Chapter 12

"Spam call," Sophia said.

After eating, Sophia didn't head back to the dorm with Emily. She had other plans.

The winter night wind was brutally cold. Sophia tightened her coat and walked alone through the chill.

She thought about how, during the tarot reading, Emily had drawn the Four of Pentacles from the Rider-Waite deck.

It meant her future partner would be responsible, mature, and give her a sense of security, with no third party drama. She'd have a beautiful love story.

At the police station.

"Robert, the colleague tailing Sophia said she was spotted near the Riverside Apartments," Ethan said.

"What's she doing there?" Robert asked, surprised.

"Isn't it said that some serial offenders like to return to the crime scene to relive their actions?" Ethan suggested. "Could she be going back to get a feel for it?"

Robert had a gut feeling something was off. He thought for a moment and suddenly asked, "Where's Kurt now?"

Ethan quickly contacted the colleague tailing Kurt.

After a bit, he looked shocked and said, "Kurt's heading to Tony's place with his cousin. They might get to Riverside Apartments right after Sophia."

"Let's go," Robert ordered. He couldn't shake the feeling that something big was about to go down and wondered why Sophia came here.

Robert and Ethan made it to Riverside Apartments in no time, keeping a low profile near Sophia.

It was the third day since Tony's death, and Kurt and his cousin were there to pay their respects.

Sophia reached the fork in the road, just a few feet away from them, still moving quickly.

As she got closer to Kurt, Robert started to get anxious, not sure what Sophia was planning.

But Sophia just stood there, inches from Kurt, and yelled, "Do you even know who you're mourning? Even Death doesn't know who he is."

The two by the fire pit looked up fast.

"Who are you, talking all this nonsense?" Kurt's cousin stood up, looking annoyed.

"Tony was a demon, and it's good he's gone." Sophia clapped her hands, clearly pleased with herself.

Kurt's cousin snapped, "Where did you come from, you shameless bitch!"

"Why do you always call women shameless bitches?" Sophia locked eyes with her, hitting a nerve. "Is it because you're getting older? You've had kids, you're fat and ugly, and you envy younger, prettier women. Putting others down makes you feel better about yourself."

Kurt's cousin was shocked, then furious, raising her hand to slap Sophia. "You bitch!"

Kurt grabbed his cousin's arm, trying to calm her down. "Ignore the crazy woman."

Sophia didn't seem bothered by the insults and said something cryptic. "Stop calling me."

Robert followed her gaze and saw she was staring at Kurt.

The whole scene felt off. Sophia showing up out of nowhere and saying weird stuff was strange, and Kurt's reaction was even stranger.

Robert and Ethan walked up to Sophia, asking, "Sophia, what are you doing here?"

Sophia ignored the question and said, "Sir, I'm leaving."

She turned and walked away. Robert glanced back to see Kurt still under the tree, watching with a mysterious look.

Robert and Ethan followed Sophia, and she didn't speak until they were far away. Then she started explaining, "I told you I didn't kill anyone, and that's true."

After a pause, she added, "But tonight at 9 PM, there might be a murder at Starfish Apartments."

Her tone was dead serious. Robert froze. Starfish Apartments was where Wren lived.

(I am the author of this book. Thank you all for your love and support! There will be an advertisement coming up next. I hope you can patiently watch the ad, or consider subscribing to remove the ads, because the upcoming chapters are truly exciting. Trust me, you definitely need to keep reading!)