After the funeral, Hazel and Camilla tried their best to continue their lives. But the first day back in the dance studio was hard.
"I still can't believe Rin's gone."
Camilla patted her shoulder as she covered her tear stricken face.
"It's okay. I miss her too." She sobbed, hugging Hazel close. Just as they pulled apart, the door to the studio opened.
Camilla gave a sly smile towards Detective Lock as he approached. But Hazel frowned, noticing his serious look.
"Which one of you is Hazel Key?"
Hazel raised her hand shyly. "I am?"
"I need you to come with me."
Camilla stepped between them, blocking her, her smile completely gone and replaced with a stern look. "What is this about?"
"Relax, Miss Ramirez, it's just some standard questions, nothing major. We're interviewing everyone here at the academy."
Satisfied, she stepped back and Hazel followed him out.
Hazel followed him all the way to the back of the library. He sat next to a man so handsome Hazel had to look away from him to keep from blushing. After fidgeting with some paperwork, he finally spoke.
"So Miss Key, as I said before, this is a simple interview. No one is accusing anyone of anything."
He cleared his throat as he motioned his hand toward the man next to him as he continued.
"This is my associate, Detective Benjamin St. James. He will be my partner through this investigation."
The man smiled broadly and extended his hand toward Hazel.
"Hello, you're the first person I've ever interrogated. Very excited."
Hazel stifled a laugh as Detective Lock pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration.
"Ben, what did we discuss in the car?"
Detective St. James looked over at him sheepishly. "Oh right, you do all the talking, of course, sorry."
Detective Lock sighed as he continued. "So...you were friends with Rin Matsuhara, correct?"
"Yes, along with Camilla and Sebastian. We were best friends ever since we all met our freshman year here at the Academy."
He scribbled on his notepad. "Can you think of anyone who was angry with Rin, or disliked her?"
"No, absolutely not! She was an accomplished painter and violinist, everyone admired her," Hazel choked up a bit as she continued. "I mean, you're going to find the person who did this to her right? I mean, what sick fuck paints red roses on the one they murdered?"
The Detectives both paused and looked at each other, worried.
"How do you know about the red roses? Because we didn't release that information."
"I..thought everyone knew. But Sebastian heard it from Alexander Goth."
He started scribbling again. "Sebastian who?" He ask.
"Pemblebrooke..."
"Wow, his family owns this whole academy. Well...thank you for your time, Miss Key. We will keep in touch."
As the leaves changed color, Rin's murder was always in the back of Hazel's mind and after some time of no real progress, she was beginning to become annoyed with the Detectives. She finally decided to start her own investigation.
