Chapter 20: Everyone Is Willing to Believe Erin Whittaker

Chapter 20: Chapter 20: Everyone Is Willing to Believe Erin Whittaker

Julian Fletcher frowned, as if regretting he had said too much—probably worried about causing trouble for Erin Whittaker. "My apologies. This is a private matter, and it’s not something I can discuss."

Zeke Shaw said no more. An officer came up behind him and whispered something in his ear.

’They were probably telling him that Julian Fletcher’s lawyer had arrived.’

Zeke Shaw had no choice but to let Julian Fletcher leave.

Julian Fletcher stood up and straightened his clothes. He always seemed composed in a crisis, as if nothing could ever make him panic.

At the doorway, Julian Fletcher suddenly stopped and looked back at Zeke Shaw. "Like I said, if you want to solve this case and catch the serial killer, then stop focusing on Cecilia Caldwell. She’s smart, smarter than you imagine. This is just her tactic to force me into marrying her, but she had no idea it would mislead your investigation."

Zeke Shaw said nothing.

"She’s very headstrong. I’ll be sure to discipline her once she’s found. But the fact that your investigation was misled is your own mistake, Officer Lowell. You can’t pin the blame on anyone else for that, can you?" Julian Fletcher asked, his voice laced with meaning.

Zeke Shaw’s fingers tapped gently on the desk, but he remained silent.

I didn’t know what Zeke Shaw was thinking, but I recognized the threat in Julian Fletcher’s words.

’He was actually threatening a cop.’

I knew Julian Fletcher wasn’t saying these things for my sake. He was doing it for Erin Whittaker.

He was afraid Erin Whittaker would get dragged into this, because the next person to be questioned was her.

I sat in an empty chair to the side, watching as Erin Whittaker walked in.

’Being dead isn’t so bad. I get a front-row seat to see just how cold and dark the human heart can be.’

"Miss Whittaker, Mr. Fletcher mentioned you and Cecilia Caldwell had some personal grudges. Could you please tell me about them in detail?" Zeke Shaw wasn’t a fool. He was trying to bait Erin Whittaker.

"Cece..." Erin Whittaker’s eyes welled with tears. "She’s a good girl, just a bit headstrong. I’m so sorry to have caused everyone this trouble. She’s Julian’s sister, which makes her my sister, too. It’s our fault for not teaching her better. Once we find her, we’ll be sure to discipline her strictly."

’Erin Whittaker’s acting was so good. I almost thought I was watching a TV show.’

’How could she lie so brazenly without even blushing?’

"Cecilia Caldwell is in love with Julian Fletcher. You’re aware they aren’t biological siblings, right?" Zeke Shaw, noticing Erin Whittaker was trying to change the subject, pointedly reminded her.

"That’s right, they aren’t biological siblings. I’ve always known that Cece is in love with Julian. The day he introduced us, she warned me. She said that *she* was Julian’s fiancée and told me to stay away from him. She even said... if I kept clinging to him, she’d hire someone to kill me." Erin Whittaker lowered her head, her eyes growing even redder.

But a moment later, Erin Whittaker smiled. "She’s just like that, she says things without thinking. She doesn’t have a bad heart."

My hands balled into tight fists as a wave of hatred and fury surged through me. I was on the verge of losing control.

’When have I ever threatened her? It was *her* who had me killed!’

"It was about two or three months ago, I can’t recall the exact date. Julian brought me to his home, and Cece and I had an argument. She pushed me down the stairs. I was severely injured and had to be hospitalized. I almost didn’t survive." Erin Whittaker sighed, her tone a perfect imitation of exasperated disappointment.

Zeke Shaw’s brow furrowed. "That would be considered assault. Why didn’t you call the police?"

"She’s Julian’s sister. She’s just so incredibly headstrong. I wanted to give her another chance. If I had reported it, she would have gone to jail. She’s so young... I didn’t want to ruin her life." Erin Whittaker spoke as if she were some kind of saint.

I screamed uncontrollably, struggling and striking out at her, but it was all useless.

’Liar! You’re a complete liar!’

Zeke Shaw grew pensive, his expression unreadable.

I started to get scared. I was terrified that Zeke Shaw would also be deceived by Erin Whittaker.

As I remembered it, Julian Fletcher changed completely after he met Erin Whittaker. He started showing favoritism toward her, trusting only her. Even our friends turned on me, one by one, eventually becoming *her* friends.

It was as if she was born with some kind of magic, able to make everyone around her like and trust her instantly.

And I was just an object for them to despise and humiliate.

’Don’t believe her! Please, don’t believe her! She’s the one who had me killed, I’m begging you!’ I cried, pleading with Zeke Shaw, with the other officers, begging them not to believe Erin Whittaker’s lies. But no one heard me.

"Miss Whittaker, where were you on the nights of the 13th, 14th, and 15th?" Zeke Shaw’s expression was unreadable.

"Julian felt that Cece owed me, so he had her act as bait to lure out the killer in my place. But she only went for two days, I think the 13th and 14th. I’m not sure about the 15th," Erin Whittaker said, pretending to think hard.

"Alright. Thank you for your cooperation, Miss Whittaker. Zane, please see her out." Zeke Shaw stood up, his attitude toward Erin Whittaker noticeably warmer.

’I knew it... Zeke Shaw believed her.’

’They all believed Erin Whittaker’s lies.’