Fleur Di Lis

Chapter Eleven

In order to get the bigger picture, a detective -- especially a homicide one -- must perform a search of the suspect property to gather evidence in order to piece together the victim's life to see what had gone so horribly wrong.  Maybe Dana spent her time here?   Maybe Nate brought her here to meet his family -- the good side?  He did admit they were pretty close.  Maybe there's something here that could link this whole jigsaw together and answer the one question that I was yet to find the answer to:

Why was she murdered?

Since I was stuck in this gorgeous home surrounded by magnificent views of nature, I decided that the best way to spend my time would be to act like a detective.  If I couldn't get to work, I'll let work come to me.

I started in the most obvious place; the living room.  With its many woollen throws and the stone fireplace that was situated on the far right of the room, it gave the place a warm homely feel.  I searched through the drawers of the TV cabinet, the sideboard and even ruffled a few glamour and business magazines to see what I could find.  Nothing.

Then, I moved to the bedrooms, starting with my own.  This had been someone's room; the décor was too personal to be simply dismissed as a guest room.  It seemed like the perfect place.  Again, like the living room, I began searching through the drawers, which were filled with the finest silk and lace lingerie -- my size, bizarrely -- only to find something hidden beneath the pile.  I wrapped my hand around the wooden point and pulled to stare at the framed photograph in my hands.  It was a winter's day in the photo; snow littered on the heads of Nate, Michaela, Dana Kirke and another man.  Nate and Dana stood side-by-side, arms wrapped around each other and grinning to the camera, whilst Michaela and the dark-haired hunk embraced romantically.

So, they were an item.  I guessed as much.  

I moved to the armoire and opened the doors to find rows upon rows of fine designer clothing.  Everything from sweaters made from the finest cashmere, to stunning silk evening gowns and gossamer shawls so soft they fell through my fingers.  Lined on the floor of the armoire, there were shoes of every type; boots, heels, sandals, sneakers...  Everything.

I scoffed in disbelief.  "Wow."

Then, something caught my eye.  Something glinting on the floor of the armoire.  I bent down, curled my fingers around it, and lifted it up to find Dana's pink iPod in my hand.  The iPod that had been missing from the crime scene, I realised with a gasp.  It was still smeared with blood and mud; the battery obviously dying.

For the avoidance of contaminating the evidence further, I gingerly placed it on the sideboard of my room and wrapped it with the softest silk shawl I could find before placing it in my pocket.  No doubt, Nate or Michaela's fingerprints will be on that thing.  

So, one of them had been there long enough to pick up the iPod.  What did Dana capture that they wanted to keep hidden?

Nothing was adding up.

After rummaging through the rest of the room and coming up empty, I left, closing the door behind me.  Nate and Michaela's rooms were both locked, which only left me with the study.  I checked my watch; noon, plenty of time.  I strode into the room and, once again, started my search.  Cabinets, drawers, bookshelves...  Everything.  Again, a picture of Dana and Nate together was found; this time they were kissing.  Was it a crime of passion?  Did Bax love her too and decided that if he couldn't have her, nobody could?  Or did Dana antagonise him too far, and Bax got his revenge? 

There were still too many unanswered questions; again, something not adding up.  

One book didn't want to come away from its place, and I jerked it forward, stopping short when I heard a click.  Slowly, about six conjoined books moved outwards.  I smiled.  A safe hidden in a bookcase.  Now, that was impressive.  Opening the door wider, I peeked inside and saw a black metal box with pretty engravings of branches and budding leaves all over it, with two brass handles on either side.  I wonder...