Percival had never intended to summon Richard, but since Baron wanted Richard there, he had no objections.

The tale of his grandparents and Baron was something he had heard since he was a child. His grandmother had been pivotal to both men.

If they wanted to settle old scores, Percival was willing to let them.

Upon hearing that Percival had unearthed the murderer of the dear old lady, Richard dropped everything and bolted over to the Brooks Mansion.

Bursting through the door, he was brimming with urgency. "Percival! Baron just told me over the phone that you found out who killed your grandma. Is it true?"

With a nod and a knowing glance at Thomas, Percival affirmed, "Yeah. Take a seat. We'll get to the bottom of this."

Thomas dragged over a chair, and Richard plopped down eagerly. "Alright! Let's see who murdered your grandma. Just give me a name, and I'll break their damn kneecaps!" His gaze purposefully swept towards Judith.

Baron had hinted over the phone that Judith was tied up in this mess.

Richard settled in, but Baron did not have anyone to fetch him a chair. So, he grabbed one himself and sat down.

Percival scanned the room, pulled out his smartphone, and handed it to Thomas. "Project this."

His phone had a built-in projector, a feature Thomas had used countless times. He quickly set it up.

"Open this photo," Percival instructed Thomas, then turned to Judith. "After the tragedy with my grandma, the police locked down the scene. You, being her close friend, were interrogated. This was your statement from back then."

The statement seemed clear-cut, leaving no room for suspicion.

All evidence pointed to Judith having an alibi.

The crowd was puzzled, turning to Percival, wondering what a flawless statement could possibly reveal.

their confusion, Percival spoke calmly, "This statement is perfect. Too perfect, in

said you hadn't left your home for three days around the time of Grandma's dinner party. Witnesses confirmed that. So then... Who is this?" Thomas

Judith went pale.

How could this be?

perfectly. How had Percival gotten hold of

through the crowd, their gazes

witch, Judith! It

Judith, but Thomas was quick to intercept. "Calm down.

does this photo prove? I was merely

you traveled over a hundred miles to some podunk town for shopping?

of the incident nearly sent Richard

grown tired of the local Rivenwood cuisine and craved something new. Somehow, they

newspapers were their source of information. After verifying the restaurant's reputation and learning about a nearby church said to be powerful, they booked their visit on the fourteenth, planning to stay overnight and visit the church on the

girl was accompanied by a nanny for safety, and Richard, being extra cautious,

assuring their safety did he allow Dahlia

that evening - a fire claimed the lives of

Richard arrived, Dahlia, her friends,

The devastation was incomprehensible.

but concluded it was intentional arson. Yet, the culprit remained elusive. Twenty years had passed, and the pain was as fresh as

invite me!" Judith spat out, exasperated. "Really?" Percival's voice dropped an octave, his eyes narrowing. "And what

to the

a call from Judith's family landline

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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