Mark and Mr McCourt, both were surprised. Mark asked, “So who is that unknown person who did all this?”
I replied, “I have to say it's Mr McCourt.”
“Do you even know what you saying?”, McCourt said angrily.

I told them my reasoning, “Elsa told me that the unknown man told her something about her husband. It wasn't hard to see that she was talking about her husband cheating. Later I heard that McCourt wanted divorce from his wife since she was also cheating on him. I connected these facts and found there was affair between McCourt’s wife and Elsa's husband for which he wanted revenge.”

“... Also Elsa told important things only when McCourt wasn't there. She had recognised you Mr McCourt, even though you had wore mask. And most importantly, I went back to Elsa to confirm this, while you were still on phone...”, I lied the last thing to let him accept my facts, “... Anything you want to say?”

He was now in very difficult situation. He told truth, “Yes. It was me. My life was ruined, and that man was living peacefully with both women. On that night, I broke into their house. I stole the gun, they kept in drawer. I made Elsa hostage by tying her to chair. And we waited for her husband’s arrival. He came late. When he came, I...”

Suddenly Mark filled with anger grabbed his collar, and said loudly, “You did all this, and pretended you were helping us.”
I rushed and stopped Mark and said, “Please wait Mr Mark! Please! He is not the murderer.”

When I said this Mark stopped and got confused, “What are you saying?”
“Yes, McCourt didn't killed Elsa's husband. It was Elsa herself.”
“How can you say that?”, Mark said with anger in her voice.
“Elsa herself told this many times. Also there could be no reason she will want to get guilt of McCourt on herself. When I saw her, there was no hope of life in her eyes. It was evident that she had accepted she can't get acquitted. Now I guess, Mr McCourt can explain exactly what happened.”

McCourt said, “When Elsa’s husband arrived, I made him unconscious. I tied him. I pointed gun on her husband’s head and said, ‘I will count upto 10 and one of you will be dead. Now who wants to die?’
Elsa constantly said, ‘He is lying’ ‘He will kill us both’ and 'I love you David’.
But her husband was stiff and silent. When my counting was just about to end, he screamed, ‘I want to live. Kill her.’

I said, ‘Such a coward, he had made his decision. He wants you dead Elsa. He was with my wife. He stole my and now yours only happiness. I think you're better dead now.’ I pointed it towards Elsa but I fired on the roof. I dropped the gun, untied Elsa and left.”

“Then?”, Mark asked.
I replied, “Just like Elsa's father had killed him in her childhood with words. Similarly her husband killed her. She died first and then killed her husband. She is accused of crime she did.”
Mark screamed, “Why you did all this McCourt?”
“I never knew something like this could happen. I just wanted to let her know the truth”, McCourt cried.

“And you Steve, you told you will help me prove Elsa’s innocence. I think both of you just made this story.”
“I am sorry, but I am detective. I can only show truth not bend it in way you like. But don't worry, I have recorded all statements of McCourt. It will surely decrease Elsa's punishment.”
Mark fell on ground. He was heartbroken.

I patted on his back and said, “I am sorry my friend, but what could I do?
Murder always comes in pair.”

#ABCDark
© Dark_Flinch