I call Max, through the same telephone booth, and tell him to get arrested by police and instruct him to lie that Kai made him do it; because he wants to frame Vic for the club fire. 

And now latest one, Eclipse club has bomb.

Max Malone answers – hesitant – I deliver instructions. He listens silently – then whispers, "Got it. Kai framed you for club fire and Eclipse bomb threat – I'll sell that story to cops. But... Vic Vaughn owes me big time for this risk."

I hang up immediately.

I call Sergeant James – anonymously – to ensure Max gets caught, "Tip – Max Malone – Eclipse nightclub area – confessing to crimes linked to Kai..."

And hung up before he speaks.

Drove Sheila towards my house. Because I still stink for even myself. I should've taken a shower in Lola's itself.

After a quick hot bath with my yellow toy-duck in tub, my phone buzzes 45 minutes later – Sergeant James, "Vic – we have your car. Max Malone abandoned it near Eclipse nightclub."

My excitement drops when I realise it was just about my car.

"Vic Vaughn – we've also got Max through an anonymous tip. We know this tip came from someone close. Meet us there?"

A smirk sprout up at the edge of my lip.

It is getting interesting.

"On my way, Sergeant James."

.

.

.

I came in Sheila, stylishly, with an ajar mouth.

"What are you saying? My own brother want me to be framed?!!" My voice cracked after hearing to Max's confession which is exactly what I instructed him to say. I acted mind-blown by my own lie.

Sergeant James stunned expression turns to shock seeing me arrive in Ricky's Sheila – he points, "Ricky's car... but – NO – Max just claimed KAI wanted to frame YOU – but your reaction suggests Max's other words hit closer – 'your brother'..."

He trails off – eyes widening – voice low and dramatic, "Vic Vaughn – is Max implying RICKY VAUGHN was in cahoots with Kai against YOU?!"

Is every foolish man is in Emson Falls alone?

I meant Kai as my 'brother'. Not my brother-in-law Ricky!!

Before I could open my mouth to say something, Ricky himself appears behind Sergeant James – overhearing – face turning ghostly pale – "W-What's going on here?!"

Max Malone – still in custody – nods vigorously – "YES – Ricky helped Kai frame Vic!"

Beef-of-cow-WHAT?!

What is he blabbering? My eyes widen at Max. He is obviously messing up the simple lie.

Is it because I told him Ricky-is-an-asshole that he's trying to put Ricky into trouble too?

I stare at Max shaking my head meaning the lie is going too far.

Max notices my headshake – his confident expression falters – he glances nervously at police officers holding him – then back at me – voice cracking like a biscuit:

"No... Vic's shaking head... I mean – Ricky and Kai didn't... I lied about Ricky – JUST Kai blackmailed me!"

Sergeant James eyes narrow – "Too late for recanting, Max – we recorded everything."

Broomstick can lie even better than Max.

But James looks at me intensely – "Vic Vaughn – did Max originally tell truth about Ricky or entirely fabricate?"

Ricky himself steps forward – eyes locked on yours – "Vic – tell them – I'd never betray you – what's going on?!"

Max adds quietly – "Kai told me Vic would react exactly like this... if Ricky was involved."

What is he thinking he's telling.

Brushing off the heaviness I'm feeling, I tried to play along and pull everyone back to the track of lie I'm trying to fit in James' head.

"Ricky, I know you hate me being with Lola but..." I press my chest pretending that I couldn't get over it.

Ricky's eyes widen – he takes step back – hands up defensively, "WHOAH – Vic – that's not even close – my issue was Kai using you against Lola – NOT Lola loving YOU back!"

He looks relieved as I didn't accuse him of Max's claim – then curious, "But Lola loving you back... is there something Lola didn't tell me?!"

"I trust you, Rick." I say but suddenly Lola herself appears at doorway – overhears – face turns bright red – "Ricky... Vic... we need to talk..."

Sergeant James clears throat – "Actually – we still have Max's confession – Kai blackmail – to discuss..."

But my eyes fixed on Lola – my heart skips beat – what did she mean?

"Max!! Tell the truth!!" I scream. Everyone staring at us. Eclipse club illuminating in the dark night behind us.

Max Malone takes deep breath – glances nervously at Sergeant James, then at me – voice firm this time,

"Kai blackmailed me into stealing Vic's car and planting bomb threat at Eclipse... BUT Vic Vaughn scripted my FALSE confession about Ricky – to frame Kai!"

Gasps erupt – Sergeant James stunned, "Vic Vaughn – care to explain why you manipulated evidence and nearly destroyed Kai's reputation... and your brother-in-law's?!"

Lola looks devastated – Ricky shocked – eyes locked on mine – "Vic – what have you done?!"

What! No I haven't.

Kai had bought Max for himself with his money it seems.