Yay! A double update! Well, sort of, you'll get Chapter 9 later tonight, so that's close enough.


Chapter 8: Through Their Minds

In the middle of Rose Square, Zack walked up to the Mayor "I think everyone is here. What's your count?"

The Mayor glanced over at Harris who was standing guard at the beach entrance "I didn't notice anyone missing either. Good, it appears there was only one murder. We need to figure out who did it."

Zack couldn't believe what the Mayor had just said, "What do you mean? It's obvious who the murder is! There is only one person in the town who is messed up enough to do this horrible thing, and that is Jack."

They passed by Harris as they continued walking around the perimeter of the crowd. He overheard Zack, "Actually, I have my doubts about that."

"What in the world are you talking about? It's obviously Jack! You're supposed to protect us and you are going to defend a murderer?" Zack was beyond furious. This was so wrong. How could Harris try and defend Jack?

The Mayor saw May and Stu's little game of tag approach them and he lowered is voice, "I know what you mean Harris. I wanted to believe it was Jack because that is the easiest answer, but something just doesn't seem right. I just can't place my finger on it."

"It takes a trained mind to notice what exactly was wrong with this picture. Do you know how Won was killed? It appears to be three very powerful blows to the head with a rock which crushed his skull. There are two things wrong with this. One, Jack is a farmer right? Then why would he use a rock as a murder weapon? Plenty of his tools, such as a scythe, would make much better weapons."

Harris wiped the sweat off his forehead. He really didn't want to say this, but he had to, "Second, I don't think Jack has the physical strength to actually put that much force behind a rock to crush Won's skull that thoroughly. There are only three people in this town with that kind of strength, Cliff, Gotz, and... you Zack."

Zack stood there stunned. This wasn't happening. No, he was joking. Harris had to be joking. He stammered out the quickest response he could give, "How can you accuse me of killing my dear friend Won? I was his only real friend. I'd never hurt Won!"

Harris sighed, "That is the exact problem. You were the only person who was close to Won. Most murders are committed by those close to the victim. You are my number one suspect."

Carter was sitting on a bench a short bit away listening in as Zack continued to try and persuade Harris that he was innocent. It was so horrible. Carter had always feared something like this would happen, but he'd always sort of hoped that he was actually getting through to Jack. It was the only possible person. Jack was the murderer, he was so certain. Then why was he so overjoyed to hear that Harris suspected Zack?

He was a priest, he should stand for what was right, not protect a murderer. But he couldn't do that. Somehow he had to get through to Jack. He stared off through the crowd to where Jack was sitting quietly by himself, his back against a fence. Why did you do this Jack? It wasn't right. Something so wasn't right. It made him nauseous to think about it, but the alternative made him sicker. He couldn't stand by and watch Jack be condemned.

Carter interrupted Zack's tirade of innocence, "Excuse me, Harris, I couldn't but help overhearing your conversation. I have been counseling Jack for a long time now. He shares his innermost feelings with me. Jack isn't a bad person at heart, he really and truly isn't. And for whatever it is worth, I do not believe that Jack killed Won."