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By the light of torch-fire, Alice could make out a lone cedar tree in the field, around ten meters behind the truck. She also noticed a long, oblong object loaded on the back of the pickup.
She tried to process what was happening. She suspected she knew, recalling Marlene's words to Kilbride. "Is this the girl?" she'd asked.
Kilbride slow-clapped four times. "Well, Alice, you surprised us all."
Alice shook her head, confused.
"You found Brooke," he continued. "You solved the case."
"You hired me to solve it," Alice said, trying to remain calm.
Kilbride rocked his head side to side. "Actually, we hired you not to solve it. But the main thing is that you came back to us. And you were present for homecoming week."
The men in the creature costumes took hold of the arms of the throne
