Echoes Of Redemption

CHAPTER 4

Isabelle's Pov

When I woke up, I found myself laying down on the sofa.

I sat up bewildered, and that was when I remembered the events that occurred earlier. The gunshot. The rain— And… Eddie's death.

I trembled as I remembered holding beloved Eddie in my arms and how I had been knocked unconscious by something… or someone.

And I still felt the ache, right beneath my head. Who would do such a thing? But such questions didn't matter, did it?

What took priority in my view right now was Eddie's death. And the fact that he was dead.

Knock knock!

I almost jumped at the sound of the knock on the door because I didn't expect it, and also because of my deep thought.

I summoned up bravery anyway. This was my residence.

I proceeded to the door and opened it only to be welcomed by a team of police personnel.

"This is the police from New York South Branch, we're here to inform you of an incident that happened near the mansion." The leader of the squad showed me an ID which instantly made me trust him.

"Yes, please come in." I opened the door wider and they all entered.

Once we were all gathered in the living room, the team leader introduced himself. "Hello, my name is Mark, and I will be in charge of representing the interest of the state regarding this case."

"What case?"

"The death of a man we currently identify as Eddie Curphy. We heard from a source that you're his fiance?"

I nodded, making an effort to comfort myself.

"Yes."

"Eddie Curphy's body has been taken to Elizabeth's hospital morgue for preservation. We sincerely are sorry for his death."

"Y-yes. By the way, when are you and the crew going to start investigating?"

"Investigating?" The team leader took a glance at his iPod and said firmly, "It states here that the dead fell owing to the slick ground and banged his head on a stone. What is there to investigate? It's definitely just a simple accident."

"N-no," I shook my head. "That's not what happened, you're mistaken. My fiance was killed— I saw the bullet wound in his head, I even held him in my arms—"

"—If that's the case then why are you here in your mansion? You appear like someone who just woke up from slumber."

I was triggered and uncomfortable by that inquiry but it gradually seeped into me the reason I was so uneasy.

I distinctly remember that I was at the plantation grieving over Eddie's body but then I was knocked unconscious and when I woke up, I was on a sofa in my mansion.

I wanted to know how I landed here.

"Officers, believe me, I'm not lying I was in the plantation holding a shot Eddie but someone knocked me unconscious a-and when I woke up I found myself here!"

"That's impossible. If it actually was a killer, you would have been slain on sight."

"Right."

Another cop said, "What murderer would knock someone out and bring them to their mansion without assaulting or hurting them?"

I could feel the light pain in the back of my head but I certainly couldn't disclose that to the cops.

"Even if it wasn't a murderer, it could have been somebody else at the scene before the deceased died or after he passed away." A coworker from the back walked forward and as I saw his notable eyes, I felt comforted.

"Team leader, please allow me to talk with the deceased's relation for now. I presume she may be in shock but her impressions must not be heavily ignored to ensure we're not leaving any stone unturned in this case."

"The cause of death for the deceased has already been recognized, there's nothing else to verify. I'll be going with the others now. And no, don't waste too long discussing… useless things." The team leader gave both me and his brave colleague a glance before leaving with the others.

"I'm Detective Victor, ma'am. I work hand in hand with the police to unearth cases, no matter how complex they look. This is why I'm willing to hear you out."

I gave out a breath of relief, "Thank you for hearing me out sir."

"So you said your fiance was shot?"

"Yes, officer."

"Call me detective. So, how did you arrive at that realization?"

"I was in my art room upstairs. Painting, and then I received a phone call from my agent. We were talking on the phone and that was when I heard a gunshot from the close distance—"

"—Do you have proof of the time duration between the time you were talking on the phone and the time you heard a gunshot?"

"Yes. It was around fifteen minutes after five. Immediately I heard the gunshot, I dropped my phone and raced to my room window—"

"—Can you show me where it is?"

My room was at the upper right side of the mansion thus the windows only showed a section of the garden. I let the detective examine my unfinished artwork and my phone which still layed awkwardly on the floor. I showed the detective my last phone call duration and I think he believed me.

"When you heard the gunshot you left the mansion?"

"Yes. On a typical day, I wouldn't be scared but my fiance promised to come in time for supper by evening."

"Did you close the front door with your keys?"

"I did."

"And where did you keep your key?"

"My dress pocket."

"Check it now."

I did and brought out the keys.

The investigator then questioned, "Did your fiance have any family relative he entrusted the house to except for you?"

"No. Eddie… was an orphan."

I caught myself as I felt burdened by the tense I used to express the love of my life. Was. It felt so unwittingly nasty.

"I need to view the scene of the accident again. Escort me."

As we went out, I realized just how black it'd grown. By now it was at least a bit past seven o clock.

"Sorry for keeping you, detective," I murmured as we proceeded to the plantation.

"It's alright."

When we got to the site, I felt afraid and grieved. Like there was another presence nearby.

Detective Victor flashed over to the puddle of somewhat evaporated blood and I couldn't help the sob that escaped my lips at the sight.

While Detective Victor stepped close enough to inspect, I stayed back and cried into my hands.

I couldn't bear to look at the image anymore, it reminded me of the weight of what I'd recently lost. Love and camaraderie.

"I suppose you may have a point ma'am. The stone seems strange in this place and not to add, it feels like fresh blood being poured over the stone."

Detective Victor took a sample in transparent laboratory nylon and placed it in his pocket.

"Ma'am Isabelle, I think we may need to request an autopsy report."

My heart started to beat soundly again and I felt as though maybe, just maybe I might be able to seek justice for my love.