Derek’s POV

As I sit across from Victoria, my mind races. How can this evening be going so wrong?

All I want is a nice Valentine’s date to get to know her better. But now, here we are in the emergency room waiting area at midnight, hoping the medical team can pump her stomach in time.

“I’m so sorry.” I take her hand in mine. “That chocolate mousse looked too good to pass up. I thought you would like it.”

Victoria groans. “How was I supposed to know you’d sneak extra nuts and chocolate into the recipe? I’m allergic to hazelnuts!” She coughs. “Some date this turned out to be.”

A doctor enters, scratching his head. “Well, the stomach pumping worked. But we found something... concerning.” He lowers his voice. “It appears the nuts and chocolate were laced with poison. Arsenic, to be exact.”

Victoria gasps. “Poison? But why... who would...”

I feel sick to my stomach. “I don’t understand. The mousse came from a shop down the street. I watched the owner make it fresh just for our date.”

The doctor nods. “We alerted the police. They’re investigating the shop now. In the meantime, you both need to answer some questions. Officer Bailey here will speak with you.”

A stout policewoman enters, notepad in hand. “Alright, you two. Start from the beginning and tell me everything you remember about this evening. No detail is too small.”

Victoria sighs. “Well, it all started when Derek asked me out for a Valentine’s dinner...”

She recounts the night’s events. I listen, my face paling with each innocent detail Victoria provides. When she finishes, Officer Bailey turns to me.

“It’s as Victoria said,” I begin lowly. “After dinner, we went to the little bakery down the street. I watched the owner, Mrs. Johnson, make the mousse fresh for us. She’s been working there for years, and everything always looked so clean.”

I pause, taking a deep breath as I forge ahead with my lie. “It must have been meant for me. I’ve made some enemies in my business deals. Maybe one of them wanted to get revenge.”

Bailey turns to Victoria. “Miss, does any part of Mr. Derek’s story sound suspicious to you?”

Victoria frowns as she replays the evening in her mind. “Now that you mention it, there are a few things that seem odd. Derek was insistent that we try the mousse. And he watched the lady make it, yet he never once mentioned tasting it himself first to see if it was any good.”

She turns to me. “Also, when we first sat down, you went on and on about how much you were looking forward to that mousse. Almost like you knew it would be there. But you didn’t say a word about any other dishes on the menu.”

I sweat. “I—I was just craving for something chocolatey for Valentine’s Day. That’s all.”

Officer Bailey eyes me suspiciously, but says, “Alright, let’s not jump to conclusions. We’ll need to investigate this further.” She turns to Victoria. “Miss, I know this has been an ordeal, but is there anything else you can tell us that may help with our investigation? Any other details you noticed about Mr. Derek or the bakery?”

Victoria closes her eyes, thinking hard. “No, I’m afraid not. Everything seemed normal.” She sighs wearily. “Can I please rest now, officer? I’m still feeling quite unwell.”

“Of course. I’ll let you get some sleep. But please don’t leave town — there are more questions for you both later. For now, I’ll head to the bakery and check things out. We’ll be in touch.” With that, Officer Bailey takes her leave.

As soon as the door closes, I turn to Victoria, grabbing her arm. “Why did you tell her all that? Now she’s going to investigate me. This wasn’t supposed to happen!”

Victoria winces, trying to pull away. “Let go of me, Derek! All I did was answer her questions honestly. Something seems off about your story, and the officer needs to find out what really happened.”

I yank her closer, glaring into her wide eyes. “You want to know what really happened? I poisoned that mousse, just like the doctor said. I didn’t want some pesky little woman like you getting in my way.”

She gasps. “But—why? I don’t understand...”

“Obviously, it’s because you’re afraid of dying,” I reply sharply. I am aware of your fear. Did you really think I wouldn’t find out? I’ve had my eye on you for months, watching and learning your fears.”

Victoria trembles in my grip. “You’re mad. Completely mad!”

Rage boils within me. How dare she speak to me this way? “I went to all this trouble to scare you. The poison, the date - it was all for you. But then you had to tell that nosy cop everything!”

My hands shake as I tighten my hold on her arms. Victoria cries out in pain, but I can’t stop now. “I’m not letting you ruin this for me. You’re going to withdraw your statement from the police. Tell them it was all a misunderstanding.”

“Never!” she spits. “I won’t help cover up your crimes. The officer will figure out the truth.”

Rage blinds me. How dare she defy me? With a snarl, I wrap my hands around her throat and squeeze. Victoria’s eyes widen in terror, and she claws at my wrists, desperately gasping for air. But I only tighten my grip, taking cruel satisfaction from the fear I see in her eyes.

Through the haze of red, I’m only dimly aware of the monitor flatlining beside us. I release my grip, and Victoria slumps forward, her lifeless body sliding from the bed. The flatline echoes in the silent room, a grim confirmation of her fate. My heart pounds, a mixture of adrenaline and excitement coursing through me.

I did it. I finally got rid of her.

As the initial shock wears off, I snap into action. I straighten my suit, ensuring not a hair is out of place, and check my surroundings. The waiting area is empty. The doctor and Officer Bailey are nowhere in sight.

Perfect.

I step closer to Victoria, admiring my handiwork. Her eyes, once full of life and fear, are now vacant, staring at nothing.

A small smile plays on my lips as I lean down, whispering into her ear, “You should’ve kept your phobias to yourself, Victoria. Now look where it’s gotten you.”

With one last glance at the body, I turn and walk away, my leather shoes clicking against the linoleum floor, each step taking me further away from the crime scene.

[TOD - February 14th, 1984, 1:30 a.m.]

Victoria's POV

Turning around I senses a grim feeling, that I was no longer alone. In the darkness came out shadowy figure dressed in purple with a scythe by his side.

"Are you an angel?" I gasp while smoke streams from my lips.

"Huh, an angel? I suppose I am to some twisted folks" an eerie smirk laced his boney features.

Scythe nudges the reaper, "hey bingo, she's talking about little old me. I'm the boss around here!"

<To be continued>