Epilogue: The Verdict

[another day later]

         She was surprised when she got the letter. Delivered by a Janak demon, no less. She slit the envelope and pulled out the sheets, starting to read with interest.

  Dear Hallie,

         If you're reading this now, guess I'm dead.

         Halfrek raised her eyebrows.

         Don't be raising your eyebrows at me, missy.

         Halfrek pursed her brow, trying to stop them from being raised. Damn, she knew her well. She continued reading:

         Don't worry, hon, it's part of the plan. The Watcher was close to figuring it out and I think Spike, poor guy, was close, too. Surprised no one thought of this before, but few of the newer demons ever heard of the Themitic Clause. After the Greek Goddess Themis, Goddess of Justice. The Perfect Reward. A chance at dominance and new life to the demon that can avenge those beyond the law. It's risky and there's a lot of rules, but I did it!

         Quite easy, too. A simple encouragement spell was enough to get Giles to make the plans with subliminal suggestions for the location and such. Getting John, to do my bidding, spell and all, in exchange for not ripping his lying balls off for cheating on his wife (inventive wish, I think) was also easy enough.

         The hardest was the research, getting all the information on my victims. But luckily, there are enough older demons around who remember. I won't go into the details of who and how I got all the information about their crimes and such, but…

         Halfrek skimmed over all specifics and the names of demons and how much was paid and such and continued:

         Once we were there, it was just execution. You should have seen their faces, Hallie, when the 'voice' accused them! Twen-Tai has a very scary voice for a demon, I think…

         Dawn was easy, getting all hysterical. Slipping the cyanide in her drink, piece of cake. Tara, too, sneaking in her room and putting the poison in her water. Didn't even break a sweat.

         Giles wasn't too tough, snuck up behind him, they left me alone with me, like I could be trusted! True, I was scared for a bit, when I realized how close he was to getting to the truth, but luckily he didn't live to tell them.

         Xander was probably the hardest. I did manage to create a distraction by filling Willow's drawer with ice, in the confusion and her screaming, no one noticed I wasn't there. But when I actually stabbed him… He had suspected me all along, Hallie, can you believe that?! Needless to say, I was both sad and happy to see the bastard go.

         Poor Spike. I felt sorry for him, but he, too, was too smart for his own good. Buffy locking the door, thinking that was enough. I had keys to all the doors, it was my house! Oh, but get this, he loved Buffy… isn't that sick?! I mean, what was with Buffy and her vampires?!! Oh, and the bees? My favorite little touch!

         Of course, suspicions were now high and so I knew I had to be the next to go. I had initially bonded with Cordy, seeing as we shared Xander as an ex, and she was gullible enough to accept my reasoning that if I faked my death, I could roam around undercover and find the killer. I pushed on the weakness of her delusion that she's a good actress and we set it up. A little makeup, some lightening… they were all distracted enough by the cherry bomb in the old pipe trick this little kid in the sixties showed me to really check if I was dead.

         Soon, they all began pointing fingers at each other, and I have to admit Cordy was pretty good as an actress. Oscar worthy, really. Too bad no one else will ever know. She cried and screamed and made an impressive showing. She managed to meet me by the cliffs where I told her I found an old cavern, then pushed her in. She never saw it coming.

         Willow was also equally surprised when I pushed her out the window. She did think I was dead, after all. Her scream was covered up by the storm and I had seen Angel out looking for Cordy and Buffy crying in corner, over Spike, no doubt. Pushing the clock onto her was just icing on the cake. (I tried to stay as close as I could to the rhyme. Kept me amused.)

         Then, the best? Watching Buffy and Angel go at it after finding Cordy's body. Poor Angel. Never got to tell Cordy he loved her and killed by his ex. Isn't that poetic justice? Oh, and by the way, did you know that the seer had the hots for him, too? Yeah, Cordy told me she was in love with Angel! Can you believe that? I sure didn't see that coming! I just don't see what they all saw in Angel. I mean, sure, he's kind of cute, but… Had I known earlier, I would have tried to work it in, you know?

         Okay, gossip aside, let me say, I had no doubt Buffy would prevail. She got the heart of the first Slayer, that's for sure.

         Oh, Hallie, you should have seen her face, hanging there, when she saw it was me. Utter hopelessness. Normally, I hate killing women… I mean, hello? Patron Saint of Scorned Women? But the Slayer? Every demon's dream, I suppose and it was so easy, she practically did it herself! Don't know what they all complained about.

         But see, now for the big finale. The reason I did this. It was actually Dawn… I really didn't need to kill the rest of them, but I remembered the old story, the one that happened fifty years ago and it was such a kick! Besides, with the Slayer and her friends out of the way… time for a new order, know what I mean?

         So, here's the big secret, the reason I'm writing to you…

         Halfrek read it, her eyes widening as astonishment filled her features.

         Now, I got to go set up. A good sherry mixed with the rest of the cyanide will be enough to kill me… can't have the Watchers come and find me alive, now can we? Besides, it's a simple death to reverse. Now, be a good girl and tell D'Hoffryn. He'll resurrect me according to the clause and our line will rule! Isn't it cool? I can't wait to see you again and tell you more.

     Love, your vengeance partner in crime,

     Anyanka

         Halfrek reread the letter and smiled. It was genius! Really! Anyanka!

         But, she thought, crumpling the letter, Anyanka was so silly sometimes. Why didn't she send this straight to D'Hoffryn? You had to brag a bit first, right, Anyanka? You couldn't just let it go. Well, your loss is my gain, she thought, as she waved her hand and the letter in the other burst into flames. You should know better by now, rule one, never trust a vengeance demon.
         

         However, she did go to see D'Hoffryn but when she saw him…

         "D'Hoffyrn, I have a surprise for you…" Halfrek chanted.

         "What now? Can't you see I'm busy? Slayer's dead, got to take advantage."

         Halfrek smiled. "What if I could give you the power of evil, all wrapped up in a little ball?"

         D'Hoffryn paused then considered her with great attention. "Go on, I'm listening."

         Halfrek gave him a slightly different version, where she killed the Indians on the Island, slight embellishment for dramatic effect.

         "…oh, and sorry for killing Anya, but it was necessary."

         He waved it off. "Your point, Halfrek?" D'Hoffryn said, impatiently.

         "Oh, the best part," hurried Halfrek. "Well, I had the barrier, right? So, no power could get in? Well, by killing off Dawn, she released her power, the Key… and it's all trapped in there!"

         "The Key?" said D'Hoffryn. "The energy that could break the walls between dimensions…" he mused.

         Halfrek joined in as they said simultaneously, "…and unleash hell on earth!"

         "That's amazing!" cried D'Hoffryn. Halfrek beamed widely. "Such genius! Such intelligence! Such wisdom!" he praised. "And none of it yours!"

         Halfrek's smile disappeared as she did a double take. "Huh?"

         "Oh, Halfrek, you mean to convince me you thought of this?"

         "Why, yes…"

         "Tell me, then, how did you get away from them? They never saw you? They did search the island…" he asked.

         "Well, I… I… teleported around," she answered. "I evaded them, easy, really."

         D'Hoffryn considered this. "Yes, you're right," he said, to her apparent relief. "Except… you were in a bubble with no powers!"

         Halfrek's eyes widened as she realized she had been caught in a lie.

         D'Hoffryn laughed. "Silly girl, you can't fool me. Besides, this sounds like Anyanka's work… she did it, right? Sacrificed herself, hoping I'll resurrect her?"

         Halfrek nodded, sadly. "The Themitic Clause."

         "Ahhh, I had forgotten about that… Brilliant, really… And you stole it… hmm… good work…"

         "Really?" said Halfrek, looking up with hope.

         "Why, yes," added D'Hoffryn. "Wouldn't expect less from one of my own. Very good indeed…" He turned away from her and flicked his hand, sending Halfrek screaming up into a burst of flames. "Not good enough to save you, though," he said to himself.

         He barked orders to his minions, preparing to channel the Key's energy out of the balloon before the damned Watchers released it and ordering the death of the other Slayer.

         He looked out the window and gazed at the green earth below and found it good. But, not for long, he thought. Halfrek and Anyanka were right; there was a new order coming, he thought, imagining the damage hell can do to this dimension.

         An order where demons will be free to roam anywhere, free for the grasp of humans and the force of good. An order free from the shackles imposed by the Slayer.

         But it would his order and he would rule.

         --THE END--

My Silly Comments

         First, let me say that this Agatha Christie story was one of my favorites and I tried so hard to stay true to the story and similarily to the characters of BtVS. I'd like to think I did that to a certain degree. So, when many of you wrote and said I did, I was extremely happy to hear that.

         This has been the most "popular" story I've written in terms of feedback, so I'd like to thank the people that took the time to praise, comment and/or vote on the story. You guys were true inspiration. So, Sophie, Lauren, Imzadi, Jane, Angel, RedThunder, Supes, Smooth, Angelus, Emily, Susanne, Falcon-Rider, Leena, you all were fabulous people to talk to. Thank you.

         Extra thanks go to...
         - Angelica, who managed to get me the Latin translation of Giles' ill-fated spell in record time! Props, babe… To overflow her with similar praise, you can reach her at: Angelica Rich, arich@safelink.net
         - Lauren also has my fic up at her site: bailunrui.buffymail2002.com ... thanks again.
         - Falcon-Rider also asked and although it's not up there now, you can check out the new home at: www.geocities.com/starsightvoices ... I'll be sending you the files soon, hon!

         I also have it (and my other stories) on fanfiction.net at: www.fanfiction.net/profile.php?userid=325651 and on my own website (with lots of extras, floorplans and mp3s!!) at www.in-the-palm-of-your-hand.com/fanfic

         Okay... suspect poll...

         TOTAL POLL: out of a total of thirty-four votes (!yea!) over two weeks, we have the following breakdowns:
         Name - Number of votes - Percentage
         Anya - 11 - 32%
         Dawn - 6 - 17%
         Giles - 4 - 12%
         Angel(us) - 4 - 12%
         Spike - 4 - 12%
         Buffy - 2 - 6%
         Willow - 1 - 3%
         Cordy - 1 - 3%
         Xander - 0 - 0%

         Yup... so, you all thought it was Anya, huh? ;-) Was I obvious, I wonder? You all seemed to vote that way...

         No, actually, some of you correctly guessed some of my hidden "hints". For those who read the original book, they guessed the killer was probably "killed" in the same order, that being the fourth-to-last to go (so, you were right, RedThunder!). Anya was the fourth-to-last to die, in the same manner, in the "Judge's" outfit.

         And as Angelus pointed out to me, in the original novel, the Judge is the killer and fakes his death so he can kill the others, so does Anya convince Cordy to help her out. In my mind, only Cordy was ditzy enough to fall for that. (sorry, but it's true...)

         Also, as Jane pointed out in a feedback, the Judge was the only one who didn't believe he was responsible for his crime, as was Anya. In her monologue, it may seem that way, but if you read closely, she was trying to convince herself that what she did was right but says:

         Besides, it was too late now, what's done was done. She couldn't take it back. Not now. Not anymore…

         Here, she actually means it's too late to stop her plan to complete the Themitic Clause, even if she wanted to. Had she stopped, the rest would have found out it was her and... well, hell hath no fury like a Slayer scorned, right? ;-)

         Another "hint", unrelated to the original novel, was no one bothered to check if she (Anya) was dead! Emily spotted that only Cordy (who was in on it) saw that she was dead and the others (Angel, Buffy and Willow) were so shell-shocked that they didn't even enter the room!

         But overall, I tried to keep a "reasonable doubt" that any of them could have done it. And it's true. Yet, I liked the side story about how Anya was doing this for a "greater cause", only to be hoodwinked at the end, first by Halfrek, then D'Hoffryn. Gues evil doesn't play fair, huh? I know some of you were hoping for a sequel and I kept saying wait, knowing that at the end of the fic... well, not much of a world left to do anything, eh? Something that was foreshadowed in the prologue with Faith's dead body beside her diary entry in prison. Guess D'Hoffryn managed to get the last Slayer after all. A new order. Glad I'm not there... ::whew::

         So, I'm glad you all enjoyed it and I hope to have more great fic for you soon. I hope it wasn't too anti-climatic, though... you all were great at guessing.

         Thanks again for all your feedback! I love you all! ;-)