Chapter 2: Unraveling the Web of Deceit

As Jameson posed the question to Catherine Harrington, he couldn't help but notice the faint flicker of unease in her eyes. She composed herself quickly, however, and began to speak in a measured tone. "Richard was involved in several business ventures, Detective. He was a shrewd investor and had a keen eye for opportunity. But, to be honest, I didn't always know what he was involved in. He kept his business dealings quite separate from our personal life." Jameson nodded sympathetically, making a mental note to look into Richard's business ventures further. He sensed that Catherine was holding something back, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. "And did your husband have any enemies?" he asked, his eyes scanning the room for any signs of distress. Catherine's gaze drifted towards the window, her voice taking on a slightly distant quality. "Richard was a... formidable man, Detective. He made his share of enemies, I'm sure. But I don't think anyone would have wanted to harm him. Not like this." Jameson's eyes lingered on Catherine for a moment longer, searching for any cracks in her composure. But she seemed solid, if a bit guarded. He turned his attention to the rest of the room, taking in the details of the study. The broken glass near the victim's hand seemed to suggest a struggle, but the lack of any other signs of disarray made him wonder if the killer had been someone the victim knew. As he continued to survey the scene, Jameson's mind began to turn over the possibilities. Who could have wanted Richard Harrington dead? And what did the cryptic note have to do with the murder? He was determined to unravel the web of deceit that seemed to be surrounding the Harrington family. Just then, a soft knock at the door interrupted his thoughts. It was one of his officers, a young constable named Emma. "Detective, I've finished interviewing the staff and guests. I think you should take a look at this." Emma handed Jameson a small notebook, filled with scribbled notes. As he scanned the pages, his eyes widened in surprise. Several of the guests had reported seeing someone arguing with Richard earlier in the evening. And one of them had seen a figure lurking around the study around 9 pm. Jameson's eyes locked onto Emma's. "Get me a list of everyone who was here tonight," he said, his voice low and urgent. "I want to know who they are, what they do, and what they said to Richard Harrington. Every detail is crucial." As Emma nodded and scurried off to comply, Jameson's thoughts turned back to the note. Who had written it, and what did they want with Richard? He tucked the notebook into his pocket and turned to Catherine Harrington once more. "I think it's time we had a chat with the rest of your family, Mrs. Harrington," he said, his eyes locked onto hers. "Where is your son, Edward? And what about your daughter, Sophia?" Catherine's expression turned guarded, and for a moment, Jameson thought he saw a flash of fear in her eyes. But then, her mask slipped back into place, and she smiled sweetly. "Edward is in his room, Detective. He's been... unwell. And Sophia is out in the garden, taking some fresh air. I'll go fetch them for you." As Catherine turned to leave, Jameson couldn't shake the feeling that he was just scratching the surface of a much larger, more complex case. And he was determined to dig deeper, no matter what secrets he uncovered.