“I tell you Detective, both the Amelia and Madame Belle are sus!”
“PC 9527 just called in, the lawyer had a meeting with a client. PC 3686 also checked the dancer’s alibi. You’re only chance now is client number 3.”
There were a considerable amount of rich people in the Big City. Detective Merlin would avoid making contact with them for various good reasons. One, to avoid being mistaken as a scammer; two, as a policemen treading even so much on a rich man’s grass could land him in a pot of hot water.
Hence why he kept fidgeting on the fine leather couch in the mansion.
There was an unsettling sensation, of just sitting down would rip through the cushions. There was no way he could afford furniture made-in-Europe on his salary. This time he didn’t dare pull out any snacks or drinks, or else he’ll be given a hefty fine for littering. All he could do to bid his time, to keep a tight and relaxed smile.
Tessa Roads on the other hand was too exhausted to keep up a polite posture. She slouched on the expensive couch as if her own sofa, trying to catch her breath and think about what happened.
She can’t recall when was she ever this lazy with etiquette. Kind of reminded her of those carefree college days where she can curl up in a beany chair, chewing on cold pizza, and play games on her laptop before being late for her next class. But since she entered the adult world, such measurable habits were tossed right out the window for the sake of economical survival.
Remembering why she was here, she examined the grand mansion. Chandelier above them. Winding banister staircase to the left. A giant aquarium of rare fishes to the right. Vases and pottery that could only be found in auctions. Yikes everywhere.
The atmosphere didn’t help when there were a couple of house servants standing at attention, awaiting orders. Their stares no different than the silence of guards standing post in front of the Buckingham Palace.
Tessa let out a long sigh, feeling her chest heave with a tired pain. Then, it was her turn to nudge Merlin in the elbow. “Hey.”
“Ssssh. Be vewy, vewy quiet. Our decibels will shatter the glass. There is no way my inspector will claim the damages.”
“How did you learn to talk like that? What you did with Amelia and Madame Belle?”
Merlin spared a small snort, light enough to avoid tipping over anything fragile. “In the line of duty, there are many ways to get information. By fists, by informant fees, under the table deals, and so on. I prefer being on everyone’s good side for two reasons: one, I don’t have to work as hard. Two, who doesn’t like to show off in front of a normal guy like me? The happier the people are, the more they are willing to spill their guts to get more likes and praises. No cap.”
Tessa smiled. “You’re really good. You really might have a knack for being an insurance agent.”
“Ah sorry.” The detective shrugged his shoulders. “After seeing what you go through, I’ll stick to sad government wages any day. No offence.”
The suspect snorted as she stretched out her legs. “To each their own, I guess.”
“Ah. By the way. This client number three. What kind of person is Mrs. Cambridge?”
“Oh her Well, between you and me she’s--” Tessa hushed her voice to whisper into Merlin’s ear. “The Karen of all Karens.”
The words alone made the detective shudder as if an eldritch horror tickled his neck.
Tessa than finished with, “Other than that, she’s married to one of the top 10 businessmen in the Big City.”
“...That’s it? Just rich wife? Not a civil servant, celebrity dancer?”
“Married a rich man, yes.”
“...What’s the colour of her hair?”
“Jet black.”
“Does she—Oh sh--” Merlin gagged when she heard footsteps coming down the stairs. Picking up the cue, Tessa also bolted sitting up to regain her polite posture, combing her fingers through her hair.
The house servants turned to bow at the stairs as a Polar Bear waltzed down the steps. Yes, polar bear as in the woman was wearing this brilliant snow white fur coat around her bare shoulders. The bleach white dress hugged her figure as she stepped down, unable to mask the heavy make up on her lips. Purple eye shadow and deep rouge lips.
And dayum, look at that mole on her chin.
The elegant Polar Bear came into the mansion lounge where the suspect and detective were sitting. Tessa rose up with a graceful bow...and slapped Merlin’s shoulder to make him stand up in greeting as well.
“Hello, Mrs. Cambridge. Do you remember me?”
“Of course.” Mrs. Cambridge would sweep around to sit on a single seat couch. With a single wave of her hand, the house servant bowed and left the room to fix refreshments. As the Polar Bear relaxed in her seat she said, “Tessa Roads, you’re one of the top agents who is taking care of me at Precious Life.”
“Yes!” Tessa nodded before sitting down...dragging the detective with her. “Um. Sorry to bother you, however there is something important we need to discuss.”
“Ah yes. I nearly forgot, I wish to cancel my insurance policy.”
“Y-you too!?”
Mrs. Cambridge shrugged with a wave of her hand. “Liam Ferguson and I are close friends. I always enjoyed working with him. Hearing his loss has put me in a state of grief.” Tessa and Merlin would glance at the Polar Bear’s fanciness – ready for any party. “Oh please, do not let my appearance deceive you. I’ve been preparing for a big function at the local convention hall. It’s just poor timing for my friend’s passing, yes, but this gathering today is not something I can step away. I have my husband’s reputation to think about. So, I grieve within my heart.”
Tessa nodded and waited for Merlin to ask his questions
....and waited
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
....and waited.
She waited so long, she made Mrs. Cambridge feel awkward. The rich lady even had to glance at a clock nearby to see if time suddenly stopped for no reason. Tessa quickly nudged at Merlin to say something! Anything.
“....” For some reason, Detective Merlin just...sat there like a lump. A silly smile on his face as he tried to be polite like a shaggy dog. Every now and then he glanced at Mrs. Cambridge, her hair, the white fur around her shoulder, any other fuzzy decorations on the hem of the dress.
Two colours, black or white.
He snuck a peek at one of the evidence bags in his pocket. A clump of brown hair, the colour of sunset blonde. Hiding his trump card, the detective continued to smile and nod.
“...If there is nothing else,” Mrs. Cambridge broke the silence and turned to Tessa. “You can cancel my policy. I don’t need it anymore.”
“W-wait. One second.” Tessa waved a hand, before using her other fingers to tug on Merlin’s sleeve. “Uuuh, I-I brought someone t-to speak to you about--”
“Oh no need to trouble yourself darling. I know you agents have it hard with work. If you are truly desperate in keeping your job, I don’t mind extending my policy for another three months, but I’m still going to cut it. I see no point now that my friend has passed away.”
“No it’s just that, you know—Merlin!” Tessa hissed at her companion...who continued to smile and nod like a silly goose. “The thing, th-the thing is that he’s—”
*Bork Bork*
“OH MY GEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERD!”
A beast waltzed right into the lounge.
Detective Merlin leapt up and hid behind Tessa Roads, gripping her shoulders like a riot shield. He couldn’t stop screaming and crying out for help as he tried to hide his big oaf of a body behind Tessa’s petite frame.
“Merlin!” The suspect shrieked at the sudden reaction, “Wh-what’s gotten into you! It’s just a dog!”
“I KNOW! I HATE THEM! KEEP IT AWAY FROM MEEE! AAAAAAAH!”
Tessa whipped her head between the screaming detective and the waltzing beast.
A Golden Retriever strut in with the grace of a trained race horse. It made small panting noises and a happy bork as it hopped up and onto its owner’s lap.
“Oh babyyyy. Did you have a good nap?” Mrs. Cambridge embraced her dog, kissing it on the head and snuggling her arms around the canine. “Who’s a good boy? Hmm? Mommy loves you very much. Chu-chu-chu.” She even went as far as kissing the dog on the lips...as if her own flesh and blood child...B-blegh.
“Blegh.” Tessa covered her mouth, but ended up being rattled as she was used as a body shield. “M-Merlin calm down! It’s not going to eat you!”
“I DON’T CARE! BEGONE, BEAST! D-DON’T COME NEAR ME!” Merlin screeched as he curled up even harder behind the suspect. It took a while for Tessa to notice, but something kept tickling her cheek. It was a plastic evidence bag, gripped in Merlin’s hand while she clutched at her sweater. Inside was a clump of sunset blonde hair.
She stared at the Golden Retriever again. Sunset blond fur.
“OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH!” Tessa swiped the evidence bag out of the detectives hand and played the trump card. “Mrs. Cambridge, where were you on the night my boss’ murder!?”
“Wh-what?” The Polar Bear touched her chest in startle, clutching onto her pet dog. “Wh-what is the meaning of this?”
“Do you have any idea who this guy is? He’s--” Tessa tried to grab at Merlin to bring him forward. He flung her off to cower behind her. Rolling her eyes, she just yanked at his police lanyard to show his ID. “This is Detective Merlin of Criminal Investigation Department, Precinct 9. He’s handling Liam Ferguson's case! He found this piece of fur at the crime scene – Diamond Hotel – and it’s clear the colour of this evidence matches your dog! What have you to say to yourself!”
Mrs. Cambridge was taken aback by the sudden turn of events. Not sure what to say, she could only grip onto her dog, which began to whine in her lap. “Miss Roads. What on earth!? How dare you accuse me of-of having anything to do with Liam’s murder!? He’s my friend!”
“Listen Karen!” Tessa slashed a hand over her throat to cut any backtalk from her enemy. “I had it up to here with all your bull! I’m being put on the chopping block for crying out loud and I want to clear my name! You’re one of Liam’s client, meaning the police can suspect you for murder until proven otherwise. Merlin found this piece of dog fur in Liam’s hotel room, meaning you’ve been to the crime scene. So answer me—I mean Merlin—are you the murderer?”
“No! Never!” Mrs. Cambridge gritted her teeth, screw her make up she ain’t going down without a fight. “Miss Roads, you been nothing but rude in my own household. Leave, before I file a lawsuit against you and your entire company.”
“Those bastards can go screw themselves! My boss nearly raped my ass! My own co-works were literally eating popcorn as they laughed at my downfall! Everyone in the world told me to give up and admit being a crazy jilted lover! After everything I’ve put up – I deserve to hear the truth! I want answers and I want them now!”
Mrs. Cambridge just snorted, indignant, “You think you can come in here waving out a piece of fur and point fingers at me? Do you have any idea who you are talking to? Besides, such hair like that could belong to ANY mongrel from the street! What makes you think this belongs to my baby here!”
“You.......aaaa...” Damn, she’s got a point.
Whatever fire Tessa had going came to a stand still. Just when her guts were close to crawling out of the abyss, it fell back down. She racked her brain to come up with something, fast...
Only to turn to Merlin for inspiration, who stuttered. “Co-c-conf-fiscate-cate--” He kept pointing at the dog.
Tessa’s brain went speeed. “We can confiscate your dog! I mean, he can, he’s an officer. A-and...a-and?”
“D-D-D-Dnn-D-N---D-D.N.A.”
“AND run D.N.A. analysis on your animal!” Tessa then just...threw out all reason out the window it was her last shot. “Your dog will remain as evidence for the duration of the investigation. Forensics will run tests all day and all night, getting every square inch of it’s body until we find a match! What do you say about that, Mrs. Cambridge!?”
“N-no! Wait, I surrender!” Mrs. Cambridge held her dog like an infant, patting it on the neck as it made a weak whining noise. “M-my b-baby isn’t like any other dog. I-I would never let him work a day in his life, there’s no way he could survive on your cheap canned dog food. He only eats the Filet Mignon my chef cooks for him, or else he’ll starve himself!”
“That’s what you get for being a rich f--” Tessa gagged when Merlin tried to climb onto her spine to get away from the dog, like a cat in a tree. A groan, and she asked. “Alright, last chance. Tell us everything, do you have any unspeakable relationship with Liam!?”
Mrs. Cambridge hugged her dog tight. A shameful nod, unable to answer properly between stutters. “I-I wasn’t lying how L-Liam and I were friends. We...he’s an agent who needs business and he sought me out. H-he was the type who was willing to do anything to nail the sale so... I just--!”
“Nailed him in bed?”
“...Y....You can put it like that.”
Tessa face palmed. Strike three. She hissed into her hands before she spoke in a controlled voice. “Where were you at the time of his death? Answer or I’ll talk to your husband!”
“At home! I was at home! I-I was having dinner with my husband’s business partners. I-I never left the house! Neither my baby!”
“When was the last time you saw Liam before he died?”
“F-Five days ago! I-I remember clearly my husband went on a business trip to Germany, so I was alone and had...spare time. My baby and I often go on short dates with Liam.”
Tessa raised an eyebrow. “You...always bring your dog everywhere?”
“H-he’s like my child! I could never leave him alone at home! I always take him with me!”
“...Even when you...visit Liam at his hotel?”
Mrs. Cambridge would give a small nod as she cradled her Golden Retriever. “Karl Hoffman, the hotel manager there. He can vouch for me. Because the hotel doesn’t allow dogs inside, he offers to sneak my baby through the employee elevator and deliver him straight to Liam’s room. Ask him, he’ll tell you everything! I swear! D-don’t hurt my baby!”
The dog borks, does it sadly.