Sorry, detective, but it looks like you've got the wrong suspect.
You almost had it! The mystery had a few tricky twists, but don’t worry - we’re about to uncover the truth behind Ashley’s death. Let’s take a closer look at the final reveal…

Later that evening, the police returned to the bed and breakfast. The tension in the room was palpable as Lily, Marjorie, Bill, and Diana sat waiting for the officers to speak. Diana had reappeared, now wearing the key necklace once more, clutching it tightly around her neck as though it were a lifeline.

Officer Dawson cleared his throat, his voice grave. "We’ve caught the man responsible for Ashley’s death."

Suddenly, Bill shot up from his seat, his face flushed with panic. "She was threatening us!" he blurted out, his voice shaking. "Marjorie wanted me to kill her, but I wasn’t going to do it—I’m not a killer!"

Marjorie’s eyes widened in fury. "Bill, don’t you dare—" she began, but Bill cut her off.

"She found out Marjorie doesn’t write her own books!" Bill’s voice cracked with emotion. "Ashley was going to ruin everything for us, but I wasn’t going to kill her. Marjorie wanted me to, but I couldn’t."

The room fell silent. Marjorie glared at Bill, but didn’t deny the accusations.

Officer Dawson exchanged a glance with his partner before speaking again. "Mr. Stone, while your confession is troubling, you are not the person responsible for Ashley’s death."

The words hung in the air for a moment, as everyone looked around in confusion. Diana's hand tightened on the key around her neck as the officer continued.

"The real killer is your ex-husband, Diana," Officer Dawson said gravely. "He slipped poison into the drink at the bar, intending for it to reach you. Ashley must have picked up the wrong drink by mistake."

Diana gasped, her face filled with shock. "My... my husband?"

Lily squeezed Diana’s hand as tears welled in her eyes. "I lied to you," Diana whispered, her voice trembling. "This key wasn’t a gift. It unlocks something valuable—something he wants. I’ve kept it close to me all these years to protect it. And now... I see him everywhere I go. I thought I was losing my mind."

Lily put her arm around Diana's shoulders, comforting her as the truth sank in. "It's okay," Lily whispered. "You're safe now."

As the officers finished their statements and prepared to leave, Bill, who had grown quiet, sat in a stunned silence. Marjorie shot him a withering glance, but deep down, she knew things would change. She would have to work harder now to keep her secret intact, knowing full well she could no longer trust her husband.

Lily watched the scene unfold, her heart heavy but her mind clear. As the night quieted down, she thought of Claire, who had fled in fear. She was right to be afraid, Lily thought. But now the killer has been caught. Lily knew she’d have to reach out to Claire, to let her know the truth. Maybe, in some small way, knowing that Ashley’s secret had been revealed after all would bring her comfort.

Nice try, Detective!
You were on the right track, but this case had a few unexpected turns. But don’t worry—there’s always another mystery to solve! Keep an eye on your inbox for next month’s Cluesletter, where a brand-new case awaits. With fresh clues and new twists every month, you’ll have plenty of chances to put your skills to the test!