EXB 03 - Nightshade

Record 1:

Another day at the Gendarmerie Department ( a police force of France). I wakes up a little late after dawn. The new case we were assigned has brought to us nothing but splitting headaches. The information is too obscured to even project in one's mind. The victim's death struck everyone's eyes, yet no one has any information that can unravel this mystery.

Not even information related to the cause of death.

Moreover, the answers the witnesses provided only leads to more and more questions.

" Incroyable, c'est affaire (unbelievable) ", my wife put the file on the table, " who could conduct such a crime ? Leaving clues everywhere while still remaining a complete mystery."

" Oh well, c'est la vie. Life always have something beyond mankind's wildest imagination. "

I take a sip of tea, reviewing the first few details of the document.

The death took place at a party in a private bungalow surrounded by a pine forest, quite near Paris. Taking about 45 minutes to get to the scene.

I go outside to the frontyard, seeing the horse cart already arranged as usual.

" Bonjour, monsieur. Let us go. ", the horse rider greets me.

" I heard of some victory of the battle of Fontenoy from some governmental gentlemen. They were quite cheerful about it, even promoting General Marshal Saxe as an undoubtedly formidable man."

" Interesting. It may improve France's political position from now. Wish I could have joined the others on these occasions rather than burying my head in work. "

" I wish the same for myself, monsieur. "

Arriving at the station, I join officer Lucien, a good friend and the only one I can rely on in the department. Lucien is a charismatic and lovely gentleman. The man resolves conflicts almost effortlessly, always kind and nice to everyone, regardless of whether facing a lady or a gentleman. And most notably, he emits some sort of positive radiant aura, enlightening the mood of those surrounding.

He is literally a typical example of the impossible.

Lucien sees me coming with the file, greets me with all those cool guy gestures. He seems to learn it from the children of the noble class.

" Come on. You should not be doing all these children's stuff, mon ami. "

" But the children thinks it's cool. It's always nice to be loved and popular. "

" Yes, I suppose it's true... but... nevermind. Look, the case file here. The boss assigned it last week. "

On the horse cart, while travelling to the farm, we review the details of the case. After 30 minutes of discussion, Lucien discovers a bizarre spot in the file.

" Here. One of the witnesses claims that throughout the night party, the victim seems a bit sleepy. "

" Seriously ?.... Maybe it makes more sense to sleep at dawn. "

" S'il vous plait, officer. Focus. Victim's friend seems it strange considering that the victim has always been an enthusiast of all recreational activities. It would be abnormal to reject such party halfway through the night. "

The horse cart suddenly stops. We almost rip off the document in the crash. I climb down the cart to discover a merchant cart in the middle of the way. His cart appears to have been dismantled by the accident, breaking one wood wheel completely.

In the middle of the debris, the merchant and his horseman try to collect some cargoes, much of which are tea leaves, dried wheat, and barrels of burning oils (some already leaks out, spilling on the ground).

On one part of the cart, there appears to be some empty barrels, while the other side is occupied with beetroot and radish seeds, mixed with some small finger-sized potatoes and carrots.

I turn my attention to the debris and the loud noise.

" Who is responsible for this ? C'est Inacceptable ! ", the merchant shouts.

" Pardon, monsieur. ", Lucien steps out of the cart, slowly approaching the man, " We don't mean to crash into your ride."

It's clearly our horseman's fault. Still, officer Lucien manages to calm down the merchant, even asking him for a favor.

" You can report at this address of the Departmental Gendarmery. Just say our name, and your money will be compensated in time. "

" And what's your name so I can report ? "

" Officer Lucien, monsieur. And I notice that your ride is heavily damaged. Maybe you can gather the horses and travel with your cargoes on ours instead."

On the way to the farm, Lucien continues the conversation.

" Do you live near here, monsieur ? "

" No, I just transport my goods from and to the rural areas. These tea leaves or all other merchandises are all from the docks near Amiens. I was just on my way to a farm. I provide them with the seeds or small vegetables to regrow. In exchange, they will provide me with diary products or their farm goods. "

" And who demands the goods at this "farm", monsieur ? "

" Mrs Dubois, Véra Dubois. She's a housewife there. Strangely, she travels to the city more often than the husband. "

" And what business does she has in the city ? "

" Apparently trading the goods. I also hear that she owns several restaurants and pubs in the city. The family is even richer than some noble class in Versailles. I guess the rumor these days about new ways to make money is true. "

Finally, we arrive at the farm. The horse stops in front of a farmhouse, mainly consisting of grapevines and black berries. On the section behind it are reserved for planting vegetables.

We slowly walks on the track with the merchant to a bungalow, when suddenly, Lucien discovers a strange detail on the file.

" Incroyable ! Look here. ", Lucien drags me back to the file.

" What is it ? "

" Look. The name of the victim."

" Oh Mon Dieu. ( My God) "

Véra Dubois.