Chapter Twenty-Four: The Night Before the River
"Sleepy, sleepy…"
A soft yellow lamp glowed in the corner, forming dark shadows on the wall.
The twins were finally asleep, their tiny breaths kept rising and falling beneath the light blue blankets.
Isabelle sat at the foot of the bed, papers scattered on her lap. The police reports, the last autopsy, the mechanic's statement.
Violet had written notes on the side with red ink. Some names were underlined twice. Some were scratched out like a warning.
She hadn't moved in hours.
Her back hurt, her eyes burned, but she couldn't stop reading.
Isabelle's hands kept flipping the pages, as if she might find something new every time. As if staring long enough would bring Charlotte back.
A little sound came from the crib.
"Aron?"
He let out a soft whimper in his sleep.
Isabelle stood and walked over, pressing her hand gently against his tiny chest.
His breathing stabilised a little. His mouth moved like he was dreaming.
