Anna had always loved a story and one that contained mystery and romance
piqued her curiosity. As Lily was telling the story, Anna couldn't help
but think that the pendant was key to solving the mystery of how Clyde
and Rose met their demise. Had Clyde's father's thugs killed Rose's lover?
"Lily, do you know what Memento Mori means?"
"Yes, it means reminder of death. In the olden days, they use to
photograph the dead as a memento for the living"
"Oh my! That is spooky. Do you have any idea where the pendant is now?"
"No." Lily said trying to avoid eye contact.
Anna wasn't so sure about Lily's answer. After a few moments of studying
Lily's face, Anna decide to press further.
"So, why were you here trying to take the pin? It would appear to be the
missing piece of the puzzle and you took a great risk sneaking into my
house. Perhaps I should go downstairs and ask Deputy Dippity Doo to come
up and ask you a few questions."
"Oh no no, please don't!!"
Lily's reaction to the threat was what Anna was looking for.
"Ok, I promise I won't tell him anything but I have to get rid of him,
wait right here."
Anna went downstairs to discover Kato fast asleep on the lounge in the
sitting room. After rousing him she made an excuse that she was tired
and wanted to get some sleep. Kato tried putting on the charm to no
avail and found himself sulking on the drive back.
When Anna returned to her bedroom, she found Lily sitting silently in
the chair with her feet swinging back and forth.
"Are you going to tell me the truth about the pendant?" asked Anna while
she closed the door behind her.
"Alright, but if we solve this mystery, I get the credit. The story goes
something like this. After Rose and Clyde were found dead, the Sheriff
had the house sealed off and only family members and the police were
allowed in. The police took a few items for evidence and the rest was
auctioned off to the public. According to the records kept at the
Opelika Public Library and Archive, Clydes father took all of Rose's
jewelry saying that it was a keepsake of her memory. Most of the
townspeople at that time were afraid of Clyde's family as they were the
owners of the Textile Factory that employed most of the town. The
factory was in financial trouble until Clyde and Rose were married.
Opelika went through a boom in the early forties because of the war in
Europe and the factory was taking plenty of orders to provide materials
for the war effort. There were rumours that the Sheriff's department was
taking bribes in order to protect the business interests of the factory
and the whole story was swept under the rug. None of the townspeople
wanted to stir up any trouble for fear that they become the next
victims. Clyde's father was well know for his brutal temper."
"You are pretty clever for a ten year old."
"I'm eight and half."
"I stand corrected. Tell me why are you are trying to avoid Deputy
Dumbass er Kaelin?"...
Posted by captainhoof
at 2:10 PM CDT
