Disclaimer:Harvest Moon and all characters are owned by Nastume. I do not stake any claim to any of the characters used in this story.

Chapter 3-Has the murderer been caught?

Harris wasn't at Thomas's home, so Jack checked the library next. When he got there, he saw that the blood has been cleaned, and the chalk outline of Mary's body was on the floor. Her broken glasses were still where Jack found them.

Harris and Thomas were there, talking about the case.

"We were able to gather enough information from the doctor's autopsy and the clues around here to find out exactly what happened." Harris said. "She was standing here at the bookshelf, her back turned towards the door, when the killer walked in. She turned around to talk to that person, when she was slammed violently against the bookshelf, which is how her glasses ended up on the floor. There may have been some words exchanged before the killer slit her neck with a knife or similar weapon. While running out, the killer stepped on the glasses, which is how they were broken."

Then Thomas noticed Jack standing there.

"Hello Jack," The mayor said. "I would think this would be the last place you would want to come to."

"Officer Harris, I think I know who the killer is." Jack said.

"Are you absolutely sure?" Harris asked.

"No, but it's a good place to start," Jack said

A few moments later, the three of them walked into the inn.

"What brings you three here?" Doug asked. "Can I get you three anything to eat?"

"Doug, we have reason to believe that Ann was involved in Mary's murder." Harris said.

"What?" Doug said. "That's ridiculous."

"I'm sorry, sir. But we have to take Ann into custody." Harris said. "Where is she?"

"She's upstairs. But she's not a murderer," Doug said. "She would never do anything like that."

Harris ignored him and walked upstairs. In a couple of minutes, he was leading Ann down the stairs, in handcuffs.

"I'm telling you, I didn't do it!" Ann yelled, as she was led out of the Inn.

Since there was very little crime in Mineral Town, there wasn't an official jail. However, there was a small room in Thomas's house, with bars on the window, that served as a cell. The door had a small window cut into it, which also had bars on it.

There was also no judicial system, so all court cases were handled in a city on the other side of the lake. After the papers for the case were sent, the courts sent back a court date. Since nobody in Mineral Town was able to afford a lawyer, Ann's case would be defended by a public defender.

After Ann was locked up, she asked to talk to Jack-alone.

"I'm not sure about that," Thomas said.

"Don't worry. The cell can't be unlocked without a key, and I have the only one," Harris said.

"Very well. But we'll be right outside, so don't try anything funny." Thomas said, as they left.

"Jack, you have to believe me. I couldn't kill anyone," Ann said, once they were alone.

"Ann, I want to believe you. But you were pretty determined to get revenge on me for not marrying you," Jack said.

"Jack, I was angry, heartbroken, and not thinking clearly when I yelled that at you. After getting home that day, I pretty much cried all afternoon. After calming down, I realized how childish I was acting. And I realized that if I really loved you, I would be happy for you, even if you weren't marrying me," Ann said. "It was too late to talk to you that night, but I planned to apologize to you the next morning, and also congratulate Mary. I never got the chance."

"So you got over it in one evening?" Jack asked.

"Well...Cliff was a big help as well," Ann said. "But that's not the point. The point is, her real killer is out there, and you need to find him...or her...and get me out of here. Because I'm suspected of murder, they won't post bail. The food is okay, since it's from the Inn. But I still want to get out of here."

"I'm not sure I believe you," Jack said. "But I will see what I can find, and maybe I'll find some evidence to get you out."

Ann smiled at him.

"Thanks," she said.

To be continued in Chapter 4-The Murder weapon Found.

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Chapter 4 may take a little while. Be patient.