Where She Lies

Chapter 29: Case Closed

The first thing that surprises me is that Esmee is on the ground surrounded by a puddle of blood. And the second thing that surprises me is that Camden is standing in the stairwell, shakily holding a gun in his one hand, with his phone in the other.

"I," Camden stammers, "I came back because I wanted to help. I heard voices and it didn't sound good, so I called 911 and had them listen in on the conversation. I told them to send help and then I hung up when Esmee was done confessing. I knew I had to do something...so I...so I..."

"It's okay, Camden." I breathe shakily.

"I know that since the police know I used to be a drug dealer and I murdered someone I should probably leave, but I won't. I left that life behind me a long time ago after your father left, Kimberly. I'm a different person now and you know that." Vanessa says.

"I know, mom," I rub my hands on my pants nervously, "I'm just glad that you aren't the Where She Lies case murderer."

"I could never kill my own child." Vanessa shakes her head sadly.

"What's going to happen now?" Trevor's voice trembles.

"I don't know," I admit, "But I know that we're going to stick together."

"Kimberly, I'm not so sure, the cops are coming and -" Quinn starts.

"Don't worry about it Quinn, we'll clear your name. After all, Wyatt made up the story about you being in a drug ring to put you in prison so that you'd be safe. All we have to worry about is getting the court to know the truth, just like the police learned through the phone. The police know you aren't the killer, Quinn. They also know it isn't my mom, it's Esmee." I say confidently.

"I hope you're right." Quinn frowns.

"So am I." I sigh.

We all gather around Esmee and I stare at her with pity in my eyes.

"Is she..." Camden falters.

"Yeah...She's gone." Trevor whispers.

"So that's it then?" I frown.

"Yeah," Quinn pulls me close, "I guess it is."

The sound of footsteps makes me lift my head so that I'm looking back at the stairwell.

"FBI!" Wyatt shouts, "Freeze!"

"Wyatt?" Quinn, Trevor, and I say simultaneously.

Wyatt's stern look fades as he notices us and that everything's okay. He makes his way down the stairwell and over to us.

"I insisted that they let me out of the hospital after I got a call from the police station telling me to cancel the charges against Andrew McClain and that Quinn's innocent as well. I gladly told them that I was going to drop the charges against Mr. McClain anyways. I was even more glad that I didn't have to fight the court to prove Quinn's innocence." Wyatt states.

"But why did the hospital let you out?" Quinn asks.

"Like I said, I insisted they let me out. Besides," Wyatt looks at his sling that's supporting his left arm, "This is my only problem. I felt that protecting my family was more important than my arm at the time."

"Camden called the police, by the way." Trevor adds.

"I know," Wyatt nods, "They'll be here soon. They called me saying that they were on their way over here to catch the true killer, which is why I wanted out of the hospital."

"Oh." Trevor says.

"So," Wyatt eyes Esmee, "Who shot her? Don't worry, there won't be any charges. It'll be classified as self-defence, because in all honesty it was."

"Uh, I did, Sir." Camden shuffles around on his feet.

"Nice work. And please don't call me Sir, I'm only twenty-one, it makes me feel old." Wyatt says.

"Sorry." Camden's lips turn up into a small smile.

"I'll file a report on this once I get back to my office, assuming my boss will allow me to work." Wyatt says while looking at Quinn and I strangely.

"What're you looking at?" My curiosity gets the best of me.

"Are you two...?" Wyatt's eyebrows raise up.

"Are we what?" I blink at him.

"Dating?" Wyatt finishes.

"I don't know," I look up at Quinn, "Are we?"

Quinn looks down at me with amusement and adoration in his hazel eyes.

"Yeah," He moves his gaze to Wyatt, "I guess we are."

"Ahem." Vanessa clears her throat.

"Eh heh." I grin at her sheepishly.

"Oh, right, Ms. McClain," Wyatt addresses her, "You do realize that you'll still be charged with murder and also with dealing out drugs, right? Not to be harsh or anything, but your husband has told us the truth."

"I understand." Vanessa nods.

"Good." Wyatt nods back to her.

"Police!" An officer yells from upstairs.

"Down here, Matt!" Wyatt shouts, "Everything's fine!"

Matt descends the stairs and stops at the landing. He assesses the situation with curiosity in his eyes, but he doesn't say anything at first.

"Make sure to explain everything to me once we get to the station." Matt says.

"I will," Wyatt says and nods in Vanessa's direction, "Make sure to arrest her and get an EMT down here with a stretcher for Esmee,"

"Yes, Sir." Matt approaches Vanessa and cuffs her.

Wyatt sighs in annoyance before turning back to us.

"I should go," He heads for the stairwell, "And remember Quinn, you're a free man now."

Wyatt walks up the stairwell followed by Vanessa and Matt, leaving just the rest of us and a dead Esmee.

"Listette won't be happy when she finds out about this." I look back at Esmee.

"That doesn't matter, someone's bound to find her and arrest her soon anyways." Trevor shrugs.

"He has a point, Kimmy." Quinn says and squeezes my shoulder.

"Yeah," I shake my head, "You're right, I shouldn't worry. We're free to live our lives now."

"I should go up there with the others." Camden clears his throat and heads upstairs.

"So," I look around at the others, "What now?"

"Now we go home." Quinn says.

"Home?" I look at him curiously.

"I believe he wants to visit your house." Trevor chuckles.

"But-"

"Don't worry," Trevor cuts me off, "I'll drop by my house and pick up whatever you both have there and bring it over. Just don't get too comfy because I'm sure the press will want a statement from us all."

"Okay then," I smile, "Let's go home."