"Why did I have to come? I took choir for like, two months before transferring out." I questioned Rachel with annoyance.

It's not like I had any issues with Ms. McLaughlin. In fact, she was one of the few teachers who were nice to me and didn't compare me to Jimmy. Actually she compared him to me because the Dweeb is tone deaf.

I stood outside a chapel with Rachel, Serena, the Dweeb, and a few kids from school, all of us, minus the Dweeb, in uniform for the occasion. She's getting married.

I'm honestly surprised the Dweeb agreed to tag along. He didn't really like her because she wasn't as charmed by his cocky attitude as everyone else and didn't cut him slack on his one flaw.

Rachel smiled lightly despite my complaint. "Because deep down you're actually happy for her and want to support her and your best friend." She linked arms with me.

I raised an eyebrow. "Well, Harley is more my best friend." She puffed her cheeks out childishly, mock offended by the comment.

Serena and the other kids laughed. "C'mon Stella, lighten up. She was the one class you didn't fail." I frowned at her. "Hey, I didn't fail all my classes, just the stupid ones." I crossed my arms over my chest.

Rachel looked up thoughtfully, a bright smile on her face. "It's been ages since I've seen her. Not since choir camp the summer after 10th grade!"

I almost winced at that. She tried to drag me and Jimmy into doing that.

That happened to be the summer of the Shibuya incident, so I managed to get off the hook. Though the hospital stay and physical therapy, however, wasn't ideal either.

"Bet you $10 she's going to break tradition and sing at her own wedding." Serena turned to me, a smirk on her face. I shook my head. "Nah, I only take bets I can win." I told her.

And that's a bet I wouldn't.

A thought crossed Serena's face, and she looked between me and Rachel. "You know, I haven't seen Jimmy yet. Isn't he the one she used to freak out at because he kept singing the wrong verse all the time?" I snorted a laugh, and Rachel sweat nervously.

"No. It was the wrong key. He can read. He's just not a very good singer." She explained delicately.

I laughed at that. "Yeah, if you can even call that singing. Besides, even if he wasn't busy, he wouldn't show. He's not a fan of people who don't fawn over his fathead." I shrugged uncaringly. I could feel the Dweeb's glare but chose to ignore it.

Serena nodded in understanding before looking to Rach. "So is that why you brought the homeless kid?"

Rachel chuckled, kneeling down to grab the Dweeb's shoulders. "Yeah; I wanted to bring a date that could actually sing."

Jimmy made a face as we laughed at his expense. The four of us headed inside in search of the bride. She should be getting ready.

Rachel really liked her, so she wasn't as hesitant to try and see her before the ceremony. Of course, she loved her students. That's why there's a lot of us here today. And she adored Rachel.

Seems to be a common element.

So when we asked someone if we could see the bride, she brought us to the room where she was getting ready.

Rachel gave a knock, and we waited for a second before going in. And to be honest, it was a surprising sight. She was always pretty. But she was the type that didn't stick out because she honestly didn't care. She's not even wearing her glasses!

Her hair is pulled and styled for her veil that was held with a grown of flowers, three people were working on adjusting her beautiful white gown, and her makeup, though really pretty, wasn't too much and gave a more natural look with shiny lips.

I blinked in surprise as Rachel and Serena gushed over her outfit. Her dress was stylish, and she wore long, elegant gloves.

Ms. McLaughlin turned her head to see us, and she smiled wide. "Rachel, Stella, Serena; it's been too long, hasn't it?" I blinked, still taken off guard by her look.

and Serena were still awestruck as they stared at her with open mouths. "Um, yeah. Hey!" I elbowed Rachel, making her bump into Serena to shake them out of their stupor.

They didn't mind what I did as they began to gush in unison about how great she looked.

My eye twitched and I took a small step away from the two as they gushed loudly.

Ms. Mclaughlin laughed at their reactions and after the girls finally settled down we got to a normal conversation once her helpers left the room.

Ms. McLaughlin glanced around and shook her head. "It's too bad your brother couldn't make it." She snapped her fingers, an arrogant, yet pleasing in all honesty, smirk on her face. "I wanted to show that sassy boy what an elegant lady I actually am." The girls laughed at that.

While I enjoyed the jab to the Dweeb, it's good to see despite the makeover, she was still the same inside.

"Yeah. He's been busy with cases. But he sends his best wishes." I lied. About the best wishes. He's always had issues with her after all.

Ms. McLaughlin spotted the Dweeb and her face lit up as she hurried over to him with excitement. "So, do you have a name, little one?" She asked, crouching down to look him in the face.

I got a little nervous since she was our Junior High teacher first and foremost and the Dweeb was still in the process of puberty.

Of course, if Rachel, who has seen him like this before, couldn't tell how would a teacher he had briefly? "Yeah, my name's Conan." He rushed out, clearly nervous for the same reason as me.

Rachel took out her camera she brought and started to film. "Wait. Let me get this thing in focus. I'm taping this whole day so I can always remember it."

I raised an eyebrow at her. Sure, she took choir well into high school, but that's a little excessive. But if it makes her happy, I guess.

"So you better make our wedding kiss a really good one." Serena emphasized. I took another step away.

They may be my friends, but they're kind of creepy. Ms. McLaughlin didn't share the same thoughts, though, because she just grinned confidently.

"I wouldn't have it any other way." As she said that, a new woman with an accent walked in, her face dolled up but not with not enough to take focus away from the bride.

"Alright, hon, I got just what you asked for, your favorite."

She held up a small convenience store bag and I chuckled. I already know what's in it because her face lit up entirely as her friend dug through the bag and handed her a can of Lemon Punch.

She was always sneaking those into class and she drank as much as I drank energy drinks in junior high. It was like an addiction, but it did brighten up her mood every time.

She popped the can open and went to take a drink when her friend stopped her.

"Hey, be careful! If you drink it like that you'll ruin your lipstick job." She smiled, pulling out a straw from the bag and putting it in her drink for her with a giggle. "Here." McLaughlin smiled softly at her thoughtful friend. "Thank you Celia."

She took a long sip from her drink before glancing back at Celia. She looked away from her friend, still smiling, but it was different.

Almost guiltily.

"So, have you forgiven me?" Her friend was confused by her question, so she continued. "Y'know. About Tony?" Who the hell is Tony?

Celia laughed and gave her back a playful yet firm smack. "Oh, Catherine, let it go. Like at your reception, I'm going to dish to everyone about how you stole my boyfriend six years ago and married him today."

My eyebrows shot up. "Well hell." McLaughlin turned to me, flustered. "I know, I know!"

She turned back to Celia who didn't look like she had any actual beef with her. "Are you?" She asked worriedly.

Celia laughed and headed for the door. "You're like a sister to me Catherine. See you in the chapel." She walked out, still in a good mood. McLaughlin let out a sigh. "I never know when she's serious."

"So you stole someone's man. Didn't know you had it in you, teach." Rachel immediately elbowed me and McLaughlin turned, with fake teary eyes. "Oh Stella."

Of course, she wasn't actually upset. She, like the rest of us in the room, knew me and my dry humor well enough to know I wasn't serious.

And it seemed Celia was well over whatever beef they may have had for it. "So who was that woman anyway?" Serena questioned her curiously.

McLaughlin held the bag up her friend had given her, seeing another drink inside. "One of my best friends from college. Oh, there's another one in here! Would any of you like one?"

Serena walked over. "Yeah, sure whatever." She handed her the second drink and Serena happily took it.

Before she could really drink it, someone else came in. He is a large and intimidating man, one I'm unpleasantly acquainted with.

I immediately took a step back. "Ugh! I didn't do anything, I swear, and you have no proof!" I shouted, thinking about jumping through the window behind me to make an escape.

Because of my attitude, Rachel and Serena got on the defense and stood in front of McLaughlin, demanding to know who he was and what he was doing at this wedding.

"I thought those voices sounded familiar."

Hm? Meguire and two other familiar officers stepped into the room, following the first man. "Inspector Meguire, what are you doing here?" Rachel asked, clearly confused.

Ah, right. Richard wasn't in the department long enough when she was a kid before becoming a P.I. so she never met him.

"Now Rachel, what kind of inspector would I be to miss the wedding of my Commander's daughter?" He spoke happily.

"Commander? Wait, Stella! You made me think he was trouble." Rachel frowned.

Actually, that was all you. Not my fault you judge people who are scary looking and can't crack a smile to save their own life. "Well, I thought he was here for trouble! I thought he was gonna try and put me in hold again." I grumbled, glaring at the man.

"Hello, Ms. Kudo. I didn't know you were a former student of my daughters. Rest assured, I'm not here for you today." I stared at him suspiciously but relaxed a bit when he seemed genuine.

MaLaughlin giggled. "He's the commanding officer of the Metro Police Department. He's also my father." She explained.

He let out an awkward cough, very much used to this, and unsure how to behave in front of kids. Always makes them cry with his face.

Freaks him out, it's hilarious.

You know, I never really put two and two together before this, but even if they share the same name, look at them!

They look absolutely nothing alike! She must take after her mother rather than the behemoth of a man.

"You can go, men. I'll see you in the chapel." The three officers nodded and promptly left under their boss' order.

Rachel and Serena immediately bowed their heads and began to apologize for their behavior. McLaughlin put her drink down on the table, laughing a bit.

"Don't apologize, girls. He knows good and well he's got a scary face, he's used to it." She reassured them.

Of course, the Commander didn't really take to heart what Rachel and Serena said and just looked at his daughter.

"I just stopped by to make sure you knew what you're getting yourself into." Oh?

He hurried to his daughter, grabbing her shoulders. "It's not too late to walk away from this wedding if you've got cold feet."

Uh-oh. Here we go, wedding drama.

McLaughlin glared at her father. "How could you say that at a time like this?!" She spoke in outrage.

Funny enough, the Commander looked like a kicked puppy at her anger. "Fine." He sighed, letting go and looking down with a gloomy face.

"When are you going to learn that I'm not a child any longer?!" She demanded, not letting him drop this. "You are still a child." He merely said, picking up her drink. "See? No one over the age of thirteen drinks this sweet stuff." I winced.

Ooooo. Bad choice of words, man.

She angrily snatched the can from her father with an aggravated growl. "I don't know what that has to do with anything. If my daughter were standing in front of me in her wedding dress, I'd think of something better to say!" She scolded him, making him flustered. I laughed at the look on his face.

Now this, this is perfect. He's always giving me shit since Junior High, and to be put down by his daughter, who he doubles in size to her, is just gold.

My laughing only made him more embarrassed, and he turned briefly before looking back. "You look beautiful, Catherine. You remind me so much of your mother." He said one last time before walking out of the brides room.

I looked over at Rachel, who was still recording on her camera. "Imma need a copy of that." She gave me a flat look before rolling her eyes at me.

McLaughlin sighed. "That's my pop. Always filled with good cheer." She said sarcastically, drinking more of her punch.

Not too long, another guest came to say hello. Another familiar face. He's my age with better hair than before. Other than his glasses, he never really stuck out to me, so I didn't bother with him.

Also, because he's a snitch.

He was bad mouthing the Dweeb one day, so I decked him, broke his glasses and everything. He ran crying to the principal, and I got two weeks of detention.

Only I can pick on the Dweeb, and he only picked on him because he was a band nerd and Jimmy was the only one who was inferior to him when it came to singing and playing the flute.

His hair looks better, though, so that's something.

He handed McLaughlin a bouquet of roses, and she gushed over them. Seems he's still fostering that crush on her.

Though because he's graduated, he seems to be thinking he's hot shit because the amount of arrogance that's rolling off him makes me want to deck him again. "Oh, aren't you just the sweetest! Thank you, Johnny, they're so beautiful!" She's either just dense about his feelings for her, or she is just pretending not to.

He picked up her drink as she set her flowers down. "The smell of this Lemon Punch always reminds me of high school." He said, his voice giving me the creeps.

If this was a soap opera, there'd be cheesy seduction music playing in the background. "It's my favorite." She simply said, not at all catching the mood he was trying to make.

He began to tie a pink ribbon around her straw. "It's a bittersweet day for me, Ms. McLaughlin. While I am happy you found love, I thought I was the one man to make you happy." He turned back to give her the drink.

I made a gagging sound, and for once, Rachel didn't scold me for it. "You're very flattering."

Hm? So you are aware of it? "I wish you the best, ciao." He then left. I gagged again. "That was so cringe." Serena nodded in agreement.

Once he was gone, McLaughlin took off the little ribbon bow he made.

"Oh no! The battery's dying! I bet my father forgot to charge it." Rachel sounded disappointed.

I snorted. "Typical Richard." I said. Serena looked at the camera. "Loser." She agreed with me again.

Rachel looked over to me. "Didn't we see one of those electronic stores on the way here?" Did we? I wasn't paying much attention, to be honest.

"Yeah, like ten of them." Serena said, always one to notice shops. Rachel set the camera down on the stool and took off running. "I'll be right back!" Serena immediately took off after her best friend. "Yeah right! Like you can even go shopping without me!"

Yep. And that's typical Serena, alright. They really just left me and the Dweeb with the bride.

McLaughlin walked over towards us and promptly plucked the Dweeb's glasses off his face while he was in thought.

He turned to her in surprise, and she grinned. "I knew it! You look just like Stella's brother; Jimmy Kudo."

Wow. Even Rachel hasn't brought that up.

Jimmy began to get visibly nervous but she didn't seem to notice and pinched his cheeks. "But you're much cuter! You have the most pinchable cheeks I have ever seen." She cooed.

I smirked at my brother's reaction, thoroughly pleased with the scene. McLaughlin looked up at me before going back to the Dweeb.

"You know my student Jimmy always reminded me of the first time I ever knew I was in love."

My face twisted at her confession. "The Dweeb? Because of Rachel?" I asked. She laughed loudly at my reaction.

"No, although that was rather adorable to watch. The boy lived up the block from me, and his family owned the neighborhood candy shop. He always stood up for me whenever I was being picked on by bullies. And when it was all over, he knew just what to get me. He'd sneak me some lemon punch from his parents' store."

Jimmy snatched his glasses as she told the story, but it didn't phase her.

She stood from her crouched position in front of my brother and grabbed her drink, a light blush on her face.

"I've had a taste for this stuff since then. Everytime I drink this, it reminds me of the strength of that little boy. And somehow, it gives me the strength to do the hard stuff." She explained wistfully. Hmm. She must really have loved this boy.

She still seems to love him. I guess people never get over their first.

But Jimmy reminded her of him? Really? Well the Dweeb always had a sense of justice, even when we were young. Maybe that was it.

"What happened to the kid after the two of you grew up? Are you still close to him?" He questioned her curiously.

"Well, I only knew him for a year then he moved suddenly. But that's quite the end of the story." She closed her eyes, the blush still on her cheeks.

The Dweeb and I looked at each other before back to her. "What is the end?" This time, I asked, curiosity getting the best of me.

She was about to tell us when the doors opened and a man fell inside. Behind him was a group of men who appeared to have pushed him in, and they hurriedly closed the doors.

"Tony, what are you doing?" She giggled. Well, he landed flat on his face, so probably not well.

He stood up quickly, rubbing the back of his head. I can't tell if the red on his cheeks is from the floor or how stunning she is. "Geez Catherine, you look great." He said bashfully.

She giggled before winking and me and my brother. "Remember what I said stays between the three of us." She whispered, holding her finger to her lips.

Well, okay, but you didn't even finish telling us the story.

Her husband to be wasn't bad looking, though he looked like the harmless type. With how she is, though, seems like a good pair.

Tony noticed her drink, his blush disappearing as he walked over and grabbed it. "You know this stuff is terrible for you. It'll rot your teeth." He said, turning the can to read the label.

McLaughlin looked a little disappointed, though I don't blame her. Clearly the stuff is very important to her, and to have him say that is a little sad.

Rachel and Serena walked in, and Serena pointed at Tony. "Hey! Your dad like way owns the Tsuji Auto Corporation!" She really does know just about everyone.

"Yeah, I'm Tony Tsuji, the groom. Have we met?" He was clearly taken off guard by her outburst. The two girls whispered something to each other and as they did that, McLaughlin wrapped her arms around her groom and kissed him.

This took everyone off guard and had him, the girls, and even the Dweeb blushing. I was surprised, sure, but it's not really embarrassing.

But she very clearly loves him. That much is certain. "You're supposed to do that after we get married." he said, a little embarrassed himself.

Probably not expecting her to do that in front of some teenagers.

Another man walked in front of the door. "Okay, people, that's five minutes until the ceremony."

Oh shoot. I grabbed Rachel's camera, and we all exited the room. Well, all except McLaughlin. She wanted to touch up a bit.

Tony's groomsmen were waiting, and they dragged him away to the chapel. We were following when two sounds stopped me.

It sounded like a can dropping and a body thudding. I've been in enough fights and cases to know that sound.

Jimmy, Rach, and Serena stopped too, hearing it as well. "Did anyone else hear that?" Jimmy asked, but I already took off, Rachel, on my heels.

I reached the door first and flung it open without knocking. Rachel let out a yell and Serena gasped.

On the floor, covered in punch with blood escaping her mouth, is our teacher. The bride to be.

"Ms. McLaughlin!" Rachel screamed. I rushed over and dropped next to her, looking over her body.

Wait, she's still alive! There's no wounds. The blood came from her mouth. So either she's sick or . . . poisoned.

She was perfectly healthy just moments ago so it was probably the later. That's definitely not a good sign for a wedding alright.

"She's still breathing, barely. Rachel, call an ambulance, Serena, get Megurie and her dad!" I shouted, checking to see if there was anything in her mouth.

Nothing. Okay, think Stella. Her breathing is slowing. It's not looking good.

Serena took off shouting, and Rachel went to look for a phone. My brother hurried to me, crouching next. "If she stops breathing, I'll need to do CPR." I told him.

His eyes went to the can of punch. The likely suspect. "Is it safe if there are remnants of liquid poison still in her mouth?" He asked, drawing the same conclusions as me.

I pursed my lips, still staring at her. "Doesn't matter. If the ambulance doesn't get here before then, there's no other choice. If there's a chance to save her, I gotta take it. You let me worry about that. You better start figuring out what the hell happened here, Dweeb."

If this is what I think it is, there's a potential murderer here at this wedding. One that isn't afraid to go after the Commander of the Metro Police Departments daughter.

That's what's making me uneasy.