Author's note

Thanks for your patience :)

Here comes the next chapter

~~~M~~~

"Pssst, Aud, wake up!", Elyas whispered, as he slowly pulled his sisters blanket away, which almost made her fall out of her bed.

"I don't know, how to get rid of Vanessa.", Elyas said quietly. Audrey opened her eyes a bit and closed them again. Her brothers' bathrobe had a bright pink colour, which made Audrey feel like, it was hurting her eyes.

"Who?", she asked, and rubbed her eyes.

"That Girl, that came to visit us last night. You remember?"

"ugh… sure…"

"She won't leave the house, Aud, I don't know, what to do."

"Is she still here?", Audrey asked as she stretched her arms and yawned loudly.

"I don't know how to kick her out again.", Elyas whispered.

"I'll show you how.", Audrey said, as she stood up, surprisingly fast and stormed into the living room.

"GET OUT OF HERE!", she suddenly yelled, and clapped her hands, like she wanted to scare a chicken or something.

Vanessa jumped off the sofa, shocked.

"I-"

"Get out of here! I won't repeat myself.", she yelled, took a pillow from the sofa and threw it towards their guest.

With tears in her eyes, Vanessa fled.

"Was that really necessary?", Elyas asked, quietly.

"'Thought, you didn't know what else to do." She crossed her arms.

"You're being rude, honey.", Elyas said in a tired voice.

~~~M~~~

Sykes jumped onto a chair and from there onto the kitchen counter to have a better view out of the window.

At that moment Barnaby and Jones were getting into the car. It started to rain. Sykes saw, that Jones said something and Barnaby laughed. It was nice to see his master happy. The dog wagged its tail.

Sykes hasn't been able yet to show the DCI, what he had smelled on that one special burnt tree so many days ago. Their connection wasn't very good at the moment. His master seemed to be occupied by something else.

But it was fine. Sooner or later they were going to walk this path again. Maybe when the rain had stopped for a bit and the soil had some time to dry. The Inspector always complained about getting his shoes dirty.

Something behind his left ear told the dog, that he shouldn't give up trying to show Barnaby, what he saw. Maybe it was some kind of higher self-awareness or it was a talking flea. Who knows?

He sat down, still looking out of the window.

Then he stood up again and barked at a squirrel.

~~~M~~~

"Girls, I'm afraid, I have to tell you something.", Peggy said in a low voice.

Elyas crossed his arms and Audrey poured herself another drink, while Peggy fumbled for another cigarette.

"Honey, you've had enough. Sweetheart, please stop with that-"

"You are not our mom.", Audrey said and held a hand protectively over her drink.

"Someone has to take care of you idiots.", he said and sighed.

"Where is Grace?", Peggy asked.

"Packed her things and left."

He smacked the cigarette out of her hand with a quick move.

"Where did she go?"

"'Far, far away', she said, when I asked.", Audrey said, before she made a noise, that was something between a yawn and a snort, while Peggy took another cigarette out of a small box.

"Our lovely detectives won't like that.", Elyas said flatly.

Peggy went to the window, opened it and lit up the cigarette. "Hey, there is someone outside watching us.", she said.

"Is it Grace?"

"No."

Audrey and Elyas stood up from the couch.

"F*** get down!", Peggy suddenly yelled.

They all let themselves fall to the floor, when a stone flew through the opened window and onto the table, shattering their glasses and spilling a mixture of vodka and mango juice.

The next stone shattered a picture of an ugly flower. And the last stone almost hit Audrey, when she moved to reach for a piece of glass.

For the next minutes, no one moved.

"Is it gone?", Peggy finally asked quietly.

"Yes, he or she is gone.", Elyas said, who had carefully crept close to the window.

"I so hate Mondays.", Peggy said, as she stood up and straightened her wig.

"Everyone hates Mondays.", Audrey mumbled. She had spilled her drink all over her trousers. Then she reached for one of the broken bottles. "I'm going out there."

~~~M~~~

"Look! There is someone!", Jones whispered, when they approached the cottage.

A hooded figure disappeared between the trees, before they could come close.

Barnabys phone rang the moment he knocked on the door.

"Wow, that was fast.", Elyas said, as he opened the door.

"Did something happen?"

"I didn't get hurt, thanks for asking. But someone in a black cape was out there and-well-"

"I'll get that bitch.", Audrey yelled from somewhere behind the house.

"I don't think, that this is even the right direction.", they heard Peggy yell from somewhere above, probably from a window.

~~~M~~~

After Audrey had calmed down, and they had cleaned up the living room a bit, they sat down.

"How drunk are you?", Jones asked with disgust, when Audrey could barely fill her glass, because her hands were shaking too much.

"That's none of our business, Jones.", Barnaby said with a side-glance.

"I love that you are defending us.", Elyas said, smirking.

"I love being defended.", Peggy giggled.

"I love how you think we have the need to be defended.", Audrey grumbled, rolling her eyes sarcastically.

"Do you know which one of your enemies did this?", Jones asked and gestured vaguely towards the floor.

"I think we pissed off Vanessa a bit. Maybe.", Elyas said, his voice slightly accusing. His sister ignored him.

"What about Ms. Myers?", Barnaby asked.

"It wasn't Grace.", Peggy said.

"How can you be so sure?", Jones asked.

She just shrugged.

"Wait… Vanessa who?"

"I don't know her full name."

"Dark hair, skin and eyes, a bit squealy and annoying?"

"Yeah sounds like her."

"Is that…", Barnaby asked quietly and Jones nodded.

"We'll talk to her. She might be a stalker.", the Sergeant said.

"Oh, so you know her?", Peggy asked.

Jones looked away, unwilling to answer.

"You should be careful with that kind of people."

"I already used to have a stalker-problem.", Elyas said dramatically.

"Could you elaborate that?", Barnaby asked.

"Would you be jealous if I did?", Elyas asked, grinning.

Jones stood up, but the DCI pulled him back down next to him.

"How cute.", Audrey snorted sarcastically.

"We need the name, Mr Sanchez, if you want us to prevent future murders.", Barnaby said calmly.

"This was all a long time ago.", Elyas said melancholy.

"A long time ago? How old are you? 24? You don't even know, what a long time is.", Jones said under his breath.

Elyas just smiled.

"You know what?", Peggy suddenly exclaimed, "I'll bring you to your car. These were enough questions unanswered for today don't you think? We are very busy mourning our dead friends, can't you see?"

Barnaby stared at her, but then he nodded.

~~~M~~~

Three minutes later, they stood in front of their car. But they hesitated to get in The young woman crossed her arms.

"Bill is not looking for us. There used to be a 'stalker-problem', but it wasn't him. ...it ...Elyas was the problem. He was just being scary for quite a bit."

What is his full name? Where does he live?", Jones asked.

"William Stone. He lives in Finchmere. It's not that far from here I think."

"Thank you, Ms McPherson."

"You are welcome. …But.. inspector? He's not the one. I'm sure it was a woman. Something about the way she moved was so familiar."

"There is something you aren't telling us. Isn't there?"

"Well…"

"You should tell us."

"It's ridiculous."

"What is it?"

She sighed sadly. "For a moment… For a short moment I thought it was Claudia. But that can't be. Can it?"

The detectives hesitated to answer.

Peggy wiped a tear away angrily. "She is dead. Isn't she? They said, they saw her die."

"Yes, Ms McPherson. Thank you for your time. We will keep in touch."

They got in the car, closed the doors and Barnaby started driving. They watched her in the cars' mirror until she disappeared. She looked very lost.

"Do you not find that ... a bit ... concerning?"

"What exactly are you referring to, Jones?"

He hesitated. "Everything?"

"Yes, it is. Very concerning."

~~~M~~~

"The groupchat is getting emptier...", Audrey said, eyes fixed on her motionless phone.

"You usually don't even write anything.", Elyas reminded her.

"But I kinda like the drama.", she sighed.

Peggy coughed.

"Want a mint bonbon?", Elyas asked.

Peggy shook her head and continued to focus on her phone.

"There was something you wanted to tell us. Wasn't there?"

"Ugh. It's nothing."

"What is it?"

Peggy sighed. "Nothing. Really. I am going for a walk now."

They watched their sister leave the house, before they concentrated on their phones again.

~~~M~~~

The detectives were in their office again, staring at the board silently until suddenly and out of nowhere Jones asked: "Sir, we are friends, aren't we?"

"Yes, we are. Sure. Why are you asking that?", Barnaby asked, quite confused.

"I have the feeling, that you are hiding something, Sir."

"What makes you think that?"

Jones just shrugged.

"Everything is fine. And believe me, you are…" He stopped. Then he seemed to remember something and Jones saw his expression change.

The Sergeant nodded and the DCI stood up from his desk and reached for his jacket.

They both looked equally disappointed in different directions.

"Can you have a word with Vanessa on your own? I still have a few things to do. I have to .run some errands.", Barnaby asked.

"Sure.", Ben said reluctantly and went, but not before watching Barnaby go.

~~~M~~~

"Are you stalking me?"

Jones jumped at the voice that came suddenly from behind him.

"No?"

"Is that a question, Sergeant Jones?"

"You scared me."

"Sorry."

"What are you doing here?", he asked.

"I'm checking up on Vanessa. I feel a bit sorry for her.", Peggy said.

They stood in front of the house, where Vanessa lived. The garden looked a bit …unloved. The grass was high and the wooden fence was half broken.

"Why? It would be safer for you and your siblings if you don't interact with that kind of people."

"I'm fine. Thanks for your concern. I don't have much to lose right now.", she smiled genuinely.

Ben hesitated to answer, when he understood what she was referring to. Wishing to make her feel safe, so he maybe could get finally some important information out of her, he decided to change the topic.

"I wondered why you didn't choose a pseudonym, like your siblings…"

"'Peggy' is a wonderful name, what are you talking about?"

Jones was flabbergasted, by the annoyance and fury in her voice. But then she cracked up laughing.

"Nah, I hate it. But I couldn't think of a better one. All the other names I could ever think of and weren't already taken sounded silly. I haven't found a name that suited me, yet. But it is our parents' fault. Really. …That we never fit in."

"I don't understand how parents can do this to their children."

"Oh. Stupid names are a family tradition. Dad's name is Patrick McPherson and mom,... mom's called Pamela Parkinson."

He cringed. Then he laughed.

They both laughed.

"That's stupid. –sorry."

"I didn't say it wasn't."

"Pamela Parkinson..."

Jones giggled. "That is an awesome name."

"You think so?"

"Yes. All these names are- what's it called? Alliterations?"

"Yeah. Funny story. She kept it, when she became a photographer. Most people think it is a pseudonym. And she thinks that is hilarious."

"Well, it is." She smiled friendly.

He sighed and looked at his watch. Then he got serious again. "I should talk to Vanessa, now. And you should go home."

"But-" Her face dropped.

"Believe me. It is better if I talk to her alone. Go home. …And be safe. Ok?"

"I just-"

"Good bye." He smiled friendly and walked away, towards the house.

"Sometimes it feels like I'm only talking to myself.", Peggy murmured and then left, after watching the sergeant enter the house.

~~~M~~~

Vanessa opened the door and let him in. She wore black leggings and a black plain shirt.

Jones waited at the kitchen table, while she made tea. He listened to the noises her bare feet made on the floor, while he waited for her to start talking.

"What happened over there?", He finally asked.

" .Nothing."

He had never been to her house before, but he had some kind of image in his head, which compelled him to make a wild guess. "Where are your posters?"

She froze. " I threw them away. They were kind of silly anyway."

Jones nodded. But he was assuming that if he went upstairs, he would find a shrine or something equally disturbing. For a moment he was wondering, what he was even doing there. Should he ask to use the bathroom and then 'get lost' completely unintentionally, of course.

"Where were you this morning?"

"Nowhere."

"Vanessa.."

"Listen. I got kicked out by Audrey. Then I went to the store, bought five pounds of ice cream and then came back here."

"Could you show me the receipt?"

"Yeah it is in the box next to the table."

He reached for the box and looked at the small pieces of paper on top of it.

"Oh. Well. Thank you. I think I have to go now." He stared at the small piece of paper. Five pounds of ice cream. At exactly the time, the incident had happened.

"Wait. Why did you come here in the first place? Did something happen? Is Elyas ok? Oh my god! What did happen?"

"He is fine. Calm down, please."

She breathed heavily, already hyperventilating.

Jones stood up, his cup of tea still untouched. "Listen, I have to go now, someone is calling me."

And he left the very concerned girl behind.

Before he got back into the car, he acted like he was phoning someone. He felt, how she was watching him. Then he drove away as fast as he could. Well, as fast as was legally allowed.

~~~M~~~

The McPherson-siblings sat in front of the mute TV flickering nervously, all staring down on their phones.

"Who are you texting?", Elyas asked nervously, after he had watched his older sister for a few minutes. He didn't like that kind of smile on her face.

"Fred."

"Who?"

Audrey rolled her eyes. "From the hospital."

"I thought the cute doctors' name was Martin?"

"It's not the doctor."

"Ok. Wouldn't believe you would go for a nine."

Then suddenly he started laughing. "Wait a minute. …Really? The old, fat guy?"

"He keeps texting me- I kinda like the old man.", she smiled softly.

"He's a three. Or a two. …You dropped something, honey."

"What?" She looked confused to the floor.

"Your standards."

"Fred says he loves me and he will run away with me." She pouted, as she crossed her arms.

"You are garbage, Aud.", Elyas said, then he left his sisters alone.

"Don't let that ever stop you.", Peggy whispered loudly and grinned, "It's called garbage can and not garbage can't!"

"Why are you on her side?", Elyas yelled from the kitchen.

~~~M~~~

After they met at the office again, Jones told the DCI everything he had found out and they drove to Finchmere in silence. Barnaby refused to tell, were he went, when Jones interviewed the suspects and Jones felt mortally offended by the whole situation.

But soon they stood in front of a small inconspicuous looking house.

A young man opened the door. He had short brown hair, brown eyes, and boring grey clothes and all in all looked very mediocre.

"I am Detective Chief Inspector John Barnaby and this is Detective Sergeant Ben Jones. From Causton CID. We are here because we have a few questions concerning Elyas Sanchez or Phineas McPherson, depending on under which name you came to know him."

"Come in.", the young man said, sounding surprisingly relieved. "Please, have a seat. I have something to show you."

The detectives looked around in the living room, while the young man was away to get something seemingly important.

The walls were white, no pictures, a vase with dried flowers, a bookshelf with a few biographies of people they had never heard of. And then they heard the steps coming closer again and quickly sat back down on the couch.

"This is so embarrassing, but here you have it, Mr…Inspector."

Bill handed him his old phone.

"I couldn't quite bring myself to throw it away.", Bill said quietly. "Phineas was …something."

The detectives exchanged a look.

"He did something to my phone, so I couldn't block him. –I just stopped answering and tried to ignore this shit load of messages."

Jones took the phone from Barnaby and scrolled through the messages.

"Run away with me now.-P"

"This is not the right time. …Phineas, I just can't.–B"

"What are you waiting for?-P"

"Are you afraid of me now?-P"

"Don't you feel it?-P"

"Let's have an adventure.-P"

…

"Don't leave me.-P"

"Never leave me.-P"

"Honest to god I will break your heart.-P"

"I don't care, if heaven won't take me back.-P"

"This is who I really am inside. Believe.-P"

"I will tear you to pieces and rip you apart.-P"

"And I can't escape myself.-P"

"So what if you can see the darker side of me?-P"

….

"Look in my eyes; you are killing me.-P"

"I don't think I need you anymore, take the hurt and the pain I don't need it.-P"

They looked up from the phone.

"His sister was the real problem, I think.", Bill said, eyes fixed on the floor.

"Peggy?", Jones asked.

"No, Petra."

"What did she do?"

"I don't know, what was happening in her head. But she had this strange fixation. And …she pressured us somehow. And I'm not sure if she was just crazy, or…I don't know." He shook his head and then covered his eyes tiredly.

"What happened?", Ben asked softly.

Bill shook his head once more. He looked, like something was hurting him from the inside. "I really don't want to talk about it. At least now it is over. I had left it behind me. Started new. I don't want to remember. Don't make me go back there, please. It is a very dark place to be."

They kept talking to Bill, but there wasn't much else to get out of him.

It was in the middle of the night, when the DCI and his Sergeant drove back home.

~~~M~~~

Author's note

Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but someday, one of you, guys, has to make an in-depth analysis of this.

Seriously, I'm hiding so many easter eggs in my stories…

Visit me on tumblr, if you like to talk, or just quietly watch me reblog cute animal pics, memes and writing stuff or somthin'.

Anyway tell me what you think so far, thanks for reading and have a great day/night!