“A penny saved is a penny earned” Benjamin Franklin
The blood streaked across the floor, but he had carefully
sidestepped it. Stupid bitch! She got what she deserved. How dare she defile
his Angel’s property? He hadn’t left a trace...had he? No he was too clever by
half.
“I didn’t spot you entering. Working late? You have an early
opening tomorrow.” A voice he didn’t recognize interrupted his thoughts.
“Wait a minute, you aren’t the lady. Who are you? You
shouldn’t be here,” the man continued clearly alarmed.
“You shouldn’t be here either,” the murderer insisted.
“You killed Megan. I’m telling.”
“This was something you shouldn’t be allowed to see.”
“I’m leaving. I didn’t notice anything,” the man lied,
witnessing the blood.
“I’m sorry pal. Wrong place, wrong time!” the killer
answered.
The homeless man ran dodging racks, finally deciding to hide
behind some shelving. The killer ran after him, puzzled for a moment because he
could see no trace of the homeless person. The murderer then laughed, as he
realized how foolish the vagrant was being, his stench gave him away. He
subdued the man with a Taser gun. Waiting seconds he then pulled him from his
hiding place. Taking ties from within his pocket he fastened the man’s arms and
feet. Satisfied that the homeless person was now trussed up like a turkey, he
smiled.
“Please! I don’t want to die!” the man cried, visibly
sweating and starting to shake.
The man tried to kick out his legs and arms but failed.
“You’ve heard about fate? Well sorry but this is your fate,
buddy!” the murderer explained.
“Please! Couldn’t you let me go? I won’t tell! I’ll move to
another city. Besides who would listen to a homeless man?”
“Someone would. My Angel would.”
The homeless man then smiled as if to gain trust from this
killer, “You won’t hurt the lady who owns the store, will you?” he asked
“I would never harm my Angel. How dare you?” the killer
responded outraged.
“Sorry! I didn’t mean to insult you! Please just let me
go....”
“What is your name?”
“My name is Al.”
The killer put his gloves back on and smoothed them. Then
turned his back on his victim.
“You’re going to kill me now. Aren’t you? Just don’t harm
the sweet lady who owns this store. Will it hurt?” the man asked resigned.
“I would never hurt my Angel. She is sweet isn’t she?
Unfortunately that makes unscrupulous people take advantage of her.”
“I promise I would never take advantage of her kindness.”
“I know you wouldn’t and it hurts me to do this. Tell you
what though, I’ll make your death painless because I like you, Al,” the killer
offered, feeling suddenly sorry for the man.
Then he checked himself. Living on the streets was hell; maybe he was doing the guy a
favour? Yes, of course he was. Taking a pill bottle out of his pocket and
opening the dispenser, he placed some in a coffee cup he took from the
sideboard. Then he filled the cup with the tepid coffee from the coffee pot,
stirring the pills in rapidly.
“Please couldn’t you let me go? I won’t tell and I’ll watch
over her when you’re not here.”
“Sorry times up Al. Here now, drink this coffee,” the
assassin commanded placing the mug at Al’s lips.
Al tried not to drink and spit some of the coffee out, but
the assassin plugged his nose and the cup was soon empty.
“Admit it Al, you had a crappy life. Just give in and go to
the light. I hear good things wait there for people like you,” the killer
stated.
Al tried to fight some more but he soon found it was losing
battle. Al’s breathing slowed as he slipped into a deep sleep and stopped
breathing altogether. His age and living on the streets made the pills work
fast.
Now what to do with the body? the killer thought. His Angel
must not find this man here, bad enough he left Megan’s body here for his Angel
to find. This man knew his Angel; she cared, so like her to look after the
homeless. The dumpster of course! The day after tomorrow was garbage day.
Covered in garbage no one would find Al.
****
The next day
Lily
Ominous clouds replaced the morning’s sunlight turning the
skies to shades of deep purple and navy blue, streaked with gray. Lily Kelly
stared at the sky for moment, and then departed the courthouse doors skipping
down the steps. Lily had a lot on her mind. Amelia, her cousin and best friend,
needed Lily to support her in her grief. She had a fight with her husband
Horace again this morning about how much time he was spending at the office.
Lily was always working, and so was Horace, so how much time was Rose their
fourteen year old daughter getting? She had won in court, but all she could
think about was her family. Everyone needed her and she felt like she was being
pulled in three different directions. Something had to give and it looked like
it was her job. She would have to cut back on some of her work. Her family had
to come first.
Lily stumbled some more over the steps and only stopped from
hurrying across the courtyard to her office, when her heel broke on her shoe.
Today was supposed to be about her victory after her win in court; but it
appeared with her expensive shoe’s heel breaking, she was mistaken. They ought
to get the ruts in the paving stones fixed; that was her reflection as she
cursed her bad break.
“What did they say about omens? Maybe she should have taken
a hint from the heavens’ darkening?” she noted as her bad luck had seemed to
get worse with the arrival of some reporters.
“Ms. Kelly, give us a statement about the Rockwood case?”
yelled one reporter.
“Ms. Kelly, how does the Sulimani family feel about your
victory?” yelled another.
One bold reporter stepped forward.
“Crown Attorney Kelly, congratulations on your win. Was it
hard to try a case which involved a council member?” asked Paul Knight from the
local television station, thrusting a microphone in Lily’s face.
“Anyone who commits a crime in Happy Valley will be tried by
the Crown with the full force of the law, despite their office. So no, I did
not find it difficult to do my job,” Lily replied testily.
“Thank you, Ms. Kelly. What does the Sulimani family think
about the judgement?”
“Amani Sulimani was five years old, when Zebadiah Rockwood’s
truck went through a red light. His truck struck the back of the Sulimani’s SUV
killing her. He then left the scene pursued by good Samaritans, who wished to
stop Mr. Rockwood from continuing driving drunk: a pursuit caused by Mr.
Rockwood’s actions, which put a number of lives in danger.”
“Will the family be comforted with this conviction?” queried
another reporter. “Amani Sulimani existed as their only child. Mr. Rockwood’s
conviction will not bring her back, but hopefully will bring some peace of mind
to her family knowing he will be behind bars.” Lily answered.
“Do you sense, given your own personal tragedies that you’ll
be able to get a sentence fitting the crime?”
“My families’ history does not come into my trial cases,
only the person’s guilt.”
“And when will sentencing take place?” asked another
reporter.
“Sentencing will take place next month.”
“Thank you Ms. Kelly. This is Paul Knight reporting, with an
update on the Zebadiah Rockwood’s drunken driving case. Zebadiah Rockwood was a
long time council member here in Happy Valley. He took a leave of absence to
deal with his legal issues. Mr. Rockwood was charged with impaired driving
causing death, two counts of failing to remain at the scene of an accident and
dangerous driving last December. When asked about the conviction today Mr.
Rockwood and his lawyer issued a no comment. We will have the complete story
for you at six pm. Paul Knight reporting for CHPV-TV.”
Lily hated speaking on camera, even though it was part of
her job as the Crown Attorney, so she was glad the scrum had been completed.
She was now free to go to her office to file her reports and leave early. She
crossed the street, entered her building and went straight up to her office.
“Victory is mine!” Lily Kelly cried triumphantly as she
walked into her office.
“So you won?” asked Colleen Finn, her administrative
assistant.
“Yes, I bested Michael Taylor. He thought he would beat me
in court. He believed his client would win.”
“Good for you, boss, I knew you would nail his lily white
ass to the wall.”
“Colleen! Language! But yes I did,” Lily answered, showing
pearly white teeth and laughing to take the sting out of the reprimand. “Funny,
I got it. Zebadiah Rockwood’s sentencing takes place next month, but he will be
held until then; no bail, no goodbyes to his favourite water hole. As the
Crown, I’ll recommend the longest sentence I can get. It’s victories like these
which make my job worthwhile. I don’t know how much satisfaction this will give
that little girl’s family, but at least they’ll know her killer remains in
jail. He can’t take another life again, because he will be incarcerated.”
Lily went over to her desk and sat down.
“Can you imagine Michael Taylor, tried to use the defence
that Rockwood was not drunk. Just tired? He claimed Rockwood drank only after
the accident, while driving his company’s truck.”
“Yes, I can believe it!” Colleen agreed “I’m glad you proved
he’d drunk so much before getting in the truck. That proved he was legally
under the influence when the accident occurred. I hope I was some help.”
“Yes, you were.”
“Thanks, Lily.”
“It’s still early; only nine forty-five, and my day’s clear
until what, two-thirty?”
“That’s correct.” Colleen replied checking a day planner.
“Is everything okay? You seem a little down.”
“Everything is fine. Amelia’s grand opening starts at noon,
but I promised to be there sooner if possible. If I go right now, I’ll surprise
her,” Lily grabbed her coat to leave.
“After what happened, Amelia needs the encouragement.”
“Yes, Amelia does need support. Hold all my calls Colleen.
Unless it’s urgent then call my cell.”
“I’ll do that. Tell Amelia I hope her store has great
success. What time should I say you’ll be back?” Colleen responded to a
departing Lily.
“Tell whoever asks that I’ll be back after two p.m...”
“And if they ask where you are?” Colleen questioned.
“Tell them I’m meeting with a witness,” Lily replied with a
wink.
“If there’s cake bring me back a piece. Please, boss?”
Colleen begged.
“I ordered a cake but it’s not supposed to arrive until one
thirty so we’ll see. I’m leaving now. Remember only urgent calls to my
cell-phone.” Lily cautioned, leaving through the front door.
She twisted her shimmering brown hair back up into its
traditional bun. Pulling out her cell phone, she dialled Amelia’s store. There
was no answer.
****
A few minutes ago
A lone male walks into the store. His left hand holds a gun
while his right hand steadies it. He strides in with caution. His dark brown
eyes dart from corner to corner, searching for an assailant. His well over
six-foot tall frame slouches. He is ruggedly handsome, with dark brown hair
clipped short to his head. He is dressed in a dark blue jacket and dress pants;
and a badge is clipped to his belt buckle. Finding the scene secure he puts his
gun away and pulls a pair of gloves out of his suit coat pocket and a pair of
booties, which he slips on his shoes.
He checks the victim. No pulse. Advancing forward, he bends
down to check the second woman; her phone still in her hand, her head bloody.
He notes the second victim is still breathing, though unconscious. He looks
around, as if waiting for someone. Deciding they weren’t coming yet, he takes
out a mini recorder. He starts scanning the scene and speaking aloud.
“This is Sergeant Detective Emmett Rogers. I am at the scene
of a homicide, at Quirks, one forty five Maple Street. A woman lays sprawled
out across the floor. The woman’s arms are positioned underneath her, as if to
break her fall. The back of her head and her long blonde hair are streaked in
rusty-brown blood, as well as her clothing below the hair. Blood pools across
the floor spiralling out in two long streams. Footprints are noticeable, as if
someone stepped through the drying blood. The weapon appears to be a pair of
scissors, found beneath the victim.”
The man spoke aloud as he walked around, carefully avoiding
contaminating the evidence, by stepping over a paper cup. “A coffee cup... possibly one of those lattes
is overturned. Its contents are also spilled on the floor and countertop.
Coffee is spilled at the front door and possibly on the shoes. The second
victim’s shoes are not on the bruised victim, but on the floor. The shoes can be
found near an overturned ladder, at the front door. It appears the one woman,
may have been carrying a ladder and toy stock to place on the shelves, when she
slipped in the blood.
The man pauses to think.
“This might be a setup by the second victim to cover the
actual crime. The woman, however, seemed to have the victim’s blood all over
her clothes and hands like she crawled through the blood. I believe there are
two possible scenarios here. One the owner of the shop, one Amelia Kelly,
murdered her employee and set this up to appear a perpetrator broke in and
killed her accidentally hurting herself in the process. Or two... it is at it
seemed and she stumbled on the crime scene. Is it a robbery gone wrong? It is
too soon to tell. The store owner will be en route to hospital as soon as the
EMTs have arrived .Interview to follow. The time is now ten twenty a.m.,” he
concluded turning off his recorder.
He pulled out a notebook and examined the
room some more taking notes.
****
Now
Lily Kelly and Detective
Emmett Rogers
The man’s eyes turned and his vision focused completely. A
woman entered the store. His eyes took in her tall and slender form and her
long shimmering brown hair, pulled into a tight roll. He noted she was closely
followed by the Emergency technicians and gave a sigh of relief. The woman
entering the store had brilliant blue eyes. He had a feeling she often turned
heads, even dressed as she was, in her business attire. But he noted something
about the way she walked screamed money and upper class.
“Oh no, Amelia!” she screamed and tried to rush to Amelia,
but was stopped by the man.
“This is a crime scene Ma’am. We don't want you disrupting
the evidence. Let the EMTs and detectives do their job. Then you can go to
...you’re er...friend?” Sergeant Detective Rogers commanded.
“Crime scene? What has happened?” Lily asked politely,
wanting to be cooperative.
“Ma’am, I’ll know better after I assess the scene. Until
then, please remain near the front door.” ordered Detective Rogers briskly.
“I promise I’ll stay out of the way; but at least can I get
her Adrienne Changs?”
“What or who, are Adrienne Changs?” said Detective Rogers
looking totally perplexed.
“Shoes, those shoes right there!” Lily pointed to a pair of heels lying behind
the yellow tape.
“You're worried about shoes? Woman! Do you have any idea of
what’s going on here?” Detective Rogers snapped, shaking his head.
“You sexist pig!” countered Lily under her breath. “Men!” Losing
her temper now and louder she continued “Those shoes are worth five hundred dollars!
And she probably wore them for what a half an hour? And you want me to walk
away and leave them to be destroyed!”
“Five hundred dollars for shoes? Is she crazy?” Detective
Rogers asked dumfounded.
“No! She's not crazy. How dare you?” Lily asked suddenly
outraged.
He was smug wasn’t he? Handsome yes, but oh so smug, she
questioned herself. That wasn’t important. Amelia is injured on the floor and
he questioned her? Instead of letting her go to her cousin! Why was she so
worried about the shoes? They were only shoes. Amelia was injured; who cared
about footwear?
“Sorry... the shoes are evidence. Name? Occupation?
Address?” Detective Rogers barked, ignoring her statement.
“I want to see your identification first, and then you'll
get the information,” insisted Lily.
“I am Sergeant Detective Emmett Rogers,” the man revealed,
showing his police badge.
“Oh that's funny,” Lily uttered laughing. “If you and Amelia
were introduced it would be Aem and Em.”
Lily followed this up by hysterically followed by crying.
What was wrong with her? She never lost it like this. She always appeared a
professional. She had seen crime scenes. She could handle this. Couldn’t she?
Amelia would be okay. Wouldn’t she?! “Get a hold of yourself Lily. You have
embarrassed yourself.” Lily heard a voice in her head, she recognized as her
father’s. Odd how her Dad’s voice, came back to her now, she rarely saw him,
since he lived in Prague and he only called about twice a year.
“Ma’am, what you are saying is not that funny. Are you all
right? I think your friend's okay. She might have a head injury and possibly a
broken leg, but she’ll be okay.”
Sergeant Detective Rogers then turned to the Emergency
technicians (EMTs) to seek confirmation demanded “Right?”
“Should be. But head injuries can be serious,” the one EMT
replied.
Sergeant Detective Rogers shot him a disapproving look.
“Yes, the Sergeant Detective is right. She'll be fine.
She’ll be taken to the hospital for treatment,” the Emergency Technician
agreed.
“See...what did I tell you? Now I need to see some
identification and then get some answers to my questions. Name? Address? Occupation ? Why are you here?” Detective
Rogers barked at Lily.
“Amelia’s my best friend. This should have been the greatest
day of her life, her opening of her new store; a one of kind toy and
collectibles retailer. A grand opening and now it's ruined. Who did this to
her?” Lily asked, uncharacteristically wringing her hands and still trying to
regain her calm, as thoughts of Amelia’s demise threatened to enter her mind.
“Ma’am... she slipped in blood. She hit her head on the
floor and on the ladder she had. No one harmed her. She did this to herself,”
explained Sergeant Detective Rogers.
“I realize she's clumsy, but she didn't put blood there to
trip in,” defended Lily angrily.
“No the blood was spilled by whoever killed the woman behind
the counter.”
“Someone is dead behind the counter?” Lily responded shocked
and surprised.
“No comment. As I explained Ma’am this is an active crime
scene. So what is your name?” Detective Rogers insisted forcefully again.
“Lily Kelly-Brooksfield. My husband is Horace Brooksfield,
the mayor. We live down the street on Beaconfield. Do you want the number? It’s
nine hundred and sixty- two.” she replied condescendingly.
“If you’re Mayor Brooksfield's wife… then you’re the Crown
Attorney.” Coming to this realization, Sergeant Detective Rogers hid a
sigh.
“Yes. Update me on this active crime scene now,” commanded
Lily pulling back her shoulders.
Emmett Rogers put on his professional face and smiled.
Lily just felt so angry. This cop who grinned back at her
was the biggest reason. She was a married woman. She shouldn’t be attracted to
a cop who apparently existed to give her grief and solve a murder. She threw
back her shoulders again. It was okay to look at someone attractive, she
excused herself. Everyone looks, and most of the time it means nothing. It’s
only if you act on any attraction it becomes wrong. She would never act on the
temptation. Besides he appeared to be the most annoying man she’d ever met.
“Ma’am, you know I can’t fill you in on any of this case.
You'll have to recuse yourself from this case, as you’re familiar with the
crime scene.” Detective Rogers emphasized, once again interrupting Lily’s
thoughts.
“Why don't you just come out and say what you think. You
consider me a suspect,” Lily uttered.
“A lot of people are suspects in my book. I have to make a
case for them committing the crime or I have to eliminate them as suspects. And
don’t attempt to solve this yourself, amateurs just get in the way.” Detective
Rogers explained, his eyes wandering.
Lily was slightly amused. Detective Rogers thought she
wanted to insinuate herself into this murder investigation? She might not have
before that comment, but she did now. He seemed to be focusing on Amelia or
Lily as his prime suspect. Lily knew neither of them had committed this murder,
so that meant she had no choice but to find out for herself who had committed
this crime. She would pretend she wanted nothing to do with this situation,
even as far as passing it off to her underling Barbara. After all she could
always investigate behind the scenes.
It was odd, how alive she felt when she jousted with him. He was a cop investigating a murder and she was married. “Stop this now Lily!” She told herself.
Spotting the emergency technicians Detective Rogers
exclaimed “Oh good, the ambulance has arrived to take the victim to the
hospital. Now can we can get down to brass tacks; you can fill me in on these
people and anything else you know or have held back from me.”
“I want to go with her,” Lily protested.
“Ma’am, I realize you want to go see your friend. Before I
could release you from the scene, I need something from you. We need you to
identify the other victim. Maybe you’ll recognize her when I turn over the
body.” Detective Rogers explained, softening a little, as he slipped on another
pair of gloves.
“Only if you'll stop calling me Ma’am. Call me Lily or Crown
Attorney Kelly but not Ma’am. It makes me feel eighty years old.”
“If it will get you to identify the victim...thank-you Crown
Attorney Kelly.” “Let’s look, shall we?”
Lily agreed.
Lily took a breath as she gathered herself to observe who
lay there dead. She gasped as she stared over the counter to see the back of
the woman’s head. She covered her mouth in horror.
“Good grief! I never realized they appear so alike from the
back,” replied Lily shocked.
“Who do you think she looks like Ma’am?” demanded Detective
Rogers.
“What did I say about Ma’am? Don’t they give you sensitivity
training at Police College? You want to know who this is? This is Megan, Megan
Fowler. She's an employee of Amelia's. But she works evenings she's...
is....was a college student. I can’t believe this is Megan. Megan is such a
sweet girl and worked part-time to be able to go to school and support her
mother. Why would someone kill her? Do you think it’s possible someone mistook
her for Amelia?” Lily rambled, tears slipping from her eyes.
“That’s a possibility, Ma’am. We will explore all aspects.”
“I know the drill, Sergeant Detective Rogers.” Lily gave the
detective a mock salute, “Why can’t you admit that they mistook Megan for
Amelia?”
“We don’t have any of the facts yet, Ms. Kelly,” replied
Detective Rogers.
“What about Amelia? Is she in any danger?” asked Lily. “If I
were to speculate, I suppose that could be a possibility,” Detective Rogers
answered non-committally.
They both watched as the technicians gathered the evidence
and blood samples and took pictures before the body was taken away.
“Will someone be assigned to guard her and keep her safe?”
Lily asked getting exasperated.
“That’s in motion, Crown Attorney Kelly,” Detective Rogers
explained, trying not to sound annoyed that she’s telling him how to do his
job.
Detective Rogers and Lily turned as another cop swaggered
into the store. Burly and well over six feet tall, his hair was dark like
Detective Rogers. Unlike Detective Rogers, this man preened like a peacock;
Lily was aware of the type. Guys like him smiled with their mouths and not
their eyes. They thought all women should admire them and only them. She noted
his smile went as far as his lips.
“What have you got here, Emmett?”
“Nothing you need to be concerned about, Brad,” Detective
Rogers replied, obvious tension showing between the two.
“You should be able to get some great publicity out of this
one,” Brad said loudly to Detective Rogers.
Brad then strutted over to the murder scene.
“It’s my case, Brad,” Detective Rogers insisted.
“I’m not trying to interfere,” Brad persisted walking
around, “I just thought if you needed some help I would lend a hand. It doesn’t
look like something you could handle on your own.”
“I don’t need help, thanks, Brad. I don’t need you messing
up my crime scene.” Detective Rogers declared “I’ve got it all under control.
“It doesn’t look that way to me. I would solve this case
quickly. You could use me in your corner,” Brad continued.
“We don’t need you. Now the Crown Attorney is here, so I
have it all in hand. Goodbye, Brad.” Detective Rogers practically spat.
“Ah, the lovely Crown Attorney Kelly is here,” Brad
exclaimed trying to sound charming but failing miserably.
“And you are?” asked Lily putting her full aristocratic
chill in to her voice. “I’m Brad Owens, at your service, Attorney Kelly.
Sergeant Detective Brad Owens. I use to be Emmett’s partner,” Brad explained
smiling and pointing to Detective Rogers.
Detective Rogers rolled his eyes. “Thank God you’re not
anymore,” He stated under his breath loud enough for only he and Lily to hear.
“So what do you think, Crown Attorney? Was it a robbery gone
wrong?” asked Brad.
“I’m not sure. Why do I bother to tell you this? This isn’t
your case,” Lily commented suddenly not willing to share with Brad.
She didn’t know why. Something about his smile, and the way
Emmett Rogers had reacted to him made her dislike him. Brad’s smile was phony,
like a used car salesman. It was slick and slimy. That wasn’t fair to used car
sales people. Lily was sure they were more honest than this phoney, Brad Owens.
Lily had come across a lot of people in her job. She certainly felt she was a
good judge of character. In fact, she could spot a phoney a mile away.
Detective Emmett Rogers, unlike Brad Owens, appeared like he knew his job.
She’d heard of him many times but had never run into him on the job until
today. He was a dedicated cop. He had done his time and had come up through the
ranks, strictly on merit. Detective Rogers didn’t seem to like Brad Owens and
that was reason enough for Lily not to trust him. Emmett Rogers had an
exemplary record as a police officer; she trusted his instincts and knowledge
over this smarmy Detective Brad Owens. He’d get to the bottom of this.
Lily wished he would let her leave soon and check on Amelia.
They had spent their teen years together and were as close as sisters. She’d
always felt responsible for Amelia, being two years older. She wanted to make
sure Amelia was okay.
“Okay. Well if you don’t need my help, I’m leaving because I
have work to do. There are other
crimes to investigate.” Brad answered leaving, “See you around Emmett.”
“Not if I see you first,” muttered Emmett under his breath.
“So am I free to go?” Lily demanded.
Emmett then offered her his pen.
“I have your address, so as long as you sign here in my
notebook. “You are free to go,” he said gesturing.
Lily glanced over at Detective Owens and watched him leave
before reaching for the book. She then signed her signature with a flourish.
Detective Rogers scanned the signature, thinking momentarily it was just as
elegant as Lily. He shook his head, reminding himself to stay connected to
reality.
“So I am free to go, Detective?” Lily repeated.
“I’ll be checking in on your friend, of course, and I may
need to follow-up with you later, but as of now, you are free to go.” he
smiled, already exhausted.
“I would expect nothing else from you, Detective Rogers.”
As she got into her car, Lily breathed a sigh of relief she
had finally been able to leave the store. She buckled up her seatbelt and put
her car in gear. Backing the car up, Lily pulled out into the street and
narrowly missed getting hit by a car, she didn’t view. Luckily the other driver
slammed on his brakes. She noticed the male driver shouting, “Stupid woman
driver” as she read his lips in her rear view mirror. He was justified in his
anger. It had been her fault, but she didn't have time to dwell.
She headed down the road toward the hospital; despite her
resolve her mind wandered. She thought about poor Megan’s mother getting the
news of her daughter's death. It would kill Lily to get news like that about
her adopted daughter, Rose. What kind of monster kills a young woman? Why did,
whomever it was, have to kill Megan? It wasn’t a robbery, she’d read in
Detective Rogers’ notes, when he gave his notebook to her to sign her
statement. As Lily drove, more questions
flooded into her head. Was Amelia the real target? Megan certainly appeared
like Amelia from the back. Amelia didn’t appear too hurt. Maybe she suffered a
concussion? Concussions could be serious; she knew from her readings. The EMT
hadn't said Amelia was in serious condition though. Not that the EMT could
explain before Emmett Rogers got on his case. Revving the engine, she waited
impatiently for the light to go green. Once Lily reached the hospital, she
could reassure herself, Amelia was all right.
****
©Sheilagh Lee December 30, 2012
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