The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman)

Flynn was utterly bewildered.

Glancing between the two men, he asked, "Herman, Henry, what are you guys on about? What do you mean?"

Henry picked up another crime scene photo and said, "Herman, you and Mr. Salstrom never did look much like brothers."

One's clever, the other's... not the sharpest tool in the shed. Flynn: "..."

Even if he wasn't the brightest, he still understood that barb.

"Henry, cut the crap and speak English."

Henry chuckled and explained, "What I mean is, Grannie Anita wasn't killed instantly after she was stabbed. This autopsy report's telling a different story. The second stab pierced her heart, shattered it. She wouldn't have had a second to react, would've died on the spot. If that's the case, then how did Grannie Anita call for help?"

Flynn's head was spinning. He raked his fingers through his hair and said, "I think I get it, but I also don't."noveldrama

Henry asked, "Can a dead person call for help?"

Flynn shook his head: "Nope."

Henry pressed on, "So if she was dead, how'd she call for help?"

Flynn was getting tied in knots again. "Well, obviously a dead person can't call for help. You gotta be alive to do that."

Henry grinned, "Exactly. The report says Grannie Anita was stabbed twice, but it was the second stab that was fatal. She was alive after the first stab and died from the second."

Herman's face grew darker, his aura more menacing: "Anastasia left the bathroom after stabbing Granny, who was still alive. Julie went in, and Granny asked her for help. Her blood got on Julie's pants. But by the time we got there, Granny was dead. The second stab- that was someone else's doing."

Henry said with a smirk, "This case is actually pretty simple. Look closely at the evidence, and you'll spot the issue. But those details are the easiest to overlook. Mrs. Salstrom's confession probably stopped any further checking, and Mr. Salstrom wasn't in the right headspace to think it through. Otherwise, the mystery would've been solved long ago."

Flynn was starting to understand, his voice filled with shock: "Herman, are you saying Julie killed Granny? Why would she kill her? It doesn't make sense."

Henry replied, "There's always a reason behind a crime. If you can't find it, it just means you haven't uncovered it yet. I can analyze photos, but the killer's motive? That's beyond me."

Herman mused, "In the end, it's all about motive."

Flynn was confused again: "Herman, what motive?"

Henry caught on and said, "What you mean, Herman, is that after your divorce from Anastasia, she became a murderer. That's the motive. Herman, for a Salstrom, your brains don't match up. You and your brother are worlds apart." Flynn feigned a kick: "Henry, I oughta smack you one."

Henry dodged, stood up laughing, "My job here's done. Mr. Salstrom, don't forget your promise."

Herman's voice was icy, "After you graduate, come straight to my office."

Henry grinned, "Thanks, Mr. Salstrom. See you next time."

After Henry left, Flynn, seething with anger, asked, "Herman, we gonna call the cops on Julie now? She killed Granny, and now she's trying to worm her way into the Salstrom family, dreaming her little dreams." "What proof do you have?" Herman looked coldly at Flynn.

Flynn blurted, "Just toss her in the ocean for the fish."

"That'd be letting her off too easy," Herman said. He could easily take Julie's life, but she couldn't die just yet. "If Julie dies, Anastasia carries the burden of a murderer's label for life."

Flynn slapped his forehead: "Almost forgot about that. Herman, we've got to get Anastasia's case reopened. This evidence here, how's Julie gonna wriggle out of it?"

Herman stood, "I'm going to see Anastasia. Keep this under wraps until I say otherwise. Don't do anything rash, and don't stir up trouble at Salstrom Manor."