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“It would be easier if you’d let us give you the serum. We can clear your names and start looking for the real culprits,” Councilor Trotman was saying.
“What serum?”
The older Black man aimed his warm brown eyes at me. “It’s essentially a truth serum, and the quickest and most effective way to eliminate you as suspects. I don’t know why she was buried here, but I’ve known this family a long time, I don’t think—”
“That they’re capable of murder? They killed my son in cold blood,” Sapphire said, walking up to join us. “They’re capable of anything.”
Isaac’s mother hated us more than he did, and that was a whole lot of hate.
“That’s not what happened and you know it, Sapphire,” Councilor Trotman said. “Let’s not dredge up the past.”
She ran her hands down her cream slacks. “It was only a year ago, Nathan. It’s still very much the present for my family.”
“She needs to leave,” Else said. “I don’t trust her and her creepy son as far as I can throw them. They probably put that poor girl there as revenge.”
Sapphire flushed. “How dare you.”
“Don’t try the Miss Innocent act with me, you old bag,” Else fired at her.
Sapphire looked like she was about to tackle Else. Councilor Trotman stepped between them. “I think it’s best if you leave, Sapphire. This is a sensitive issue, and the last thing we need is the two of you arguing.” She marched off and he turned to Else and Mom. “Do you agree to take the serum? All of you?”
Else looked at Mom, who nodded. “But not Rose. She’s too unwell and I won’t put her through it.”
“Of course,” Trotman said. “She wouldn’t be physically capable of this in her condition, anyway.”
“Fine, when are we doing it?” Else asked.
“Today. The sooner the better.”
The serum tasted like strawberry, something I hadn’t expected but appreciated.
“Is your name Iris Endora Thornheart?” Councilor Trotman asked me.
“Yes.” The truth was pulled from me all on its own. Even if I wanted to lie, I couldn’t.
“Did you know Imogen Lewis?”
“Yes. But only as a passing acquaintance.”
“Did you know her body was buried on your property?”
“No.”
“Did you kill Imogen or know who did?”
“No.”
The councilor stood back. “That’s all of you, well, except for Rose. I’m satisfied that none of you were involved in this.”
Nathan Trotman was a good man, unlike some on the council, and we were lucky he’d been the one who arrived on the scene first.
He gave us a sheepish look. “I need to warn you, the affects will take a few hours to wear off and will continue to grow stronger before it leaves your system. You may feel compelled to reveal things you ordinarily never would. So best you avoid going anywhere where there’s a lot of people.” He grinned. “Things could get awkward.”
Awesome.
“Thanks, Nathan,” Else said. “I’ll see you out. You know, you have a great butt. Joan’s a lucky lady.”
“Why thank you, Else,” Trotman said with a chuckle.
