It was now 3:00 am in the morning with Carl and Brayleigh still sitting in the chilly office.
Brayleigh went silent for a moment after she started to speak about Brona Connor.
Detective Murphy was just getting started. He needed more information.
This was a very peculiar and complex situation.
She claimed her sister could be the one everyone is looking for and wanted dead but saying it wasn’t enough. They needed concrete evidence.
“You do realize that what you are saying isn’t enough, right? We need evidence. How are you planning to prove yourself?” Carl said with uncertainty and doubt evident in his voice.
Brayleigh just stared at her hands not moving.
“You are not telling me the whole story, are you?” Carl asked while standing up and gently sitting down next to her.
She still wasn’t moving or saying anything.
“I want to help you, Brayleigh. But you’ve got to give me something to work with.” He urged, trying to encourage her.
For a brief moment she looked up at Carl when a soft sigh escaped her lips.
“Okay…. tell me more about the other murders that were committed…let’s start there.” She finally answered.
Carl nodded urgently and quickly opened up his laptop. This might get them somewhere.
After a few minutes of searching through his documents, he stopped and opened up the first one.
“Right, we know about the local prostitute found dead at the club and obviously the victim found in your hotel room. The question is, how are they connected? One, we have the theory that your sister tried to frame you which explains partly why the victim was found in your presence but why kill a female prostitute? Did she have a thing for women or specifically hated them?” Carl asked, trying to make sense of the information.
“Um…well I’m not sure about the murder in my hotel room, but I think the reason behind the murder of Judith could be due to the fact that our mother was a prostitute herself. From what I remember, our mother wasn’t exactly the sweet and caring type if you know what I mean. She used to bring strange men to the house quite a lot. I reckon this could be a possible hypothesis since they usually tried get me and my sister into the bedroom with them. I didn’t understand it then, but now I do.” Brayleigh explained, radiating coldness and her eyes indifference.
It was strange to talk about her mother and her prostitution.
She didn’t know how to feel about it because for so long she just chose to ignore what had happened. It seems she has come to the point where her demons must be faced.
Carl looked at her carefully, taking in what she said.
There was definitely more to this than he initially thought. This could explain the death of Judith Smith, but it was just the beginning.
“Okay, that gives us something to work with. This is a clue to find Brona Connor and her next move. Let’s talk about the victim that convicted you as the murderer. According to the autopsy report done on the victim, they could establish her identity. It seems she was a middle-aged woman known as Rhoda Hills who was also a well-known prostitute and pimp in Willowcreek. This now amounts to two prostitutes, could we establish this as a possible theme?” Carl asked, considering the idea.
Brayleigh thought about his response.
“I guess it makes sense, it could be my sister projecting her hate towards my mother onto these two prostitutes, but what about the others?” She asked.
“Well, there’s a strange twist, both prostitutes were violently sexually abused. So that brings another possibility, she was in relationships with them. Can’t be confirmed since the victims aren’t alive anymore. Do you remember if Brona showed any signs of homosexuality?” Carl asked making notes as they continued.
“I honestly don’t know or remember.” She said trying to think back. When Brona was adopted, she was fourteen, what happened afterwards in terms of her sexuality, she had no idea.
“I think it is possible but look at the next victim, a young girl, 14 years old it seems. She was found dead a few yards away from the local park of Willowcreek. Any thoughts on this?” He asked.
Brayleigh’s eyes lit up suddenly.
“I actually know about this girl. Her name was Annie Harrison. She used to be in the same Orphanage that we were…I don’t think that is a coincidence.”
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YOU ARE READING
The Silver Lining - A Brayleigh Connor Story
Mystery / ThrillerA young and hopeful forensic therapist, Brayleigh Connor, is convicted for a gruesome murder that she claims she didn't commit, however, all evidence is against her. Is she playing a game of deception or is she telling the truth?
