“She was guilty but we needed proof. I lied about the gun to see her reaction,” Cynara explained. “She did have it in her room, and then brought it down in that pouch?”
“Yes, she panicked and went upstairs to check. The gun was still there where she had hidden it, in her closet,” Charles admitted.
“What gun did you use to shoot her?” Cynara asked.
“Jimmy and Elizabeth bought two guns from Abaan’s contact. She used one for Qureshi and Sharon. That is the one she brought down from her room after your farce. I shot her with the other one and it is hidden in my room. We were afraid that the police would find them when they searched the premises, after Elizabeth’s shooting. But they were looking for the shooter and clues the shooter might have left. They did not go through our closets or drawers,” Charles answered. “Elizabeth called me and said she was positive you were suspecting her. I convinced her otherwise and rang you. But you carried on with your act with me as well, about the gun.”
“I was in her room at the time,” Cynara said.
“I guessed you were pretending in front of Elizabeth,” Charles uttered. “This has got to stop. You now know the truth. We cannot undo what has already come to pass. I assure you there will be no other deaths. All loose ends have been tied. The authorities know there is no terrorist organization involved. They probably are looking for an ex-girlfriend who hates Elizabeth. We will just leave it at that. They will eventually close the case as unsolved.”
“What are you asking of me?” Cynara whispered backing away from Charles. She felt she was facing a stranger.
“I want you to persuade Bradley he is being delusional. You need to convince him Elizabeth is innocent and to just let it go. Your teaching job is about to start. I have also found decent employment. In a few months’ time, Elizabeth and I will marry and we can all live here happily,” Charles beseeched.
“Are you serious?” Cynara could not believe how Charles could ask this of her. How could she just forget all the deaths?
“Yes, more serious than I have ever been. We will have a good life here. You already like Elizabeth and I promise, as a sister-in-law, you will love her. She is a beautiful person.” Charles said.
Cynara chose her words carefully, “Charles that is not possible. We are talking about murders, in the plural. I cannot just overlook them. These are serious crimes. Let me call Bradley and ask him to come here. He will know what we should do.”
“No,” Charles said sharply.
“Charles, this has to stop.” Cynara urgently put her hands on his arm. “You have not killed anyone. Elizabeth has. She needs to be brought to justice.”
“And I am repeating that it is all over. There will be no more deaths. I guarantee it,” Charles continued impassively, with a deadpan expression.
Cynara realized the futility of arguing with him. It was almost as if he was in some kind of a trance. “You have to let me think. Please give me some time.” She turned away from him and walked over to her dresser. Her phone was lying on the top. She leaned on the dresser as if reflecting on the situation, and surreptitiously dialed Bradley’s number. Hurriedly turning around she faced Charles and said loudly, “Charles, so many people are dead, for no fault of theirs. How can I ignore that? You are promising no more killings in the future. But what about all those who have already perished?” She hoped her voice would drown out Bradley’s voice when he picked up the call.
“This is exactly what I told you,” Elizabeth snarled.
Chapter 48
Cynara and Charles both looked at her in consternation. She stood just outside the room. “She is not going to let it go. Good thing I waited here quietly and overheard the entire conversation.”
“You shouldn’t have. We are still talking. Please leave Elizabeth,” Charles said with growing irritation. He took her by the arm and tried to coerce her towards the front door.
Cynara used the opportunity to look at her phone. The call was connected and Bradley must have realized something was amiss. He was not saying anything, just listening.
“Oh my darling, she is not going to stop. You must realize that. We have no choice.” Elizabeth stopped in her tracks and refused to go any further.
“Cynara loves me. She will surely understand. Just give me some more time,” Charles said confidently.
“No, this has to end now.” Elizabeth whipped out a pistol from the bag she had slung over her left shoulder.
“Elizabeth!” Charles shouted frantically. “What are you doing?”
Before he could even finish talking, Elizabeth raised her gun and pointed it at Cynara. Cynara stood frozen to the spot. Charles sprang to shield her. Just at that instant, the gun fired and the bullet lodged in his body.
Charles collapsed on the ground, hemorrhaging. Both Elizabeth and Cynara shouted in alarm and sank down on their knees beside him. Cynara put her hand over his wound trying to stem the flow of blood. It seemed to be pouring out of his heart. She shouted at Elizabeth to get help. Elizabeth just sat there dazed, still holding the gun. As they both watched helplessly, Charles died. Cynara kept screaming in denial and tried to revive him, but to no avail.
“He is gone. He is gone and it is entirely your fault,” Elizabeth howled, her voice rising in crescendo. “You will pay for this, you bitch.”
Cynara just sat there inconsolably looking at Elizabeth, tears streaming down her face. Her brain could not assimilate the fact that her brother was dead. She shook her head trying to awake from the nightmare. Elizabeth was sobbing hysterically. Suddenly she stood up towering over Cynara and pointed the gun at her. She looked crazed. “Why did you mess it all up? Why? We were so close to our happiness. So close.”
Cynara abruptly jumped to her feet and pushed Elizabeth with all her might, catching her unaware. Elizabeth fell backwards, still clinging to the gun. “You shot my brother. I will make sure you pay for this,” Cynara shouted. She bent down and tried to snatch the gun from Elizabeth’s hands. Elizabeth held onto it firmly and lashed out, catching Cynara in the stomach. Cynara fell sideways. She bellowed in pain and immediately kicked Elizabeth’s hand that was still clutching the gun. The gun clattered to the floor between them. Cynara shoved it under the bed and jumped up.
“Bitch!” Elizabeth roared as she struggled to her feet. Cynara had already run across to the front door of the cottage and pulled it open. She ran out into the night and sprinted down the path towards the front gate. It was dark. The only lights were from the two pillar lamps mounted on either side of the gate. They were at some distance. Cynara just hoped it was too dark for Elizabeth to shoot at her from the back.
Cynara reached the gate without any shots being fired. She turned back to glance over her shoulder but could not see Elizabeth anywhere. She had expected her to be close on her heels. Elizabeth was nowhere in sight. Cynara quickly unlatched the gate and sank down on the ground just outside. Her tears continued to flow unchecked. Finally, after her tears had ebbed a little, she stood up shakily wondering what she should do. Her brain was not functioning. All she could do was visualize Charles dying.
Cynara tried to collect her thoughts together. Her phone was still back in the room. Where was Elizabeth? Was she still in the cottage? Why was she not chasing her? How much time had elapsed? She entered through the gate and started to cautiously walk back when she heard a car screech to a halt behind her. Cynara spun around and saw Bradley dashing towards her.
“Cynara, thank God. I was out of my mind with worry,” he engulfed her in his arms.
Cynara clung to him and sobbed, “She killed Charles. She killed my brother. He is dead.”
“Are you sure he is dead?” Bradley asked.
“Yes,” Cynara whispered brokenly.
Bradley just held her tightly. “The police is on their way. They should be here any minute. Where is Elizabeth?”
Cynara shook her head, “Maybe still in the cottage.”
Bradley let Cynara cry. They stood there until the police cars arr
ived. He then urged her to calm down and face them bravely. Mr. Brooks was the first officer to reach. Cynara narrated the harrowing events. The police took them outside the gates and told them to wait by the cars. Two officers stayed with them while the rest spread all across the property looking for Elizabeth. They found her in the cottage, sitting on the floor, next to Charles. She quietly surrendered. They led her outside in handcuffs and drove her away.
Epilogue
Cynara and Bradley bent down and placed the bouquet on the grave. It had been a year since that fateful night when Charles died. The bullet had gone straight into his heart. Elizabeth had been sentenced and would be spending the rest of her life in jail. She had really loved Charles. Her spirit had broken with his death and she did not fight the authorities at all. Instead, she accepted all the charges against her and gave a full confession.
Cynara could almost pity her except for the fact that it was due to her she lost her brother. She still missed him terribly. It was hard to imagine how Charles had lost his sense of morality due to his blind love for Elizabeth. Was love actually that powerful? Could it really cloud one’s judgement to the extent that a person is unable to distinguish between right and wrong? How could Charles have been an abettor in so many murders? Elizabeth had ruthlessly condemned twenty-six people to their deaths. Had Charles ever felt twinges of guilt? She would never know now. However, Cynara hoped he had.
Cynara sometimes reflected about all the brotherly love Charles had showered on her. When she first moved to York, he had called her every day. She now wondered how much of his attention had been for her and how much of it stemmed from concern for Elizabeth. She had discovered Abaan’s email on the first day of her job. All the events that followed must have been very traumatic for Elizabeth. Even her brother’s enthusiasm for finding a job and settling down in York was probably more for being near Elizabeth. Nevertheless, regardless of all his motives, Cynara was sure of one thing. Charles had truly loved her and protected her until the end. He had sacrificed his life for her, without the slightest hesitation.
Bradley put his arm around her waist and pulled her close. “Are you okay, darling?”
Cynara smiled at him and said, “Yes.”
Bradley had proposed six months ago and Cynara had accepted. Their wedding date was set for the fall, in October. It was a beautiful season in York. Bradley had quit his job in London and joined a local newspaper as editor. Cynara’s job at the school was going well. Surprisingly, everyone had been very kind to her there.
The Clemmons and Stewarts had practically adopted Cynara. They had been appalled by Elizabeth’s scheming and murderous personality. No matter how bad a marriage she had been in, nothing justified her actions. Neither George’s parents nor Ruth’s parents blamed Cynara for her brother’s deeds. On the contrary, they all had helped her overcome her grief. Jane and Margaret were going to be her bridesmaids and Mr. Lawrence Clemmons was giving her away. She was living her family’s dream and making a permanent home in York.
Bradley clasped Cynara’s hand tightly and led her out of the cemetery, towards their bright future.
A Bombing Enigma Page 29
