Aubrey Winson Mysteries: book 1, A love Rendezvous

Aubrey Winson  Mysteries

Written by: Eleanor Tye  

(inspired by an “Aurora Teagarden Mystery” 

book series. written by Charlaine Harris)

A Love Rendezvous 

So driven by love that you would KILL for them

-Intro-

It all starts in a small, local town called Lawrenceton, Washington, with a Woman named Aubrey Winson. That's me! I have a mind for murder some say, no, of course I don't murder people. But I sure do enjoy a good mystery to solve. The police always say I'm “interfering” but really, they always end up needing my help. I just got out of a relationship with a guy named Mike, who moved for his job. He didn't like my so-called “addiction” with solving murders and reading true crime books. My best friend Sage doesn't really enjoy murders, like me. But if I need help with solving one she’s always there for me. She’ll help me get to the bottom of things with no questions… well almost no questions. Then there's my mother, Jane Winson. She thinks I'm “going to get hurt” even though I totally never have… it's not like I've been kidnapped, almost killed, and found multiple bodies. But anyways, changing the subject, the main homicide detectives are Chief Lainey  she is sometimes “nice” to me, and then there's her husband, Archer, who is my close friend

The story

That morning, as per usual, I woke up in my cute one story contemporary home. It was around 7:30 which was early for me because I, for the most part, woke up at around 8 or 9 A.M. I lazily walked out of my room, still in my pajamas. I went to the kitchen to make myself some Cheerios because I hadn’t gone grocery shopping and that was practically all I had. After I sat down and began to eat by myself, then my phone rang. I looked at its contact name and it was… 

“Lainey?” I didn't even know Lainey had my number but apparently she did. And Even though she had my number, why would she be calling ME, ME out of all people? I mean, after all, she didn’t  really like me. I picked up anyways

“Hello?” I asked over the phone. She sighed. It was a kind of sigh that said “I don't want to talk to you but looks like I have no choice”

“Hello… Aubrey.” Lainey paused, “we found a body. In its pocket, there was a note addressed to you,” Lainey said. Clearly mad, mad that I'm involved yet again.

“I don't know how you somehow always find yourself at the beginning of my investigations, but you yet again have,” she continued, in a moody tone. “Get over here, I need you to see this. And Let us know if you know anything about this. I'll text you the address. Get here as soon as you can,” she said as she hung up. 

Ding!

The address came through. I checked the address and began to get ready. I threw on a not so fancy navy blue blazer, with a plain white shirt and black tights. I also put on a silver watch, and then I just brushed through my medium lengthed wavy brown hair. Then put my hair in one thick braid in the back of my head, then I scurried out the door. When I arrived, I saw Lainey, surprisingly waiting for me. Holding the note, she saw me and walked up to me.

“Here,” Lainey said as she reached into her pocket and pulled out a pair of spare gloves. “Put these on, then you can look at the note.” Lainey handed me the gloves. I slipped them on. She handed me the note and I began to read it. it was folded in half. The front read, “To Aubrey,” I flipped it open.

Dear Aubrey Winson,

I can see the cold blade of the knife against your neck, hot tears rolling down your face, your crying, pleading for mercy. I looked into your eyes, you thought you knew, You took the face with the eyes I once held, I have love and compassion for them. You stole them. I still love my one true love, Beware love beyond the words you can comprehend, you're on my board. Watch your back.

      -Stay away, and beware, for I swear I will come and you will die of despair.

“The signature…it's written in blood!” I exclaimed. I handed the note back to Lainey. Then I took a second to calm myself. “Mind if I take a picture?” I asked.

“I suppose. And you know I don't like you much, but stay safe, Aubrey. Someone’s out to get you. Oh, oh yeah. One question, do you have any love interests…or do you know if someone likes you?” she asked as she took the note back.

“Not that I know of…I mean there's my ex, Mike, I’m pretty sure you’ve met him, because he is also Archer’s friend but anyway, he moved. And he was pretty set on staying there, so I don't think he would come back,” I said to her as I took off the gloves and threw them away in the trash can that was conveniently next to me.

“I’m going to go home and… process what just happened, but first do you know where Archer is?” I asked. “I need to speak to him.”

“I’m pretty sure he’s at home,” Lainey said in a very moody and irritated tone. I mean Someone did just die… anyways…

“Thanks Lainey,” I said as I walked off and got in my car. I then drove over to Archer and Lainey’s house.

DING DONG!

“Hello?” Archer said as he opened the door, not seeing my face at first. “Oh, hey Aubs, whats up?” “Hey Archer!”

“Yeah, what's up?”.

“So basically, I'm going to spit this out as quick as I can,” I began. “Lainey texted me, and told me about a murder. No weapon is found yet if you're wondering.  But anyway they found a note in their pocket, which was most likely written by the murderer.”

“Do you have a picture, or some sort of evidence?” Archer asked.

“Yes, I took a photo,” I said as I took out my phone and showed him the picture of the poetic note that the killer wrote. He skimmed over it.

“Oh gosh. Do you think it could be Mike's secret admirer or something? I mean, did he have a secret admirer?” he asked.

“Not that I know of, and I don't even have contact with him anymore, so why would “they” be coming for me now?” I asked.

“I don't know,” he stated.

“Okay, well I'm going to go talk to Sage now.”

“Yeah, I mean, she does write true crime… so she could possibly be writing about this case,” Archer said. “Okay, okay go check on Sage now. She’s probably worried,” Archer suggested.

“Thanks, I’ll head over there now. Bye Archer!” I said as I walked away from the door and back to my car. I called Sage. 

“AUBREY! Sage overprotectively yelled 

“I’m just a little shaken. I don’t have any ‘romantic interests’ or anything like that, so I don’t really know what to do. I don't even have any suspects yet, well besides the fact that Mike could possibly have an ‘admirer’, but we don't even know he even has an admirer, it could be somebody else’s, or it could not be an admirer at all,  I don’t really know,” I stated, my hands still shaking lightly.

“Admirer? That sucks, like when my crush’s cousin liked me way back in highschool. Anyways, ” Sage said.

“I don't know, but it's worth a shot,” I said. “Oh, and I’m going over to your house now.”

“Great, I’ll be waiting to give you the biggest hug you’ve ever received,” Sage overdramatically stated.

“I’m pulling up now.” I said as I hung up, and pulled up in her driveway in front of the closed garage door, I walked up to the door and Sage opened the door for me.

“Aubrey! Oh my gosh I'm so glad you're safe, I couldn’t bear it if something happened to you.” Sage said as she closed the door. I walked in. Then put my arms out and she hugged me tightly,

“Please stay here, or at least for the night.” Sage pleaded.

“Okay, I will, but first I have to go to my Mother’s house. I don't know if she’s heard the news yet,” I said.

“Yeah, just lay it on her softly or… it will be another Josh incident…” Sage said, and if you’re wondering, the ‘Josh incident’ was last year when my cousin Josh got involved with  a murder, and got us both kidnapped. After the kidnapper got arrested, my Mother was extremely overprotective over us for like a week, and she only let Josh go home after a week had passed. Because she was worried about us, even though I’m twenty eight and he is twenty.

“Geez- yeah.Don’t want that, I’ll head over there now, and I’ll be back soon.”I said as I headed out the door, got in my car, and headed over to my Mother’s house. I knocked and then my Mother walked up to the door, opened it, and saw it was me.

“Oh gosh, AUBREY! Hello, come in, come in” My Mother said as she hugged me.  Then stepped to the side for me to walk in. 

“So what's the visit for?” she asked.

“Oh…so you haven't heard…” I said.

“Not that look… It's a murder isn't it…” I shook my head. She gave me the death stare, and I began to nod.

“I knew it! but it’s not involving you… right?” My Mother asked, concerned. I took out my phone, pulled up the picture, and put it on the counter, then stepped back. She looked through the picture. 

“Aubrey!” My Mother yelled. “You NEED to stop getting involved with all this murder chaos.” She looked at me, with a ‘full name’ death stare. “Aubrey, please promise me you will be safe…” my Mother pleaded, and I was extremely surprised that she didn’t scold me.

“I will, and I’m staying with Sage,” I said

“Stay safe Aubrey.”

“I will. Bye Mother!” I said as I grabbed my phone and headed out of the door, when I got out I noticed my friend Summer across the street, laying on her driveway.

“SUMMER!”I yelled as I ran across the street, My Mother must have heard my scream because she came out 

“Is that Summer?!?!” my Mother yelled. I put my hand on her neck and checked her pulse.

“She- she’s dead!” I yelled, I called 911, then they arrived and moved the body I began to look around, and I saw something in the tree, so I climbed up, I found another note, then I hopped down,

“Lainey!”I yelled

“Another note… another one addressed to you…”she said, I began to read it, it was folded again, I opened it, this time it read

Dear  Aubrey-

In my mind I see them, were married. I imagine we have a loving daughter, images in my mind, you will be tortured, you lay there still, you're dead, why will i murder you?  You stole my lover, they talk about you non stop. My mind is screaming with pain. You steal them, and you will suffer. Do you know them? No clue, do i love them, yes i do. You will die, I promise you that.

 I’m coming for you Aubrey… you will die

“Another poetic threat…” I said, shook

“Someone is really out to get you, but the question is who… who admires you,”Lainey said, Archer walked over

“Well, I'm in the case n-”He was about to finish his ‘well I’m in the case now’ but he must have noticed my facial expressions “What happened?!”He yelled, 

 “Another note…”I said as I handed him the note, he read through it

“Who would want to kill you? It definitely sounds like a  love Rendezvous.” (Rendezvous, pronounced ron-day-vu)

“I don't know, but I should probably get going, Sage is probably worried about me.”I said

“I’m going to get going now, bye guys,”I said as I waved and headed to my car, I drove to Sage's house, And as I pulled up I could see Sage on her couch, with a worried look on her face, I pulled up to the driveway, then knocked on the door when I arrived

“AUBREY!”Sage yelled as she opened the door, I walked in 

“TWO MURDERS IN ONE DAY?!?!”Sage yelled as we sat down on the couch 

“It’s not MY fault i'm like a… murder magnet,”I chuckled

“AUBREY! THAT'S NOT FUNNY,”Sage yelled

“Sorry Sage,”I said as I hugged her for a second “I’m Okay…It’s nothing new,” I said, then Sage Sighed.

“I guess I'm a little over protective…”

“A LITTLE?!?!” We both laughed, we talked for a while, then it got dark “Damn! It’s 11:00, guess our conversations last longer than we thought,” Sage said, I chuckled “I’m going to head to bed, night Aubs,” Sage said as she headed upstairs and got settled down and ready for bed. I headed to the guest bedroom which had a nice bathroom attached to it. I walked over to the bathroom. It was fully stocked with guest stuff, such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, extra shampoos and conditioners etc.`, I got ready for bed then fell asleep. 

BANG!

 I woke up,

“Sage? Is that you…” I shakily said, then I heard the front door open. I dashed downstairs, a glass umbrella holder was broken, I grabbed an umbrella shakily. Then I went out the door, I saw nobody so I walked back inside and closed the door. My noisiness must have woken Sage up.

“Aubrey?” she said rubbing her eyes “what happened… DID SOMEONE BREAK IN?!” She yelled from the top of the stairs, heading downstairs

“Wha- did you break this umbrella holder..”I sad, panting with my words

“No?! I WAS UPSTAIRS THIS WHOLE TIME!”Sage yelled “D-do you think it could be that person that has been writing letters to you?”Sage asked

“I-I don't know.”I looked at her, about to cry. Why is this mysterious person trying to harm my friends, I’d rather have them try to kill me then my best friend I thought to myself

“I’m just going to go back to bed,”Sage said as she headed back up the stairs, I did the same… at least I tried. When I got back to the guest room I could barely sleep. But I ended up falling asleep at, like, two in the morning.

The next day

I woke up, still a bit paranoid about what had happened the night before. I walked downstairs, Sage was cooking some eggs and bacon

“Morning Aubrey!”Sage said, flipping one of the eggs 

“Smells good”I said

“Thanks,”She said as she took a regular white plate out of the cupboard and put two pieces of bacon and an egg onto it, then she walked over to the table and placed it on one of the place mats, she did the same with the last egg, and last two pieces of bacon, she put it next to the other plate

“ooh!”I sat as I went and sat on one of the wooden chairs with a red felted seat comforter on top of it, she sat next to me and we began to eat

“Yum! Thanks Sage”I said as I ate a piece of bacon

“No problemooo!”she replied, shoving an egg in her mouth, after we were done eating we both got ready, I brushed my teeth (obviously) flossed, and I didnt have any clothes, but I would change once I got home, afterwards I walked back downstairs, Sage as usual was just scrolling through TikTok

“Hi sage.”I said as I sat down next to her

“Heyy!”she responded as she turned off her phone and put it on the coffee table

“I have to get going back home, bye Sage”I said as I grabbed my phone and my keys then walked over to the door

“Bye! Call me if you need anything”Sage said, I nodded and walked out of the house to my car, when I  got in my car, my friend Amber called me

“Hey, whats up ”I asked

“Do you want to get dinner with me and some friends?”she asked

“Yeah, who else is coming?”I asked Amber

“Oh, just Archer, Lainey, Sage, and some others you don't know,”Amber said. I scratched my neck at Lainey as she might not be happy if I went, but I decided…

“Okay, I’m down at what time?”

“7;30 or 8:00 is a good time.”Amber said

“Kay, I’ll be there. Byee”I said as I hung up, ecstatic about going, I then arrived, I quickly ran upstairs to get changed as the restaurant was ten minutes away and it was already 7:10. I put on a beautiful navy blue floral dress that goes down to my knees, along with some plain black shorts that you can't see, because of my dress. I also put on some black OTK boots, and a bit of light makeup, which was just some lipstick, lip gloss, mascara, concealer, and that's it. For my hair I put it up in a checkered patterned claw clip. Then it was 7:15, which was perfect timing, as I had to be there in fifteen minutes, and it was a ten minute drive. I headed out the door and locked up my house, as I got to my car I began to drive to the restaurant, I arrived and went inside. Amber, Lainey, and Archer were already there

“Hey!” I waved at them, Amber and Archer waved back from the booth. But Lainey did NOT seem happy about me being there, I went and sat down next to Amber. Nobody was on the other side of me.

“Hi,” I replied “where's Sage?”I asked Amber

“She’s not here yet”Amber said

“Okay,”I said, then We spent a few minutes talking. Later, someone else arrived. It was a 5’7, brunette haired guy with emerald green eyes wearing a white shirt and black  pants, along with a black blazer. I blushed a bit. I can’t deny, he was pretty cute. Then, a girl that I also didn’t know came in. She had black hair, chocolate brown eyes, a cute green spaghetti strap green dress, and some black fishnet leggings. Her hair was up in a cute bun with a green bow to match her dress.

“Hey,” the boy said as he sat next to me

“Hi guys, I’m Amelia!” the girl who’s name I now know is Amelia said.

“Hi, nice to meet you!” I exclaimed, but she rolled her eyes. Could she be the girl who’s out to  get me? Is he the guy who likes me? I don’t know at this point, but I can’t help but think if they ARE the people…

“Hi Amelia,” Lainey said. Not seeming to like her that much either.

“Oh. Hey, Lainey!” Amelia said, in a bratty tone. She sat next to Lainey and the guy, who I don't know the name of

“Hi, so what's your name?” I asked him.

“I’m Leo, Nice to meet you”he said

“Hello guys, here's your menus, I’ll be back shortly to take your orders, but for now what do you want to drink?”the waitress asked 

“We have one more person, but we’ll order until she gets here”Amber said

“I’ll take a Margarita with no salt on the rim ,”Amelia said

“Just a water”I ordered, Archer Ordered the same

“A lemonade,”Lainey Ordered, after that Leo, and Amber ordered

“Okay, thank you for your order i will be back shortly”the waitress said as she walked away

“Can I get your number? Then we can all meet again soon”Leo said as he pulled out his phone 

“Yeah, sure”I replied as I took out my phone from my purse  and put my number in his phone, then I handed the phone back to him

“Thanks”Leo replied as he put his phone back in his pocket, 

“guysss,”Amelia annoyingly started

“what”Lainey rolled her eyes, and for once she seemed more annoyed with her then she usually is with me, just then Sage arrived

“Hey Sage!”I hollered 

“Hey Aubs!”she said as she went and sat down next to Amelia and Archer 

“Uh- you interrupted me”Amelia said, 

“why did you even invite her?” I whispered to Amber

“I don’t know, she insisted on going with leo” Amber whispered back 

Weird…I thought to myself

“Sorry? I guess”Sage said, rolling her eyes 

“PFFT” I laughed, then Lainey let out a slight chuckle too, which she was being pretty nice to me, weirdly

“I’m just going to leave. You guys are pathetic anyways.”she said as she got up and left

“Finally!” Lainey exclaimed as we all laughed because none of us liked that brat either. We talked for a bit and our drinks came out.

“Here you go.”the waitress said as she put each of the drinks at the table “and what do you want to drink, brown hair. Brown eyes

“I’ll just have a water, oh well there's already a water haha”she chuckled and took a sip out of the cup of water

“And what do you guys want to eat”the waitress asked

“I’ll have a Bignut burger, but instead of mustard. Ketchup” I ordered, then everybody else ordered after me. She left with the orders, she came back with our food and we ate, talked and the end of the night came 

“I’m going to head out now, bye guys” Amber said as she grabbed her purse and left

“Nice seeing you again, Leo” Archer said 

“Bye” Lainey said as they both left, as they left Sage smirked at me in a way that called us ‘lovebirds’ 

“Bye Aubrey, see you tomorrow” she said as she also left.

“It was very nice to meet you.” I said, blushing

“You too.” Leo said. His eyes sparkling

“Do you need a ride home?” he asked

“I don’t, I have my car but thanks for the offer.” I said

“Well, Amelia  took my car,” Leo admitted. “Mind if you drive me home?”

“Yeah, I'd like that,” I said as we got up and we walked to my car. We got in. I was in the driver's seat, him in shotgun

“Thanks,” he said as he got in 

“no problem,” I replied, after around eight minutes of driving we got to his house

“We're here.” I said, we both got out and I walked him to the door, respectfully  “Bye, Leo” I said, moving to the side, he walked in. Still in the doorway

“Will I see you again soon?” he asked.

“Yeah, I hope so,” I responded. He leaned over and kissed me. My heart felt like it was beating out of my chest

“Bye” I said as I walked back to my car and got inside, From our random conversations I found out that he is an actor! Which I think is super cool, anyways I drove over to Sage’s house. But on the way I noticed a car behind me. At first I didn't think much of it, but then I turned into a gas station, and they parked there too. At that point I was panicking, I called Leo but he didn’t answer. I hid in the women's restroom and called Archer as a last resort. Luckily, he answered.

“A-Archer?” I said fearfully. My voice trembled .

“Aubrey? What's going on?” he asked.

“Someone’s following m-” 

Creeeeak ~

I heard the creak of the bathroom door opening, I stayed silent, Hanging up just in case they heard me, I put my feet up on the toilet seat so that who I assume to be the  murderer couldn't hear me my heavy breathing echoed through the stall, I could just barely see their legs, apparently long black pants, and shoes, then they walked out, I was about to cry but I covered my hands over my mouth, “Hello, if you don’t mind. Were about to clo-” at that moment I heard a gunshot, along with the click of a pen. And in the next minute, the noise of the gas station door opening, and the murderer leaving, I got out of the stall, shaking terribly, then left the bathroom 

“AUBREY?!”the sound of Archers voice echoed, 

“AUBREY” Lainey yelled along, I was surprised to hear her, I walked out

“I’m here. I’m fine… physically at least” I joked, but I was dead serious at the same time

“Glad you're okay Aubrey”

“Another note…”I said as I went over to the note… And body, the note covered in blood. I picked it up, in between my thumb and pointer finger, not touching the blood, I folded it up the same way

Dear Aubrey Winson-

The rain enters, The stall door I know you're in, the moonlight beams at the gas station light, My new shoes, covered in blood, I wish it was your blood, but it's not. Bodies sitting dead, lying before me. The world is shattered by an unknown scream. I’m coming for you, scream, scream, scream

I’m coming, Pray I won't, but I will either way

“How in the world do you NOT know who likes you, but this…person apparently does” Archer said, then a few minutes passed and, like, ten more police officers arrived.

“I’m honestly scared now,” I responded.

“If only we knew… Something about who likes you. Or, I don't know… just something” Lainey said, 

“Yeah… Well, uhm, I'm going to go stay at Mothers. I really don't want to endanger Sage again…” I said as I walked out, I realized it was raining and I got soaked. I drove over to Mothers, my mascara now running, after a few minutes of driving I arrived. Still soaked

DING DONG-

I rang the doorbell, my eyes stinging with tears

“Hel-”she was about to say ‘hello?’ but then she must have saw me, tearing up, soaking

“AUBREY! Come in!” she yelled, worried, she put a towel around me and I sat down on the couch, I whipped my tears away with my hand

“What in the world happened” she asked me

“Well, basically I went to dinner, you know with Lainey, Archer, Sage, Amber, Leo, and..”I made a grossed out sound before… “Amelia,” “and I sort of got Leo’s number, and he might be the one who likes me… and Amelia might be the one doing this, I honestly don’t know…” I said quickly

“Wait.. ‘blood on my new shoes’” I remembered the note, imaging the note again

“So.. if they did get a new pair of shoes, and I assume that they live near me, then… well I can ask the people that sell shoes, and who- then I had a short memory Flashback

I was in the stall, there I saw… shoes, not just any Air Force 1 shoes… black  air force ones, now I know what shoes to  look for

“Aubrey? Aubrey?” Mother said, me being unresponsive. But then I finally snapped back to reality

“Sorry, I just zoned out.. And might have found out something important, can we change the topic?” I politely asked 

“Yeah, well it's 11:00 so i'm going to head to bed, goodnight Aubrey” Mother said as she headed upstairs and to her bedroom, I went to mine (which if your wondering is by bedroom I had before I moved out) when I got to my bedroom, I just layed there. Sort of pondering what had happened, I finally ended up falling asleep. Then the next morning came… I woke up and looked in my closet, I didn’t really have many clothing items, again but I was just going to go home. Change and then go grocery shopping, I walked downstairs

“Good Morning Aubrey” Mother said, sitting on the couch watching the morning news

“Good morning Mother” I replied  “I’m going to go home, bye Mother” I said as I grabbed my phone and purse and left, I got in my car and drove home, when I got home  I unlocked the door and checked my mailbox that was right next to the door. I walked inside and sat down and began to go through my mail, when I came upon a note. Folded the exact same way. With Dear Aubrey written on the front, I looked around, making sure nobody was here. As I saw nobody was here I opened it, it wasn't a letter, but all it said was 

Dear Aubrey Winson-

I See you- I'm watching you, I will Kill you :) watch your back

I immediately dropped it, I dashed out of my house and ran over to Lainey and Archer’s house, out of breath I rang the doorbell, I could just feel the presence of someone

watching me. I didn't know who, but I had a few ideas, I sat on their bench swing, out of 

breath, looking around with my eyes, Archer then opened the door

“Aubrey? what happened” he asked, cluelessly 

“I-” I panted, breathing heavily as I could barely spit out my sentence “another….note” I panted in between basically each word

“Oh god, LAINEY” Archer yelled 

“WHAT- oh god, Aubrey, what is going on. Why are you at our house” Lainey asked as she rolled her eyes

“Another note” Archer replied for me 

“Where? Was there a body with it?” she asked

“No, n-no body.” I said, still panting

“Your house?” she asked, surprisingly calm. I nodded then took a deep breath and stopped panting 

“Okay, thank you for the information.” Lainey said as she grabbed her chief badge and put it on, then went over to my house, Archer followed her. I went over to Charles house, who also likes true crime and murder cases, when I arrived, and I knocked, his house didn’t have a doorbell because it was a very old-timey house 

“Hello Aubrey. What's going on” Charles asked

“Another note, can I come in” I asked

“Yeah, of course,” he said, letting me in

“We should make a diagram” I suggested 

“Yeah, I agree,” he said, pulling out a long piece of paper and tape. We took down a painting carefully and tapped the paper to the wall. 

DING DONG!

I answered the door

“Oh hey Aubs, is Charles ho-” Sage started her sentence but then saw our diagram 

“AUBREY, CHARLES” Sage yelled, we shrugged and awkwardly laughed

“Oh my god, guys!” she let herself in “of course- of course you make a diagram, I expect this from Aubrey, NOT YOU CHARLES” Sage yelled

“Oops?” Charles said

“Well, here's your pizza I guess” Sage said as she put the pizza on the counter

“Thanks, Sage!” I said, sage sat down sage lifting one eyebrow in a ‘im watching you’ kind of way, we continued to make the diagram

“I'll go print some pictures at the library” I said as I grabbed my keys and phone and drove over to the Library, when I got to the library, I went over to the printer and computer, I inserted all my ‘suspects’ and all the victims, I put in Leo’s face, Amelia’s face, and the victims faces, which was, a random gas station worker, a random guy at a construction site, and my friend summer that lived across the street from Mother’s, I also printed my face, and Sages. When I got all the pictures I grabbed them and put five dollars on the counter for the printer fee’s. Then did some… research 

which you will find out what research later

I drove back to Charles' house and put the pictures on the diagram, pinned with string and pins. We also added sticky notes  and I put my face and Leo’s face together in the middle. After we were done, It looked great (although it took almost six hours to make)

“Looks good!” I said, admiring our work

“I guess?” Sage said even though she didn’t really understand us and our ways, me and Charles chuckled

“We should go check out my house again, I mean the note was written in blood… but who’s blood. How could they get blood without killing or harming someone..” I gasped

“WHAT IF, the blood is the killer's blood? We need to go talk to Lainey” I said and  they both followed me out the door

“LAINEY!” I yelled as I arrived at the police station and spotted Lainey and Archer 

“Yes Aubrey?” Lainey said, clearly moody and not wanting to see me. She lifted her eyebrow and rolled her eyes

“You know the blood! Someone would need to harm someone to GET the blood, and there was NO BODY! So either they hurt someone and someone knows who the killer is. OR it's their blood” I said, Archer looked at Lainey. Not turning his head but with his eyes. Lainey glared back

“Or. they could have transferred the blood from the original body, the one from the gas station girl. That is what we're currently thinking” Lainey said, when she said that. Sage took out her ipad and wrote down what Lainey just said, for her short newspaper-like story, Lainey glared at Sage

“When do you plan on releasing that” Lainey asked

“Tomorrow…?”

“Don’t quote me on that” Lainey glared, Sage deleted what she had wrote about what Lainey said

“Well if that's all, then we will be going” Archer said

“Yeah, I think that's all”  I said, then they left. Then Mother texted me.

After that text I headed over to her work, which was a real estate building, because my Mother owns a real estate company, I then arrived and there was a woman at the front desk.

“Hello Aubrey” the woman said, I assumed that she knew my Mother and my Mother told her about me

“Hi?” I replied

“You here to see Jane?” she asked

“Yeah” I said

“Well, she isn't here,” she said. But I knew she was, because she had texted me  and I was extremely confused why she would lie about that

“Oh, alright” I said as I walked over to the door, about to leave. Just then My Mother came out of her office

“oh , hello Aubrey” Mother said, the woman glared at me

“Why would you lie about that?”I asked

“Uh” she looked at me and ignored me, i shook my head and tucked part of my hair behind my left ear

“I hate to say this Aubrey. But I have a suspect in mind…” I looked at her and we went over to her office

“I’m all ears” I said when we got in her office

“Well, you know that lady at the front desk…Her name is Madelyn I saw her talking to Leo, she seemed somewhat… Jealous, Leo kept talking about you, saying how great you were and she replied that he ‘always does this’ which i'm assuming. Means that he always talks about you” My Mother finished

“Ma, we need to go to the police with this” I said, Mother nodded. Then we left her office, I glared at Madelyn before we left, then we took Mothers car. We then arrived at the police station, right as we walked in we saw Archer talking to Leo, I couldn't tell if he was questioning him or talking to him as a friend. I walked up to them anyways

“Oh hey Aubrey” Leo said once I walked up to them

“Hey, anyways Mother and me need to talk to you, Archer” I said

“Okay, let's go to the questioning room then?” he said, I nodded and me and my Mother followed him to the questioning room “Okay, so what do you have to say?” Archer asked

“Well, this is very formal. Was not expecting this but anyways, Well, the lady at my office's front desk, her name is Madelyn Robinson. I saw her talking to Leo, you know. Leo Clarkson. And when Madelyn was talking to him she seemed sort of Jealous, and Leo kept talking about Aubrey, saying how great she is  and Madelyn replied that he ‘always does this’ which I assumed Meant that he always talks about Aubrey”

“Oh, well that's a lead. Thank you Jane” Archer said, walking out, we left too, she drove me back to her work office where my car was parked

“Mother, can you maybe keep an eye on Madelyn.” I asked Mother

“Aubrey! I am no longer going to be a part of this murder chaos!, Well. Maybe I'll keep an ear open, but I will go to the police first. If I find anything. Then i'll tell you” Mother stated, I chuckled

“Okay ma, bye” I said as I left and got in my car. It was now dark. And as I was driving past the forest I saw a figure with a duffle bag going into the forest, I also saw a car parked behind me. I stopped driving and got out weird.. I SHOULD FOLLOW THEM. I thought to myself, I took a picture of their license plate, put my phone back in the car stupidly and went into the forest, quietly following them. They then stopped by a creek. I hid behind a tree. They took off their hood, it was “MADELYN?!”  I covered my mouth with both of my hands. They put the bag down and began to look around

“Aubrey? Get out of here!” she yelled, I stayed quiet, she then saw me. I took off running, and someone followed. I couldn't see who it was, I assumed it was Madelyn. I luckily got in my car first and drove off. I could see her in my rear view mirror. Standing there. I dialed 911, Lainey answered. She must have recognized my number because she knew it was me

“Aubrey?” “What's going on,” she asked. I panted

“Mad- “ I panted again “Madelyn, she. She has a duffle bag, she chased me.” I panted again. Catching my breath

“I think she may be the murderer, and in the duffle bag might be the blood they used” I stated

“Or, the fake blood they used” Lainey said

“Wait, it was fake?” I asked

“Yes, we ran a test on it, and it showed it was fake prop blood,” Lainey said. 

“All the notes blood was,” she stated, I sighed then I looked in my rearview mirror the car was following me

“Lainey! The car is following me, MADELYN IS FOLLOWING ME” I shouted

“I’ll go get backup! SPEED!” Lainey yelled, basically giving me permission to go over the speed limit. I hung up and after five minutes of driving I pulled up at my house, parked in my driveway. Grabbed my phone and keys then DASHED over to my door, unlocking it quickly. I glanced back. The car also pulled into my driveway. I got in just on time and went inside. My place was trashed. I locked all the doors and windows. Then hid in my closet behind a pile of blankets inside of my room

CRASH!

The sound of glass broke. Then the sound of sirens followed. I sighed with relief. I got out of the closet. Seeing my two long windows next to the front door broken. Which they weren't before, Lainey, Archer and one other police officer got out of the two cop cars holding their guns in a steady position 

“Aubrey, are they gone?” Lainey asked, I nodded

“Mind if you stay somewhere else, perhaps at your Mother’s or Sage’s” Lainey suggested 

“Um, yeah of course” I said, Archer put his gun away and so did Lainey, Archer then walked up to me

“Someone’s clearly out to get you, for “stealing” their apparent “lover” but who” Archer finished

“Well-” I got cut off by Mother arriving

“AUBREY! ARE YOU OKAY?!?!” Mother shouted as she ran over to me and hugged me tightly 

“I’m Fine Mother” I said, Mother sounded a bit over protective and angry at the same time 

“You missy are going to be staying with me until this CHAOS is figured out! And the killer is caught!”Mother yelled

“Mother, i’m not going to be held a hostage even by my own Mother” I stated, my Mother then sighed

“I know I can't, you're a wild mystery solving maniac. And that's what makes you. You” Mother said, which shocked me, I hugged her back, even tighter

“I’ll stay with you, but no promises how long” I said, Mother nodded 

“We will alert you if we find anything and when it will be okay to come back” Lainey said, I nodded and walked halfway to Mothers car when I remembered something

“Oh, oh yeah” I walked back to Lainey 

“Yes Aubrey?” 

“I took a picture of their license plate. Do you want me to text you the picture?”

“Yes,” Lainey said, I pulled out my phone and texted Lainey the picture

“Okay, I'll print these. Thank you Aubrey” Lainey said, I walked back to Mothers car and got in shotgun

“Mother, do you recognize this license plate?” I asked as I took out my phone and showed her the picture

“Hmm, oh yes! I've seen that car outside of my real estate building.” Mother said,  I gasped

“So do you know whose car it is?!” I asked

“No, I don't think so. Well.. I think it’s a business car. Like an acting, theatre business car” Mother stated

“Wait, so the person with that car has access to fake blood!”I yelled, just then we arrived at her house

“Well, sleep on it Aubrey. I will go to the police station tomorrow” Mother probably exclaimed “I” because she knows I would probably, you know what not probably, WOULD want more information, I nodded anyways

“Good, now let's go,”Mother said as she parked, took her keys and got out of the car. I got out too. We walked over to the front door and Mother unlocked the door

“I’m going straight to bed, after this chaos. Goodnight Aubrey” Mother said as she walked upstairs and to her room, I sort of stood there. I closed the door and locked it. Then I went to my room, basically throwing my phone and purse on the nightstand, I flopped on the bed. Thinking about what had happened, I turned around, my face facing the ceiling fan, spinning around and around. I contemplated everything. And by everything 

I MEAN EVERYTHING

Wait a minute… 

Flashback-

“Haha, so tell me something about yourself” I said to Leo

“Well, I’m an actor for a theatre corporation” Leo responded

“Awsome! What was your most recent play you've been in?” 

“Hm, i’m pretty sure it was like a battle, night play. Lots of fake blood was used haha”

-End of flashback-

I don't want to think it’s leo… but everything is pointing at him right now I thought 

to myself, I stayed up more. Thinking about possible suspects then finally fell asleep 

The next morning

Yaawnnn-

“I should probably get going,” I said, pretty much talking to myself. I got up and out of bed, grabbed my purse and put my phone in it then got out of my room. Mother was sitting on her couch, watching the morning news 

“AUBREY! THEY MADE AN ARREST” Mother yelled

“WHAT?! WHO!” I yelled back

“MADELYN OF COURSE!!!” Mother yelled back I looked at her, and ran out of the car

“MA! IM STEALING YOUR CAR, I'LL RETURN IT EVENTUALLY”

“AUBREY N-” I grabbed her keys from the table next  to the door and shut the door before she could finish her sentence. I unlocked the car doors and drove over to the police station, Sage was already there asking Archer about what happened. For her story

“ARCHER!” I yelled, running over to them

“Yes, Aubrey” Archer responded, I panted for a second and caught my breath

“Don’t arrest her! I know another suspect!” I yelled

“Aubrey, just because you didn’t solve this case doesn't mean it didn’t get solved” Archer said

“WELL I HAVE SOMEONE ELSE THAT I KNOW HAS THE MOTIVE, AND-”

“Ok, ok enough with the yelling. I’m listening”

“Ok, well I hate to say this… But My suspect is Leo”

“LEO?!, okay. Why” Sage basically just listened in 

“I found out that he’s an actor, AND his most recent play needed a lot of fake blood. So he has access to fake prop blood, and I think he may have motive, jealousy? I haven’t figured that part out yet…” I said

“well thank you for your information, Aubrey” Archer said as he walked off, probably going to talk to Lainy

“Well that's… unexpected” Sage said, I looked at her and let out a slight chuckle

“I don’t wanna think that it’s him, because honestly we hit it off. But at the same time I don’t wanna like, or even date a killer” I stated “But if you think about  it… he’s male, and the notes seemed like they were written by a woman”

“What do you mean by that…”

“I don’t know, just a gut feeling I guess.” I responded

“Well, could it be a.. I don't know, a two person job?” Sage asked

“Like an accomplice?” “Yeah, I guess it could be a two person job” I shrugged

“Well, say it is Leo. Who would be his accomplice?” Sage hypothesized 

“What if it's a female? Like I  don’t know what if it’s Madelyn. Like I don’t know, maybe she likes someone I like and Leo likes me.”

“That's a bit far-fetched but maybe.”

“Well how about we find out” I said, Sage looked at me. Raising one eyebrow

“What do you mean by that….” I smirked at her then grabbed her hand and went over to Archer who was questioning Leo 

“Aubrey! YOU TOLD HIM YOU SUSPECT ME?!?!” Leo shouted

“HEY! DON'T SHOUT AT HER!”Archer shouted back Leo then sighed

“It’s not me!”

“Then why don’t you have an alibi” I said

“For when”

“Well, I’m a librarian, I know how to look up people, i have a doctorate in Books and true crime” I stated

“Fine, what time do I NOT HAVE AN ALIBI FOR?!” Leo shouted

“You don’t have an alibi for the time that car was following me.” “I DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT!” 

“We need to take this to formal questioning now. Come on, Leo. I have a few more questions. Thank you, Aubrey.” Archer said his last sentence to me as he took Leo to the questioning room. I looked at Sage.

“Oh Aubrey,” Sage said. I shrugged and smiled at her comfortingly. 

“Yeah, Well. I don't know what to think, honestly

RING RING RING my phone then went off

“It’s an unlisted number-” I said to Sage she tilted her head, Then I answered

“Don't try to solve this. It’ll bite back” they said in a deep voice that didn't sound like a normal voice tone. Then they hung up

“What did they say?” Sage asked

“They said… ‘don't try to solve this. It’ll bite back’ uh. I don't know the number either…” I said

“We should talk to Archer” I nodded, we then went to his office. He was talking to Lainey

“Oh please tell me you JUST let Leo go. And he wasn’t here just now.” I said

“Yes. He’s still here. Being questioned by Detective Craine… Why”

“So it can't be Leo..”

“Aubrey…. What do you mean by that” Lainey asked

“Someone called me. And said ‘don't try to solve it. It’ll bite back’ and I don’t have the number saved…”

“Oh god.” Lainey sighed heavily “Text me that number. I’ll try and trace it, follow me we need your help with questioning Leo” I nodded, sent Lainey the number that called me and then followed her to where Leo was being questioned

“AUBREY! Thank god you're here! You're going to tell them that I'm innocent right?” Leo yelled. I took a deep breath in, and out 

“Leo, be honest with me..” Leo nodded “Did you hurt any innocent people” Leo looked at me, I looked at Archer and Lainey “Would you be more comfortable talking to me if they left?” Leo nodded again then they left the room, probably still watching us through the one way mirror

“I really thought we had something Aubrey…”

“Leo, you don’t even understand! I TRUSTED YOU!” I sighed and finally said “please, just tell me this  one thing! Did you kill anyone… please, did you kill someone” I asked, him standing up and us getting closer to each other

“It wasn’t my fault”

“You did, didn’t you”

“You have a connection to all of the victims who were killed, the body at the construction site you used to work with, and the gas station girl, you killed her just to scare me, DIDN’T YOU!?” I yelled

“I DIDN’T WANT TO! IT WAS AMELIA’S FAULT!” I looked at him, trembling

“WHAT HAPPENED LEO! WHY?!” Leo sighed

“Me and Amelia dated and she became OBSESSED with me, I tried breaking up with her and she refused,”

“So you went psychotic?” I said “YOU! Made that choice to kill people. You did, and Amelia has been the one writing the threats to me. Wasn’t she” 

“Heh, so smart. Yet so gullible” I looked at him, he grabbed a knife from  his back pocket

“POLICE! GET YOUR HANDS IN THE AIR” Lainey and Archer yelled, cuffing him. Then my mom and Sage came in, both worried

“AUBREY! We’re so glad you're okay” They yelled together. The sight of Leo being pulled out with cuffs and police sergeants being sent to find Amelia faded into the end of this story…

The end,

For now…

Credits to:Charlaine Harris for book idea