Daisy's House
At dawn, Daisy stood in the kitchen, clad in a light nightgown, preparing breakfast. Luke sat at the dining table, his gaze tracing the contours of her back. Her nightwear hung loosely, highlighting only her slender waist.
The morning sunlight filtered through the gauzy fabric of her gown, outlining the graceful curves of her tall, slender frame. In contrast to her lithe figure, her legs were more fleshy, a stark departure from their delicate appearance.
Luke felt a strong attraction to Daisy. His desire to date her was clear, though he sensed her feelings were complex. While Daisy appeared to have a favorable impression of him and appreciated the security he provided, he couldn't quite determine which factor weighed more heavily in her heart.
Living together was a step in the right direction, but Luke knew the next challenge was to find the right moment to take their relationship further. Despite the potential for discomfort, he was determined to pursue his desires, treating life as a series of choices, much like opting to work overtime if he wished.
"It's time for breakfast," Daisy announced as she set a tray down opposite Luke. The spread was generous: toast, fried eggs, bacon, sausage, lettuce, mushrooms, milk, and orange juice.
"Wow, this is impressive. I hope breakfast is like this every day," Luke said, taking a bite of the sausage. It was perfectly crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, with the fat beautifully rendered.
Daisy sipped her orange juice and replied, "Then eat up, Bodyguard Luke."
"Yes, ma'am," Luke said with a grin. "What time do you finish work tonight? I need to head home to grab some clothes."
"I have a client meeting this afternoon and might need to stay late, so you don't have to pick me up. I don't mind coming home alone, as long as the lights are on."
"Got it. Easier than being a police officer," Luke remarked.
…
Later, at the detective bureau, Luke's task was to take statements from those involved in the case. Lawn's three children were also questioned about any leads regarding the warehouse.
During this time, a minor dispute erupted: Emma accused her sister Sofia of tampering with the will, and their brother Brooke's attempts at mediation only fueled Emma's frustration. The siblings' quarrel ultimately led to them being separated and questioned individually.
Emma's anger towards her siblings intensified as she read the will, revealing deep-seated resentments and conflicts of interest.
In the afternoon, Mary from the technical team arrived with a report. "The on-site inspection report is ready."
Susan requested her assistance, "Mary, could you go over it for me?"
Mary reviewed the file and summarized, "We found blood on the ground matching the deceased's DNA and hair on the warehouse floor that matches Tim's DNA. There was also a palm print on a box that doesn't belong to Tim.
The deceased's body was too decomposed for comparison, so we cannot rule out the presence of a third person."
Luke inquired, "Has the painting the deceased was holding been restored?"
Mary sighed, "The painting is too damaged. Restoration will take time and require professional handling."
The deputy captain interjected with a smile, "Alright, let's have another good chat with Tim."
…
At three o'clock in the afternoon, Tim sat handcuffed in the interrogation room. Luke and the deputy captain were present for the questioning.
The deputy captain smiled at Tim. "How have you been? Any progress in your new relationship?"
Tim scowled and turned away.
"Look at you, acting all tough. Seems like you're settling in well with your cellmate."
"Bullshit! Just shut up, old man."
"Calm down. I'm here with good news. Lawn is still alive. Care to give a confession?"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
The deputy captain continued, "On February 26, you and an accomplice drove a black Volvo to Lawn's house and attacked him with a Taser, but he survived. Do you regret not finishing the job?
With Lawn's testimony, we can solve the case. Confess now for another chance."
Tim's expression shifted. He lowered his head, avoiding eye contact.
"Fine, if you won't talk, I will," the deputy captain said, pacing the room. "You attacked Lawn, took his keys and social security card, then went to the warehouse. Need me to go on?"
Tim trembled. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Why kill Tony?" the deputy captain demanded.
Tim clenched his fists and muttered, "I don't know who Tony is."
"Have you ever been to the Mon Grace Storage Center?"
"No."
"Edmond Lockard once said, 'Everything you touch leaves a trace.' We found blood and hair at the crime scene that matches you. That's enough to charge you."
"Fuck! Damn it..."
Tim broke down. "I admit I went to the warehouse, but I didn't kill Tony."
The deputy captain pressed on, "Who's the real killer?"
"Cole Baker."
"Where is he?"
"I don't know. He must have run by now."
"Tell me about Cole Baker."
"He's an art dealer. I only have his phone number: 626 876 9172."
"And the black Volvo?"
"I rented it with a friend's driver's license."
"How did you meet him?"
"About a year ago at an art exhibition. We talked about buying famous paintings and exchanged business cards. We met a few times and drank together. He was interested in Childe Hasen's works and promised a generous reward if I could get them."
Tim continued, "Cole wanted a painting stolen from his ancestor. We tracked it to Tony, who said it was with Lawn. We found Lawn and learned the painting was hidden in the Monen Storage Center. But there were no Childe works. Cole was furious, threatened Tony, and things escalated. I helped Cole, and when we got to the warehouse... Tony ended up strangling Cole."
Tim added, "Sorry, it was Cole who strangled Tony."
"What did he use?"
"A belt."
"So, Cole is the mastermind?"
"Yes."
"What's the grudge between Cole, Tony, and Lawn?"
"I don't know. Cole didn't trust me; he used me."
"Do you have other accomplices?"
"No."
"Why help Cole?"
"I'm into gambling... I owe a lot of money and risked my life if I didn't pay up."
"Do you want a reduced sentence?"
"Yes, I'm willing to testify against Cole."
"Help us catch him first."
"Cole is very cautious. I don't know much about him."
"Do you have a picture of him?"
"No, but I can draw one."
"Can you draw?"
"Yes. I'm an art dealer and have to handle this myself."
Luke thought Tim sounded more like a broker than an art dealer.
"When will you finish the drawing?"
"Do you want a sketch or a full portrait?"
"A sketch."
"It should be ready by tomorrow afternoon."
The deputy captain smiled, "We'll send someone to pick it up at nine tomorrow morning."