“I’ll go with you. I’ve assisted in FBI cases before. I hope that I could be of some help. Just treat this as a way of repaying you for introducing customers to me.” Stella Grace said.
On one hand, she was determined to help Rolland Cher out. On the other hand, Rolland’s ex-girlfriend’s father had a special identity, so she wanted to take this opportunity to understand him better.
“Then, I’m sorry to be of trouble to you.” Rolland said apologetically.
“Please don’t mention it.”
Half an hour later, Rolland arrived in a private residential area that was located in the city center.
Stella noticed that the outer wall of these private properties looked quite old. Every house was at least 20 meters apart. These people used fences to seal up their front door. They made some parking spaces and planted some greens. There were even street lights and surveillance cameras.
Policemen were standing in front of Rolland’s ex-girlfriend’s house, and they had set up a barricade around its entrance.
Just as Rolland was about to enter the house, he was stopped by a policeman.
The policeman snapped, “We are currently collecting evidence, no one is allowed to come near to the crime scene.”
“I’m the victim’s boyfriend, I have the rights to see her,” Rolland barked.
“Rolland!” the victim’s mother shouted.
Ignoring the officer’s order, Rolland rushed in.
Stella followed after Rolland. The officer hesitated for a moment when she entered.
“Rolland, Wendy died a horrible death. Who would want her dead?” Wendy’s mother cried bitterly.
“Where is Wendy?” Rolland asked solemnly.
“In her room.” Wendy’s father frowned and lowered his head.
Stella glanced at Wendy’s father. He was smoking, the hand which was holding the cigarette was trembling.
“Old man, who on earth could have done this? Who would ever want to kill our daughter? I don’t recall anyone having grudges against us.” Wendy’s mother just couldn’t seem to figure it out.
There was a complicated look in Wendy’s father’s eyes. “I’m heading out to finish my cigarette.”
Stella turned to look at Rolland.
He had already entered the room.
Wendy was lying on the bed. She was stabbed in the heart. Her death was immediate.
She was still holding on to her cellphone, and nothing in her room was out of place. There were no traces of a fight in the room either.
Rolland wanted to hold Wendy but was stopped by the policeman. “Don’t touch the victim, you could destroy the evidence.”
Rolland was stunned as he turned to look at Stella with red eyes, “Is that true?”
Stella nodded and explained, “It’s best not to touch any evidence at the crime scene. The more accurate clues you gather, the better it is.”
“If you want to find the murderer of the victim as soon as possible, please get out of here,” The policeman roared.
Rolland exited the room in a trance.
“Rolland, you must find Wendy’s murderer.” Wendy’s mother held Rolland’s hand and said.
“I’m sure we’ll find the murderer.” Rolland consoled her and shot a pleading look at Stella.
Stella nodded and went out. She noticed that Wendy’s father was on the phone and he looked very agitated. He even smashed his cellphone and started banging his head against the tree.
She walked to the side and called Jasper Milton.
“I was just about to call you. You should have arrived at Yale City by now. Have you eaten yet?” Jasper asked in concern.
“Not yet, something unfortunate happened. Rolland’s ex-girlfriend was killed.” Stella said in a heavy tone. She glanced at Wendy’s father, who was still banging his head against the tree. He looked extremely heartbroken.
“Ryan Lameer couldn’t have done it. First of all, this project was about to start. If anything goes wrong now, it would affect its progress. Secondly, the victim’s father, the geologist, is still useful to them. They won’t hurt his daughter,” Jasper guessed.
“I have the same thought too, but we should not rule out the possibility of those who were involved too. I observed Wendy’s father. He looked guilty, remorseful, and angry. I think he might make a statement against Ryan at the police station.” Stella noticed that Wendy’s father was acting strangely. She walked towards him.
“You have to stop him, he must not turn against Ryan. They are working together to acquire that land. If he turned against Ryan, not only would he make the situation worse, he might even alert the murderer,” Jasper said urgently.
“I know. Jasper, could you please give a call to the police station in Yale City? Let them know that I’ll be stepping in for this case,” Stella said. She hung up and ran over to Wendy’s father.
“Uncle, please stop.” Stella pulled Wendy’s father.
He was emotionally overwhelmed. “I brought this upon myself. I tried to make money using unscrupulous means. But Wendy is innocent! My daughter doesn’t even dare to kill a fish. Why is God so cruel to her? She is only 25 years old, she had a long way to go still.”
“Uncle, please calm down. I will definitely help you find the murderer in three days,” Stella promised.
Wendy’s father gazed at Stella suspiciously, “Why would you help me to find the murderer? Who are you? I don’t even know you.”
“My name is Stella Grace. You can find out more about me on the Internet. I’ve assisted the FBI in solving several major cases, and I have also been assisting different police bureaus in their cases. I promise you that I will find the murderer within three days.” Stella explained.
Wendy’s father stared at Stella in disbelief.
“I am also Rolland’s friend. On the way here, he told me that he and Wendy still shared mutual feelings. Since Wendy is Rolland’s lover, I will definitely find the murderer.” Stella said. She knew that Wendy’s father still couldn’t trust her.
Wendy’s father looked towards the entrance of the house and met Rolland’s gaze.
Rolland noticed that something was amiss. He walked towards them. “Uncle, what happened to your forehead?”
“Your girlfriend’s father was hitting his head against the tree. He is too upset.” Stella explained.
“Uncle, Stella is an expert. She would definitely help us to find the murderer. Please calm down,” Rolland consoled him.
“Give me three days,” Stella assured.
Wendy’s father nodded. “Okay, I’ll calm down. I shall see who murdered my daughter, and I’ll drag him along with me to the pits of hell.”
“I’ll send him back to the house,” Rolland explained to Stella. Then he supported Wendy’s father back to his room.
Stella felt that there was no point for her to stay there any longer.
She would be able to see all the evidence collected by the police tomorrow.
She was not that close with Rolland, let alone Wendy’s family. If she stayed, it would only make things even more awkward.
Besides, since Rolland knew about the treasure hidden in that piece of property, he would not let Wendy’s father act recklessly either.
But what he didn’t know was that Ryan Lameer and Lionel Lausanne were working together.
Ecocity Building Company belonged to Lionel.
In the end, his efforts would be in vain.
Stella did not enter the room. Instead, she hopped on a taxi and texted Rolland. “I’m heading back now. I will contact you tomorrow.”
“Okay, I’m sorry. I wanted to treat you to dinner, but I ended up starving you.” Rolland replied politely.
“I understand. Nobody wished for this to happen either.”
…
Stella headed to the hotel which Jasper had booked for her. She went to her room and lay on the bed, exhausted. When she thought of Jasper, she gave him a call.
“Have you arrived at the hotel?” Jasper questioned.
“Yes, I just got here. Jasper, we must find the murderer who massacred the village. If it weren’t for Timmy and the evidence he gave me to me before he died, we wouldn’t have been able to prove your innocence. We must keep our promise and help him find the culprits of the massacre. I’ve always had the feeling that if we fail to do that, God would separate us once more, and this time, our child too.” Stella said anxiously.