"Is she okay?" Deborah asked worried,
She had drove as quickly as she could to the hospital when she heard Jennifer had been admitted to the hospital.
"Yes, she is fine." Ethan replied
"Can i see her?"
"No, i'm sorry."
Deborah nods, "what happened to her?" She asked
"She was stabbed on her way to her car."
"Oh my God," Deborah said horrified
"We believe the person responsible is the patrician killer so unless they wore a mask during the attack we should know who the killer is once she gets better." Ethan explained. "Everything would be going back to normal soon" he added
Deborah sits on a bench at the garden while Ethan walks back into the hospital. A while later, he returned with two officers at his sides "Miss Sinclair, i think you should go back home now," he said
"Sure" Deborah sniffed
"Officers McKernan and Jimson would accompany you to make sure you reach home safely."
"Thank you."
Ethan watched as the car disappeared into the darkness. He had a feeling Deborah was the killer and this could confirm he was right.
"Is she gone?" The familiar voice of Patty asked from behind.
"Yes," he replied, "double the- no, triple the security in the hospital, i have a feeling the killer might show up tonight." he said
"Why?"
"Jennifer is alive and i just told Deborah the good news"
Patty nods before leaving.
"Your move now, Patrician Killer."
After spending the entire night with both eyes wide open, Ethan was now going through all the evidence in his little notebook.
He was at least seventy percent sure Deborah was the killer which was why he made sure to inform her of Jennifer's living status hoping she would show up but no one did.
Did she think he was bluffing?
He was known for not making an arrest without concrete evidence but this case was already proving difficult.
Patty sat next to him "Here," she said handing him a cup of coffee
"thanks," Ethan took a sip from the cup before sighing "this is my first case where it feels like the killer is actually three steps ahead of me," he admitted
"Not for me," Patty replied, "I once had a case, i spent most of my day investigating. Every time we find something remotely useful they would be a setback."
"What happened?"
"The case eventually went to court, everyone knew he was responsible for the crime but we had no real evidence to prove it. He was acquitted." Patty said, "i don't think Deborah killed all those people but if you're right, i can't help but think this case is going in a similar direction."
"Who do you suspect did it?" Ethan asked
"As of late, i have no idea. I feel like we are missing something... Something really important"
Just then, Ethan's phone began to ring, "Ms Sinclair?"
"Right... I'm on my way" he says before ending the call
"What's that all about?" Patty asked
"I'm about to find out" Ethan responded before rising to his feet "I'll see you later."
Ethan arrived ten minutes later at the Sinclair mansion. He had seen the building but was still at awe of how huge and beautiful it was.
How come only one person lives here?
"Thanks for coming" Deborah said as she walked out of the house.
"How's Jennie?" She asked,
"Recovering well..." He replied and Deborah smiled. The two of them began walking around the mansion.
"This place is really beautiful," Ethan said
"Thanks, my great grandfather bought it more than a century ago." She replied
"He had great taste."
"I know you think i did it," Deborah suddenly say.
Ethan stopped "what?"
"The other day, when you came here and questioned me, it was because i was your number one suspect."
"That's not t-"
"There's no need to lie detective." She stated, "I'm not a fool and it is very obvious."
Ethan sighs "You were a suspect when i first came here but that was only because there was something off about you at the party which i later found out was because you had enochlophobia," he explained
"And now?"
"..."
"Did you know my parents passed when i was a child?" She started
Ethan shakes his head "I'm sorry to hear..."
"I was raised by my uncle and his wife in this very house. They were the only family i had,"
"What happened to them?"
"They were murdered... By the patrician killer"
Ethan froze "that's-"
"I will never hurt anyone, detective Isaac and more than anyone, i want the killer to be brought to justice" Deborah explained.
"I–" Ethan started but is interrupted by the phone ringing in his pocket.
He took out the phone to see the name Detective Patty written at the top. "Excuse me," Ethan says to Deborah as he turned to answer the call "Hello," he says, "why, what happened?" "I'm on my way," he added before placing the phone in his pocket
"Did something happen?" Deborah asked
"Jennifer just passed away."
...