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CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

Author: Megan Rae
last update Last Updated: 2024-10-29 19:42:56

Eloise and Mary Lou walk to the courthouse in silence. They are both too nervous to say anything. As they walk, they notice all the stares and whispers directed at them from people who are passing by. Eloise knows that majority of those in the town do not believe them. They choose instead to believe her father’s defense of she and Mary Lou having a vendetta against him. However, she also knows that there are still people in the town who believe them, however few they may be. Just the other day, she had been approached by a young woman at the market who wanted to thank her for being so brave and gave her a basket of oranges. Eloise wanted to correct her that she did not feel brave, but she took the basket anyway.

They arrive at the courthouse several minutes before nine. When they get there, the courthouse is mostly empty so that Eloise and Mary Lou both watch the people fill the room and take up the seats slowly. This process reminds Eloise eerily of that time when she innocently went
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    Everywhere in the courtroom, there are exchanges of glares that would have made the faintest of hearts too nervous to breathe. John is shooting daggers out of his eyes at Shirley; Shirley is in turn giving him her deathliest stare. Both Mary Lou and Eloise are irritated by John’s demeanor which seems to not have been cracked the slightest so they are looking at him with utmost irritation. Sheriff Abraham and the rest of the panel are all irritated too, but their irritation is not directed at anyone in particular. They seem to be annoyed that the process which they had just ended is about to be revived and more of their time will be taken. Eloise can see that they are all considering their options. They know that whatever they decide will not only affect this subject matter but will be a determinant of how the rets of the town sees them moving forward.Sheriff Abe rises to his feet and forces a smile at Shirley and the rest of the audience, a failed attempt at portraying coolness. He g

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    Sheriff Abraham clears his throat to silence the audience and begins to talk. “As I said before, reconvening is not something that we make a habit of doing. However, this is a special situation, and special situations calls for special methods. Because of this, the panel has rediscussed the situation before us and come up with a decision that we think is most right. The investigation of the assault and murder of Moira Fisher in July 1915 as well as other relevant and similar cases will be reopened. As our prime suspect, John will not be allowed to leave town during the course of this investigation. Also, we will…”Whatever the sheriff is saying after that, Eloise does not bother listening and neither does all those who are around her. There are those who are cheering while some others are grumbling and making their dissatisfaction obvious. Angela is sobbing and David is holding in her in his arms and rubbing her back gently. Mary Lou is clapping excitedly and Shirley is thanking God.

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    Fay and Eliza scream excitedly when they see Eloise. Neither one of them have seen her since the wedding which already feels like ages ago. They pull her into a group hug and as they pull apart, Eloise can see on Fay’s hand a ring big enough to blind her if put under sunlight.“Fay!” Eloise screams out. “You did not inform me of your engagement.”“Well.” Fay shrugs and tries to sound cavalier but the smile on her face gives away how happy she is.“Let me see!” Eloise pulls Fay’s hand to herself and examines the ring. “Who is he?”“His name is Donald. He’s an investment broker.”Eloise continues to ask some other questions and Fay and Eliza answer excitedly. Meanwhile, Mary Lou stands behind Eloise in the background feeling invisible. When she cannot take being ignored anymore, she clears her throat, forcing all of them to look at her. “Oh my god, I am so sorry,” Eloise says with an apologetic smile. “Eliza, Fay, this is Mary Lou, my oldest friend from Blue Creek. Mary Lou, these are

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