81

81
Assassin's POV
After a while... finally.
They had left.
At last.
I was getting nervous from waiting so long. Patience, which had never been my strong suit, was at its limit.
They talked too much for people who only wanted information. 
The detective left first, carrying a notebook in his hands. Behind him, the two police officers—talking quietly, looking around as if suspicious of the air itself.
Or they were alert, watching for anyone approaching. 
And then he appeared.
Edgar.
With that thoughtful look of his, as if he were always one step ahead of the rest of the world. As if he understood something. It bothered me. A lot.
What the hell.
I just hope the lady didn't open her mouth. That she didn't reveal anything.
Amy.
If she did... things would get ugly for her.
Amy knows how far she can go. We've talked about it. But her problem is her nervousness.
She has a weak, insecure manner. And any direct pressure makes her hands shake.
I waited five minutes after everyone had left.
I grabbed my phone. One message.
I'm on my way.
Short and sweet. Just as it should be.
I got out of the car calmly, adjusted my cap, and looked around. 
Nothing suspicious in sight. But at this point, every dark corner looked like a peeping eye. 
I was getting paranoid.
I entered through the front door.
The doorbell rang with that annoying sound.
Amy saw me as soon as I looked up. She was startled for a second. Her shoulders jumped slightly. But then she forced that short, awkward smile... typical of her when she's nervous.
I moved closer.
"Sit down," she gestured, almost stammering.
I nodded. 
She poured me some tea, as usual, and we sat down. 
In the same place where the detective had sat. Where Edgar had also been. It still felt warm there. As if their presence had left a trace.
My eyes fixed on hers for a moment. 
I was reading everything. 
Every blink, every tremor in her fingers, the way she adjusted her apron.
Had she given everything away? 
"Did they ask you plenty of questions?" My voice came out low, drawn out.
I was anxious... very anxious. 
She took two seconds to answer. 
Two seconds longer than it should have.
"A few questions... about the day the girl died... nothing we haven't rehearsed," she tried to sound firm, but her voice faltered at the end.
I smiled slightly. 
I leaned forward, resting my elbows on the table.
"You're not lying, are you, Amy?" I threatened her...
Her eyes widened, and she shook her head. 
"No... of course not." 
"Okay... good, and Edgar? What did he say?" 
She hesitated. Again.
"He seemed... suspicious. He didn't say much, but he looked at me strangely. As if he was trying to read me." 
I clenched my fists.
That son of a bitch... always so smart.
He must have noticed how nervous she was. 
Damn it. 
"You should have... been less nervous, damn it." I almost shouted... 
She nodded quickly, her eyes wide.
"I know... I'm sorry, but... I didn't say anything... I just repeated what we agreed."
I was silent for a few seconds.
Only the sound of the clock on the wall filled the room.
Tick-tock.
Tick-tock.
"Did they see the camera?"
Amy stared at me, surprised.
"The... camera?"
"The damn camera in the hallway, it provides access to exactly where I attacked Amanda... I took care of the camera, but you deleted all the images and footage, right? They didn't ask about that?" I asked, already irritated. 
She opened her mouth, but no words came out. Then she swallowed hard.
"They asked... but I said I no longer had access to the footage and that nothing was recorded that day." Her voice almost faltered. 
"If they ask again, please let me know. Right away. No matter where I am."
She nodded, even paler.
"I don't want any trouble; I'm only helping you because..."
"Because you have no choice," I finished, staring deeply into her eyes.
Amy lowered her eyes.
Amy was weak but useful. She knew the routine of the place. She knew details. And she had access to the right people. Including Amanda, at the time...
My mind went back to that night. The blood. The way she screamed. The way she looked at me before she fell to the floor.
I closed my eyes for a moment.
I looked back at Amy.
"They'll come back here. Maybe not today, but they will. You're the only clue, for now."
She nodded.
"And you'll carry on as usual. Same story. Not a word out of line."
"I know," she whispered.
"And if Edgar comes back alone... you'll act natural. You'll smile at him. Serve him coffee. Or tea, whatever. And you won't show any fear."
"Okay..."
I took a sip of tea. It was bitter. Weak. Like the owner.
"One more thing..." I said before getting up. "Delete all the messages. All of them. Including this last one." 
I was using a disposable cell phone, but it was still better to be safe. 
"I already did," she replied, too quickly.
"Great."
I walked to the door. Before leaving, I turned to her.
"And Amy..." she looked at me, "if you betray me... I'll be back. And it won't be for tea."
I left without looking back.
The sun was already setting. The sky was beginning to darken, and the wind brought a cold air.
But inside me, there was no cold. No regret. Just silence... filled with anger.
If Edgar keeps meddling... he'll end up like her.
Amanda.
He better not test my patience.