Enigma Of The Killer Lecturer

Last Letter

'Soraya, Thank you for your advice. You're right, there's no point in living if I keep feeling sad. I love Josh so much, I can't live without him. I don't know what to do without him. You're right, Soraya. This time I will not back down again. Maybe this is the best for me. If Josh comes and asks where I am, please tell him. I'm fine in heaven now.'

Soraya's hands trembled. She couldn't believe this. The letter in her hand written in ink of despair made her act as the person who had pushed Kerry to end her life.

"This isn't right! I never asked her to do that! I don't know anything! It's not my fault!" Soraya wept. Even though she tried to deny it. However, it seems that some of the police who were nearby looked doubtful.

Her wet face fell limply. She didn't know why this could be her fault? She didn't understand, why she was the one who was the bad guy here?

"Miss Chamberlain, calm down! We are not saying that you are the killer. But, we just want to ask you to explain to us, what really happened the night before Miss Smith was found hanged?"

"I don't know what happened to her! We weren't very close. That afternoon I also met Inspector John Smith in the University X dormitory area and we talked for an hour. After that, I had coffee at the Orange Caffe and only returned home at 8:30 pm. I don't know what happened to her, when I came in, the room lights were off. I saw the reflection of Kerry lying on her bed. At that time, I just thought that she was asleep and I left the lights off, because I didn't want to wake her. I went straight to sleep after that, I don't know what else happened."

"Do you remember about what time you went to bed?"

"Around 9.20 pm. But I'm sure, Kerry was lying in bed at the time. She covered herself with the blanket."

"But Miss, after we identified the condition of her body! Miss Kerry Smith died about 13 hours before being found on Monday at 7.05 am. That means, she died on a Sunday at 06.05 pm. The reason why the room was dark was because the lights had not been turned on since you left your room on a Sunday at 2.40 pm. That means, by the time you return to your room at 8:30 pm, Miss Smith is already hanging from the ceiling."

"But, I'm sure I saw her leeping. There's no way she-"

"Miss Chamberlain, did you really see it in the light?"

"No, but-" Soraya fell silent. Her body felt very weak and almost fainted.

Since coming to the police station and being bombarded with questions, Soraya thought that she really wanted to give up and return to her hometown. Too many problems came her way and all at about the same time.

Although the case of Kerry's death was a suicide case. But, the police still want to explore the motive of the action. Especially after her last letter was found right on her desk which stated clearly that it was Soraya who had pushed her to end her life.

"Miss, if you have something to tell me. Please tell me! I will listen to all your explanations. Like the problem you had with Miss Smith and the reason for her actions in writing your name in the letter!"

Soraya was at a loss for words. She didn't know how to explain it to them. She should have reported all the harassment, terror and violence that Kerry and Josh had done to her over the past three months. Had she admitted it sooner, perhaps this ant wouldn't have happened. Maybe she and Kerry could have separated sooner and Kerry's death wouldn't be her responsibility.

"Me and Kerry, we've had a few argument."

"Was it a serious argument? Or was it just a casual argument?"

"No! That's serious enough, a few weeks ago we had a fight and Kerry threatened to hurt herself if I reported her behavior to the head of the house. But, because I was so serious and angry with her at the time, I left her alone in the room and she scratched her wrist with knife."

"Can you tell us why you want to report it to the head of the dormitory?"

"Th-that's because, because she-"

"Did something happen to her?"

"That's because she often brings her boyfriend Josh to have s*x in our bedroom and in my bed!"

"Having s*x? Really?"

"Yeah, really! When she took Josh she would lock the door and wouldn't let me in until they were done. I often asked her to stop doing that but she wouldn't listen to me. I was furious and decided to report it! But begged me to complain and threatened to kill herself if I persisted."

"Have you ever told a friend or someone about this matter?"

"No!"

"That's because Josh threatened to hurt me if I dared to report them. I was scared and decided to shut up!"

"Has it ever existed physically?"

"He- he-" Soraya stammered. She knew she was in a corner right now. If she couldn't give a proper answer, then they would definitely suspect her.

"Josh, he- he locked me in the art store and r***d me!"

"r**e? Joshua Peterson? When did that happen?"

"It happened on Wednesday December 12th!"

"Wednesday December 12? That means two days after Miss Diana Brown was declared missing?"

"Right!"

"Where did that happen?"

"In an empty art warehouse around 6 pm."

"That means in the university area? But, why did that happen? Why did you meet Joshua Peterson in that place? And what was he doing there?"

"That afternoon after I reported about the message sent from Diana's mobile number to the police station, I intended to return to the dormitory. But as I was passing through the architectural area and in the warehouse close by, I saw Joshua when none of the students had any intention of leaving. But I tripped on my leg and Josh realized I was looking at him, he got angry and hit me straight away.

"Next, what happened?"

"The young man tried to run away and screamed, but Josh immediately beat him until he passed out. At that time I had to call the police, but Josh knew and kicked the cphone in my hand. After that he-" Soraya stopped talking. The panic attack came again, shaking and becoming very congested.

Her face was pale, she knew this, the thing she wanted to remember. Tears welled up, Soraya felt very hopeless.

"What happened after he did that to you?"

"I don't know! I don't remember anything. He strangled me with my shoelaces and just as I was about to die, I saw him faint right on top of me."

"Fainted? What happened?"

"I don't know, I don't remember anything. But when I woke up, I was already outside the barn, lying under a tree around 10 pm. I also saw the young man passed out under the tree."

"Then, where is Joshua?"

"I don't know! I didn't see him anywhere. After that I never saw him again until Inspector Smith told me that Josh was a potential suspect in Diana's death."

***