Case 1
A Turnabout to Remember
Part 1: Story
December 18th, 4:13 a.m.
The Virmswell Manor, Crime Scene
? : (Ohmygawsh! She's dead! She's…ohhhh no…it's the other maid, she's dead!)
?: (Elaine, calm down, what seems to be the probl-…oh my gosh… father!)
?: (Edward, what is this maid making all this racket about? It's four o'clock in the- what the-?)
?: (Dear, are you all screaming abou-oh!) *thud*
Edward II: (Son, immediately call the police. Now!)
Edward III: (R-right…I'm going right n-now)
Elaine: (Ohhh no…what if I'm next! What if someone is killing all the maids, and it'll be me next?)
. . .
December 18th, 10:50 a.m.
The Virmswell Manor, Main Hallway
?: Excuse me, could you please direct us to the room the murder took place in?
Edward II: Absolutely not! Young lady…erm, ladies…Just who do you think you are asking to examine a crime scene in such a high rate house!
?: Well, perhaps you haven't been informed yet, then, but I'm to be prosecutor when this case is brought to court. My name is Rachel Lupis.
Edward II: Ah, er, yes, well…I see then. And who is this with you?
?: You could address me to my own face, you know! I'm the prosecutor here's good friend, Rose Deschanelle. I'm a forensic scientist, and I'm investigating this case.
Edward II: Ah, yes, I see…
Rachel: (He seems to be awfully nervous…I wonder)
Edward II: Ah, but, we have a policeman already on the case, see! I don't think he will allow you to interfere with his investigation. What was his name, now? It was…ah yes! Kevin! McStrather, I believe.
Rose: Crap!
Rachel: That-why would they put him on the case!
Edward II: I don't know, he seemed very professional.
Rose: Well, I guess we can't change the fact that he's investigating…however, I'll have you know, Mr. Edward Virmswell II, that Mr. McStrather, as an ordinary policeman, has less authority to be investigating the crime scene than, me, or the detective on the case…I assume he'll be James Bradely.
Edward II: *sigh* Alright then, I suppose I'll go talk to him. You ladies can wait down here.
*thmp-thmp-thmp*
Rose: Well, for how rich these people are, that went surprisingly fast.
Rachel: I guess it did. Although, I think Mr. Virmswell seemed pretty distracted himself. And I think I know why.
Rose: Oh, yea? Why's that?
Rachel: I received some of the case files last night, and some interesting testimonies that James Bradley, the detective dug up. You know who the defendant is in this case?
Rose: Hmm? Oh, um, yea…her name was…Louise Mafferetti?
Rachel: Yea, and all the signs point to her, which should make this a very straight-forward case. But I think she's gonna be a headache to cross-examine. I read through her testimony, and she sounds like she knows how to work around things. She's managed to work her way around this household for about half a month.
Rose: What do you mean by that?
Rachel: It has been suspected for a while…and last night, was confessed by three people – Edward Virmswell III (the son), Elaine Bawnfyre (the maid), and most importantly, Edward Virmswell II (the father). Lorrellie Virmswell, Edward II's wife, would not admit that anything had been going on.
Rose: You're losing me. Start with what they were all confessing to.
Rachel: Urk! Er, yea, right… Well, for about half a month, it is believed that Louise and Edward Virmswell II…were having an affair.
Rose: Oh, crap! That does suck…
Rachel: For more than one person, it seems.
Rose: What do you mean?
Rachel: Well, the affair seems to have started this whole business.
Rose: Oh yea? Remind who the victim was.
Rachel: The maid, Carly Sumorlie.
Rose: Crap, she was pretty young, wasn't she?
Rachel: Erm, yea…
Rose: So how did this affair affect her?
Rachel: I'd ask you if you could put the pieces together, but I don't think you could.
Rose: Hm, whuzzat? Were you talking to me?
Rachel: Urk! N-no… (I rest my case).
Rose: Well…are you gonna tell me how this affected her, or am I going to have to put the pieces together myself?
Rachel: Ugh, no. For someone who went to college to investigate crime scenes, you really don't know how to figure things out.
Rose: Hey! My job is to find out the facts, not put together a story. That's what you went to college for!
Rachel: Gnrk! I…I guess so…
Rose: So…you gonna tell me, or what?
Rachel: Urk! Y-yea, sure. Well, we got this testimony here from another maid in this house named Elaine Bawnfyre, and according to her, she heard a heated conversation going on between the victim, Ms. Sumorlie, and the defendant, Mrs. Mafferetti. Apparently, Ms. Sumorlie saw the affair in action-
Rose: *pfft* could you please phrase that some other way?
Rachel: Yea, yea, sorry. So anyhow, Ms. Sumorlie was upset about the on-goings, seeing as she had always respected her "master" I guess you could say. Mrs. Mafferetti was not happy to hear that someone knew, even though Ms. Bawnfyre said most people in the house already suspected something. I mean, Louise first came to the house on December 7th, when a ball was hosted here. And after that, she kept popping up. There's even a room in which she stayed in often, apparently.
Rose: You mean, set aside specifically for her?
Rachel: Yea, I guess. Kind of ridiculous, but that could throw some suspicion off.
Rose: If someone is in your house enough that they have their own room, I would think that would be enough for me.
Rachel: Let's just hope we never have to put up with anything like this.
Rose: Yea, sure…
Rachel: (Yea, sure? What's that supposed to mean?) Whatever; Mr. Virmswell should be back soon with permission to enter in on the crime scene.
Rose: Yea. We should try to find that maid…Bonfire, was it? We should talk to her later.
Rachel: (It's Bawnfyre, watch your spelling) Yea, there are a lot of specific details in her testimony I want to dig up.
Rose: Like what exactly she heard in the heated conversation.
Rachel: Yea, that would be useful (glad to see you're using your brain). And we should try to talk to other people in the house too, just to see what they have to say.
Rose: You can always find that out in the trial tomorrow.
Rachel: It's best to know all of the details ahead of time. It's especially useful to keep them in mind in case they contradict themselves tomorrow in the trial.
Rose: You know what would be useful? Having a voice recorder on hand; then you could record a conversation you have with anyone, and you would have a legitimate objection tomorrow in the trial. It sounds kind of weak to say "You told me yesterday!"
Rachel: Why does that sound weak?
Rose: Oh come on, you're supposed to be a smart prosecutor! You can't always go by words or memory. You can't always trust what people say or think. So if you have it down officially, you know for sure it's true. And there's no question of forged evidence.
Rachel: Urk! (She got me, there).
*Thud*
Rose: Someone just came in the front doors.
?: Ah, hello, ladies! I was hoping to see you two here; especially you, my fair sweet Rose.
Rose: Oh, crap!
Rachel: Oh, it's you James! I'm surprised you didn't make it here earlier!
James: Ah, yes, I was a bit delayed by this lovely young lady over here…
Rachel: (He's cringing)
Rose: Ah, is this a break for me?
James: I'm afraid not, my dear. My affections are still focused only on you. This…is my sister, Marissa Bradley.
Marissa: This is just so exciting! I mean, what a great way to study! My professors will be so happy to hear about this!
Rachel: (Geez, keep your voice down, kiddo…the two of them two of them look one in the same. Long curly black hair…I should've seen the relation right away). So you're a student, Marissa? What are you studying? Crime Scene Investigation?
Marissa: Nope! I'm studying hard to be the world's greatest defense attorney!
Rose: *pfft* Hahaha!
Rachel: Grrk! (You've got to be kidding me…I can already tell the two of us aren't going to get along well at all).
James: Marissa, Rachel here is a prosecutor…the prosecutor for this particular case, actually. Perhaps you two will face off in court someday.
Marissa: Oh…
Rose: HAHAHA! This is hilarious! Sorry, Marissa, you're talking to the world's most prejudiced prosecutor! Rachel hates defense attorneys! HAHAHA!
Rachel: Urk! No, t-that isn't necessarily true…
Marissa: Well, don't worry, Ms. Lupis, I don't really like prosecutors either.
Rachel: Oh…that's nice (is it just me, or did she just turn a little evil?)
Rose: Oo-hoo-kay, I had my laugh, so let's get cracking.
Rachel: Mr. Virmswell hasn't come back yet.
Rose: Oh, yea, right. Well, in that case, you and I can go sit in this corner and chat, and James can go to that corner and talk with his little sister.
James: Ah, my love, you wound me deep.
Marissa: I'm not little!
?: Who are all of you?
James: Who goes there! Step back, ladies!
?: What's the matter with you? I partially own this house, you know…
Marissa: Oh! Edward Virmswell the third! You're the heir to this house!
Virmswell III: *sigh* don't remind me, okay?
Rachel: (He seems a little upset about his wealth…he'd be a good person to get a testimony from, now) Mr. Virmswell, I just wanted to ask you a question about the events that have transpired over the past several hours…or perhaps the past few weeks.
Virmswell III: Urk! I…I don't know what you're talking about…
Rachel: (Honestly, I don't know what I'm talking about either, but I took a leap of faith, and it looks like I hit something…now to drag it out of him) Oh, I think you do know what I'm talking about…Just how much did you know about this affair before last night's events took place!
Virmswell III: Augh, I don't know what you're talking about! I don't know anythiiiiinnnnnnnng!
Rose: Well, that wasn't exactly hard…
Marissa: Grr, even if she is a prosecutor, this is pretty good, and I should still be taking notes.
Rachel: (A notebook? She's studying even harder than I did! Whoops, gotta stay on task.) Mr. Virmswell, I would like a testimony out of you about how much you knew of the affair.
Virmswell III: And just who do you think you are trying to get me to talk about such private situations? I should report you to the police.
Rose: *pfft*
Virmswell III: Quit laughing! I don't see what is so funny!
Rachel: Mr. Virmswell, I am Rachel Lupis, a prosecutor who is in charge of this case. This is a detective and forensic scientist next to me, so if I was out of line, I think they would know.
Virmswell III: Ooohhhh, I'm really sorry…it's just kind of close to home, and everything. But I guess I can give you my testimony…if I have to.
Rachel: (His attitude just changed from embarrassed to snotty…what's got this guy in a knot?)
Rose: *whisper* Rachel, what can you hope to gain from his testimony? You have nothing to prove him wrong or right!
Rachel: *whisper* two things: one, I have his original testimony, so I can point out any flaws; two, I have two testimonies in court tomorrow, just in case. It will be extra credible if there are any flaws. He might even add something.
Rose: Oh, right!
Virmswell III: What's right?
Rose: Whoops, nothing…
Rachel: (Watch your volume!) Ahem, anyhow…your testimony now, Mr. Virmswell?
Virmswell III: Oh, right…well, here you go:
- Edward Virmswell III's Testimony -
Virmswell III:
I noticed my father had been acting suspiciously since about two weeks ago.
I admit I first saw Louise Mafferetti at our family ball on the 7th, and saw her often after that.
I knew that she had a room in our house.
I don't know why Ms. Sumorlie was killed for it all, though…she had nothing to do with it.
Rachel: And that's all.
Virmswell III: Er, yes, that's all…, w-why do you keep looking at me like that?
Rachel: (Because you obviously don't seem so sure of yourself, Mr. Virmswell) Mr. Virmswell, there are just a few questions I have about your testimony.
Virmswell III: I…I don't see what you have to question…
- Begin Cross-Examination -
(I don't know why Ms. Sumorlie was killed for it all, though…she had nothing to do with it).
Rachel: Objection!
Virmswell III: Wh-wha? Objection? This isn't court, you know!
Rachel: It might as well be, Edward, because tomorrow you're going to have to do this in front of me, and a judge, and a defense attorney, and you'd better have your facts straight.
Virmswell III: Grnk! Sh-shame on you… talking to a wealthy heir like that!
Rachel: Shame on you! Lying to the law like that!
Rose: Ooooh, salt.
Virmswell III: A-alright, then, let's just hear this objection of yours…
Rachel: Oh, Mr. Virmswell, I think maybe you should read us your contradiction…
Virmswell III: Now, what in the world's that supposed to mean?
Rachel: Take a look at this, Mr. Virmswell…
James: What is this, now?
Rachel: It's part of the case file you helped put together…it was given to me this morning.
James: Ah! So which part would we be now looking at?
Rachel: The testimonies…
James: Ah! I see…
Virmswell III: Excuse me, would you please include me in this conversation?
Rachel: (Brat)
Rose: Brat.
Virmswell III: Excuse me? This will not be tolerated!
Rachel: You're going to have put up with us for a little bit more, I'm afraid. Please read me the testimony of your father…Edward Virmswell the Second!
Virmswell III: R-right…um…here goes…
Rose: Get on with it!
Virmswell III: How dare you! Oh, er, right…
I admit I was in the midst of an affair with Ms. Louise Mafferetti.
My son came to me two days ago, telling me that the victim, one of our maids, had discovered my secret.
He was very upset with me.
Two days later, the maid was killed; but I simply refuse to believe Louise killed her!
Rachel: Well, Mr. Virmswell? Perhaps you'd like to speak to me about the obvious contradiction between the two testimonies.
Virmswell III: *gulp*…
Rachel: ….. (He's sweating like mad. It's really kind of gross) I believe another testimony is in order…
- Edward Virmswell III's Testimony: Part II -
Virmswell III:
Alright, I admit it, then; there's no point in denying it now.
I told my father what the maid told me…she had seen the two of them during their affair.
But that only partially explains why she was killed…
Because don't you think the facts now point to my father?
Rachel: Alright, and that is all?
Virmswell III: Well, what do you think?
Rachel: Urk! (somebody's getting an attitude; I just need to pull the truth out of him from here)
- Begin Cross-Examination -
…Because don't you think the facts now point to my father?
Rachel: Hold it! Mr. Virmswell, do you believe your father really is the murderer?
Virmswell III: Well, it's possible, now isn't it?
Rachel: But are you convinced he is?
Virmswell III: Well, I'm not sure I'm convinced anybody is, but the fact that my father and father only knew that the maid was aware of his…well…personal business…makes him an obvious suspect!
Rachel: That's very interesting you should say that, Mr. Virmswell. I'd like you to append that to your testimony, if you please.
Virmswell III: Ack! *sigh* yes, yes, there's no hiding anything from you, is there, Ms. Prosecutor?
Because my father only knew of the maid's knowledge of the affair, the facts make him an obvious suspect!
Rachel: Objection!
Virmswell III: Not again with the objection…you're giving my head an ache…
Rose: *pfft*
Rachel: ("head an ache?") Look, the point is, we have another contradiction in front of us…
Virmswell III: Is…is that so…?
Rachel: Yes, that's so…tell me, Edward, are you protecting someone?
Virmswell: H-ha….ha…..why would you say something like that? That's pretty far-fetched, don't you think?
Rachel: No, I don't think so…read me this testimony. I think you know whose it is.
Virmswell III: No…you can't do this…
Rachel: I'm afraid I have to; unless you want to expose this person in front of an entire court tomorrow.
Virmswell: Very well then…
- Elaine Bawnfyre's testimony -
I knew Ms. Sumorlie well, and she would never do anything that would hurt anyone…
She was dedicated to doing her best for Mr. Virmswell II; she respected him extremely for how upright he…well, how upright he seemed to live his life.
When she discovered the horrible truth, well…I'm sure she was heartbroken.
I only know of one person she told, and that was Ms. Louise Mafferetti herself. I overheard their conversation, and it was very heated and threatening. Ms. Louise was very upset…
And now…now she's dead! Oh, Carly…what if I'm next, huh? What if I'm next!
Rachel: (the end of that testimony was articulately self-centered)
Virmswell III: There! I've read the testimony, and you see what's there to see…
Rachel: You could have told me in the first place that Louise Mafferetti knew also…
Virmswell III: I just wanted to avoid dragging Elaine into it at all!
Rachel: And why's that?
James: Ms. Lupis! Surely you are not so heartless as to realize that this young man was acting out of true, pure love!
Virmswell III: Right…yea, he's right!
Rachel: *mutter* love has no place to get in the way of the law…
Marissa: I can see your way with that.
James: I am so ashamed of the two of you…
Rose: So now all signs point back to Ms. Mafferetti…
Rachel: Right…
*thmp-thmp-thmp*
Virmswell II: I have finally convinced the policeman to leave the scene. You are free to go investiga-…Edward! What are you doing down here, talking to them?
Virmswell III: *sigh* nothing father, just having a chat.
Virmswell II: Well, come with me, then. We'll walk in the gardens…get away from this madness…
Rachel: (The young Edward seems to be reclusive towards his father…there are probably several reasons)
Rose: C'mon, Rache, let's go investigate.
Rachel: ("Rache"?)
Marissa: Hey, now! Where's the defense attorney in all this?
Rachel: Actually, I was wondering the same thing.
Marissa: Sure you were…probably thinking about how clueless defense attorneys are!
Rachel: Hey! I was doing no such thing!
James: Ha! I think this will clear that up!
Rachel: What's this? Oh, the defense attorney on the case…*pfft*
Rose: Lemme see! Defense attorney…blah…Nicholas Merriwhether…*pfft*
Marissa: What's so funny?
Rose: You should wait until the trial tomorrow; then you'll see. Come on, we're going upstairs Rachel. Times-a-wasting…
Rachel: Right…
Marissa: Wait! I demand an explanation! This is ridiculous! This is prejudiced!
James: Ahaha, go on ahead ladies, I've got the tigress.
December 18th, 12:07 p.m.
Virmswell Manor, Crime Scene
Rachel: Ugh…that's not really pleasant at all…
Rose: It's sad; it's always sad when people die…you remember why we took our jobs, then?
Rachel: …To bring justice…to those who commit crimes.
Rose: Right. So let's get cracking.
Rachel: It this a broken wine glass…?
Rose: Yes, it was the murder weapon. I would go for footprints, but these morons don't know how to protect a crime scene. I bet the whole Virmswell family was in and out of here a few times.
Rachel: Yes, I suppose you're right. And the wine glass was already dusted for fingerprints.
Rose: They found Ms. Mafferetti's on the wine glass. They also found only Louise Mafferetti's and Elaine Bawnfyre's prints on the door.
Rachel: Right, which would make sense: The defendant and the witness.
Rose: What's this over here? Is this wine on the wall?
Rachel: Looks like there's a piece of glass stuck in the wall. I would assume this is where she broke the wine glass. Let's simulate the situation…
. . .
Rose: Yea, it's very likely that she broke the glass on the wall, and then moved to stab the victim.
Rachel: Looks like they were facing each other…which could insinuate something, but we need to visit Edward II's room first, to confirm my suspicions…
Rose: If you're thinking what I'm thinking, there won't be any proof left in there.
Rachel: Why's that?
Rose: Assuming he and his wife still stay in the same room, he would've taken the wine glass out of his room last night before she could see it. The wine glass still insinuates that Ms. Mafferetti was here, with other people's knowledge, though. We have to confirm when Louise arrived here, and we need to ask Edward if they were together at all, and at which time.
Rachel: Right…I think I have a general idea of what happened anyway. Ms. Mafferetti came yesterday, some time; perhaps late evening…I think I can form an estimated time frame of when she was here, as long as I have one piece of evidence…
Rose: Right, and it's something we don't have yet.
Rachel: Go ask James for the autopsy report.
Rose: Right on it.
. . .
Rachel: You're back! You look kinda…flustered?
Rose: That little b-
Rachel: Watch your language!
Rose: Brat, sheesh… so, anyway, that little brat down there wouldn't leave me alone, kept demanding information about the defense attorney, and wondering why he wasn't here…
Rachel: Nicholas wouldn't show up to a murder scene if he didn't have to.
Rose: Even though he does have to *pfft*
Rachel: Enough talk, give me the autopsy.
Rose: Well geez, way to mood-swing…here you go. And here's something else.
Rachel: What's this? It looks like a recorder!
Rose: Yea, remember we were talking about them earlier? This will help when we talk to Miss Bawnfyre…
Rachel: Okay, cool. Thank you.
Rose: No problem. Now, let's read that autopsy.
Rachel: Got it. *mumble* Time of death…aha! Estimated time of death is 9 p.m.
Rose: Okay, so where does that put us?
Rachel: It puts us with more questions to ask Ms. Bawnfyre.
?: Excuse me, are you talking about me?
Rachel: Ack!
Rose: Freaky…but if you are Elaine Bawnfyre, then yes, yes we were.
Bawnfyre: You should know it's very rude to talk about other people behind their backs.
Rachel: Not when they're involved in a murder, it isn't.
Bawnfyre: Oh NOOOOO! Now you think…think that I'm the culprit?
Rachel: Hold on…this is weird and abrupt all in the same time…so let's start from the beginning…you are one of the maids of this household, Elaine Bawnfyre, correct?
Bawnfyre: Er, uh…yes, that's right.
Rachel: What were you doing when you heard us mention your name?
Bawnfyre: Well, to be honest I was…I was coming back from cleaning the Virmswells' room-
Rachel: Mr. and Mrs.?
Bawnfyre: Yes, you really shouldn't inter-
Rachel: So they still stay in the same room?
Bawnfyre: Y-yes! Why do you keep insisting upon interrupting me?
Rachel: It's important that I know these things.
Bawnfyre: Well excuse me for being rude, but you look like nothing but an average young lady! What business do you have in this house?
Rachel: (I pray this is the last time this question is asked of me) I'm the prosecutor on this case, Rachel Lupis, and I am trying to collect all the information I can before tomorrow's court trial.
Bawnfyre: Oh! Oh my…well, in that case, I just want you to know…I'm cheering for you, Ms. Lupis! *hug*
Rachel: (Wha-…what in the world?)
Bawnfyre: Oh, please! Do your best! I'm sure it's Ms. Mafferetti, just sure, and I want her behind bars before she kills me, too! I'm next, I tell you!
Rachel: Now, Ms. Bawnfyre, I'm going to ask you to calm down…I will do my best tomorrow, as always, and I assure you, the criminal for this case will be behind bars by the end of it all.
Bawnfyre: *sniff* Right…I'm sorry. I'm just SOOOO SCARED! *sob*
Rose: *pfft*
Rachel: Quit laughing! (Oh great, now I've developed a mother's complex)
Rose: Whatever…we need to hurry…the testimony, remember?
Rachel: Ah, yes. Ms. Bawnfyre; there are two testimonies I require of you. These are merely for information, not to try to prove you are lying. If possible, please fit both answers in one testimony.
Bawnfyre: If it helps, I can give you any testimony!
Rachel: (Right, let's not be over-enthusiastic about this) Alright, then, please tell me what exactly you heard transpire between Ms. Mafferetti and the victim two nights ago, and what you saw of Ms. Mafferetti here last night.
Bawnfyre: I'll do my best.
- Ms. Bawnfyre's Testimony -
Bawnfyre:
Two nights ago I walked past Ms. Mafferetti's room here, and heard Carly tell her that she knew what was happening between her and Mr. Virmswell.
Ms. Mafferetti was very upset…I can't remember everything she said, but she told Carly that she shouldn't stick her nose in other people's business, and that she must never tell anyone.
Carly said she was so sad about what had happened, and Ms. Mafferetti threatened her…she didn't say she'd kill her, but she said "I'll make you regret it if anyone else finds out!"
Last night Ms. Mafferetti came here, and I know she spent time with Mr. Virmswell, because she asked two glasses of wine to be brought to his room. I brought them, and the two of them were in there.
I didn't see any of Ms. Mafferetti after that, but I saw her coming down the main steps to leave at 9:15 approximately…Mr. Virmswell brought his wine glass back to the kitchen, but I never saw hers until late that night, when…ohhhhh…
Rachel: Thank you very much…I'm sorry to bring up painful things, but that was very useful.
Bawnfyre: …Right.
Rose: Well, that clinches it. This should be a very easy court trial.
Rachel: Right. One more thing, Ms. Bawnfyre; this doesn't have anything to do with the case, but what are your relations to the young Mr. Virmswell…Edward III?
Bawnfyre: Oh! Um…we're dating.
Rachel: Right, I thought so. Well, thank you for everything!
Bawnfyre: I'm glad to be of any assistance I can!
Rose: Come on, let's hike.