A/N: This is it, guys! The last chapter, thank you to my reviewer, pumpkinpuss. I was thinking earlier, whats the difference between a reviewer, and a reviewee? Anyway, I know I'm leaving this story pretty open, but I'm not sure if I'm gonna write another one, if I get thousand of reviews bombard me, telling me to write more then I probably will, or I might. Or I might anyway, but it won't be for a while. So enjoy the last chapter, mwahahahahaha!!!!!
Chapter Thirteen: The letter
Dear Ichabod,
I know by now you will have realized me as the killer in Merry Fellon. I have therefore packed my things and left. I apologize that I leave you without a maid or companion.
As always in letter such as this, it is customary for the murderer to explain all that has happened, feelings and motives. I believe you know most of these things already, but I will tell you thus you know everything.
My mother, lately deceased, did not carry the name Archer as I do. She had married, I believe she married a man named Van Tassell. He was wealthy, and she had the title of Lady Van Tassell when they were brought together in matrimony. She is buried under the Tree of the Dead in a village called Sleepy Hollow, I do not know how familiar you are with local distances. I do not know, exactly, why she is buried there, and I fear I will never know.
I am not a bad person, Ichabod. You must know this. All I wanted was a decent service and funeral for the mother that I did not know. It was awful for me to attend Mr. Brinner's funeral that day with you, when I knew that there could not be such a time for me and my mother. But I do not regret what I have done, I believe I have done right, by myself and by my mother.
I do, I did have true feelings for you, honest ones. And part of me still loves you, it breaks my heart to know that I have left you after knowing your past with Katrina. Yet I also feel I have done right in the situation, and hope you understand, and I hope you forgive me more than Katrina, for my reason for leaving is true.
With respect to Mr. Brinner, Mr. Fawcett and Father Samuell. Mr. Brinner was the first to refuse me a service, I had not approached the Father as of that time. He did wrong by his refusal, and he needed to be punished for his wrong deed. I had been told my mother had been buried alive, I know this seems improper and impossible, and I know the possibility of it being purely a rumor. But Mr. Brinner deserved to go through what my mother had, and he was only awake towards the end. You note I carefully chose the time when you were out of town, and the rest of the community in the church, I am particulary pleased with that. It seemed so energizing that I could have been caught at any time, and yet, as the situation unfolds, I have not been caught at all.
Mr. Fawcett's case was similar, he did not deny me a service, for he could no grant one as he is not a member of the church. But he did refuse to help me with my search for rest for my mother. And so he had to go. Again, note his time of death. At night, during that awful storm. I am afraid the storm got me quite restless, and I was wet to the bone on that night. It was hard for me to believe you did not suspect me, when you caught me coming home. But luckily for me, I was able to throw you off by trying to close the door. It very nearly ended there.
And Father Samuell. I gave him more chance. And indeed, as you will know by now I have seen him tonight, and shall not see him now until we meet in heaven. I told him that today. And he did seem genuinely sorry for my loss, even though frustrated by my persistance at trying to achieve my goal.
I knew when you returned today with the empty bottle of poison you would suspect me, for I had access to both poisons proved as the method of killing. And I knew it would not take you long to discover my motive, and come for me. But I could not let that happen, and there was one last person left, Father Samuell. I trust you inspected my bedroom before leaving the house, am I correct? And you would have found me not there, for I climbed through the window the moment I reached the room. I suppose I can only be thankful that you did not connect the thoughts quicker, but you did give me plenty of time to kill poor Father Samuell and return to plant my note here. So, in a way, it is your own slow thought that killed the Father, for if you had been quicker I would not have had the time, you would not have caught me I know, but Samuell would still be alive.
However, there is one more person that refused me help, a person who I did not have the chance to kill. I beg your pardon, I rephrase that, a person who I did not get round to kill. And that person is you, Ichabod Crane. But do not worry, I will come back for you.
Claire Archer.
A/N: So there it is. Last chapters are always incredibly sad for me, but I'll see you all soon.
Silver Bell
xx