut to Hunter in the chair
"Ok. So who the fuck is that?" Hunter pointed at the man.
Randy blinked and adjusted a bit, taking a breath.
"This is John Cena."
Chapter 5: Suspicions
Summary:
Truths begin to be uncovered as John Cena steps on the pedal en route to finding out what had transpired amongst the family.
Chapter Text
Hunter's face shifted in curiousity.
"John, Cena?"
"Yes," Orton replied. "Mr. Cena is a private investigator of great renown."
Cut to Trish in the chair
"Wait a minute - I read a tweet about a New Yorker article about you. The last of the gentlemen sleuths?" Cena's mouth turning into a smirk upon hearing that, "You solved that case with the tennis champ - ha.. you're famous!"
"Mr. Cena is not officially involved with the case but he has offered to consult. Now I happily obliged and I can vouch for him."
Cut to Stephanie in the chair
Stephanie got quite the shock when she realised who it was. Not that the New Yorker profile made him famous - she knew him already.
"Hello John."
Randy and Rhodes were pretty surprised. Noticing their surprise, Stephanie cleared up the situation.
"We know each other from many years ago."
"Oh, I see."
"Wish we had this reunion under better circumstances. What I want to know is.. I just buried my seventy five year old father who committed suicide. Why are you here?" She asked sharply.
(Relax guys. No southern accents for JC).
"I'm.. here at the behest of a client."
"Who?" Another sharp question.
"I... I cannot say," John shrugged, "but.. lemme assure you, my presence will be... ornamental. You'll find me a respectful, quite.. passive observer.. of the truth."
Stephanie nodded slightly and sniffed a little.
Cut to Hunter in the chair
"I didn't know you and Steph were friends."
"Well this is the first time we met in about 4-5 years or so."
"Damn.. well, are we getting there?"
"Nearly." Cena shifted forward a little, feet on the ground, "Um.. Vince's nurse, she was at the party in a professional capacity?"
"Becky? I guess."
The family is engaged in an animated discussion, Becky standing on the outskirts. Hunter beckons with his cake, calls Becky into the discussion, into the circle of the family.
"Vince hired her to be around for whatever medical needs popped up, but really she's like, part of the family. Good kid, been a good friend to Vince. Family's from Ireland. Immigrants. We get the job done."
Hunter pointed his finger at Rhodes smiling, non-verbally asking him to get the reference.
"Hamilton."
"Hamilton," Rhodes realised. "It's so good," he said smiling.
"I saw it at the public."
Cut to Stephanie back in the chair
"May I just - and then I'll proceed,but as a self made man myself... I haveto express my admiration for how you've followed in your father's footsteps."
"Thank you."
"Just marvelous. The whole family too. Trish with her thing, Shane with his electric vehicle company and his.. publishing empire."
John paused, letting Stephanie continue.
"He has done a lot, Shane.. I mean, earlier he was sort of adrift, dad gave him the job, but really dad handed him a book twice a year and he used to publish it, I mean... it's just not the same. He is still a part of the company.. joined back some time ago."
"But surely Shane runs the merchandising, adaptations, film and television rights?" He asked curiously.
Stephanie's eyes narrowed. Her McMahon temper started to flare up.
"Are you baiting me Detective?"
John raised his hands and opened his mouth in surprise, murmuring, "Wha.."
"You know he doesn't... and you think I'm dumb enough, that just because we used to be friends, to be baited into talking family business, into shit talking my brother in front of a police detective and a state trooper -"
Cut to Hunter in the chair
"Shane didn't run shit! Cause there are no film or TV rights. Vince never allowed any adaptations of his books.Hated the idea."
John's eyes were ready to pop out any second now. "NO."
"Yeah!" Hunter said, exasperated, understanding John's surprise. "Drove Shane nuts. Cause that's where the real money was at."
John nodded with a slightly open mouth and wide eyes.
"Whenever he got a lil' McMahon courage, he would get into it with Vince. Now that Shane came back.. he hasn't tried as much, but still the occasional attempts."
"Did he, get into it at the party?"
".. OH MY GOD!"
Shane with a drink in his hand has cornered Vince.
"Wouldn't leave him alone the poor guy. Vince had to give him the hook."
Hunter watches across the room as Shane goes from arguing to pleading. Vince has had enough, he takes Shane's arm and leads himinto the drawing room for a private talk. Hunter, drinking, smirks at the sight.
"I didn't hear what he said but he must have really handed him his lunch, cause Shane was like a wounded puppy the rest of the night."
Cut to Shane in the chair
The Prodigal Son was indignant.
"Hunter said what, no, Jesus, we did not 'get into it' at the party-"
"I'm just trying to get an accurate impression - Vince took you aside at the party,when you returned you were chastened..." John sighed. "What did Vince say to you?"
Flashback
Vince guided a drunk Shane firmly into the shadows, not wanting for a scene to be made.
"The Netflix guys, their business affairs guy sent over something, hard numbers this time, and I think-"
"Shane O."
"This is a window which is not going to stay open for long, we need to take advantage of it and-"
"Shane."
"Dad, you put me in charge of our books, let me be in charge! This is exactly why I resigned in the first place, you never listened, you never cared about my ideas, no matter how much money I could've made you, no matter how good my grades were, it was never enough for you!"
"They're not our books, son. They're my books. And this is not how I wanted to have this conversation but, you're right, it's unfair of me to keep you tethered to something that isn't yours to control."
Shane was taken aback. "What?"
"No, I've.. done you a grave disservice. All these years, I had kept you from building something of your own, that's yours. Ideanomics is yours, it's yours to control. But you're not going to run the publishing house anymore. You're free of it."
Shane closed his eyes. "Dad are you firing me?"
"We'll talk details tomorrow. My mind's made up," Vince said, raising his hand to pat his son on the cheek. "Good boy."
"We talked, we had a business discussion about e-books... Jesus, it was nothing. You want to talk about an argument, hell Austin had an argument with him."
"Austin?"
"Hunter and Stephanie's son."
A brief shock came over his face, but passed quickly enough. "Oh.."
"Look.. we all love Austin, he's a good kid, we love him."
John's eyes widened in amusement. "... But?"
"But he's always been the black sheep of the family."
"Oh.." John sighed, leaning back.
"And I'm not, I, I keep stuff like this in the family, but with Austin, he's never had a job, and dad for some unknown reason, always supported him. They've got this love-hate bond. They fight. But God that night they had a blowout."
The family is having a conversation; everyone but Vince, Declan and Austin. It grinds to a halt as, through the door to Vince's study, indistinct shouting booms.
"We couldn't make it out, but it was huge. And it was strange they went in another room to do it - usually they love stoking up drama in front of the whole family."
Austin burst out through the doors and storms out of the party, past Victoria.
"Austin are you leaving?"
--
"Speaking of getting into it," John said with a smirk, as Hunter laughed heartily, "you were at the house.. early, to help the caterers set up. Did you converse with, Vince at that time?"
"Well, he was there so we must have spoke-"
"Uh, in his study."
"... I don't think so."
"You see.. I spoke with the caterer this morning. She didn't see you helping her staff.. she DID however hear Vince in a screaming match with somebody that afternoon in his study," John said, his eyes assuming a keenness only detectives can possess.
"I don't.. screaming match?"
John nodded.
"Um.. no. But Trish was here too, she was early, ask her maybe."
"These were two male voices," John said, eyes squinted.
"Vince shouted out the phrase.."
"YOU TELL HER OR I WILL!"
"You tell her.. or I will." John was leaning forward, and his mouth turned into a smirk, using his famous prowess to use any discomfort to try and force out some potentially useful information. "Bells ringing?"
Hunter considered what he was gonna say. Cause the truth was pretty darn terrible.
Flashback
"Hey Vince," Hunter smiled, walking into his study. "You called?"
"Yes. I wanted to talk to you."
"Sure, what is it?"
Vince had his laptop in front of him. Doing some clicking, he opened up some photos, from what seemed to be from around 2002 to 2005. Hunter's face paled when Vince turned the laptop towards him. Anger developed on Vince's face.
There were pictures of a blonde long-haired Hunter and his friends at bars and other places, making out, flirting and even harassing women. Stephanie evidently didn't know about any of this.
Hunter looked up at Vince, his jaw grinding. He then swiftly slapped down the laptop.
"That's none of your damn business. You stay the hell out of my marriage," he growled.
Vince nodded to himself, "Stephanie doesn't know about any of this does she?"
"Yeah.. just like you and your affairs, how Linda never knew, all your fucking hush money."
"Linda knew, and she forgave me cause I was honest with her. And I didn't harass women by checking out their butts Hunter."
"And what about the thing with this guy smacking her butt? This guy in the jersey and the headband?"
"That was a one-time thing when I was a delusional bastard and she and him made a nutty deal. He didn't sleep with her Hunter."
"So what? You're being a bloody hypocrite about all this, it's been 15 years since the last time this happened!"
"What about the time when you were checking out this Bella woman?"
"God.." Hunter sighed exasperatedly, "stay the hell out of this Vince!"
"I know my daughter, and she would want to know."
Hunter was taken aback. Vince lifted up a pink envelope with flowery embroidery, and a red 'L' seal on it.
"I've put it all in this letter to her, tomorrow she gets it."
"Vince, I'm warning you-"
"No she deserves to know and you're going to tell her-"
"The hell I am!"
"YOU TELL HER OR I WILL!"
Chapter 6: Concealments
Summary:
Hunter and Trish face the heat.
Chapter Text
Present
"Yes," Hunter grinned. He laughed, rather nervously, "Vince had... finally decided to put his mom in a nursing home, and Steph had always opposed that. So I wanted to wait until we got back to Boston," he said while John looked skeptical, "so as to not make a whole scene, and Vince wanted me to tell her then." he said, hands shaking, as was his voice. "Sorry, forgot," he huffed, almost staring daggers around.
Cut to Trish in the chair
"The house?"
"Yeah, H-Hunter said you were early."
"I was, at the house early."
"To see Vince?"
"... to see Vince, yes," she said, a 'so what?' look on her face.
John smiled in curiosity and asked, "What were you seeing Vince about?"
"... it was just a mix up with the payment for Toni's tuition-"
"I'm sorry to press, but.. what kinda mix-up?" he asked, leaning forward as if a tiger was grinning at having found a vulnerable prey like a sadistic human.
Flashback
Vince was in his study, baseball in hand, just like he loved it. It was a habit actually. Trish was standing nearby, arms crossed.
"The school hasn't got the check yet, I don't know why Alan didn't mail it..."
"Alan didn't mail it because he caught a discrepancy. Alan's office has been wiring tuition directly to the school, as per your request. But Phyllis's office that handles your yearly allowance has been wiring the tuition money directly to you as well. You've been double dipping Toni's tuition and stealing from me," a gasp left her mouth, "One hundred thousand dollars a year for the past, four years."
Trish was just trying to regain her breath now, "Vince, I don't know how this mix-up happened-"
"So now I'm writing this tuition check, which is the last money you or Toni will get from me."
"Please, you don't understand-"
"Trish, I know it'll hurt but it's for the best."
She was close to tears, as Vince held up the check and smiled.
"My mind's made up."
--
"Oh, it was just the money wiring issue, with the office at the school so I had to ask Vince to cut a cheque for the semester," she said, regaining a smile and some much needed composure, "no big deal."
"Hm, right, yeah.." John murmured.
Randy breathed in before saying, "Well, why don't we just take a break-" Trish broke into a grin, rising from the chair and getting out of there for dear life, his words slipping, "uhuhuh.. she's gone."
--
Outside, Trish took a breath, feeling as if she had spent a day without oxygen, while Stephanie descended down the stairs, looking for Hunter.
"Hunter? Hunter? Trish have you seen Hunter?"
"No I was uh.."
"Okay, thanks."
Stephanie walked past, leaving Trish looking back blinking. "No," she huffed.
"Hunter?"
Hunter was in Vince's study, waiting very still until he heard Stephanie's footsteps (or anyone's for that matter) die down. Seeing his opportunity, he rushed to Vince's desk, pulling out a letter opener (obviously hidden in something) to yank open the top left drawer with.
There he experienced his Aha! moment. The pink envelope was there alright. He ripped it open, finding a paper with a floral design on the top left.. but no words whatsoever. Not even on the other side.
Hunter almost burst out laughing. Dropping it onto the desk, he simply muttered, "Son of a bitch.."
That, before taking the baseball, tossing it once and spitefully throwing it out the window.
Chapter 7: Unraveling the Truth
Summary:
John, Randy and Cody meet Becky and go deep into what they know.
Chapter Text
"Look, I may be a victim of my own expectations, but when the great John Cena comes knocking on my door.. I expect it to be, if not extraordinary, atleast.. interesting." John listened, cigar in hand, as he picked up the baseball, looking at it curiously. "But, I'm sorry, this is an open and shut case of suicide, and.. John we're at the point where I need to know what we're doing right now."
"The method.. throat slit? Typical for a suicide..?"
"Yeah, I mean, that's dramatic. But look around.. I mean the guy practically lives in a clueboard."
--
In a foyer where the door led to a pleasant sitting place outside, Becky was sitting alone, across a portrait of Vince. Her legs were shaking, and the anxiety was on her face to see. She then heard muffled voices from outside, and crept over to the glass door and put her ear to it.
"You ask me to drag all these good people back for questioning, go over it all again, I don't get it. This is a pleasant family with the usual quarrels but no possible motives for murder - where are you going?"
What Becky didn't know was that seconds later, John's face appeared right next to a space from which he could see everything in the foyer - including her. As soon as she turned, she saw his face and yelped, falling back. Regaining her composure, she got up, not sure of what to expect from this detective.
He opened the door for her. She stepped back sheepishly, crossing her arms and rubbing them to get some heat. But a lot of the nervousness she had seemed to dissipate by the welcoming nature of the person in front of her. John simply smiled, and with a warm nod, beckoned her to join them outside in the patio.
"Vince McMahon's nurse, Becky..?"
"Lynch."
"Becky Lynch," John beamed as she completed her name.
Cody started, "Ms. Lynch you can just wait inside, we'll be with you soon-"
"Ms. Lynch," John clearly didn't listen, "I've been doing a little poking.." he started, before flashing a quick glance at her shoe, "you're hired on a part-time basis as a registered nurse, is that right?"
"Yes," she nodded. "I don't work for a VNA. Vince hired me directly."
"Please, take a seat," John said, as they sat down. "And you're paid a flat rate for... how many hours a week?"
"Well, I started at 15, and.. then he needed more help."
"Medical help?"
Becky sighed, and said with all honesty, "He needed a friend."
That was perhaps the last thing John expected to hear. But he was genuinely touched at her answer. In this family of puzzles and mysteries, Becky seemed to be open and genuine with her emotions. John knew that he could trust her answers as he went about investigating this mysterious death - and his warm smile didn't hide his surprise.
"Does having a kind heart.. make you a good nurse?"
Becky breathed in. Clearly, she didn't expect this either.
"John-"
"Ah yes, Becky, we were just discussing possible motives in the family. I suspect that Vince has told you much unfiltered truth about each of them, and.. a little bird has told me.. how shall I put this delicately? You have a.. regurgitive reaction.. to mistruthin'," he chuckled nervously, hoping it didn't come off as awkward.
She was surprised. "Who told you that?"
"Is it true?"
"Uh.." she cleared her throat. "Yes."
"Oh," John murmured in surprise. "It's something I've had since I was a kid... just the thought of lying.. it makes me puke."
"Really?"
Randy and Cody looked at each other confused, shrugging and silently giggling. John turned back to silently reprimand them, before turning to her with just one question in mind.
"Is Hunter having an affair?"
It left her stunned.
Flashback
"God.. I should've never.. it will run in the family because of me. Men instinctively pulling at loose threads.. on their parachutes."
"What?"
Vince turned his open laptop around, and showed her the incriminating images of Hunter kissing another woman.
Present Day
"Hunter?"
John nodded.
"An affair?"
"Yeah.. a yes or no will do," he shrugged with a smile.
She cleared her throat, trying to prepare herself for her response in what she felt was a doomed idea. "No."
John shrugged, "Okay."
And that's when Becky rushed up and vomited into a nearby planter.
Randy gasped when he realised what she was going to do, Cody would've hidden his eyes from the sight, and John rushed up, shocked and feeling a little guilty for perhaps using this problem of hers against her. Then again the truth would've helped everyone.
"Oh my God, I'm so sorry, I thought you were speaking figuratively!" he said in shock, awfully concerned at her condition. He gave her a glass of water while Randy gave her a napkin.
"Well that was obviously right," John said, turning to Randy. "Hunter is having an affair. His father-in-law found out and confronted him - 'you tell her or I will'."
"But still-"
Randy was interrupted by a gulp from Becky. "You alright?"
She flinched a little in a weird way that Cody sometimes did. "Yeah."
"Protecting marriage as a motive? That's weak sauce."
"Well then there's Trish."
"Wait, lifestyle guru Trish? No, Vince was supporting her and that's the opposite of a motive."
"But if that support were to be threatened- Ms. Lynch!"
Becky was getting ready to head, opening the door, only for John to raise a hand, wanting her to stop.
"Yeah, I just needed to go insid-"
"Ms. Lynch," John said, a little more gently this time while closing the door. "Was Vince planning on cutting Trish's allowance?"
Flashback
"Oh Trish," Vince sighed, looking at some papers. Becky, sitting cozily in the chair in Vince's office which she had, for all intents and purposes, made her own, looked up. She was wearing a slightly oversized sweater with a coffee in hand. "What's up?"
Vince showed her the incriminating numbers almost immediately.
Present Day
"Oh my God," she said nervously through her teeth. Her face started to work against the overwhelming sense of nausea she was feeling.
"Don't answer that if you're gonna puke again," Randy chipped in.
"Toni said Vince pays the school directly, Trish said he sends the money to her. Both were true - she was pocketing the double payment! Vince found out and cut her off without a cent! Yes?"
He pointed a finger at Becky, who nodded out of fear of what would happen if she replied otherwise.
"So she bumps him off, for the inheritance?" a skeptical Cody asked. "No, come on, have you seen her Instagram? She's an influencer."
"Allowance as a motive? Again, more weak sauce. You just dumping that pile of weak sauce over," Randy gestured with a hint of a smirk.
"Granted, but she lied to me," John said. "All three of them did."
"Three?"
John's head made a small side tilt. "Shane."
"Ah, I see where you're going with this."
"Vince had already turned down Shane regarding film rights but something Vince said that night, shook him. Now we look at the pattern... Vince was cleaning house! I wonder... did he plan to fire Shane?"
He raised his finger at Becky briefly, but she was clearly uncomfortable. "Can I just leave, I feel like I shouldn't be here?"
Randy, who knew the miserable state she was in, slightly raised his hand from his side and said, "Just wait inside. Stay close."
She went in, relieved. John stared at nothing in particular as Randy took a seat.
"You've been very patient, my friend," he said as Randy was sitting down, "and yes.. you're right. None of these domestic squibbles and weak alibis answer your question - why is John Cena here? Well now I will tell you why... I'm here because this morning someone dodged a very important question."
"Who?"
"Me. Stephanie asked who hired me."
"Well.. who hired you?"
John looked puzzled. "I do not know. An envelope with cash showed up at my apartment yesterday with a news clipping of McMahon's death."
Cody looked unimpressed and raised an eyebrow. "An envelope, that worked?" he almost scoffed.
John looked rather surprised at the incredulous tone in the Trooper's voice, and emphasized his point with his fingers. "An envelope with cash."
Randy sat there interested, while Cody found that to be a more reasonable explanation.
"So somebody suspects foul play, and goes through this whole," John rolled his eyes and shook his hands to signal how ridiculous it all seemed, "baloney fudge and mustard stuff of hiring me, of staying anonymous. I-It makes no damn sense!" He said, before admitting in a lower voice, "compels me though."
He then gestured to Randy. "Walk me through everyone's whereabouts at the time of death."
Randy pulled out his notepad. "We know that the party ended around 11:30."
Flashback
Trish waved and went into her bedroom, while Vince and Becky went up the staircase towards the third floor, which was where Vince's room was. Paul and Stephanie headed into the bedroom right next to the stairs as they wished each other good night.
"Becky took Vince upstairs to give him his meds," said Randy. "Paul, Stephanie and Trish went right to bed. Now, the stairs leading up to Vince's bedroom and attic office creak horribly, and Stephanie is a light sleeper. So we know everytime someone took the stairs that night.
The first was when Trish heard a ka-thunk from somewhere above her."
Trish was meditating in her room which was decorated with colourful silks and candles, sitting on her mat in a lotus position. The sound interrupted her as she looked up, and went outside and up the stairs.
"She's concerned about Vince and so goes up to check - waking Stephanie."
Stephanie's eyes popped open at the creaking sound. Meanwhile, Trish walked up the small fleet of stairs on the third floor that led to Vince's attic office. She knocked and was answered by Vince, while Becky stood behind with her back turned, no doubt preparing a needle for injection.
"Hi," Trish said, still concerned, "I thought I heard something, is everything okay?"
"Vince was in his attic office with Becky. He explained that they had just knocked over the Go Board - the game with the grid and stones."
"Oh yes, we just knocked down the Go Board, sorry about that."
"He was fine," continued Randy. "Go back to bed."
"Go to bed Trish," he smiled.
She gave him a small flying kiss and waved goodbye as he shut the door.
"Ten minutes later, Stephanie is woken up by a second time, by Becky leaving."
Stephanie was exasperated. "Shane, I'm leaving!" Becky said as she walked out of the house, with Shane on the porch with his son. He saw her leave and drive away, and looked at his watch. It was 12 am.
"Shane was having a drink on the porch while his son was on his phone. He saw her leave and drive off. Noted the time - midnight. Fifteen minutes later, Stephanie is woken for a third and final time-"
Stephanie, who had a pillow over her head, was woken up by the creak, letting out an exasperated groan, closing her eyes and looking up while holding the pillow down.
"-this time Vince, who came down the stairs for a midnight snack, which Shane tried to discourage."
"Dad! Go back to bed!" Shane called out, half turned, having caught sight of Vince through the glazed glass, seeing him come down the stairs in the foyer. He turned back to looking outside once he saw his father go back up the stairs.
"Based on this, the medical examiner determined the time of death to be between 12:15 and 2 am. As Shane was done with his drink, about 12:30, Toni came home."
A car's lights lit up the path outside before turning off.
"She went straight to bed. Shane and Declan turned in shortly after."
About over an hour or so later, in Trish and Toni's room, Trish is fast asleep, while Toni is woken up.
"Sometime later that night, undetermined.. but possibly near 3 am, Toni woke up because the dogs were barking outside. She used the bathroom, went to bed."
Present Day
Randy snapped his notepad close. "And that's it. Everyone's stories matched, every moment accounted for."
"And there is no other staircase up to Vince's room?" John asked, intrigued.
"Nope. Just the creaky one."
"Interesting.." he hummed.
"So, we know Austin didn't do it because he wasn't there. Becky couldn't have, Vince was alive when she left, Toni.. got home during the time of the death window-"
"Except he did cut his own throat okay? We saw from the blood splat patterns that they were interrupted, meaning, it's almost impossible for anyone to have been around him at the time. He's the one who cut his own throat, I don't know why we keep going over this-"
"Physical evidence can tell a true story with a forked tongue," chipped in John. Randy looked confused. "And as we can tell from this morning, everyone can lie... well.. almost everyone."
Chapter 8: Glass Onion
Summary:
Ya boi thinking.
Chapter Text
So, this story will go on, sure, but I couldn't help but think of a WWE Cast for Glass Onion.
Here are my preferences:
John returns as Benoit Blanc
MJF as Miles Bron
Naomi as Helen/Cassandra Brand
Sonya Deville as Claire Debella
Dave Bautista as Cody Duke - ik, how original, huh? ;)
Titus O' Neil as Lionel Touissant
Charlotte Flair as Birdie Jay
Dana Brooke as Peg
Mandy Rose as Whiskey
Got any ideas? If you think someone else would be better for a specific role, I would love to hear what you think. Leave it down in the comments!
Chapter 9: That Half Hour
Summary:
John comes to the most crucial witness thus yet - and we experience a flashback of the events of that fateful night.
Chapter Text
"Ms. Lynch... we kept you waiting all afternoon because I wanted to hear from you last."
In Vince's library, Becky sat on the chair where the family members had been previously sitting.
"I needed an entire image of that evening in my mind.. and yours, is at it's very centre. So please, take your time.. you took Mr. McMahon upstairs at 11:30, and left at midnight. Think very carefully, and with as much detail as possible.. tell us what happened in that half hour."
Becky sat in silence. Randy and Cody waited in anticipation, and John tossed a silver coin up in the air. As the sound of the coin became the loudest sound in the whole room, Becky experienced a flashback.
--
"Up, up, up, I got it."
"You got it?"
Becky enters Vince's bedroom, but then hears some steps upwards, and groans.
"No, Vince, no, not tonight. Straight to bed, it is so late. Vince, c'mon!" She called out, while grabbing her medical bag. She walked up the stairs of the study, and sees Vince having set up a Go Board, beckoning her. "Come on up!"
"It's late Vinc-"
"We're not breaking tradition on my birthday!" He declared.
"Can you just take your goddamn meds and go to bed?"
Vince pointed at the bag with a wary look. "If you're going to put that vile shit in me, you're gonna have to earn it.. on my birthday. 85th birthday..." he said, before exaggerating, "So old, so old..."
"Real mature," Becky remarked. "Alright old man, 8x8 game. You ready?"
They started playing, the clacking sounds of white and black stones filling the room.
"We know how this is going to end."
As they continued, Vince sighed, more than a little exasperated. Yep, he knew how this would end.
"Why can't I beat you at this game?" he said, resigned.
"Because I'm not playing to beat you, I'm playing to create a beautiful pattern."
"This is elder abuse. I'm calling the AARP."
"Don't make me get the belt," she mockingly warned.
"My only hope now is that an earthquake will strike," Vince sighed. "But what are the chances?"
Just then, Becky started to notice the table and, as a result, the board shake. She gave Vince the most deadpan look she could muster. Vince pretended to be startled.
"Oh.. hello? Hello? Hello? Get a doctor!"
With one swift motion, he knocked over the board, also spilling the vials and syringe. The medical kit fell to the ground, while Vince just burst out laughing. Becky, despite knowing this was coming, was still dismayed.
"Such a sore loser you are! Meds then bed," she declared. "I'm done with you."
Vince chuckled. "Huh, that's fair." While Becky retrieved the vials, Vince rolled up his sleeve to reveal a catherer, before he sighed. "Ugh, Shane's having that smoked whiskey again on the porch. Nasty things."
"How was tonight?" Becky said, while administering the injection, listening to him as he talked.
"Tonight was.. good," he admitted.
"I know you weren't looking forward to it," Becky shrugged.
"No.. but I did it. Cut the line on all four of 'em. It wasn't easy... this goddamn fortune," he sighed. "Sometimes I think.. everything I've given my family, I've done.. maybe, to keep them beneath me. I should have, I don't know, encouraged Shane to expand his own company, instead of remaining tied to mine.. and as you said, I should've been a father, not just a provider.. to Trish. I should've been kinder to Steph.. and Austin."
On mentioning that last name, Vince laughed and gave himself a slight facepalm. "Jesus, Austin... God, there's so much of me in that kid. Confident, stupid.. playing life like a game without... consequence," he said, while taking a knife and looking it over, "until you can't tell the difference between a real knife.. and a prop." He stabbed the knife, very real indeed, into the desk.
"I don't fear death, but.." he sighed, "God, I'd like to fix some of this before I go. Close the book with a flourish. But I guess we'll see."
"I guess we will," Becky nodded. They exchanged a smile, before Becky loaded the second syringe from the second vial and spoke again with a grin, "Hey? You've had a long day. Wanna do drugs?"
"You mean the good stuff?"
"Yeah, but just a tiny bit."
Vince chuckled. "Send me to la la land. Why did I wait till my mid-eighties to become a morphine user... what a schumck, what a nud-nig.. this stuff's the best."
But as he was saying all this, Becky's eyes were stuck on the label stuck on the second vial. She froze, and blinked.
"Oh my God.." she murmured.
She snatched up the first vial, and looked at the label, holding it side-by-side with the second vial. Her blood runs cold when she reads the labels.
"Is there a problem?" Vince asked, clearly oblivious to the internal turmoil coursing through the Irish lass.
"This is what I just gave you a hundred milligrams of... but I messed up," her voice became desperate and worried on that second part.
"You gave me 100 milligrams of the good stuff."
"Let's not call it that right now," she said, almost pleading. She immediately pulled out an emergency kit from a shelf nearby. She started calmly, but with every passing second, her worry grew and she started to practically ransack the bag.
"What's the good stuff dosage supposed to be?" Vince asked curiously.
"3 milligrams."
"Oh, that's much less. So what happens?" Vince asked.
"I give you an emergency shot of Naloxone so that you don't die in 10 minutes."
How he was so calm was beyond human comprehension, but then it went to the next level when he continued, "Well, no pressure. You know, that's an interesting, efficient method for murder. I need to write that down." As he literally started to write this down on a notebook, Becky's breath grew heavier and her mental state worsened. "So.. if someone switched the meds on purpose, I'd be dead in like.. 10 minutes. Like, stone cold dead?"
"You'll feel symptoms in five," Becky said with a voice that was shaking more and more by the moment, "sweats, disorientation.. then yeah, that big a dose injected, within ten, your respira.. your.. yes, you're dead within ten minutes."
"From the time of injection, so eightish now. And even if the victim called an ambulance when he first felt symptoms, if he was at a country home like this one... where the ambulance takes fifteen minutes to arrive, it would be too late. If the victim... didn't have this emergency Naxostuff."
But as he looked at Becky, who was now digging under the carpet and then dumped the contents of the bag and frantically went through them. Now even Vince was feeling serious, and a bead of sweat rolled down his brow.
"Becky?"
She tried not to listen, but her nervousness was worsening.
"You have it, don't you?"
"Yeah, I have it right there, I have it... here.."
She froze once she had finished rummaging through the bag. She looked at him with tears welling up in her eyes and an expression of fear. She shook her trembling head.
"I-it's not there."
Vince looked at her with an unreadable expression. "Where's the phone? I'm calling an ambulance."
When she said those words, Vince's eyebrows furrowed. She rushed for the landline phone, but the ring stopped. The line was dead. With disbelief, she looked at Vince's finger on the cradle. His eyes then flickered up to hers, and they possessed an eerie seriousness and certainty.
"W-what are you doing?" she asked, almost incredulous.
"Becky, listen to me."
"Vince we need to get you help-"
"Just listen-"
"Are you crazy?"
"Stop, stop, Becky, there isn't time-"
"No, you need help, I'm calling the family!" She said, but as she went for the door, Vince tripped her. She looked back in shock of what he had just done.
"What are you doing?" she whispered.
"Becky it's too late-"
"Are you nuts?"
"It's too late, I'm dead, LISTEN!" He said, actually putting his hand on her mouth to stop her voice.
"Listen. If what you said is true Iam gone, there's no saving me, wehave six minutes. There is one lastthing I need to do in this world, andonly you can help me do it. But youneed to trust me and do everything Isay."
She was still shaking. "What do you want to do?"
"Get you out of this. Think of your mom - please, trust me. We have to make this look like it wasn't your fault. You-couldn't-have-done-this."
"My mom...?"
They were interrupted by a knock on the door. "Vince? Becky? Everything alright?" It was Trish.
Becky was taken aback, but Vince quickly composed himself. "Get behind me," Vince quickly said. "Don't say a word." While Vince opened the door, Becky stood at a desk. She was standing seemingly still, but she was trembling with fear and horror. Her eyes were wide, before she closed them shut to try and not let the tears fall down her eyes.
"Hey Trish."
"I - hi - I heard something, is everything okay?"
"Oh yes, we just, I just knocked over the Go Board, sorry about that."
"Oh," Trish chuckled. "Everything's alright?"
"Yes, yes, all right. Go to bed Trish," he said with a beaming smile.
"Ok. And maybe tomorrow, we can talk about the, uh... the thing with the-"
"Yes. Tomorrow."
"Love you, bye," Trish beamed and waved.
"Bye, bye," Vince smiled, before he closed the door. As soon as the door was shut, he walked over to Becky, holding her by the shoulders. "Pay attention now. Your mom is still undocumented. If this is your fault, she'll be found out and at best deported, and your family will be broken."
A new fear developed in the Irish girl's eyes. "Oh God.."
"But we're not going to let that happen. I have a plan; it's not going to be easy, but you have to do exactly what I tell you. Will you do this Marta? This last thing. For me?"
With a supreme effort, Becky somehow took a deep breath and composed herself in spite of her terrified self. She nodded.
"What do you want me to do?"
--
On the porch stood Shane and Declan, the latter on his phone while Shane was finishing his drink.
"Go downstairs as loudly as you can, saying goodbye loudly."
"Shane, I'm leaving!" she called out. Shane looked up and briefly smiled at Becky, nodding as she swiftly left.
"Call attention to the time if you can."
"God, it's midnight already," Becky murmured. As she walked away, Shane looked at his watch, and yep, the time was indeed 12 pm. He sighed and turned to get another bottle kept nearby.
Becky drove out the guard gate and down the private road.
"Drive out the gate. Then, to avoid the security cameras, pull off the road before the carved elephant."
But then, as she approached the carved elephant, her mind started to wage an internal war.
"Wait.. was it before or after?"
"After the carved elephant."
"No.. he said before, didn't he?"
"Be-after-fore the carved elephant," said the conflicting voices in her mind. She gritted her teeth in frustration.
"Shit." She yanked the wheel, pulling off just before she could pass the carved elephant. As soon as she was in the woods, she quietly got out and trudged away from the car.
"Park and come back on foot up to the gate. Take the side yard path through that little gate."
She walked up to the side gate, and as she did, the dogs ran towards her. But she had nothing to fear.
"The dogs will know you. They shouldn't bark." And indeed, man's best friends stopped at Becky's feet and simply licked her hand, as she gently petted them and then quickly walked away. Her eyes turned to the side of the frankly looming house.
"You've got to get up to the third floor without being seen, and the only way in is to climb the side trellis and come in through the trick hall window."
Becky stared at the trellis, her eyes a mixture of incredulity and fear. "You've got to be kidding me," she muttered.
"I'm not. Do it."
And it was smooth sailing. Becky was able to climb up without much problem, and a wave of relief started to wash over her. All she needed to do was keep this up, and she would soon be inside.
"And for God sake don't make any noise."
But then, a piece broke. She hung onto the top, swinging by one hand, suddenly overcome with panic. However, she managed to catch her breath and continue somehow, and soon enough, she was inside, the end wall of the seemingly ordinary hallway swinging open to reveal a window behind it. In stepped Becky, heaving through the window as she gently stepped into the hallway.
"Once you're inside, this is the tricky part."
"This is the tricky part?"
She walked straight into his bedroom. "Get my robe and cap from my bedroom, and put them on."
She started to pick them up, but then doubts started to enter her mind.
"Vince, this is - I - this is crazy-"
"We need to make this so airtight that your average cop will dismiss you as a suspect entirely. This seems crazy but it will work."
Once in the robe, Becky put on her cap and tucked her hair under it. She walked down the stairs, and saw the outline of Shane and Declan through the glazed window. Feeling like a deer in the headlights, she held her breath.
"Shane and Declan are outside. They'll see you through the glazed window."
"Dad! Go back to bed!" Shane called out. Becky closed her eyes shut at the sound of his voice, but the words were just what were needed.
"You were seen leaving, the security cameras show you driving off, and twenty minutes later, I'm seen alive and well by my son. You've gone from suspect number one.. to an impossibility."
She climbed up the creaky stairs, and ducked in, ditching the robe and cap on the bed. She went out, shimmied down the trellis and hopped to the ground. But then, quick as a cheetah, she froze and almost let out a shriek.
"Leave the way you came. And don't. Be. Seen."
Becky looked at a darkened first floor window. And across the glass, sat the unmoving figure of Vince's mother, her eyes locked on the figure in front of her. The tension rose with every passing second, before she finally spoke.
"Austin? Are you back again already?"
The relief was immeasurable.
With a deep breath, she backed away, and quickly went down the lawn.
"Drive home. Some days later, the police will question you."
--
In the study, Becky stood, having taken all this in. Her breath was becoming heavier and heavier.
"Harlan, I can't lie, I'll puke."
"Don't lie. Tell fragments of the truth - in this exact order."
AnreinMoon on Chapter 4 Mon 21 Nov 2022 08:36PM UTC
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ChryceClawenOptimus on Chapter 4 Tue 22 Nov 2022 03:41AM UTC
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