Sheriff Forbes was standing above the corps lying in the shag. A rope was lying loosely around its cervix and he had two small holes in his neck. He was drained from blood. Liz let out a deep sigh and startled as her daughter appeared in front of her. “Caroline! You’re not supposed to be here, this is a crime scene” she said reproachful. Caroline didn’t react, but ducked to have a closer look at the corpse. “Vampires” she whispered. Liz nodded. “Yeah, I know” she said. “Caroline?” No answer. “Caroline” Liz now said a bit harder. Caroline looked up. “Caroline, I need you to be completely honest with me. I won’t judge you” Caroline braced herself for she knew what was to come. “Did you do this?” her mother asked. Her mom was never going to trust her, Caroline thought. “No, mom, I have nothing to do with this” she answered. “And do you have any idea who could’ve?” Liz continued her interrogation. “Damon, perhaps? Stefan?” Caroline shook her head. “No” she said. “The only vampires I can think of are Klaus and Katherine, but they are no match for you, mom” she added. “I’m going to talk to the people that live here. You stay here, I’ll be right back” Liz said. Caroline nodded, but as soon as her mother turned around she flashed away.
She braked at the Salvatore Boarding House and knocked.
“You open it” Katherine said bored.
“No freaking way, you open it” Damon said.
“Oh, for God’s sake, I’ll open it!” Elena said annoyed. How could two people both older than a century act so childish?, she thought while she walked at the front door. “Caroline?” she exclaimed surprised when she saw her friend in the doorway. “Can I come in?” Caroline asked accentuating. “Sure” Elena said and she step aside. “You have to say it literally” Caroline said kind of embarrassed. “Oh, of course. Come in” Elena said and Caroline entered the boarding house. “I have the strange idea you’re not here for a friendly visit” Elena said while she guided Caroline to the living room, where Damon and Katherine were sitting. “Well, well, if it isn’t the little traitor” Katherine said, looking at Caroline. “Still not over it?” Damon said contemptuously. “Have a seat” he said to Caroline. “There’s no room” Katherine said disdainful. “Sure there is” Damon said and he pushed Katherine off the couch. Caroline sank down as Katherine scribbled up. They all ignored her complaints. “You’re right, Elena. I’m here for a reason” Caroline began. “I bet you haven’t seen the news yet?” They shook their head, immediately alerted. “Well, I got it first hand, because of mom” She paused. “There’s a new victim. A vampire victim, I mean. I told my mother I didn’t do it, which is true. And I said you nor Stefan would do it” she continued looking at Damon only. “I’m not so sure about that” he said softly. Caroline frowned. “What are you talking about?” Damon traded a glance with Elena, realizing he would have to do the talking. The Stefan-Klaus issue was too painful for Elena. “You know I got bitten by Tyler while he was transforming?” Caroline nodded. “Stefan went to Klaus to find a cure. Long story short: he got it, but in return he had to join Klaus. So, I’m not entirely sure whether Stefan has stuck to his bunny diet or that he’s given in to his formal ripper actions”