Alex Might Have Cracked The Case

Alex Might Have Cracked The Case
Alex leaned back against the wall listening to Sam ramble on about strays and skateboard techniques. Sam was so excited and at least it was keeping him alert. Alex's mind was still focused on the case though. He was beginning to believe that it had been Robert. But why was the weapon in Beatrice's room? And why would Julia still be helping Vivian after all these years? What if they had all been in on it together? He was only pulled from his thoughts when Sam nudged his shoulder.

“Whatcha thinking about?” Sam mumbled. He'd noticed Alex's distant gaze and couldn't help but be curious.

“What if they were all in on it? What if Robert was jealous? What if he asked for Julia to help? She would've had access to Beatrice's room. She could've hid the weapon here after it happened. If the weapon had ever been found then Beatrice and James most likely would've taken the fall for it,” Alex was actually on to something. Or at least that's what it felt like to him. He didn't think Robert would team up with his ex's new fiance. It just didn't make sense. But teaming up with his daughter to get back at someone they felt wronged by? That did make sense.

It didn't help that the two people being framed were James and Beatrice. Julia had probably felt cheated because Beatrice got more out of the will. And Robert had probably been jealous of James. After all James had been Vivian's partner before her death.

“But why would Julia have helped Vivian with all this if she helped murder her?” Sam sat up a little better, his gaze on Alex. He was confused and he had every right to be. Alex hadn't exactly explained his reasoning.

“To avoid her mother's suspicion. Besides, she probably felt guilty after it was all said and done. Maybe it was her way of trying to atone,” Alex stretched sitting up. He turned his focus back to Sam.

“Okay… But you realize these are pretty severe accusations. We don't even have enough evidence to convict anyone. Besides wasn’t it James' knife that was used to y'know…stab her?” Sam countered. He wasn't a big fan of death or anything too creepy.

“Yeah but that's what would've made it easy to pin it on him. It was his knife hidden in Beatrice's room. Julia would've had access to both of those things. After all Beatrice was her sister and James was her soon-to-be stepfather,” Alex reasoned. He had a perfect argument. With good planning Robert and Julia had gotten away with a murder. And honestly he'd thought it was Beatrice and James when they found the knife here. But now he'd taken the time to think it through. It had all seemed too…easy. Besides, James would've had no reason to murder Vivian.

Pov Change

“Y'know I honestly believed you were just an innocent old lady,” Eliza started as she continued along the rocky trail. She knew she couldn't take her eyes off Julia. She didn't trust her. Sure she looked innocent enough. But Eliza knew she was anything but.

“I don't know what you're talking about,” Julia feigned innocence as she walked ahead of Eliza. If it weren't for the gun she knew Eliza had she would've already been far far away. Her mother had gone crazy after decades wasting away as a ghost. She didn't want to be near that.

“You were the mastermind behind it all. You planned it, got what was needed, then let him do the dirty work,” Eliza's voice was cold, harsh even. She didn't see how Julia could've even had the heart to do something like that. Vivian hang seemed like a bad person. Sure Julia got the short end of the stick in the will but that was no reason for murder.

“I helped her. I did everything she asked. And she thought she could just leave me with nothing. Beatrice was always so perfect. The youngest, the smartest, the prettiest, the most mature. I don't regret anything I did. She deserved what she got,” Julia's voice was venomous as she spoke. She was still walking although her fists were clenched at her side.

“She didn't deserve any of it. You were just jealous. And jealousy makes people crazy,” Eliza spat. She didn't see how Julia could believe that what she did was okay. And the fact that Julia had gotten away with it this entire time made her want to hurl.

“Oh? So you believed the old bat just deserved to do as she pleased. I deserved the money and the business. Not Beatrice. She would've seen that had she not been so focused on her new boyfriend,” Julia hissed. She didn't even sound guilty in the slightest. Not that it mattered now. Eliza wasn't gonna let her get away. Not if she could potentially help the poor kids Vivian had trapped.

“No one deserves to die, Julia. No one,” Eliza kept the gun in her hand and her bag over her shoulder as they walked. Her boots crunched the dry leaves underfoot as they walked. And she kept an eye on their surroundings in search of Vivian's manor.

Pov Change

Courtney was the first to wake up out of her and Luke. Her sleep had been restless as best and she'd been up before the sun even began to set that afternoon. She ran a hand through her messy golden locks hoping to untangle them some. She could still hear Luke snoring as she came and sat down next to Alex and Sam who were currently talking quietly about the case. Working was better than just sitting there. And they hadn't been willing to just leave the others vulnerable so they just stayed there.

Courtney sat there munching on a granola bar listening to Alex talk about maybe trying to get out through the cellar or maybe breaking a window. The only issue was Vivian knew all the ways out. So it was virtually impossible. When he realized Courtney was awake he jumped just a little before offering her a shy smile and a juice box.

Courtney took it with a smile as Alex got up to rouse Luke and Tracy. They had an important discussion they needed to have. The sooner, the better. And then maybe, just maybe, they could get out of here okay.