Evelyn spent the next few hours meticulously searching each room. She found nothing unusual in Lady Margaret's room, just a collection of old books and family portraits. Robert's room was cluttered with papers and books, but nothing incriminating. Alice's quarters were sparse, with only the essentials.
Returning to the study, Evelyn noticed the new gardener
through the window, working in the garden. She decided to have a word with him.
Stepping outside, she approached the man, who looked up in surprise.
"Good evening," Evelyn said. "I'm Detective
Greene. I'd like to ask you a few questions."
The gardener wiped his hands nervously. "Of course,
ma'am. How can I help?"
"Where were you two nights ago, when the Star of
Starlit disappeared?"
The gardener hesitated. "I was here, in the garden,
till late. I didn't see or hear anything."
Evelyn's eyes narrowed. "Did you notice anything
unusual in the manor recently?"
The gardener shook his head. "No, ma'am. Everything
seemed normal."
Evelyn thanked him and returned inside, her mind working
through the possibilities. She needed more concrete evidence. She decided to
examine the display case again, this time with a magnifying glass. As she did,
she noticed a tiny fiber stuck in the lock mechanism, barely visible.
"Alice," Evelyn called, summoning the maid.
"Do you recognize this fabric?"
Alice's eyes widened. "That's from Mr. Robert's scarf.
He often wears it when he's in the library."
Evelyn's mind raced. She confronted Robert in the library.
"Robert, can you explain why a fiber from your scarf was found in the lock
mechanism of the display case?"
Robert's face turned ashen. "I... I don't know how it
got there."
"Let's not waste time, Robert," Evelyn said
sharply. "You had access to the combination and an opportunity. What was
your motive?"
Robert's shoulders slumped. "I was desperate. I have
debts, and I thought if I could sell the Star of Starlit, I could pay them
off."
Evelyn sighed. "Where is the heirloom now?"
Robert's voice was barely a whisper. "I hid it in the
garden, beneath the old oak tree."
Julian and Lady Margaret entered the room, overhearing the
confession. Julian looked betrayed, while Lady Margaret seemed resigned.
Evelyn retrieved the Star of Starlit from its hiding place.
"Mr. Blackwood, the heirloom is safe. But I'm afraid Robert will need to
answer for his actions."
As the authorities arrived to take Robert into custody,
Evelyn reflected on the case. The Star of Starlit was back where it belonged,
and the mystery of Starlit Manor had been solved. Yet, she couldn't help but
feel a pang of sympathy for Robert, caught in a web of desperation and poor
choices.
Evelyn left Starlit Manor, the moonlight casting a silvery
glow on the grand estate. She had once again proven that even in the darkest of
mysteries, the truth would always find its way to the surface.