My Dear Sweet Murder-A Murder Most Unladylike Fanfic

Lavinia

I made a mental note to check with Daisy and Hazel what Alice was actually doing at 10pm on the eventful night (as they were interviewing her).

  Ms Haulings continued with her speech of spite, not noticing the looks shared amongst us three.

  "Not only was the arrogant lady a racist, she-I'm sure as you all know-underpaid Martha, and also me."

  Now this was news.

  "She thought, since she had all the power, that she was the high and mighty, and got to do whatever she pleased. 

  "I could've poisoned her food. But I didn't," Ms Haulings finished sweetly, as if this proved her innocence. "I had two sons to support! One who was going to one of the top schools in England! You know, Edward wanted to drop out because of her? Alice, bless her, was on the suspect list. Edward's friends didn't want to go to a school ruined by a could-be murderer, so they had to influence my one, true son not to go!"

  "Wait," interrupted Kitty. "Your one, true son?"

  Ms Haulings stared at us flabbergasted. "When did I say that?"

  That was when I knew: she'd messed up.

  "You don't mind if we hear from Edward, do you?" I asked. "If you have nothing to hide, let us see him. Privately."

  The elderly woman in front of us looked fragile for a second, but her snarky side resurfaced up. "Of course," she said. "But don't get your knickers in a twist. I know when I see a little bird bothered by my handsome son." She looked directly at Beanie.

  Beanie embarrassedly hung her head. Ms Haulings hummed as she exited the room, calling for Edward in a sing-song voice. As soon as she was gone, Kitty and I wrapped our arms around our friend in the middle.

  "She's just trying to get under your skin," I said, the irritation boiling up. "If she makes another effort to enter this room, I will be punching her."

  Beanie choked.

  "Don't listen to her," Kitty huffed. "As Lavinia said, she's just trying to get under your skin."

  We sat in silence for a bit.

  "There's something fishy going on," I said finally, breaking the silence.

  "What if she's telling Edward what to tell us and what not to reveal?" Beanie chimed up. 

  "Could be." I shrugged.

  "I reckon she is," said Kitty in a strong voice. "I bet that's why they're taking so long. What a snake."

  As if right on cue, Edward entered the room and sat down. Beanie avoided his gaze. "Why're youse talking to me? What do I have to do with all this?"

  I rolled my eyes. "Whatever. Let's just get started."

  With every question we fired at him, he practically said the same as his mum. It wasn't until when Beanie asked her question, he gave something away at last.

  "Tell us about your mum," she said.

  Edward was taken back completely by the change of questions. "What?"

  "I just want to know her better. I'm merely curious," Beanie responded, fluttering her lashes in an effort.

  Seemed like the effort worked. "All right," said Edward, still confused. "I don't know, she's nice and loves James and I, she does everything a mum's supposed to do, she likes kids but after she had me she decided it was too painful for someone her age; she had me quite old for child birthing, you see, and my dad's not here, just knocked her up and went. But she wanted more children, at least one more, so she decided to adopt, and-"