Chapter 2.10: How Innocent

     "We told Ochre about how we want him to act on behalf of his daughter when we pass on the inheritance," Mom said.

     "He wants to know why you won't inherit," his dad explained gesturing for her to sit on the couch.

     "I can't inherit because I'm the first born daughter of the first born son of the Mulligan family.  I have my own inheritance issues to handle." Emrys said sitting down.

     "Wait.  Mulligan?  As in Joel Mulligan?" Ochre asked.

     "No," Emrys said, "well yes, but Joel is my uncle.  My father was his older brother Kaleb Mulligan and Joel killed him when I was a little girl."

     "Emrys and the agents we have in the Jefferson Colony have been working to gather evidence of his numerous crimes for the last few years," Dad said.  "We believe he keeps records that can be used against him at his house here in Oasis Springs.  However his wife stays there all the time."

     "So we haven't been able to uncover any evidence?  What about the police?  Have they been able to find anything?" Ochre asked deciding to focus on the business side of the issue.  Business he could handle right now because apparently he hadn't known Emrys as well as he thought he had.

     "No," Emrys answered, "but you said your girlfriend was working on the reopening of the lounge.  Will Joel be there?"

     "Sienna might have mentioned him hosting it," Ochre said.

     "If he's hosting it then his wife will likely be there as well," Emrys said turning to his dad.

     Dad nodded, "It will be the first chance we've had to get inside."

     "As for the police," he continued, "Sage thinks the Mulligan's have the enforcers in the Jefferson colony in their pocket.  There are too many loose ends for it to be a murder-suicide as they've claimed but no effort has been made to investigate further the deaths of Emrys' parents."

     "Can you get an invitation to the reopening?  I want you to attend to keep an eye on Joel.  Emrys and Toya can search the house while he is out and you can let them know when he leaves so they can get out before he returns home."

     "Sienna asked if I could go with her.  I'd told her I probably couldn't but I can let her know my plans have changed," Ochre said.

     "It's not right to use his girlfriend like this," Mom objected.

     "It's the only way to get justice for my parents," Emrys said.

     "But she has nothing to do with their murder, Em.  And if she finds out that Ochre used her she'll be hurt," Mom said.

     "How innocent can she be, Mom." Ochre asked.

     "What?"

     "She's worked for Joel for years.  You can't do that without knowing something about the man you're working for," Ochre stood and started pacing the floor.

     "But she can't have had anything to do with your aunt's murder.  She would have been a child when it happened," Mom argued.

     "No," Ochre argued, "she's older than I am and I was sixteen when her parent's were killed."

     "You think she could have something to do with my parent's deaths," Emrys asked leaning toward him.

     "I don't know," Ochre said looking at her, "but I can at least help get you into Joel's house."

     Emrys nodded at him, "thanks."

                                                                                          

Random Rambling

   Really don't want to make reveal any spoilers so on to the next chapter.