Chapter Three: What Happened in December

Chapter 31

Nicolas stared at me in disbelief for a few minutes, as I continued to stare at my hands, feeling rather uncomfortable. Nicolas finally spoke. 2

“I guess my father did the wrong thing. Taking me out of school just raised questions, and when I was in school, everything would have seemed normal.” He paused. “In school, everything WAS normal.” 3

“Detective Somerset, I will help you find the murderer of my father and sister. Let’s take another look at that letter my father had in his hand…”4

I brought out my notepad and pencil, Nicolas pulled out the letter, and we began to investigate and search for clues; as a team. We first wrote down the most important clues:5

1. Mademoiselle Genevieve6

2. 46th street7

3. Help her (Aidez-la). 8

4. Death of Monsieur and Mademoiselle was because of a fortune.9

5. Suspect: the same person who killed Genevieve killed Monsieur…a bullet to the chest. 10

6. Jerome mentioned a “fortune”.11

7. Murderer was at a warehouse…or was.12

8. More than likely, Nicolas was the killer’s next target.13

So far, these weren’t very many clues, but they were at least something to start with. 14

We began to think of, (and write down) the possibilities. 15

“The letter was in Monsieur’s hand, so he must have known his pursuer was watching him, or he knew he was going to die.” I told Nicolas.16

“Right, but why did the letter say “Help Miss Genevieve on 46th street”? Genevieve has been dead for a while now, and my father was unusually sharp, he never seemed the type to lose his mind, or his senses.” Nicolas observed. 17

“Yes…the last time I saw your father; he was in fine condition, just moving a little slower than usual, probably just old age.” I paused. “But the fortune. This “murderer” wants your fortune. But why? Has there been an old family enemy?”18

“No, and yes. Our enemies were anonymous, and always trying to get their hands on my father’s fortune. Yes, we had “enemies”, but I have never known any of them personally, or even by name.”19

“Nicolas, I don’t think we are getting anywhere. Do you have some of your sister’s old belongings here? I think I might want to look at them.”20

“Upstairs in the attic, I do have some of her possessions. I also have the letter that her murderer wrote.” 21

“Well, why didn’t you say so? The letters are vital to figure out the murderer.” So, we trudged upstairs in the middle of the night, and after climbing a ladder into the musty attic, we lit a candle and began unlocking very old looking trunks. There were pictures of Genevieve, with light brown hair, and green eyes. She looked nothing like Nicolas, and in all of the pictures, she was smiling a great big smile, whereas Nicolas looked much solemner. The photo albums became older, and then there were pictures of a little Nicolas and Genevieve smiling, and holding hands. Nicolas pointed out a picture of his mother, and a much younger picture of Monsieur. They all looked so happy. What happened to that perfect family? After looking through those pictures, we came to some more albums, which Nicolas said were empty and he begun to put them aside. I stopped him, and in the dim light, I opened the album. There were no pictures, but a spidery writing, much like Monsieur’s. I read the first entry. 22

Dearest Diary,23

We have just moved from France, and I miss it dreadfully. Everything here is cold, drab, and unwelcoming. Nicolas is so brave though, he did not cry when we saw France disappearing under the clouds. Our new house is much bigger than our old one, but I find it menacing. It is much too big for a family of only four, and the maid and butler. I met a boy on our street today, his name is Andrew…he seemed nice enough. Nicolas did not go out to say hello to anybody, he is such like a hermit! We start at our new school in two weeks. My English is pretty good, I hope. Mother spoke to us in English while in France, so we are not too far behind. It is raining today, and the streets are wet and slick. I saw a beggar walk past, and look at our house with longing. It aches my heart so to see the poor look at us like we are so lucky. Sometimes I wish I were poor! I would very much like to know how it feels like. Today has been rather boring, so this entry is not much. I will write later, when I have something exciting to tell. 24

Your sole confider, 25

Genevieve Francquois. 26

“I never knew that Genevieve had a diary. She always told me everything…or almost. And of all places, a photo album! I never would have thought to look.”27

“Sometimes Nicolas, the most secret secrets are hidden in quite obvious places, that do not seem so obvious to the dimmer eye.”28

Flipping through the diary, I reached a page that was unusually short. 29

Dear Diary,30

I have received a death threat. I know father has before, but he is always so brave and unnerved about it. I don’t think Nicolas has, he is much too friendly and popular in school. I found it in my locker today, I told me to pay up 1.ooo dollars the night of October 29, or else I would be dead. That is next week. How am I supposed to pay that much money? It also warned me not to tell anybody, so that they aren’t killed as well. What am I supposed to do? 31

Help me think of something, I am desperately in need of help.32

Genevieve F. 33

The diary ended there. Nicolas went to the other side of the attic, and brought out a small wood box, quite plain looking. He took a key from inside his shirt, and unlocked the box. He shuffled some papers, and pulled out an old and wrinkled note, with the pencil on it very smudged. It was the death threat Genevieve had received. I gasped, and grabbed Nicolas’s arm. 34

“This is so important Nicolas! May I keep it…I will bring it back. I just need to see something.” I whispered to Nicolas. 35

We blew out the candle and went downstairs into the warm kitchen once again. I grabbed my small sweater, wistfully wishing for my large detective rain jacket. I opened the door and stepped out into the night. Nicolas gently grabbed my arm before I left the first step.36

“Hel—Detective Somerset. Um, thank you very much. This means a tremendous amount to me. Are you sure you wouldn’t like me to walk you home? It is very late out, and the streets are very dangerous. Will you be okay?” I was touched by his concern, and reluctantly removed his hand from my arm. 37

“I’ll be fine, I’m a detective. Remember? And please, call me Helena. Tomorrow, I will hopefully have some news for you. 10:00 AM sharp, the Delicacy Café. We will continue our investigation for clues. Tonight has been very helpful, meeting you.” I paused and Nicolas smiled.38

“Goodnight Helena.”39

“Goodnight Nicolas. 10:00 tomorrow. Don’t forget.”40

“I won’t.”41

I walked down the steps, and couldn’t help noticing that Nicolas didn’t just turn and retreat back inside, he stayed and watched me. Such kindness. How my heart beat faster when he touched my arm. His blue eyes sparkled with radiance when he smiled, and oh, what a wonderful smile! I also couldn’t help noticing he was so handsome, with his tousled dark hair, and light eyes. I shook my head. I was not falling in love. He was a client, and besides, love was so cliché. And Helena Somerset was many persons, but she was certainly not cliché. Only a client, I told myself; only a client. 42

I reached my apartment without running into any trouble, and was unlocking my door, when I saw an envelope on the doormat. I picked it up, and walking inside, I opened it. 43

“Cease your search for Monsieur’s murderer. You will be killed. I would hate to kill you.44

- A friend”45

Some friend, I thought. I hurriedly and hastily opened my purse, and pulling out Genevieve’s letter, I compared the two.46

There was no mistake about it. The handwriting was identical. What a coincidence.47