Page 157 of Symphony for Lies

“Is there any place with these flowers? Somewhere that could be a labyrinth?”

A labyrinth… Something clicked. The pieces were finally falling into place.

Spencer’s phone buzzed. “Yeah, Stacy?”

Turning, I stormed out of the room, stuffing my bloody hand into my pocket.

Spencer followed me.When we climbed out the window and into the open air, I inhaled a deep, shaking breath. The sky was pitch black, and the temperature had dropped.

It felt colder than usual…

“The bird came from the clinic.”

I scoffed, “And what does that do for us?”

“The clinic’s surveillance footage was erased.”

Fucking hell.

Every damn lead—gone.

“I have a question.”

“Then ask.” My patience was gone.

“The killer has a fascination with music… we know that.”

I rolled my eyes. “No shit, Sherlock.”

“No, listen.” His brows furrowed. “What about wind chimes? Do they have any significance?”

I opened my mouth, ready to snap back at him, but stopped.

Wind chimes.

My memories reeled back to the day Amelia and I flipped through books, jotting down notes.

I yanked my phone from my pocket, scrolling frantically through the pictures I had taken of her notes.

Wind chimes.

They hang in open spaces so the wind can move the rods, creating music. Their soft melodies bring peace, but when storms come, chaos follows.

Aster flowers, wind chimes, music…

My heart stalled as it hit me. “The garden maze.”

Spencer frowned. “What?”

“In front of the old community center. There’s a courtyard with overgrown aster flowers, tulips, roses, and… wind chimes. A class placed them there years ago.” My stomach twisted. “My mother’s class.”

Spencer shot me a questioning look.

I exhaled, trying to recall the memory. “My mother told me about it once. I don’t remember why, but she mentioned that her class put up those wind chimes. And…”

“And?”

“She said there was a young, talented man, someone with a bright future ahead of him, but he chose to stay behind and just teach instead.”

---