One Hundred Degrees

Chapter 9: Stumbling

A/N: Yaaay it's another chapter down- for some reason that 5km walk I did this morning has me brimming with ideas- I even got my thoughts collected to compose a poem! Anyway enjoy the mystery and mayhem that ensues😁

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"Every solution to every problem is simple. It's the distance between the two where the mystery lies."

Derek Landy, Skulduggery Pleasant

Delia stared blankly at the presentation screen, as Officer Hendricks droned on about his latest case in the morning meeting. Her mind was too busy, trying to unravel the little information regarding her current case. She desperately needed pen and paper to jot down everything and make sense of it. She was tapping her finger in irritation against the table, when she was suddenly jolted out of her reverie by the voice of Chief Makatini's voice .

She looked up realising that the meeting was over, and all eyes were on her.
"Detective Singh, what is the progress of your current case. I know it has been a short time, but the reporters are breathing down my neck!"
Del felt her face heating up , before she responded, "We have a new suspect -a Daniel Goldman, but his alibi is airtight Chief. The pathologist has confirmed that the victim had died due to her face being submerged in boiling water, she had also put up a struggle against the perpetrator. We are trying to find if there had been any passerby's that morning who might have seen any suspicious persons."
The Chief nodded his head, satisfied by her reply.
"Thanks Singh, you and Govender better push yourselves though, I want this case out of  here as soon as possible."
"Understood Chief."
Del relaxed her body, before making her way back to her desk.

*****

Del looked at the list which she had compiled in front of her:

1. Bell Smith - chef at Poseidon -victim- brutally murdered-definitely not an accident
>was going to work overseas
>got on well with everyone she worked with
> ?enemies
>was engaged to Daniel Goldman- broken off due to fam factors- was still her benefactor for life insurance
>dating Tristan Scholtz , the sous chef- no one knew about their relationship as yet
> Fight with Popolous regarding "disappearing money"- ?crooked books
> was this just a mindless killing by an unknown person?

2. Daniel Goldman-defense attorney and ex-fiancée
>benefactor for life insurance
> stormed in and had a fight with the victim recently
> he does have his reputation at stake if he gets caught up in this case, has a solid alibi
> was upfront about the life insurance matter
> might have still loved victim

3. Mr Popolous-owner and manager of  The Poseidon
> claims victim was like a daughter to him
> excluded from his initial interrogation, the fact that he had recently been in a fight with victim
> can we trust his wife's testimony regarding his alibi-could they be in cahoots to save their business?

3. Tristan Scholtz- the sous chef, up for promotion once Bell leaves
> new relationship with the victim- secret to others
> seems to love the victim, had previously disliked each other
> has a weak alibi

4. Find out from forensics if they picked up anything interesting from the scene
5. Pray that some form of an eye witness pitches up !
6. To go to court from 1 o' clock today :( Blegh.

Del sighed- despite the Chiefs newfound confidence in her, she felt as if she was banging her head on the wall with this case. It was absolutely ridiculous how sparse the evidence was in this case. Her best bet was to call forensics first and pray that they somehow had come up with something new.

She was about to pick up her phone and call Sam from forensics, when Thandeka burst into the room and ran up to her desk.
"Friend, there's a lady up front who says she might have some information regarding your case!"
"As in The Poseidon case?!"
Thandeka nodded her head excitedly, "Yes! Can I tell her you are here and she can talk to you?"
Del dropped the phone back onto the receiver , as she felt a wide grin break across her face.
"Absolutely! Let me get Dev and I'll meet her in the interrogation room."

*****

A middle-aged, pale blonde lady was seated in the interrogation when Delia and Dev. She had a slender physique and her well-manicured nails swiped across her cellphone screen , as she dismissed numerous notifications. She looked up, as they seated themselves across her, and put her phone down.
"Morning Officers, my name is Mandy Morkel. I think I have some information that might be useful."
"Morning Mrs Morkel", Del greeted her, cautiously noting the large diamond ring on the woman's left hand. "Thank you for coming forth, we really are grateful that we have such active citizens."
"It's my pleasure. Can I start . Ok, so I think I saw the murdered lady that morning of the murder at half 5 on the promenade....", Mrs Morkel paused to take in the shocked expressions on their faces, before continuing with her statement.
"She was with a young man, he was wearing a cap so I couldn't make out his features-dark hair, tall lad. You probably wondering, how on earth can this lady notice these things. One of my puppies had managed to break free of his leash, and the young lady helped me catch him. So I thanked the two of them, the young lady was very friendly , but that man! So...so stand off-ish- I bet you , he knows who the killer is."
Mrs Morkel concluded her story, with a satisfied look on her face.
"Oh wow, that's actually quite helpful- like super helpful ma'am. This means that the victim had been with somebody prior to her death. Would you recognise this man, if you saw him?"
"I'm not to sure, maybe his built, you can call me if you find him. I can vouch for that officers."
"Thank you , so so much Mrs Morkel. We definitely will be in contact with you."
Mrs Morkel smiled at them knowingly, before picking up her handbag and striding out of the room.