The Cockermouth Murders

Chapter 6: The Final Act

The investigation led to the edge of a tense confrontation but both Stephanie and Natasha knew they had the evidence they needed to arrest Edna, and to finally bring justice not for the family, but most importantly, for Gracie. However, Edna knew that they were onto her and she had plans to escape.

Later in the evening, Stephanie and Natasha hid behind a wall in silence waiting for the right moment. After some time of waiting, the sound of quick and heavy breaths as well as hurried footsteps had piqued their attention, "On the count of three," Stephanie whispers, "One... Two... Three!" With a swift and calculated move, Stephanie sneaks up on Edna, with the element of surprise and lays a hand on her shoulder, "Going somewhere?" In shock, Edna turns around and she then drops a bag, which contains another vial of poison, Now who's she trying to poison? Stephanie thinks to herself.

Natasha cuffed Edna, "You are under arrest for the murder of Gracie Van Der Liden. You do not have to say anything but anything you do say may be used as evidence against you in court."
Edna tries to plead for her innocence, "You've got it all wrong! I'm innocent!" But Stephanie's grip on her shoulder tightened as she replies back, "Save it for the judge, Edna."

At the police station, Edna was sat in a cold, hard chair in the dimly-lit interrogation room. Stephanie and Natasha enter the room with their expressions stern and determined.

Stephanie began to speak first, "There's evidence that shows that you are the one who poisoned Gracie."

"She was always the favourite and I just thought that if she was finally gone, I would've been noticed more, even if I am a housekeeper." She exclaimed.

Natasha then chimed in, "You do know that this is a serious offence?"

"All I did was put it in her tea, only a drop, or a few."

Stephanie looked at Natasha, "What about the second vial we found?"

Edna started smirking, "That was for you, Miss Connell."

Stephanie felt a chill run through her, "Me?"

Edna continued, "You started getting too close and I thought that if I got rid of you, well, I know for a fact that the investigation would stall."

The gravity of the situation finally sunk in, especially for Stephanie. Had they not intervened when they did, Stephanie could have died herself because of Edna's desperation. Fortunately for the family and for Stephanie, Edna is finally put behind bars for the death of an innocent girl and Stephanie's attempted murder.

Stephanie Connell, the antique dealer turned detective has learnt one valuable lesson those past few days: "Never underestimate the lengths that people will go to in order to protect their secrets".

Case closed.