Foul Is Fair

06 - Exposed

It was the same day as the questioning I had undergone, however now it was dark outside. I sat at home reading an old book that I had inherited once my father passed away. The book was based on unsolved mysteries throughout the years, which detailed the likes of: kidnappings, cults and murders.

Though it was stomach-curling, I found myself entranced and infatuated with the stories my eyes skimmed over. I couldn't help but picture my story within the pages of it. The death of an attractive rich girl with no conclusion. Or perhaps with a false conclusion. Maybe, if I was lucky enough, her parents would be blamed for my tremendous murder. Now that would certainly amuse me. Just the thought of stubborn, selfish and boastful upper-class people getting what they deserved really satisfied the cogs in my head.

I couldn't help but imagine what could possibly get them tangled up in a position like that. Fortunately for me, I didn't have to imagine for much longer.

Day two of interrogation caused lies to unfold and spindle out of control. Confrontation broke the Briggs' down. Like a tyrant's power, they fell; their egos getting caught in the crossfire.

Yet again, we all ended up being trapped at the station like bugs caught in a spider's web. This time I was to be interviewed last - they thought it'd be best to tackle Eleanor and Victor first. I sat patiently waiting, unaware of the chaos that was about to unfold.

Eleanor was taken back into the dull room and she took her seat quietly, without any issues.

Her appearance was rough: dark circles lay comfortably beneath her eyes, her hair was frizzy and somewhat knotted, her perfect manicure was no more as it was obvious she had been chewing on her painted nails that were now chipped, it was also clear that her lips had been picked at, presumably from anxiety. She hadn't slept.

"Good morning, officers." Eleanor greeted them kindly whilst fidgeting with her fingers.

"Morning. I think you have some explaining to do, Mrs. Briggs." a tall male with strapping features stated. He tucked his seat closer to the table and waited patiently for the stunned woman's response.

"Me? But I've told you all I know?" she claimed with a puzzled look wiped across her face.

"See, I don't think you have. I'd start talking, Eleanor. We have some information that you definitely can't talk your way out of - it's here, printed in black and white." the other officer stated, folding her arms as she spoke confidently.

Eleanor put her thumb to her mouth and began tracing her nail against her lip nervously, "You're just bluffing". Silence flooded into the room, leaving an uncomfortable atmosphere. "Right?" she questioned once the deafening silence became too intolerable.

"You weren't alone at that hotel, were you?" the man enquired, looking somewhat smug and proud of himself.

"No, my husband accompanied me." she replied, appearing to be concerned about where the conversation was going.

"Victor Briggs was certainly there. But he wasn't with you. You two had separate rooms, booked at separate dates. Why?" the female quizzed her.

Eleanor froze. She scanned around the room with her eyes as if she would find answers within the air that suffocated her. "Well, it was clearly a mix up! Why would we have separate rooms? We're married, for Christ's sake!"