How to Kill a Man in Thirty Seconds

Chapter 49: Taming the Devil

My mother's tears had subsided when we returned downstairs.

"You'd best be getting home, Adrian," she said in a soft voice, glancing at her watch, "I don't want your father to worry."

There were black bags under Adrian's eyes, more prominent than when I had last seen him. I cast him a reassuring smile, "Go sleep, Adrian."

Reluctantly, he nodded.

Mum sat by me afterwards, her voice morose, "I'm sorry if I came off adamant, Charley. I'm just worried for you. Ever since you met that boy, you've changed."

"It's not his fault."

"You know I care about you, right?"

My mouth shut. I nodded.

"I don't want to argue with you," mum said, and her voice was soft, "You mean everything to me, child. I love you more than I love myself. Don't ever forget that."

There was silence.

I swallowed guiltily, "I know. You know that. I love you too, mum."

She smiled, relief seeping into her grey eyes, "Don't forget that, Charley."

It was a few more days before I could return home.

Adrian visited me on my first morning home. Lily had crawled up to me and perched herself atop my belly as I rested in bed, apparently having no care in the world for my bruises. So, I let her.

"Baba!" she cried in that adorable voice of hers when Adrian entered, raising her arms like a spoilt child, as she begged to be carried.

I laughed. Adrian, shaking his head at her brazenness, picked her up in his arms. He chuckled as she squealed in delight. It was apparent Adrian had grown quite fond of my sister in the year since he had met her. And judging by the way Lily had her tiny arms wrapped around him, a grin lighting up her face and eyes crinkling as she giggled, she, him.

"Charley," Adrian said once Lily had finally drifted asleep, "What do you think about the case?"

The smile dropped from my face.

I came back to reality with a start.

"I don't believe Mary Clark is guilty, if that's what you mean," I replied somberly.

"Good."

My brows shot up as my gaze darted to Adrian.

"So, I've been thinking about what we heard at the trial," he started, "And I've been wondering... this was clearly well thought out. Why would anyone go to this extent to frame someone else?" He paused, "This was their backup plan, their Plan B in case everything went downhill, and the cops were on his tail. That's why the evidence was planted now, and the anonymous tip was handed now, and not years ago."

My eyes narrowed as I contemplated his words.

"Now this means two things, Charley. One is that whoever the cops suspected, was the real killer. And two, the killer knew Mary. That's how they knew about her disability. How they knew that news of an art exhibition would make her drive all the way across states to see it."

The air rushed out of me as I realized the truth to his words. Adrian grabbed a chair, seating himself in front of me.

"I thought I should wait until you were well before we did it," Adrian said.

"Did what?"

"Investigated Mary Clark."