Chapter 7
Kathy continued “If you think that I can be so brutal to kill my own father, then you are wrong. I was angry with him, I agree. I wanted him to pay for his deeds, but murder never crossed my mind. He was my father. How can I have done this to him? Leave alone him, I could never do anything like that to any individual”. Kevin asked “What do you think of your family lawyer Mr. Louis? We have inkling that he is being more affectionate to you now. We have also heard gossips about him and Miss Alicia”.
Kathy replied “He is our family lawyer and I have no idea about his personal matters. May be he would have understood what I am going through and the concern that he shows is quite natural under the circumstances”. Kevin asked “So you don’t see anything suspicious? Strange.. what do you have to say about your relationship with your father’s assistant David? I am sorry to say, but some gossip about you both is also going around the town”. Feeling unhappy Kathy looked away. Then she looked directly at Kevin and answered “ I don’t see how this question is related to the crime. I feel I have answered enough of your questions. If you permit, I have other business to look after”.
Perry asked “I have one more last set of questions. After answering that you are free to go. Was your father fair to leave only 25% of property to you and the remaining to your step mother and sister? Did it cause you to feel more betrayed? Did you feel devastated? Tell me truth, Did you kill your father or not?”. Kathy sobbed and said “I have not killed my father. Please believe me. She stared at the ceiling once again. After controlling herself, she seemed like a different person. If you have no more questions, I would like to leave”.
Both Kevin and Perry nodded. After Kathy left, Kevin muttered, “interesting”. Perry inquired “Who is the next fish?”. Kevin said. “Only 3 left. Who shall we call next?”. Perry said lets see what Alicia has to say about this?
Alicia entered. She asked “I guess you gentlemen wanted to see me. Could you ask me your questions fast? I have an important appointment”. Perry said “sure madam, we have a few questions, after which you are free to go”. Alicia nodded. Perry continued “How do you feel about your mother?”. Alicia replied “By now you might have known how Kathy felt for her father. I felt the same way about my mother. These relations, they are so complex. I loved as well as hated my mother. My mother thinks that money is the biggest thing in world and she can do anything for it. She left my father for it and look at her now. She is adorned with such expensive jewels while my real father doesn’t have money even to fill his stomach”. Perry asked “so you say she married Mr Peterson’s for money?”. Alicia shrugged “What else could be the reason?”. Kevin inquired “So why r u with her now. Do you also have the same love for money?”. Alicia replied “It was because of the court order. As my father was not able to support me, I had to stay with my mother, but I have been constantly in touch with him and helping him in the ways I can”. Perry asked “So you say you are not interested in money?”. Alicia said “yes, money will go one day. It is affection I yearn for”.
Kevin said “ok, so you yearned for your father’s affection and you loved your mother in a way. So you could not punish her as well. So was it your step father, whom you felt responsible for what happened? Did your rage cause you to take such an action”. Alicia yelled “What action?”. Kevin said “Murder of your step father of course. Would it not solve all the problems? Your mother would have the money and you both can go back to your real father and lead a peaceful life. Am I right”. Perry added “or was it for the fear that Mr Peterson would change the will and you would not be able to change your fate?”
Alicia did not look happy and stared at both of them
Alicia’s speaks ….
Friday, June 27, 2008
Camouflages - Chapter 6
Chapter 6
Kevin inquired “You mean to say, Mr. Peterson had changed his mind and wanted to change the will?”. Louis nodded his head. Perry asked “Do you know what made him change his mind or in whose favor the new will was supposed to be?”. Louis said “He did not give me any hint and as I was going to meet him soon, I thought it quite inappropriate ate to ask about it over phone. But I could feel the urgency in his voice”. Kevin muttered “I see”. Perry asked “Could you tell us the procedure you and your client followed while preparing any legal document like the will”. Louis answered “My client was well educated and very much aware of the law. Being an impatient man, he used to prepare the document himself and then I used to review the same for any changes. We used to dispose the old copy and create a new copy and then my client used to sign it”. Perry queried “Impatient you say.... Do you know if anyone else was aware that he was going to change the will and is it possible that he might have already prepared the new will”. Louis replied “If anyone else is aware of this or not, I can’t say for sure. Truly the murderer might have known. But my client did not mention any such information to me. If you ask me if he could have prepared the new will? I would say it is possible, taking into account his urgency. I could smell something wrong. But I don’t have any further information about the will.”
Perry said “I agree with you. Probably the murderer came into the possession of the will. It is one possibility.You say you did not see the new will. Is it not so?”. Louis replied with anger “Yes, I did not see it”. Kevin said “I think that’s all for now. We would get back to you in case of further questions. Thank you for your time.”
After Louis left Perry asked Kevin “What do you think of the fellow? Do you think he is telling the truth?”. Kevin replied “Only time will tell. Lets see. I also hope that the autopsy report sheds some light. When is it expected to arrive?”. Perry replied “I guess by tomorrow”.
The next person to be interviewed was Kathy. After she was seated, she stared at the ceiling with a dumb expression. Suddenly she heard someone calling her name. She came back to the present and said “sorry, I was lost in my own thought. I am not able to cope up this blow yet. I should have compromised with my father. But it is too late now and she begun to sob”. Perry handed her a tissue. After she controlled herself she said “Sorry for creating a scene, I am now ready to answer your questions”.
Kevin nodded in agreement and asked “You now feel for your father’s death but did you show any sympathy for him when he was alive?”. Turning red hot Kathy replied “You are asking this even after you know how he had treated me and my mother? I wanted to take revenge for all the hurt he had caused. I wanted to take revenge for not treating my mother like how he treated Jennifer”.
Perry said “Revenge you say. What kind of revenge? Was it murder?”.
Kathy laughed “You think so? Let me make myself clear…”
Kevin and Perry looked amused…..
Kathy spills her heart……
Kevin inquired “You mean to say, Mr. Peterson had changed his mind and wanted to change the will?”. Louis nodded his head. Perry asked “Do you know what made him change his mind or in whose favor the new will was supposed to be?”. Louis said “He did not give me any hint and as I was going to meet him soon, I thought it quite inappropriate ate to ask about it over phone. But I could feel the urgency in his voice”. Kevin muttered “I see”. Perry asked “Could you tell us the procedure you and your client followed while preparing any legal document like the will”. Louis answered “My client was well educated and very much aware of the law. Being an impatient man, he used to prepare the document himself and then I used to review the same for any changes. We used to dispose the old copy and create a new copy and then my client used to sign it”. Perry queried “Impatient you say.... Do you know if anyone else was aware that he was going to change the will and is it possible that he might have already prepared the new will”. Louis replied “If anyone else is aware of this or not, I can’t say for sure. Truly the murderer might have known. But my client did not mention any such information to me. If you ask me if he could have prepared the new will? I would say it is possible, taking into account his urgency. I could smell something wrong. But I don’t have any further information about the will.”
Perry said “I agree with you. Probably the murderer came into the possession of the will. It is one possibility.You say you did not see the new will. Is it not so?”. Louis replied with anger “Yes, I did not see it”. Kevin said “I think that’s all for now. We would get back to you in case of further questions. Thank you for your time.”
After Louis left Perry asked Kevin “What do you think of the fellow? Do you think he is telling the truth?”. Kevin replied “Only time will tell. Lets see. I also hope that the autopsy report sheds some light. When is it expected to arrive?”. Perry replied “I guess by tomorrow”.
The next person to be interviewed was Kathy. After she was seated, she stared at the ceiling with a dumb expression. Suddenly she heard someone calling her name. She came back to the present and said “sorry, I was lost in my own thought. I am not able to cope up this blow yet. I should have compromised with my father. But it is too late now and she begun to sob”. Perry handed her a tissue. After she controlled herself she said “Sorry for creating a scene, I am now ready to answer your questions”.
Kevin nodded in agreement and asked “You now feel for your father’s death but did you show any sympathy for him when he was alive?”. Turning red hot Kathy replied “You are asking this even after you know how he had treated me and my mother? I wanted to take revenge for all the hurt he had caused. I wanted to take revenge for not treating my mother like how he treated Jennifer”.
Perry said “Revenge you say. What kind of revenge? Was it murder?”.
Kathy laughed “You think so? Let me make myself clear…”
Kevin and Perry looked amused…..
Kathy spills her heart……
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Camouflages - chapter 5
Chapter 5
After careful thinking Louis continued “I have always felt sympathy for that girl Kathy. I think that she had always yearned for her father’s love and now when her father is no more, I could understand what she is going through. Regarding the gossip that you have heard, that is true. I am basically a friendly person and as you suggested I had met Alicia many times. You can take that in any sense but I think there is nothing wrong in that and by the way, I don’t think this is anyway related to Mr. Peterson’s murder, so it would be better if you could leave my personal life alone ”. Perry said “ We ask it because it is related to the crime. You may not understand the link now, but in years I have learnt that you should not leave any loose threads. All the facts are important. You can’t be blind to these insignificant facts as you call them”.
Kevin said“Perry, I think we can leave this topic for now. I don’t want to embarrass Mr. Louis in any way if he is not comfortable. Now comes the main matter. Could you give us the details of the legal heirs for Mr. Peterson’s properties? To simplify could you tell about Mr. Peterson’s will and how he had divided the property”. Louis answered “According to Senior Peterson’s will, (Mr Michael Peterson’s father), Mr. Peterson came into the possession of the family property when he turned 18 and he had freedom to divide his share among anyone he pleased. Senior Peterson had also allocated a small amount to Andrew’s family as they had served his family for three generations and Andrew was supposed to obtain it when Junior Peterson died. My client had transferred the property to his first wife, but after her death he had changed his will again”. Perry inquired “Was it after he married Jennifer?”. Louis replied “yes of course. That woman had indeed had a charm and my client was dancing to her tunes. I can very well say that even though she bestowed her affection towards Kathy or she acted to say more clearly, she wished her own daughter Alicia to come in possession of the money.” Perry whistled and said “interesting”. Kevin said so according to the new will who were the legal heirs?
Louis continued “According to the new will Alicia and Kathy both got 25% share each, Jennifer got the remaining. Mr David Nicholas was supposed to come into the possession of Mr. Peterson’s business and he was supposed to share the 50% of the profit with the family. So all except me became the heirs of my client’s property”. Perry inquired “Does that affect you in any way”. Louis barked “Absolutely not. I just told you the facts. But I was confused when my client called me yesterday morning and told that he wanted to change the will. I was supposed to meet him after dinner, but after the violent outburst, I thought it was not the best time for business and pushed aside the idea.”
Kevin and Perry looked at him with interest….
The plot thickens….
After careful thinking Louis continued “I have always felt sympathy for that girl Kathy. I think that she had always yearned for her father’s love and now when her father is no more, I could understand what she is going through. Regarding the gossip that you have heard, that is true. I am basically a friendly person and as you suggested I had met Alicia many times. You can take that in any sense but I think there is nothing wrong in that and by the way, I don’t think this is anyway related to Mr. Peterson’s murder, so it would be better if you could leave my personal life alone ”. Perry said “ We ask it because it is related to the crime. You may not understand the link now, but in years I have learnt that you should not leave any loose threads. All the facts are important. You can’t be blind to these insignificant facts as you call them”.
Kevin said“Perry, I think we can leave this topic for now. I don’t want to embarrass Mr. Louis in any way if he is not comfortable. Now comes the main matter. Could you give us the details of the legal heirs for Mr. Peterson’s properties? To simplify could you tell about Mr. Peterson’s will and how he had divided the property”. Louis answered “According to Senior Peterson’s will, (Mr Michael Peterson’s father), Mr. Peterson came into the possession of the family property when he turned 18 and he had freedom to divide his share among anyone he pleased. Senior Peterson had also allocated a small amount to Andrew’s family as they had served his family for three generations and Andrew was supposed to obtain it when Junior Peterson died. My client had transferred the property to his first wife, but after her death he had changed his will again”. Perry inquired “Was it after he married Jennifer?”. Louis replied “yes of course. That woman had indeed had a charm and my client was dancing to her tunes. I can very well say that even though she bestowed her affection towards Kathy or she acted to say more clearly, she wished her own daughter Alicia to come in possession of the money.” Perry whistled and said “interesting”. Kevin said so according to the new will who were the legal heirs?
Louis continued “According to the new will Alicia and Kathy both got 25% share each, Jennifer got the remaining. Mr David Nicholas was supposed to come into the possession of Mr. Peterson’s business and he was supposed to share the 50% of the profit with the family. So all except me became the heirs of my client’s property”. Perry inquired “Does that affect you in any way”. Louis barked “Absolutely not. I just told you the facts. But I was confused when my client called me yesterday morning and told that he wanted to change the will. I was supposed to meet him after dinner, but after the violent outburst, I thought it was not the best time for business and pushed aside the idea.”
Kevin and Perry looked at him with interest….
The plot thickens….
Camouflages- Chapter 4
The next person to be interviewed was the family lawyer Louis. Perry asked him “You are the family lawyer right. How long have you served the family?”. Louis replied “ I have been with the family for twelve years”. Kevin asked “Could you tell us something about the Peterson family”. Louis thought for some time and answered “As far as I have known about him, I can say that he was a complex man. He was a lion when it came to his business. He was very well talented, that you could have guessed from his success. Personally he was a man with few words. He was not a man to let out his feelings easily. But then I wonder why he married a woman like Jennifer?. She is a tigress who appears to be a meek goat in appearance. I sometimes wonder what motive she had in marrying my client. I would not be surprised if it turned out to be money. Everything is possible when money is considered. His first wife was in far more contrast when compared to Jennifer. She was to say a perfect match for Mr. Peterson. She was a calm and composed lady. But eventually the relationship turned sour and like every household they started having problems. Then Mrs. Peterson’s health deteriorated and she died.”. Kevin nodded
Louis continued “Kathy was not happy with the relationship between her parents and she wanted everything to change soon. But poor girl, nothing happened as she expected. And what more could happen, he married Jennifer and she was in the midst of a nightmare. And to her surprise Jennifer treated her so well. Having heard about the relationships between the step mother and daughter this sometimes seems odd. Either Jennifer is a powerful actress or she is indeed what she seems to be. She even treated her own daughter badly.”
Kevin asked “How was your relation with Alicia. We have heard some gossip going around. We actually did our home work before arriving here. Isn’t it helpful?”. Louis face became red hot. He replied “ It is true that she liked me, but I am not serious about the relationship. I think she is a weird girl”. Perry muttered “By the way we heard that you both spent quite a time together and your rendezvous with her is on everybody’s lips”. Louis sighed “these gossips”. Kevin continued “But now when I saw you both in that room, I could find something odd. You both did not seem amiable and I could feel that your affection has been shifted to Kathy. Is it not so?” .
Louis starred…
The interview continuous….
Louis continued “Kathy was not happy with the relationship between her parents and she wanted everything to change soon. But poor girl, nothing happened as she expected. And what more could happen, he married Jennifer and she was in the midst of a nightmare. And to her surprise Jennifer treated her so well. Having heard about the relationships between the step mother and daughter this sometimes seems odd. Either Jennifer is a powerful actress or she is indeed what she seems to be. She even treated her own daughter badly.”
Kevin asked “How was your relation with Alicia. We have heard some gossip going around. We actually did our home work before arriving here. Isn’t it helpful?”. Louis face became red hot. He replied “ It is true that she liked me, but I am not serious about the relationship. I think she is a weird girl”. Perry muttered “By the way we heard that you both spent quite a time together and your rendezvous with her is on everybody’s lips”. Louis sighed “these gossips”. Kevin continued “But now when I saw you both in that room, I could find something odd. You both did not seem amiable and I could feel that your affection has been shifted to Kathy. Is it not so?” .
Louis starred…
The interview continuous….
Monday, June 16, 2008
Camouflages - Chapter 3
Jennifer yelled “What do you mean. Are you trying to say that I married him for the money?”. Kevin said “Madam that is the talk of the town”. Jennifer nodded “Town. Who are these town people? They like to rip the life of others. They constantly need some topic for gossip. Would a millionaire be spared? I don’t think so?”. Perry questioned “ But I hear that the relationship between Peterson and his first wife was quite strained. Then why was he that much affected by his wife’s death?” Jennifer answered “that’s quite true. But after living with him for some time, I have come to know that Peterson was a man hard as rock but beneath him was a soft individual. He was not a man to let out his emotions easily. That was against his pride. But he truly loved his wife and his daughter. That’s what I felt.” Perry nodded and said “I can understand”.
Kevin asked the next question “How was the relationship between him and his daughter Kathy?”. Jennifer said “Kathy loved her father, but hated him in a way. She believed that he had treated her mother badly and he was responsible for her death. But she had begun to change her mind about him when he was in complete agony after her mother’s death. She also wanted to mend with him. But then he married me and she felt betrayed again. Seeing me in her mother’s place made her mad. She was not cordial with me. But I believed that she was like my child and treated her well and slowly she began to understand my love for her. But she could never forgive her father”.
Perry’s next question was about the outburst at the dinner. Jennifer told them that the outburst started with Peterson accusing everyone. He told “Every one of you is wearing a camouflage. I can see that. You are not what you seem. I have been betrayed by each and every one of you. He accused me of marrying him for money, his daughter for not understanding him, when he was in agony and so on. It was a heated argument which had left everyone shocked, but no one had expected this to happen.” Kevin said “Seems interesting..Thank you Mrs Peterson. That’s all for now. We will get back to you if we have any further questions.” After Jennifer left Kevin murmured “Peterson was true in a way. Every human wears a camouflage. It is this camouflage that we have to tear to look at the true individual inside. Each one is not what we seem. What do you think perry?”. Perry agreed “Yes, you are right my dear friend. I feel this case is going to get interesting. The interview with Jennifer went on well. Let’s see what the others have to say. I hope the autopsy also yields some useful results.” Saying this they both smiled in agreement…
The mystery unfolds....
Kevin asked the next question “How was the relationship between him and his daughter Kathy?”. Jennifer said “Kathy loved her father, but hated him in a way. She believed that he had treated her mother badly and he was responsible for her death. But she had begun to change her mind about him when he was in complete agony after her mother’s death. She also wanted to mend with him. But then he married me and she felt betrayed again. Seeing me in her mother’s place made her mad. She was not cordial with me. But I believed that she was like my child and treated her well and slowly she began to understand my love for her. But she could never forgive her father”.
Perry’s next question was about the outburst at the dinner. Jennifer told them that the outburst started with Peterson accusing everyone. He told “Every one of you is wearing a camouflage. I can see that. You are not what you seem. I have been betrayed by each and every one of you. He accused me of marrying him for money, his daughter for not understanding him, when he was in agony and so on. It was a heated argument which had left everyone shocked, but no one had expected this to happen.” Kevin said “Seems interesting..Thank you Mrs Peterson. That’s all for now. We will get back to you if we have any further questions.” After Jennifer left Kevin murmured “Peterson was true in a way. Every human wears a camouflage. It is this camouflage that we have to tear to look at the true individual inside. Each one is not what we seem. What do you think perry?”. Perry agreed “Yes, you are right my dear friend. I feel this case is going to get interesting. The interview with Jennifer went on well. Let’s see what the others have to say. I hope the autopsy also yields some useful results.” Saying this they both smiled in agreement…
The mystery unfolds....
Camouflages - chapter 2
The police arrived along with the forensic team. There was a loud commotion everywhere as the team was busy searching the house for clues. A huge crowd had gathered outside. Michael being one of the richest men in the town and a renowned businessman, obviously everyone was interested in the proceedings. Soon the two detectives Kevin Johnson and Perry Thomas arrived. The duo was world renowned for solving even the complexes cases which had left others perplexed. The detectives viewed the crime scene. It was clear that it was well planned murder. Kevin said "We would like to talk to each one of you separately".
Jennifer accompanied them to the library. After they were seated she asked them if wanted anything to drink. They agreed on coffee. Andrew served them coffee. Once he was out of the room, Kevin glanced at Jennifer. He coughed. After thinking for some time, he spoke "I have some questions and I hope that you will be honest to let us know everything that can help us in solving this case. I hope your would be interested in seeing your husband's murderer behind the bars. Is it not so?". She nodded. Perry asked "Mrs Jennifer, we believe that you are the second wife of Mr Peterson, Is it not? When did you get married to him and how”. Jennifer replied “I got married to him last year. We met at a restaurant. I had been in London for a short trip then and I dined regularly at that restaurant during my trip. I was curious about this man. He was truly in pain and drank heavily. I felt sympathy for him and started loving him and we got married later”. Perry barked “Then you must have known that he was a millionaire. Isn’t it and you tried to be friendly with him and as expected he fell for you. He was a man in pain and felt solace in whatever was offered”.
More to come....
Jennifer accompanied them to the library. After they were seated she asked them if wanted anything to drink. They agreed on coffee. Andrew served them coffee. Once he was out of the room, Kevin glanced at Jennifer. He coughed. After thinking for some time, he spoke "I have some questions and I hope that you will be honest to let us know everything that can help us in solving this case. I hope your would be interested in seeing your husband's murderer behind the bars. Is it not so?". She nodded. Perry asked "Mrs Jennifer, we believe that you are the second wife of Mr Peterson, Is it not? When did you get married to him and how”. Jennifer replied “I got married to him last year. We met at a restaurant. I had been in London for a short trip then and I dined regularly at that restaurant during my trip. I was curious about this man. He was truly in pain and drank heavily. I felt sympathy for him and started loving him and we got married later”. Perry barked “Then you must have known that he was a millionaire. Isn’t it and you tried to be friendly with him and as expected he fell for you. He was a man in pain and felt solace in whatever was offered”.
More to come....
Camouflages - Chapter 1
Chapter 1
Sitting at the end of the table was Mr Michael Peterson. To his right was his daughter Miss Katherine Peterson alias Kathy. To his left were his second wife Jennifer Peterson and his step daughter Alicia. Also present were the family lawyer Louis Simpson and Mr. Peterson's assistant David Nicholas. The environment was quite gloomy after the violent outburst and no one spoke as the dinner was being served by the servant Andrew. Andrew's family had been serving the Peterson's family for three generations. He was well aware of his master's temper. He quickly served the dinner and headed towards the kitchen without speaking a word. He knew that hell had broken and a bad curse had been cast on the family. He was aware that something bad was going to happen. He quietly absorbed the expression on each face as he exited the dining hall.
Michael finished eating and exited the hall as if in a confusion. He did not seem well. Others exchanged glances but no one spoke a word. It was not until he reached his room, the others stirred from their positions. Everyone exited the hall and headed towards their respective rooms.
Alicia went to her mother's room. Her mother gasped and said "I was aware that this was going to happen but I did not predict it to happen so soon". Alicia said "Michael should learn to control his temper. Otherwise he would have to pay a heavy price for it". Jennifer said "Seal your mouth my dear. You don't know that even the walls can hear and especially in this house, I have felt that often. so be careful". Alicia shrugged and went to her room.
Kathy was awakened by a loud cry. She headed towards the direction from which the sound was coming. As she headed towards the room she could see the others approaching as well. She found herself near her father's room. Andrew was just exiting from his master's room. His face registered a clear shock. He was unable to utter even a word. He just pointed his finger towards the room and with great difficulty uttered a word "master". Others gazed towards the direction of his finger. Kathy's heart thumped. Jennifer slowly opened the door. Lying on the floor was Michael's corpse. His face was completely blue. The next moment Jennifer felt giddy and was on floor. Alicia rushed to get some water. There were tears on the corner of her eyelids. She quickly sprinkled some water on her mother. Kathy was starring at her father. She could not believe what she saw. Tears were flowing continuously from her eyes. David and Louis were also shocked. Louis rushed towards the phone and called the Police. Each one was lost in their own thoughts as they waited for the police to arrive….
More to come....
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