The Truth Behind Larou's Murder

Chapter 5 - Consequences of Unresolved Pain

Everyone in the room turned to Ace in shock, unable to believe what they were hearing. Ris's eyes widened, a mixture of confusion and fear crossing her face. Callun, Maro, and Rob exchanged wary glances, their suspicions taking a new turn.

The lead officer, Detective Mirell, narrowed her eyes. "Go on," he prompted, clearly skeptical but willing to listen.

Ace took a deep breath, steeling himself for what he had to confess. "Last night, after everyone had gone to bed, I couldn't sleep. I took a walk around the house and noticed Larou's light was still on. I went to check on her, and we ended up arguing. She threatened to expose nude pictures I had sent her years ago. Things escalated, and in a moment of anger, I pushed her. She fell and hit her head. I panicked and left her there."

The room fell silent, each person grappling with the weight of Ace's revelation. Callun's thoughts raced; something about Ace's confession didn't quite sit right with him. The bloodstained handkerchief he had found earlier seemed incidental, likely dropped during Ace's frantic investigations. The idea of Ace being blackmailed with nude pictures felt too convenient and out of character, especially given the group's recent carefree time together, including their spontaneous decision to swim naked in the pool just yesterday.

Callun replayed the events in his mind, searching for inconsistencies. Ace's behavior had indeed been erratic, but it felt more like desperation to protect someone rather than guilt. The pieces of the puzzle didn't fit. There was an undercurrent of something more profound, more twisted, lurking beneath the surface.

As Callun scrutinized Ace's demeanor, he couldn't shake the feeling that the true story was still hidden. Ace's confession seemed like a shield, a desperate move to divert attention away from the real culprit. The room's atmosphere grew heavier with each passing moment, the silence punctuated only by the sound of their collective breaths.

Carmela, who had been silently observing the scene with a heavy heart, finally found the courage to speak. Her voice trembled as she stepped forward, her hands shaking slightly.

"Wait," Carmela's voice quivered, drawing all eyes to her. She looked pale but determined, her gaze unwavering despite the weight of her words. "There's something I need to say."

A hush fell over the room as everyone turned towards Carmela, their expressions a mix of curiosity and apprehension. Ris's breath caught in her throat, her face draining of color as she realized what was about to unfold.

"I saw Ris leaving Larou's room last night," Carmela confessed, her voice breaking with emotion. "I heard their argument and waited, hoping it would resolve peacefully. When I finally went to check, it was Ris coming out."

Ris's hands flew to her mouth, tears welling up in her eyes as she shook her head in disbelief. "Carmela, no," she whispered, her voice barely audible amidst the sudden tension that gripped the room.

Carmela's eyes welled with tears, yet she pressed forward with a resolute determination. "I'm sorry, Ris," she continued, her voice trembling under the weight of her revelation. "We're closer than anyone knows. We're foster sisters—we lived together for 12 years when we were kids. I didn't want to believe you could be capable of this, but I can't keep quiet any longer."

The room seemed to hold its breath, the truth hanging in the air like a heavy cloud. Ris's shoulders sagged as she struggled to comprehend the magnitude of Carmela's words and the betrayal they implied. The bonds of trust that had once bound them together now strained under the weight of suspicion and regret.

As the gravity of Carmela's confession sank in, Detective Mirell exchanged a meaningful glance with his team. She nodded solemnly, signaling the need for Ris to be taken into custody for further questioning.