Jake just sits there, taking in the past couple of hours. A seemingly ordinary invitation to a dinner turns out to be a murder scene, and on top of that, everyone here could’ve died to misunderstandings. Red definitely didn’t help things, even though she’s supposed to be the detective.

Jake tries to think, but his mind is addled with only one thing: hurt something. He wants to hurt whoever would try to kill Shay, he wants to hurt Blake for, well, everything, he wants to hurt Bill for being a bastard, he wants to hurt Leo for being so nonchalant about all of this, but most of all, he wants to hurt Red for kick-starting this mess.

Or, did she? After all, the fighting started long before she got here. And, to be fair, she is trying to help solve this case, pro bono, maybe. What did she find in this to warrant her interest? No time to dwell on that. Try… try to be useful, Jake.

Think back to when Alyx chatted with you. She was kind, gentle. Of course, all doctors had to perform a physical examination before deciding whether you were good enough for them to help out, right? No, that’s not true, really, but Alyx definitely thought so. Maybe it comes with the sports medicine background? Only the best get to be tested? And she definitely thought you were one of ‘em.

No, nothing there. But she didn’t really give you a choice, did she? Regarding the meds to “boost your career”. You took them for a while, but then your mental state worsened, and you stopped. And they worsened even more, to the point where you had to take the rest of the season off. Then, you met Shay, who was kinda going through something similar. And, as it turns out, Alyx was her doctor too at some point.

Speaking of, Alyx was everyone’s doctor here, right? Except…

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

Jake turns to Leo. “Um. Tu and Alyx. Estas amigos?”

Leo snickers and replies negatively. Jake sighs. “Uhhhh, tonces… porque… tu eres aqui?”

Leo just shrugs, attempting to speak English. “Because I get invite.”

“Invite… porque?”

Leo shrugs again. “Doctor de friend. Amigo.”

Jake tilts his head. “And… que es tu… amigo…?”

Before Leo could answer, Bill glares at Blake, rising from his moment of pondering. “Don’t you ever jump me again or I’ll give ya the what for!”

Blake rolls her eyes. “You want Round 2? It won’t be pretty.”

Jake instinctively holds Shay closer to protect her, but keeps an eye out on Leo. She shifts a little before catching Jake’s line of sight and staying put. Huh.

Jake tests out the waters a bit. He shifts an inch closer to Leo, and she takes a step back. He calls out, “Que pasa? Quiero que… uh… quiero que Shay estas…. safe?”

Leo snickers at Jake’s horrible Spanish and shifts to her left, letting Jake sit next to her.

“Porque… tu… uh… move?” Jake asks meekly, to which Leo shrugs. “No like violence.”

“...seems fair.” Jake shrugs. “Though… when Blake and I talked… I didn’t think she was gonna fight me. I guess she probably had other plans for me, but…” Jake shivers a little as he says that. “...let me guess, bathroom break?”

Leo responds with a rather vigorous nod. Jake and Leo turn to watch Blake and Bill shout as the poodle barks at them.

“You came out… just before Red got back with Shay…”

Leo looks at him inquisitively.

“...and you didn’t hear anythin’...?”

Leo tilts her head in confusion.

“...you took the glove from Red…”

Leo snaps her fingers as if asking Jake if he was still talking to her. She mutters something, probably vulgar.

“...and you weren’t mentioned in Alyx’s notes…”

“Uh, no comprendo English, motherfucker!!” Leo snaps a finger at Jake’s ear and he yelps.

Just then, the door opens. It’s Red. Everyone groans.

“I’ve figured out the culprit.”