Altered Images

Chapter Fifteen ~ A lot to think about

I couldn't believe it. Here was definitive proof that Carol was the murderer. But how? How could she have done this? There was no way Carol was the murderer. But the evidence was sitting right in front of me.

The black boxes and knives were identical to the packages I saw in the picture of Savannah and Arya's bodies which were rigged mechanical devices used to kill them. But realistically, Carol wouldn't be smart enough to build something like this. Maybe she had help. But who would help her? I couldn't see anyone in the village being a murderer and murdering a bunch of teenagers they hardly knew.

I turned my attention to the green vial. The word poison floated into my mind. That would be how Logan died. The pizza he ate must have been spiked with whatever this green liquid was. But how would Carol have gotten this? This village is so remote, someone would have noticed Carol receiving a shipment of deadly poison. Or knives for that matter.

The sheet music could just be a coincidence. Lots of people have a book of sheet music. The only way to be sure was to check it. I looked at the table of contents and Requiem, by Mozart was on page 66. I turned to page 66. Except it wasn't there. Someone had torn it out.

I didn't know what to think. This was the evidence. These items had been used to murder people; I was sure of it.

I backed away and darted out of the shop. I couldn't turn Carol in. Not yet. I needed to confront her, tell her what I saw. I don't know the full story. Someone could be framing her. I have to find out the truth.

But not now. I'll do it tomorrow. It's not like anyone else is going to rummage through her private drawers.

I ran home. This had been too much for one day. I passed Cafe Well Bean but I wasn't in the mood to eat anything. Geoff saw me and waved; I waved back, albeit half heartedly.

The streets were deserted which was highly unusual for this time of night. I made it home in no time. Part of me wanted to stay up and watch some TV but I knew I was far too tired. I was asleep before my head hit the pillow.

***

I woke up on the floor. I had no idea how I managed to end up here. I must just sleep really weirdly. I began the morning routine of a quick walk with a cup of tea and some sort of meat roll. As I walked down the street, I noticed that the newsagent's was particularly busy. That usually meant there was interesting news as it was the only shop in the village where people could buy newspapers. I continued onto Cafe Well Bean which was also quite busy. After all, this was the place where locals caught up on all of the gossip.

Geoff wasn't one of the baristas this morning which was strange. Instead a new guy called Larry was at the cashier.

"Hello there," he said enthusiastically as I approached the counter. "What can I get for you?"
I smiled. "Can I get a sausage roll and an earl grey tea please?" I asked.
"Sure thing," he replied, and repeated the order to another barista who set about preparing my order.
I considered asking him what was going on when I couldn't help but overhear a snippet of conversation to my left.
"Absolutely relieved they finally caught her," said a man.
"Yes, yes, but who would have thought it was her," a woman replied.
I gravitated towards them. "What's going on?" I asked.
"Haven't you heard?" the woman asked. "Carol Livingstone has just been arrested for the murders."