Evelyn Greene began her investigation with a methodical approach, starting with the household staff. Lucy, the maid, had mentioned a letter.
Evelyn examined Amelia's writing desk, finding it organized,
but one drawer was locked. A small silver key on Amelia's keychain fit perfectly,
revealing a single letter.
It was unsigned and read: "Meet me in the garden at
midnight. Urgent."
Evelyn pondered the significance of the letter. Why had
Amelia kept it hidden? Who had written it, and what was the urgency? The garden
became her next focus.
She walked through the maze of hedges, looking for anything
unusual. Near the fountain, she found a gold locket on the ground, its clasp
broken. Inside was a photo of a young man she didn't recognize.
Returning to the manor, Evelyn questioned each member of the
household. The butler, Mr. Harris, had served the Whitmores for decades and
seemed genuinely concerned. "Miss Amelia was always kind to everyone. I
can't imagine anyone wishing her harm," he said, shaking his head.
The cook, Mrs. Hughes, mentioned that she had heard voices
in the garden the night Amelia disappeared. "I thought it was strange, but
I didn't want to pry," she admitted.
Evelyn’s instincts told her that the locket and the voices
were crucial clues. She showed the locket to Lord Whitmore. His face paled.
"That's Charles Thornton, Amelia's childhood friend. They were very close
until a few years ago when he moved away suddenly," he explained.
Evelyn decided to visit Charles. His home was a modest
townhouse in the city. When she arrived, Charles was visibly agitated. "I
don't know where Amelia is," he insisted, but his eyes betrayed him.
"Then why was this locket found in the garden?"
Evelyn asked, showing him the piece.
Charles sighed, defeated. "Amelia contacted me a few
days ago. She was worried about someone blackmailing her. She didn't tell me
who, but she asked me to meet her in the garden that night. When I arrived, she
was gone."
"Why didn't you come forward sooner?" Evelyn
demanded.
"I was scared. I thought it would make things
worse," Charles admitted.
Back at the Whitmore estate, Evelyn reviewed her notes. The
pieces started to align. A hidden letter, voices in the garden, a broken
locket, and blackmail. Evelyn suspected someone close to Amelia knew more than
they were saying.
She called everyone to the drawing room. "I have reason
to believe Amelia’s disappearance is linked to someone in this house. Until she
is found, no one leaves the estate," she announced.
The tension in the room was palpable. Evelyn was determined
to uncover the truth, and she knew the answers were within reach.