The Dead Speak No Lies

Chapter 3: Questions and Doubts Rise

I stormed into the Police Department, wearing my best shirt and pants, plus flats. My hair was tied back into a neat bun, every hair kept in place by hairspray and bobby pins. My notebook, recorder and pencil helped the look of School News Reporter.

Kora tagged behind, her button-up blouse and dress pants matching our surroundings. Her short hair was clipped back, making her eyes easier to see. We continued to walk through the Department until we reached the officer on duty.

I held out my hand. "Hello, my name is Saige Lawson, the Head Reporter for Sinto High School, and this is Kora Hollenbeck, my editor and fellow reporter. We're here to speak with Arra Rus?" I smiled politely, just in case he forgot our "appointment" was today. Thankfully, he didn't.

The officer took us down a twisting hallway, stopping at a locked room. We entered, seeing the saddest-looking man alive.

He must have once had wavy black hair, but now all that was left was wispy strands of grey. His face was scarred with marks from one too many knife fights. He might have been handsome, if you were into older dudes who sold drugs.

Kora cocked her head to the side. Picking up the phone to talk with him, she smiled politely.

"Hello," she said gently, because that was how she is. "My name is Kora. What's yours?" The man grunted into the phone, tapping out a message.

The phones are tracked. If you want info, you'll have to use morse code. Do you even know it?

I sighed. Of course they are. "Kora, keep talking on the phone. I'll talk with Rus in Morse Code." She nodded, continuing a conversation.

Yes, my mother taught me. I tapped, What do you know, Rus?

He rolled his eyes. Typical.

You could practically taste the sarcasm that dripped from his voice. Er, taps.

I don't know who did it, but I know they didn't act alone. It was a man and a woman, both maybe in their 40s. The woman's hair was a blonde and tied back tightly. The man was on the scrawny side. Anything else?

I shook my head. No, I tapped, gathering my things and going to check local newspaper for updates. Kora followed, waving goodbye to Arra.

We paused outside my house, cop cars sitting out front. Katy and Vanesa were arguing with each other while Kateri waved me over.

"They think they might have found some evidence." She spoke softly, it was nice to know she had kept calm. I nodded, staring at my house as they marched my dad out the door. His face was a mixture of confusion and anger.

"I didn't kill them!" He yelled, struggling against the cop. I cupped my hands over my mouth and bit back the tears that were threatening to fall.

Kateri hugged me tighter, letting me bury my face in her shoulder. She didn't question it, she didn't say anything, just let me cry.

I'm thankful.

After finishing my crying, which was much needed, I walked into my house, now ransacked by police.

There, on the wall, written in what I assume is blood, is the warning.

Continue your search and the next one will be you.

All the blood drains from my face.

That's when I noticed two girls outside my house, arguing with an officer.

I walked out front, clapping my hands to get their attention.

"Hey!" I yelled, annoyed. "What's happening here? This is private property!" The first girl, probably the most mature of the three, smiled at me.

"Sorry, we didn't know you live here. I'm Strawberry, and this is Anna, my sister." Strawberry introduced me to the other girl, Anna. She's nice, funny as well.

"Hi, I'm Saige Ewell. Nice to meet you." I smiled in return, but their jaws go slack.

"You're the one hunting for the answer about who the killer is?" Anna asked, her eyes wide from either disbelief or excitement. I nodded.

"That's amazing!"

Strawberry nodded. "Agreed."

The officer they were arguing with stepped forward, his face a mix of stubble and annoyance.

"Excuse you, girls. But I'm here to speak with Miss Ewell. So move." He growled at Strawberry and Anna. My lips curled into a sneer.

"That would be me." I told him. He raised an eyebrow, but began speaking anyway.

"You're under arrest for tampering with evidence and pursuing information without a permit or connection to police. Come with me."

I stared, mouth agap, in disbelief.

"You're arresting me? All I did was look for an answer that authorities aren't looking for!" I shouted, pointing an accusing finger at him. He simply shrugged.

"Look, princess. Girls aren't meant to be detectives if they act the way you do. So, stop giving me a hard time and get in the back." He snapped, opening the door.

I huffed, getting in on the opposite side and slamming the door shut. Strawberry and Anna promised to get me out as soon as they could, and I believe them.

The officer speed off towards the Police Station. I sulked, crossing my arms over my chest and ignoring any conversation he tried to make with me.