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“I’m not sure,” replied Valerie. “But maybe there are no winners here, and that’s how it should be.”
After a couple more drinks, Doctor Whitmore was saddened to say, “I’m afraid I have some paperwork I need to complete for the Board, my friends. But please, here is another bottle of bubbly if you’d like to continue celebrating in your rooms.”
“Well, I don’t know ...” Will didn’t get to finish his sentence.
“Thanks, Doc,” Charlie said, grabbing the bottle. “Come on, Will, Val, it’s a party at Charlie’s place.”
“Please do drop in before you leave tomorrow,” Doctor Whitmore added.
“We will, thank you,” said Valerie.
Sam said his goodbyes as he had a date lined up that night in Buford Town. Charlie ribbed him slightly about it. But nothing too demoralizing.
*
Meandering through the corridors of the residential building back to their rooms, Will and Charlie seemed elated, but Valerie couldn’t quite celebrate. She had something she needed to do first. Something from her recent past she had to confront.
“You’re celebrating this one more than usual,” Valerie joked as Charlie sipped a glass of fizz in his hand, bottle of champagne under the other.
“I haven’t had a lot to celebrate lately, I think I’m making a point of it, tonight,” Charlie answered.
“Your brother on your mind, Old Chap?” Will asked.
“Yeah...” Charlie said, his tone changing. “I wish I hadn’t thrown him out so quickly after those thugs attacked my house.”
“You were right to be angry,” Will offered.
“But I didn’t even listen to his side of the story,” Charlie mused. “Now I have no idea where he is.”
“We’ll help you find him, Charlie,” Valerie said, softly.
“Thanks, guys. Anyway, look at me putting a dampener on things. We got the Elmwood Killer.”
“Is that what he’ll be called?” Will asked.
“Either you academics or the reporters always get to name them, I’m calling it this time.”
“And what will the press call us?” said Will.
“Tomorrow?” joked Charlie. “Hungover. That’s what they’ll call us.”
As Will, Charlie, and Valerie walked through the empty corridors of the residential building back toward their rooms, Valerie felt a tinge of sadness inside of her.
She thought of Doctor Rebecca Winters sitting in her room alone.
“You boys go and enjoy,” Valerie said. “I’m going to check in on Doctor Winters, if you don’t mind.”
“I hope you’re not feeling the need to go over the case with her brother,” said Will. “That Culver Institute business is in the past.”
“I know,” said Valerie. “But I feel like I should at least say goodbye.”
“Don’t be too long,” Charlie said. “I can’t promise you that there’ll be much of this fine champagne left.”
Valerie laughed and headed off to see Doctor Winters.
The other side of the building was almost silent. No one else was around. But Valerie felt a great sense of relief knowing that she and others were no longer under threat.
Finally reaching the door, Valerie took a deep breath and knocked gently. There was no answer for what seemed like an eternity, but then finally she heard the sound of footsteps approaching from within. There was a click as the lock was undone, but Doctor Winters didn’t open the door.