The day had come to an end. The evening light was painting the walls of the mansion with red highlights, and yet everyone was still in the living room, with the doors locked, trapped there until they found the murderer. The four friends had gathered, next to the library, the most hidden spot in the large living room, among dusty shelves with leather-bound books.
The atmosphere was heavy. All day they had been talking, asking questions, listening to answers that seemed more like half-truths. Or half-lies.
"We can't go on like this," Gabriel said, slapping his hand on the table. "We're wasting time. If we wait for others to tell us the truth, we'll stay here forever. We have to push harder."
Dorella raised her head. Her eyes were sparkling. "That's not right, Gabriel. If we push them away, all we'll do is make them more withdrawn. We need to give them space. Show them we're willing to listen. And if that doesn't work, we'll show them they need to take us seriously. Whatever way we can get there!"
"Listen?" Gabriel's voice rose. "They lied today. You saw it! No one is really grieving for Leo. Everyone is hiding something!" he shouted at last.
Dorella jumped up from her chair, approached the table. "And you think that shouting will get you the truth? Especially from me."
Gabriel's heart pounded. He didn't know if it was anger or the way Dorella was looking at him – sternly, but with a strength that made him admire her.
Inside he thought: You don't understand, Dorella. This is not just a case for me. He is my brother. He is my blood. If I don't find the truth, I won't be able to bear it.
But Dorella didn't just see his anger. She also saw the pain hidden behind it. There was a cry in his gaze that couldn't be expressed in words. There was so much inside her that was ready to explode. If you knew how much darkness, feelings and pain I hide inside, you wouldn't look at me like that. Gabriel. I... I don't know. Or rather, I know, I love you, but I have so much hatred built up that it's ready to swallow me up. My sweet friend.
Peter, who was sitting a little further away, broke the silence with his usual mood. "If you allow me, I find it interesting how... strongly you react when you disagree. Tempting enough to make up scenarios in your head about why, don't you think?"
Lily shot him a sharp look. "It's not time, Peter."
But Gabriel had already caught the hint. And it made his blood boil. Not just with anger this time, but also with a truth he didn't want to admit: that Dorella meant a lot more to him than he dared to say.
"I just… I can't sit idly by," he said more calmly but Dorella caught the anger in his voice, and a hint of accusation.
She went to let her gaze soften but when she realized who the accusation was about she got angry again, but said nothing. She just thought about it. He's accusing me. But of what? "None of us can, Gabriel. But you can't let your anger drive you. It will blind you. And then… you might lose the truth you seek. Which might turn out not to be the one you expect…"
For a moment, they stared at each other in silence. It was as if time had stopped. And he felt that tightness in his chest again, the same one he had felt the day of the phone call. A feeling that had no name, but he felt it more and more clearly.
Lily broke the silence. "Let's take a break. We need a clear mind."
The tension slowly dropped, but Gabriel knew something had changed. The argument with Dorella wasn't just about the investigation. It was like it had brought something to the surface.
And that "something" scared him more than he wanted to admit.