Page 33 of Sage

Marcy invited the officers in, offering them each a bottle of water.

“Sage,” Marcy called, unsure why she had suddenly chosen to perform a disappearing act at that moment. Finding herself momentarily hoping Sage hasn't escaped out the bedroom window.

“Yeah?” She came out of the bedroom, with a curious look on her face.

“Sage, these officers are here to speak with you. Do you have any idea why?”

“I’m not sure.” Sage tilted her head, confused as she stared knowingly at Marcy. “But I am sure you do.”

“Ma’am, I’m going to need you to stop right there,” Officer Dawn placed her hand on her gun, which was still resting in the holster, as Sage started walking towards them.

Sage reluctantly obliged and Marcy felt a tinge of relief that she wasn’t about to witness her girlfriend's murder in the confines of her own home.

“Sage, you are under arrest for the suspected murder of-”

Marcy zoned out, listening to the overwhelming list of names as the officers read each of the names off.

“-the murder of Alana Garrison, Marco Salvatore, Charles Billings, and finally-”

Marcy braced herself against the back of the chair, preparing for what they were about to say.

“The murder of Detective Hans McGee.”

Marcy cried out as the officer read off Hans’ name, she had suspected he was dead but hearing the reality still hit her hard.

“You have the right to remain silent,” Officer Dawn began reading Sage her Miranda rights as she put her in handcuffs and escorted Sage out the door.

Officer Stewart handed Marcy an envelope containing money. “It's all there, just like we agreed.”

Marcy had worked with the police department previously, so when they had reached out to her about the murders to help with autopsies she agreed to assist. Once she began to suspect the deeper details of the case, she didn’t hesitate to offer Officer Stewart the details, especially not after being left with a broken heart. The last few weeks didn’t erase the past…

“Thanks.” Marcy paused. “But did Hans have to die for this to work?” Marcy was suspicious.

“We had nothing to do with that,” Officer Stewart responded quickly.

“What happened? Hans was fine when we left.” Marcy and Officer Stewart had become close friends since they had first run into each other at a bookstore in town.

“I shouldn’t say anything,” Officer Stewart leaned in closer. “Hans was in a car accident, just outside Brighton Forest. His toxicology report showed vast amounts of poison and the detectives found a satchel of loose tea leaves in his trash can that read ‘mors per socolatam’ which was roughly translated to mean death by chocolate. Her prints were all over it and it was almost identical to Alana’s accident.”

Marcy let out a gasp.

“You’re lucky, Marcy,” Officer Stewart gently placed her hand on Marcy’s shoulder. “You could have been next.”

Marcy gulped, the reality sinking in. “Will she get the death penalty?”

“The death penalty hasn’t been a thing here for a long time. However she will definitely rot in prison, if found guilty.”

The scream of the teapot interrupted their conversation and Marcy rushed over to pull it off the burner.

“Iffound guilty?” Marcy inquired. “So, there’s a chance she may be found innocent?”

“Unfortunately, I’ve already said too much. I really can’t discuss this with you any further..”

“I understand. Can I get you some tea to go?” Marcy offered as she reached up into the cabinet and pulled down a basket that held a variety of flavored tea bags before pausing. “Was it a satchel like this?” Marcy held up one of the tea bags that Sage had made, it contained the same label that created Hans’ demise.

Officer Stewart walked over, put on a pair of gloves and took the satchel from Marcy, placing it in an evidence bag. “I’ll have it tested. If it is positive for the same poison that was in Hans' system, it will further strengthen the case against her.”

“You can take them all.” Marcy found herself having trouble standing, feeling as if she had almost come close to meeting death herself. “It’s hard knowing who you can trust these days. You showing up today may have saved my life.”

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