Chapter 46

Rose's POV

I stumbled back, fear growing inside me as I wondered what sort of fabricated evidence he had.

The leader motioned for him to come up and he did. With a wave of the leader's hand the man began to speak, "Thank you, sir," the man said, his voice quivering with a mix of anticipation and nervousness.

He held out a folded piece of paper in his trembling hands. "I found this in Linda's cabin this morning. It's a note, and it might provide some insight into her disappearance."

Curiosity and apprehension hung in the air as the man approached the podium and handed the note to the man. The leader carefully unfolded it and began to read aloud.

"'My dearest Linda, I cannot bear this secret any longer. Meet me at the old oak tree by the river tonight. We must talk. It is urgent.' Signed, Anonymous."

Gasps filled the room, and all eyes turned toward me. The weight of suspicion settled upon me once again, threatening to crush me under its burden. The accusation felt like a dagger to the