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Chapter 2: The Investigation Begins
When they arrive at the townhouse, the ambulance and coroners office are already there. They go into the house, which has already been marked of by the coroner. Toron goes over to the coroner, who is crouched next to the body of a young and attractive woman. The coroner, Catren Var, is an attractive woman in her early 30's. Her auburn hair is done into a tight bun. Her almost emerald green eyes convey a distinctly serious tone. She's wearing a white lab coat over a tee shirt and blue jeans.
"Well Miss. Var what do we have?" Toron asks. "At this moment, not much. There seems to have been a slight struggle, but who ever killed her was strong enough to over power her quickly." Toron's face grows darker, if at all possible. "So," he says " it was homicide?" She looks down at the corps then back up again, as he asks the obvious. She sighs and replies "yes, it was. I am going to do a complete autopsy tonight. You can pick up the report in the morning." Just before going on he quietly asks "When do you think you'll be done? " She glances up. "I really couldn't say, this could take all night." Returning to work Toron throws over his shoulder. "I could bring you some diner, if you'd like." She smiles briefly, very briefly. "That would be nice."
While Toron was talks to the Coroner his partner goes into the kitchen area were Sheral Cooven Lenvel and her niece are having tea. An obvious attempt to calm their nerves. It doesn't seem to be helping much.
They are sitting at an oak table that is probably an antique. As Corben comes over Sheral offers him a seat.
"Detective Corben I believe, or is it Toron? I'm sorry, I can't quit remember." Sheral asks. As he glances around the room casually noting that the place appears immaculate he responds gently "It's Corben. My partner and I will be handling your case." A look of relief crosses her face. "Good I'm so glad to hear this. I understand that you are the best men available." Corben listens patently while Miss. Lenvel continues. "I do hope that you can bring the horrible person who did this to justice." Corben takes this opportunity to interrupt in order to start asking questions.
"Thank you, we certainly will do our best. Any help that you can give us would be appreciated. I would be obliged if you would answer a few questions. To give us an idea of were to start looking."
"Yes, of course, I will do the best I can. What would you like to know?" she says as she raises her cup to take a drink. Corben takes out a pad and pen. "first, was there anything missing from the house? Silver, jewels or anything else of value?"
Miss Lenvel looks confused. "missing? I really don't know. We didn't check." she turns to her niece. A plan girl with gray eyes, light brown hair and just a little bit to much on the skinny side. "Anna, why don't you look? You would know better then I if something was missing." She turns back to Corben and indicates that he should continue.
At this point Toron comes up to the table. His face is, as usual, a dark shroud. His presence further oppresses the already dismal mood in the room. After a slight pause, as he looks up, Corben continues. To Toron " As of yet we are uncertain of the nature of the crime. It may or may not have been a robber, we'll know in a moment."
Back to Miss Lenvel " Okay maim, could you tell us if the victim had any enemies, someone who might want her dead for any reason?"
Anna, finishing her search of the kitchen, leaves to check out the rest of the house.
"Enemies? Why?" She sighs. "I'm sorry I really couldn't tell you. My son might be able to though." A look of amazed shock crosses her face. "Oh dear, he hasn't been told yet." The Detectives what patently for her to finish.
Toron raises his eyebrows.
"That's fine Miss Lenvel, we wont be asking you any more questions, for now" Toron tells her in a cold, flat voice.
Miss Lenvel Looks slightly shocked by Toron's tone of voice. "I am sorry that I couldn't tell you any thing. My son has been rather secretive about the girl. He went threw a lot of trouble to keep her from knowing his status.
Toron looks back at Miss Lenvel "What do you mean by that? Why would he want to keep his status from her?"
Miss Lenvel looks at the detectives incomprehensibly. "Well she grew up on the street you know. He had to be sure that she love him for himself, not for the money. Why? Is that important?" The confusion is clear in her voice as she explains.
Toron and Corben exchange knowing looks.
"No, we didn't and yes, it could be very important." Corben tells her. "It could be extremely important."
Miss Lenvel looks shocked as the possible significance of Colera's past registers.
The detectives leave.
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As he wakes up the first thing that he notices is that a construction crew moved into his head some time during the night. The next thing that he notices is that a field of cotton mysteriously sprang up in his mouth as well. Maybe he shouldn't have drunk quite so much?
His best friend had thrown him one hell of a bachelor party last night.
He gets up and heads for for the bathroom, pausing to check the time.
It doesn't fully register until he gets into the bathroom.
'2:00 P.M. great, slept threw most of the day and I still fell like crap. Have to remember to ask mark about those drinks.' He thinks to himself as he gets the aspirin out of the medicine cupboard. He gets a glass of water and quickly swallows a couple.
He then draws himself a hot bath and soaks in it until he turns into a prune.
As he is getting dressed he hears the phone ring. He lets the answering machine get it, at first.
"Mr. Lenvel, this is detective Toron I really need to talk to you about your fiancee, Colera Jensen. we " He grabs the phone. "Wait a minute." He shuts of the answering machine. "What do you need to say about Colera? If this is your idea of a joke I don't think that it's all that funny." On the other end of the line Toron continues with a sigh. "No this is not a joke, I'm sorry but your fiancee was killed today at your townhouse. Your mother and cousin discovered the body. I was under the impression that they had already called you to tell you the news." Toron say a on the other end. Johan looks at the flashing light on the answering macron and taps the button. As the voice of his mother comes out of the speaker saying "son please call as soon as you get this message its about your fiancee" he sighs pathetically into the phone " No, I, I've been a bit dead to the world and only recently woke up. I . . Well before your call I hadn't even checked the machine. What .. What happened?" His voice is soft and quiet as if the news has drained all of the life from his body and the very will from his soul. From the other end Toron continues as little less gruffly " We are really not certain yet, however As nothing was missing from the residence we are putting it down as foal play. Any thing that you can tell us will be most appreciated."
his face turn a ghostly white. He lowers the phone momentarily. Thinking to him self "who would kill her? Why would any one want her dead?" To the phone. "I'm sorry but I don't think that she had any enemies. As far as I know every one loved her." Toron sighs on the other end "Thank you for the help any way. I think that what you have just told us may have more merit in this case then you realize. Could you please tell as were she lived? Perhaps someone else would have more information then you do right now" Johan clears his throat "She was living an a small apartment number 528 at the building on the corner of 42 street and 3rd avenue
He hangs up the phone, nearly missing the hook. In a quiet daze he gets his coat from the closet. Pausing only to look at one of his latest paintings he leaves.
It is a painting of a young couple on there wedding day. A conceptual of he and his fiancee. It was to have been his wedding gift to his beautiful Colera, now she will never see it.