THE HIDDEN'S ORDER MYSTERY

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

That afternoon, Theolinda was reading the autopsy report from Lord Paul that Mirelle had provided her. She asked Arabella:

"So Andromeda was the one who found the body and called the police?"

"Yes, but don't tell Kerrigan about this. Andromeda would be in danger," a concerned Arabella replied.

"I understand. I have no intention of saying it. What is evident is that Dylan Raven is dangerous, but that does not automatically make him the murderer."

Arabella said:

"What happened to Valentina di Rossi was odd. She became pale and still. And then, without saying anything, she fled from here."

Theolinda replied:

"In the Order, everyone is weird, especially the members of the inner circle."

At that point, someone knocked on the door. Theolinda commented:

"Here's another one. It must be Marcos Alvarez. Go ahead!"

Marcos Alvarez entered with a troubled expression, glancing around.

"Good afternoon. I came to talk with Theolinda Brady."

"It's me. Please sit down. Thank you for coming," Theolinda said, smiling.

The man, who was approximately 38 years old, was attractive. He had dark brown hair, a pale complexion, and honey-coloured eyes. He had a relatively strong build as if he visited the gym frequently.

"What did you want to ask?"

Theolinda knew the man was scared because of the way he gripped his hands.

"I wanted to know whether you knew anything about the murders. Do you know that Lord Paul was discovered dead today in the forest near the Order building?"

Marcos became pale and said:

"Yes, I know. But that wasn't me. I swear."

Theolinda exchanged looks with Arabella and inquired with genuine curiosity:

"Why would I think that? Did you have a problem with Lord Paul?"

"He and I were occasional lovers," Marcos replied quietly.

"If you didn't do it, who could the murderer be?" Theolinda asked.

Marcos said, sweating:

"It could've been anyone. Everyone despised him. He was haughty."

Arabella asked:

"And why, if he was so despicable, were you his lover?"

Marcos flushed and replied:

"He knew, you know, how to please me..."

Everyone stayed silent. Theolinda returned to the matter and asked:

"Who might be the murderer? I'm referring to this and the other crimes."

Marcos said in a hushed voice, looking around:

"Can we talk somewhere else?"

Theolinda nodded. Marcos spoke out loud:

"I have no idea. I have to go. This is the address of my hotel. See you."

He wrote on a sheet of paper:

'Let's meet at the cafe around the block. I suspect there are concealed cameras or recorders. I go out first, and later, you go out.'