The next morning, despite being deprived of sleep, I was wide awake. Carmine was in the kitchen, Nikolai getting ready for work in his room. I frowned when I saw Carmine in his work uniform.

"I thought..." I began. He shook his head, his mouth full of cereal.

"I gotta work today. We'll go another day though, ok?" he said.

"When are you off...?" I asked.

"Next weekend," he answered. I groaned.

"Seriously?!"

"Sorry! You know, you could get a job too, y'know!" he shouted. I clamped my mouth shut. Carmine never yells at me. Ever. "Y'know, you complain about Nikolai all the time! You're just as bad!"

"I'm only fifteen..." I said quietly.

"You could pass for sixteen if you want," he rolled his eyes. He stood up and left, slamming the door behind him. I was speechless. Nikolai came in, all ready to go to work. He sighed.

"He hasn't been the same since you and Reed've been gone," he said quietly.

"I don't even think I did anything!" I tried to explain.

"I know. You don't have to. When you were gone... he'd just have fits and scream and yell at me. He's just having a hard time..." Nikolai sighed again. "I gotta go. Stay here, ok?"

"But--" I began, but he didn't want to hear it.

"No Harley. Stay here. Please." He kissed my forehead then left. I tried to listen. Honestly, I did. But the house is so boring with no Reed to hang out with. I grabbed my gun, slipped it into my pocket, and left.

I had no idea what I was going to do. It's not like Dalton's murderer is going to go skipping around town bragging about how bad he beat his ass. I stopped and thought. Who would have a reason to kill Dalton? A lot of people actually... I guess I'd have to start somewhere. I walked down the street, until I came to a club; Rafael's hangout.

Rafael is one of the biggest man-whores I've ever met. He's got at least six girlfriends. He hangs out in the back of the club most of the time, because he's too lazy to go to his house. For some reason, lots of guys back him up. Probably for protection. You protect Rafael, and he'll protect you. Rafael's a real hot-head, maybe Dalton took it too far and pissed him off.

I made my way through the bodies, avoiding being knocked into, or even noticed. I got to the back, where two heavy set men were guarding the room door. The room had originally been a public hangout, a place to for parties and what not, but Rafael turned it into his personal room; a place where he could bring his whores. I went up to the two men, and they looked down on me, surprised.

"I need to see Rafael," I told them. They both raised an eyebrow and looked at each other.

"He's busy," one of them said in a deep voice. I pulled out my gun, just enough so they could see what it was. When you want something, you gotta know how to get it. They sighed. One of the men knocked on the door, then let himself in.

"A girl wants to see you." There was a chuckle.

"Well, then let her in," said a voice.

"...She's fourteen, sir." Fifteen actually.

"Oh..." the voice sighed. "Fine. Let 'er in..." Two girls walked out of the room, barely dressed. I grimaced and moved out of their way.

"Go 'head," the man grumbled. I walked around him, into the room. It was tiny, painted a deep green with lights everywhere. There were chairs and a couch there, along with a TV. Rafael was lounged on the couch, wearing only sweatpants. I wrinkled my nose in disgust, trying not to look at him. Even when he was fully dressed he was hard to look at.

"What do you want?" he asked.

"I'm Harley Cameron," I told him. I let that sink in. Rafael and Nikolai had gone to high school together; they were actually friends. It was obvious he remembered.

"No way!" he laughed. "You must be Nikki's lil sis! How is he?"

"He's been better," I shrugged. "I came here because I need to find something out.... Have you seen Dalton at all lately?" I asked.

"No. Not in a long time, actually. Why?" Hmm... Maybe he was lying.

"When was the last time you saw him?" I asked.

"I dunno, maybe, like, five or six months ago?" he asked. "That asshole came down here like he owned the place; pickin' on my girls, so I kicked him out. Haven't seen him since." Ok, he seemed like he was telling the truth.

"Thanks," I stood up to go leave.

"Wait, why?" he asked.

"Dalton's dead," I told him. "And they blamed my brother Reed." Rafael's eyes widened and his jaw dropped. I got to the door, only to see that he was leading me out. He cleared his throat.

"Well, if there's anything I can do, just let me know. Like, if Nikolai needs anything, or you, or your brother...?"

"Carmine. And thanks. I'll let Nikolai know." No I wouldn't. He patted my shoulder as I left, and I had to hold my breath to keep from shuddering. Even though he was nice to offer help, I still couldn't stand this guy.

***

I had gone around everywhere, looking for guys similar to Rafael: tough, lot of backup, short temper, and knew Dalton. I checked with all the head "gang leaders," as some of them liked to be called. None of them seemed to have killed Dalton. They all either have a really good alibi, or have been avoiding Dalton for a really long time, so they couldn't have killed him.

I went home, still an hour before Nikolai or Carmine were to get home, and thought and thought. Who else would possibly murder Dalton? Then one name came to mind.

Andrew.