"Officers, arrest this woman!" Mrs. Finch threw herself at them like they were her salvation, clutching at an officer's arm. "This monster poisoned my son and daughter-in-law!"
Andrew stepped forward to meet them too, his face a mask of grief, his words halting and broken.
"Officers, I'm her husband."
"I don't want to believe it, but... it was my wife who cooked the meal."
"She was in a bad mood today. She might have acted on impulse..."
"I never cooked."
My voice cut through his performance like a blade.
The officers hadn't expected a counter-narrative. They began taking statements from both sides, gathering preliminary evidence.
I laid out everything I had done that day, clearly and precisely, leaving nothing out.
"Based on the evidence we have so far, the murder accusation against Catherine Gilbert cannot be substantiated." Captain Seth Chavez's expression was grave.
Andrew and his parents went pale. The villagers erupted again.
"How can you protect a killer?"
"Do you even know how to do your jobs?"
The officers looked uncomfortable under the barrage of accusations.
I knew it was time for me to speak up.