Chapter 426: The Hidden Passage in the Fireplace The sapphire earrins was adorned with real diamonds, showcasing a beautiful and fashionable design, indicating its substantial value.
It was not something an ordinary person could afford.
Cheyenne faintly felt like she had seen this earring somewhere before, but couldn't recall where exactly.
Frustrated, she wrinkled her face.
"Miss Lawrence, there's no need to rack your brain if you can't remember. We can hand it over to a professional appraisal agency, and they'll likely find sleads," Gordon teased with a smile. Cheyenne stopped pondering and decided that she'd take a photo and do an online search later.
"Yeah. We also need to take the eyebrow razor back and compare it with the deceased, Jase. That way, we can determine if the earring's owner and the murderer are the sperson." If they match, it would confirm that this is where Jase was killed, the primary crscene.
Simultaneously, she had another perplexing thought. When she passed through the grassland, there were no footsteps, yet two sets of footprints suddenly appeared on the stairs.
One large, measuring three and a half inches in length and six and a half inches in width-likely a man's footprints.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtJudging by the size, the person should weigh between 130 to 140 pounds and be around 5'7" to 5'8" tall. The other set of footprints, smaller, measuring two inches in length and only four inches wide, indicated a woman.
She should be around 5'6" to 5'7" tall and weigh around 100 pounds.
Even in Akloit, it wouldn't be easy to find a dozen people fitting these descriptions.
The distinct inclination of the left foot towards the side suggested the person was wearing uncomfortable shoes, like high heels.
Gordon, being a professional investigator, quickly contacted a specialized appraisal agency, instructing his assistant to bring the bloodstained eyebrow razor and gemstone earrings.
Once the assistant left, it was only him and Cheyenne, along with a dog.
For sreason, the air felt colder by two degrees.
They went up to the third floor to investigate. The third floor appeared ordinary, with a pile of discarded medical packaging and empty bottles in the corner.
Curiously, Cheyenne asked, "Mr. Murillo, what exactly is this place? I've lived in Akloit for twenty years, but I've never known of such a horrifying and eerie place. It could easily be turned into a haunted house." It was as if the place had been abandoned by society.
Gordon finally revealed the answer, "Back in the 80s, this used to be a private cosmetic surgery hospital." "However, one of the doctors suffered severe depression and accidentally killed a customer during a procedure. The hospital couldn't continue to operate." "Local villagers spread rumors that the doctor was possessed, and his vengeful spirit could still be heard crying in this place." "Over the years, nobody dared to stay here, and they chose to relocate, especially with the development in the central area of Akloit. This old district gradually becforgotten." "As for the cemetery on the nearby hill, it used to be where locals buried their deceased before the cremation policy was implemented. The hospital reached an agreement with the villagers, designating this as a makeshift graveyard and providing them with an annual allowance." "After the hospital relocated in the early 2000s, this place becan area that everyone avoided. Never did I expect it to beca hiding place for criminals," Cheyenne nodded in agreement, holding Chance as they descended the stairs.
The little dog lay quietly in her arms, occasionally glancing at Gordon with its shining black eyes. Bored, it placed its little paw on her shoulder and yawned.
Gordon had previously owned a military dog, but even that dog wasn't as intelligent as Chance.
When Cheyenne heard him complimenting her dog, she couldn't help but continue bragging, "Mr. Murillo, do you know? Chance was the one who fetched the eyebrow razor and brought it to my doorstep. That's how I found out that this place is the primary crscene." Gordon glanced in surprise at Chance and reached out with his warm hand, wanting to pet it. However, Chance avoided him, feeling disdainful.
"The little thing is truly clever. I'll buy it a month's supply of chicken legs," he said generously, making Cheyenne feel a little embarrassed. She smiled and nodded, patting Chance's little head. "So, it's settled then. No backing out!" she said playfully.
"Miss Lawrence, you can rest assured,” he replied. While he couldn't match the wealthy people in Akloit, he had ssavings and could afford a few chicken legs.
The two continued searching the ruins of the building, finding no other clues apart from the body in the backyard and the skeletal remains of cats and other animals in the corridor.
Returning to the first floor, they passed through the empty hall and spotted an abandoned fireplace. Suddenly, Chance barked excitedly.
Cheyenne turned her attention to the fireplace and understood what Chance was trying to convey. "Chance, are you saying there's something here?" she asked.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmChance barked a couple more times, and Gordon, curious, also looked over. "Seems like there is. I trust Chance," he said.
He took the lead and was about to crouch down and investigate by entering the fireplace. Cheyennen reached out and grabbed his sleeve, looking at him with bright eyes. “Be careful," she cautioned. Gordon nodded and smiled lightly, "Miss Lawrence, don't worry. I'm tough. Such a task is a piece of cake." "Still, be cautious," she insisted.
The fireplace appeared dark and empty, likely concealing a person or something else inside.
After taking off his coat, Gordon proceeded alone into the fireplace. His movements were quick and nimble, as expected from someone professionally trained.
Meanwhile, Cheyenne stayed by the entrance with Chance, her gaze fixed on the narrow opening of the fireplace, her lips pursed without a word.
She stood there for quite a while, her legs starting to feel sore. She took out her phone and glanded at the tdisplayed, realizing that fifteen minutes had passed, yet Gordon hadn't emerged. The surroundings were empty, and when the wind blew in from the outside, it carried a chilling sense of coldness, sending shivers down her spine.
Cheyenne gradually felt that something was amiss. Fearfully, she called out into the fireplace, "Gordon? Mr. Murillo... are you there? Please answer me..." Her voice sounded twice as loud in the narrow passage of the fireplace, becoming increasingly sharp and high- pitched.
Suddenly, a pair of black eyes stared straight at her from the vacant fireplace opening. A white, frembling figure, like @ghost, startled her heart, causing it to race. Sweat dripped down her forehead, and her voice bechoarse.