Chapter two

After four days, a reply letter finally arrived from her boss, Felix Shay, concerning the contents of her previous letter on what she had achieved so far.

Another detective?!!!

Emilia said in disbelief. He had already sent another detective to " assist her" since it seemed as if the case was getting a bit dangerous.

He can't do this to me, this is my case, not a one for all charity pack!!!

She raged to herself

She loved working alone, although she did appreciate assistance when needed!! But still, working alone prevented loses because believe it or not, but working as a detective is no easy job at all.

While in training camp, she had a close friend, Casey by name. But he was killed on a mission trying to catch a murder culprit who had figured they had deciphered his identity. They were ambushed on their way, their carriage was rammed off a low cliff, but he had not survived the fall while she herself almost lost her life.

The murderer was caught and given a death sentence, but that couldn't possibly bring him back...

She relied only on GOD now..... both for protection and reliance.

She felt drained and tired, and sober;

she could no longer prevent it from happening, the detective should probably have arrived by now.

I'll go meet him tomorrow then,

she sighed.

Why?!!

Emilia exclaimed in frustration.

She then went on to join her family for dinner. All her brothers were around, including their wives. Just in time to prepare for Christmas which would be next month.

she smiled sadly.

Could the girl somehow be connected to the case?

she couldn't help but wonder while eating,

Is something wrong darling? What's the matter, you look a bit pale?

Her mother, Jessica, asked, concerned.

Nothngs wrong mother, I'm just frustrated with my boss, but don't worry, I'm fine.

Her dad had stopped eating and was now staring at her.....

Oh no, this won't be good

she thought.

Her first brother, Bane, sensing the tense atmosphere, decided to break the silence:

Father, I and Maria( his wife) have something important to tell you,

he said, holding Maria's hands.

It was only then that my father turned his gaze to Bane. He smiled at Maria.

What is it son?

he asked in his thick bass voice.

So, after waiting for two months, the doctors have finally confirmed that Maria is pregnant.

he hurriedly announced.

Really!!!

my mom exclaimed in delight, and my papa grinned ear to ear; both my parents adored babies. I was happy for them, and so was everyone, I was also glad my dad was distracted.

I too will soon be pregnant,

my second brothers wife( Joyce) said out loud, we all burst out laughing.

Don't worry love, ours will be a pair of twins,

Charles consoled his wife.

I love my family, and I'm grateful to GOD for giving me such a wonderful family.

she thought joyfully.

After their family prayers they all went to sleep.

A good night to all,

she said before heading to her room.

The next morning she woke up early, dressed official and went to where she was to meet with the detective. Though she purposely arrived earlier because she liked to be punctual and also because she wanted to get a good look at this " detective" before she would partner with the fellow.

After bidding farewell to the coachmen, she moved to the nearest seat she could find and sat down elegantly.

This is a fine eatery establishment,

she commented happily as she finished her meal comprising of dry, loafy, and soft bread, hot melting cheese, an apple, and fine clean honey.

I think I agree with you on that one miss Warwick,

someone said behind her.

This must be him,

she thought.

Emilia took a deep breath before getting up to face him. She was momentarily shocked at what she saw;

He had short black hair that were held back behind his head, with only a few defiant strands brushing his face. Broad shoulders, more like that of Charles who was a soldier, dressed in black all through with a suitcase in hand.

But she was even more stunned when she looked into his eyes;

Dion?!!!!

she said as she staggered backwards.

Hi Emily, or should I say detective Warwick?

he remarked bluntly

What are you doing here?

she found herself asking in disbelief.

he seemed annoyed now...

What do you mean? I thought Felix already informed you that I was the detective he was sending to assist you?!

Detective?

You?

Then she did faint.

She woke up later on in her room. The servants said she had been brought home by an handsome Englishman.

Her father later informed her that it was Dion who had brought her home. She is currently seated with him in the garden, sipping a cup of warm milk. She explained all that had happened to the best of her memory to him.

Well, well, I didn't expect you to be that surprised to see him,

he said thoughtfully.

She was taken aback by his comment

wait....what?????

What do you mean papa?

Oh, I didn't tell you? he sent me a letter saying he was going to be spending Christmas with his distant uncle here.

Oh well.

he said

Oh, since he was coming here, Felix saw it as an opportunity to send him as my assistant- Oh my goodness!!

she exclaimed

Her father was smiling now.

Papa!, what's funny about all this?!

Oh hush child, don't act as if you're not in the least happy that he's around?

he traded

No papa, I'm not, not with all that's happening right now.......

That got his attention;

what's wrong my sweet baby girl?

he asked

She moved closer and lay her head on his laps and closed her eyes.

I'm stressed papa, this case I'm working on is quite stressful,

she confessed even though she loved her work.

he sighed heavily

It's about Justin Burke's family right?

yes papa.

Any credible suspects yet?

Not really, only a long range of political enemies. No clues, no fingerprint, no hair strands, no traces of a struggle on the victims at all.

Trevor Warwick stopped to think deeply, then something suddenly occurred to him:

" The Irish maid"

Did you hear about the Irish maid who disappeared from the Burke home?

she quickly sat up,

What Irish maid papa?

Well, there was an Irish maid that used to work as the personal attendant for Justin Burke and at the same time, she was Sid to have been having an affair with his son, Sarah Burke, Justin's wife, went on a rampage when she found out. The whole place was in chaos, then it suddenly all quieted down, then the Irish maid disappeared.

It wasn't really public news because they wanted to keep it as quiet as possible so I didn't hear quite much about it.

Emilia jumped up, kissed him on his cheeks and dashed into the house, towards her room. Trevor stared proudly as his eldest child and only daughter raced to her room.

She has really grown up to become a stunning and intelligent woman, just like her mother,

he smiled.

Lord please watch over my girl.

He prayed silently as he got up and went in. Just as he thought; she had already left to do her detective work. He smiled.

Dion! Dion!!

Patrick snow called out to his nephew.

Coming uncle,

he answered as he stepped into the parlor.

Please get the door before that person bangs it down,

he pleaded

Yes uncle.

he turned towards the door.

Emilia had been going from house to house, and each time she would be told to go to the next house for answers to any of her questions concerning the Irish maid, or even anything referring to the Burke family. This was the last place to ask and she was crossing her fingers, hoping she wouldn't be told to ask someone else. Now she was banging the poor man's door and he wasn't answering. She had seen light from the windows so definitely someone was in the house; she banged even harder still:

I'll apologize later.

The door finally opened, thank heavens!!

she thought.

Of all the people Dion was expecting to see, it sure wasn't the beautiful Emily.

She just stood there staring at him as if she'd seen a ghost, he quickly grabbed her wrist and yanked her inside the house before she faints like earlier in the morning.

D-i-o-n??

What are you doing here?

He stared at her under his lashes.

This is my uncle's house, what do you want?

he asked, his voice like Ice.

I'm here to see someone named Patrick? He's my last chance of finding a clue about the case.

He seemed shocked.

My uncle??

he asked in disbelief.

yes, your uncle, is he around?

She peeked over his shoulder to stare into the parlor.

Really!?, she doesn't have anything to say me?!!

he thought.

Dion?

Oh yeah, he's right this way,

he led her to his uncle.

After all the introductions were done, Patrick was ready to talk to her, but only because Dion asked him to.

He didn't seem to trust her.

Why was that?

she wondered.

So,

he sighed (Patrick)

You're the Earl's daughter and you want to know about the Irish maid of the Burke family, right?

Yes sir, that's right.

She said.

Well, I can't tell you much about the girl. The Irish maid was bought as a slave somewhere outside Birmingham, nobody knew where she came from other than that. Not long after she arrived at the Burke house, she because Justin Burke's personal maid. It was clear he liked the girl, the girl was quite a beauty, and the madam of the house didn't like it one bit.

Yup mean Sarah Burke?

she asked for confirmation.

Yes, Sarah Burke. She went crazy and started fighting with her husband, even her son, but mostly the Irish maid. Then after a week the maid mysteriously disappeared, some saydhe ran away from the house and some say she was killed by Sarah and burried in the woods at night.

And that's all?

Patrick slowly nodded,

Yes, that's all I know anyways.

He was already getting up to leave when she asked:

Which do you believe sir?

Excuse me??

Which do you believe about her disappearance?

He rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

Hmmmm- I think the Burke family are hiding something that they don't want people to find out about and I think you should ask one of theirs.

He then walked away, leaving her in deep thoughts.

It was after a while of deep thinking that she finally got up to leave.

Thanks Dion, I think I'll take my leave now.

She said as she prepared to head for the door.

Sit!!

he commanded. She sat back down reluctantly.

What is it detective Dion?

she asked professionally

is that the best you can do Emily?

he asked , disgusted.

Don't call me that Dion.

Why not Emily?

he provoked

She sighed heavily and rubbed her temples.

Look here Dion, whatever happened in our past that must have upset you, I'm sorry.

Truly I am, so please stop acting like this, if this goes on, I won't be able to concentrate on my job and I hate being distracted.

She finished saying.

Dion looked surprised.

Oh, you mean that,..... that's not what I meant Emily. I was going to ask if you were willing to work with me as your partner?

Oh!

I didn't know, sorry for the misunderstanding,

she rushed on to say.

So, are you?

Yes, yes, I'd be happy to work with you, and I was also hoping we could head to the Burke's house, are you up for the trip??

he got up.

Let me fetch my coat first.

She waited for five minutes before they took Dion's carriage and left for the Burke home.