“Murdered?” I exclaimed, “By whom?”

“That is what we are trying to figure out, ma’am.” The young man answered. “His body was reported forty minutes ago by one of the workers. His body was in his office with a bloody gash across his neck. It’s assumed his throat was slit.”

“Forty minutes ago.” Pigeon mused. “So not even Detective Hans or Clarke knows about this.”

“Quite.” The bobby confirmed. “And because of the company's ties with the murder of Lotusburg, the Chief is down here at the scene himself.”

“The Chief?” Pigeon shrieked with enthusiasm. “Time to prove my worth. Where is he?”

“I believe he is in the CEO’s office, sir.”

“Then there is where we shall go! Come along, my dear assistant!” With that, he hurried past the bobby and into the warehouse, shoving past anyone who tried to stop him.

I pinched the bridge of my nose. It appears as if I would have to finish the questioning.

“So, are there any suspects?” I asked.

Not directly.” The young Yard member replied. “As I mentioned, because of Ironclad Innovations ties with the other case, they suspect whoever murdered Agatha Lotusburg also killed the CEO.”

But the Lion’s Den wouldn’t kill the victim of an extorting! So, if Cecil was right about there being two perpetrators and Scotland Yard is correct about whoever murdered the CEO also being whoever murdered Lotusburg then the only conclusion is that the murderer of the CEO was the individual or individuals who poisoned Lotusburg.

“I see. On a different note, what can you tell me about this CEO.”

The bobby nodded. “I can tell you what I know, but it’s not a lot. The CEO’s name is Neil Ottenburg. He’s been the CEO of Ironclad Innovations for thirty-two years. According to his employees, he was stern but loved by all. I’m afraid that’s all I have been told.”

To be murdered at the business you’ve owned for thirty-two years!

“Speaking of employees, where are they now?” As I looked around I noticed all the workstations and guard posts where factory workers would be stationed, were taken over by detectives and bobbies scrutinizing every surface.

“The majority are being interviewed at the station.” He replied. “They are trying to figure out how a murderer walked into a warehouse unnoticed. Unfortunately, their efforts seem to be in vain so far.

“Interesting.” After realizing I have interrogating this poor man for quite some time I decided to go find Pigeon and Chief Ironheel. “Thank you for your time, sir. I’ll go meet with the Chief.

“Of course miss, any time!” He waved me goodbye as I hurried to the CEO’s office to discuss the second murder this week. I was afraid this situation was slowly slipping from my hands.

Cecil trudged impassively behind Adam humming to himself.

“Place seems packed, huh?”

As they walked through the cramped halls of the holding station, they observed every cell filled with men and detectives.

“It seems they all came from the same place,” Adam observed. “Look at their uniforms.”

The two men watched men in blue and white uniforms be ushered in and out of holding cells.

“Detective Clarke! Detective Hans!” A petite woman with a short auburn hurried towards the two.

“Harriet! Long time no see.” Adam smiled at the young lady.

“Mister Clarke. How wonderful it is to see you again. I missed you terribly.” She sang, twisting her hair around a slender finger. “I’m saddened we couldn’t meet again under better circumstances.” She said sorrowfully. “Chief Ironheel requires your presence. Unfortunately, the CEO of Ironclad Innovations, Neil Ottenburg was murdered.”

“Blasphemy! When?” Adam demanded.

“We got the call from a worker less than an hour ago. I was to report to you and Detective Hans but neither of you returned to your offices yet.”

“Yes. apologies. Someone caused the investigation to run long.” He remarked, shooting a glance toward Cecil.

“Hmph!”

“Oh, do not worry Mister Clarke, it’s quite alright! All that matters is that you are here now. But the Chief requested you straight away.”

“I suppose he’s at the company’s warehouse then?” Cecil asked

“Indeed. The CEO was found dead in his office. With his neck slashed.”

“How dreadful!” Adam ejaculated. “We shall head there straight away!”

Adam and Cecil turned on their heel until Adam was stopped by a delicate hand on his arm.

“Before you go Mister Clarke. Perhaps we can catch up over dinner sometime?”

Adam chuckled. “I don’t think Monica would like that very much, Miss Williams.”

“Oh, o-of course.” She coughed out. “Don’t let me keep you!”

“You and that Harriet, Cecil.” Adam sighed.

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Cecil laughed turning his gaze to Adam from the carriage window. “You sure have a lot of suitors. And you chose Monica out of all people!” He exclaimed. “She is quite a handful.”

“And you think you are any better?” Adam chuckled. “Most people and situations in my life are a handful.”

“That seems to ring true.” Cecil hummed. “Your second murder since your vacation. Better not mess up or you will end up sacked for good. Don’t wanna go out like Monica.” He smirked.

“You hypocrite.” Adam hissed. “You know it should’ve been you too.”

“Maybe. But I wasn’t” He shrugged.

“Monica still doesn’t forgive you.”

“I never thought she did. But I don’t care!” He jeered.

“But perhaps not. But that damn woman doesn’t let anything go. It’ll come and bite you in the arse eventually.”

“I’ll be counting the days,” Cecil smirked.

As the carriage arrived at the scene, Adam and Cecil were struck by the frenzied atmosphere surrounding the warehouse. People bustled around, surveying the area, while the yellow police tape cordoned off the building from passers-by. The sound of hushed whispers and murmurs of the officers could be heard all around.

Adam shielded his eyes from the sun with a cupped hand and surveyed the scene. He noticed that there was an abundance of cops outside the building. "What happened here?" he asked Cecil, who was also taking in the chaotic scene.

Cecil peered in the direction Adam was looking, his eyes scanning the area for any clues. "Perhaps they are looking for traces of the killer?" he suggested.

Adam nodded, his eyes still scanning the area. "Out here though?" he asked, the confusion evident in his voice.

The two approached a large-framed inspector with thick blond mutton chops and a contradicting bald head. was busy giving orders to a group of officers. The man turned back at the sound of their footsteps. His wrinkled face curled in the anger of being interrupted, soon being replaced with an expression of recognition and confusion.

"Clarke's back?" he asked gruffly as he noticed them approaching.

"Indeed, Inspector," Adam replied with a nod of his head. "Is the Chief here?"

The inspector nodded, pointing a meaty thumb at the entrance of the building behind him. "Jus' go up the iron stairs," he instructed. "The office is the only room up there."

"Excellent, thank you, Inspector Thomas!" Cecil said as he and Adam made their way towards the entrance of the building.

As I caught up with the impulsive man inside the CEO’s office I was greeted by Ironheel’s trademark booming laughter.

“Miss Mayla!” He shouted, his thick arms sprouting out next to him. “You’re here too? How lucky am I?”

“Hey

Chief,” I muttered. “Me and Pigeon were here to investigate the company’s involvement in Lotusburg’s affairs but we were told the CEO died.”

The chief’s expression dropped. “Unfortunately you were told right. Neil Ottenburg’s body was found not long ago. Homicide.”

I examined the office. It was in quite a state of disarray. The oak bookshelves were leaned against each other. Books strewn across the room. Pieces of the overhead chandelier blanketed the writing desk and the carpet underneath it. Pens and pen holders were toppled to the floor and ink-stained the maroon carpet. On a more gruesome note, the window behind the desk was splattered with blood. The black leather chair, which now sat on its side across the room was covered with puncture holes, rips, and splashes of blood. In the rightmost corner of the room, two bobbies sat hunched over examining what appeared to be another blood stain. On the opposite side of the room, Pigeon stood huddled in the corner, presumably to avoid the gory mess that dressed the office.

“Quite a struggle,” I noted as I bent down and ran a gloved finger through a mix of ink and blood.

“You are right my dear. As I was discussing with your colleague here, Mr Ottenburg didn’t go down without a fight. A few minutes ago I was delivered a message from the coroner; traces of human flesh and blood from the perpetrator were found under his fingernails. And from the few blood test results I have received back so far, the perpetrator also got blood around the office.”

“That’s great then, right?” I asked. “Now we can easily find the murderer.”

I heard Pigeon chuckle. That wasn’t a good sign.

“That’s quite the oversight from a future forensic scientist.” He mocked. “You see, we have no way of knowing who that blood belonged to. We would also need a sample of blood from the killer that matches to know we found the right guy. Problem is, there are no concrete suspects right now.”

“Quite right, Detective!” Ironheel praised. “The situation is quite grim as of right now.” He sighed. “Luckily my favorite detective is back working. And he brought a little assistant with him!” He chortled. I didn’t understand what was so funny.

“Favorite?” Pigeon spat in despair. “What about me.”

“You have yet to prove yourself.” He replied.

Ha! Point for me!

“Hopefully we aren’t too late.”

As I turned around I was greeted by the sight of Adam and Cecil entering the office.

“About time!” I huffed, ginger brows furrowing at them. “Where were you, Adam? We’ve been here investigating the murder.”

“My apologies!” The coffee-haired man scoffed. “I was busy doing my job.”

“Whatever. You off the hook, for now.” I warned. “To get on topic, we found the killer’s blood in the office and under the fingernails of the victim.”

“Does it match any other records we have?” Cecil asked in an intrigued manner.

“Unfortunately not.” Ironheel lit a pipe and brought it to his full mustache. “And we are out of concrete leads so far. And we’ve had zero luck tracking down the Lion’s Den or the unknown third party they are the true perpetrator as you say, Cecil.”

No leads at all? How easy was it to murder two people and get away with it?

“Well, what about Lotusburg’s assassin you have detained?” I inquired. “If he had ties with Lady Lotusburg, maybe he knew the people to blackmailed her.”

“Even if he did, it would be no help,” Pigeon responded. “We got the results of his mental evaluation back, he is completely sound of mind but still hasn’t said a word. I’m afraid it’s a dead end.”

“Quite true,” Ironheel responded. “We are preparing to send him to a jail sound. The court will decide his face.”

I groaned out, running my hands down my face.

“Then what else is there?” I cried out. “What are we supposed to do now?”

Cecil chuckled and fixed his ocean gaze on me. “What we always do of course; look for evidence we don’t have and follow up on evidence we do have. No matter how good a criminal one is, they always leave something in their wake. We only need to think hard enough.”

“Hans is correct,” Ironheel told me. “There is not much else we can do at the moment, however. Perhaps you four should head home. The Yard can finish up tonight! You’ve done your share of work in the past few days. Besides, a good night’s sleep refreshes the mind!”

I sighed out. I was feeling quite tired.

“It’s hard to work when you are trying to force your eyes to stay open.” Adam reiterated. “Maybe we should head back to the house.

“I will gladly take you up on that offer!” Pigeon announced. “These knees are creaking!” He yawned. In his usual fashion, he was out of the office in the blink of an eye and heading down the stairs.

Ironheel guffawed. “Ha! Well someone’s got the right idea! We shall pick this up tomorrow.” He turned to the two officers still huddled in the corner. “Constables, you are dismissed. Your work today is greatly appreciated. Clarke, Mayla, Hans you too!” We nodded in unison.