Dear Michael
I know your secret and, what’s more, I am going to reveal it to the world. That is, unless you decide that we could come to some other arrangement. I don’t see any point in concealing my identity, because you’re not going to tell anyone else, and it would be advantageous for us to discuss the various options.
In case you have any doubts about whether I really know or not, I will simply mention the name of Amy Yin. Amy was a beautiful, transgendered woman, but she was just an interesting novelty for you, and when you were done with her, you extinguished her, as you thought of her very existence as a threat to your rapid career progression. They didn’t really investigate her death properly, but I did, and I know it was you.
I knew Amy too. I was her lover before you, and I remained her friend throughout your time with her. I was her confidante, and I knew all about you. I even know about your “special requirements”, and I have a copy of the pictures and video footage to prove it too. I know you thought you had destroyed those, but everything has its price, and your staff have never been as loyal as you imagine.
I have waited patiently, and I have been busy too. I worked hard at becoming a valued member of your staff. If you reach into the envelope, you will find a photograph of me. I wanted you to see the face of your killer. That’s right, I said “killer”. There aren’t going to be any options after all. Both the letter and the photograph are coated with a deadly and rapidly acting poison. Simply touching them will have created enough contact for the poison to have entered your body through your skin.
Before you attempt to reach the door to call for help, I should probably tell you that I am the only person outside of your office right now. It is irrelevant anyway as you wont even make the…..
Adam heard the thump as the body hit the floor. He went in cautiously, ensuring the gloves were fitting properly. Despite the gloves he also carried a pair of fireside tongs and a metal bin. The letter was still clutched in Michael’s hands, but the photo and the envelope were lying separately. Adam used the tongs to retrieve all three, which he deposited in the metal bin. He took a small bottle of liquid from his jacket pocket and poured some of the contents into the bin. Finally, he dropped a lit match in there, and stepped back as the flame reached the top of the bin. After just a few moments, the fire went out, having destroyed all the evidence. Adam left with the bin whilst muttering: “Finally, Amy! We dealt with him in the end…and in the best way too. May you rest in peace now.”
The tears rolled down his face as he could hear her singing the opening lines to her favourite song….
“Oh, my life is changing everyday
In every possible way
And oh, my dreams
It’s never quite as it seems
Never quite as it seems”
— Lyrics from ‘Dreams’ as performed by ‘The Cranberries’, written by Dolores O’Riordan, Noel Hogan, Scott Rosser and Paul Spencer
Fraser
May 2023