One Saw It All

It had been an agonizing two months for Alexa Parker-Quarles, as she was still dealing with the sudden disappearance of her wife of 10 years, Shannon Parker-Quarles, and it became worse when her body was found. It was a clear case of homicide, and clues and answers were coming few and far in-between. Alexa was waiting things out, taking things one day at a time, but it was definitely not easy for her. All that time passing with no definitive answers? It was taking quite a toll on Alexa, but she tried her best to mask it.

Finally, after all this time, Alexa got the call she was waiting for.

"Miss Parker, we have an update on your wife's case."

Alexa drove down to the station, but despite finally coming one step closer to something resembling an answer, the urgency didn't show in her driving. For the entire drive, Alexa told herself to remain calm and not to break when it came to whatever she would be told. Upon arriving at the station, Alexa was approached by Samantha Farrell, the head detective in charge of the cases ever since it opened.

"Thank you for coming, Miss Parker," said Farrell.

"Of course," said Alexa. "And it's Mrs. Parker-Quarles. I still want something to remember Shannon by."

"I understand," replied Farrell. "As I said before, we do have an update, it turns out there was a witness who saw something related to your wife's murder."

"That's good news," Alexa said with a contented smile. "So this person can testify to what happened?"

"About that," said Farrell. "The witness has been receiving threats regarding the case, she had been fearing for her life because of it."

"She?" asked Alexa.

"Fawn Dawson," replied Farrell. "She was in the area, and said that she saw someone with what appeared to be your wife's body."

"But you don't know for sure?" asked Alexa.

"We won't know until we get Miss Dawson here to tell us," said Farrell. "In the mean time, we just have to hope she comes through and the information is valid. I know you want answers badly, Mrs. Parker-Quarles, but I advise you: don't do anything rash."

Later that evening, Fawn Dawson had just arrived home after a night shift as a waitress, and she had quite a lot on her mind. She had been through the ringer, receiving threats from someone connected to the murder of Shannon Parker-Quarles for several weeks, but she decided to stand her ground and finally report what she had seen. Fawn had driven her car into the garage, but once she exited her car, she found herself face-to-face with a mysterious intruder donning a mask, who chased Fawn into the house.

"I warned you, Fawn," the masked intruder said, with a deep and ominous voice. "I told you to mind your own business!" Fawn's heart was racing due to hearing her pursuer threaten and taunt her as she was hiding in the kitchen. She was hoping to make a beeline to the front door, but the intruder grabbed Fawn and tossed her down on the floor before taking out a gun.

"Now," the intruder said, "I can get rid of one loose end!"

"Drop it!"

The voice of Samantha Farrell was heard by both the intruder and Fawn, with Farrell holding the former at gunpoint. "You heard me!" shouted Farrell. "I said drop it!"

The culprit dropped the gun, and afterwards, Farrell removed the culprit's mask.

"That's the one!" exclaimed Fawn. "That's who I saw with the body!"

Fawn wasn't the only one who recognized the face of her attacker.

"I told you, Mrs. Parker-Quarles," Farrell said as she handcuffed Alexa, "don't do anything rash."

Alexa was arrested and taken to the station, and once there, the truth came out.

"Shannon was a selfish bitch," snarled Alexa. "She acted giving in public, but she absolutely did nothing for me. All I wanted was a little money for an investment. That's all. It was going to pay off!"

"Investment, you say?" said Farrell. "We looked into your financials. Those 'investments'? Seems like you had a bit of a gambling problem."

"Don't shame me!" shouted Alexa. "That's all Shannon did was shame me. So I placed a bet or two. Shannon should have just dealt with it. We were married for 10 years! Her money is my money. Somewhere down the line, Shannon forgot that. So I decided conveniently forget to call 911 after giving her a poisoned drink."

"And then you tried to get rid of your wife's body," said Farrell.

"Impaired driving happens all the time, Detective," Alexa said with a sadistic smile. "And if it hadn't been for that nosy bitch, it would have been perfect."

Alexa Parker-Quarles' trial saw her plead innocent and attempt to claim insanity and portray herself as acting out of heated passion. However, the jury heard all of the details of Alexa's murderous plot, and the fact that she attempted to kill Fawn was another detriment to Alexa's attempts at innocence. Overall, it was a speedy trial that resulted in a conviction and a life sentence for Alexa, while Fawn was commended for helping put a crazed killer behind bars for life.