Page 11 of Forensics of a Fable

“We will, and thank you, Detective.” Mr. Drie stood and shook her hand and then Gold’s. “We read about your last case. I’m glad you’re the one helping my girl.”

Bel nodded comfortingly, and after gathering the requested information, they got into Bel’s car, racing back to Bajka.

“They seemed convinced Alana wasn’t mixed up in anything,” Gold said.

“Parents are often unaware of the darker sides of their children’s lives,” Bel said. “But in this case, I’m inclined tobelieve them.” Olivia tilted her head in a question, and she explained. “I won’t speak in absolutes until we have more evidence, but at first glance, if this is a homicide, it’s not one birthed from rage or money or passion. This wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision, nor was it violent. It was almost serene. Alana was dressed in a comfortable nightgown, hidden in a cabin where she would be safe from animals and the weather, and provided food. While everything about the scene was unsettling, it showed a sense of care and domesticity. It also speaks of premeditation. That furniture wasn’t originally there, which means someone had to either make it or special order it, and that takes forethought. That nightgown was vintage. It’s not something you run to the store and grab off the racks, so whoever dressed her in it either had it or took the time to locate it. Dressing her in beautiful clothing and giving her a peaceful end doesn’t point to an enemy or a jealous boyfriend or an unpaid debt.”

“The ritual theory is looking more and more likely,” Gold sighed, her fingers anxiously tapping her thighs.

“I won’t agree or disagree until we know more, but possibly,” Bel said.

“Do you think Alana was the intended target, or was she a victim of opportunity?”

“I have no idea. We need more information before I can guess at that. The autopsy will help. We also need to figure out what the furniture means.”

They fell silent as they both mulled over their conversation, but as they entered Bajka, the furniture continuously haunted Bel. She turned the car off the main road and headed for Lumen’s Customs. If there was one person in town who knew furniture, it was Violet.

“I’ve never seen those,” Violet said after Bel and Olivia explained the reason for their visit and showed her the crime scene photos. “They’re huge. Why are they so big?”

“We don’t know,” Bel said. “We were hoping you could shed some light on them?”

“I took care of the admin responsibilities, but Lumen enjoyed chatting about his designs. I watched him work on multiple occasions, and I own some of his pieces. So, let me see.” Violet pulled the photos closer and leaned over the images. “These were made recently with basic supplies. These aren’t factory-made but instead were crafted with generic wood and nails. The kind you would get at any hardware store. They were definitely not made by Lumen. He would have broken out in hives at the sight of this furniture.”

“So, locating a shop or designer that built these or finding the store where the supplies were purchased will be nearly impossible,” Bel said.

“If you’re looking for someone who bought wood at the local hardware store, you would probably have to question half the town,” Violet paused, giving Bel an odd look. “Especially someone like Eamon Stone.”

“Who’s Eamon Stone?”Olivia asked as the women settled into the car, and Bel ground her molars. She knew her dark protector would enter the conversation at some point, but she hated he was always in the middle of Bajka’s terrors. She hated even more that while he was a dangerous predator capable of evil, she wanted to defend him with every breath filling her lungs.

“He owns the Reale Estate,” she answered as they pulled onto the road toward the station. “He purchased it a few months back and has been renovating the main house.” Bel inhaled, readying for the onslaught. “The cabin where we found Alana Drie’s body was on his property.”

Gold shifted in her seat so fast, Bel flinched. “He owns the land, and he has basic construction skills? Do you think he could’ve done this? We should go talk to him.”

Could he have done this?Yes, he was undeniably capable of such horrors. Bel tried not to recall the way Alcina Magus’ bones snapped when Eamon killed her to break the curse. Bel had passed out from the blood loss, thankfully oblivious as he fought the witch, but she never doubted that Eamon was a monster in his own right. He was evil, but not the evil she sought. He hadn’t done this. She felt that conviction deep in her soul.

“No, he didn’t kill her,” Bel answered, trying to find the words to convince her partner that Stone wasn’t a person of interest without revealing his nature or her emotions.

“How can you be sure?”

“Because Alana died with blood still in her veins. Because despite his dark cravings, he was telling the truth when he swore he would never risk losing my trust.”

“The man is a millionaire,” Bel answered weakly. “He wouldn’t kill someone and leave her on his own property.”

“Maybe he didn’t realize his land extended that far?”

“He did.”

“How do you know? Have you talked to him?”

Bel looked at Olivia, and her partner understood.

“When?” Gold asked.

“At the crime scene.”

“He was at the crime scene? And you didn’t tell anyone?”

“He didn’t do this,” Bel said a little too forcefully. “Sorry.” She lowered her voice. “He wouldn’t do something like this.”

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