chapter 9: A web of deceit

Cassie was back in her office,analyzing all the information she gathered from Lily marston's old lair. She was trying to connect the dots in all the murder cases,when an unexpected visitor arrived. Deputy Logan Saunders, usually a calm and a reserved personality, but at the moment,he looked a bit shaken. He was holding a stack of documents.

"Sheriff, I think you should see this. I found something about the Marston's. I didn't realize that their ties also went way back..."

Cassie gestured for him to sit. He spread the documents on Cassie's desk before proceeding to sit. The documents were property records; Land acquisition,estate purchases,sales & resales, all belonging to the Marston's. There were also records of huge donations to influential figures in Grace town. The records proved how much the Marston's were also deeply involved in Grace town's history for over a decade now.

"And what does this have to with our case-the recent disappearances and deaths?" Cassie asked perusing through the documents.

"I don't know. But what makes them a center of our interest is their generous donations all these years,especially to the local authorities." Logan said sternly. "Paying the authorities always means one thing, covering up something...or buying their allegiance."

Cassie's thoughts raced. This explains Lily Marston's obsession with the Langston's. There was more to the story. At that point, it seemed to Cassie like the whole town had skeletons stacked up in the closet. There was no one to trust.

Cassie's phone then buzzed with a message. It was from Brenda,her old college friend; who was currently working in the forensics department. She was using her influence to help cassie get an analysis on the fibre that cassie found in the latest crime scene.

Her tensed voice could be heard over the phone. "Hey Cassie, the fibres you submitted for a test are from a custom weave,quite expensive. They're only used in high-end fits due to their hiked price."

Cassie couldn't tie her head around the outcome. "How come?" She muttered. "Grace town is not even close to being a hub for high-end fashion; and therefore anyone who wears the suit would be easily noticed."

"Thanks Brenda,send me everything you came up with." She said as she ended the call. A reality settled in, a strange one. The development she got from Brenda was a lead. The Marston's...the death of the girls ,there was someone,someone funding all these...something dark,everything was connected to the other!

There was another knock on the door,and before she could answer,the door creaked open. It was Principal Wheeler,from Grace town high. Wheeler was a very reputable figure in town,he was one of the people consulted in most of the matters affecting the residents of Grace town. His long strides, his swift gaze, and his serious expression could clearly tell he was an impatient man.

"Sheriff Greyson, I was hoping to have a chat with you." He went straight to the point. "It's about the rumors that you have been spreading, we have people talking,and the reputable image of Grace town is being ruined."

Cassie's chest burnt with anger. 'Image?' So he was only worried about the image of Grace town,what about the innocent girls who lost their lives?

"I'm only interested in finding the truth,principal." She said while trying so hard to maintain her composure.

Wheeler's expression remained unaffected. "I would hate to see this matter escalate into a big scandal. Be careful on whoever you point fingers at."

Wheeler then left abruptly without another word. He left Cassie's mind whirling in a pool of thoughts. This case seemed bigger than she had imagined. Everyone was clearly troubled with her investigations, and the case was cornering almost everyone. This went straight to Grace town's core.

Cassie tried piecing together all the hints. She felt like someone was watching her. She rolled up her window curtains and looked outside. The person was in a black SUV parked across the street,the same car she'd noticed earlier that week. The person in the car was always careful enough for someone not to catch their view, but she was sure the person was tailing her movements.

She knew she was in danger. But she was not going to give up,she knew how close she was getting.

She closed her files and was ready to leave the office,when deputy Saunders stopped her in her tracks.

"Sheriff, we just got another call,there's another girl who is missing."

Cassie's jaws tightened,her heart raced, but all this only rekindled her. She now more certain than ever that all the high-ranking officials,and the affluent people were involved in these crimes,one way or the other,she just had to look for evidence to validate her suspicions.

As she left the station,a single cryptic message popped on her phone

_"Remember, you ignited the fire;be sure you'll see it to the end. This is just the beginning,Sheriff."_

Terrifying!