Bookview Valley 2

Chapter Sixteen: I'm Sorry, What?

Tuesday, January 28th

One day until the sentence hearing...

"Did you he-"

"Yes, I heard about Cameron Diaz," I huff, "But that doesn't mean anything. The Sheriff even said she was killed in a different way than the others."

"Someone could be framing Nick!" Brianna exclaims.

I give her a look, "Or maybe, that's what Nick wants us to think."

"So, I really don't think Flynn would be capable of something like this," Chad butts in while slurping down his milkshake, "I don't think he's the...what did you call it? Fill in?"

"Lackey," Dean corrects.

"We can't be too sure," I say, "No one would have expected Jamie to be so bru-"

"No, yeah, I could definitely see Jamie being a killer," Brianna says.

"You barely knew her," I point out.

Brianna shrugs, "I see things."

"Guys, shut up, Flynn's walking over here," Dean says. We all turn our heads towards the entrance. Flynn walks in and instantly spots us. He strides over to us and pulls a chair up to the end of the table.

"Hey guys," Flynn says.

"Why weren't you at the party!?" Brianna demands.

"I," Flynn flushes, "Well, it's...kind of embarrassing."

"Spill it, Flynn," I glare him down.

"Okay, okay," Flynn takes a breath, "So, when I was sneaking out to go to the party, my mom caught me."

"What?" Chad chokes on his milkshake.

"She caught me," Flynn hangs his head in shame, "And then she took away my phone."

"Why didn't she answer my calls?" Brianna peers at him.

"She told me my good for nothing friends were just trying to get me killed and that I'm better off alone...she also refused to answer anyone who called."

"Wow," I state, "Your mom is very..., but how do we know that's true?"

"You can ask her if you want," Flynn says.

"You do not want to do that," Brianna says, "She is a scary lady."

"You can also ask the Sheriff," Flynn adds, "My mom finally had a talk with him. He cleared us."

"Really?"

"Mhm," Flynn nods.

I sigh, "I actually believe you, Flynn."

"Me too," Brianna nods.

"So, who's the killer, then?" Dean asks, "Is it Nick? Is it a lackey?"

"I..I honestly don't know," I mumble into my hands, "I'm just so confused."

"You should probably go talk to the Sheriff," Dean says, "See if he has anything new for you."

"Yeah, I guess. Will you guys come with me?"

"There's no way you could stop me," Brianna grins.

...

"Come on in, Morgan," The Sheriff says, holding open the mirrored door, "But, your friends need to wait here."

Brianna whines, but I ignore her, "That's fine Sheriff."

I follow the Sheriff into the usual interrogation room. I sit down at the normal chair as he takes the one in front of me, "Would you like some coffee?"

"Just answers, but thank you," I smile.

The Sheriff laughs, "Straight to the point I see. What do you want to know?"

"I want to know if there's any new information. I didn't learn too much about the murder from last night, only that it was not the same as the others. Are there new leads? Anything about Nick?"

"You know I can't tell you everything," The sheriff says and I nod, "But I'll tell you what I can."

"Thank you."

"The murder from last night was very different from all the others. We didn't find any evidence of the normal stab wounds caused by the antler." 

"So, that has to mean that Nick has a lackey, right?"

"Morgan, we have reason to believe that Nick is being framed."

"What?"

"You said you didn't see Nick and the killer at the same time at the party, but you did see them both there. We have reason to believe that the killer knows you believe that Nick is the killer."

"That's because he is," I say, "The only way the killer would know that, is if Nick was the killer."

"Or, and just hear me out, if the killer was someone else that you already know."

"You think it's someone else in my life?" My heart drops in my chest.

"There's a chance. All of this so called evidence we have points to Nick, but it's too obvious. Or at least, that's what the detective says."

"The detective could be wrong," I point out, "He didn't really figure out Jamie."

"This second killer is very different, "The sheriff says, "The detective believes that this killer might even be stronger than Jamie."

"So, what does that have to do with it being Nick?"

"We've had complete surveillance on Nick. Other than you, he hasn't had any visitors. I, personally, gave him food, water, and bathroom breaks. He hasn't had contact with anyone else."

"He probably told someone else before he came here," I try.

"Morgan, we don't have real evidence. Nothing that can stick to Nick, just coincidences."

"What are you trying to say?"

"We're letting him go," The Sheriff says, standing, "If we keep him any longer his parents are going to get a lawyer involved."

"You can't!" I exclaim, standing rapidly.

"Even if we keep him, people are still getting killed, and this time it's far more gruesome."

"What do you mean?"

"I can't tell you Morgan, but trust me, if Nick is the killer, he's far more merciful."

...

I relay everything I learned back to my group once we get to the park. Everyone agreed to hang out for a little bit longer to learn what information I gained. No one says a word as I repeat everything.

"So, they're just letting Nick go?" Dean asks when I finish.

"Apparently," I huff, throwing my hands up.

"Maybe, and just hear me out," Brianna says, "Nick isn't the killer?"

"She could be right," Flynn nods.

"I..I don't even know anymore," I groan.

"Maybe try to talk to him?" Chad offers, "Get some answers out of him?"

"Yeah!" Brianna exclaims, "Try to trip him up!"

"That's not what I-"

Flynn cuts Chad off, "If he's lying he'll get tripped up if you keep asking questions."

"Try to throw him off," Dean agrees.

I look at each and every face, all expectant, "Fine."

They cheer, "Just be careful okay?" Dean says, resting his hand on my shoulder.

"I will," I give him a weak smile, "Guess I'm going on a movie date."