Chapter 6: Speculations, And More Speculations.

"Where is Inspector Berg?" Holden asked Constable Luis, his voice filled with curiosity.

"He's gone out with the corps," Luis replied. "Taking them somewhere."

"Hmm, it's obvious he went out to apprehend Brother Williamson and his disciples," concluded Galba.

"Speaking of Miss Mayers, she has a lot to tell but refrains from doing so. Why?" Aurelia questioned.

"Mostly trust issues. She doesn't trust anyone, not even the police executives. It's not just the Mayers; she doesn't trust any highly authorized person in Maygynks," Aurelia explained.

"Yeah, they can be easily bought because they buy others for personal benefits if I'm correct," Galba added.

Holden nodded in agreement.

"They rely mostly on their professional private guards, who are conducting their own investigation in this case," said Luis.

Galba interjected, "Allow me to contribute to our investigation. When Miss Mayer entered the hall, her face looked puffy and swollen, her eyes were red. It's probable that Miss Mayer has been crying excessively over the loss of Mr. Gilbert. This suggests that the incident was unexpected and shocking for her, indicating her innocence. We can clear her of any involvement in the murder."

Aurelia interrupted, "It could be a bluff. She might be intentionally portraying herself that way. Clearing her based on a hypothesis is an absurd way to handle the case."

"Yes, it could be intentional. There are five categories a suspect can fall into. First, she could be the murderer. Second, she could be completely innocent. Third, she could have helped the culprit commit the murder, as there's a greater probability that more than one person was involved. Fourth, she could know the murderer but not be directly involved in the murder itself. She may have witnessed it or have strong suspicions about someone close. And she avoided sharing any information about it. The fact that the victim's body was found near the mansion and showed signs of intense trauma suggests long-piled-up anger. I strongly believe that one or more family members are somehow involved," Galba elaborated.

"It's funny how you suspect family members more than communists. Your perspective aligns perfectly with the communists seeking revenge for years," Aurelia remarked.

"It may be true, Miss Aurelia. Galba and I control this small area of 12b and take responsibility for waking the natives, following Brother Williamson," Holden chimed in.

"We are not saying Williamson can't do it. He can solve this murder with his crew. But if he analyzed it a bit, the death of the Archduke directly points to him as the most obvious suspect. Who else has a greater motive? Williamson isn't that stupid to commit such an act. His ideology is to uproot colonization, eradicate the imperialistic mindset. Killing the Archduke would be like making a scratch on a giant cedar tree," Galba explained.

"Returning to Miss Mayers, when asked about the last time she saw the Archduke, she suddenly mentioned an incident involving hoodlums, possibly communists or, in your vocabulary, roaches. Why did she divert us to the hoodlums? Did it really happen, or did she create the story on the spot?" Holden questioned.

"In both cases, I conclude it was said as a defense mechanism and to cover up some shady aspect. Is she lying about the last time she saw him? There has to be something," Galba reasoned.

"Excellent representation using metaphors, Mr. Galba. I'm impressed by your perceptiveness," said Luis.

Holden felt a sense of pride as both Aurelia and Luis looked at Galba with admiration.

"You have a way of observing things and making logical connections "Spot-on, Galba. But I have something to say: I lack the intelligence to speculate and use deduction like you and Miss Aurelia. However, when I looked into Miss Mayer's eyes, all I saw was a sea of sadness. When I gave her a glass of water, I felt... a sense of adoration from her eyes, as if... as if... I was her son."

Miss Aurelia quickly glanced at Holden, intrigued by his observation.

Galba chimed in, "I understand, Holden. You are sensitive and sweet, but cases cannot be solved solely on an emotional basis. Nobody cared when the archduke died – not me, Miss Aurelia, the governor, the officials, or the police department. Gilbert deserved it, didn't he? I don't even want the culprit to be punished. We are doing this to reveal the truth."

Holden hesitated before responding, "But we have made a major error. How can I do this?"

"What is it, Miss?" asked Aurelia.

"We haven't taken Miss Mayer's alibi into account. If she had dinner around 9 with her family, what happened after that?"

Galba was surprised and admitted, "You're right. Her presence was so majestic that the thought of taking her alibi didn't cross our minds. No matter how analytical you think, your brain makes decisions biased by physical appearances and inferior beliefs. You caught us last night, and the first thing you asked was 'Where were we at the time of the murder?' It's funny," he chuckled.

"We first went to question their private guards that night, and they said nobody left the house, not even Mr. Gilbert," added Luis.

"There are many ways one can escape this mansion without using the front gate. It's the house of the archduke; it should have several hidden exits," Aurelia pointed out.

A maid entered with several cups of tea and cookies on the nesting table. Everyone took a cup, and Holden grabbed 5-6 cookies in his hands and one in his mouth.

"Ma'am, the corps are out and will be back in an hour, so you should take the rest of them with you," Luis suggested politely.

"No problem, Miss. We can finish them all," interrupted Holden with a giggle.

Aurelia commented, "You write just like a typewriter, Mr. Galba. Where and what have you studied?"

"Never got a chance to join institutions, ma'am, but I love to read and write," Galba replied.

"Me too," added Holden, his mouth still filled with cookies.

Meanwhile, Inspector Berg and Mei Ling were searching for Williamson, but their efforts were in vain. They surveyed 12b, 16th Street, the fish market, the church, the tavern area, and the workshops where he took communal meetings.

"Sir, what's next? We need to appoint a separate unit for the search," Mei suggested.

While looking at the faces of the officers in the corps, Inspector Berg said, "This is the best unit Maygynks have. I don't trust any other units."

"In terms of loyalty, sir?" questioned Mei.

"Yes, in terms of loyalty, determination, strength, and wit. That's why I suggested them to the chief superintendent and got them to handle this case," Berg explained.

The corps, along with Inspector Berg and Mei, started descending toward the mansion.

"We have no other option. We must go to Gilbert's right now. And sir, why the hell are we handling such a critical case with those two lower-class individuals?" Mei asked.

"I had the same concern before, but Miss Aurelia has taken a personal liking to them," Berg replied. He continued,

"Look, Miss Ling," Berg began, his voice filled with a tinge of excitement. "The reason why Aurelia handpicked them goes beyond their mere intelligence or deductive abilities. These two boys possess an uncanny emotional understanding and an unparalleled ability to decipher the subtlest of clues. They see what others overlook. Their lack of societal privilege and status allows them to observe and comprehend situations from a different perspective, unburdened by biases. It's as if they have a sixth sense for unraveling mysteries. This morning, their involvement in the investigation yielded astonishing results. Miss Mayers was held captive by their astute questioning, revealing countless hidden truths and shedding light on intricate connections. They possess supreme communication skills and behavioral traits that put us, seasoned investigators, to shame. And Galba... Galba is a whole different breed. His mere presence seems to unravel the deepest recesses of one's mind as if he's peering into your very soul," Berg revealed, his eyes sparkling with intrigue.

Mei Ling listened intently, her curiosity piqued. "But isn't that dangerous?" she asked, a mixture of caution and fascination in her voice.

Berg nodded, acknowledging the potential risks. "Indeed, it can be. But in this case, we have no choice but to embrace the unconventional. Miss Aurelia saw something in them, something beyond their societal standing, and recognized their extraordinary potential for this particular investigation. They possess the ability to bridge the gap between the world of nobles and the world of commoners, to navigate the treacherous waters of aristocratic sensibilities with an intuitive finesse that we lack. As much as it irks me to admit it, they are the perfect fit for this case."

Mei Ling smiled, captivated by Berg's words. "So, you think they might actually solve this perplexing puzzle that has confounded us all?"

Berg chuckled softly, a glimmer of hope in his eyes. "I have a feeling they just might surprise us all. Sometimes, the most unlikely heroes rise from the shadows and reveal their true brilliance."

As they reached the opulent guest room in the grand mansion, Berg observed Galba dozing off, using Holden's arm as a makeshift pillow. Holden, ever the diligent investigator, was engrossed in his writing, while Aurelia meticulously studied her notes, engrossed in deep thought.

Berg turned to Ling, his voice filled with a mix of amusement and curiosity. "They may be peculiar, Miss Ling, but don't underestimate their potential. Sometimes, the greatest minds hide behind the quirkiest facades."

Ling couldn't help but giggle, intrigued by the enigmatic duo. "You're right, Inspector Berg. It seems the more unconventional they are, the more they excel in unraveling the mysteries that baffle us."

Just as their conversation began to settle, the door swung open, and the same maid entered, her voice trembling slightly. "Miss Helena has arrived."

Berg's face lit up with anticipation. "Ah, the enigmatic Miss Helena. Prepare yourself, Miss Ling. Our encounter with her promises to be nothing short of intriguing."

ling gave a light giggle

The same maid entered after a couple of minutes, and uttered "Miss Helena is here."

*Lame cops, same lame questions, they would rather kill me instead of making me answer them* said Helena to herself after taking a seat in the hall

The corps came from the guest room to the hall, She avoided looking at them cause they might make her puke.

"So, Miss Helena Are you in a state of answering just some little questions for formality purposes," said Holden.

The tone and way of expressing themself just made her look at the person who was speaking,

the moment she saw Holden, she scanned her eyes to the corps and then to miss aurelia and then again to Holden,

*What's with him, he doesn't look like a cop at all, he is a native Maygynkian, Ginger-haired, at least 6 foot tall, with big shoulders, big muscles, veiny forearms, and a strong face and dotted grainy beard with a respectable glance, geez I don't know what to speak, what did he ask anyway...* helena uttered to herself

Holden just puzzled her existentially, she then heard some footsteps and there came another mystery figure.

*god is throwing surprises, another 6-foot tall, shimmering black hair with sharp straightness and wavy directions Arranged like the curtains of the windows leaving a very small space empty on the forehead, sharply pointed chin, delicate native skin, and deterministic eyes*

with water dripping from his chin Galba came after washing his face after his nap got interrupted by Lady Helena's arrival.

He sat down in one of the front seats, as if it's reserved for him, and took the notebook and pen from Miss Aurelia.

*This one is writing my name on the crappy notebook with the writing like the printing press.*" said Helena to herself

Galba's handwriting continues to captivate Helena's attention to him which made a soft spot for him, in her mind.

"Madame, Is everything all right? do you need some more time ?" said miss aurelia

"Okay, you may ask what the formality questions are," Helena said, Giving a soft smile to Holden.

Holden became blank.. no thought crossed his mind... "uhh-uaaa h Miss Helena" his voice was breaking while he spoke,

"So Miss Helena, Can you tell us at what time you saw Mr. Gilbert alive?" asked Aurelia

"Uhh let me see, We do the dinner together all of us between 9 & 10, except Damon Father looked quite healthy and humourous and was talking about organizing a fest for his Anniversary."

"Okay Miss Helena you mentioned except Damon, can I know the reason why he wasn't present at the dinner table that night?" Asked Berg

"that night? it's been 8 to 9 years since he stopped eating with us, reason, don't ever ask me, God knows."

Damon Mayers the oldest and the most Ideal son of Mr.Gilbert

"Okay Miss Helena, So we'll ask only about you," said Galba locking his eyes with her and giving a faint smile.