The Dollmaker

XVI.

Jason rapped angrily on the door of the white house. It was his fifth time knocking, and nobody was answering. Angry, he stomped his foot and called out.

"This is Annie's brother, open up!"

Still no answer. Mumbling curses under his breath, he tried to control his angry.

"Hello, there!" a voice called out from behind him. "Looking for Vincent, are you?"

Jason turned around to see the neighbor lady outside, cleaning up her yard. He nodded slowly, trying not to answer and let the anger in his voice frighten her off. She gave him a sweet smile and came closer.

"He went to town about an hour ago. He looked very rushed and concerned.." she said.

Her eyes widened when she seen the large bulge in Jason's jacket. Her grip on her hoe faltered a little and she tried to recompose herself.

"Might I ask you w-why you have a gun?" she asked timidly.

Jason used his arm to cover the bulge and frowned.

"I have some business to attend to," he explained.

"Oh please don't hurt Mister Cole, you hear? He's a kind young man and his flowers are some of the prettiest things I've ever seen. You won't hurt him, will you?"

Jason looked around. The two of them were alone. Pulling the gun out of his coat pocket, he pointed it at the lady. She gave a terrified shriek and tried to swing her hoe at him, but she was too slow. Jason pulled the trigger.

Jason looked around again. Lifting the woman's body into his arms, he carried her into her house and laid her on the bed. He set the gun next to her by her hand, and went to her desk in the corner. Rummaging through her letters, he examined her handwriting and forged a note before leaving. He left in on the nightstand before he left the house.

"Rest in peace," he muttered as he walked towards town.