Lucky O'Cléirigh

...the next day...

Chained to my desk at the end of what feels like the longest morning I've ever had the misfortune to live through, I am sorting the mass of images taken at the Keely security assassination scene on the high definition laptop screen when Chyna rushes into my office.. Her strawberry-brown hair is bundled up in a messy bun atop her head and her flawlessly botoxed face is bare of her usually refined makeup to display the rosy patches she usually covers in concealer.. She looks a frightful mess, as if she been crying, her hazel eyes are faintly bloodshot as she presses the door closed behind her for privacy.. "Lucky, do you have a moment? We need to discuss something, it's rather important.."

"O'course, Chyna.. What's the matter?" I close the laptop lid and sit up straighter in my chair as she crosses the office floor to my desk to take up the seat opposite me..

"It's Wren.." She starts with a sniff, digging into her jacket pocket to retrieve a handful of crumpled tissues that she uses to dab at her puffy eyes..

"Oh..I haven't seen him this morning.. Is everything alright?" A prickling dread chews a hole through the bottom of my stomach and seeps through my organs to hold my heart in a death grip..

Has Wren followed through on his threats from the other day?
Has he filed the report that would ruin me?

She frowns at me, clearly distressed and struggling to hold herself together.. "No, Lucky-- Wren is dead.. His body was found last night in a Northbank alleyway near The Grand early this morning.."

"Jesus Christ.." I mutter in disbelief.. "I--I had no idea, I'm so sorry.. I know you two were close.." As I make the polite apology I realise I'm not sorry at all.. Actually.. I don't feel anything..

"Close?" She scoffs.. "No.. We weren't close, Lucky.. His father sits on the board of ForenX, I had no say over where Wren went or what he did.. You know as well as I do that man did whatever he pleased in this place.. I wasn't in any position to argue with that.."

For a long second she stares at me, unblinking and as if trying to silently tell me something too difficult to put into words.. "Are you okay, Chyna?"

"Yes.. Yes--I'm--" She heaves in exhaustion.. "No.. No actually, I'm sorry.."

"Oh?"

She continues, twisting her tissues in an uncomfortable and nervous way that makes me uneasy.. "Listen, the police requested a list of anybody and everybody who might have had a grudge against Wren for their investigation.. I just thought I'd give you fair warning, your incident report of the inappropriate events from earlier this year has been handed over.."

"Investigation into what?" I shake my head..

"His homicide, Lucky.. Somebody killed Wren.."

"Oh.." My throat feels like sandpaper as I swallow, mostly shocked by the news but more put off by the seed of suspicion that grows in the back of my mind.. Something sinister that I know to be true whispers it's wicked warning, yet I don't quite want to believe it, brushing it aside to become a nagging buzz that I refuse to acknowledge

"I just thought you should know, the allegations you made, well.. It turns out there were others from various departments who felt Andrews had a habit of harassment.."

"Huh.." I huff in frustration.. Even in death Wren Anderson has still found a way to make me miserable and ruin my life..

"I'm really sorry, Lucky.. I don't know how the other allegations were suppressed and the entire HR department will be placed under internal review until we figure it out.. I didn't realise how serious the issue had become and I was only following procedure, but I see now how unfair that was.. I should have done more to protect you-- to support you

"It's not your fault, Chyna.. Really.." I utter the words but they still feel wrong.. A part of me blames her..

"That's sweet of you to say.. But I feel responsible, so if you need to take some time off, I'd be happy to approve it.."

"Thanks.."

She stands up to leave and as she opens the door she jumps with a start to find two lawmen waiting on the other side.. "Oh! Detective Juarez! Detective Donovan! What are you doing here?"

"Afternoon, Chyna-doll.. we're just here to have a quick word with Miss O'Cléirigh.." Brody nods to my boss and she hesitates uncomfortably in the doorway as the two officers step into my office.. Chyna throws me an apologetic glance and when I smile at her in reassurance she finally lets herself out..

"Hello detectives.." I rise to my feet as the two men amble into the office, both of them wearing foreboding expressions that signal nothing good will come of their presence..

"We need to ask you about the murder of Wren Andrews, Lucky. Care to tell us where exactly you were last night between the hours of 7pm and midnight.." Juarez takes the lead all while Brody just watches me, leaning against the doorway with emptiness in his beautiful blue eyes..

Thinking about the last time Diago and I were alone together makes my skin crawl.. I can still feel the creepy-crawly prickle of his hands on my skin and his lips sticky on mine.. He had no regard for my personal space and no consideration for consent.. I really doubt he is the kind of man who would feel sympathetic to the way Wren had treated me.. I doubt either of them will believe I had nothing to do with his death..

Then again, maybe I did..
Maybe I'm not entirely innocent..

Because suddenly all I can think of is Konstantin and those five minutes during the dance of the Black Swan where he had disappeared..

If I were honest with myself, I know exactly where he went.. I know the truth..

"Before I answer any of your questions.." Taking a second to steady myself and prepare for the madness I am about to manifest, I brush my loose curls back over my shoulder and reach across the desk for my phone.. "I think I'd like to call my lawyer.."