Chapter 3
BRADY PUB
J.J.: That's a little harsh, isn't it?
CHASE: What? You don't think he's a bad guy?
J.J.: Aiden? No, dude. I liked Aiden a lot. He was my lawyer.
CHASE: What did you ever need a lawyer for?
J.J.: Let's just say I wasn't always a good guy. But, Aiden helped me out. So did Daniel.
CHASE: Well, you must be one of the few people in this town that doesn't hate him. You do know that he tried to kill your cousin Hope, right?
J.J.: See, I don't believe that. The Aiden that I knew, and that this whole town knew, would never do something like that.
CHASE: What are you saying?
J.J.: I don't know, man. Something just doesn't add up. There's something not quite right about this whole situation.
CHASE: Well, I guess it doesn't really matter. Everyone in town just sees me as the Necktie Killer's son.
J.J.: Dude, that is not how people see you. From everything I've heard, you sound like a good dude. Besides, even if your dad was the Necktie Killer, which I'm not saying he is, even if he was, that doesn't mean you're like him.
CHASE: How do you figure that?
J.J.: Well, take me for instance. My dad...he did some bad stuff a long time ago. He...raped one of my family members. But, he worked hard to change who he was, and he turned out okay. When I found out about what he had done, I thought that I was gonna turn out just like him. That I'd be known as the son of a rapist. But, I was wrong. And, yeah, I did some bad stuff, but I'm working on changing that, too.
CHASE: That's different. At least you got to see your dad make up for what he did.
J.J.: I know. I know, and that sucks. But, like I said, I'm not convinced that that's what he was really like. The Aiden I know adored Hope so much. He loved you, too. He was not the kind of guy that would do something like that. And, for the record, nobody thinks any less of you because of something your dad may have done.
CHASE: You really believe that?
J.J.: Yeah. I really do.
JENNIFER: Abby?
HOPE: Yes, Abby. Your daughter.
JENNIFER: Why would I be concerned for her?
HOPE: Because, she and Ben haven't shown up yet. You sent her a text about Bo, correct?
JENNIFER: Of course I did.
HOPE: And, did she respond?
JENNIFER: Well...
HOPE: Exactly. Now, if Abby had gotten that message, she would have dropped everything and come home. Or, at the very least, acknowledged it.
JENNIFER: Well, she's just busy, I guess. I mean, she and Ben were kind of having problems, so they went away together. I'm sure she'll come home once they've sorted them out.
HOPE: Hey, it's up to you, Jen. But, if I were you, I'd look into that.
The anti Bo (my nickname for the vengeful ghost of Bo) showed up at the door.
HOPE: Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go take care of someone...I mean, something.
JENNIFER: Okay. I'll see you later.
Hope got up and walked away.
HOPE: Maybe.
Just as Hope left, Victor, Maggie, Daniel, Nicole and Brady walked in.
VICTOR: I hope that we're not too late.
CAROLINE: Victor, of course you're not late. Come in, come in.
Caroline walked over to Maggie.
CAROLINE: I'm glad to see you all here.
MAGGIE: Well, I'm glad to be here. Bo was so loved by so many people.
CAROLINE: Yes. Yes, he was.