Detectives Lukasky and Miles started their morning with a meeting with the DA and Police Chief O'Hara.
"So, tell us what you have so far," the chief started as he looked at the two detectives.
Detective Lukasky took a moment to look over his notes before answering. "We served the search warrant for her home and her shop. We were able to find the drugs at her shop, but they were legal for them to be there. She did admit that she did send some peanut brittle to the Jenkins home, and it was laced with the drug. But she also claimed that she sent a note with the package."
The DA interrupted and asked, "And did you find a note?"
"No, sir," the detective answered. "But this is a minor crime at worst, and not really enough to arrest her for anything related to Statute 1A."
"I see," the police chief said thoughtfully. "And did you find anything at her home?"
"Nothing really," Detective Miles replied. "When the officer and I got there, Alice arrived there with her lawyer. While we were able to serve the warrant, we weren't able to find anything incriminating."
The DA sighed and said, "That shouldn't surprise me. She's a crafty one." He paused for a moment and asked, "And what of Ms. McCoy?"
"The officer in watch reported that Mr. Jenkins and Ms. McCoy did meet each other last night, but that she pulled away from him." Detective Lukasky looked straight at the DA and said, "To be frank, sir, we don't believe she attacked Mr. Jenkins on purpose. Right now, the current theory is that Mr. Jenkins simply got scratched when he stepped between Ms. McCoy and Ms. Decrux."
The DA nodded and asked, "And what of Ms. Decrux?"
The two detectives looked at each other and Miles said, "Well, sir, our current thought is that this was all an accident. There's an alternative theory that Ms. Decrux purposely pushed Ms. McCoy's claws into Mr. Jenkins leg. However, the evidence for that is circumstantial at best. The claw marks on Mr. Jenkins pants imply that the claws were forced out, but Ms. Decrux claims that she couldn't remember exactly what happened in the fight. I hate to say it, be we've got next to nothing on her. So far, everything's been circumstantial."
The DA closed his lips as he thought for a moment and said, "All right. Keep working on it, detectives. Ms. Decrux has to have a weak spot somewhere, and if you keep pushing, I'm sure you can find something."
"In the mean time," Chief O'Hara interrupted, "I want you two to go to Ms. McCoy and let her know that she isn't a suspect anymore." He looked briefly at the DA as he nodded and then turned to the detectives. The detectives nodded their heads and left the room.
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Later that morning, a knock could be heard on Virginia McCoy's door. A woman dressed in her robe opened the door. Her red hair a bit of a mess and her eyes were a bit red. When she realized who was at the door, her eyes widened with a bit of fear. "C-c-can I help you?" she asked.
"Ms. McCoy? Can we come in? We want to update you on our investigation," one of the detectives said as he flashed his badge. She looked down as she moved out of the door, inviting the detectives in. The three went to her living room as the detectives sat on a couch while she sat on a chair opposite of them.
"Ms. McCoy, we're here to let you know that we don't suspect you of committing a crime," Detective Miles started as he looked at Virginia.
"What?" Ms. McCoy asked, unsure of how to process what she just heard.
Detective Lukasky looked at her as he continued, "So far in our investigation, the evidence suggests to us that you didn't do this. At least, you didn't do this on purpose. So, you aren't a suspect anymore of a Statute 1A charge."
She blinked her eyes as she could feel her tears starting to well up. "Does...does this mean that..."
Detective Miles nodded his head and simply said, "You're cleared for now." Virginia covered her mouth in a bit of surprise. It finally meant that she could get out of this house and see...but then several thoughts came to her head.
"And what about the school board? Ever since the incident the other day, I've been put on leave."
"Don't worry, ma'am," Detective Miles said, "We'll make sure that they get our report once we finish all of our investigation."
"And Alice?"
The two detectives looked at each other and then Detective Lukasky said, "There are a few things that we need to make sure of. I wish I could say we're done, but we're not."
"I...I see," Virginia said as she looked down a bit. "Is there anything you need from me?"
"Not at this time," Detective Lukasky answered. "If there's anything, we'll be sure to let you know."
"I see..." she said slowly. She looked up and smiled, saying, "Thank you. Thank you for telling me this."
The two detectives smiled back as one of them said, "Our pleasure. We'll be in touch, so don't get too far." With that said, the two of them walked out of the house, leaving Virginia alone. She wondered what she should do next. Should she contact the school board? Go see Harold? She took a brief look at herself and realized that there was one thing she wanted...a shower.
Meanwhile, the two detectives, after leaving Virginia's hose, continued their investigation.