[The Wattys 2021 Shortlisted Finalist]
One case, two detectives, three friends, and a thousand emotions.
Sometimes nothing is a coincidence, but then again, everything is.
After the mysterious deaths of Amyra Valdez's eldest Uncle followed by her...
"It's okay dear," she consoled. "We all are your family, we can understand what you are going through."
I knew she could feel my situation. She was going through the same thing after all.
I looked sideways in the hope of finding a subject that I could use to distract the topic.
"Who are you?" I inquired the young lad whose name I assumed to be Jonas.
"Who, me?" he questioned back in a more intrigued tone than he ought to during the ongoing circumstances.
I gave a slight nod.
"Jonas Amberson, assistant detective to Kelvin Xaviers," he introduced while making a gesture of fixing his tie to create a serious expression.
An unsuccessful attempt at creating an impressive impression - I thought.
"More like a sidekick to that strict guy," Brian commented in a hushed tone, but Jonas heard him.
"He's like my brother," he defended.
He repositioned himself a little, indicating that he was offended.
Although I was not in a state to observe him now, I could not help but notice his utmost efforts to dress up exactly like his 'brother'- the same white shirt tucked up perfectly in similar dark pants, only the color of the tie being different.
"So, what do your investigations say-" before I could complete my question, our attention was drawn to the loud approaching footsteps of the three men.
"Take a seat please, everyone," Mr. Detective suggested.
"Mr. Xaviers, you too," Uncle Josh made the courtesy after we all had settled down.
He slumped down on the single armchair at the center of the room, his arms settled on the armrests. He entwined the fingers of both his hands together and rested his chin on them. I could get the typical 'Sherlock Holmes' vibes from him. His eyes then took a tour around the entire hall room, examining each of us with his 'Sherlock' eyes in the process.
"So apparently Mr. Joseph and Mr. Nicholas believe that the deaths of Mr. David and Mr. Arnold were not murders, and even if they were, no one from the family is involved," he spoke at last, breaking the ominous silence.
He took another minute to glance at each of us as if trying to read our minds.
"Do you all agree with that?" he questioned, furrowing his brows.
"I- don't," Brian opposed in a low voice, drawing unwanted stares towards himself.
"I-don't either," I mumbled, coming forward to support him.
"Which part of it doesn't agree with you, Mr.Valdez?" Mr. Detective queried.
"I just think we should not declare it as an accident before investigating a bit more," Brian answered.
"I don't doubt anyone from the family though," he added.
"And according to you, Miss Valdez, the murderer is in this house right now," Mr. Detective remarked. "Is it?"
He was staring directly at me now.
"I didn't say anything like that..." I gulped. "I also just think that we should investigate a bit more, that's it."
"Let's investigate then," he replied with a serious look, getting up from his seat.
"Let's assume it's a murder," he analyzed while pacing to and fro, his eyes fixed at the ground.
"I believe then the investigation should start from the inside. And inside a wealthy family like this, the most obvious answer is property inheritance."
Mr. Xaviers demanded on checking the property papers.
"Mr. Xaviers, you cannot accuse any of our family members like that," Uncle Nick protested.
"I'm sorry Mr. Valdez, but since I have taken up this case, I assume that I have the right to investigate it the way I prefer."
Most likely, Uncle Nick's name was on the property papers since he was the eldest after Uncle Dave and Pappa. He had a good reason to oppose the detective's decision.
A moment of silence followed.
"On that note, I have something interesting to show you all."
With that, Mr. Xaviers stretched his hand towards the assistant named Jonas who instantly handed him a file, as if he was waiting for it all this time.
"So apparently Mr. Arnold Valdez somehow knew that his own death was approaching soon after his elder brother's because he made a will just the day after his brother's death, which is, the day before his own death," he continued.
"Would you like to read it, Miss Amyra Valdez?" he asked unexpectedly, turning his head towards me.
Why would he want me to read it?
The apprehension building up inside me increased exponentially. Trying hard to keep myself from shaking, I took the file from him and opened it.
"Read it aloud please, Miss Valdez."
I cleared my throat before starting, "I, Arnold Valdez, second eldest son of the Valdez family, and now the legal inheritor of Valdez mansion and all other business shares after my elder brother, David Valdez's unexpected death. Hence, I'm writing this will to declare that after my death, all these property goes to-"
My eyes widened with shock as they skimmed through the next few words. I could almost feel my heart taking a sudden leap as it thumped way too hard against my chest. I had not seen this coming.
"Goes to?" questioned Mr. Xaviers, raising his eyebrows.
"Continue Miss Valdez, we are waiting."
I glimpsed around slowly to find all the eyes in the room staring at me gravely.
"Goes to my daughter, Amyra Valdez,"I answered finally in a voice that came a bit louder than a whisper.
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Author's note: To all the lovely people who just finished reading the first chapter of my book- thank you :)
Don't forget to vote, share, and comment if you enjoyed it!<3
I hope you all will stick with this new journey till the end!
