Councillor Carter's residence was divided into two main structures: the front hall and the main mansion located at the rear. The front hall had a double-story design with a vast space in the middle serving as a social area. The main mansion designated for living was a long two-story building at the back, with a corridor on the second floor facing the front hall for easy access to the six rooms, divided by a central staircase into three on each side.
Each room had a balcony, and since the ground floor didn't need balconies, each of its six rooms was slightly larger, also split by the staircase into two sets of three.
A covered walkway connected the back door of the front hall to the mansion, with well-kept gardens about half a meter high on either side, featuring s-shaped pebble paths for the owners to admire the flowers easily.
The servant who had reported the incident was waiting with an oil lamp in the covered walkway, visibly anxious, with sweat dripping from his brow.
"What's the current situation? Have you searched the mansion?" Elyon asked.
"Sir, who is this?" the sturdy servant didn't answer Elyon's question but instead turned to Councillor Carter.
"This is Chief Elyon. He will ask you questions, and you must answer him truthfully," Councillor Carter instructed.
"Understood, sir. Chief, around 8 o'clock, the patrol team outside the perimeter walls heard the sound of glass breaking from the mansion. They moved to inform us, keeping watch between the mansion and the courtyard, that something seemed to have happened. My fellow guard and I, along with the patrol team, headed to the mansion. After confirming there were no broken windows or doors on the ground floor, I took two patrol members to check the second-floor windows, while Gal went with two others to check the back of the mansion."
"You split up on your own initiative?"
"Yes, then Gal saw broken glass on the lawn at the back of the mansion and, looking up, noticed the glass door to the young lady's balcony room had been broken. Gal stationed the patrol team at the rear and came to inform me. By then, we had finished checking the second-floor front corridor, and all windows and doors were intact. I came to notify you, sir, and as I entered the front hall, I encountered the young lady. She and her companions should be back in her room accounting for any losses."
"What's your name, and can you take us to the scene?" Elyon queried.
"Chief, I'm Fink. Follow me, please."
They first headed to the mansion's backyard, where Elyon noticed the lawn was trimmed to about half an inch, making it easy to leave footprints. From the property's front to the backyard, the ground was covered with the footprints of the patrol team and guards, seemingly unaware of the need to preserve the scene of the crime.
Two shorter, stockier guards stood in the backyard.
"Gal, come here. The Councillor and Chief Elyon have some questions for you." Gal approached upon hearing his name.
"Did you see anyone come out of the building during this time?"
"Chief, we've been on watch for over ten minutes, and we haven't seen anyone exit," Gal reported.
"Brother, may I borrow your lamp?" Elyon asked Fink.
Fink handed over his brass oil lamp, casting a warm orange glow. Elyon, holding the lamp, searched the backyard lawn. Suddenly, he beckoned the councillor over.
"What have you found?"
"Look here, there are two sets of footprints—one leading to the back window of your daughter's room and the other going from the window to the backyard wall," Elyon pointed out with the light from the lamp.
"Are you suggesting the thief climbed over the backyard wall and then ascended to the second floor to commit the theft?" Councillor Carter surmised.
"Not necessarily; that's just one possibility. Mr. Carter, your backyard faces the street, correct?"
"Yes, the backyard leads to Pine Street, an area where wealthy merchants and government officials reside," the councillor confirmed.
Elyon estimated the size of the footprints with his hand—about a size 9 in Bruge Kingdom standards, a common size for men's shoes.
"Let's go upstairs and examine the scene. Make sure no one disturbs these footprints."
Ascending the mansion's marble staircase, Councillor Carter and Elyon reached the second floor, where two patrol officers were standing guard by the staircase.
"Why are you here? Where is the young lady?" Councillor Carter inquired.
"Sir, the young lady is in her room assessing the loss. We were ordered to guard outside the room to prevent the thief from returning to attack," one officer explained.
Only they're here? Elyon thought, worried the scene might be compromised.
"Councillor, let's hurry up, lest the scene be accidentally disturbed."
The councillor led Elyon to Annie's room. Directly opposite the door was a round table with a silver tray and a half-empty juice bottle, next to a small silver hammer and three empty glasses.
Past the round table was a set of double doors leading to the balcony—locked, with the upper half of the glass shattered, and glass shards strewn on the floor beside the door.
To the door's side was a large potted plant, and the room was illuminated by four gas lamps on the left and right walls. A wrought-iron chandelier with a round tray hung in the center, with eight curved arms extending from the rim, each topped with a small gas lamp.
The left side of the room held a wardrobe, a bed, and a small door likely leading to a washroom. Annie and her companions were tidying up clothes strewn across the floor. The wardrobe was open and in disarray.
"Annie, are you alright? Have you lost any items?" Councillor Carter asked.
"I didn't go through the jewelry. I knew you'd likely send someone to investigate. The wretched thief even messed up my wardrobe," Annie replied.
Elyon approached the damaged door, trying to turn the handle but found it wouldn't budge.
"Mr. Carter, please open this door for me."
The councillor produced a ring of keys from his pocket, selected a smaller one, and inserted it into the lock, turning it until it clicked.
Elyon pushed the door open, and more glass shards crunched underfoot on the balcony.
Through the balcony, Elyon had a clear view of Pine Street beyond the backyard wall. Being a wealthy district, gas streetlights were already lit, with occasional carriages passing by.