6
Kelly’s was buzzing with news and speculation the next afternoon. A body had been found just off the docks. Matthew Brewster. He was Lucky’s replacement as class valedictorian and would be Yale student. He wasn’t very popular, but was well liked none the less. So far, the cause of death was unknown. But it had to have been murder. He was too young and healthy to have died of natural causes.
Elizabeth wiped down the counter, listening to all the talk and speculation. She sighed, remembering the quiet boy that had once asked her out just after her rape. How horrified and scared she had been, letting no one but Lucky in. How hurt he must have been. She wished that she had handled things better now. Maybe they could have been friends if she had.
"Elizabeth!" Lucky entered the diner, along with Portia, much to Elizabeth’s surprise. He kissed her gently as he reached the counter. "How’s everything going?"
"Busy. Everyone feels like congregating and talking about the recent murder," Elizabeth whispered. "Lucky, it was Matthew Brewster."
"What?" Lucky paled. He knew that there had been a murder, but no idea that it was someone he had known. Someone he had went to school with and talked to a few times.
"They found him off the docks this morning," Elizabeth whispered, not wanting to talk too loudly.
"Who was this Matthew?" Portia asked.
"Elizabeth and I went to school with him. In fact, he took my place as class valedictorian. He was a good guy," Lucky explained, just as Nikolas arrived, his eyes bright with excitement. He too had heard about the murder and wanted to get everyone’s take on what happened.
"I take it that you’ve heard about the most recent murder," Nikolas leaned against the counter.
"Who hasn’t?" Elizabeth rolled her eyes, pouring a glass of water for a customer.
"Well, here’s something new. His parents had brought him this leather jacket as a graduation gift," Nikolas sat back, a self-satisfied smirk on his face.
"So? What does that have to do with anything?" Portia asked.
"He left wearing the jacket and was found without it," Nikolas’s voice lowered to a whisper. "I bet anyone who has that jacket is the killer."
Lucky laughed. "So we’ll keep an eye out for people in leather jackets."
"But seriously, that’s creepy," Elizabeth nodded.
"Don’t worry baby. I’ll protect you," Lucky winked, kissing her cheek.
"My hero," Elizabeth rolled her eyes, leaving the group to serve a new customer.
~*~
2 weeks later…
It was a quiet day at the cottage. Portia and Faith were out shopping, while Nikolas remained at home, finishing off a novel. To his surprise, Lucky entered, carrying a large white box and a mysterious smile on his face.
"Hey bro," Lucky grinned, standing in middle of the room, his eyes bright with anticipation.
"I see you’ve finally decided to use your key," Nikolas closed his book. Happy to see that Lucky was alone. He always enjoyed the times he got to spend with Lucky when it was just the two of them. Those times were few and far in between. To Nikolas, those times were to especially be cherished.
Lucky just smiled and held out the box. "A gift for my favorite brother."
Nikolas frowned. Lucky bearing gifts? This definitely wasn’t normal. "I’m your only brother and what’s the occasion?"
"Do I need an occasion to give my brother a gift?"
Nikolas laughed, taking the box from Lucky. "No. Not really. So, what did you get me?"
"Open it and find out."
Looking at his brother questioningly, Nikolas opened the box to reveal a stylish leather jacket. "Lucky…this must have costed a fortune. How did you pay for this?"
"Saved," Lucky grinned, seemingly proud of himself. "So…do you like it?"
"Like it? I love it!" Nikolas took it out of the box, admiring the leather and design.
"Try it on," Lucky crossed his arms.
Still admiring the jacket, Nikolas slipped his arms in and tried to pull it over his shoulders. But to his surprise, it wouldn’t go up all the way. It was too small.
"Damn. I was afraid of that," Lucky cursed.
"Hey, that’s ok. I’ll just take it back and exchange it for a bigger size."
"I’m sorry about that man."
"Hey don’t be. You thought about me and that’s what matters," Nikolas folded the jacket and put it back in the box. He frowned a little, noticing a small blotch on the left sleeve. He hoped that the store would take it back.
"Well, I better get out of here. I promised dad that I’d help him get his new computer set up. I will see you later," Lucky headed for the door.
Waving good-bye to his brother, Nikolas decided to watch a little television. Most likely the news. He liked to keep up to date with the stock market. He leaned back, expecting to see the numbers of the unstable stock market, but instead he saw the newscaster talking about some new information about the Brewster case.
Curious, Nikolas turned up the TV and listened closely. It turned out that there was news on the guy’s missing jacket. The jacket was still missing, but the boy’s parents had described the jacket. They even had a picture of the victim wearing the jacket.
Nikolas did a double take. The jacket was the same jacket Lucky had just given him! It even had the blotch on the left arm! What was going on here? How did Lucky get the jacket? Where did he get it? Surely he had gotten it from someone…unless…. Helena’s programming was back.
Grabbing the box, Nikolas grabbed his keys and headed for Kelly’s. He had to talk to Elizabeth. She’d know where Lucky got the jacket. His brother never did anything without discussing it with Liz first.
~*~
Elizabeth placed the pitcher of water back under the counter and was about to head into the kitchen when Nikolas rushed in, a large white box under his arm. He collapsed on one of the stools, out of breath.
"Elizabeth, I need your help," Nikolas took out the jacket, not giving her time to reply. "Tell me, where did Lucky get this?"
Elizabeth stared at the jacket in shock. "…I don’t know. I didn’t even know that he brought this. Wow, it’s nice."
Nikolas’s heart sank at her answer. His suspicions seemed to be reconfirming themselves. "You didn’t know about this?"
Elizabeth shook her head, eyeing the jacket. "I’m not surprised though. He’s been talking about how happy he is that you two have become real brothers," Elizabeth frowned, noticing Nikolas’s troubled expression. "Why? Don’t you like it?"
"It’s not that I don’t like it. Liz…it’s the same jacket that Matt Brewster wore when he was murdered. There’s a blotch on the left arm of this jacket and his jacket had the same blotch on the same sleeve. Plus…the jacket’s too small."
Elizabeth’s frown deepened. "Nikolas…you can’t possibly think that Lucky’s the murderer. I mean…he would never hurt anyone."
"Oh yeah? You remember that night at Luke’s don’t you? When he had almost beat that one guy to death and couldn’t remember it? This can be just like that."
"Nikolas come on. You really don’t think Lucky did this."
"I don’t know. Sheesh Liz, I hope he didn’t. But it’d be best if we both kept a close eye on him. Make sure that he’s ok and Helena’s programming is truly gone."
Elizabeth sighed. She hated doing this. Being suspicious of Lucky. But did she really have a choice? Obviously Helena’s programming was still with him. The scene at Luke’s club the other night proved that. "Ok. Fine. We’ll keep a close eye on him. But Nikolas. He didn’t murder Matt. I know he didn’t. Lucky’s not capable of such a thing. Programming or no programming."