Caught Red Lipped

Chapter 12

Wesley pulled up at the towering mansion, and sat in his car for several minutes, feeling out of place. He watched a few gardeners outside, maintaining the landscape. What would he say when he got to the door? Did he have an excuse for being here? Would Dana even be at home if her schedule really was so tight?
As dozens of questions crowded out his certainty, Wesley made it to the door and rang the doorbell. A trill tune echoed just inside , and then he heard the sound of footsteps before the door opened to reveal a petite maid with red hair pinned back in a sleek bun.
"Hello, sir... welcome to the Lorington Manor. Madame Dana is not home at the present, but I can take a message."
"Is that the speech you give to everyone who comes around?" Pried Wesley.
The girl grinned sheepishly and looked down.
"Yes, sir... although this time she really is not here. She is gone away on business."
"What kind of business?"
"She does not tell us these things. I'm sorry, sir. I am just the maid"
"Ahh well..." he continued, despite her apparent impatience "my name is Wesley Morris, and I'm a detective with the Los Angeles sheriff's department.  Your employer is under suspicion for the murder of William Armaer, and has yet to make any contact with us to verify her willingness to cooperate. Is there some way I can get a hold of her? "
All of a sudden, a rather round man in a spiffy suit waltzed up to the door with a huff.
"What is going on here, Corinne? "
"Nothing important, Herman. I am simply taking a message for Madame Lorington."
"You are excused. Continue your duties. Ill handle this."
The well dressed man stepped inside the doorway to replace the small maid, and faced Wesley.
"Madame Lorington is away for personal reasons, and we do not permit her fans inside the manor... please take your curiosity elsewhere." he huffed, but Wesley pushed inside. 

"I am with Los Angeles Police, sir... now if you'll excuse me... I'd like to see Dana's room."

"Do you have a warrant?" 

Wesley pulled out a sheet of folded paper and handed it promptly to the butler. "She was supposed to come in for questioning several days ago, sir, and she never made an appearance. That's why I'm here, and that's also why I came prepared... now if you'll please direct me to her room.... I will take but a few minutes." 

Reluctantly, the intimidatingly sharp butler pointed up the elaborate marble staircase. "Her room is the first one on the left." He then proceeded to sigh and separate himself from the obvious nuisance Wesley had become. 

The sly detective was already growing more suspicious by the minute, and with suspicion grew his excitement. Reaching the top of the stairs, he veered left and entered Dana's room. It was a wreck. Almost as if a tornado had swept through, items were strewn about and carelessly hanging out of drawers, not to mention the rumpled bedsheets and skewed pillows. Wesley examined the scene carefully, though he chose not to touch anything that could be considered evidence. In one corner was a broken vase shattered on the ground, and on the nightstand was an array of every shade of red lipstick known to man. Perhaps they would play an important role in matching Dana to the murder. 

Of course, Wesley still couldn't be sure of anything, but it certainly appeared as though Dana had left in a hurry, and that did not help to prove her innocence.