It was a foggy morning in London when Evelyn Greene, a renowned private detective, received a frantic call from Lord Whitmore.
His daughter, the heiress Amelia Whitmore, had mysteriously vanished from their family estate overnight. Known for her sharp mind and fearless nature, Amelia’s disappearance puzzled everyone who knew her.
Evelyn arrived at the grand Whitmore estate, a sprawling
manor with ivy-covered walls and ancient oak trees. Lord Whitmore, a man in his
sixties with a stern face softened by worry, greeted her at the entrance.
"Miss Greene, I fear the worst. Amelia was to inherit a
vast fortune on her twenty-fifth birthday next week. She would never leave
without a word," he said, his voice trembling.
Evelyn nodded, her keen eyes scanning the surroundings.
"Let's start with her room. I need to see where she was last seen."
Amelia's room was on the second floor, a large chamber
filled with books, paintings, and a window overlooking the garden. The bed was
untouched, and a half-packed suitcase lay open on the floor. Evelyn noted the
absence of any signs of struggle, which ruled out a violent abduction.
"Who was the last person to see her?" Evelyn
asked.
"Her maid, Lucy. She brought her tea last night around
nine," Lord Whitmore replied.
Evelyn called for Lucy, a young woman with wide, fearful
eyes. "Tell me everything you remember about last night."
Lucy hesitated, then spoke softly, "Miss Amelia seemed
anxious. She mentioned receiving a letter that disturbed her, but she didn't
show it to me. After I left, I heard her talking to someone, but I didn't see
who it was."
Evelyn's mind raced. A mysterious letter, a late-night
visitor, and no signs of struggle – the pieces were there, but they didn't yet
fit. She needed more information.
"Lord Whitmore, I’ll need to interview everyone in the
house and see Amelia's correspondence. Someone knows more than they're letting
on," Evelyn declared.
As she delved deeper into the mystery, Evelyn felt the
weight of time pressing on her. Every hour counted, and Amelia's life could
hang in the balance.
READ MORE IN PART 2