In Case You Didn't Know

01

"No, Luther. None of us ever got to have playtime with our dear old daddy. That was just you."

Klaus walked up from the bar and took the spot to Kaja's left. She noticed he had a glass of whisky in one hand and a joint in the other. She took his glass and took a sip. Klaus gave her a small frown before saying, "Will there be refreshments? Tea? Scones? Cucumber sandwiches are always a favorite."

Luther glared at him. "What? No. And put that out. You know Dad didn't allow smoking in here."

Kaja looked around the room. "I don't see your father. Let Klaus be Klaus."

Klaus smiled at her and she smiled back.

Diego glanced at the dark-haired woman momentarily before looking away. He couldn't help but think she was familiar, but he couldn't place who she was.

Allison frowned at Klaus. "Is that my skirt?"

"What? Oh, yeah, this. I found it in your room. It's a little dated, I know, but it's very breathy on the bits." Klaus answered, gesturing to the area.

Kaja let out a sigh. "Klaus will be Klaus no matter the time or place."

Luther changed the subject. "Listen up. We still have some important things that we need to discuss, alright?"

"Like what?" Diego grumbled.

"Like the way he died."

"And here we go."

Vanya's eyebrows furrowed slightly. "I-I don't understand. I thought they said it was a heart attack."

Luther nodded. "Yeah, according to the coroner."

"Well, wouldn't they know?"

"Theoretically."

Allison frowned. "Theoretically?"

Luther got defensive. "Look, I'm just saying that at the very least, something strange happened. The last time I talked to Dad, he sounded strange."

Klaus shifted in his seat and sipped his alcohol. "Oh. Quelle surprise."

Diego narrowed his eyes at Luther. "Strange how?"

"Told me I should be careful who I trust..." Luther replied.

Diego stood up from his seat by the fire. "Luther, he was a paranoid, bitter old man who was starting to lose what was left of his marbles."

"No, he must have known what was going to happen."

Kaja shook her head. "I don't think that was possible. From the way you're talking, no could have known."

Luther stared at her, then turned back to Klaus. "Look, I know you don't like to do it, but I need you to talk to Dad."

Klaus let out a sarcastic scoff. "I can't just call Dad in the afterlife and be like, "Dad, could you just stop playing tennis with Hitler for a moment and take a quick call?""

"Since when? That's your thing."

Klaus licked his lips nervously. "I'm not in the right frame of mind."

Allison narrowed her eyes at him. "You're high?"

Klaus laughed and waved his hand. "Yeah. I mean, how are you not, listening to this nonsense?"

"Luther, he doesn't like talking to the dead."

Luther frowned at her. "Fine, whatever. But then there's the issue of the missing monocle."

Diego rolled his eyes. "Who gives a shit about a stupid monocle?"

Kaja smirked. "Luther does."

Diego looked at her and a half smile crossed his face.

Luther glanced at Diego. "Exactly. So whoever took it, I think it was personal."

Kaja raised a brow. "Why would anyone take your father's monocle? I mean, it's useful if you want to use it, which would be weird using a dead guy's monocle, but otherwise completely pointless."

Klaus laughed softly and then said, "Where are you even going with this?"

Diego turned to him. "Oh, isn't it obvious, Klaus? He thinks one of us killed Dad."

"You do?" Vanya asked. "How could you think that?"

As everyone began dissipating, Allison said, "Great job, Luther. Way to lead."

Luther frowned. "That's not what I'm saying."

"You're crazy, man," Klaus told his brother as he walked away. "You're crazy. Crazy."

"I've not finished."

"Sorry, I'm just gonna go murder Mom. Be right back. Be right back."

Kaja let out a sigh and followed after her friend, but was stopped by Diego.

"Who are you?" Diego asked gruffly.

"Friend of your brother's," Kaja replied. "Kaja Andersen."

"Sorry you had to see that."

"Why? It was entertaining."

"For you."

"Well, yeah. I'm an outsider. Klaus has talked about his family before, but seeing everything in action definitely puts that all into perspective."

"How'd you meet him?"

"Rehab. We got out at the same time."

He nodded and opened his mouth to say something, then decided against it. "See you around, Kaja." He began walking away.

Kaja watched as Diego left and said, "A possible mystery to unravel."

As though he suddenly had put two and two together, Diego walked back up to Kaja. "I remember you."

A light smirk crossed her face. "I was hoping you would."

"You don't easily forget a first crush." He paused. "You grew up pretty." He paused again and added quietly, "I never forgot you, never got over you."

"Nor I you, Diego. Here's to maybe trying again?"

"Yeah, maybe. We'll see."

With a small smile, Diego turned and walked away once again. Kaja continued staring after him, only turning her gaze away once he'd left the room.