Killing the Unfaithful

7. And Then the Wolfe came

Dean Pinkard stood with his mouth agape. Investigate the case? Me?

"What?" he wondered aloud.

"I want you to investigate this case secretly," Steffen explained. "And report to me directly."

Dean frowned in confusion. "But why?"

Steffen laughed loudly, but Dean could point out the nervousness behind it.

"Because I like you," Steffen waved it off, still laughing. "And I want you to promote quickly. "

Dean tried to enquire further, but Steffen didn't let him speak.

"See, Michael isn't giving you anything to do, am I right? You are pretty much useless right now."

Dean shut up. All the questions in his mind died out as all his self-doubts were vocalized."Yeah..." he agreed.

"If this continues- and it will, I assure you- it would take you at least a year to get noticed, then some time to get promoted. Do you want to wait that much time?"

A year? Dean thought. He had never waited a year for anything in his life. The idea of him spending everyday being useless, for months, disturbed him.

"Well I won't if I can avoid it," he said uncertainly.

"What if I tell you you can?" Steffen stepped closer to Dean. Waiting for a reply. Dean said nothing, face blank.

"It's a challenge," Steffen continued and Dean's eyes went wide,"if you accept it, that is."

Dean listened closely," A challenge? "

"Yes," he nodded, delighted to finally have Dean's interest. "If solve the case before Michael, you get promoted. "

"And if I don't? " he asked.

Steffen shrugged. "Then nothing. Try to be noticed. Wait for months to finally have some actual work. I suggest the former."

"That's no fun," Dean stated.

Steffen looked startled. "Then what do you want?"

Dean thought for a moment. "If I finish the case before Michael, I get promoted. And if I don't, " he smiled. "I'll quit this job."

***

Dean Pinkard and Steffen William were now sitting on the park bench, talking and laughing.

It was way past their workday and the sun had start setting. They had watched from a distance as police left the murder scene and policemen on nightshift entered.

Finally Steffen got up to leave. "So tomorrow you are starting to investigate, any plans?"he asked.

"Yes," Dean said, and he wasn't lying. He had thought about the case, even before he took the challenge.

Even as he was talking to Steffen, the case was at the back of his mind.

He could question very limited suspects, he had concluded. After his experience with Liana, he had learnt that not a lot of people are ready to talk with someone not in charge.

"I have someone in mind. Someone I wanted to talk to since the beginning," he told Steffen.

He knew exactly who to talk to first. 'The ears of the house', as any person who grew up in a well off neighbourhood would call.

A person he couldn't believe Michael took no interest in. Maybe because of her modest background.

"I'll start with the maid, Rosa Wolfe."

***

The next day, Dean came to the crime scene with a new determination. He knew he had to talk to Rosa Wolfe that day. But it needed to wait.

First, Steffen had told him to get the report about the murder weapon, from a guy called Nicholas Jacobine.

He wished to not waste time on that. There was wine, which was poisoned, duh. There wasn't even a knife or something. But Steffen told him it's important so he had to do it.

With these thoughts in mind, he had reached a small corner in the living room, where a young man sat on a computer.

Nicholas Jacobine he thought. Must be the tech guy. As he reached closer the guy looked up."Yes?"he said.

"I'm Dean. I guess we haven't met yet." Dean offered a handshake.

Nicholas didn't shake his hand. Instead he frowned in distaste. "What do you want?"

"Well, I was hoping to get a copy of the report about the wine," he shrugged.

"Why?" he asked.

"Uh, I have orders," Dean waved it off.

"By whom?" He arched his eyebrows.

"Steffen William. "

He didn't look convinced. "Really?"

Dean sighed. He really had to use what Steffen had given him.

He handed him a piece of paper. Nicholas' eyes went wide as he read its contents.

Brief Dean on the report. No questions asked.

Nicholas opened his mouth to speak, but thought better of it. He gave him a seething look before giving in. "The wine was poisoned by a drug. It is used as anxiety medicine. Fatal when mixed with alcohol."

"A drug. Why would someone use a drug? " Dean furrowed his eyebrows in confusion.

"How am I supposed to know?"he asked, clearly annoyed.

"Anything else?" Dean asked.

"The wine. The wine she was poisoned with had been bought from India."

India? He knew that Thomas Weld visited India frequently. Oh god, he killed her. Dean was sure of it.

"Thanks, " he said as he made to leave. He saw his watch. It was time to meet Rosa Wolfe.

______________________________

Don't forget to vote if you liked this chapter!

Who's your favourite character till now? And least favourite?