The Enchanted

Chapter-14

'Come at Sharon's house- everyone is here.' Caleb's text lit up the phone screen.

Starting the car I drove as fast as I could. Within minutes, I was outside Sharon's house. Getting out of the car, I gingerly walked towards the front gate. The whole lawn was covered with police cars and news vans and curious bystanders. Pushing past everyone I sent a text to Caleb. Within minutes he came to take me inside.

Both of Sharon's parents were sitting on the sofa sobbing quietly. Sabrina was sitting near them wringing her hands. When I approached her, she looked up. It was obvious she had been crying. I gave her a hug and sat down beside her. Caleb came over and put a hand on her shoulder. The three of us sat silently watching the police question Sharon's parents and housekeeper.

Sabrina set her head on my shoulder and sniffed.

"Have you been drinking?" she asked in a tired voice.

"Um, it's a long story."

"Do you have any idea how worried I was about you? I must have called you a thousand times."

"I was asleep," I said evasively, not in the mood to explain. "How are you, Sabrina? I can't imagine what you must be going through."

"I just..." she said her voice cracking. "I just didn't believe it when I heard it. How could someone so full of life, so free-willed get..." She broke off her sentence sobbing.

"It's okay," I said giving her another hug. "It's alright. You don't have to talk about this Sabrina."

The whole room was silent after that except the murmuring of police officers and the sound of Sabrina's sobs. I sat there feeling occupied in my own thoughts. This was too weird. Before coming here, I had decided to leave this town for good. I couldn't stay here anymore. I just needed to get away from this place and go back home. If I hadn't needed this job so badly, I would have left already. But now after seeing Sabrina and Sharon's parents, I knew I couldn't do that. I had to find the truth about these psychic dreams and had to get to the bottom of Sharon's death. I knew telling the police anything won't do any good. I had to figure this out myself.

I was sitting there brooding when a police officer approached me.

"Excuse me, Miss. You are a friend of Sharon's, right? The inspector would like to have a chat with you."

"Um, I'm not sure if I am the right person to talk to about her. I'm new to this town and barely even knew her."

"Still, she would like to have a word, Miss, er..."

"Adriana Flamrose."

"Ms Flamrose. Please follow me to the study."

I got up, swaying a little, still unsteady from the wine I had drunk. Pulling my coat closer around me, I walked towards the study with the officer. I felt a little scared about this whole questioning thing. I had never been that good of a liar and now I was about to lie to the freaking police. I know omitting the truth would still be considered as lying.

The study was a small room with a writing desk littered with papers. A cosy rug covered the floor and the whole room was heated. It was quite disorienting to suddenly walk into the heat from the damp cold outside. The Inspector was a tall woman with straight blonde hair tied back neatly and shrewd brown eyes. I felt as if she could see straight through me and gather all my secrets.

The police officer went to her and whispered something in her ear. She nodded and gestured for me to sit opposite to her on the stuffed armchair. I did so and she turned to face me with a smile on her face.

"I'm Gerelda Matthews, the one in charge of this investigation. I know you have just come to this town but we're asking everyone questions as a part of this investigation. Do you think you could answer a few simple questions?" she said, leaning back in her chair and looking at me from top to bottom.

"Yes," I mumbled, shifting uneasily in my chair but her gaze was unwavering.

"So, how well did you know Sharon?"

"I barely knew her. I told your officer this already. We only met for about five minutes and that too through a common friend."

"Is that common friend Sabrina?"

"Yes. She is my neighbour." I said.

"I see. Now, a few days ago Sharon threw a party at her house while her parents were away. I understand that you attended this party with Sabrina?"

"Yes."

"But you left early. Why?" she asked, raising her eyebrows.

I don't know why but I suddenly felt my mood shift. I felt angry at this woman for asking me stupid questions while a killer was on the loose.

"I'm sorry but how is this even relevant?" I snapped. "Shouldn't you be out looking for clues or something? The party doesn't even have anything to do with this. You're just wasting everyone's time asking stupid questions."

Even before I finished speaking, I felt horrified. I was usually so polite and now for some reason, I was yelling at a police officer. Not only that, I had come close to telling her about the alley which would have raised unnecessary questions.

"I'm sorry," I said. "I didn't mean to..."

"It's fine," she said. "I know losing people around you can be hard even if they are just acquaintances. But it's routine to ask questions. So if you don't mind telling me, why did you leave early?"

"I was feeling sick. I also took Sabrina with me. In fact, you should question her for she knew Sharon way better than I did."

"Okay, you can leave now. But I'd like to ask one last question. Why are you drunk on a regular morning? You don't seem like you drink it regularly."

"I was in the mood," I said, nervously twisting a lock of my hair. "That's all."

"Really? On the day of Sharon's death?"

I didn't reply.

"Adriana, you have a guilty look on your face. I'm not saying you did this, but if you know something, you can talk to me. This can really help with the investigation and help Sharon's parents get justice for their daughter."

I swallowed taking in a deep breath.

"I think I'm going to go home now."