The next morning, the rain from the night before had stopped.
But the sky remained a cold, gray, much like the atmosphere surrounding the case.
In the police station's office, Vincent stood before the investigation board.
On the board was a diagram of the Adrian mansion, along with notes on the time of death.
Daniel set his coffee cup down on the table.
"Inspector, I still find this case very strange."
Vincent didn't turn around.
"Strange in what way?"
"The room was locked."
Daniel said.
"No signs of forced entry, no murder weapon… almost nothing to investigate."
Clara, sitting beside him, nodded.
"Furthermore, if Mrs. Elena really killed her husband… why was she with Aurora at that exact time?"
Daniel continued.
"That's right. There's clear testimony."
Vincent finally turned around.
His gaze remained as calm as ever.
"Witnesses… aren't always reliable."
Clara frowned.
"The inspector suspects Aurora?"
Vincent didn't answer immediately.
He simply took a piece of paper from the table.
"This is Aurora's file."
Daniel took it and read.
"Aurora… daughter of a minor noble family… parents died young…"
Clara continued.
"Currently living in the Adrian mansion as a close friend of Lady Elena."
Daniel scratched his head.
"Sounds quite normal."
Vincent said slowly:
"There's one detail… that I find strange."
"What detail?"
Vincent looked up at the board.
"Her reaction."
Daniel looked bewildered.
"Reaction?"
Vincent nodded.
"Throughout the interrogation, Aurora showed no surprise at Adrian's death."
Clara pondered.
"Perhaps she's good at controlling her emotions."
Vincent shook his head slightly.
"No." He continued,
"Any normal person, upon seeing a dead body… no matter how calm they are, would react."
Daniel asked.
"And Aurora?"
Vincent looked out the window.
"She's like… she knew beforehand."
The statement silenced the room.
Daniel swallowed.
"Inspector… you mean…"
Vincent turned to Clara.
"Clara."
"Yes."
"Return to the Adrian mansion this afternoon."
Clara asked,
"What for?"
Vincent said simply.
"Observe."
That afternoon.
The investigation team returned to the Adrian mansion.
The servants were still frightened after the case.
Vincent walked slowly down the long corridor.
He stopped in front of Elena's room.
The door was open.
Elena was sitting by the window.
Aurora stood beside her.
They were speaking very softly.
When they saw Vincent, they both fell silent.
Vincent nodded in greeting.
"I just wanted to ask a few more questions."
Aurora replied,
"Please ask."
Vincent looked at Elena.
"Madam Elena, on the night the crime occurred… did you hear any noises?"
Elena shook her head.
"No."
Vincent turned to Aurora.
"And you?"
Aurora gave the same answer.
"No."
Vincent nodded slightly.
He didn't ask any more questions.
But as he left the room,
He suddenly stopped.
In the hallway behind, a maid was mopping the floor.
Vincent approached her.
"How long have you worked here?"
The maid bowed her head.
"Three years, sir."
Vincent asked,
"Do you know the relationship between Madam Elena and Aurora?"
The maid hesitated.
Vincent reassured her.
"Tell me the truth."
The girl lowered her voice.
"They… were very close."
"How close?"
"They're almost always together."
Vincent continued, "Even at night?"
The maid nodded.
"Sometimes Lady Elena even sleeps in Aurora's room…"
Daniel, standing behind her, immediately looked at Vincent.
Clara also frowned.
Vincent said nothing.
But in his mind…
A piece of the puzzle fit perfectly.
That night.
Vincent sat alone in his study.
In front of him was the case file.
He stared at the name Aurora for a long time.
Then he slowly said to Daniel:
"Daniel."
"Yes?"
Vincent said very softly.
"Tomorrow… send someone to Aurora's house."
Daniel was surprised.
"Investigate?"
Vincent nodded.
"Secretly."
"Without letting her know."
Daniel asked,
"What do you think you'll find?"
Vincent looked at the dark window.
A hypothesis was gradually becoming clear in his mind.
"The motive."
The following night.
A police officer quietly entered Aurora's private residence.
The house was small and quiet.
There wasn't much furniture.
The officer began searching.
Every drawer.
Every bookshelf.
Until he opened an old wooden box.
Inside…
It was a diary.
He opened it.
The first page read:
"Elena… she cried again today."
The officer froze.
He turned to another page.
"I hate him… I hate Adrian because he hurt her."
The next page.
"If only… I wish he would disappear from this world."
The officer felt a chill run down his spine.
He immediately closed the diary.
And took it back to Vincent.
Vincent read each page of the diary in silence.
Each line…
Was it Aurora's confession?
But not to anyone else.
It was to Elena.
Gentle words.
Painful words.
Hidden words of love.
Daniel stood beside her, astonished.
"My God…"
Clara was also stunned.
"She… loves Elena."
Vincent closed the diary.
His gaze darkened.
"Not just love."
He said slowly.
"She's willing to kill for Elena."