Malevolence

Chapter 34:

Please read the Writer's note before continuing to read the chapter.

Evelyn:

I look into Ransom's eyes...and I search for the man I love. I know he is in there somewhere. He has to be!

Where are you my lovable, adorable Ransom? I want you back!

"And it would have worked," Blanc begins, and Ransom appears to be staring into space as Blanc speaks, "if we hadn't brought you in for questioning, so you could not make your anonymous call. And if Fran had not stashed a safety copy of the toxicology report."

Why does it sound as if Blanc is droning on as he speaks? It's like he is –

"And if Evelyn had not confessed what her suspicions were of you."

Really? Does Blanc have to drag me into this speech too? And did he have to say that I was suspicious of Ransom?

Really?

Ransom darts his eyes to me, and I quickly look down to the floor, ashamed of betraying him.

I don't care! I betrayed him!

But he still killed Fran and Harlan!

Shut up!

"And if Marta, had not outplayed you once again," Blanc straightens his blazer, "by having a kind heart. By saving Fran's life, though it meant her losing the inheritance and going to jail. She didn't play your game. She saved Fran's life."

"Fran's alive?" Ransom asks, his voice sounding slightly high-pitched.

What?

I look up and notice that for the first time since I walked into this library, Ransom looks...afraid?

He almost seems frozen in his seat. His posture has stiffened, and I swear I can see worry in his eyes.

He's actually scared that Fran is alive?

"Oh yes." Blanc breathes, looking down to Ransom.

But wait, if Ransom is afraid...then – oh no! Then this proves that Ransom tried to kill Fran! This proves that Ransom met with Fran this morning, and he lied to me about wanting to go on a vacation.

Well, I guess Ransom didn't get the chance to kill Fran after all, because she is a fighter and now she can confirm that she did meet up with Ransom. Furthermore, she can confirm what he tried to do to her this morning.

"Fran, who will confirm this 'fairy story', or something close to it. And send you, Hugh, to jail." Blanc jeers Ransom's first name.

Ransom glares up at Blanc with a look of irritation on his face.

Suddenly, as Blanc was speaking, I heard a phone buzzing. I put my hand inside my dress pocket, but I realized it wasn't my phone buzzing, it was Marta's. She looked down to see who was phoning her. I peeked over to see the caller ID. It was the hospital.

Once Blanc finished speaking, Marta answered the phone. "Yes?" she rolls her eyes, turning her back to us, and I wait in anticipation to hear what the hospital has to say.

Did Fran pass away because of the morphine overdose? Or did Fran somehow manage to survive the morphine overdose? But how would that be possible?

She's a fighter, remember?

"Doctor, that's great news. We will be there soon, thank you." Marta hangs up, turning around and she smiles with...radiant joy?

Oh! Oh good! Does that mean –