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I needed to stall for time—until Mason could get the autopsy report.
Ingrid shot a glance at the cop beside her and spoke up instantly, “Officer, I know her motive. Lately, she and Iris had been arguing really badly… She did it out of hatred.”
Eli nodded in agreement. “Yeah, Luna's jealous and holds grudges. She's totally capable of something like this.”
Liam added a few remarks too, all made-up little stories about my so-called bad behavior.
Ian nodded, satisfied, and signaled the note-taker beside him to write it all down.
I shrugged. “You can just make up a motive on the spot. Whatever. I know someone's covering for you anyway.”
I shot a meaningful look at Ian, who was sitting in the judge's seat. He slammed the table, furious.
“How did I kill her? I have an alibi.”
This time, Ingrid and Eli fell silent, looking both angry and unwilling to speak.
I laughed. “You're convicting me without even knowing how I did it? Chief Ian, maybe it's time to step down.”
Ian looked like his eyes were about to pop out. If other cops hadn't been present, he definitely would've rushed over and hit me.
Time ticked by. The people in front of me were sweating nervously.
Then, out of nowhere, Liam spoke up. “You went in through the window. Around 4 PM. I saw the whole thing—I recorded it.”
His words hit me like a ton of bricks. Especially when I saw the video right in front of me. I almost passed out.
“You—you were supposed to be on a business trip. How were you there?”
Liam seemed ready for that question. He answered calmly, “Luna, I came back early to surprise you. But I never thought I'd walk in on you killing…”
In that moment, I finally understood why Liam showed up so quickly in my past life. He never went on any business trip—he'd been at the bar the whole time.
Ingrid let out a deliberate scream. “Ahhh! Luna, you didn't just kill someone—you played along with us all this time without flinching. You're terrifying!”
Eli and Liam quickly comforted her.
Ian made the final call, waving his hand impatiently. “Someone this evil doesn't deserve another minute. Lock her up. Carry out the death sentence ASAP.”
Everyone could tell how rushed and reckless this was. A few officers hesitated.
Ian glared. “I've been chief for years. I've solved more cases than you've eaten grains of salt. How dare you question me?”
No one wanted to lose their job over disagreeing with the boss. Instantly, the room fell silent.
As guards moved to grab me, I burst out laughing.
“I'll be a wrongfully executed ghost—and I'll come back for revenge.”
I was locked up for two days.
I went over everything that happened.
That day at the bar, Eli said he was going to the restroom. Ingrid and I went to the practice room first. After practicing awhile, my phone died. I went to the front desk to charge it—the whole thing took three minutes max.
Meanwhile, Ingrid went to change her pad.
I remembered glancing at the wall clock. It was exactly 4:20.
Iris must've been killed around 3 PM. And the one who'd been at the bar the whole time… was Liam.
A chill shot up from my feet. I rubbed my arms.
Just then, Ingrid showed up. She was dressed in flashy colors, like a peacock in heat, with her two loyal dogs trailing behind.
“Luna, we went to a gig this afternoon. Too bad you couldn't make it. You sad? Hmph. I'm thrilled. My life will finally be free of you.”
I looked at her like she was trash. “No wonder you struggled all those years on your own. You've turned bitter, jealous, and petty—like some low-life maid.”
Ingrid's face twisted with rage. She stormed forward and dug her nails into my arm.
It hurt, but it felt satisfying.
I leaned in and whispered so only she could hear, “You've got a thing for Liam, huh?”
Ingrid froze.
I smiled wider. “You're in love with a murderer—so in love you'd take the blame for him. How romantic.”
“But you know… Liam was the one who chased me. He still loves me, you know.”
