Chapter 4 The Evidence

An excerpt from The Titanium Mysteries Book 1: What Is She Doing Here?

It was a small office shared by the detectives Julian and Zelda. One wall featured a wall screen. It was a high powered computer which could interact with their small portable computers they kept with them at all times. They were busy reviewing the murder of Phillipe. They had some evidence which was on the wall screen.

Julian frowned. “So, there were three people on the property who didn’t live there.”

“We talked to all of them already.”

“But we may need to talk to them again.”

“Of course. We just started this investigation. I would imagine we’ll talk to all three of them again. I take it, the servants are still being questioned?”

“Yes, by some of the officers.”

“Good. We’ll have that data before long. But this is interesting. At this point I don’t know who could have done it. Do you have any idea?”

“No.” He sighed.

She raised an eyebrow in his direction. “What was that sigh about?”

“Uh, I hope Zeta didn’t do it.”

“Oh, is that it? I’m not sure she did it. From what the servants said, they had a purely business relationship. Zeta was described as being cold and somewhat unapproachable.”

“She was hired to be his ghostwriter.”

“Yes. What motive would a ghostwriter have to kill someone they work for? Look how well she was paid before he was murdered.”

“I see. I guess she doesn’t have to worry about much for some time.”

“Unless she has a spending habit.”

He shook his head. “She wasn’t wearing any makeup and I’m betting she doesn’t spend much of anything on her hair either.”

“Reminds you of me?”

“Yeah, she didn’t look like she takes great pains to doll herself up to attract anyone.”

“Yet, you found her attractive.”

He sighed again.

Zelda smiled. “I couldn’t tell what her preference is. But from what the servants observed, she doesn’t like to hear how beautiful she looks.”

“I can be quiet about that.”

“Good for you. Too many guys don’t understand that could become sexual harassment all too easily. It’s better to be quiet about it and treat us all as people.”

He smiled. “That’s what I try to do with all of you.”

“So, you can be taught.”

He chuckled. “So, who would want to kill the deceased?”

“Excellent questions. Jealousy would be an obvious answer.”

“Of course. He was quite successful. He’s created lots of jobs and opportunities for other people.”

“There’s evidence that he liked women a lot.”

“I heard that too. Do you think a woman did it?”

“It’s possible.”

“Our suspects other than the servants are two women and one man.”

“I know. The man Toni is his business partner. If he did it then it might be that he wants the business to himself.”

“Right, but we don’t have evidence of that. There’s the writer and who was the other woman?”

“Jessa is a major party girl. Very easy to catch.”

“Not my type.”

Zelda smiled. “Not into easy?”

“No. I’d rather have a long term committed relationship.”

“Somehow I’m not surprised.”

“I see we have the autopsy report.”

“Oh, there it is. It was definitely murder.”

“Skull fracture and a fatal belly knife wound.”

“Looks like there were more knife wounds than just that one.”

“Where’s the weapon?”

“It hasn’t been found yet.”

“Great.” He sighed again. “The knife may not be what caused his skull fracture. We should have the police look for something which could have caused that.”

Zelda wrote up the request on her tablet computer.