Crazy Suspects

"All right! Now it's turn for... Mrs. Schmitt!” She hid her important papers and they got into the car. Marek drove them across the city to the other side. They were enjoying the sightseeing drive. At this time of year, the "spa kingdom" is gorgeous.

The house they visited this time really resembled a dollhouse; from that outer exterior. Paradoxically, it was a completely different sight than the "dump" apartment they were in half an hour ago.

This lady definitely had wealthy relatives. Even the garden screamed, "I have a lot of money!" They both approached the villa. The sound of the bell really did sound repulsively sweet. They both sneered sarcastically. As the "gate" began to open, they turned into a fake sweet smile.

An elderly lady with a white Persian cat in her arms came out of the house. She smiled and politely invited them inside. They found themselves in a huge hall covered with a white marble floor, half the walls, stairs, and pillars.

The furniture was in an antique style with a light blue floral print on white wood. Beautiful exotic flowers stood everywhere and the walls were decorated with medieval paintings. Mrs. Schmitt asked them to sit with her. She let go of the cat to go somewhere for now. I guess she was also richer than our two detectives. Around her neck dangled a faint pink collar with real giant diamonds.

"You probably got tired along the way. Would you like some Darjeeling tea?” They politely declined her offer. Both detectives only came to ask a few questions about the case. There was no time for any tea break. Something suspicious caught Patricia's attention.

Thanks to her photographic memory, she remembered something about the first victim herself. She looked at Marek. With words, she indicated to him what to concentrate on. "Ms. Schmitt, your earrings are really beautiful." He understood and noticed. The lady liked that little compliment.

"Oh, they're my favorite, they were part of a set, unfortunately, I lost the necklace a while back." She gently pinched the earring between two fingers. Another mysterious loss of an important thing that was connected to the case.

Marek behaved like a true gentleman because the old lady looked so innocent and fragile. He grabbed her right hand with both hands. "Ms. Schmitt. I would like to ask you if you have noticed anything suspicious since the murders started. I think you may have noticed something important when you appeared as a witness at the crime scenes where the bodies were found."

Patricia just smiled "innocently" and waited for an answer. Mrs. Schmitt caressed Marek's face with her left hand and smiled at Patricia. "Dear young boy... unfortunately I didn't notice anything special. I was just devastated when I heard about the death of such beautiful girls. Those poor children... I always wanted a daughter, but God blessed me with only one child; and to my son."

She took out a lace handkerchief and began to dry the tears that escaped her eyes. Suddenly a voice caught their attention. The young man walked down the stairs towards them. He was stylishly dressed, but not typical of a teenager in modern times. The boy looked like a time traveler who had just returned from the past. A blonde with slicked-back hair and bright blue eyes.

The old lady immediately introduced him and it was clear that she was proud of him. "This is my only child. Alexander, he is sixteen years old and very talented when it comes to music. He plays the violin, flute, and piano. He is a real sweetheart and obedient to his word. I even think we are kindred spirits."

She tickled his chin and he giggled. Patricia could barely hide her horror, she couldn't believe what she was seeing. She shook her head gently and tried to pretend that everything was normal. But Marek was a better actor. Of course, this situation was weird and uncomfortable for him, but he didn't let it show.

Alexander also turned to them, his voice was very thin. "My mommy is the best in the world. I really love my mommy. I would do anything for her." Those words sounded like a slap in the face to both of them. They just grinned and decided to get out of the hellish place. "Thank you very much for your help. You will certainly know from the press if anything new is found about these unfortunate cases. We wish you a nice day and goodbye!"

They literally shot out of the house. As soon as the door slammed shut behind them, they both said the same thing at the same time. “Momma's boy!” They both pointed their fingers at each other and started giggling. "We said it at once! And again!” They loved this “game”.

After this scary family, they decided to visit another suspicious person. They hurried to the next house. He lived on a small estate and was a retired lawyer. His name was Mr. Hauer. He lived alone. He never married and obviously had no children. Two details were widely known about him. He adored strong alcohol and young women. Despite his advanced age, people often saw him with a glass of whiskey and a beautiful young companion.

His house was a typical old man's house. The interior was decorated with animal trophies and weapons. Again, one of the weapons was visibly missing. Patricia noticed it immediately after entering. He invited them into his most favorite room in the manor. It was a library. Filled from floor to ceiling with thousands of books on crime novels, detective novels, and war stories.

There was a fireplace in the center of the room and opposite a couch, a sofa, and a low coffee table. He offered them both a glass of his favorite Whiskey. Of course, they both refused him, they were currently at work even if it didn't look like it. Second, they also didn't even drink. He sat down in an old leather chair, slowly sipped whiskey in his glass, and smiled at Patricia. It was very repulsive and uncomfortable for her.

The man was a slimy guy and would have been just about her dad's age. The old bachelor leaned closer to her. "This blooming girl is very pretty. If you want, I could spend time with you. Go for coffee or just be here at my house? I have plenty of space and time to offer. Would you like that?"

Patricia wrapped her arms around Marek's shoulder and nudged him discreetly in the back. "Unfortunately my dear would surely be jealous. I can't even bother you like this." Marek laughed under his breath and put his arm around her waist. "She is right. I'm outrageously jealous and I don't like to see strange guys around my significant other."

Mr. Hauer, disappointed and disgusted by the fact that she already had someone, slammed his glass on the wooden table. It scared them both. Grandpa cleared his throat to say something. "So what brings you both here to me?"

Marek did not let go of Patricia and hugged her even more. "We came to ask you something. We have photos of the dolls' murder scenes, and you've appeared in many of them. We would like to know why. What reason did you have to hang around again and again."

Mr. Hauer started laughing as if Marek had told him a good joke. “You think I'm the killer? Really? Now I feel honored, but I have to disappoint you. I'm not... HIM. I just love mysteries, crime, violence, and war stories. And now all I want is for you two to get off my property!”

He got very angry and literally threw them out with a serious tone in his voice. He was offended to be accused of such a thing, but on the other hand, it flattered him. They already have three crazy suspects behind them. There is only one target of their interest left. Mrs. Nerudova!

An elderly lady in her late years who lives in a duplex. They drove off too fast to finish everything for today before evening. Both of them had had enough of the psycho mood for today. They knocked on the door, expecting another strange person.

Mrs. Nerudova came out dressed as a doll. It scared Marek and Patricia. It was even worse after they entered her apartment. Everything was pink and white. The furniture looked like it was from a baroque castle. Again, they both traveled through time.
The couch and armchair stood on the left and the bookcase on the right. No TV so far and wide, just as a distraction a sewing machine. A small dining table for four people in the corner. Life-size dolls sat at the table.

Patricia looked around at the old photos on the walls. She noticed something that caught her eye and could affect the case. She rubbed at Marek and indicated with her eyes where to look at, at which photos. He stepped closer and narrowed his eyes at them. The photos showed those large dolls dressed in the clothes that the victims were wearing.

They looked at each other and then turned to the crazy woman. "Ms. Nerudova, why are you so obsessed with those murders? You've been to every crime scene where bodies have been found. And why are the victims wearing your mannequin clothes? These photos are proof that the costumes are yours."

Mrs. Nerudova had to sit down. She looked worried and scared. She started acting nervous. "At the beginning of this summer, I did an exhibition in Prague. Someone broke into the hall and stole ten of my mannequins, including the clothes."

Patricia looked at Marek to see if he believed her. "Did you report it? Do you have any proof of this?" Mrs. Nerudova disappeared into the bedroom and after a few minutes came back with the police report from July. Marek grabbed it. “Could I borrow it? After checking, I will return it to you again." Mrs. Nerudova nodded sadly. They immediately left.