The silver key

Investigation

The police arrived shortly after Leo called for them. Mrs. Theodore was also called, the police officials found the body and questioned Nicole and Leo before sending them back to the house, Clarisse helped bandage Nicole who had a black eye, a swollen cheek and a scrapped elbow and knee. The police did a complete clean out of the area and sent all the samples for tests

"How long do you think he was up there ?" asked one of officers.

"From the look of things over a week" replied another.

"Did they identify him ?" he asked as the officer was about to reply "yes " a voice came from behind them.

"Ah! Inspector Starr, didn't see you there!" The officer asked shaking hands with Edwin Starr.

"It's Henry Martinez, a lawyer , he doesn't live around here"

"A lawyer , eh?"

"Who found the body?" Asked Starr.

"Two kids, they live down south from here"

"Kids? Their names? "

"Nicole and Leo, I think"

Starr looked slightly surprised, smiling he took off, checking his phone on the way.

Nicole was sound asleep, peacefully but was woken up by loud blabbering of Candace, head throbbing and her body aching all over she sat up scanning the room, there was no one around.
"That is so scary!!" Candace said from outside the room.

Half wanting to fall back asleep , Nicole got out of bed and opened the door , Candace and Minerva stood in the hallway

"Nice to see you awake Nicole " said Mrs.Theodore softly.

"I heard you fell out of a tree!!!! " Candace said.

"Yeah, kind of"

"Let Nicole rest Candace , go and watch TV" Mrs. Theodore told Candace , who nodded and ran downstairs . The atmosphere instantly grew grim.

"Leo told me everything, we might have some police over soon...." Nicole nodded as a reply "I told Candace that you got hurt because you just fell from a tree accidentally, no dead bodys for my little girl okay? so play along " said Mrs. Theodore, the smile and sweetness in her voice felt fake.

Nicole just nodded, after a few moments of silence Mrs. Theodore sighed ,"take care Nicole......., and now of all times your uncle is not in town " she said patting Nicole's head.

"Not in town?" Asked Nicole, flinging as her cheek stung.

"Yes, he had some last minute job " Minerva said looking distracted " go get some rest, I'll make some of my best calming tea for you" she said before going down.

Nicole walked back into her room and as soon her head hit the pillow she was fast asleep again, the next day Rose, Nicole's old friend called, and Nicole told her the recent events.

"O! M! G! " Rose yelled over the phone " you have barely been there for a week, and all this happens!!"

"Yeah, my cheek is damn sore" she said rubbing it.

"take care Nikki" Rose said with a sing a song emphasis on Nikki.

" Do... not.... call.... me... that...." Nicole said irritated as Rose laughed on the other side.

Minerva sat in the plain office room with nothing but a table and some chairs , waiting for the officer incharge of the case. Starr entered dressed in a neat suit and tie, his blond hair slightly wet and messy. Minerva glared at him.

"what's with the experssion, Ma'am?" he asked as he took his place opposite to Minerva.

" it's nothing, what did you call me for?" she asked.

"the body found near your house was identified as Mr. Henry Martinez" Starr's eyes seached Minerva's face for a the slightest change but in vain "i hear you knew him" he continued.

"yes, but that was a very long time ago" she replied calmly.

"An old grudge can last quite a long time you know " Starr said raising an eyebrow.

"I never held anything against him" she said , Starr smirked turning his chair to the side.

"When was the last time you saw him ?" he asked.

"At my cousins funeral" she sighed "dont ask me about the things you already know " she said in a monotone.

"Questioning a suspect is my job, ma'am" he said tilting his head, Minerva's phone began to ring, checking the caller ID she got up.

" I have to leave " she said as she walked back to the exit.

"Your calming tea hasn't been working recently, has it Minerva?" Starr asked smiling.

Minerva turned around " i doubt it Edwin, if it wasn't for the tea, I can't be sure that you would leave this place in one piece" she said smiling and left the room. Grining Starr picked up his phone....