Our Diabolical Case

Our Diabolical Case: Chapter 4 - Don't mess this up dear detective

The moon had just started its nightly ascension when we finally left the study, the weight of our newfound lead heavy on our shoulders. Hans, ever the professional, was already waiting outside the door, his eyes scanning the corridor for any signs of trouble. Axel's step-brothers had retired to their own quarters, their glances following us as we moved through the hallowed halls of the mansion.

"Tonight, we'll pay a visit to our suspect," Axel whispered as we approached the grand staircase. His eyes gleamed with the excitement of the hunt. "We'll need to be cautious. He won't be expecting us."

We slipped into the night, the cool air a stark contrast to the stifling atmosphere of the mansion. Hans had procured a car for us, a sleek black sedan that seemed to blend with the shadows. As we drove through the winding roads of the Haine estate, I couldn't help but feel like we were venturing into the lion's den.

The city lights grew distant, replaced by the inky blackness of the countryside. The quiet was unnerving, broken only by the occasional hoot of an owl or the rustle of leaves in the wind. It was the kind of quiet that made you feel like you were being watched.

We arrived at a secluded mansion, the kind that looked like it had seen better days. It was clear that the once grand façade was now a crumbling façade for whatever illicit dealings were happening within. Axel took the lead, his movements fluid and silent as a cat stalking its prey. Hans and I followed closely, our hearts beating a little faster with every step.

We approached the front door, Axel paused and turned to me. "Remember, you're my guest. Don't do anything that will make him suspicious." I nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. With a deep breath, Axel rapped his knuckles against the wood. The sound echoed through the night, and we waited with bated breath for an answer.

The door creaked open, revealing a man with a greasy smile and a glint in his eye that screamed of deceit. He was dressed in a tuxedo that was a few sizes too small, and the smell of cheap cologne wafted from his pores. This was our man, the one with the motive to kill Axel's mother.

"Welcome, Axel," the man said, his voice oily. "To what do I owe this unexpected pleasure?" Axel stepped forward, his own smile just as fake as the one on the man's face. "Just wanted to catch up with an old friend," he said, his tone deceptively casual.

The interior of the mansion was a stark contrast to the Haine family's opulence. The furniture was worn, the paint peeling, and the air thick with the scent of decay. It was a place that had seen better days, now a mere shadow of its former glory.

We were led into a study that was cluttered with paperwork and various knickknacks. The man behind the desk looked up as we entered, his eyes narrowing at the sight of me. "And who's this?" he asked, his voice filled with suspicion.

"This is Detective Yoshikazu," Axel said smoothly. "He's here to discuss a... business opportunity." The lie rolled off his tongue like honey, but the tension in the room was palpable.

The man's gaze flickered between us before he waved a hand dismissively. "Very well, but make it quick. I have important matters to attend to."

We sat down, the leather of the chair crackling beneath my weight. Axel leaned forward, his eyes never leaving the man's face. "Tell me," he began, "What was your relationship with my mother?"

The man's expression grew sour. "We had our... differences," he said, his voice tight. "But that's all in the past. What's important now is what we can do for each other."

Axel leaned back, his gaze never wavering. "I'm more interested in what you did for her in the past," he said, his tone dropping a few degrees. "Specifically, the night she died."