Chapter 32

When the group made it to the hospital, they were forced to sit in a waiting room while Abigail was being treated. Rick, who was barely an inch away from hysterical because of the lack of information he had received on her condition, started pacing the small room, where they were all crammed.

A police officer, who was easily identifiable in his uniform, walked into the room then holding a small metal object in his hand.

“I’m not really up for questions right now.” Rick said quickly shaking his head at him.

The officer faced him squarely.

“That’s too bad. I thought you might be able to tell me what your girlfriend was doing with this.” He lifted the metal object in his hand and a collective gasp could be heard around the room.

“It’s a gun.” He heard someone whisper.

“What would Abigail be doing with a gun?” Sara asked looking at Rick.

“She was trying to protect me.” After uttering that single statement, all eyes turned to Rick.

“Excuse me?” the officer asked, breaking the silence.

“Abby is a COP.” When he caught the surprised look on everyone’s face, he continued, “She was sent to me by Jason to find the person who has been sending me those letters and who is trying to kill me. She’s a detective.”

The other members of the group looked at each other, all obviously thinking the same thing.

“Rick, we’ve got something to tell you.” Devin said then and the others nodded.

Rick turned towards them and narrowed his eyes.

“The letters that you’ve been receiving…well..” Ryan paused and looked at his friends for help.

“They’re fake.” Devin finished.

“What?” the one word was shouted so coldly in disbelief, everyone visibly jumped. “What do you mean they’re fake?”

Ryan swallowed.

“Christian and they, well, mostly Christian had this idea for a practical joke.” Ryan began. He didn’t have to finish as he saw understanding dawn on Rick’s face.

Rick put up a hand and took a deep breath.

“Let me see if I’ve got this right,” he stated, “Are you saying that those guys of BBKAY are responsible for those letters?”

“Yes.”

“And you all knew about it?” he asked looking around the room at his friends. Everyone nodded.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” he asked again, “You knew how scared I was.”

“It was supposed to be a prank. You were supposed to be scared.” Rory explained. Rick glared at him.

“So what about the lights falling? Did they do that too?” Rick’s mind started racing.

“No. That was just coincidence.” Devin said, “They were responsible for the pillows though.”

No one made a sound then. Rick looked ready to kill.

“I don’t believe this.” Rick whispered, shaking his head, “Who else knew?”

“Just us and the BBKAY guys.” Ryan stated, “Oh wait and Jason.”

Rick backed up a step.

“Jason?” he choked, “Jason knew?”

“Yeah that’s why we found it strange that he sent Abigail to investigate.” Rory paused then, “Do you think Abigail knew then?”

When everyone shook their heads, Rick looked relieved.

“She didn’t know.” Sara spoke up then, “She would have told me if she did.”

She, herself, couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Of all the things she thought they were hiding, she never would have thought that Abigail was a COP. She just.. couldn’t be. Then she realized why Abigail asked so many questions. She shook her head.

“Jason knew I wanted her. That’s why he sent her on tour with me. Because I asked him too.” Rick told them.

“What?” Ryan asked.

“When Abigail showed up in LA, she was working for Jason that night. I wanted Jason to come to the show to keep an eye on things and he sent Abigail instead because he was working on a case.” Rick paused to take a breath. “That’s when we met. I was attracted to her. That was very obvious and I asked Jason to send her on tour with me. To keep an eye on things, on me.”

“You just wanted to get her in bed.” AJ stated.

“Obviously.” Sara muttered.

“I did, but now I want more.” Rick sighed, “I’m in love with her.”

“You were just using her Rick! Just like you did before with those other girls, and you abused your friendship with Jason to get her here.” Sara said, her voice hard, “That was stooping low.”

“I never used her.” Rick protested, “We never even slept together.”

“What?” He wasn’t sure who’d said it because everyone started talking.

“You’re kidding me.” AJ said.

Rick shook his head.

“Shit. You really are in love with her.” AJ stated.

“Yes. And because of this stupid prank, I might not even get to tell her that.” Rick said harshly.

“We didn’t know someone was really after you.” Devin protested.

“How do you know it’s not Christian or any of the other guys of BBKAY?” Rick asked.

“No motive.”

Everyone turned to look at the officer who’d they’d forgotten was in the room.

“I played a lot of pranks on them, especially Christian. Maybe this is their way of getting even.” Rick suggested.

“Not murder.” Rory said.

“Well, I think it’s time you guys let the police handle it. And I’m going to have to get the truth, from each one of you.” The officer said, “You’ve already kept enough from each other.”