Crime At Northland Lake (Completed)

Clues and News

"In that case, keep your eyes on her." Nick warned.
"What do you mean?" Howard asked, raising his right eyebrow.
"I can't tell you all the details. Just tell her to be careful. Also tell her not to go outside anywhere." Nick said. "It's a matter of her life."
"What are you blabbering detective?" Howard grew frustrated.
"I'm blabbering sense. I can't explain everything, but there's a reason why I'm here." Nick replied. There was an awkward moment of silence between the two. Nick's sentences made Howard feel very uncomfortable.

"Anyways, after those noises took place on Friday night, this lake has been producing weird things." Howard stated.
"Producing weird things?" Nick asked.
"Yeah. Yesterday afternoon, I came down here and saw a sandal floating on the surface of the water." Howard giggled.
"Was it a lady's sandal?" Nick questioned, looking sharply.
"How did you guess?" Howard smiled.
"Just a thought." The young man replied as he kicked a stick. "What did you do with it?" He asked.
"Umm.. I-I threw it." Howard replied hesitantly.
"Damn man!" Nick exclaimed by stamping the ground.
"Why?" Howard asked. "Was it important?"
"Would've been maybe. Leave it now." Nick shook his head. "Anything else you heard or saw that was awkward since the past two days?" He asked.

"N-not really." Howard stammered. "I don't remember anything else. I just heard the vehicles that night."
"I understand you were half asleep, but do you remember how many times you heard the sound?" Nick asked softly. Howard thought for a minute and said, "Maybe two or three times. Definitely not more than that. Forgot to mention, I even heard some light footsteps."

Nick felt he was done with what he wanted to know from the tall man. The detective felt he was fascinating. "I guess that's all I can get from you." He said.
"Even I should get moving. Hopefully I've been of help." Howard smiled.
"To some extent yes. I would've appreciated more if you'd seen something." Nick said.
Howard stretched, "Even if I'd tried, I wouldn't have been able to see anything in the dark." He giggled. "I better get moving. Nice meeting you Mr. Detective." The tall man left, having a decent impression on Nick.

Nick didn't seem to get much from that information. The ladys' sandal seemed to fascinate him a bit. "Wish he'd seen something." He grumbled as he saw Howard climb the stairs to his cottage. The man went near the so-called pine tree guessing he might get something there. Nick noticed that all the footprints, if any, had vanished. "This place has been common for both the husbands and the blackmailer. Till now there's been absolutely no clue about their wives. Please tell me someone has left something for me here." Nick sat down near the trunk. As he sat, he felt something poky near his thighs.

The detective got up to see what it was. As he got the object in his hands, it appeared to be a necklace. Nick found it difficult to recognise whether it was a mans' or womans' necklace.
What the handsome man found fascinating was the 'S' shaped pendant at the center. Without thinking too much, he kept the jewellery in his jeans pocket. Suddenly Nick heard his phone ring. "Hello." He picked up the call.

"Nick!" The voice shouted. It seemed familiar. "This is James. I've got some serious bad news. Wherever you are, just go to Joseph Macmillan's bungalow. He's been murdered!"