Chapter 21 Scarlett

The weeds in the yard, now waist-high, swayed ominously in the wind, their skeletal shadows dancing across the dilapidated porch. A sense of foreboding washed over me as I knocked on the door, the sound echoing in the stillness of the afternoon.

The familiar wooden door creaked open slowly.

Compared to last time, Elizabeth's mom, Aria, looked even more worn out. She was thinner, more hunched, and her eyes were bloodshot and deeply sunken, like she hadn't slept at all.

Seeing me, Aria was initially stunned, her cloudy eyes filled with confusion, like she didn't recognize me at first.

A few seconds later, it seemed like she suddenly remembered something, and tears welled up in her eyes.

"It's you." Her hoarse voice trembled, like a withered leaf fluttering in the wind.

"Ma'am. Hi, I'm here again." I tried to make my tone as gentle as possible, not wanting to add to her burden. "I left in a hurry last time and didn't get to ask some things clearly."

I paused, watching Aria's reaction.

She just silently nodded and stepped aside to let me in.

She walked with difficulty, each step seemed like a struggle, as if she might collapse at any moment.

I didn't step forward to support her like last time. Some pains couldn't be soothed by anyone. All I could do was show her enough respect and give her space.

I followed her into the room, and the familiar musty smell and oppressive feeling hit me again. Elizabeth's portrait on the wall seemed to be quietly watching me.

Aria shakily stepped aside to let me in.

I quickly stepped forward to support her, a strange sadness welling up in my heart.

I could feel the deep sorrow and despair emanating from her, like a giant black hole swallowing everything around it.

The room was dimly lit, filled with a musty smell that made it hard to breathe.

The simple furniture was neatly arranged, but it couldn't hide the room's dilapidation and desolation.

A portrait of Elizabeth hung on the wall. In the photo, she was young and beautiful, with a radiant smile, forming a stark contrast with the old and haggard woman in front of me, making the sense of loss even more poignant.

Aria shakily took out an album from the cabinet, her calloused fingers gently stroking the cover.

"Elizabeth was a good girl..." Aria choked, tears streaming down her wrinkled cheeks. "She was sensible and filial from a young age."

She opened the album and started looking through it.

In the photos, from childhood to adulthood, she was full of vitality and energy, like a blooming sunflower, radiating warmth and light.

My gaze finally settled on a group photo.

In the photo, a girl stood next to Elizabeth, both wearing red dresses, their faces beaming with youthful smiles, like two blooming roses, vibrant and beautiful.

If it weren't for careful scrutiny, I could hardly distinguish them.

They looked so alike, almost like twins!

I pointed at the photo, asking, "Is this Elizabeth?"

Aria shook her head. "When I first saw this girl, I was curious too. You know, I never had a second daughter, but Elizabeth mentioned this girl, named Scarlett Perez."

"Ma'am, do you know the relationship between Scarlett and Elizabeth? Could they be twins or something?" I asked eagerly. It seemed a bit strange to ask, but it was possible that Aria had lost some memories due to some incident.

Aria shook her head. "Elizabeth never mentioned having a twin sister."

She paused for a second before saying, "She said she had an older sister."

"An older sister?" I frowned. "Does she know her sister's whereabouts?"

"The name she mentioned was Scarlett."

My breath caught, and my heart pounded.

Elizabeth's older sister!

The victim of "The Tragedy of the Red Rose"!

What on earth was going on?

I felt like I had fallen into a giant maze, with crossroads everywhere, unable to find the exit.

"Ma'am, do you remember the man you mentioned before? Do you have a clearer impression now?" I asked.

"I've been thinking about it these past few days, and I remember now. The man's name was Brandon."!

The male corpse in the cave!

I pressed on, "What did he look like?"

Aria shakily got up, went into the room, and handed me a photo.

The photo was yellowed and the edges were curled, but the person in the photo was still clearly visible.

It was a tall young man with a black scorpion tattoo on his arm!

He was indeed Brandon!

I immediately took out my phone and snapped a picture of the photo.

Just then, my phone rang. It was Isabella calling.

"James, 'The Catcher in the Rye' has released a new video!"

My heart sank, and I quickly opened the video link.

In the video, "The Catcher in the Rye" was wearing a clown mask, holding a bright red rose, standing in front of Elizabeth's tombstone.

"Did you think death would absolve you, Elizabeth?" His voice, distorted and chilling, sent shivers down my spine. "What you owe Scarlett... I will collect."

At the end of the video, he placed the red rose on Elizabeth's tombstone, then turned and walked away, his figure gradually disappearing into the darkness.

My fists clenched tightly, my nails digging into my palms, blood flowing through my fingers, but I felt no pain.

"Brandon... The Catcher in the Rye..." I muttered, my fists clenching, my resolve hardening. "I'm coming for you. For Elizabeth. For Scarlett. And for every victim you've claimed."

At three in the morning, the police station office was filled with the bitter smell of instant coffee. I had investigated Scarlett's situation in the police system and confirmed that what Aria told me was true. Additionally, I discovered that Aria had dementia and often forgot she had a daughter named Scarlett, which explained the previous confusion.

I stared at the cursor blinking on the screen, my fingers flying over the keyboard, lines of code cascading down like a waterfall, glowing blue in the darkness.

Isabella sat next to me, resting her chin in her hands, staring intently at the screen, occasionally letting out a soft gasp of amazement.