Chapter 5: Thinking too far..

Inspector Berg, Galba, Holden, Aurelia, Constable Luis—all of them were set to reach Gilbert's sweet home. "Madam, we must call for a buggy," said Constable Luis. "Not needed, sir. I can reach faster than a buggy with my swift speed. Isn't it right, Mr. Galba?"

"Yes, you yourself can become the buggy for me to ride," commented Galba and gave a wheezy laugh, making the whole atmosphere highly awkward, and an arrow of embarrassment pierced his chest.

Galba immediately answered, "NO, I didn't mean it like that, Miss. Please apologize for this unacceptable behavior."

Inspector Berg exchanged his death stare with Galba. Holden grabbed his hand and pulled him to make an exit from the quarter.

At the entrance, there was a large gate made from expensive alloys which gave a glimmering glow. Archduke's personal guards and the corps of Inspector Berg completed the formalities and proceeded to enter the deluxe palace.

Passing through the gates, they witnessed a fully green garden, well-maintained with bushes shaped like animals, requiring skilled gardening artists.

Holden couldn't keep his mouth closed. "It's funny," he said, "growing up in this town for 20 years and never yet got the chance to immerse myself in this atmosphere. Why is God so biased, throwing limitless wealth to the most undeserving and ruthless peeps?"

Miss Aurelia spoke in a low voice while the team was approaching the Majestic Hall. "There are a total of 21 members living in this property. The cottages are on the left end of the plot, made for the stewards, chefs, and housemaids. We will be dealing with a nerve-cracking amount of suspects."

"Not only 21, Miss. There are more members who didn't live in this property but had their own residencies, like the official secretaries and bureaucratic officials, of whom I lack knowledge, who spent the majority of their time in this palace but didn't live here. Their statements and intel also hold vast importance."

"Oh... huh... hm, thanks, Mr. Galba. I honestly forgot about the executives. They worked in the office place in the villa. But first, let's start to unravel the tangled thread from the family."

"Yes, very well. I'm getting excited," said Holden.

"Me too," said Galba, while shaking his fists.

The Asian-eyed lady officer threw a monstrous glance at both of them.

"An old scullery maid opened the door. This way, Monsieur," she instructed the corps towards the living area.

Please give a call to Mrs. Mayer first," said the Asian lady.

Galba and Holden both looked at her batch that read "Mei Ling."

they began whispering to one another, "I think, she's possibly from china where they those long slimy annelids looking thing." galba murmured in holden's ear.

"Huh... uhh... you mean to say noodles?" exclaimed Holden in an excited tone, grabbing the attention of everyone present there.

"I apologize, nothing serious. We were just increasing our general knowledge," said Holden, evolving an awkward smile.

Mr. Berg got up from his seat and went straight to Holden, grabbing his shoddy shirt and lifting him a few inches from the ground.

"Sir, please," said Aurelia, "we are running late already. Please control." At that moment, Holden grabbed his arm and pushed it away with brutal force. His eyes were utterly transformed like a predator. Galba patted his shoulder to ease the matter.

"Any Problem, Sire's?" said a dominating female voice. There came the lady of the house, Misses Mayer.

"We are not capable of experiencing the loss of yours, Miss Kywera. But we ask for openly cooperate with us," said Galba, again attracting all the eyeballs that are present.

"Sure, Very well, young officer. Are you intentionally wearing the outfits to disguise?" asked Miss Kywera Mayer.

"Yes, you can think of it like that," said Galba, exchanging a gentle smile with Miss Mayer.

Miss Kywera Mayer is one of the most eloquent ladies of Maygynks. She kept her demeanor and possessed such an exquisite personality as if she is the queen of Maygynks. But her face was swollen, and her eyes were puffy and red. Miss Aurelia was very keen on observing her.

Aurelia gave her personal notebook and a glimmering silver steel pen to Galba and said, "Your font looks better than mine," and made eye contact, hinting to him to write every detail while she took the lead and initiated the inquiry.

"A-hmmm..." Aurelia cleared her throat and said, "Miss Mayer, when did you last see Mr. Gilbert alive?"

Miss Mayers took a breath, and her voice choked. "Take your time, Miss Mayer," said Holden with empathy and offered a glass of water present on the nesting table.

"Nice of you, Officer," she said and continued, "Gilbert was very cautious that day since it was the 24th of October. I also insisted on following several restrictions on him... and-"

"What kind of instructions?" queried Inspector Berg.

"That he wouldn't leave the house at all. If the matter is big and of urgent importance, he would inform me or the children. And take at least 3 guards on the way."

Galba persistently wrote with his classy writing style, without breaking focus.

"Got it, please continue," said Aurelia in an orderly tone.

"Some weeks ago, I saw a gang of hoodlums, possibly the communist protesters, consistently stalking at the pavement and the office window."

"WHAT!" exclaimed Berg in a resounding voice.

"Miss Mayers, it would be better if you tell us the events sequentially and answer only the questions we put," said Miss Aurelia.

"I won't accept commands from just a group of police officers, and I certainly won't tolerate any disrespectful or offensive language from you," said Miss Mayer.

"We are really sorry if we are hurting you, Madame," said Galba. "Justice must be served to the killer of the honorable Sir Gilbert. It will only be possible if we work this out together."

Miss Mayer gave a convincing look to the corps.

"Only one of you should speak," said Miss Mayer.

Sheesh! Phew... It's so difficult to deal with the nobles, Galba murmured to himself.

Miss Aurelia continued, "Last time, when have you seen Mr. Gilbert alive?"

"We had our dinner together like usual, between 8:30 and 9:00, and then I had a small chat with him about the hanging threats that lie on our heads."

"Now tell us which of the communist roaches you saw some weeks ago," said Inspector Berg.

"It was a usual chilly night in September when I was walking in the garden late at night. I immediately called out guards when I saw them," said Miss Mayer.

As Galba started to speak but was interrupted by the constable.

"Okay, but can you tell me exactly which spot have you seen them?" asked Constable Luis.

"I saw them standing a few inches apart from the saloon, just where my poor husband's body was found

"That's quite astonishing," said Miss Aurelia.

"Miss Mayers, on what basis are you tagging them by communism? Have you identified them? Have you met any of the roaches before or know their identities?" said Galba with a very fast pace.

"I didn't know about any of them, but I know one of them," said Miss Mayer.

"Who?!" exclaimed Holden, Galba, and Berg with perfect sync.

"Williamson. He has been obstructionist for years. He has attracted those ugly young Natives in his syndicate and swore an oath to disrupt innocent souls like us," declared Miss Mayers.

"You have strong opinions, Miss Mayers. Thanks for letting us know. What other dangers does your family possess, other than Williamson and his hoodlums?" asked Luis interestingly.

"I don't have enough intel on his enemies personally. Good people are always hated by thousands of them. I can't help you further, Inspector Berg. I request to leave."

"It's abnormal to ask this, but do you suspect any of your children are connected with the murder of Mr. Gilbert?" Miss Aurelia tried her best not to sound awkward, but she did.

Mrs. Mayer fixed her eyes on Aurelia for at least 10 seconds. She literally forgot to breathe. Miss Mayers got up.

"It's really bad! I can't make her stop. She has so much more to say. It looks very bad for brother Williamson. Berg will put the nail to our coffins," murmured Galba to himself.

"Yes, Mrs. Mayer. I appreciate your help. It gave us a clear direction where to head out."

"Now we would like Mrs. Helena to pace our investigation, please," commented Aurelia.

Miss Jenson appeared in the living hall. "I apologize for the inconvenience. The Mayer family needs some time to adjust and settle in. Corps could wait some time here, or they are also allowed to wait in the guest room for privacy."

"That will be great, Miss Jenson. They must take time to stabilize themselves."

Galba gave the notebook back to Aurelia and stood up first to rush to the guestroom. He saw toast and biscuits in the drawers. He came back and signaled Holden with a hand gesture.

Holden got up, and they both munched on those butter biscuits as hard as they can. "So this is what the raccoons call 'cookies'," said Holden while crunching them hardly.

"Have you noticed something? This room looks quite odd."

"Odd, you say?" questioned Holden.

"Yes, it smells like soap, to be precise, exactly like the floor wash soap," said Galba.

"It's a royal household, Galba. Here, everything is cleaned and posh."

Galba said, "Maybe I'm overthinking this, but the living hall is not cleaned yet. The guestroom inside is cleaned. Why? To hide something we weren't meant to see? Traces of blood? Footprints? Maybe the Duke was killed here in this room, and the killer dragged the body all the way in front of the saloon. I'll leave this thought hanging."

When Galba turned back, Holden was sitting between Luis and Aurelia and was busy with his own lame talks.

Wait! Galba thought for a second. Luis and Aurelia came into the room, and he didn't notice at all. What if it's a lethal pair of assassins? Am I thinking too far again?