I examine the letter over and over again on the kitchen island, looking for clues. I don't see any. There's no peculiar scent, no stain and it's typed, not written. It could've been worse though, it could've come with a pig's heart, or a human's. Either way, it's terrifying, I'm just dieing to tell someone.
Mom jogs down the creaky staircase in her blue robe and pyjamas, hair stringy from her bath. She eyes my cup of coffee and I point to the counter where a coffee maker sits, filled to the brim. Her lips stretch, wrinkles lining her face.
" Thanks dear. What're you looking at? " Coffee sloshes into her mug. I slip the paper underneath my laptop.
" Nothing. "
" You're still mad at me, aren't you? "
" No, I'm not. "
" Oh! Well then, I was thinking we could go hiking with my friends next week, you know, be one with nature. See waterfalls and stuff. "
" I'm busy. " The room is quiet for a while, then she cracks it with a sigh.
" What do you want from me? " Her hands go high above her head, exaggerating her frustration. I feign ignorance.
" What do you mean, mom? "
" Why do you hate me so much? Is it my fault that I lost my job? Is it... Is it my fault your dad died? "
" Mom! " I cut her off. " Don't go there. " I grab my laptop and the letter, heading for my room when someone knocks on the door. Mom grabs her mug, heading upstairs.
" Answer it. "
I drop down the laptop, slipping the letter into my jacket pocket as I head for the door. Lizzie stands on the other side, gazing at the street ahead.
" What brings you here? "
" Let's go out for coffee. "
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Creamy Coffee's Cafe is a quaint glassy building, with poor reception and rosy scents. Not-so-familiar faces fill the long chairs and oak tables scattered around. Lizzie and I take the seats closest to the window.
I gaze at the short menu. " I already had coffee. "
" Then order something else. "
" Hi, what can I getcha? " A waiter asks. I turn around to see Dana in a funny apron.
" Billie?! " She shrieks. " What're you doing here? "
" I asked her to follow me, " Lizzie answers, making her presence known.
Dana gives a forced smile and Lizzie mirrors her look. O-kay. Whatever. I glance at the menu one last time.
" I'll have an iced Americano, with two chocolate muffins. "
" Gotcha. " She jots it down, glancing at Lizzie. " And you? "
" I'll have what she's having, but make mine banana muffins. I hate chocolate. "
" Of course you do. Be right back. " And she heads for the kitchen.
Lizzie glares at her retreating back, rough strands curtaining her pale face. Whenever she gives that look, It frightens me.
" I didn't know she has a part-time job. "
" She doesn't, " answers Lizzie. " Her mom owns this place. "
I lean back on the soft chair. " Ahh! I see. So, why'd you wanna see me? "
" My dad checked. A piece of Nicole's hair was chopped off. "
I knew it. Still, couldn't she just tell me at home? Did she have something else to say? Something very important?
" Is there something else? " I probe when she stays quiet for a long time.
" I'm... Scared. What if Veronica wasn't killed by a wolf? What if it was meant to look like that? What if I'm next?! It makes sense right? First my friends, now me. " She sucks in air, exhales loudly.
" Calm down. Killing you next might be a plausible thing to do, which is why you need to tell me everything. There's only so much I can get on the internet. "
Her eyes bulge and she stiffens. She's doing it again, she's acting suspicious again, hiding something from me. What doesn't she want me to know?
" Lizzie - "
" I can't tell you want you want to hear, but... If you want to start somewhere, it has to be from his previous murders. You have to take a look at all their files. "
Excellent idea. That way, I can get into the killer's head, find out who he kills and why? It's perfect, except...
" How do I get them? "
" They're at the station, probably in the sheriff's office. "
" He's not gonna give them to me. How do we get - "
Dana arrives with our order, placing it carefully in between us. We smile at her innocently and she leaves us alone.
Lizzie slurps her drink. " He has a son, he's a senior at our school. Huge asshole, but the point is..... We can use him to get the file. "
" How? " I arch a brow.
" I dunno. Befriend him? He likes girls, especially beautiful ones, you catching up? " She winks at me. I choke on my muffin, bursting into laughter. She's not serious, she can't be serious.
But she is serious.
- - - - - - - - - -