Eliora made herself comfortable on the passenger's seat. The car was quite spacious so the journey to the crime scene wouldn't be dreadful with the layers of clothes and that thick coat making her feel like a warm cocoon about to hatch into a butterfly in the middle of winter.
Speaking of the layers, Eliora noticed how Troyi was only wearing a sweater underneath the thin coat?
Why am I concerned about what he's wearing?
As she flipped through the files, she figured a conversation or two would make things between them less work-tense or awkward, even though she had a feeling that Troyi was already making himself comfortable working with her.
"So, Troyi. How did you become a Private Detective? Why not work with the police Department?" Eliora asked curiously while flipping over the pages and memorizing the details.
"Um…" Troyi trailed, unsure of how to phrase his answer.
"I guess you can say it gives me more leeway? I'll work for anyone who pays me well...I mean...not anyone of course I don't work for criminals. I'll do background checks on my clients before accepting their offer. Plus it gives me other advantages from the different departments, partners and clients."
Eliora hummed in acknowledgement even though her eyes were still focused on the file.
"How about you then? Why the department?" This time, Eliora shifted her gaze to Troyi.
"Hmm, I guess maybe one day I'd like to take over Corporal Swanson's position?" Eliora smiled cheekily. "Don't tell him I said that though or I'll never get promoted."
Eliora heard Troyi's chuckle as he nodded to her in acknowledgement.
"Your secret is safe with me Detective Canmore, or shall I say future Corporal Canomore?" Surprisingly Troyi didn't berate her for wanting a promotion. Corporal Swanson was right then, Troyi was a child a heart despite being specialized in murder cases as a private detective. At least it wouldn't be such a tension to work with him.
"How long have you been working in this industry?" Troyi asked. Eliora tilted her head to mentally count the number of years she worked.
"I'd say… about 6 years or so? How about you then? To become a private I'm sure you've been in it far longer? How old are you anyways Troyi? You look no older than 25." Eliora didn't realize the amount of questions she was asking till Troyi was laughing softly. However his laughter seemed…forced.
"Detective calm down, I'm not going anywhere." He answered with a smirk. "How long? I guess long enough to be experienced…. Hey we're almost here. Let me find the house, it should be at the end of the street… or so that was what the folder told us."
All Eliora could get from the file was that a neighbour who apparently entered the house where the crime scene was, found the body of Laurance Turner in the morning while she was delivering some pancakes.
Or so claimed by said neighbour after calling the East police department.
"Hey Troyi." A short hum was heard from him. "Do you think the neighbor, Adalia, caused the death? She has the key to the house, but since she mentioned giving pancakes, it really is a routine isn't it? What if it was something that she planned a long time ago? I've seen cases of such but she can also be an innocent bystander. "
A short silence came between them. Eliora watched as Troyi's eyebrows furrowed and his lips formed a small pout, presuming he was gathering his thoughts on her suggestion.
How adorable.
"Well...I've been around this area and the people seem friendly at a glance, but I suppose we can ask around. It does seem suspicious that she walked in when Turner was dead. We could find out about their relationship and dig for any other information about the people Turner contacted." Troyi commented.
"Although we shouldn't assume that Adalia did it before we find out more about it. She might be innocent since the past few times that I've been here, she spoke highly of Mr.Turner and gave me some jam."
Isn't he a bit too kind?
Eliora nodded in response, closing the file and stuffing it into her bag the moment they drove past the first few houses to ensure that she wouldn't leave a clutter that may cause her to lose some important information.
House after house, it seemed like a cheerful neighbourhood...was a cheerful neighbourhood. The brightness of the streets were shadowed by the loud silence. It was close to noon yet there wasn't a single soul present.
It was no different than an apocalyptic atmosphere. Other than the police waiting for them outside of the victim's house.
The car stopped at the sidewalk in front of a fairly large house surrounded by police tapes. Eliora got out of the car and further examined her surroundings. As she thought, the neighbourhood bore no suspicion of any urge for revenge. From the backyard playgrounds to the beautiful gardens, this murderer sure dislikes dark areas. At least from the surface it doesn't.
"Troyi, you don't mind me doing the talking do you?" Eliora questioned as she slung the ID card over her head and wore her gloves.
"Of course not. I'm here to assist you after all." Troyi replied, getting a hold of his ID as well before following behind Eliora.
She flashed her ID to one of the officers, Troyi doing the same before they entered the house and Troyi already had his notebook and camera to start recording what was needed.
Unlike the surroundings outside of the house that resembles a heavenly garden, inside was a complete mess, as if an earthquake struck followed by a tornado. Flipped couches at the center of the living room, broken chairs and glasses were scattered on the floor. The television screen was face down, assuming the glass shattered.
Most significantly, was a pungent smell that lingered in the house. Eliora had to request from one of the officers for a few masks otherwise she couldn't bear to step in any further.
"Don't you need one too? The smell is too strong here." Eliora gave Troyi a look when he rejected the mask. He returned to her and tiled his head.
"There's a smell?" Troyi asked till his widened eyes didn't go unnoticed by Eliora. "Umm, let us look at the body shall we?" He stammered and made his way swiftly towards the dead corpse on the floor, avoiding Eliora's gaze.
Eliora couldn't help but feel an arose of curiosity and possible suspicion, but her current priority was the case. She walked to the body and started examining.
"Status?"
The Forensic Pathologist crouched down to the body to examine it further.
"Time of death, 1 AM in the morning. The cause of his death; the weapon that was used to stab him pierced through his heart. There was no way anyone could survive that and that very weapon was taken to be sent in for investigations, we will update you about it. "
Eliora nodded while examining the stab wound. Troyi crouched beside her and gently poked the corpse's body. It was close to 1 PM, the body was laying there for 12 hours.
"So, before Turner's death, he didn't receive a single injury other than that clean stab to his heart?" Troyi pointed out and continued.
"The house is in a mess as if someone attacked him unless somehow he let his rage let the better of him. I would recommend asking around if he had anger issues but…" He paused to look at Eliora.
"But there would have been a sign of bruises or chaffing on his limbs." Eliora finished it for Troyi while looking over the corpse's hands and feet.
Eliora let out a sigh as it was similar information as the previous victims she read from those folders. She looked around for any signs of footprints or evidence that there was another living soul during the time of death but… apart from the wrecked furniture, the place was spotless?
We need to get answers from the residence nearby.
This surely was attempted to look like a suicide but judging from the lack of injury, the smell and the house situation, it must have been a sneak attack.
But…
Why?
What have all these victims done to cause such a death upon them?
A stab to the heart? Was the murderer in love or something?
Laurence Turner's body was zipped up in the black bag and wheeled away for autopsy. Eliora crossed her arms as she watched while observing every movement in sight.
Troyi was talking to one of the officers and...they seemed to be whispering?
She waited at the front door, eyeing Troyi with a smile, of course she didn't want to intimidate the man or make him assume that she had some suspicion of him, till he walked to her.
"Shall we get some statements from the residence? Especially the eye-witness, Miss Adalia. I know she gave her report but it might be worth the trip in case there's information or two that were missed out." Troyi seemed cheerful for a murder case.
Why is he always so cheerful?
Despite that, his smile is so sweet that it makes the case less dreadful.
Eliora nodded and grabbed Toryi's arm. "Well we don't have the luxury of time to spare now do we? Come on, let's ask Miss Adalia then we can go for lunch before continuing this case because I sure can't solve it on an empty stomach." Troyi tilted his head in confusion.
"Lunch?" He repeated before the realization of time hit him.
"Oh right, lunch. Are you treating me?" Troyi asked with a playful grin.
"How opportunistic of you, shouldn't you treat a lady out?" Eliora snickered and pushed Troyi to walk in front of her.
He couldn't help out a small laugh as he walked towards Adalia's house, the house beside the corpse's house. "Is that a no then?" Of course Troyi didn't expect Eliora to treat him. Well at least he didn't expect it to go smoothly with a price that wasn't money.
"I'll treat you, but on one condition. Let me see how you interrogate Adalia first. If I'm satisfied, you get a free lunch. Deal?" Eliora held out her pinkie to Troyi who's eyes widened at her.
Eliora would be lying if she wasn't amused when Troyi scratched the back of his head, lips pouting like a child who had their toy taken away. "Come on Private Detective," She teased, "This deal won't last."
A childish whine once again made her lips curve upwards. "Deal and you better keep it." Eliora just chuckled softly and walked ahead, gesturing to Troyi to keep up with her.
Adalia's house didn't take more than five minutes since it was beside the corpse's house. She was intrigued by how Adalia could send pancakes so casually in the morning even if it was a routine as claimed.
Did she not hear any scream or struggle?
Or was she already asleep since the murder took place late night.
But shouldn't the damaged furniture create loud noises?
Eliora stepped over the stairs before knocking on the door gently. The door opened by a crack, a woman in her robes peaked through the crack, looking at Eliora then shifted to Troyi who flashed his signature friendly smile.
"Good Afternoon Miss Adalia. I am Detective Canmore and this is my partner, Private Detective Lavode." Eliora noticed how Adalia's fingers gripped onto the door the moment Troyi's name escaped her lips. Adalia's eyes were watery but she pulled her lips to greet them.
"How can I help you detectives? Would...would you like to come in?" Adalia opened the door wider and stepped aside to provide as much space as she could.
Eliora wanted it to be a quick interrogation assuming Adalia would be too shaken up to speak of the matter again, but since she invited them, she couldn't let go of this opportunity.
Of course, she had her precautions.
"Thank you Miss Adalia. I promise we won't take too much of your afternoon." Eliora said as she entered the house.
Eliora trusted her gut that there was something suspicious.
She was right.
But...she didn't expect the suspicion would lead towards Troyi.
Troyi was still standing right outside the door, eyeing around the frame. "I think...I'm good here." His left hand slowly moved behind his back and from his posture, Eliora could sense how hard he was clenching his fists and how he was nibbling his lower lip.
She didn't want to take any unwanted risks, especially with this case.
"Miss Adalia, please excuse him but do you think we can just ask you a few quick questions here? We don't want to take up too much of your time as well, you must be shaken up from the…corpse."
Of course Eliora wanted to question Troyi too, but now wasn't the right time...was it? If Troyi was indeed involved, he would definitely deny any accusations. Adalia nodded slowly, brushing her hair to the side as she let out a long sigh.
"It's alright, Detectives. So, what do you want to know?"
Eliora looked at Troyi and nudged him with her eyes to Adalia, prompting him but she wouldn't force him if he wasn't ready to question Adalia.
It doesn't seem like he wasn't when he straightened his posture.
"Right, Miss Adalia, last night at about midnight to 1 AM, did you hear anything?
Even if it is the softest sound from next door? Anything that is suspicious." Adalia's answer caused Eliora's eyes to widen and shoulders stiffened.
"I heard...your voice…" She paused, her eyes meeting Troyi's shocked eyes. "Private Detective Lavode. I'm not sure but you sound so similar to the voice… "
Troyi felt the world froze around him as his heart reached a halt and his breath stuck in his lungs. A thousand questions swarmed into his head forming it's little debates internally. His lips twitched slightly but his face muscles barely moved to not arouse any unwanted suspicion.
"Pardon me?" He hid a stutter. His eyes met Eliora's, without any verbal exchange, he knew she was questioning him.
"I heard your voice last night Detective Lavode...the voice sounds exactly like you...but I might be wrong." Adalia tried to ease the tension, or so he assumed.
She stood there by the dorm fidgeting with her hands as he glanced at Eliora then to Troyi, whose shocked face was replaced with a warm and gentle smile while waving his hand.
"Don't worry about it. Tell me Miss Adalia, what did… the voice that sounds like me, told you? The most you can remember at least."
Adalia's eyes shifted to glance at her shoes, her hand rubbing her arms slowly as if she felt the winter's chills.
"He…told me that there's this group of…I'm not sure I can't remember much, but it's a certain group that will continue the murders for revenge. . . And he was just following his master's orders." She whispered.
Hearing her response, Troyi ran his hand through his hair, taking in a deep breath before letting it out slowly. This wasn't the first time he heard of such a message, but it was the first time in years, what more that their suspect mentioned the voice was his, or somewhat his.
Could there be someone who's using his voice as a disguise?
If so…
Why?
"Thank you Miss Adalia. Was there anything else you heard…feel? Or perhaps sensed? That could give us a better clue." Troyi asked, hoping there was more useful information other than just his voice as a message.
Surely he didn't sleepwalk right? Fern would have noticed right away.
Troyi thought as he noticed from his peripheral view that Eliora was eyeing him though He couldn't read her gaze this time and he shouldn't be feeling chilly if he knew, no he is innocent. Troyi was sure that he had nothing to do with these murders. The voice Adalia heard was only a brief information of her thoughts, it couldn't be marked down as concrete evidence.
" I think I saw a glimpse of his eyes… if that was his eyes. I saw a flash of…bright magenta. I might be seeing things but I think it'll help you Mr Lavode."
Troyi took out his notebook and swiftly jotted down every detail Adalia mentioned while trying to remain in his calming posture. While he was taking notes, Eliora took over from him.
"Thank you Miss Adalia, if there is anything else we'll contact you. The police will be patrolling these areas so don't worry too much tonight. Have a good day."
Eliora's lips formed a warm smile to Adalia as she stepped out of the house and followed behind Troyi who stopped by the car. She noticed how he was staring at his notebook before slamming her palm on his shoulder, causing him to jump.
"I promised you lunch didn't I? Come on, I know a good place but since you're driving, I'll give you directions."