Chapter 308

Chapter 277: Detection

“So, I believe there are two possibilities. Firstly, if the real murderer had planned this m*rder in advance, he would have brought a change of clothes and, after killing Miss Maria, would have found another restroom to clean and change. However, the m*rder weapon discovered outside the m*rder scene contradicts this possibility.”

Ed continued, stating that after Byron manipulated Maria into “committing s*icide,” he threw the small kn*fe, which served as the m*rder weapon, out of the restroom’s vent, where it was easily found by the police.

“The m*rder weapon comes from inside the theater, not something brought in from outside. It is suspected to have been brought to the murderer by Maria. If the murderer did indeed plan to k*ll Maria, he wouldn’t have used a weapon that was not prepared beforehand. What if he couldn’t get it? Therefore, I believe the m*rder may have been a spur-of-the-moment decision.”

“The second possibility is that if the murderer killed Maria on a whim, he definitely couldn’t have prepared a clean outfit to replace the bloody clothes. Without a spare outfit, he couldn’t go n*ked, so there was no choice but to steal a piece of clothing to wear.”

As Ed continued, Douglas, curious after hearing Ed’s reasoning, responded.

“Steal? Whose would he steal? The audience here for the show wouldn’t bring another set of clothes for him to steal.”

“Of course, there are places to steal from, Officer. Don’t forget where we are—it’s a theater. Apart from other items, there are definitely many clothes,” Ed explained, and Douglas immediately understood Ed’s point.

“You mean… the murderer stole clothing from the theater?”

“Yes, I’ve seen the wardrobe backstage. It’s usually unguarded and easy to steal from. In fact, I’ve already had the theater staff inventory the clothing, and indeed, one piece of men’s clothing is missing.”

Ed spoke up, and upon hearing this, Douglas understood how Ed was tracking the murderer.

“So, if we find out who wore the missing clothing, we can determine who the murderer is.”

“That’s right. I’ve sent the ushers who recognized that piece of clothing to check the audience area and also allowed them to enter every box in the name of service. We should have results soon, so let’s hurry.”

With that, Ed and Douglas moved forward, and after walking for a while, they reached a corridor on the upper floor. One side of the corridor had windows, while the other had doors, each numbered, seemingly connecting to the boxes. At the end of the corridor, a few theater ushers were knocking on a door, calling out.

“Sir inside, please open the door. We have complimentary services.”

“I said I don’t need any service! Go away!”

An angry voice responded from within, and just as the ushers were about to say something, Ed, along with Douglas and several officers, arrived at the door.

“What’s the situation? He still won’t come out?”

“Detective, he still has no intention of opening the door, even after we said it’s a complimentary service,” one usher replied, and after hearing this, Ed spoke directly.

“Then let’s just open the door with the key.”

“Yes.”

The usher produced a key and unlocked the door. Upon pushing it open, they found themselves in a box room. The person inside immediately stood up angrily when he saw the door open.

“Who allowed you to come in? Do you want me to file a complaint…”

A man in an overly extravagant suit shouted from inside the box. Just as he was about to vent his anger, he noticed the police standing at the entrance and froze.

Without any pleasantries, Ed walked directly into the box, followed by Douglas and the other officers. Upon seeing the police enter, the man in the clean, extravagant suit instinctively took two steps back.

“Officer… what is this about?”

“Mr. Byron Davis, there have been some incidents in the theater, and we would like to ask for your cooperation in the investigation,” Ed stated directly, standing beside Douglas. Byron looked at Douglas and then spoke.

“What incidents? Officer, I’ve been here watching the performance and know nothing…”

“Don’t speak yet. Just answer our questions and cooperate with the investigation,” Douglas said sternly, and Byron, realizing the gravity of the situation, swallowed hard before replying.

“Alright… just ask what you want to know.”

“Thank you for your cooperation, Mr. Davis. Then first, I’d like to ask… do you know Maria Dokana?” Ed asked Byron directly. Upon hearing this name, Byron slightly froze and then responded.

“I don’t know. I don’t recognize any woman named Maria.”

“Don’t recognize… then what about these letters?” Ed said, placing several unfolded letters on the table in the box.

“These are letters of communication between Maria and one of her lovers. The handwriting appears rather similar to the one you used when registering for the box, don’t you think?”

Ed continued, noting that unlike the regular audience seats, theater boxes require reservations. Douglas, surprised by the letters Ed produced, thought to himself.

‘This kid can find out so much in such a short time?’

“It’s just handwriting, and it’s easy to find similarities; this proves nothing!” Byron gritted his teeth, continuing to shout, while Ed calmly responded.

“Is that so? Then let’s not talk about handwriting for now and discuss your outfit instead, Mr. Byron. Can you tell me where you bought this suit?”

“Um… this was a gift from a friend. I don’t know where he bought it…” Byron stammered, but at that moment, one of the ushers shouted loudly.

“That’s a costume we use for performances! It’s custom-made and not for sale outside!”

Upon hearing the usher’s words, Byron froze in place, his eyes widening, fists clenched, his whole body exuding a tense aura.

At that moment, Douglas scanned the area and noticed a rather inflated bag above the box. Pointing towards it, he told the officer beside him.

“Search that bag.”

Hearing Douglas’s command, the officer immediately approached to search the bag. Byron instinctively tried to block him, but Ed stopped him.

“Sheriff Douglas, Detective Ed, there’s something in here!”

Before long, the searching officer pulled out a bloodstained suit jacket. It was Byron’s clothing, stained with bl**d from the earlier m*rder of the servant. Naturally, at this moment, this bl**d appeared to be from Maria in the eyes of Douglas and the other officers.

At the sight of the bloody clothing, Byron’s expression darkened, his face falling as if all hope had vanished. He crumpled to the ground with a thud.

“Mr. Byron, now, what else do you have to say?” Ed asked slowly, looking at Byron now kneeling before him. Byron trembled as he raised his hands to cover his head, shaking as he spoke.

“It’s all… all that guy’s fault; it’s all that b*tch’s fault! Everyone clearly was just joking; that b*tch took it seriously! Talking about wanting to be with me forever… ugh!”

Spitting angrily, Byron became agitated, then lifted his head, speaking even more passionately.

“That b*tch actually wanted to marry me! She even threatened me with things I did in the past. As a lowly wh*re, she actually thought she could bind me for life. She was just a stepping stone for me to get closer to Adele, just a tool! What does she count for? I just made her pay the price for her stupid threats! What did I do wrong!”