When Corpses Lie

Focused on the Prize

Either Danielle and Louise didn't care about me, or they knew I had to rest. I woke up by myself, in the middle of the living room. It was 9:12, and Danielle had also fallen asleep on the grey couch. I didn't wake her up. She was also doing a great work, and trying really hard to keep her composure. I stayed on the floor for a little while, thinking about what happened from 10 pm to 1 am...

A hand touched my right shoulder a little while after I started my considerations and on the other side, a mug was being holded by a hand. I took it and looked back at a smiling Louise. The hot brown liquid with a strong smell was coffee. I sipped it calmly and got up.

- Did she fall asleep?

- Yeah. We stayed watching Robert and we decided that we would be taking shifts. I started sleeping when you did and I woke up at 5 am, with her almost begging me to let her sleep. - I giggled. - You OK?

- Yeah, I was just a little tired... How's Robert?

- He's moving around the house so he wouldn't fall asleep like most of us. - She smiled for a brief instant and then returned to her poker face. - Look, I need tell you something, but I'm not sure about it. I'll investigate - She marked these words. - a little more and then I'll tell you.

- Ok. Is everything alright?

- Yeah, don't worry about me. It's probably nothing, you know? But it's better to be safe than sorry. - I nodded and remembered the trophy. I told her I needed to work and went inside the office.

Even though it was the crime scene, it was also the best place to work, since I knew I wouldn't get interrupted. It also made me realize of what I was still there for: an investigation. I mean, I wasn't going to leave the house without investigating his murder.

I know what you might be thinking... "Oh, no, James, you're just scared that Hatred Ace will follow you and hunt you down." I'm not. I'm pretty sure Ace meant to attack Stan and that Robert was just a collateral. He won't attack anyone else, but I didn't tell anyone on purpose. If I did, everybody would just run off and the Police would investigate it, which would make it impossible for me to investigate anything for both reasons. Besides, I don't exactly trust cops. They tend to not see some important things, or assume another set of also important things.

After a few tries pairing pieces together, I had parts of the trophy pieced together, but most of it was still just shatters.

I was hungry. My stomach was on the verge of roaring, and what he yelled for was just a few meters away. I found a package with cookies which I ate very fast, still in the kitchen. I then looked around me. Everybody was up already, which meant that it was time for the interrogations to begin.

The first one was Thomas. Instead of going into the office, I figured it would be better to ask my questions on the beach. I went to Alex's room where he was and asked for him to come with me.

He said OK and we both went into the beach.

- Why are we here? - He asked, looking around him. He wasn't much of a beach person. He probably didn't

- Well, I figured this would be the quietest place to interrogate you.

- Why are you gonna interrogate me? You know I didn't do it!

- Relax. I'm just doing it to check everything. - He didn't answer me. He just looked at me with contempt. These moments bring out the worst of us. - Where were you between serving us the whiskey and the moment where I came back?

- In the bathroom. When I got out of it, Robert was getting into the office but he stopped when he saw me. He said that I couldn't go into the office but he didn't amswer any question of mine. I just followed his "orders" - He said, emphasising the last word. - I just went to the back and stayed with them until you came. Robert went upstairs and downstairs. And then I didn't see him anymore.

- Ok. If you had killed him why would you have done it?

- I had no motives. I barely knew the guy from last year but he seemed nice so I thought inviting him again wouldn't be bad.

- Who do you think killed him?

- Only you and Robert knew him, but you both have alibis. - He took a pause. - Hm... I don't know. But you're the detective. You're the one that has to find it. - He did a creepy smile.

- I found a yellow mustard jacket with some white gloves. Were they on the coathanger on the office before?

- Most likely, yes. I put a ton of jackets there so... Yeah.

- Ok. I have no further questions. - I said, calmly.

- Who do you want me to call for you to interrogate now?

- Get me... Frank.