When Corpses Lie

International Hunting

- Look at this. - I said, turning my PC in Louise's direction.

- What am I supposed to see here? - She said, after a few seconds of reading through a ton of information.

- This part. - I said pointing at the letters.

- What about it?

- Doesn't the name Natasha ring a bell?

- Is it supposed to? - I suddenly remembered that Louise wasn't with me when I interrogated the maid.

- Forget about it. What I meant was that the maid that's in this house is also named Natasha. - She nodded, understanding what I meant. - And I don't believe in coincidences. I think it's time for Round 2. Stella, don't run, ok? - I taunted her. She looked at me with a face of hatred. We both left the office and went searching for the maid. We were still on the bottom floor when Danielle showed up.

- Hi! Remember what I... - She realized I wasn't alone at that moment. - Can I talk to you for a second?

- We don't have the time for it right now but you can just tell us two what it is.

- Nah, it's ok. I'll talk to you later.

- Ok. - She took off again. Me and Stella continued looking for the russian maid. We searched the bottom floor, the basement and the first floor. We also checked the rooms on the second floor and also the beach. She was nowhere to be found. We found Melissa, and we decided to ask her if she knew where the maid. She answered us with this:

- I have no idea. Why do you want to know that?

- Well, we think she might have something to do with Stan's... Thing. - I said.

I couldn't say the word murder when it was preceded by Stan. I liked him so much. The poor guy.

- And how would she have done that?

- That's what we're trying to figure out. - Louise said. - You really don't know where she is?

- I would tell you guys. 

- Why are you so relaxed about Stan's... thing? - I asked.

- If I must be honest, it kinda solves a problem of mine.

- What do you mean? - Louise asked. There was no emotion in Melissa's words.

- It's like this... Thomas was a little jealous of Stan, since you were ignoring him a little whenever you had Stan. And he talked about it with me, and he was really worried. With Stan's murder, his problem disappears basically.

- How can you be like that? How can you people be so egocentric? - My breakdown was happening. - How can you only give a shit about nothing but yourselves? A person died, god damn it! Show a little fucking empathy for me. He was my friend. And one of you murdered him. The other people in the house started appearing, seeing what was happening. - And whenever I catch whoever murdered him, you'll be lucky if I don't kill you.

- James... - I heard Hannah's voice.

- Leave me alone. - I said.

- But...

- I said leave me alone. - I went downstairs and locked myself in the bathroom, crying. Louise came eventually, knocking on the door wanting to talk to me. - What do you want? 

- It's me. I just wanted to know if you're OK. - I didn't answer her. - Look, I know you're feeling devastated. I luckily, never went through what you're feeling right now but it must be horrible. - She paused. - However... -I knew a "but" was about to come. - you won't get closure until we solve this. Now, if you don't want to do it, it's fine. I can try to help you by myself but I think we both know how that would turn out. - I unlocked the door. - There we go. - I cleaned my tears. - Are you ready? - I nodded. - Ok, then. I believe we were going to interrogate a russian maid. 

- Yes. But Thomas too. 

- Oh yeah, that's right. Who do you want to take care of first?

- Doesn't matter to me, to be honest. Whoever we find first. 

We stayed hunting for the maid and the best friend for a little long until we finally found the maid. 

- Hello again.

- Oh, hi! - she said, happily. She was a different person since last interrogation.

- We need to ask you another questions. - Her face changed. 

- Everything I wanted to tell you is told. Now go away.