Love and Other Crimes

Enough Is Enough

"If only we had that damn letter!"

It had been a while after dusk. Edward was walking to and fro inside his room. Edith was right. That letter would have ended this. It would have saved their brother. But alas, they didn't manage to find this or any other letter.

They had found out about Maxwell's revelation. They had tried hard in order to do so. And it was a moment of vindication for them. So, it was finally proved that they were right! But Henry insisted that, after his research, he was convinced his wife was doing nothing behind his back.

"What the hell is wrong with you?"

"It's the last time I'm saying this: stop sticking your noses, both of you! This is between my wife and me! After all, you're wrong!"

"Who says so?"

"My wife! And I!"

After that, Edith and Edward couldn't help but give up on hope he would change his mind. It was time to act. Their brother apparently didn't want to be saved. So, they had to save him; even without his volition. He had been a brother, parent and friend since they had lost their parents. It was the first time in his life he needed their help. They wouldn't abandon him or let that witch destroy him. Maxwell was still a little reluctant; but he wouldn't join them. "We'll leave that old moron out then!"

Edward kept recalling all these things, one by one. What on earth should they do then? He asked his sister. She seemed like working on something. But she also seemed like hesitating to speak her mind.

"What is it, Edith! Speak! I can't think of anything!"

"Well... There is something we can do. But we must first be certain we're willing to do it. We must be more careful than ever. And no one must find out about it!"

"Okay, say it!"

"She has managed to make her presence necessary in Henry's life. He would follow her to the end of the world. Our only solution is to make her disappear."

"You mean..."

"I mean make her disappear once and for all. Stop existing on this world. The question is... are we ready for this?"

Edward's feet froze on the marble floor. He didn't speak or move or breathe for a while. He only kept his gaze fixed on Edith. And after a few seconds he spent like this, he rushed towards his sister.

"Yes! I'm ready! If that's what it takes to save our brother, I'm ready to kill!"

"Shh... Hush! Are you crazy? We can't say such things loud!"

Edward shut his mouth with his hand. Edith cast a worried glance around. She was lately feeling she could trust no one but Edward in the palace. She couldn't know who might be listening behind the walls. Edward sat next to her.

"I'm ready! Let's find a way to do it and the right place and time!"

Edith took a deep breath first.

"Edward... She might be the devious bitch we both hate, but a murder's always a murder!"

"We all need to make some sacrifices. Henry will suffer her loss and we will become murderers!"

"So... How are we doing it?"

"You needn't ask! Poison's the only solution. Anything else is too risky!"

They needed a detailed plan. It was getting late, but they didn't even consider sleeping that night. They discussed and took everything into consideration: the right place and time, the appropriate substance. And of course the way they would stand by their brother after his wife would be dead. "It will be the three of us together again! This has got to be enough for him!"

The biggest problem had to do with the poison itself. Which would be the appropriate, untraceable substance? And what would be the appropriate drink to drop the poison in and make it invisible?