Love and Other Crimes

What Have We Done?

"What have we done, Edith?"

"Edward, don't... And keep your voice down!"

"She's dead, Edith!"

"I know. I did this. It was my idea."

"We both did it. I found the way. Hadn't I come up with this terrible idea, she might still be alive!"

"We are murderers, Edward! I can't sleep since that day... And look at Henry! He wanders around like a ghost! What have we done to him?"

Edward wiped away his sister's tears. It all sounded so easy when still planning it. Hadn't they realized what they were about to do? Had they seriously believed Henry, who couldn't take his eyes off his wife, would feel better with just a few hugs?

That morning, after secretly pouring the poison in her coffee and walking to the veranda, something strange suddenly happened to them. Conscience's a strange thing. Even when asleep, it can wake up without a warning. Their hearts suddenly beat strangely. And then Maxwell showed up; and he showed them that letter. Their stomachs felt as if punched by an iron hand. They tried to stop it. But it was too late.

"Edith... Do you think Maxwell knows?"

"I don't know. I fear so."

"Well... It seems like this is going to be one more sleepless night. I'll bring some wine."

He walked to the door. After that accursed day, they had stopped hanging out in the rose garden. But they definitely needed some wine. Edward opened the door, but he froze right after that. There was a man standing at the doorway. A man at whose sight Edward usually smiled. But his face now looked terrified and angry; red with tears in his eyes.

Henry walked a step forth. Edward walked a step back. Edith jerked up.

"Henry... Are you... Are you okay? Do you need something?"

"I heard what I needed. From now you can't leave this room. There will constantly be sentries behind this door."

He said nothing else. He left the room and closed the door behind him. Edward and Edith heard some voices. It sounded like their brother was arranging something. "So... now what?"