Number two in the Frozen series. This drabble explores more of Jessica's thoughts during the Mirror, Mirror On the Wall episodes: her insight into Eudora McVeigh's two-faced visit and how it opens her eyes to her own inner evil twin - a storm that only she can calm.
Written for the Definitive Guide to Murder, She Wrote's Fanfic 100 Challenge. Prompt: Twin.
Jessica was no stranger to the concept of evil twins. It was a plot device as old as time, and one that she had employed in at least one of her mysteries. How ironic that she should actually come across an evil twin scenario in real life - and there was no evil twin. Not literally, at least.
When Eudora McVeigh had shown up on her doorstep, smiling and bearing a basket of apples, Jessica had had no reason to believe that her fellow writer had an ulterior motive. No, she was ready to welcome Eudora into her home and nurture a friendship with her. As they talked over dinner that night, Jessica was sure she was looking at a good friend.
That changed when a life was put at stake. Seth's life. He had eaten one of the apples Eudora had brought, all of which turned out to be poisoned. When Jessica faced Eudora in the other woman's motel room, she realized that she had been deceived by the "good twin." The Eudora she had confronted was the "evil twin," the one who had visited her with the intention of stealing her book... and possibly of murdering her.
In the jail cell, she saw both twins. The good twin who was mourning the loss of her marriage and her career, and the evil twin who would have done anything to remain the queen of mystery. Both sides of Eudora McVeigh were at war with each other, an icy inner storm that needed to be quelled. And when Eudora finally said goodbye, the storm had subsided. The good twin was the real Eudora, and the evil twin was gone forever.
As happy as Jessica was for her new friend, she couldn't help reflecting on the experience. Eudora's struggle had brought her to an important realization. Without even knowing it, Jessica had her own evil twin to deal with. This twin wasn't a desperate thief or even a conniving murderer. This twin was her own inner storm. Which did she need to fulfill the most? Her contract or her life? The answer awaited her once she went back inside her house. Only she could make the decision that would decide which twin reigned... and would calm the storm inside of her.