Northern Downpour

Part 8

You were out of the cab before it completely stopped. Crane's car was parked outside the club. The three of you wasted no time in entering the club, you kicking the door open.

Georgie was on the phone with someone, and cursed as soon as he saw you. "Did you miss a spot?"

You punched him. He cursed again. Crane's voice drifted through the dressing room door. "Tell me what you know!"

You went and flung the door open. The woman from before was standing just off to the side. Crane was shaking Nerissa by her shoulders. Blood was leaking from her eyes.

You saw red. You pulled Crane off her and started punching him. You threw him against the wall and went to hit him again. Bigby caught your wrist. Crane avoided eye contact with you. You tried to pull away, but Bigby tightened his grip. Glaring down at Crane, you relaxed your arm, and Bigby let go. You were tempted to start kicking Crane. You chose to wait.

"I didn't do anything!" Crane insisted. "I promise you, I didn't do anything! These girls, the girls, they'll back me up! I just have to get this stupid thing working, that's all!"

He shook the ring. "They can't talk because of that spell, but once this ring gets through, I'll know what's going on, and this whole thing will be over!"

"The ring won't work," Bigby said. "Greenleaf sold you out."

"What? No, this will work, I assure you!" He shook the ring again. "It must!"

He pointed it at Nerissa. "Tell me who killed her!"

"My lips are sealed," Nerissa said quietly.

Crane dropped to the ground and started crying. Or maybe he was just whimpering. You didn't care.

"How many years?" Snow asked.

He looked up at her. "What?"

"How many years has this been going on?"

"Too many." He looked to you and Bigby. "But I didn't kill those women, I had nothing, nothing to do with that."

"We found the photos of you and Lily," Bigby growled.

Crane winced. "I know, I know, but that was--that--I just...I just love you, Snow! I love you, I love you, and I'm sorry I'm not Prince Charming, okay! I'm sorry I didn't cheat on you and run away to Europe!"

"You don't love me, Crane," Snow said firmly. "I know what this is, I've seen it before. It is not love."

He looked away. Snow turned to you and Bigby. "I don't think he did it."

"What?" Bigby asked.

"Look at him. Do you really think this man murdered these women? He wouldn't be brave enough."

Son of a bitch, she was right. You wanted Crane to be the killer, so this whole thing would be over. But Ichabod Crane? Murder two women? It didn't make sense.

"We've been chasing this guy--just, why now?"

"The fucker is shaking on the floor and whimpering," you said. "Is this really how someone who murdered two women would act?"

"I can't believe I'm hearing this," the woman said. "Did you see how he was acting when you showed up? Why would he come here if he wasn't covering his tracks?"

"He believes he's being framed," you replied.

"This fuckup knows more than he's saying," Bigby insisted.

"He probably does," Snow agreed, ignoring Crane's protests. "But there's a difference between being involved and being the guy who did it."

"Okay, but if Crane didn't kill Faith or Lily then who the hell did?" The woman demanded.