My father's killer episode 2b

***
After I left my daughter's ward, I went home, making a mental note to visit Mrs Dickson first thing the next day. I sank into my bed and found myself, for the first time in a long time, saying
"Thank you dear Lord"
Either the silence in the house or the absense of my daughter's singing took me back to her ward that night. I forgot I hadn't even showered.
At the hospital that night, my beautiful daughter laid in her bed with her eyes shut. I ran to her, took her hands and buried my face in them.
"Mom" my daughter called.
I quickly raised my head.
"Juliet, are you okay? Should I call the doctor?"
"No need for that mom, she was here a few minutes ago. I think you should go see her"
I smiled to myself. Even in her current state, she didn't stop talking as much as usual. I hugged her and planted a kiss on her forehead before going to the doctor's office. I smiled at every face I met on my way there. A single tap on the doctor's office door and I walked in.
"Oh! Mrs Becky, I was hoping you would come. You almost missed me though. But since you are here, please sit."
I said nothing, I just kept smiling at her.
"We ran a number of tests on Juliet" she continued. "Although I don't have a medical explanation to what happened today, your dead child came back to life. From her test results, she has an enviromental airborne allergy. The amount of smoke she inhaled that night threw her into a state of coma. A miracle must have happened to have cleared her lungs"
Doctor Fustina laughed at what she thought was a joke, but to me, a confirmation. It was a miracle, difficult to believe.

***
I wheeled Mrs Dickson into where her husbands house used to be. Workers were busy clearing what was left on the land. She sat peacefully in her wheelchair staring at what was left of her husband's house. I didn't know of a better way to break the news to her. After staring at the spot for a while, she finally spoke up. What she said for a split second cut my breath.
"Is this her best?"
"Excuse me?" I begged her pardon but she didn't reply. I noticed she was staring at the house opposite theirs.
"Where is my child and inlaw?"
"I'm sorry ma, but they are..."
"both dead" she completed the sentence.
"There is no need to apologize" she continued. "Just get me out of here"

***
The next morning, after a phone call with Mrs Dickson, I went to see her at the hotel she had opted for. I finally got into her room after the long, annoying, usual hotel procedures.
"Good morning Mrs Dickson"
"You are here to ask about Rose"
Who is Rose? I thought to myself. She just smiled at me and said
"Good morning detective. Forgive my manners, please sit"
I sat on the chair she offered beside the dressing table.
"I wouldn't want to waste your time. The truth is Rose killed my brother-in-law, my daughter and my husband"
It took me a while to take this in.
"Why are you just mentioning this after two years?" I asked.
"I never believed her when she threatened to set everything I hold dear ablaze"
I just listened.

FLASHBACK
In Rose's house, Mrs Dickson is arguing with Rose.
"Disgusting pig. You've decided to cast your net at my husband"
"What?"
"Whore! Tell me you aren't sleeping with my husband. Everyone knows you on this street. You can't deny it. Ashawo. Prostitute. Stay away from my husband and my marriage"
Mrs Dickson turned to leave when Rose held her hand, with tears in her eyes and said,
"For this humilation, everything you hold dear, I would set ablaze"

PRESENT
"Wow" I whispered to myself. Mrs Dickson smiled again and said
"Just do your job"
I took that as a green light to leave. I kept reminding myself that I have to talk to Juliet.

***
Juliet was at home the afternoon of the same day. She had been discharged from the hospital but with a load of drugs. She and her mom are in a heated argument. Juliet seems to be more in tears than in anger.
"What were you doing there?"
Juliet explains that she had only gone there to visit her bestfriend. This got her mom even more furious.
"You were supposed to be in bed by that time. Eight pm is too late for a nineteen year old girl to be on the streets. Just get out of my sight"
Just as she was about leaving, she spoke up.
"I saw her"
"Who?"
"I didn't know what she was doing, but I could perceive fuel around me"
The detective in Mrs Becky made her listen silently.
"I was about leaving the premises when the fire started"...

FLASHBACK
Juliet was a bit soaked due to the rain of the evening by the time she arrived Inemesit's house. She walked straight to the window by the kitchen where she heard voices. Juliet and her uncle were arguing.

PRESENT
"And what did you do?" her mother asked.
"I turned to leave, but changed my mind and kept watching them. I noticed some movement from another end of the house. I ignored it at first and kept watching. But then, the fire started. I saw her run for the exit. If she noticed me, I don't know. I tried to leave the house too, but the smoke filled my lungs. I couldn't breath. Everything went blank. That's all I recall"
"Who is she?"
"Rose"
"Who?"
"Their neighbour. She stays opposite their house"
"Rose" Mrs Becky said to herself thoughtfully
"the same Rose"
She looked at her daughter from head to toe and back
"Go upstairs" she ordered. Juliet hurried up the stairs.
"And!" her mother raised her voice. Juliet froze.
"No one should hear this. Rose needs to have a chat with the police force"

***

Someone shows up at Mrs Becky's office with the story of the events that happened before, during and after the death of late Doctor Dickson. Who is she?

Find out in
MY FATHER'S KILLER
CHAPTER 3
THE TRUTH(coming next)