A step into the unknown

- I understand that you were at the party here a few days ago - Detective Collins turned to Sebastian while Detective Bones and Gabriela entered further into the house.

- Yes, I was here like many other people - he confirmed while taking the time to look around. It was different in the daylight. The glamour of the night lights was gone, replaced by the warmth of the day. But still, even with the beauty of the place, there was a slight tint. A feeling of forlornness that could not be explained with anything else than the knowledge of the present death.

- Yes, but those other people are not here now - the detective hinted with an appraising look.

- Maybe - he said with a slight shrug and added - perhaps it would be smart of me to mention that I'm here on business.

- Are you? - asked the policeman with certainty that it was not just that. He would need to return his badge if he could not notice the dynamic between the two people. Were they lovers or partners in crime, he could not tell of yet - and whose idea was it? Yours or the miss?

- Miss Mago invited me to accompany her on the inspection - He was not fond of the insinuation here, wanted to protect her reputation, and continued - that if this exhibit is found, it will be returned to me without charges being brought against her family - he added.

- This arrangement may be between yourselves, but any information on the death of the guard must be shared. And any involvement in that incident will be prosecuted by the law. If I find you have anything to do with any of the deaths, I will be sure to make you regret it - The older policeman emphasized, making sure to dissuade them from their detective-wanna-be attitude.

- We might do that - Sebastian started and thought about how to play this. It would be amazing to rile him up. On the other hand, it would take off his time if he played with the police as well as investigating this. In the end, he decided to be as truthful and short as possible - but I'm sure I've already been checked and you're aware that I have an alibi for the night in question.

- Yes - he nodded in confirmation - we did a check. And even though you have an alibi you also have the habit of being all over the place. It seems that with every lead we get, your footprints are there. Quite suspicious if you ask me.

- You have my full cooperation, detective. If you need anything else—bank statements, tax returns, and printouts of my correspondence - you only need to ask - Sebastian replied bluntly.

- We might as well ask for them - Detective Bones pitched in after his initial inspection of the entrance.

- I'd be disappointed if you didn't ask for them - confirmed Sebastian with a slight nod toward the detectives.

Gabriela hardly listened to them. She used the time the two studied each other to get a grip. She took several breaths and forced herself to calm down. The bad feeling that had been holding her for the past few days was getting stronger. She felt that this house held all the answers she was looking for and she wasn't sure she was ready to ask the questions.

She would find out the cause of her uncle's death and lock that book in the darkest vault she could find. Now she would go around the rooms to get a feel of the place. Her uncle's death took place in the library, so the likelihood that what she was looking for was there was strong. Since the police have already processed the place, they would probably stay only for a short time. The fewer people she had with her, the better.

However, she didn't want Sebastian to leave. Gabriela hoped he would stay with her. She took a deep breath and decided that there was no point in wasting any more time.

- Okay, now let's finish what we came for, will you gentlemen agree? - the young woman asked, walking further into the house. The energy was fluctuating. It was like the house was sick. Or maybe was just sad.

The energy was rolling on her skin. Her magical core was swirling inside, making her agitated. Something was interfering with the natural flow of magic and was disturbing the energy around her. Small shimmering could be found all around the furniture. The further she looked, the more disturbed the magic was. But nothing made sense and she was feeling more and more confused.

Gabriela couldn't find the source and it was driving her and her magic frantic. It was like a puzzle with a missing piece, but when you start putting it together you find pieces of other puzzles inside. She needed to run a diagnostic spell but she couldn't right now. When she's alone. Now she would focus on the inspection at hand.

The witch began to wander around the rooms and look for what the police had asked, as Sebastian and the two police officers watched her carefully.

- Besides the forensics and the housekeeper, no one else has been in here since your uncle's death - Detective Bones informed her to see how she would react. Gabriela didn't. She kept going from object to object and touching them slightly. Clairvoyance was not her strongest point, but she could sense the energies of the world around her without a problem. There were only faint prints in this room that were hard to make out. But towards the library, they became clearer and more intrusive. However, she wanted to study the weak signals first before they were pressed on by time.

They spent almost two hours going around the common areas and taking inventory of the items that were missing. There weren't many of them, and she wasn't sure they were missing from now either. She didn't live here after all and they might just have been moved.

- Even though they are gone, it doesn't mean they were stolen. I do not live here and I can't tell if my uncle just moved or sold them at some point - she told them.

- That's alright - Collins reassured her - Even if a small part of them were taken if they reappear, we will have some kind of lead - he explained.

- Yes, maybe you are right - Gabriela nodded.

- We've been here for a few hours now, and we haven't even gone through half of the premises yet - sighed Detective Bones. He was frustrated by the time spent walking around and was in dire need of coffee and lunch. Not to mention his time would have been better spent chasing after leads. Their team had already gone twice through everything and there was nothing new to find at the moment. Usually, that kind of check was done by the family alone, but the connection between Miss Mago and Mr Vero was suspicious enough for him and his partner to try and get some answers. For the last two hours though they gained no new information and he was ready to put his suspicions on hold for the moment.

- We have to go back to the precinct- Detective Collins agreed. He could stay longer, but there was no need. For the last two hours, there were no new leads and no suspicious interactions between the two, that would warrant his stay. Plus there was a pile of paperwork with his name on the desk and a lovely lunch in the fridge. He could tell that being there was a waste of time and resources at the moment.

- Will you be able to continue here alone? - Bones asked the two, almost skipping towards the door. He needed that coffee.

- Of course - Gabriela agreed with a nod and addressed the older detective - I will send you the list as soon as I finish it.

- Okay, you have my business card. You can email me or bring the list to the precinct if you would like that better.

- Yes, I have your contact details. I will email you the list after we finish here - she wanted them gone already but contained her uneasiness. It would only seem suspicious if she was to show her true feelings.

- If you're not sure about the library, you can leave it for another time when we're here - suggested the younger detective. All of them had noticed how she avoided that area of the house.

- No problem - she told them and turned to Sebastian questioningly - Mr. Vero will help me?

- I'm not going anywhere - he told her with a smile and a gentle nod.

- Of course - Detective Collins looked between the two with an analyzing gaze and seemed to conclude and gave himself a slight nod - Well if that's what you've decided. But if there's anything, don't hesitate to call us.

- Don't worry gentlemen - she answered him with a smile and decided to tease the man a bit - Mr. Vero would not do anything to endanger me, especially since he has not yet found what he is looking for.

- Okay, we'll leave it to you. Call if there is anything - they said and went out. She and Sebastian were left alone in the hushed hall. Their eyes met and locked for a moment.

- Well, it's time to move on if we want to be done for today - He extended his arm toward the back of the house, indicating her to lead the way.

She took a long, appreciative look and gave him a slight nod in agreement. It was not that she was afraid of what was in there. It was the fear of why. Because whatever she would find in that room would give her the answers that would change everything. They would paint the picture and open her eyes to all the wrongs she was blind to up unlit now. She was apprehensive of the changes around her, as they would be the catalyst of her growing up from her carefree life.

She took a deep breath and stepped further into the house. It was time to face the music as they said and she was wondering why was she so happy to do it with him.