Chapter IX: Elimination of suspicion
Judging from the content of the mission and the scene, the murderer of this murder should be a human being. While thinking about it, Lu Qing was also a little puzzled, what had happened so far was a man-made homicide at first glance. However, this does not fit the usual style of the space. Could it be that this mission is just for me to solve the case? No, thinking of that weird dream last night, Lu Qing always felt that there would be other terrifying things to happen in the future. This fifth solo mission is definitely not that simple.
"Now we need to check your belongings, after all, my father's cherished portrait has been stolen, and if we can find it, maybe the identity of the murderer will be revealed. I hope you can cooperate. Owen asked for everyone's permission and went to their room with Sebas, the butler, and the other servants.
Lu Qing didn't have any hope for their search, otherwise he wouldn't have given himself three days to find the murderer in this mission. However, the special collection mentioned in the mission should refer to this portrait. He sat down on the couch without saying a word, while his brain spun rapidly, analyzing everything he had observed all the morning.
Two hours later, Owen returned to the living room with the servant. Charles immediately nervously stepped forward and asked, "How is it, have you found something?" "Nope." Owen's face was a little solemn. They searched carefully, and there were seven rooms on the second floor, each of which had been rummaged through by the servants inside and out, including the luggage of several guests. However, they did not find any suspicious objects such as portraits or murder weapons.
"Before the police arrive, don't you mind if I ask you what you did when my father died, around twelve o'clock in the morning?" Overnight, Carol Burke is brutally murdered in her bedroom, looking at her devastated mother and two heartbroken sisters, Carol Owen becomes the last pillar of the family.
"Of course not. I also hope that the killer can be found soon. Charles nodded cooperatively, and then said, "Last night, not long after everyone left the study, I sent Miss Elena back to the room. Of course, before that, I spent a while alone with her in the garden, about twelve o'clock, and after sending her back, I went straight to rest not long after I returned to my room. Elena on the side also nodded.
"My wife and I went straight back to our room to rest after looking at the painting. Around twelve o'clock, we had already fallen asleep. Cameron said. Because I have been suffering from severe insomnia, I need to take some tranquilizers before going to bed every time. So before going to bed last night, the husband also instructed the servant to pour a glass of water and bring it into the house. Aisha added. Yes, Mr. Cameron did ask me to bring them a glass of warm water last night. A maid replied.
"I've been drinking very well, and I was a little dizzy after the banquet yesterday, so I fell asleep not long after I returned to the house." Daniel replied. "I'm pretty much the same." Catherine chimed in.
"Not long after I went back last night, I received a call from my assistant. However, he reported something to me about work. Here is the call log. James handed the phone to Owen.
"So, Kiyoshi, what were you doing at this time last night?" Owen turned his head and asked Lu Qingdao. "Kiyoshi is with us." At this time, the maid Amanda walked out.
Last night, while passing by the back hall of the kitchen, Lu Qing accidentally ran into Amanda and Dolly and others. "What are you looking for?" Out of curiosity, Lu Qing asked casually. "Qing, my necklace is missing." Amanda cried with a sad face: "It's the silver necklace I usually wear around my neck." It was left to me by my deceased grandmother, but after today's feast, I found it gone! ”
"Baby, don't worry, we'll find it for you." Dolly comforted her. The servants here are on good terms on weekdays, and everyone is very tired from cleaning up after the feast, but still no one has left the kitchen, and everyone is helping her find the necklace. Even Sebas's butler comforted her: "It's okay, let's look slowly, we can always find it." ”
"Then I'll help you find it too." Lu Qing said, and also joined the team. "By the way, you've been to my room during the day, haven't you? Will it be ......" Lu Qing suddenly remembered something. "yes, maybe it fell in your room!" Amanda was a little pleased. So, the two of them immediately set off and returned to his room. "Sure enough, it's here." Lu Qing picked up the missing necklace from the bedside.
Back in the kitchen, to celebrate the "lost and found" necklace, they opened a bottle of red wine with the permission of Sebas's butler. "There are still a lot of snacks that have not been touched during the day, and Miss Elena has instructed us to eat them in order to celebrate the master's birthday." Amanda suddenly remembered.
"That's right, everyone has worked hard today, if you want to eat, just eat to your heart's content." Sebastian housekeeper is also in a good mood. However, due to their old age, he and Mrs. Dolly soon left the back kitchen, but the rest of the young people were different. Everyone set up snacks and red wine and celebrated.
Lu Qing originally wanted to leave, but Amanda and the others tried their best to invite him to join him, but he had no choice but to stay and drink with everyone. That's why he woke up in the morning with a headache, and by the time he finished celebrating, it was already past one o'clock in the night. The combination of a hangover and a lack of sleep made him a little out of shape today. Of course, the main thing is the nightmare of last night. But this point, Lu Qing naturally won't say it.
Almost all the servants could testify that Lu Qing was indeed with them last night. Therefore, his suspicion was also directly ruled out by Owen. It seems that Amanda's necklace was not simply lost. Lu Qing suddenly reacted, this should be the manipulation of the space in order to make it easier for him to investigate. Since he got rid of suspicion, it would be much easier for him to investigate the case. Sure enough, Owen's tone of voice to him softened a lot: "I see, I know." ”
With this episode, Owen narrowed down the scope of his target a lot: "Since all the servants stayed with Lu Qing last night, then they don't have time to commit crimes. Among the suspects are Charles, Mr. and Mrs. Cameron, Daniel, Catherine and James. His words once again aroused the dissatisfaction of others.
"Didn't I say I was talking to my assistant? He can prove it. James stood up. The talk lasted only about five minutes, which doesn't tell the whole story. Carol Owen's blue eyes revealed firmness, and he said to several people: "Until the police arrive, please do not move around freely, it is best to stay in my sight all the time." "This Owen is a smart man." Lu Qing thought secretly in his heart.
This morning, the atmosphere in the hall was a little solemn. Some people were irritable, others didn't say a word, and everyone seemed preoccupied. It was fast to noon. Although everyone is suspicious, the meal must be eaten after all. Soon, Owen sent for Lady Beatrice, her mother, and two younger sisters.
Everyone sat at the table, all a little absent-minded. The maids brought the dishes to the table, and although it was only lunch, Sebastian Butler still instructed the chef to make it more hearty.
"Today's main course is Provençal charcoal-grilled cod with pan-fried foie gras." After serving the salad, the maid Amanda pushes a dish in a small cart. However, the moment she lifted the lid, she screamed. Underneath the lid was not a delicacy, but a bloody human head.