Where She Lies

Chapter 17: Everything But a Murderer

That moment when your blood turns to ice, your body goes numb, you can hear but the words don't reach you, and you can't feel anything - that moment is a scary one. I stand there fightfully still, feeling exactly like I just described.

"Why is my dad on the news?" I say each word carefully as if I might hurt myself if I don't.

"He's being arrested." Trevor says quietly.

"What!" I shout.

I rush past Trevor and run into the living room to watch the news. Both Trevor and Quinn follow my lead and take a seat on either side of me.

"This just in," The news lady reports from the scene, "Andrew McClain is being arrested for the murders of Heather Icland, Andi Layne, and his eldest daughter, Anna McClain. Andrew was taken from his home and driven to the police station for questioning after his ex-wife's friend reported her missing. Just moments after he arrived at the police station detective Wyatt Deupre rushed in saying that he had a breakthrough after finding evidence in Andi's dorm room. Wyatt said that Andrew was seen on a camera that was hidden in Andi's dorm. Andrew stated that he was simply looking for his daughter Kimberly who attends the same college. Andrew will be in the interrogation room for now. However, he still won't be seen as the killer since he is currently innocent until proven guilty by more evidence or information. Stay tuned for more on this story. The regular news at eleven will continue now, thank you."

I sit there and blankly stare at the TV.

"Kimberly?" Quinn nudges my shoulder.

"I need to find a way to talk to my dad." I blurt out.

"How?" Trevor asks.

"We'll have to come up with a plan. We need to figure out who is killing people as fast as we can." I say.

"Right, and that means that everyone has to know everything." Quinn looks at me.

I flinch while turning to Trevor who's starting at us both with a confused look on his face.

"What?" Trevor continues to stare at us.

"Um, Trevor," I look down at my hands, "Before Andi died I overheard her talking to Wyatt. She was the one who broke into my house and took the letters. Also, when I went to find my mom earlier today she wasn't there. Someone kidnapped her from our house. They left a note saying that I didn't listen to the warning that told me to stay away. I realized that I recognized the handwriting and pulled out a note that I stole from Heather's house and noticed that they matched. Although, the thing that confuses me is that the person signed it E."

Trevor sits there and blinks a few times.

"And you're just telling me this now?" Trevor's hands clench.

"Erm," I pause, "Yeah."

"Whatever," Trevor looks away, "At least you told me. What matters right now is coming up with a plan."

"Tre-"

"He's right, Kimberly." Quinn interjects.

"I know," I sigh, "Okay. Where do we start?"

"Well, for starters we could add everything together and see what happens." Trevor suggests.

"I see," Quinn nods, "Okay. So E could stand for Esmee, but that doesn't seem right. And we need to find a way to rescue your mom. Also, Wyatt is being deceitful just like he always has been. Wyatt probably told you about Listette and Esmee knowing that I'd tell you they were dead, then you'd look it up, and then you'd distrust me. Truthfully though I was just trying to protect you. But if that was the reason Wyatt told you that then he must know you're the one hiding me."

"Right," I jump in, "But then there's the issue of Anna. She left notes behind that Andi apparently found right before she was murdered. What's on them and why are people so desperate to have them? The officer who came to my door said that the notes may have had clues on them as to who was killing everyone."

"Which is probably Wyatt." Quinn mutters.

I shoot Quinn a sad look before I continue.

"Anyways," I clear my throat, "Then there's the fact that whoever E is, they probably knew that Andi broke into my house and took stuff as well as left a warning because they said I didn't listen to the previous one."

"Don't forget that we need to find a way to talk to your dad." Trevor speaks up.

"Yeah. I seriously doubt that he killed anyone. I mean, he's an asshole, but he couldn't kill anyone, especially Anna. He probably was just being stupid and loitering around Andi's dorm while waiting for me to show up since I was supposed to go to class but I didn't. I guess when I didn't show he went home and then that mess happened."

"Seems legit." Trevor runs a hand through his hair.

"So what's the plan?" I ask as we both look at Quinn.

Quinn doesn't even seem surprised at the fact that we both looked to him for guidance. Instead he's sitting there deep in thought with a faraway look in his eyes. He blinks a few times and shakes his head as if awaking from a deep dream that he could barely escape from. A slow smile creeps up his face, but it isn't a big one.

"First we have to pay a visit to Esmee. It shouldn't be dangerous since I sincerely doubt that she's E. Then we'll find a way to talk to your dad and clear that up."

"I take it we're visiting Esmee because we need to find out something important. Obviously if you figure she isn't E you wouldn't waste time going to her." I frown.

"You're right. We're going to Esmee to find out if she knows what Listette has been up to. If Listette is still dangerous she could be involved in the murders, but I don't think she's the murderer." Quinn says.

"You think the murderer has an accomplice and that the accomplice is Listette?" Trevor's eyebrows shoot up.

"Yeah, I do." Quinn nods.

"Why do you think that?" Trevor asks.

"Because, everything Wyatt does comes with a risk. That risk may not be so obvious, but there always is one. Like talking to Kimberly about Anna, meeting Andi in public right before her death, sentencing me to death, bringing up Esmee and Listette in a conversation," Quinn's gaze meets mine and I know that he's thinking of another reason, he just won't say it, "And so many other things."

"And since you think that Wyatt is the killer, you think that Listette is the accomplice since he brought her up and everything he does has an unseen risk?" Trevor asks, still slightly confused.

"Exactly. Or she may know something. Either way, going to Esmee can't hurt. We need to find out where Listette is." Quinn says.

"I guess it's worth a shot. We don't really have any other leads. When are we going?" I ask.

"We're going tomorrow morning. As of right now we should probably get some sleep. Also, my head is killing me." Quinn pinches the bridge of his nose.

I laugh but try to cover it up with a cough, which, may I add, fails. Quinn glares at me as we all stand up and go our separate ways. As I'm walking back to my room I notice that Quinn is heading for my room. Just when I reach the door he stands in the doorway, smiles at me, and closes the door.

"Quinn," I scoff, "Let me in."

"No," His muffled voice comes from behind the door, "I like your room better."

"Jerk." I mutter under my breath and walk across the hall to his room.

I enter his room and crawl into the bed. If he wants to be like that then I'll just take his room then, that'll teach him. The sound of a door creaking echoes around the room, but I think nothing of it. As I'm almost asleep I hear a faint voice whisper.

"Just kidding, I just wanted to see if you actually minded sleeping in my room since I knew that's where you'd go."

"Quinn, you jerk." I whisper as my eyes finally go shut.

The last thing I hear is him quietly treading across the room before leaving and closing the door.