The Stranger

22. A Truth And A Lie

They spend the next day staying out of sight from the village. They spend the day inside with Samuel and trying to think of a way to expose Kevin. That night goes by just as smooth. The following morning after they've woken up and eaten they sit with Samuel in the living room.

Amelia speaks up first. "Okay, we know that we need some type of evidence against Kevin.. and we need to try to get the evidence back from him that he has against Sam..." Elliot chimes in. "We need to be careful though, if he finds out what we're doing than I don't know what he'll do."

Sam and Amelia nod and Sam speaks up. "I can't lay low forever..., I know I need to for a few days to see what's going to happen with all of this but you can't do it alone." Elliot replies. "We just need to give it a few days because right now he has everyone following him just about."

Amelia chimes in next. "And who knows what happened yesterday while we were all absent. We need to go check on Adam..." They stand up and get ready to leave and Elliot replies. "I agree..., I hope it hasn't escalated too far."

"You and me both..., I'm ready." She replies and follows him out. As they walk towards the station they can see a small group of people in the distance standing outside. "What's going on?" Elliot says.

When they get a little closer they can see Adam in front of them talking. "I know you are all worried about the current situation." Adam says as someone cuts him off. "Where's Kevin? He's the one that's doing anything about this?"

Another person speaks up too. "I want to see more evidence against him. I want to believe that you wouldn't do this Adam but... the investigation went on for so long." Another person cuts them off and speaks. "Yeah and when Kevin did catch him he got away soon after."

Before Adam can answer Kevin steps outside and speaks up. "Excuse me Adam but if they want to see more proof about Sam being a criminal I can show them." Elliot and Amelia's eyes widen a little and she whispers to him. "What do you think he's going to show?"

Elliot whispers back. "I don't know.... but it's not going to be good..." Tod steps forward in the crowd and speaks up. "We all grew up with you Adam and we have with Sam but who knows what being in the war did to his mind. We might understand if you just tell us that you wanted to believe him and give him the benefit of the doubt. Tell us even that you didn't know about his crimes."

Adam takes a deep breath. "I'm sorry Tod, I took an oath to not lie to you all. I don't believe that he's a criminal.. We weren't there when it happened.. he could have been set up. You don't know the truth and neither do I."

Kevin sighs and speaks up. "A man who hides a criminal is lying to the people. If you want more proof then brace yourselves. It may be a little too much for some of you to handle." Kevin shuffles through some of his small stack and pulls up another photo.

Elliot and Amelia's eyes widen in shock as he continues talking. "This is a picture of him in France holding the dead body of a French woman. Her body was charred on one side of her body. This was given to me when I was an officer of the law in France. This gruesome picture is the result of Sam setting fire to my house with my wife and child still inside."

Amelia covers her mouth and gasps. She glances at Elliot who is in shock and breathing a bit heavier. They hear some gasps and whispers in the crowd. Kevin glances back at them and puts the picture down when he sees Elliot. "That's not the only thing either. If that isn't enough proof I have another one too."

She narrows her eyes a little and steps forward a little. "No, that's enough. How could you show something like that? And what is wrong with all of you? You shouldn't be wanting to see something like this either. You should all be ashamed of yourselves believing this man over Adam."