The next morning, outside the Hilton Hotel, Luke stepped out of the car and scanned the area. "Are you certain she's here?"
Since the police had begun investigating the Lawn case, Lawn's youngest daughter, Emma, had been elusive. She hadn't answered her phone, so the only option was to visit her home directly in hopes of finding some clues.
David nodded, "This information came from Marcus's informant."
Luke didn't question further and walked into the hotel. Marcus's informant was known to be more reliable than Marcus himself.
Approaching the front desk, Luke flashed his police badge to the receptionist. "We're looking for Emma Bull."
"Please hold on," the receptionist replied, typing on the computer and picking up the phone.
After a moment, she put the phone down and said, "I'm sorry, no one answered when we called Emma Bull's room."
Luke pressed, "Which room is she in?"
"Sorry, but we can't disclose that information," she said.
"We tried reaching Emma on her cell phone before coming here, and now her room phone is silent. If something happens to her, will your hotel be responsible?"
The receptionist hesitated, then asked, "Is she in danger?"
"We're investigating a serious case and can't provide further details," Luke said.
The receptionist made another call, likely consulting her supervisor. After hanging up, she said, "Emma is in room 704."
"Thank you," Luke said, and he and David headed to the elevator.
When they reached room 704, they knocked firmly. "Knock, knock…"
No response.
They knocked again. "Knock, knock…"
Still no answer.
David wondered, "Could she have left?"
Without a search warrant, they couldn't force entry or access surveillance footage.
A middle-aged Black woman appeared, pushing a cleaning cart.
Luke waved her over. "Excuse me, are you here to clean?"
"Yes, sir, how can I help you?"
Luke showed his badge. "I need a favor."
"What's that?"
"I need you to clean room 704 first."
The woman's expression turned concerned. "Why?"
"We're investigating a criminal case. The occupant of this room is a witness, but we can't reach her. Could you check if she's in the room?"
"Is there danger?"
"No, there's no immediate danger."
The woman parked her cart, retrieved a key card, and unlocked the door with a click.
She cautiously entered but quickly retreated, exclaiming, "Oh my God, there's a woman on the bed, and there's blood everywhere!"
"Damn it!" David pulled out his pistol and, with Luke following, they entered the room.
Luke checked the bathroom first. "It's clear."
David examined the closet. "Safe."
Inside the room, it was in disarray. A woman lay on the bed in her underwear, with dark red stains on the quilt and floor.
Luke checked her pulse and breathing. "She's breathing normally. She's not in immediate danger."
David inspected the stains and sniffed them. "It's not blood; it's red wine."
Luke spotted a bottle of red wine at the foot of the bed. "False alarm. She must have had a lot to drink."
Next to the balcony, a small round table had some white powder on it. David tested it and confirmed, "She's using drugs."
Luke noted, "If I'm right, she's only eighteen."
"Evil doesn't discriminate by age," David said, grabbing a bottle of mineral water and pouring it over Emma's head.
Emma awoke, startled. "What's going on? Is it raining?" She saw Luke and David and added, "Who are you, and why are you in my room?"
Luke showed his badge. "I'm Detective Luke, and this is Inspector David."
Emma wiped the water from her face. "Who gave you permission to be here? And why did you throw water on me? I'm going to sue!"
"The hotel staff saw the red stains and thought you were injured. We're here to make sure you're safe."
Emma glanced at the stains and smirked. "That's not blood; it's red wine. You disturbed my rest. Please leave now, or I'll sue again."
David shot back, "Your father is in the hospital, and you're here getting drunk and high. What kind of daughter are you?"
Emma retorted, "Don't lecture me. I'm just dealing with my own issues."
Luke interjected, "Ms. Emma, we're here to discuss your father."
"There's nothing to discuss. Speak to Caroline, Brooke, or Sofia."
"The will your father left behind differs from the video will. We need you to verify if it's his handwriting." Luke handed her a copy of the written will.
Emma took the document and her face darkened as she read. "Where did you get this? My father loved me most. Why is my inheritance less than Sofia's?"
Luke asked calmly, "Is this your father's handwriting?"
"It looks like his, but this will is false. My father wouldn't have favored Sofia over Caroline and me. I'm his favorite daughter." Emma's anger grew, and she ripped the will to shreds.
"Miss Emma, if you doubt the will, you need to provide evidence. Otherwise, the estate will be divided according to this will."
Emma, frazzled, declared, "Sophia must have replaced the real will!"
"Do you have evidence?"
"No. Isn't it your job to find evidence?"
"Our job is to investigate. The will is a family matter. If you believe it's fake, it's up to you to provide leads."
Emma paused, then said, "Sophia and Brooke are involved. They've been together too long. They must have tampered with the will."
The phone buzzed in her hand. She answered angrily, "Brooke, you and Sophia must have replaced the will…"
After a brief, heated conversation, Emma hung up, fuming, "They're all liars!"
Earlier that night, as Brooke was escorted by his lawyer, Luke asked, "What did he say?"
"He said Caroline is injured and in the hospital."
"How did she get hurt?"
"I don't know."
"Which hospital?"
"St. John's Hospital."
Luke handed Emma a business card. "Contact me if you find any new information."
Luke and David then left for the hospital.
Emma called after them, "Where are you going?"
"To the hospital."
"I'm coming with you."
David glanced at her. "It's surprising you care about your mother."
Emma responded with a middle finger. "Screw you!"
The trio drove to St. John's Hospital. As they approached the ward, they heard Caroline's panicked screams: "Ah… don't kill me. I didn't see or know anything. Please, just let me go…"
When they entered, Caroline huddled in the corner, dirty and tear-streaked, a stark contrast to her previous dignified appearance.
Luke turned to Brooke. "What happened to her?"
Brooke shook his head. "I found her like this, confused and pleading for her life. It's terrifying."