The Phantom Conspiracy

6. The Evidences

Giana walked up to the kitchen counter followed by Riccard. Sunlight was streaming in through the wide open windows. The tiny tendrils of a creeper peeked around the panes. The sky was a clear blue and the weather was pleasant. Simon caught the two mesmerised by the scenery outside. He crept up to them with a warm smile painted over his face. 

'It's beautiful, isn't it? That's why my ancestors chose this place. There's beauty abound here.' Simon stared dreamily at the little white flowers adorning the creeper. 

'You're right. It's just...' Giana took a deep breath, 'so peaceful and calming.' 

'Reminds of the verandah in your villa.' Riccard glanced at Giana, 'Feels like it's been forever since we last saw it.' 

'Mhm... last night was just so draining.' Giana shook her head. 

'What's wrong you two? Didn't get good sleep? I did try my best to ensure that you both felt safe in the bedroom.' Simon looked visibly upset. 

'Simon, the bedroom was perfect. I'm just tensed about other things.' Giana shrugged. 'You have been treating us very well. That's not the problem, really.'

'Did he do something to you?' Simon shot Riccard a disgusted look. 'Tell me if he did, I'll set him right in a minute.'

'What the hell are you trying to imply here Simon?' Riccard was indeed very offended.

'I don't know boy. I wouldn't trust someone like you though.' Simon spat.

'Who do you think you are to say that? She's my fiance!'

'Doesn't seem like it. I wouldn't treat mine like you treat her.' 

The anger was now clear on Riccard's face. He stomped towards Simon, his palms folded into fists and then he lifted his arm preparing to fling it at him. 

'Stop Ricc!' Giana clasped onto his shoulder and jerked it back, forcing him to retreat. 

'Sorry if that hurt you boy, but you're hiding things from the girl.' Simon held out his arms in disagreement. 

'He's not hiding anything from me Simon. Thank you for your concern, but he's told me everything. I'm aware.' Giana nodded. The sudden outburst of the two men left her troubled. 

'And you hear me out old man. Better mind your own business. If that dumb inspector told you to keep us here, then just do the job. Stop prying into our lives.' Riccard gritted his teeth and stepped back. 

'Don't call him dumb. He's a way better person than you will ever be.' Simon snapped in an attempt to defend Hash, whom he admired very dearly. 

'Just keep shut! Or...' Riccard dealt a blow onto the marble kitchen slab. 

'That's it you guys! I have had enough.' Giana brought her left hand to her forehead and pressed it hard. 'You know Simon, I didn't want to say this but you are compelling me to. Maybe it really is better if you don't comment on us. The cops are looking into the matter and they'll take care of it.' 

'I'm sorry, I didn't mean to...' Simon attempted an apology. 

'It's alright. I'll go grab us some coffee.' Giana walked to the other end of the counter and fixed three cups of steaming latte.

While she sat on the couch facing Simon, Riccard seated himself at the dining table; his back towards them both. 

'The inspector will be coming soon with the lab reports.' Simon announced loudly to make sure that Riccard heard him. 

'Get ready for the dissapointment then old man. You will be surprised to find out that I didn't commit the murder after all.' Riccard shouted back. 

Giana rolled her eyes at their silly exchange. 'Anyway, I hope he was able to land his hands on some substantial information.' She chipped in.

'Of course he would have. He's quite an expert!' beamed Simon.

'You mean amateur.' Riccard retaliated. 

'Shut up Ricc! That's enough for a day.' Giana frowned at him. 

The screeching doorbell sounded. Simon opened the door and came back with a grinning Hash wearing his deep brown uniform. 

Riccard stood up and flopped onto the couch. Hash stood in front facing the three eager listeners. 

'Sir! Tell us what you got.' Simon exclaimed.

'Fortunately I received the lab reports earlier than expected.' Hash began, 'The results however may not be as obvious as it seems.' 

'Please go on,' Giana pleaded, 'I really want to get over this situation as qucikly as possible.' 

'Right then. Don't stress now. You both are to listen carefully and not panic at all.' Hash replied. 

He pulled out a stack of papers from his diary. They contained tons and tons of complicated words and numerics. Each page was stamped and signed to prove its validity. Hash took one last look at the nervous faces and cleared his throat.

'Okay so... the case seems to be a lot more weird now. We collected several blood samples from the crime scene, yet each of those when inspected by our forensic scientists gave some impossible results. They didn't contain just one type of DNA, which is how it's supposed to be. Instead, they all had traces of several DNAs so it was a mixture.' Even as Hash said these words, it seemed as if he couldn't believe them himself.

'So like... what's that supposed to mean?' Riccard had completely blanked out.

'So Riccard, if I put it simply it either means more than one murder or none at all.' Hash explained.

'At this point, you've totally lost me. I really can't fathom what you're trying to say.' Riccard spoke earnestly. 

'I'll detail it out for you. Multiple varying strands of DNA were found in the blood, to be exact there were about 3-4 of them. Now something of that sort is only possible if 3-4 murders were committed and the bodies left to bleed at the same place or... if there wasn't any murder at all but the criminal managed to collect and spill blood coming from different people. 

'That's case closed then. No bodies found which equals into no murder. All you found was blood, so go ahead and trace the DNAs. Find out which bunch of idiots decided to practice their halloween tricks here and let us head home.' Riccard eased out in the couch and smiled slyly.

'Quick to jump to conclusions as always. Tch, young boy.' Hash leaned towards Riccard. 'There's more news. We found fingerprints, and they were...' he tilted his head towards Giana, 'yours.'