I didn’t pay much attention to Nancy’s ramblings then, though I should have been very afraid of what she said happening. But…although it was complete nonsense in the current circumstances, I trusted the Inspector. Although he appeared hostile, I didn’t believe he would frame us. Amidst all the chaos, despite hearing the voice everyday I had nearly forgotten about the old woman and her warning. 774Please respect copyright.PENANAnzd58nwEt6
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Almost a week after Joseph’s arrest, we had a surprise visitor – Aunt Daisy. She came early in the morning, dressed carelessly, her hair all untidy. Although her appearance alarmed me, I offered her tea and breakfast. She turned down my offer rather rudely and asked to see my father.774Please respect copyright.PENANAZo3j1EeBhe
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“Please hurry…Before…It’ll be too late…I…The Inspector is mistaken…” She muttered incoherently in between loud sobs and frantic glances all around.774Please respect copyright.PENANAV6PxQo6ZeM
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My Dad was certainly at home but I didn’t think he was in the mood for visitors. He had received a phone call in the middle of the night and since then, shut himself in his study. But there was no way Aunt Daisy was taking a no for an answer so I took her to the locked room. I knocked several times before he asked irritably what was wrong.774Please respect copyright.PENANAFJ4W6MIFTy
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“Dad…Aunt Daisy wants to see you. She says it’s urgent.”774Please respect copyright.PENANAwNkNlMoqvE
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He opened the door. I was surprised to see how tired he was. My Dad, who was always energetic even after working all night, had the exhausted face of someone sleep-deprived for a week. He was holding a letter which he quickly slipped into his pocket.774Please respect copyright.PENANALBs1DQ7spA
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“You must help me…Nobody else will listen…” Aunt Daisy pleaded. “He…”774Please respect copyright.PENANAG5Waopq1by
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“What is wrong?” Dad asked. He invited her in quite kindly and told her to take her seat. I could hear the voice screaming in pain but…It was not saying anything specific. What had happened to Aunt Daisy? I remembered her outburst at the funeral…It couldn’t be just the loss of her daughters…774Please respect copyright.PENANAmxPVR2ron1
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“Amy…You can come in too…”774Please respect copyright.PENANAIQNNdDKH8W
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Well…I would have gone in nonetheless. The curiosity was just too much to stay back while she talked to Dad. After we took a seat, Dad, putting on his most professional voice, asked Aunt Daisy what she wanted him to do.774Please respect copyright.PENANAo1fASxwJ1F
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“I want you to…” She sobbed a few times as a load of tears streamed down her cheeks. I wished she would stop crying. I was finding it hard to hold my own tears. The mere thought of Pinky’s convulsed face and glassy eyes…And if I started to burst into tears, I’m sure it wouldn’t help her either.774Please respect copyright.PENANAmcdBIEmi3a
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“Is this about what you said at the funeral?”774Please respect copyright.PENANAKEFM5Wf25b
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“Yes…” Aunt Daisy cried. “Now…Don’t look at me as though I’ve mad with grief! I’m speaking the truth. He killed my girls.” She paused, taking a deep breath. “He killed my sister’s daughter. And…He even…He…He even killed my own little girl. He killed his own blood. Elias Johnson is a murderer. I want him to hang…”774Please respect copyright.PENANACFIbyQEHHV
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To be continued...