“What!” Lyric cried blankly.
“Yes, my dear! It is a long story.”
“Go on!” Enif replied looking at the big wall clock for time. The sunlight enlightened the shiny metal and the light reflected sharply in his eyes. Lyric noticed it too.
“I was newly married. At that time, Lady Valarie was really rich and was married to the wealthiest person in the town while I was married to a royal but not that highly rich trader. At the family gatherings, she used to walk graciously in those high heels while I used to stumble in those tight sandals. She used to laugh at me back then! I was South-American and couldn’t speak French or proper English! I was humiliated by her! But time changed, and so did the positions. But I still hate her. So, to take revenge, I planned to steal the jewel to prove that she was just a mean witch! But I didn’t. I came back to my senses at last.” She confessed aggressively.
“In that case, doctor, a word outside?” Enif said, suspiciously.
“Sure, officer!” Lyric replied, stung by Enif calling her doctor as she was always addressed as Lyric by him. She walked outside with him. The trees were rustling due to the wind. The sun was hiding by a thick sheet of dark grey clouds but even in the chilly weather, she could see Enif sweating. He looked nervous.
“I think it’s her.” He muttered as soon as they were out in the yard.
“What makes you say that?”
“First of all because she let us inspect her unlike what other royal people would do. Secondly, she confessed her plan to steal the jewel. What if she is trying to confuse us?”
“Look, I know Lady Esmerilda. She isn’t like that! She’s good and kind. And why would she steal the jewel. I mean look at her house. It’s like a castle. What’s the motive for the theft?”
“Revenge! Vengeance! And believe me even Mrs. anonymous would be really hearty in person! Wait, we know Mrs. Anonymous has blonde hair. She too has blonde hair! What if she is Mrs. Anonymous!”
“Do you expect Mrs. Anonymous to keep her hair blonde after the theft?”
“Well it is possible that she would have known we would think her to dye them so wouldn’t have dyed them or wore a wig!”
“Or she would have known that you would think this so she would have simply dyed them! Triple cross! I don’t know Enif! Let’s just talk with her a little more! Wait before jumping to conclusion!”
Enif had no choice but to agree. He knew that it was not possible for Lyric to be wrong. He had even admitted to himself that Lyric was way better than him at investigating. He followed her lead and walked back inside. Due to the clouds, the hall seemed darker and the candles, brighter.
Lyric let out a faint cry as the sound of thunder rang her ears through the metal ornate objects and she saw the lightning emblaze Lady Esmerilda’s quiet eyes.
“So, Lady Esmerilda, I would like to check your flight tickets for past seven years. And your phone contacts of the day of the party.”
“I haven’t done anything!”
“Every thief says that! How did you suddenly become so rich?”
“I-have-never-been-accused-of-theft-in-my-whole-life!”
“She is telling the truth!” Lyric intervened.
“Lyric, I know you like her but without proof-” Enif cried, his voice raising now.
“I know but-!” Lyric started patiently.
“PROVE IT!” Enif bellowed.
“Sorry Lady Esmerilda but I gotta interrupt-she hasn’t done anything-” Lyric stated but Enif cut her in middle.
“P-!”
“She has Nelophobia!” Lyric continued ignoring him.
“What?”
“The reason why you can’t see any trace of glass! Even at the party, she was holding a metal goblet! I noticed it and was sure when I saw even the clock didn’t have a glass covering it.”
“I missed it. Must have overlooked the tiny details.” Enif mumbled guiltily.
“Reason why there weren’t any cases in New York except Mrs Anonymous one!”
“Well, I would have been able to solve that one too if I were you!”
“Well, you can do that now, right? This one is about her only!”
“What!!” Lady Esmerilda shrieked, horrified.
“Don’t worry, we’ll solve it! It was foolish of her to rob in my house, again!” she added with traces of anger in her voice.
“Your house?”
“Looks like you don’t read the newspaper! Lawrence Bouvier! He’s my father!” she said weakly.
“I am sorry…” Enif whispered keeping hand on her shoulder.
“Doesn’t matter! Who’s next on the list?”
“Ms. Soliel Calistèe de la Roche! An artist!” he answered as they stepped out of the huge mansion. “Let’s just call her to the investigation room!” There was something different in his voice. His tone was a little rude.
“Ok!”
Enif took out his phone and texted someone. “Go on, I’ll come!” he said urgently moving on to the other side of road and calling someone. His voice was quite loud but still Lyric could hear nothing except- “I AM TELLING YOU-!” in an angry voice.
“Is something wrong?” Lyric asked gently.
“Nothing you can take care of!”
His voice was still impolite.
“Hey, it’s me! You can tell me. I mean we have solved hundreds of cases together and I can’t see you being so impertinent! C’mon!” Lyric continued softly.
“It’s just that-I want you off this case!”
“Why?”
“It’s just that-you saw Mrs. Anonymous that night at your house, right?”
“Yeah-well, I did!”
“I think she’s after you! It isn’t a coincidence! She has stolen twice at your place-” the driver stirred left as a car approached to their right. “I am scared for you! And so is Cliff!”
“Rubbish! You know-I don’t think you should be! And by the way-Cliff has no idea I have seen Mrs Anonymous! Unless-” Lyric eyed him with sudden suspicion.
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