"Officer, as a detective's request... we did not stop the performance. In addition, he also asked us to monitor every corridor with windows to prevent the murderer from escaping."
"detective?"
After listening to the guard's words, Douglas pondered for a moment, then continued speaking.
"Keep leading us."
Following Douglas' words, the guard led them up the stairs and went to the third floor without entering the venue. In a corridor here, he saw several theater waiters standing guard here, blocking irrelevant people who wanted to pass through.
After seeing the police, the waiters who were blocking the way in the corridor let go immediately. Douglas followed the guard's guidance and came to the door of the bathroom. At this time, a large number of theater-related personnel had gathered here. They all had gloomy faces, and several dancers who were still in dance costumes were sobbing softly.
"It's right inside, come in first."
The guard pointed at the door of the bathroom and said to Douglas. Douglas told his men to take over the guard work of the theater waiter and then entered the bathroom. When he saw the blood all over the floor and the bloodstains splattered everywhere, he couldn't help but feel nervous. But just as he looked at the body, he found another figure squatting beside the body, holding the black necklace worn on the neck of the dead woman in his hand, and seemed to be checking something.
"Who are you? What are you doing? Let go of your hands and don't touch me!"
Seeing the figure beside the corpse, Douglas shouted loudly. After hearing Douglas' words, the figure stood up and said to Douglas with a smile.
"Hello, officer. My name is Ed. I'm a detective. Since I discovered this murder case early, I took over this place early. I'm conducting preliminary investigations while waiting for your arrival."
The man named Ed took off his gloves, walked over and smiled. Douglas stretched out his hand, wanting to shake hands with him, but Douglas snorted coldly without any appreciation.
"Huh, so the detective they were talking about is you, kid? A murder case has been discovered, but you asked the theater staff to continue the show. What are you doing?"
"Of course it's to prevent the spread of panic, increase rumors, reduce the impact, and prevent the murderer from escaping. It's that simple, officer, go ahead." Ed said easily, and Douglas immediately responded.
"How do you know the murderer didn't escape?"
“Because there is no place to escape, there is a performance going on in the theater right now. In order to prevent people from sneaking in without paying, all the doors are guarded. For soundproofing, all the windows are locked, and only the small ventilation windows that people can’t turn out of are open.
"Before you came, I asked all the doormen and no one had come out. I also checked all the locked windows and there was no damage. So I assert that the murderer is still in the theater and is very likely watching the show in the auditorium."
Ed said calmly. After hearing what Ed said, Douglas was slightly startled, and then continued speaking.
"Even if the murderer is still in the theater, the performance should be stopped! All the audiences should be monitored and controlled. Isn't it dangerous to have such a murderer mixed in the audience? What if he takes the opportunity to attack other innocent people who are not on guard?"
Douglas spoke harshly, while Ed continued to reply indifferently.
"Monitor and control all the audience? Officer, please... There are thousands of audiences here. Not to mention the people in the theater, even you and your men can't control so many people. Once so many audiences know that someone has died and cause panic, no one can control it. There may even be a serious accident with terrible consequences. It is better to let them stay here quietly for a while. If we can't identify the murderer in the short term, we can release them."
"Then don't tell them the truth."
"The truth that is imagined by then may be even more terrifying..."
Ed said silently. Douglas wanted to continue to refute, but after thinking about it, he felt that the other party was right, so he didn't refute it. However, he was still very dissatisfied with the arrogant boy in front of him, so he spoke.
"Okay... you do have some truth in what you said. But detective boy, now that we are here, we don't need you anymore. Let's go."
Douglas said to Ed, trying to drive him away, but Ed had no intention of leaving. He continued to speak calmly.
"Mr. Officer, I think I can help you solve this case."
"Help us solve the case? Humph, for what?" Douglas snorted coldly, and at this time a pleasant voice slowly sounded.
"He's Detective Ed. He once solved a train murder case in less than one night."
Hearing the voice, everyone looked in the direction of the sound, and saw a beautiful woman in a red dress and long golden hair standing at the door of the bathroom. Everyone present knew her name: Adele Briouze.
Seeing Adele's appearance, everyone was slightly startled, and an elderly theater manager hurriedly came out and said.
"Adele... why are you here? Didn't you say that the situation here is very unfavorable to you..."
"I know, Uncle Jack, but Maria was brutally murdered here, how can I hide?" Adele responded to the old man's words, with a hint of sadness in her words. After seeing Adele, Douglas' eyes couldn't help but keep looking.
"Yes, Miss Adele. Ah... I'm sorry for the tragedy that happened at your performance."
Douglas looked at Adele and immediately complimented her, while Adele responded softly.
"Thank you for your kindness, Officer, but what I want to ease the sadness of this tragedy is to catch the real murderer as soon as possible. I've read in the newspaper before, and this Mr. Ed seems to be a very capable detective. You might as well ask him to help you try."
Adele said to Douglas, who nodded after listening, then looked at Ed again before speaking.
"So you are the Ed mentioned in the newspaper a few months ago. If what the newspaper said is true, then you should have some strength. In that case, just come and take a look."
"Thank you, Officer, and thank you, Miss Adele."
Ed thanked Douglas and Adele one by one. When he looked at Adele, a slight smile appeared on the other's lips. Douglas continued to speak.
"Well, since you've been surveying here for so long, what have you found?" Douglas asked Ed, and Ed answered frankly.
"We have found a lot of clues. The deceased is Maria Dokana, 18 years old, a dancer and a member of the Feiteng Dance Troupe of the Feiteng Theater. She has a show today and danced with Miss Adele on stage not long ago.
"The cause of death can be determined to be stabbing with a knife, resulting in massive blood loss. The abdomen was stabbed seven times, the cheek was scratched, and one eye was blinded. The murderer's methods were extremely cruel. The body was found to be in a state of rigor mortis, so the time of death was within an hour."
After saying that, Ed paused for a moment. Just when Douglas thought that this kid might be up to something, Ed continued.
"Before he died, he seemed to have left a message in blood, naming the murderer."
"Death message? Why didn't you tell me earlier? Isn't it simple if there is a death message? Let me see who the murderer is identified by the murderer."
After listening to Ed's statement, Douglas quickly went into the bathroom and took a careful look at the scene for the first time. When he saw the bloody words in front of the corpse, he was stunned.
"Miss Adele..."
After reading the bloody words, Douglas turned around, looked at Adele outside the door with a sharp and serious expression, and then continued to speak.
"Miss Maria's death message seems to be directed at you. Do you have anything to say about this?"
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