Chapter three

They both sat silently in his carriage.

Why did you become a detective Dion?

she asked when she couldn't take the silence anymore. He smiled briefly.

After the divorce,

he said.

What divorce, did you get married later on?

she asked.

No!

he quickly said,

I was talking about the annulment of our wedding.

I'm sorry about that Dion, for everything.

he shook his head

Don't be Emily, all that matters now is that we are together again.

What does he mean by that!?

she wondered as she descended the carriage steps. A maid met them at the entrance, with some guards lurking not far behind.

What do you want, we're not expecting any visitors.

The maid said harshly, she looked scared for some reasons.....

Hmmmmm?

We're here to ask a few questions about an Irish maid that used to work here,

Emilia questioned while Dion kept watch over the guards lurking around. The maid's face went coldly still instinctively, she stood so still and looked as pale as a statue, that got both their attention;

I-i-i-i-i-i-i don't know what you're talking about, I can't tell you anything about the Irish maid , good bye!!

Dion held the door firmly open as she tried slamming the door in their face while Emilia pleaded with the maid, some guards were already turning towards them.......

Please ma'am, five lives have been lost already. I need answers if I'm to put a stop to any more unnecessary loss of life and their murderer to justice.

The maid's voice shook uncontrollably:

I can't tell you anything, please just leave. I'll get in trouble with my mistress, leave!!!

Ma'am nothing will happen to you if you just give us a clue or at least something to work with.

Dion said.

The maid looked around nervously:

Go to the graveyard by noon, please that's all I can say.

To the graveyard???!!

why should we go there?

Emilia questions.

She quickly turned away and ran back into the house, Emilia moved to follow her but Dion grabbed her.

That's all she can tell us Emilia for all know, that's all we'll get out of her.

But, but she's clearly not telling us everything she knows.

she protested.

He drew her close and leaned in to whisper into her ears;

Look up Emily, someone is watching us, let's go for now.

He practically dragged her back to his carriage.

Baaaaa!!

This is so frustrating.

He chuckled lightly.

; but still I can't just take this lightly, a girl has already died and I'm still stupidly clueless!!

He slowly touched her hands.

Don't worry, we'll catch them , whoever it is that's behind all this must be an expert too.

That's not helping Dion.

He chuckled again.

..... * .....

The maid shivered helplessly in the basement of the Burke house. How had she gotten here?

she thought.

Was I drugged ??

Something metallic sparkles in the cold darkness.

Was that a knife?!!

She struggled to get free but her hands and legs were tied to a chair;

Please, please don't kill me, I don't want to die, pl-ea-seeeee!!

Her body slumped into the chair as the knife pierced through her throat. She died seeing nothing; hearing only her own screams and a language she did not understand.

Her killer smirked in triumph.

That should teach the rest a valuable lesson,

her killer thought.

Dion dropped Emilia at the front of her father's mansion before leaving her in the care of the gate guards who escorted her in. He told the Coachman to head back towards the Burke house.

The Coachman stopped near a path in the woods leading to the Burke house and turned away towards his uncle's house. He pulled down his hair, pulled off his waistcoat and coat, threw his gloves away and rolled up his sleeves. He started jugging Into the woods, heading towards the Burke home. It didn't take long for him to reach the Burke mansion, he straightened his back and in one go, jumped high over the wall barricading the house.

He moved as quietly and stealthly as he could, sneaking towards the backyard where the door leading to the kitchen was. Easing the door open slowly he slipped in, dodging behind a pile of barrels when he heard footsteps. Two women walked past him , they are talking about a missing maid??

It possibly couldn't be the Irish maid, could it?, or the one that talked to them at the door!!

He was able to maneuver himself into the house safely, now into the next stage.......

Dion managed to sneak into the main parlor, mainly because it was late so fewer people moved around. He halted in his tracks when the hair at his neck stood straight, a voice came from behind him the large furniture occupying mostly half of the parlor.

Tilda??

a woman's voice called. Footsteps could be heard approaching the woman that spoke earlier. Dion peaked out from behind the chair to see the woman and the one she called out to.

Yes ma'am?

a skinny black haired girl said, emerging bfeom the kitchen.

Has your sister been found Tony?

the woman asked, the girl looked down;

She's dead ma'am.

In one swift action the girl was hit hard across the face, sending her weak body backwards with force, the woman spat on the girl's face angrily.

Stupid maggots, can't even keep yourselves alive and useful!!

The woman exited the parlor angrily, minutes later the girl stood firm reluctantly and headed back into the kitchen. After briefly searching the little parts of the house that he could search he left the Burke house and went home.

He would report what he discovered to Emily tomorrow after the Sunday church service.

He thought.

..... * .......

Sunday morning was very, very hot (hot weather), church goers hurried on as the weather threatened to get worse. Dion was seated at the back among the last role of chairs arranged in the small church building, he was constantly looking back, awaiting the arrival of Emily.

He had a lot to tell her. Few minutes later her and her family flooded in, he signaled for her to come sit beside him. After slipping away from her family she came to sit beside him.

Good morning Dion.

When he didn't reply her she frowned. He was somewhat amazed to see how stunning she looked dressed like the woman she was, since he's met her she usually dresses like a man.

But don't get me wrong, she looked handsome in men attire too, but I prefer her looking like this instead.

Dion, did you hear me ? I said good morning!!

she repeated again.

Oh yeah. Good morning Emily. How was your night?

Very fine thank you, though I think I might need more rest than usual when I'm done with this case.

He smiled

So? what is it?, you signaled for me to come sit down beside you?

Not now, later on we'll talk at your place after the service,

he said as the minister approached the altar.

Okay then, she agreed.

Emilia was seated on a cushion while she listened to Dion as he narrated what he discovered during his second visit to the Burke house. Dion sat right in front of her.

I saw lady Sarah Burke, but the woman is a snake! she treats her servants like trash, even hit a little girl.

he said in disbelief

And also, the girl fit the description of the girl who killed herself at the Burke ball , but I'm guessing they're either sisters or identity twins. The one that killed herself was probably Tony while the other is Tilda.

Emilia nodded, taking in everything he said.

But I also noticed fresh blood on Tilda's hands, which I don't quite understand but we'll get to that later. The killer probably isn't a little girl right??

No! it's not. And lady Sarah smelled of dust and the tip of her gown was somewhat soaked wet but let's also not pay much attention to that right now . There were no signs of anyone living in the house except for lady Sarah and the servants. No male residents at all.

Oh and one more thing, I heard some women talking about a missing maid so I'm not sure whether it was the Irish maid or the one that addressed us.

Hmmm- Emilia thought deeply;

What is it?

he asked

So with all we no know, our killer might be someone in the Burke house, it might be the vicious and jealous wife, Sarah Burke, that's behind all this or a mystery man that associates with children, using and manipulating them as tools,

she said.

Or the Irish maid,

he added.

Oh yeah, I actually almost forgot about her but either way I don't see how she's involved in all this now.

How many children does Justin Burke have through Sarah Burke?

Three children, two girls and a noy, why do you ask?

I didn't see any children at the Burke house at all.

Emilia bounced forward, almost bumping into Dion.

What do you mean?!

There was no traces of children living in that house at all, maybe they travelled somewhere or something........

No, I still saw one of them today in church, I think her name is Cassandra and the younger was named Leonita. Their eldest was the son who was said to be sleeping with the Irish maid, he died not long after his father died.

I didn't understand, this is starting to get really freeky!!

Dion exclaimed.

Are you sure of what you saw Dy?

Dion paused

What did you just call me? He said grinning, Emilia instantly covered her mouth and lowered his head.

I'm sorry, old habits......

Then it's decided, from now on you can call me Dy and I'll call you Emily, okay?

She nodded her head in agreement shyly.

So,

back to our conversation, I think we should ask for a permit

from the king's advisor to do a full search of the Burke house then.

I've tried that, it didn't work. They're related to the king so they have the upper hand.

Then what do we do now, obviously something isn't right here.

What if we try sneaking in when lady Sarah isn't in town, we could make up something to distract her.

she grinned

You devil,

she said as she playfully poked him, he grinned back at her.

Oh but we're partners in crime you see,

they both burst into laughter.

Suddenly she was wisked off the floor and lifted up by Dion's strong arms, carrying her towards the dinning hall.

What's the meaning of this!!? Dy!!,

she said laughing.

Too much work, let's go get something to eat...

But I'm not hungry!!

Yes you are.

Dy put me down this instance, what would my father think if he saw me on your shoulder like a log of wood!!

He paused

I think he'd probably kill me,

he said finally putting her down.

Too late for that,

Alex( her fourth brother) said from behind them.

Father's right in front of you.

Alex said grinning.

For some reasons my father was smiling, that isn't good,

she thought.

I see you two are getting along really well,

he said

Please don't start that father.

Both Alex and my father laughed sinisterly before walking away. They both stood facing each other in total uncertainty.

What was all that about?

I asked.

He shrugged his shoulders;

they're your family, you should know them better.

He said.

Yeah, I guess I should.

We sat down, then something came to my mind........

Dion , what if we try questioning anyone related to the Irish maid.

That's not possible Emily, she probably was bought from a slave master at an underground black market.

Then we go visit the black market where she was bought.

She said enthusiastically.

We don't know the slave trader who sold her to Justin Burke.

Actually, I do.

An odd silence settled in, he got up to sit beside me.

What?!

I asked.

Did you go to the black market alone earlier during the case?

I thought about lying because I knew where this discussion was going and I didn't like it;

but I didn't lie.

Yes Dion, I did. Now don't tell me I shouldn't have and don't ever tell my father. Got it?

He didn't reply me, instead he headed towards the parlor and left after picking his coat from my suit.

What's his deal??

she thought to herself in amazement.

Emilia went back to her room after Dion's departure.

I don't know why he reacted like that??!

she said to herself.

It's because he cares too much about you big sister.

Alex said, standing beside her open room door.

Go away Alex, I'm busy.

But I want to play, won't you play with me for a while?? Just for a while??

She sighed.

You're eighteen years old Alex, I don't have time to " play" with you, go play with your friends or something.

He walked towards her, yanked her to her feet and dragged her downstairs, towards the Stef, while she weakly protested.

Few minutes later she was laughing alongside Alex as they both rode on horses back into the wild......

................ * ............

Meanwhile Dion was in the underground black market near the outskirts of Buckingham, talking to a slave master.

My good sir, I see ya looking for a good girl with a nice figure to buy??

Yes, he nodded, I would remember to dissolve this place once we're done here. He just hoped that nobody from Suffolk who recognized him was here! It would not bode well with my father.........

He thought sadly.

The slave trader banged on the cages where young women from different places and language were caged all together. Spit was constantly flying out of Air Billy's mouth- or so he called himself.

The girls looked like they'd gone through hell already, it took everything in him not to punch sir Billy's smug face and free the girls.

Come on you sloths, I've a customer to please, look alive bitches!!

Billy barked at the girls. They all got up sluggishly, except for a dark skinned girl who shouldn't be above the age of seventeen.....

And surely the slave trader noticed this, he stormed towards the girl and hot her hard and fast, sending her stumbling into a wall. Her tiny body slumped to the ground slowly due to the force of the impact. Billy was getting ready to hit her again when Dion held his hand.

Billy looked surprised before smiling and slowly moved away from the girl.

I'm sorry good sir, but you see, this brat is too stubborn. She already sent a rich customer running earlier due to her rudeness, and that lady was ready to pay me money that would keep me going for a very, very long time.

Immediately Dion got curious.

Only the royals or someone related to them would have that amount of money.

Really?, and who might this fine customer you speak of; if you don't mind me asking, and if you're honest with me I'll gladly pay you double the price this customer offered to you.

Billy smiled- or you could say grinned so big that his brown disfigured teeths were no secret to the human eyes!!