Regina’s house

The room was dimly lit, the soft glow of the candlelight casting flickering shadows on the walls. Ignatius, Luna, and Elysia sat around the dinner table, a spread of food before them untouched. The weight of their conversation had taken precedence over the meal.

Ignatius leaned back in his chair, his fingers drumming lightly on the table. "So, we've cleared Nurse Sindy and Patricia Wood," he said, his voice thoughtful. "Who else can we cross off the list?"

Luna sighed, her gaze fixed on the flickering flame of the candle. "Dr. Stan Morough is still suspicious," she murmured. "But we don't have enough evidence to pin anything on him yet. The Collector, Linda Grey, and Harold Trent—what about them?"

Elysia tapped her finger on the edge of her plate, deep in thought. "I checked their alibis. Linda Grey was at a fundraiser that night, with plenty of witnesses to back her up. Harold Trent was out of town on a business trip—he has travel records to prove it."

Ignatius nodded. "That leaves Dr Stan Morough and Greta Fairview. The nurse... but she was on shift at the hospital, wasn't she?"

"Yes," Elysia confirmed. "She had no opportunity to leave the premises. I've also been thinking about Regina."

"Regina?" Luna's brows furrowed. "What about her?"

Elysia took a deep breath. "She hasn't been back to her home since the murder. She's staying in a government apartment, part of a protection detail set up by the mayor's office. But... I have a hunch. We need to search her home."

Ignatius raised an eyebrow. "You think there's something there?"

"I do," Elysia said. "And I plan to get a search warrant. But I want to do it late at night, to avoid drawing attention. I'd like you both to go with me."

Luna's eyes widened. "Are you sure that's a good idea? What if someone sees us?"

Elysia shook her head. "We'll be discreet. It's the only way to find out if Regina's hiding something."

Ignatius sighed, rubbing his temples. "All right, Elysia. We'll come with you. But this better not be a wild goose chase."

Elysia's gaze was resolute. "It's our best lead so far. We can't afford to ignore it."

Luna moved through the tables, greeting the regular patrons at Silvi's Coffee Shop. Her warm smile and genuine interest in their lives. Had become a comforting routine for everyone. She was in the middle of chatting with an elderly couple when the bell above the door chimed.

Her heart skipped a beat when she saw her father walk in, accompanied by a stern-looking lawyer. Luna hadn't seen her parents in a while, and the sudden appearance left her both anxious and hopeful. She wanted to rush over and hug her father, but the cold, determined look on his face told her he hadn't come for a reunion.

The lawyer approached her with a formal demeanour and handed her an envelope. Her father stood beside him, grinning as if he had already won whatever battle he had come to fight. Luna's hands trembled as she opened the envelope and began to read the document inside. Her face grew paler with each word, and tears began to fall like pearls onto the coffee shop floor.

Ignatius, who had been quietly observing from a corner. Came to her side and took the document from her shaking hands. His eyes widened in shock as he read the contents. A disowning document stating that if she continued to stay with Ignatius. Her parents would disown her. With a heavy heart, he handed the document back to Luna and walked upstairs, leaving her to face this alone.

Luna felt a crushing sense of isolation. Panic rose within her as she stood frozen. Unable to process the reality that she might lose both her parents and the man she loved. The unexpected turn of events left her mind in turmoil.

"Elysia," whispered, "Ignatius said reading the fine print at the bottom." Luna looked up and met Elysia's red eyes, which were filled with a spark of hope. Elysia slipped her fingers through Luna's and guided her to read the small print.

With trembling hands, Luna turned the pages. And discovered an adoption document signed by her father and the Slave Master. Her heart sank as she saw the names of two twenty-one-year-old elf girls and their pictures at the bottom. A cold feeling of disappointment washed over her. But her stubbornness will refuse to let her father see her break down.

"I, Luna, will no longer be known as Nightingale. I will take my husband's last name, Thorn," she declared with resolve. Elysia handed her a pen, and Luna placed the document on a table, signing where the lawyer indicated.

Her father laughed triumphantly. "Tell that fool upstairs that I've won. His lawsuit is now void. What a chump," he said as he turned and walked out.

Ignatius came back, turning Luna around and holding her as she mourned the loss of her parents. Elysia joined them, wrapping her arms around Luna from behind. Despite the cold reality of becoming an orphan once again, Luna felt warmth from the embrace of her new family.

"We're your family now, Luna," Ignatius whispered in her ear. "I will never let you go."

She felt herself being lifted in a princess carry as Ignatius carried her to her bed to rest. Elysia stayed by her side until she fell asleep. Ensuring Luna knew she was not alone in this difficult moment.

Ignatius, Luna, and Elysia gathered outside Regina's home. A small but stately house that betrayed little of the secrets it held within. Elysia held the warrant she had obtained, the paper trembling in her hand. They were ready.

The door opened, and the three of them stepped inside, moving with practiced stealth. The house was quiet, every creak of the floorboards echoing in the stillness. Luna's heart pounded as they began their search. Working their way through each room.

In the study, Ignatius and Elysia rifled through drawers and cabinets. While Luna inspected the bookshelves and desk. It was Luna who found the hidden compartment in the desk. With a click, a panel slid open to reveal a stack of documents.

Elysia sifted through the papers. |Her eyes widening as she recognized the incriminating evidence. "This is it," she whispered, holding up the documents. "Proof of her crimes."

"We can't let her know we've found this," Ignatius said, his voice low and urgent. "If Regina catches wind of it, she might run. We need a plan to trap her where she feels safe."

Elysia nodded in agreement. "Let's keep the evidence hidden until we can use it. Regina has access to the evidence locker at the police station and the mayor's office. If she realizes we're onto her, she could remove or destroy everything."

"Regina's identity is actually the Silver Fox," Ignatius continued. Glancing at Luna and Elysia. She moved here to start over, but there might be someone else involved. A third person we don't know about."

"What about Victor?" Luna asked as she locked Regina's door with her lockpicks. Ensuring no one would notice their entry. "He could be the key to this puzzle."

They returned home, hiding the evidence in a secure place. Despite the weight of their discovery. They spent the evening together. Supporting each other and finding solace in their bond. After Luna's ordeal that morning. The warmth of their companionship was a much-needed refuge.