The Bargain Case

Chapter 9 *Scarlett*

  
Attempt to murder no. 1

"Everything you need is in that bag on the floor," Scarlett said as she handed me a bag filled with the supplies I needed. I smiled gratefully, feeling relieved that she was willing to help me out.

"Thank you, Scarlett. You really are the best," I replied, taking the bag from her.

"Sure. No problem. Oh, and by the way. Why are you alone? I thought Alec said you can't leave the house alone," Scarlett asked, a hint of concern in her voice.

"I know. I know. But he doesn't have to know. I just wanted to walk for a bit. That's all," I said, trying to sound casual. I didn't want her to suspect anything.

"Ok. Let's say I believe you. Do you need a ride back?" Scarlett asked

"Of course. Wait a minute. I'll be right back."

I nod, waiting for her to come back. As she walked out of the room, I started to look for something I could usmash to make a loud noise. I take a random ornament made of glass and smash it on the floor, making sure to fall down at the same time, pretending to faint.

"Amy? What was that? Are you okay?" Scarlett's voice gets closer and closer, and when she opens the door, a loud gasp comes from her mouth. "Amy! Amy, wake up! Amy!" She yells, slapping my cheeks to wake me up. "Amy!" She continues, but when she tries to check my pulse, I grab her hand and pin her to the floor, using the moves Alec taught me.

I put her hands above her head, holding them together as she keeps asking me what's happening, trying to escape.

"Alec, you piece of shit." I slap her, but her head doesn't move a bit. "Why did he have to teach you this fucking stuff? What are you doing?"

"You'll see."

"Is this a fucking test? This is not funny. Stop it, Amy!" She keeps trying to escape, making me put the piece of cloth in her mouth faster than I intend to, grabbing her by the nose so I can block her from breathing.

Scarlett's murmurs become more and more panicked, so I put the hand I was holding over her mouth. She keeps trying to escape, but suddenly her hands drop, her whole body unwinds. Scarlett's eyes are slightly open, and her pulse is gone.

I get the cloth from her mouth and put it in my gloves. I get up, digging a hole in a flower pot so I can put my gloves inside, slowly covering the evidence, making sure the pot looks like it did before.

I grab my phone and call Alec, trying to look as panicked as I would be if I didn't commit a murder.

"I'm off work. I'm on my way home," Alec said.

"Love..." I start crying, my voice shaking uncontrollably.

"Amy? What happened? Why are you crying?" he asks, his voice deep with concern.

"I know I should not get out alone, but I really wanted to see Scarlett, and..." My voice trails off as I try to hold back a fake sob.

"Is she not home? Did something happen?" he asks.

"She didn't respond at the door, so I called her, and I knew she was home because I could hear her phone ringing, but there was no movement. I tried the door, and it was opened, so I came in and..." I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. "Scarlett is dead, Alec."

"Did you touch her? Verify her pulse?" he asks, his voice now urgent.

"No. I'm too scared to touch her. Her chest isn't rising at all, and she's on the floor next to some shattered ornament. I'm going to be sick."

"I'm on my way. Is there any blood?" he asks.

"No," I say weakly, my vision blurring.

"Please try to stay as calm as you can until I'm there, okay?" he tries to calm me.

"I'm going to try. Please hurry."

I try to keep my voice as shaky as possible, hoping Alec would believe my lies. As I end the call, I quickly glance around the room, making sure everything is in its place. The glass shards from the ornament I smashed are scattered on the floor, the scene looking like Scarlett fainted.

When I hear movement on the hallway I start hyperventilating, making sure to breathe heavily and erratically. I can feel the adrenaline pumping through my veins as I try to act scared and panicky. When Alec finally arrives, I let out a loud sob and rush into his arms, pretending to be relieved that he's there.

***

"It's ok, honey. I'm here now."

"I didn't know what anything else to do," she said, still crying.

I asked her if she had touched anything and she said she only touched the doorknobs. "Ok. Let me look at her, alright? Go to my car. You'll be safer there."

"But I'm scared," she protested.

"Trust me. It's better for you to stay in the car. If anything happens, you call me. Ok?"

"Ok." She murmured, letting go of the hug and slowly walking out of the apartment.

As I approach Scarlett's lifeless body, I take a deep breath and get down on the floor to check for a pulse. To my surprise, she suddenly wakes up and puts her hand on mine, causing me to jump.

"What's wrong with you? Amy had a panic attack because she thought you were dead! Are you out of your mind?" I yell at her, trying to understand what just happened.

"She tried to kill me. Her gloves and the cloth that was on my mouth are in that pot. She had a good technique. May I say I'm impressed," Scarlett tells me calmly, as if she's just informing me of the weather.

"She... She tried to kill you?" I stutter, feeling a mix of shock and confusion.

"Yes. Listen. I think you can find out what happens. Just give her a little bit of time and tell the others to pretend I'm dead too. Plus, tell them to be ready near her."

Scarlett's words leave me speechless but finally everything clicks in my mind. Her depression evolved. She's bad. Really bad. And I didn't know, I should've helped her more.

"You think..."

"I don't know. I just want to be sure everyone is going to be ok. I knew for me it was best to pretend I was dead, finally that training has come in handy."

"Hey. Something serious is happening with her. She became like this in such a short period. Something is off."

Scarlett's words started to sink in, and I realized that there was more to this situation than I initially thought. "You're right. We need to get to the bottom of this. We'll gather the team and we'll come up with a plan."

"Don't worry, about us. we'll be alright. We have enough training. You just make sure she's safe." she reassures me, her smile radiating comfort. "Come on. Let's clean everything that leads to her. It's not going to take long."

"We need to report this, right?"

"If we want to make me disappear, yes."