Scarlett gripped the piece of paper in her trembling hands, re-reading the contents over, and over again. Releasing a shaky breath, she gripped the desk closest to her, stabilizing herself. "How is it possible?" The paper became too blurry to see and Scarlett realized she was crying as she saw her tears drip on the paper, leaving a mark. But not as hideous as the marks that the contents of the paper had left on her entire existence.

The paper fell as her hand flew to her mouth, trying to mute the sobs that racked her already trembling body. Scarlett felt an ache settle deep in her heart, squeezing it painfully, almost hurting her physically. As her sobs grew louder and louder, she realized she needed to get out of here, or else...

Scarlett woke up with a gasp, sitting upright, her breathing erratic as she struggled to control it. She was sweating, profusely, she realized as she flung the blanket away from her body and wiped her forehead with the back of her hand. She gulped, her throat was incredibly parched. She reached for the nightstand only to find an empty jug. Great.

Reaching over, she picked up the phone and called the reception so she could have her jug filled, but nobody picked up. Scarlett sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose, feeling irritation slowly take over her body. I just want to get out of this place.

Slipping her feet in her room slippers, she pulled the curtains open, noticing the darkness outside. What time is it? Scarlett looked towards her right, where the huge clock indicated that it was a little past 3 pm. Why the darkness then?

She picked up her robe and turned to face the window again, there must be a storm coming, she thought as she wrapped the robe tighter around her body, noticing the dark grey clouds, swirling slowly overhead. She couldn't see the peaks of the magnificent mountains in front of her, being engulfed in raging, snowy clouds. Scarlett shivered involuntarily.

Getting out into the hallway, she immediately paused when she heard shouting noises coming from the other wing. As she got closer to the intersection of the corridors, where the stairs were, she could make out some of the words being thrown around and realized that it was Ella and Mark, the older couple, who were fighting. Or discussing something heatedly, she couldn't tell. Shrugging it off, she made her way downstairs and towards the reception.

Scarlett bumped into Levi on the way and almost fell in the process. "Oh, Scarlett! I thought you were sleeping?" Levi said.

"I was... but how do you know and why do you care?" Scarlett asked skeptically.

"Oh, Emma told me," he said, waving his hand. "I'm talking to everybody about Eric, and their thoughts about his death," Levi continued, "I was going to go get Ella, but since you're here, I want to talk to you first."

Levi saw how Scarlett's eyes got wide as her breathing got deeper, "Oh, okay... where?" She blinked. This is bad...

"Anywhere you'd like. Although, you just missed lunch. Shall we go to the dining area and I can question you there while you eat?" Levi suggested. People are the most defenseless when they're eating, he thought inwardly.

Scarlett could only nod in response, I have to co-operate or he's going to suspect me. "Sure, I could use some food," she forced a smile which didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Great, let's go!"

Minutes later they were both seated across each other in the dining room."Do you want to wait for the food, or should we start?" Levi asked her.

"No, we can start."

"Okay then! Can you tell me about your relationship with Eric?" Levi asked, clicking open his pen and leaning back in his chair.

"Well... Eric and I always had an easygoing friendship. He was like a brother to me, we were always bantering and teasing each other about one thing or another," Scarlett answered sadly.

"You must be close then, if you considered him as your brother, am I right?" Levi questioned.

"You could say we were. But not as close as he was with Emma or Anthony," Scarlett said.

"Do you have any other siblings?" Levi saw sadness struck Scarlett's face again. This time, however, it was genuine.

"No, I don't. I'm an only child, unfortunately. I had always wanted one though!" she smiled at Levi.

"I'm sorry to hear that," Levi smiled back, he was bored already. "The next question is a bit odd... but why do you look so sad all the time?" He remembered his conversation with Emma earlier.

"Excuse me?"

"Answer the question, please," Levi silently commanded.

"Maybe it's because I just lost one of my closest friends?" Scarlett said sarcastically, frowning.

"No... no. You were sad the day you arrived as well," Levi squinted his eyes. "Have you lost someone?"

"N-No," why would he ask me this... does he know about him?

"Ahan... okay if you say," Levi said with a shrug. I will get to the bottom of this. "Let's talk about last night. You played the piano beautifully, by the way." Levi complimented.

"Thank you..." Scarlett said, tucking her hair behind her ears. Why am I nervous? Just play it cool... breathe, breathe.

"Where did you go when Emma went to make the drinks?"

"I-I went to the washroom," Scarlett licked her dry lips, "Listen, I don't do well with interrogations... don't think that I'm responsible for Eric's death just because I'm a little nervous."

"You're not a little nervous, Miss Scarlett," Levi narrowed his eyes, "And I know human nature enough that you don't need to tell me what I can, or cannot deduce based on your behavior. Okay?"

Damn it.

"Okay," Scarlett said and focused on the scene outside the window when Levi's gaze got too intense. It's like he can see through me.

"So you went to the washroom. Which one?" Levi asked carefully.

"I-I..." Scarlett's breathing became short and choppy, "Why does it matter?" She licked her lips again.

"Just answer the question," Levi said, too impatient for a reply.

"I went to the one on the ground floor," Scarlett said slowly as if she was thinking before crafting any words. "I thought it would have been much quicker than going upstairs to my room," she finished the sentence with a little bit of confidence injected into it.

"You sure?" Levi asked as he leaned forward, wanting to study her expressions more closely.

"Yes," Scarlett replied, her tone final.

"I see..." Levi said, not even trying to hide his smirk as he scribbled something on his journal.

"Why are you doing this?" It was Scarlett's turn to ask questions now.

"So I can catch the murderer of course," Levi said like it was the most natural thing for him to say.

A sharp knock sounded at the door before it creaked open slowly.

"Ah! Robert, come in!" Levi's face broke into a smile when he saw the old man come in with a waiter behind him. Mouthwatering smells attacked his nose all at the same time, but only one mattered. "Thank you," Levi smiled warmly as he took the tea offered to him by Robert.

"Tea at lunch?" Scarlett asked, her mouth twisted into an odd expression.

"Don't question it," Levi said as he closed his eyes as took the first sip. Perfect.

"Okay..." Scarlett said but her mind was soon occupied when a steaming dish of baked pasta with a side of garlic bread was placed in front of her. Her stomach appreciated the sight immensely as it grumbled.

How fast can I eat before it's considered impolite?

Scarlett thought, but then decided she didn't care as she placed a steaming bite of cheesy pasta in her mouth, sighing in bliss.

"So. who do you think is the murderer?" Levi asked her, taking her by surprise with the bluntness of the question.

Scarlett choked on the pasta, coughing furiously as she tried to pour herself a drink, failing miserably when it ended up spilling everywhere. Levi was quick to help and handed her a glass of water.

"What type of a question is that?" Scarlett said, anger lacing her voice.

"A normal one considering this is an investigation?" Levi replied calmly, his right eyebrow raised.

"Firstly, I don't even think he was murdered. For God's sake, do you know how big of an accusation that is?!" Scarlett shouted. "Secondly, there were no signs on his body that say otherwise. At least wait for the autopsy!" Scarlett was fuming now.

"How dare you accuse my friends and me like that?"

"Calm down. Don't make me think you did it," Levi replied, unfazed by Scarlett's outburst.

Scarlett laughed disbelievingly, frustration coursing through her veins. "Are you even listening to me?!"

"Loud and clear."

"You're unbelievable. I can't stand you anymore," said Scarlett as she pushed back her chair and stood up in a heartbeat.

"Sit. Down," Levi commanded, his voice low and leaving no room for argument.

Scarlett's body betrayed her as it froze, while her mind told her to turn and walk away and let the annoying man keep talking.

"Detective Matteo will be here tomorrow with the autopsy result, confirming that Eric was, indeed murdered. Until then, I'm asking for your cooperation so that I can finally catch the murderer before my wife ends up murdering me for working on our vacation. Okay?"

Scarlett stared at him for a long time before sitting down slowly. "Yes," she whispered.

"Good. Now, tell me who do you think is responsible for this?"

"It's... it's not so easy. You're asking me to accuse my friends."

"I'm asking you to guess."

"It's not a game," Scarlett said through her gritted teeth.

"I'm aware. However, I still need an answer."

Scarlett licked her lips again, and Levi associated the action with her being nervous. She was lost in thought for a few moments before Levi sighed. "Today, if you will."

"Well... if I really, really had to take a name..."

"Cut to the chase, please" Levi rolled his eyes, he didn't have all day.

Scarlett glared at him for a good second, before telling him the name. On hearing it, Levi chuckled, shaking his head in amusement. Scarlett's glare only intensified.

"What's so funny?" She asked sharply, wishing she could wipe that smug look on his face.

"He accused you too," said Levi, barely containing his glee. The case was finally getting interesting.

"Who?" Scarlett's heart sped up and she felt a little lightheaded. Somebody accused me...

"Carter."

What?