The Truth Behind Larou's Murder

Chapter 2 - A Grim Morning

The first rays of dawn filtered through the windows, casting a pale light over the vacation house. Ris woke early, her habit of morning walks unwavering even during vacations. As she made her way to the kitchen, she noticed the house was eerily quiet.

Opening the door to Larou's bedroom to check on her friend, Ris's heart froze in her chest. Larou lay on the floor, lifeless. Her usually serene face was contorted in an expression of shock, and a pool of blood had formed beneath her head. Ris couldn't suppress the guttural scream that tore through the silence, jolting everyone awake.

One by one, the group rushed to the room, their faces registering a spectrum of horror and disbelief. Callun turned pale, his hand instinctively covering his mouth. Carmela's eyes widened in shock, her hands shaking as she struggled to comprehend the scene before her. Maro's gaze darted away, unable to bear the sight. Rob's features twisted in a mix of grief and confusion, while Leila's quiet sobs echoed the overwhelming sorrow in the room.

"Call the police!" Ace, Ris's boyfriend and a criminal profiler who had arrived late the previous day, barked urgently. His professional instincts kicked in, recognizing the gravity of the situation.

"Wait," Rob interjected calmly, his voice steadying the frantic atmosphere. "If we call the police now, this investigation will become a public spectacle. It could lead to misinformation and speculation that might dishonor Larou's memory and complicate finding the truth."

Leila, tears streaming down her cheeks, spoke up amid the tension. "He's right. And we're all here, potential suspects in the eyes of the law."

Callun's voice wavered with frustration. "But how can we think clearly in a moment like this?"

Maro's usually composed demeanor cracked with emotion. "We owe it to Larou to handle this with care."

Carmela's voice, tinged with anger and fear, added to the turmoil. "I can't believe I'm in a house with a potential criminal."

Ris, her voice trembling yet determined, stepped forward. "Let's gather our thoughts and any evidence we can find first before we call the police. We owe it to Larou to approach this with the utmost care and confidentiality."

The group, reluctantly agreeing, nodded in unison. Ace took charge, directing them to the living room. "We need to preserve the crime scene," he instructed firmly. "No one goes into Larou's room until we have a plan."

Ace moved through the house with methodical precision, starting with Larou's bedroom. He noted the position of the body, the blood spatter, and the state of the room. Nothing appeared out of place, but the scene suggested a sudden, violent struggle.

He gathered the group in the living room, each person's face a mask of grief and suspicion. "I need to know exactly what happened last night," Ace began. "Did anyone see or hear anything unusual?"

Ris, still shaken, spoke first. "We all went to bed around midnight. Everything seemed normal."

Callun nodded. "I didn't hear anything. I was in my room the whole night."

Carmela, usually composed, was visibly distressed. "I... I was in the kitchen cleaning up until late, but I didn't see or hear anything."

Maro's gaze was distant. "I went for a walk around the grounds before bed. I didn't notice anything strange."

Rob, struggling to contain his emotions, said, "I was with Larou until about 11 PM. We argued, but it wasn't serious. She was alive when I left."

Leila, tears streaming down her face, whispered, "I was asleep. I didn't hear anything."

Ace listened carefully, noting the nuances in their statements. "Okay," he said, "We need to stay calm and work together. Larou deserves the truth, and we owe it to her to find out what happened."