Chapter Text
Clive was working tirelessly at his office, filing another report. It was just a boring desk job day, no reported murder in weeks to feel the rush of action within his life. His eyes were drooping in boredom as it felt like suspension. His mind was on a terrible dilemma, feeling bad how he gets off to solving a murder with Liv and Ravi. It's good that there hasn't been a homicide case in the first place. Even if there was, they've all been passed to his coworkers. He hasn't been shun on at all. His ears suddenly became alarmed, hearing his office phone ring. That was the last thing he ever wished for.
"Detective Babineaux." He answered the phone.
"Clive, I've got some bad news." Terry almost broke down announcing.
"What is it Terry?"
"It's dad. He's..."
There was a form of dead silence between the two, Terry trying to formulate and spit out the words of devastating news while Clive worrying and anticipating what he was going to say.
"-gone." Terry tried his hardest to form the word.
Something so simple of the word that was just the most difficult to say at times. The silence became louder, Clive overwhelmed in instant denial and regret.
"You have to be joking. I know you."
Clive held tightly to the smallest amount of hope he had. There was no way his dad was gone. He didn't even get to say goodbye or talk to him in a while since he was in New York with Terry.
"I'm sorry Clive, he really is."
"How? He didn't really have many health problems. He was only in his late sixties."
Their father's death was already devastating news. There was a moment of several seconds of Terry trying to build up the courage to break even more terrible news.
"The autopsy came back. They found out it was a homicide. The case wasn't assigned to my precinct, knowing my relationship with him. I've gone through some interrogation and have a clear alibi. Don't worry about me. I still need your help to arrange the funeral with me. I can pay for your plane ticket."
"No, you don't have to. I can pay for it myself. Anything to seek justice for dad."
There was an intense blood rush, flowing through Clive's head. How dare could they take his dad away from him? He was a detective. He wanted to find out who it was and to make sure they would never see the light of day again.
"It was...nice catching up with you Terry, I'll see you soon." Clive concluded.
The tone of his voice was serious, but somber. It has been a while since he last talked to his brother. They weren't really the closest growing up. Terry was the popular kid at school, befriending everyone and socializing being his specialty. He always exuded charisma and charm. Now wasn't the time to envy him which shook Clive back to reality. His hand was still gripping the phone, still closed from the dock. He relaxed his hand to let go of the phone and sighed out years of devastation and news too heavy to carry.
He figured it was just time to file a break from work from the obviously unfortunate news and to just go home early.
***
Clive came back home to his cozy apartment and crashed hopelessly towards his couch. On his way, he stopped by a grocery store to buy a large pint of vanilla ice cream. He never thought this day would come. He didn't know how to deal with grief, he was just a shell of nothingness and out of touch. He began the monotonous action of scooping the ice cream towards his mouth. His internal self was just a spirit of discord, devastation, and depression all at once and everywhere at the same time. He didn't even know if he should cry, it was just another war to fight with and he just couldn't win. A tear effortlessly escaped from his eye and his breathing pounded his chest harder. He couldn't stop the inevitable.
A ringtone escaped from his phone suddenly and Clive was debating whether or not he was going to take it. The caller ID read Liv Moore. He figured he was going to answer.
"Hello?" Clive answered as he shifted to a calm persona.
"I heard about your father. I'm sorry about your loss. Just wanted to let you know that if you need me, I'm available anytime."
"Thanks Liv." There was a hint of appreciation coming from Clive's end.
"Of course. Really terrible about what happened."
"Yeah," There was a brief pause as Clive wanted to end the call and to be back alone.
"It was nice talking to you Liv, I'll let you know when I need you. Bye."
"Oh. Bye." Liv concluded.
Just as Clive hung up, he immediately molded back to his original mood, breaking down once more.
At this point he was furious. He wanted to know who killed him. Why did they do it? And to make sure that person faces cold hard justice right in front of Clive's eyes. He didn't care that it was a case not involved with Terry's precinct. He wanted to take care of it his way. Impulse fed his brain immensly. Determination filled his body right when he was about to purchase his flight ticket to New York. He eyed the plus button, whether or not to add more than one ticket. He might as well use the method he knew too well. He added two more tickets.
He rushed to get to his phone and text the group chat with Liv and Ravi about what he has just purchased.
Messaging
Clive: Both of you, come to my place now. This is urgent.
He shut off his phone anticipating on meeting them. He paced around his place within several circles, patterns, and almost made a ruckus in the kitchen. He couldn't wait one second longer on what the craziest plan he had.
There was a knock on the door which caused Clive to open it with great force. He could've broken it apart if he could.
"Woah what's the rush?" Ravi asked.
Ravi and Liv stood across the door both looking concerned. Especially seeing Clive's determined face, especially knowing the news that hit him hardly.
"Clive, are you okay?" Liv questioned as she swore he wasn't fromt he last call they had.
"I bought three flight tickets to New York. I want to find out who murdered my father. I know this usually isn't me to impulse buy, but...I need you guys."
"Clive-" Liv said with concern.
"Please."
There was the silence that creeped to them they all knew too well.
"Are you guys in?" Clive proposed.
Liv and Ravi looked at each other with puzzling looks as they were suddenly asked to fly to New York to solve their detective's father's murder.
"We're in." Liv announced.