The Shadows Of Westford

CHAPTER TWO, PART TWO: THE INVESTIGATION BEGINS.

Later that morning: the winter's house.

By the time Eve and Marcus arrived at the winter's house, the morning sun had fully risen, casting a soft, melancholic light over Westford. The winter's home was set back from the main road, a quaint stone cottage with ivy creeping up its walls. It was the kind of house that screamed domestic bliss, but now it held heavy with grief, the air around it thick with tragedy.

Eve paused at the gate, taking in the scene. A black sedan sat in the driveway, and through the front window, she could see the drawn curtains, as though the house was trying to shut the world out.

Marcus rang the bell, and after a few long moments, the door opened. Susan winters, molly's mother, stood there, her face pale, her eyes red and swollen from crying. She looked as though she'd aged years in just a few hours. Her blonde hair once neatly styled, hung limply round her face.

"Mrs winters?" Eve said softly "I'm detective Harding, may we come in?"

Susan nodded silently, stepping aside to let them in. The inside of the house was cosy as Eve expected — tastefully decorated, with family photos lining the walls, the scent of fresh laundry still hanging rome the air. But the warmth felt hollow, like a set stage for a family life that no longer existed.

In the living room, Richard winters sat on the edge of the sofa, his hands clasped tightly together. He was a strong-looking man, early fifties, his face etched with tension. His jaw clenched when he saw Eve and Marcus enter, but his eyes gave away his pain.

"Please," Susan said, her voice barely above a whisper "sit down."

They sat, the silence in the room punctuated only by the occasional rustle of fabric as Susan nervously adjusted her sleeves.

"I can't imagine what you're going through right now," Eve began, her voice gentle but purposeful "but we need to ask you a few questions on molly's last few days. It's important we understand everything about her so we can find out what happened."

Susan sniffled, reaching for a tissue. Her hands trembled as she dabbed her eyes. "I don't understand how this could happen. She was... she was just my girl... my Molly." Her voice broke, and she clutched a tissue to her mouth, trying to stifle a sob.

Richard, however, remained rigid. His eyes fixed on the carpet, his jaw set in a hard line, when he finally spoke, his voice was flat, controlled. "She didn't have any enemies. Molly was a good kid. Straight-A-student. Popular. Everyone liked her."

"Was there something unusual about her behaviour recently?" Eve asked "anything at all that might suggest she was worried or upset?"

Richard shook his head. "No, she was normal. She was focused on some upcoming exams, and was looking forward to university next year... there was nothing out of the ordinary."

Eve turned to Susan, watching her closely "Mrs. Winters, did molly ever mention anyone bothering her? A relationship she was in? Anyone at school?"

Susan hesitated, glancing at her husband before answering "Molly kept to herself mostly. She had her group of friends — Emily, Chloe, Jake — but she never mentioned any trouble. She was happy... atleast I thought she was..."