𝐀𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐄𝐃𝐆𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐑 ⟶ Original

seventeen.

EVAN SAT IN the questioning room, the silence making him want to rip his hair out as Deputy Howard sat across from him.

"Evan," Deputy Howard snapped, grabbing his attention, "Did you kill Keira Walters?"

"No," Evan growled, "Why would I? She was my best friend."

Deputy Howard shook his head, taking notes, "It could be anybody, kid."

"I wouldn't kill her," Evan repeated, staring at the Deputy.

"Did you see or hear anyone plotting to kill her?" Deputy Howard questioned, changing the conversation.

"No."

"Any evidence that could lead someone to kill her?"

Evan sighed, "A week before she died, there were these posters put up."

"Posters?" The Deputy asked, leaning forward and placing his elbows on the table.

He was interested.

"Posters," Evan continued, "Describing that Keira was part of the LGBTQ+ community. That was her biggest secret. It got exposed."

"Was there anything on the posters that was derogatory towards Keira or any others in that community in any way?"

"Yes," Evan told him, repeating every word that was on the posters, even if it made him shudder.

He just wanted to get out of the room.

Deputy Howard clicked a pen on the table repetitively, "Do you know who put the posters up?"

Evan wanted to lie, but this was serious stuff, so he told the truth, "My sister did. Stephanie."

"Do you know why?"

"Stephanie's not going to want you to tell me this, but she's bisexual. She sought out to expose Keira for something she can't accept herself for."

"So she intentionally hurt Keira."

"In a way, yes."

Deputy Howard nodded, "Okay. You are dismissed. Can you grab Angelica for me please?"

Evan nodded on the way out, and less than a minute later, Angelica walked through the door. She sat in the seat, fidgeting with her hands. The two in the room sat in silence for a moment, and before Deputy Howard could break it, Angelica spoke.

"I didn't kill her," She told the Deputy, "I didn't."

"Okay," Deputy Howard nodded, "Do you know of anyone who might have wanted to?"

Angelica sighed, shifting in her seat, "Maybe Stephanie. She was extremely homophobic and belittling towards Keira... maybe she could have done it."

"Alrighty," Deputy Howard commented, then he changed the subject, diving into the next topic of question.

This cycle went on with the rest of Angelica's interview and also with Jen's. The last people left after were Stephanie and Tyler, and Deputy Howard took Stephanie first.

Instead of sitting in silence, he cut right to the chase.

"From some of the evidence that the others gave me, it's apparent that there is a high chance that you killed Keira," The Deputy informed Stephanie, causing her eyes to widen.

She shook her head, "I may have been a jerk, but I'd never kill anyone."

This went on for her whole interview, and after the lengthy chat, Deputy Howard wasn't convinced that she hadn't done it, but she let her go. As she walked through the main part of the office, she saw Tyler still sitting, looking at his hands through her teary gaze. She was surprised he stayed - there was almost no chance that he could have done it.