February 4, 1903| Likely Christian Church

"I think I'd like an outright confession," you say. Even though it's risky.
"Okay," says Nora. "We could try cornering him, although we might get in trouble…"
"Or," says Taylor, "we could offer to trade seats with Audrey, Daisy, and Sweetpea." Taylor points at her sisters, who are sitting right next to the Justice of the Peace, who is sitting next to none other than Tim Latcher. Tildie Simons must have moved. 
"Let's do that," Nora agrees. After a bit of coercing (mostly by Taylor), the three young children have moved, and, also, the move puts them next to Lily Jones, who was sitting with Katherine Soderstrom. You decide that the good thing about small towns is that people look after each other. You sit down next to the Justice of the Peace, and Nora then Taylor sit next to you. 
"Hello, Mr. Snifter," says Nora, who apparently knows the Justice's name. "What brings you to our little town?"
"Ah, well," says Mr. Snifter, "I wanted to visit my aunt, and also visit the town where my predecessor met his end." 
"Unfortunate, that," says Taylor. "I'm Taylor Fletcher, and this is Nora Jones and, next to you, Rose Thornton, and she's got something to tell the person on the other side of you, but she's right here for a reason." 
The justice looks around, confused. Nora elbows you gently.
"So, Mr. Tim Latcher," you say, leaning over the Justice a bit, "did you murder my great-aunt?"
"According to the speech that Mrs. Tildie Simons gave, you're not supposed to be mean," says Mr. Snifter. 
This is exactly what you don't want to happen; now Tim Latcher has a way out. 
"She's not being mean, she's telling the truth," says Taylor. "So speak now or forever hold your peace."
"Well…" says Tim, "what's your evidence?"
"Plaid cloth in her house," you say, pulling the cloth from your pocket. You notice his red shirt is patched. "And this note with your handwriting on it." You show him the note. "And that you never knew she was your benefactor. And the lock was forced. And she was lying on top of the covers. Among other things."
"I do have the legal right to arrest someone, and I'm also a judge, so I want you to say yes or no," says Mr. Snifter.
Tim throws up his hands. 
"Yes."
And then, suddenly, he gets up and runs away.
"Darn," says the Justice of the Peace. "I'm afraid I've got a bad knee, and I don't want to go chasin' criminals with no evidence. So, one of you'd better stay here and explain everything, even if one or two want to chase." 
"I'll go," says Taylor, who's up in a flash. "Nice talking."
"I'll stay," says Nora. 
Who do you want to go with?

February 4, 1903 | Likely

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Snifter,” you say. You run out of the church. The street is quite empty, probably because everyone is at the social. You hear some voices and turn towards them. 

“Honestly, did you really think you could get away with this?” Taylor asks. “And why would you do it?”

”Well, that is a long story, Miss Taylor, and you aren’t going to be able to hear the end of it.” You’re near the north end of town. It’s dark, and you realize that Taylor is tied to a tree. You wonder how that happened.

“You honestly think that you can get away with this?” Taylor repeats. “ ‘Cause you’re not very good at tying people up.” She wriggles under the rope that is tying her to the tree and points at you, then to behind the person who you think is Tim Latcher. You sneak behind him. He Is picking up a match.

Since you can’t think of anything else to do, you scream. “Boo!” He jumps and that gives you an idea. You set your green coat on the forest floor, hoping it won’t turn into a mess riddled with tree needles, exposing your white dress. 

“I am the ghost of Mrs. Smith,” you say in your most ethereal voice. “And those who are murdered do not go so sweetly from this world.”

”Egads!” Tim Latcher mutters. You hear footsteps behind you and move so that you’re in front of him.

“You will do what is right and confess to the Justice of the Peace,” you say in the same tone as before. He strikes a match on the sole of his boot and holds it up.

“You’re not a ghost,” Tim says. “You’re Rose Thornton.”

”So she is,” says Taylor from behind him. He tries to turn around, and she catches him with the rope he probably used to tie her to the tree. In a few minutes, he is tied to another tree, this time via a rope around his waist and then around the tree, with Taylor holding the end. 

“We could call for the Justice of the Peace and both guard him, so he really can’t escape,” she says, “or one of us could get the Justice, which might make him listen more.”

Which do you want to do? 

At this point, because few people appear interested in this (I know it's dragging on, but soon it'll end), I'm repealing the 'take turns' rule.

February 4, 1903 | Likely, CA

"I'll go get the Justice," you say.
"Go then," says Taylor. "Quickly."
You run down Main Street in your white dress, your boots thudding on the pavement. Then you run in the door of the church. Inside the building, you walk. You don't need a fuss. 
"Justice Snifter," you say, "Mr. Latcher was apprehended and is currently tied to a tree at the north end of town."
"So?" he says.
You falter, but Nora nods at you. "You can arrest him." 
"All right." Justice Snifter gets up and he and Nora follow you to the tree–except Tim Latcher isn't tied there anymore and he and Taylor are fighting.
"He was tied to a tree," you say as Snifter gives you a pointed look. 
"All right," he says. "Do you confess to the murder of Tabitha Smith?"
"I do," says Tim Latcher, who then tries to make another run for it. He feints to the left and tries to slip past Taylor to the right. However, Justice Snifter blocks him with an arm, and Nora puts her body behind the arm, although it isn't necessary. Tim Latcher puts his hand behind his back and Justice Snifter handcuffs him. 
You pick up your coat and shake off the few needles, and Tim is walked back to the church and handcuffed to a post. That's what satisfaction feels like, you think.  

———-

February 16, 1903 | Likely, CA

Your parents are set to arrive in perhaps ten minutes. They'll pick you up in a coach, and then you can go back to Alturas in the coach and take the train home. Not that you're really happy for this to end.
Nora and Taylor came to say goodbye. They both gave you their addresses, and they have yours. You also have the address of the Justice of the Peace and Gretchen and Justin. You decide that both you and Justin are probably better off not pining after each other from miles away. It would be boring, pining. 
You've taken the more interesting of Mrs. Smith's notebooks in your suitcase, as well as a present each from Taylor, Nora, and Gretchen (respectively: a wooden box, a nice pair of gloves, and a stone necklace on a lacy chain), and you're sitting in the living room. 
Here comes the coach, the horses' hooves clacking on the street. You look at the house one last time. You're okay to be going–it's what should happen, after all.
But who's to say you can't come back?

The end. 

——-

I hope you liked this, and thank you for reading it! I enjoyed writing it.