It’s been several hours since Lucy finished telling her version of what happened between her and Harvey and Lysander to Pearson. Pearson had stayed silent throughout the whole explanation, and after Lucy had finished, he left the room without a word.
He doesn’t believe her story, not for one second. He thinks her eyes are screaming that she’s guilty, even if her mouth is telling tales of innocence. Frankly, he thinks even listening to her story was a waste of time, albeit a little amusing for him to hear. But none of it is useful. None of it is the proof he needs to throw her into a cell in Azkaban for the rest of her life.
Fortunately, proof was something he is able to obtain, even if it’s not from Lucy.
“Where’ve you been?” Lucy demands when he reenters the room she has been waiting in.
Pearson takes his time, shuffling some papers around on the desk and getting comfortable in his seat. He knows he is vindictive and possibly even cruel, but he lives for these moments.
“Getting proof,” he answers eventually.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean that I hope you have a nice time in your Azkaban cell.”
This comment is enough to stun her into silence. She sits there, glaring at Pearson, who is smiling at her. It is a long few minutes before Lucy finds her voice again.
“Is this a joke?” she whispers.
“Afraid not, sweetheart. You’re going to be locked up for a long, long time. Forever, if I have anything to say about it. It’s quite unfortunate for you, but I’ve managed to get to the bottom of this case.”
“How?” she asks, her voice shaking. Pearson can tell that she knows she’s in trouble, but that she isn’t willing to give up quite yet. He knows she’ll be fighting until her cell door is locked.
“Veritaserum.”
“But I didn’t consent to take any,” she protests.
“I didn’t say you did,” Pearson says, enjoying the fact that his teasing her with information makes her squirm uncomfortably in her seat. He can practically hear her heart pounding from where he’s sitting across from her.
“Then what are you saying?” Her voice cracks halfway through the sentence.
“I’m saying that your lover Harvey did consent to take Veritaserum. And because his story was told under the influence of truth potion, it takes precedence.”
He can see the realization hit her like a ton of bricks. The emotions flit across her face until she is left looking stricken and lividly angry.
“You know, it’s funny, Harvey’s story didn’t sound anything like yours. At least at the end,” Pearson goes on, knowing full and well that the more he talks, the more Lucy is pained. “According to him, you were the one who brought Lysander over to his flat. Seems you wanted to do the deed there so that it might look like Harvey did it instead of you. Would’ve been a clever trick had Harvey not been so quick to betray you by taking Veritaserum. Seems saving his own skin was much more important than saving yours.”
Lucy doesn’t say anything. There is nothing for her to say. She’s done for, and they both know it. No amount of storytelling will get her out of this mess.
For his part, Pearson is just happy to close the lid on another case.
A/N: Whoo. Okay. That's that. The end. The finale. Other synonyms for the end. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed reading this story and I really appreciate all the support everyone has given me. You guys are amazing. :)
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