There were times in Detective Frederick McReddy's life when he cursed his luck at having Silas Montgomery as his closest friend. This was one of those times.
Detective McReddy looked around the lavish ballroom, with its neoclassical design, in all gold and black. Then he looked around at the people who were looking around nervously at each other. All of them avoided the body that someone had haphazardly put a cloth over, yet the bloodstain remained.
"This was supposed to be the start of my vacation." McReddy scowled.
Silas smiled slightly. "You can't tell me you're not intrigued. All these people in this room could be possible suspects in this most hideous crime. It's like something out of an Agatha Christie novel."
"You are finding much glee from this turn of events." McReddy pointed out.
Silas slapped a hand on his friend's back. "C'mon Freddy, if not for the fun of solving the mystery, do it for the fans!"
McReddy sighed once more before he stepped forward pulling out his badge as he did. "No one move. I am Detective Frederick McReddy, and I will be solving this case."
After much deliberation with the Host, Duke Calythe, and his daughter Diantha, the Detective had determined that the best way to get answers would be to get the story from every angle possible. Which is how McReddy and Silas found themselves face to face with the living legend that was the rockstar Jax of the Bloody Crowns, and his fashionable assistant Saige.
"It is an honor to meet you both." Silas gushed.
Jax smiled. "It is always a pleasure to meet a fan," he said ignoring how Saige rolled her eyes at his comment. "What do you need from us?" he asked looking at McReddy.
"The whole story from the very beginning."
Saige and Jax glanced at each other with a look that spoke of the many years they had been together as assistant and rockstar, McReddy noted.
"I had received an invitation on behalf of the band, for a Battle of the Bands, competition. Exclusive, and one of a kind, as it would be live-streamed for all to see. I brought it over to the band who immediately agreed on coming when they heard that their rivals, The Metal Queens would be present." Saige said her eyes going to the body once more.
"We have had a long-standing feud with the Metal Queens. Which is quite understandable," Jax said glancing at Silas. "As a fan, you should know that we and the Queens have been neck in neck on the charts, and are always competing over concert venues. " he looked at McReddy now his gaze sharp. "But we would never harm one of the members. Especially not Elara."
"Why especially not Elara?" McReddy asked.
"You have not met a kinder soul than her. She didn't deserve this,"
"Not that anyone ever deserves to be murdered." Saige cut in.
"Of course not," Jax said looking shocked.
McReddy sighed. "You were saying Saige, that the bands had decided to come here to perform?" He prompted, wanting to get the story back on track.
"We arrived here without much trouble. The Duke's daughter met us all at the front desk and showed us around. The band members went to their separate wings, and the managers gathered downstairs where the event was meant to take place..."
Six Hours Earlier.
"This is quite the set-up," Otis said admiring the glossy black stage that had been set up, The Bloody Crowns logo shone red and black on the stone wall.
"We spared no expense. I assure you." Kaida, the housekeeper said.
"Daddy's quite a fan," Diantha added as she walked over. Saige glanced away walking to the next stage across from the Bloody Crowns, done in a slate silver that shimmered in the light, the Metal Queens logo shone silver in the light making her smile. While technically her band's rival she had always loved the all-girl rock group that lived up to its name.
"It's a thing of beauty, isn't it?" Emory asked.
"Just the thing for your girls," Saige said.
"Do you work with the Metal Queens too?" Diantha asked curiously.
"No. I'm Jax's personal assistant. Otis is the manager for the band." Saige said gesturing to Otis who came over and looked up at the logo of the Metal Queens.
"This is shaping up to be quite the event," Otis said.
"Indeed. A night to remember." Emory said.
Saige looked at both of them before she made her way to look over the specifications for Jax. As his assistant, it was her job to make sure his job as a rocker went as seamlessly as possible.
"What is it like?" Diantha asked, surprising Saige slightly as she was suddenly beside her. "Being the assistant to a rocker I mean?"
"It has its high moments and low moments. Jax is an amazing performer, and really shows his love for his fans in how he handles the whole rockstar life. He makes every day different, but somehow rewarding." Saige said warmly.
"You sound almost like a fan," Diantha said with a laugh.
"You have to be, with the kind of tasks an assistant has to do," Saige said with a chuckle.
"I remember that Diantha asked a lot of questions about being an assistant," Saige said thoughtfully.
"Invasive questions?" McReddy asked.
"More like she was trying to figure me out. A couple of hours later we all converged down here for dinner. Things were going like they usually do when you have two rival bands together. Lots of unnecessary bickering, some boisterous drinking. Eventually, the boys and the girls started to mingle with each other, drinking and dancing. Then the blackout." Saige said looking at Jax.
"Saige has always been terrified of the dark. I immediately called out to her, and as I did I heard some shuffling to my left. I turned and was shoved. When I had got up, the lights had turned back on, and Elara was dead at Fabian's feet." Jax said.
McReddy frowned. "Fabian Smythe? Of The Serpentines?" he said jotting that down.
"Yeah." Jax said his eyes widening suddenly. "Not that I think he did it. It's just what I noticed."
Silas smiled. "It's alright. We need to know all the facts."
"What about you Saige? What happened during the blackout?"
"It was dark, and I remember getting off my chair and then hearing Jax called my name. I tried to feel my way to him and bumped into someone, then the lights turned on, and I was in front of Tillie." Saige said. She looked across the room to where Tillie stood her shock of pink hair frazzled.
"Thank you both," McReddy said, he gestured to the housekeeper and she directed the band Thor's Hammer their way.
"Well this will be interesting," Silas said wickedly, as the long haired men walked over.
