It was a quiet night in London, the street dimly lit by the lights that filters through the curtains of the elegant townhouses that lined the fashionable and wealthy Jermyn Street, home to London’s elites. The street was empty at this time of the night, not a soul in sight. It was peacefully quiet…until the sound of breaking glass shattered the silent night sky.
April 4th, 2013
214 Jermyn St.
David Rowley walked around the body of the late Katherine Stanford, the wealthy heiress of an aristocratic family who was found dead in her home by her maid, he was mindful of the broken shards of glass that was scattered around the body. Her face was covered in cuts, as were her arms, her usually piercing green eyes were glazed over in death. He stopped when he noticed that blood was seeping out from under her, staining the cream nightgown, and leaned down to gently turn her over. What he saw confirmed his suspicion.
“Well, will you look at that Stanley. It seems to me that our heiress was stabbed to death and then her face was mutated”, he said his assistant and partner. His assistant came closer to have a better look.
“Judging from the wounds, the shape shows that she was not stabbed with a knife but rather some sort of cutting tool, like a shear. And from the ruined furniture and the blood smears, she had put up a struggle after she was stabbed”, Stanley observed, as he continue to take pictures of the scene. David nodded in agreement, but he was puzzled about the cuts on her face and arms. He turned her back over and stood up, dusting himself off.
He gestured towards her face, “I can understand that she was killed for money, but why cut up her face and arms, especially after she was already dead”.
“She’s titled, wealthy, and beautiful. It is most likely that the killer carried a grudge and had most likely made use of the glass shards”, Stanley said. Before anything more could been said, Elizabeth Stanford and Marcus Wellington entered the room with two of the household staff. Elizabeth, Katherine’s sister, remained composed despite the fact that her sister’s body still lied on the floor.
“Thank you for coming Mr. Rowley. This is Marcus, my sister’s fiancé, her maid, Marnie, and the butler, Sebastian”, her voice was remote and detached. David nodded his head in acknowledgment as she introduces each individual.
“Of course Miss Stanford, after all your family had done for me, it is the least I can do. May I introduce my assistant, Stanley Wilson.”
“It is a pleasure to meet you Mr. Watson. I am grateful for both of your help; if you need anything please feel free to ask.”
David saw that this was his chance to have his questions answered.
“If I may Miss Stanford, I have a few questions that I would like to ask. Who was here yesterday?”
“It was only Marnie, Sebastian, and Marcus who was stopping by to see Katherine. The rest of the staff was given the day off.”
“And you? Where were you last night?”
“I was at the opera and returned late.”
“So you did not notice anything different?”
“No, I was tired last night so I was not paying attention.”
David glanced at his partner. “I see. Well, I would like to speak to the others one at a time, if I may.”
“Of course, there will be no caller today so you may use the parlor.”
