Merely Holmes

Three mortal cards-Part 2

We arrived at the crime scene around 4pm. The hotel was very small as the rooms. The walls were all cream and the doors were wide and long.

Officer Louis recieved us politely. He had really good mannors and was kind. He was a fat man, with a big head. His eyes were blue and deep. He had blonde hair and his hands were so big that I could even imagine him defeating someone with just one hit.

"Good afternoon, Miss. Holmes and Miss. Watson." The fat officer said. "I was expecting you to come." He then guided us to the crime scene.

The victim's room was small and messy. He only had a few furnitures. A bed, a wardrobe, and an armchair next to the bed. Holmes checked the room carefully and in some times I could notice her putting things inside her pocket. She then asked about the cards.

Officer Hernderson gave them to Holmes and she took them carefully. I was next to her so I could see the amazing drawings. Tangled flowers and trees were there.

"These drawings are amazing and well done. See, Watson, they have been drawn with an A001 Carter pen. The only brand that makes really fine points. A very expensive pen, I can see. A child could not have drawn them, indeed. It has been drawn by a woman. So fine and delicated. The scence is of a very expensive women cologne. The papers seem expensive..."

"Rice paper." I said. "Very expensive paper."

"Exactly." Merely Holmes smiled. Then she suddenly focused her eyes in an invisible signature. She smiled gratefully with a shine in her eyes and put the three drawings in the pocket of her big coat. "I will pick these."

"Mr. Henderson. I need to talk to the guard of the hotel." Said Holmes.

The officer nooded and two minutes later came back with a tall, fat man. He seemed shocked and comsumed for the ages.

"This is the guard who found Mr. Elley death in this room." Said the officer.

"Mr. Joshua, there are some question I am going to ask you. Be sure to answer all of them with the truth."

"Yes, my lady." Answered the guard avoinding Holmes eyes.

"When did that man first instaled in this hotel?" Holmes asked.

"Three years ago. Miss. He said to me that he had came here because of bussines treats, and that he was actually from Ireland."

Holmes smirked and continued querying the man.

"Did he recieve visites?"

"Just one man, whose name was Collin Smatch, another bussines man. I could her them both lauging until feeling dizzy from the department."

"Sir. Can you recognize this?" Merely suddely pushed out a pearl ring from the left pocket.

"No. I have not seen it before. Mr. Elley was not married or ever."

"Of course he wasn't. This is not a wedding ring. Anyway..." said Holmes putting the ring inside her pocket again. "Sir. As I can see, the man was alcoholic."

I have to admit the question surprised me, an also the guard. He opened his mouth widely in order to answer something, but he could not.

"How can you know that? You have not even seen the body!" He exclaimed in surprise.

"I have not, you are right, but a detective job is always to know and observe things others can't." Holmes smiled politely.

"I have to admit, that man used to drink very much. He would come back to the hotel once or two times completely hammered. When he came that way always screamed and destroyed things without controll. The women who work here were always scared of him. He inspired a frightening atmosphere."

"Why did not you just hit him on his filthy face?"

"He was a good payer Miss. I had to approach an opportunity like that."

"Good. And... sir, have you ever seen a woman enter the room or the hotel asking for Mr. Elle's room?"

"No, Miss. The man never recieved visits that weren't his clients. He was so strict that not even the maid could enter his room to change the towels."

Holmes did not mention a word after the man's comment. She stayed focused looking at  his chest. Like on another planet. Her eyes seemed so deeply that I could notice that something from Mr. Joshua had called her attention. He surely felt uncomfortable. Three or two times the man opened the mouth to say something to Holmes, but inmediately closed it. He maybe did not want to say inappropiate words.

"Nice girl." Holmes said pointing the man's necklace with her finger.

"Thank you Miss, is my daughter Luciana."

"Thank you. Sir. You can go now. And sorry for bothering you." Holmes smiled.

"Officer, Louis, I think that is all I can see for today. There is nothing else that calls my attention in this hotel. Be sure about it."

"Sorry, Miss, Holmes. I do not thinking the same as you. I will have this room reguarded for the next two days if possible."

Holmes smiled. "Good luck, officer, and good night."

Then we left to start our way back to Baker Street.