I caught the odour just as Lydia was pulling the door shut. Not yet strong, but unmistakable. I walked up to the door, opened it myself. There was a body lying prone on the floor, a man in his twenties, fair haired and naked. His throat had been slashed and there was blood everywhere.
On the way back, while supporting one another, we tried to draw up a plan. We really did not want the police coming around again, given that we are already under suspicion for the disappearance of Philip and his loyal followers. We also didn't want to come to a decision without hearing first from Rhona.
When we returned to the house she wasn't feeling well. She complained of abdominal cramps and appeared to be running a low fever. She simply quipped that at least she no longer had to worry about how to end the pregnancy. Mother Nature had already taken full charge of the situation. Fortunately it was so early and she had lost only a little blood. The cramps were already subsiding, she said, and all she wanted was to have something light for dinner then go to bed early.
She could tell that something wasn't right with us, and after dinner we told her about the body. She didn't seem at all surprised, went thoughtful and quiet, then said, "I know who it is."
"The body?" asked Theo.
"That was Russell", was all she said. Then she excused herself and went up to bed...
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