After coming to an arrangement Azura had Norwald take out an official contract for situations were two detectives decide to work together. This was something that wasn't done often, but the police had to keep these contracts on hand in case something like this occurred. We both sighed the paper on the dotted lines at the bottom of the page. With this we would officially be bound together for this case at least. This was something like an insurance policy, so we can both feel secure that we would reap half the benefits of solving the case. Without a contract you'd be worried that the other person would try to solve the case without therefore taking all the rewards for themselves.
Once that matter was settled I decided to tell Azura my plan regarding this case we make our way back to the study. I explain to her, "I think it would be wise to first question Silk since Reginald's journal did seemingly point the finger of suspicion her way." Azura nodded, "Seems reasonable I have questioned her before, but I never got much out of her, maybe with this she will finally talk." We find Silk in one of the bedrooms on the second floor she seemed to be tidying up one of the rooms. Before she even notices us I say, "Still tidying up? The master of the house is dead is he not? Are you even still employed here?" Silk keeps dusting the shelves she doesn't even look at us, "Sir I am loyal to the Fairweather family even with Master Fairweather dead my position doesn't change at all. Other members of the Fairweather household have taken their claim on the estate hence why my job remains the same."
I try a different line of questioning hopefully one that would catch her off guard, "Ah that makes sense. Silk answer me this then do you happen to know of your masters journal?" I look at Azura she nods and adds on, "There was something very interesting your master wrote in this journal about you." Azura slams the journal down dramatically on a nearby table which causes Silk to glance towards the book in question. Her facial expression doesn't change, but I can't help but feel a certain aura radiating off of her. She sighs, "Yes master's journal what of it?" She puts down her duster, and locks eyes with me crossing her arms in the process. I smile confidently I open the journal in question I point to the highlighted text. I exclaim, "Care for a read? Maybe you can shed light on this. For our investigation naturally." She signs seemingly annoyed she begins to scan the highlighted text her face contorting in frustration once she is done.
She regains some of her composure she retorts, "What about it boy? Nothing more than the musings of a paranoid dead man hardly matters now." Azura tries to chime in letting her emotions control her, "Now listen here we have-" I put my hand up to silence her before she says something unneeded she stops talking and sulks a bit. I laugh, "Right you are nothing but words from a man who is no longer with us. However this journal does highlight some odd behaviors please do shed light on why you were sneaking off frequently, or even lying to your master. Hardly behavior fitting of Reginald's beloved maid don't you think." I was hoping to perhaps strike a neve, but Silk remained calm. Silk shot back, "Again meaningless delusions I was just talking to a friend on the phone in the bathroom, and the supposed lying about where I was? I was doing the shopping like I was told to do unfounded suspicion from a dead man is all."
I smile she let something slip, "Huh a friend? Do tell I am all ears who is this friend?" Silk frowned she realized she messed up she retorted, "Yes a friend none of your business for that matter. Now boy can I get back to my cleaning this is pointless." I thought for a moment a friend? Who could she have called in the bathroom in secret she was even whispering over the phone. She also disappeared frequently during the day, and even lied about where she was going if the journal was to be believed. I push a little more, "One more question then we will leave you to your duties. When did you say you were hired here?" I think this question will clear up the rest of my questions. Silk thinks for a moment then responds plainly, "About a year ago, but I am loyal to the Fairweather family they have helped me a lot in my short time here."
That was exactly what I thought I smile to her, "You know I have heard a rumor or two about this family before coming to this estate." I smile knowingly, "I heard in the news that Reginald was involved in a national scandal it would seem that there has been rumors he was involved in black market trading." I recall seeing a news report a year or so back that had Reginald's name as the front headline, and seems there were rumors he was selling shady inventions to the underbelly of this city. I add on, "I think they were found to be untrue, but some people still have their doubts." Silk taps her fingers annoyed, "Your point?" I point my finger at her, "Let me see I would argue that you have something to do with these rumors. Something odd comes to mind, the rumors started about a year ago now now this is just speculation, but its hard to believe you were conveniently hired around the same time as the rumors.
Her eyes get grown dark her tapping gets more furious as I continue, "Now this is just speculation, but combine that idea with this journal, and I think that could paint a much clearer picture for us." Silk growled, "What are you implying?" I asserted, "Well for one the sneaking away, lying, and whispering to people in the bathroom could lead one to a certain conclusion. One would be forced to fantasize that you are some kind of spy, oh how cool that would be imagine being a spy for the government of Sweetwater. Undercover deep in enemy territory trying to find evidence of a scandal. Oh how daring!" Silk pulls something from here pocket seems to be a regular pen her eyes are now radiating malice. Silk whispers, "Choose your next words very carefully boy." I am caught off guard for a moment, but regain my composure, "Woah woah settle down miss maid I am merely suggesting how that could make for a good story. Listen even if that story were true it need got get out lest you give me some information."
Silk looks up at me her eyes staring daggers through my soul she really will hurt me if I say something to set her off. I clear my throat trying to calm the butterflies, "Right lets get to the heart of the matter if you indeed did not kill Reginald which to an extent I believe that to be true. After all you will remain in character as the maid of this household, so that leads me to believe your goal here is information not the death of Reginald. An assassin would of been gone by now I would think. I wonder exactly if you would have information that we can exchange in regards to Reginald's untimely end, I could in turn forget this conversation ever happened, and my partner will also do the same." I turn to Azura she's speechless seems she has been trying to keep up with the revelations happening in front of her, but she does give the maid a nod.
Silk puts away her hidden weapon for now and regains her composure she ponders for a moment. She sighs, "Alright boy I will provide for you one piece of information, and one piece only. I was here the night Reginald was killed this is information I decided the police didn't need to know. The reason being because I really wasn't supposed to be in the estate at the time of the murder. It was late, and I usually don't sleep here. I come at 8:00 am and stay until 8:00 pm I was trying to dig for my own information, and I figured the police would dig more if they knew I was there. The crime happened around 9:00 am, and Reginald was locked in his study as usual tinkering with his inventions I am sure." She paused for a moment looking on edge, "I heard the moment the crime happened the gun shot startled me as I was going through Master's room downstairs. I knocked on the door but nobody responded I decided it was best to report the crime in the morning since it would be troubling if someone found out I was there. For one I would be the only culprit the blame would immediately shift to me, and it would compromise my mission."
She frowned her forehead creasing, "Look kid the only thing I know is the door was locked from the inside nobody went through that door. I got to the door moments after that shot rang out, and I didn't see anyone, I also didn't see anyone on the stairs. I do have one piece of information for you, I did hear something when I checked the door. I heard the sound of someone running, but strangely I didn't see anyone. This might sound crazy, but I could swear that the sound was coming from the wall." I raised an eyebrow, "From the wall? Intriguing that would be impossible since the room is rather small do you know which side it came from?" Silk pondered for a moment, "No not really it felt like the sound came from all around me in the halls of the estate." I smiled, "Thanks that was helpful information this will be one of the bigger pieces to solving this case." Silk scowled, "I don't need your thanks just forget we even talked, and leave." I turned away from the door and said as I excited the room, "I promise on my pride as a detective what was discussed here will not leave this room."
I excited I beckoned Azura to follow me back to the study, and once we got there she began to question me. Azura questioned, "That was... interesting you are resourceful for a plain man, but how does this help us?" I smiled, "Your highness don't you see this changes everything we now have the means to deduce the culprit of this case." She raises an eyebrow and I explain, "Silk said the sound same from everywhere which means we can't decode where the sound originated from yet. However this provides us with information that their may be a hidden mechanism in this estate. She said she heard the sound from the wall? If we take that at face value that could mean there is a hidden passageway into this very room. We have the what of the mystery we need to now find the where." Azura chimed in, "How do you suppose we do that Nero?" I say excited, "Why how else silly we need to make our own blueprints of this estate, and find a place a hidden room can fit."