Delusion

Chapter 3 : Murder in Cafe

Leila's Pov

We are currently standing in front of the stall where the crime took place that the salesladies talking about earlier, but we cannot enter because there are many people locking the way.

"Excuse me, give us some space. We are detectives!"

My companion shouts loudly. I try not to show my surprise and the disdainful glance at him.

"What?"

"Tss, lying lawyer."

"Shh! They might hear you."

We finally enter, and we saw the lifeless body of a middle-aged man lies on the floor. I approach to get a better look. His mouth is still foaming.

I give Paul a blank stare as he grabs my arm.

"Don't be too nosy. This is still a crime scene, and we can't tamper with it. We might ruin the remaining evidence."

"Okay, now let go of my arms."

He suddenly releases my arm as if he got burned.

"Sorry."

Tsss.

"Who are you?"

"We are detectives."

The manager, who seems to be the only one wearing a different colored uniform, nods. Anxiety is evident on his face, and he nervously bites his nails.

Tsk.

I also glance at the woman standing on the side, who can't stop crying.

"Tell me what happened here?"

My companion leads the questioning.

"We were all busy because it's is weekend, and there were many customers. Suddenly, we heard the screams of his gir-girlfriend?"

All eyes turned to the crying woman.

"H-he was just happily talking about himself, but suddenly she collapsed and convulsed on the floor."

"What is your relationship with the victim?"

"Actually, we were dating. He was courting me, and he invited me here. I would never expect something like this to happen. Oh my God! Jerald!"

"Tss, expect the unexpected."

My companion coughed and gave me a disapproving look. I just glared back at him.

"Do you know if your companion had any illness or allergies?"

I asked. She just shook her head.

I noticed their table. The woman's iced coffee was almost finished, while Jerald's was not even halfway done.

Paul and my eyes met. It seemed like we were thinking the same.

"Ladies first."

"It seems like the victim was poisoned."

The whispers around us suddenly grew louder.

"But wait, in a crowded place like this, someone should have seen something, right?"

The manager answered.

"You were all busy, right? Maybe that's when he or she his evil plan."

He nodded, and I felt all eyes on me, waiting for what I would say next.

"If I'm not mistaken, both of you ordered the same thing, right?"

I turned to the woman, and she nodded.

"If the poison wasn't in the ice, then it must be in the straw."

"But something seems off, right?"

I let Paul speak.

"Because if the poison came from the ice, then all the customers should have been affected too, right?"

I heard them gasp.

"But others are fine, aren't they? So it's not in the ice."

"And why would we do that!"

One employee shouted.

"Yeah!" Another agreed.

I just rolled my eyes.

"I said it, it's NOT in the ice, right?"

They all looked embarrassed. I also heard Paul's faint laughter, so I gave him a glare.

"Miss, did you notice anything else unusual?"

"No. After I used the restroom, he was still fine!"

"Do you have CCTV here?"

"I'ts not working."

Tsk tsk, that's probably why the manager is nervous, fearing he'll be scolded.

"Let's wait for the forensic examiners to arrive-"

"Why didn't you call them?"

"Because they're not part in investigating this case."

I froze in place upon hearing his sarcastic voice.

"Ni-nong." (Uncle.)

He looked at me with a mix of confusion and disappointment in his eyes, as if digging for answers about what I think I'm doing right now.

"What are you doing inside the crime scene?"

"They said they're detectives! Who are you really?! And why did you interfere-"

"Shut up, I'm a lawyer."

The manager suddenly fell silent.

"We just passed by, Uncle."

"Passed by? And you meddled in this?"

"I-I'm sorry, Uncle."

I just bowed my head and sighed. I couldn't disrespect him because he is the one who raised me.

"Uncle, we were just shopping. He asked me to accompany her."

"Since when did you become interested in shopping, Lei?"

I was surprised and looked up. There was that authoritative voice, questioning.

"Badly needed."

I knew he understood what it was for.

"Okay. So, what did you find out about the case?"

"That the victim was poisoned, and the poison was either in the ice or in the straw of his drink."

Uncle immediately instructed his colleagues to get samples.

He asked more questions, but my mind was not in the right state to listen.

"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine."

Uncle approached us.

"Sad to say, the cause of death was not in the ice or straw."

I wasn't surprised anymore. I was about to bid farewell when I noticed a crew member discreetly throwing something in the trash.

"Wait."

"Why?"

"Wait."

"Why?"

"Uncle, that woman threw something in the trash. I have a strong hunch."

Uncle quickly approached and retrieved something.

A tissue, which he handed to one of his men.

We were about to leave again when suddenly -

"He deserved to die!"

We all turned in surprise to the female crew member.

"Do you know the victim?"

"Yes, I know him very well! He's a demon!"

She was crying on the floor, but I felt no pity.

"Miss, come with us. We need to talk to you."

"He's my uncle! And he was raping me almost every night!"

Most of the spectators gasped.

"What are you talking about?! Jerald is a good man!"

"You're only saying that because you just met him! In the eyes of others, he's a good person, but he's not! He's a demon!"

I stopped listening to what she was saying and continued to walk out.

"Hey, wait up! Where are you going?"

"I'm going home. I still have something to finish."

"I'll escort you."

"I brought my motorcycle."

"Oh. Then I'll escort you out of the mall."

"I don't know why some people refuse to ask for help from others and take the law into their own hands."

"Because human law is worthless"

"What are you talking about?"

"Nevermind."

We arrived at the parking lot, I said goodbye and kissed him on the cheek.

he looked at me in surprise and glared at me, which made me chuckle a bit.

Before he could react, I started my motorcycle.

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Author's note : Photo not mine https://pin.it/6sZonskQo