'I would hate to be the girls who have lost these designer clothes and shoes.' I thought, while I observe mom inspecting a party-table of bagged evidence sectioned off for seperate use.

I bring the lens of Nelson's camera, managing to at least spare at least two gigabytes of space clearing unnecessarily used storage, clicking a button which snaps the photo.

" Hey. I heard all hands on deck. I came as quick as I could." Uncle Dan came striding in, latex gloves on, as I feel him leave a kiss on my hair. " Hey, Hon."

" Dad. I'm working." I say, needing to not lose focus on my job at hand, though my smile failed to show annoyance. " Look. Chloe, I'm sorry 'bout earlier, okay? I got held up at an arrest in Hollywood. I couldn't get away." Dad apologised, explaining his absence and having missed picking Trixie up from home. 'Here we go. don't argue here, please.' I Disassociate my self from hearing their disagreements. It's not the healthiest mechanism, but if Dr. Linda had taught me routines to deal with these issues, is to breathe in and out. Finding a centre to focus on.

" Save those apologies for Trixie. This is work, and right now, we have a Victim who has no fingerprints on file. Plus I don't want to argue with you, on a count of Ellie being here. You know it isn't a good idea for her to hear this."

I kept my eyes casted down, on the focus of a rather expensively crafted Jimmy Choo high heel inspecting for loose hairs, a repentance of guilt bubbling in my chest at hearing mom stating her resolve. " Are these all unclaimed items from the party?"

Asks dad sliding on his blue gloves given.

" Yeah, I checked everything. Ellie helped search for any missing items the suspect might have left behind. But that was a loss. Unfortunately, no I.D. That matches our victim." I briefly glance to the screen of mom's tablet screen, an image of our victim 'Ali' clear as day displayed. 'How could someone take her life. She had so much to live for.'

" .. Well, I'm thinking our victim wore a cute red dress. There's no way she'd have that pink clutch." Mom gave uncle Dan her Microsoft tablet, she had bought it thanks to her job and needing to track her schedule. " She was out to have fun." I place my hand out, requesting and wanting permission to have Moms tablet for a moment to help. He nods placing the electrical device in my hand.

" So that nixes anything big, bulky, like a tote. I don't know. I'm looking for something small, a little sexy... like this."

I looked, for split of a second, away from mom's screen and seen her extract out a bedazzled grey purse. 'That is definitely cute and sexy. I'd definitely choose a purse like it for my day out.' Who am I kidding. I've never experienced a single girls day out before in my life. I don't have friends who are girls. 'How sad does that sound.' I think, Bitterly.

" Thats cute." I mumble. 'Not the right time to comment on accessories, Ellie. Not the right time or place. Focus.' Uncle Dan waves a hand, just as Mom takes possession of a set of car keys. " Hold on. Wait a minute, I thought you said all this stuff was searched already for I.D."

To me it appears we are looking for the wrong set of identification, instead of an actual card, it's a whole ten feet away. Right in plain sight. " It's a Car." An alarm chirps twice outside, as mom clicks the activation key button to unlock the lock mechanism. An online registration for car license, and insurance, is opened.

I had taken upon myself to search for her record file for her details. 'Alison Thornton. Her name is beautiful.' I smiled, empathetic.

" Ali Thornton, twenty three, from Boise, Idaho. I manage to cross check her information from a registration website you, and uncle Dan, found in the glovebox of her car." I conjecture setting the kickstand up to have mom's tablet face us. " I learned from the best in the business." Aunt Chloe did a slight, contented, half hearted tug of her lip rubbing my lower back.

" She was a long way from home. What were you doing here Ali?" I had the same thought as mom. Idaho is a whole twelve hour drive from the state of California.

" I'll see what I can find on her. You did a good job, today, El's. Considering this is your first day you did more work than newbies have in the past. I'm proud." Dad expresses his approval, which I couldn't help the wide grin i feel spreading on my cheeks. I felt my face grow red feeling shy from his words. " Dad."

I say, my confidence soaring from the validation mom and dad gave. He tussles my hair which is sat in a precise, high, clipped pony tail.

" You make us proud. Sweetheart."

'Way to go with the non-embarrassment on my first day of the job. Come on, Dad. Mom.'

I groan, denting my forehead on Nelson's camera. 'That is going to leave a hole on my head.' A coroner had called Aunt Chloe and uncle Dan to where the master bedroom was, I waited back knowing I wasn't considered a part of the actual team until I complete an assemblage and years in the academy. 'I am an intern. I cannot wait until my training is done.'

I purse my lips, loud moans of pleasure could be heard from a phone speaker, my face brush light pink. Mortification settled in my mind at how open the sound is. My eyes began to shift and I see Lucifer, I am assuming he is on an open pornography site from the sounds of it. I wasn't surprised given his provocative nature.

I walked, silent as I could, towards him. I had my hand on the lens of the camera, peaking my eyes on the pixelated screen of a mobile phone. 'Oh my goodness. That is a sex tape.'

I avert my eyes out of respect for who I had seen. Lucifer, completely nonchalant, grins deviously. " Your first time seeing ladies anatomy, in such a compromising way, I see. How adorable to see. I say fear not for this is all natural, my dear. But I will put it away, if you ask the devil nicely." He says, angling the phone screen out of sight, grin still never wavering off his lips. " I have been known to be quite considerate and respectful of the sorts." I wouldn't doubt his intentions and had a feeling he's genuine. he did pause the recorded tape, for me, after all there was no more moaning.

" What is that in your hand, Lucifer? And what exactly is going on here?" Mom came out of Ty's master bedroom, having heard Lucifer talking to me. " Lucifer.. he well.. he found a.." I was too sheepish, red-faced, to say what his findings were. " Well, since you banished me to be outside with those lepers, I decided to make myself useful." If watching a homemade sex film on a mobile phone is useful, then he is definitely helpful. " You call watching porn on your phone useful?" Mom, incredulously, said.

" This is not my phone, Detective. I think it's our recently departeds." I understand now. Ali had planned on recording her initiating having sex to blackmail Ty, upload it on the internet for all those to see. How could've I possibly not think of that, considering his stardom and fame of becoming an uprising quarter back for his team, this would ruin his career image. 'Oh, Ali. Ty.' Mom handled the phone with caution.

" Where did you find this phone?" She inquires eyes glued on the small screen. " Just heard a ringy-ding and followed the noise." Is Lucifer's answer, taking back the phone and giving it to me. I counted my luck for still wearing crime scene latex gloves, not wishing to contaminate my finger prints on the phone.

'A little late for it, though. Lucifer touched it. Why did he give me the phone? What does he expect me to do?' I thought staring confusingly to Lucifer.

" you are like an adorable kitten, quizzical about the world around it. Now is delete the little rubbish bin..?" He taps my nose, which flares in embarrassment, then went to expunge the content of the phone but mom puts a hand up.

" No." she moves so she is standing at my side. " You cannot delete anything on this phone." Mom disclosed, momentarily pressing the pause button and pleasurable moans are heard from Ty, Ali's hair swishing in the view.

" ... it shows Ty and Ali having sex. It's very distracting." Ali, caught on camera taping Ty, brings a pause to all 'fun' activities and stops, I crinkle my nose to the in-directive second hand discomfit I felt.

'That is plausible motive to kill her. But why do I have a suspicion Ty Huntley is not our killer. And this is going to get worse for Ty from here on out.'

~•~

I originally scheduled a dress fitting, for prom, after finishing my first day of interning on the field however mom wish for me to accompany her to pay Ty Huntley's talent agent a courtesy call, Joe Hanson. For more information and questions. 'I can just as easily reschedule the days.' Mom and I approach the receptionist in order to inquire where we could find him.

" Hi. I'm detective Chloe decker, this here is my associate Ellie, LAPD. We are here concerning Ty Huntley's agent, Joe Hanson."

For some odd reasoning I had the urge to look up the stair well. I wish I didn't. 'Of course he is here.' Lucifers melodic laugh carries, that sound of his chortle made my heart react in an almost instantaneous murmur of timorous relief. 'I like the sound of his laughter.'

Mom's eyes narrow, identifying Lucifer by his laugh. I bite back my smile to how easily it was for my mom to be pissed off.

" .. If I ever return to hell you kids will be my first call. Especially you. oh one last thing before I go. Which one of you is into killing attractive redheads?" My eyes blow in size, with how blunt and casual Lucifer is, at asking the businessmen if they were killers. He beams upon seeing I was standing before him.

" Betty, Darling! Detective! Good to see you."

'Oh. Yeah, he's definitely in trouble, now.'

" What the hell do you think you're doing?"

Mom, exasperated by Lucifer blatant interference with the cases she works on, asks. Men and women in suits stride past sharing a look of questioning to our presence but brush it off. I do a tiny wave to each that does.

" I am finding, then punishing, Ali Thorntons actual killer." Punishing. I forget he believes to be the devil, following his namesake. Which I some-how think is a metaphor for him being a bad person. 'I don't view him as such. Not matter if I have known him for a week.'

Mom, disbelief noticeable in her eyes to how Lucifer could have known where to go, spoke suspiciously. " how did you know to come to this exact agency? Of all places?" I waited on Lucifer to answer, hands digging in my pockets of my jeans. " I tried to tell you, and Betty. On the dead's girl phone. She called here.." Mom finishes that sentence, now realising exactly what is going on here. ".. she traded calls with Ty's agency a few hours before she was killed." Ali Thornton was wanting to use her tape as leverage, on Ty. It all makes sense. Influence. I shook my head, indiscreetly. " A few hours before she was killed." I hear mom conclude it. " I checked her phone records. I also found out the calls were transferred to Ty's agent, Joe."

" Right, so why did the dead girl even know Ty's agent? I mean she was a one night stand." Lucifer, in a matter of conjecture, states and he places his hands over another.

" Extortion for money. Wanting control over Ty? She could have been hired to stalk Ty and film them.. you know. Being intimate. That would have surely ruined his image for fame." I catalogue every reason my brain could form Ali would've done it.

" I don't know, Baby. Well that is why we are here. To find out what happened. And that is why you, Lucifer, can go now."

Lucifer starts to laugh. 'Why is he laughing? Does he want my mom to get more annoyed than she is already.' I think sarcastically, but more relevantly I'm in awe at how brave he is for generally laughing in mom's face. " What is it you find so funny? Hm." Mom asks, eye brows shooting up in dispute to her question.

" Well, the fact that you think I'm gonna go. It's funny actually. Look, I'm not trying to solve this for you. I'm ensuring I have the right person being held responsible for their crimes. Come on." Lucifer, voice lowering down a tone a look of deception; perversity in his eyes as he talks. " I have been helpful before, haven't I, detective? Betty, I know you can vouch for me as well too, please." He has been quite helpful. He saved me when Jimmy Barnes had opened fire his gun. I will grateful for him for that day.

" You step out of line one time.." Mom warns, trying her hardest to not sigh, knowing she couldn't shoo Lucifer away. " You, well actually I much prefer Betty doing it, can give me a right good spanking right on both of my firm buttocks. I promise. Come on, Let's go." Before I could blink, and let his proclamation sink in, Lucifer unceremoniously snatches my hand to drag me in the direction of Joe Hansons office.

'What is with Lucifer, and wanting to hold my hand.'

Gold championship trophies, won by Ty for his whole career, are demonstrated and exhibited for all to see on four levels of cabinets. I was impressed with how all was flaunted for those who visited. " Ty wouldn't do something like this. He's such a good kid." Joe Hanson, a well respected manager in the agency I have seen, entreats in Ty's case and justification. " I am actually more curious about you, Mr. Hanson." Mom implies, her words, directing it back to Mr Hanson himself. " Me? Why? I didn't even attend the party. I had to work." He chuckles.

" From my understanding, with all due respect here, Mr. Hanson. Sir. You did after all come in contact with the victim, Ali Thornton, hours before she was brutally killed. We have the right to be concerned, you were the last to talk to her." Attributing an accusation and pointing fingers was not a common practice for me. But moreover I had a sneaking intuition, which whispers in my thoughts, I couldn't get rid of.

" I think it's best if I don't say anything without my attorney." Joe, going on the defensive, says. Turning his chin in an almost challenging demeanour staring daggers in my eyes.

" Joey! Joe. Joe. There is no need for that. Or your ever so apparent hostility, to my dear betty here. Why don't you tell me what you really want, hmm? What desires drives a man such as yourself? Tell me what is it that desires you?" I watch, in astonishment, as Lucifer stares using a deep intent of concentration to focus on asking his question.

'I've seen him do this before on other people. But he's never attempt it with me. I wonder why.' Joe stuttered out his words, showing initial constraint, eventually he did talk.

" I want to be the greatest agent of all time. To do that, I need to protect my..my clients. And Uhm.. uhm.."

he's interrupted, Mom interjects standing leaning her hands on joes desk. Pressing him.

" If you want to protect Ty, Tell is what you know." I slowly stood up. I feel an unease pit settling and twisting in my heart, being around Joe. Lucifer had gravitated, towards where I stood. His eyes questioning if I am fine. " Let's make a deal. I'll tell you all you need to know, and everything. You look in to something."

He is hiding Something. No one innocent would have stated they would need an attorney unless they're hiding behind guilt.

" You tell us everything and I don't cuff you in front of your co-workers. And take you in. I know how this goes. Ali is a young actress looking for a break."

I could hear anger building in mom's statement, as her voices grew louder, strong.

I spare looks between Lucifer and mom.

" An agent promises to help her out, in exchange, she has treated them like a party favour to your star clients."

Taking in consideration, the importance of making it Big in Hollywood is, I was convinced Joe had a part in placing Ali in certain roles and exploiting her in exchange for fame.

" Alright. I did call Ali. I hired her to have sex with Ty." I stare, disguising my revulsion, for a few seconds before sighing. " Wow. Seems I wasn't the only one who wanted the young virgin to loosen up." Lucifer, losing his humorous charm, flung his suit behind him in a way to keep his composure. " No, I love the virgin angle. It's a clean hook, got him a lot of attention. But Ty was a mess."

Mr. Hanson got up, accessing a filing cabin of different files to work with. " I needed him to get over his ex." I had to walk off, for a few moments, a pressure in my head lulling numbly. I massage the part of my forehead which is placed above my eyes.

'Ow.' This had similar pain to a headache but I couldn't make it disappear. 'Liar.' Creasing my bowed eyebrows, I search for owner of that voice. No one there. 'Liar.' The voice grew loud each second passing. " Debra McCall left this behind. One of the many times she came here, trying to find him. She used to call all the time trying to get a hold of him."

Joe's voice sounds far, as I began getting close enough, to a point I brought a hand kneading my fingers over my eyes the voice now shrilling and screaming liar on repeat.

" Excuse me, miss decker, Are you alright? You are awfully pale."

Joe asks, singling me out, causing Lucifer then my mom to finally pay attention to me. Lucifer frowns. Mom worriedly held my elbow.

" It's just a headache. I will be f.. fine." I, ill stated, said. Not sure of my own confidence with my words. " I will be fine." I repeat.

Hopefully this will go away. Wonder what it was.

~•~

" Finally. Some rain. Maybe someone up there is looking out for us." Mom comments on the rain falling and sprinkling down on the cars window shield. I've always loved when rain would bless Los Angeles, it was a rare sight for a mostly dry land. Rain was a commodity that I cherished and found a blessing to California. Much as I do love living in the state, I've grown up in, there are days which outweigh all where I want to live somewhere it was cold. Rainy.

" I can assure you he's in no way meteorologically inclined, apart from the whole Noah thing, and that was a one off."

Lucifer replies, strongly, rather rhetorically. I catch mom staring in my direction, and for a second there we share a bemused stare, before I brush it off. " Anyhow. Her room mate confirmed that she took the four P.M class, so.. Ty's ex should be out any second now." I feel my phone buzz, a new text notification dinging and I smile loosely seeing Aidan's name flash.

" I told you we have the wrong person. Wrong gender, as well. Apparently." Lucifer huffs, just as I feel another buzz which shifts my attention to a phone call from Aidan himself. I slide the green screen answering button.

" Finally, we're getting warmer."

I hear Lucifer say, contemptuously speaking. I got out of the car wanting to talk with Aidan, and have zero interruptions. I flutter my eyes closed feeling a drop of rain gracing my cheek.

" What's wrong, aid? Not that calling me is a problem." I state. I hear him groaning, hushing Ana to be quiet.

" I just wanted to know why you didn't appear today, at the dress shop. I was worried, I guess, you're reconsidering the whole Going to prom thing." There are indistinct voices of women talking behind me. I wheel my head to turn and look around, upon noticing Debra McCall.

" well. You know I began my internship, today, Aunt Chloe.. mom.. well- she took me an hour ago to question this big shot agent 'bout this case. I can't say a lot 'cause it's not my place.."

Aidan suddenly grew quiet. Too quiet.

" You've got to leave, Ellie. You need to leave, Now." I become confused, on his insistence, Walking in the direction of Debra. My mom and Lucifer are ahead. " W-What are you saying? Aidan? I am not sure what you mean. I need to leave?".

His next words made all colour leave my face.

" There is going to be a car explosion! you're going to be in the firing line of it. Just listen to me, Ellie. Go!" Just then there is a loud, abrupt, detonated blast and flames burst out of a Range Rover which sends a big shock wave. I cover my face, expecting debris to hurtle to me but arms encase my body acting as a barrier to protect me. Each belong to Lucifer. I shudder out a long, laboured, disturbed breath.

" Ellie? Ellie? Mom! Are you there? Answer."

I gradually began to realise the events that just  happened. 'The car was sabotaged. Debra could have been killed. I could have been, too.' My eyes follow Lucifers tight embrace and my heart erratically beats in cadence with how I felt. Fearful. 'How did Aidan know that would happen? He called me mom? This is too much of a coincidence.' Lucifer explores my face for injuries. Relief flooding his eyes seeing nothing there.

' I'm definitely asking Aidan how he knew. I'm going to get information out of him. He's been avoiding my questions. But this is all too real for me.'

JASMINE SPEAKS;

Things are getting serious with Ellie, and her life, ever since meeting Lucifer everything she knows is changing. How are we liking Aidan?? He accidentally slipped and revealed he knew the car was going to explode? Calling El 'Mom'.

How do you think she is going to react with the information she'll be given? I want to hear all of your theories. I am glad I am back writing for Betty and her story with Lucifer.

She is so precious to me.