Chapter 396: Nancy's Statement (Part 1)
Chapter 396: Nancy's Statement (Part 1)
After Jack left the study room, Feng Bu Jue smiled as he sat back down. Turning to Scofield, whose expression was grave, he asked, "What’s your take, Detective?"
Scofield replied, "Suspicious indeed... So far, he’s the most likely suspect."
"True", Feng Bu Jue agreed. "Jack has the motive, the opportunity, and the capability to commit murder. But... I don’t think he’s the killer."
"Oh?" Scofield frowned. "Why not?"
Feng Bu Jue countered, "Detective, if you were Jack, how would you feel witnessing your father and elder brother arguing fiercely?"
"Hmm..." Scofield paused, then, prompted by Feng Bu Jue’s question, shifted perspectives. Suddenly, he realized, "I’d actually be delighted!"
"Exactly", Feng Bu Jue nodded. "If his motive—his ultimate goal—were the family inheritance, seeing today’s confrontation should’ve secretly thrilled him. After all, in his family’s eyes, he’s merely a rebellious, undisciplined disappointment—hardly an irreconcilable conflict. But the tension between Dennis and Kolsten? That’s far less clear..."
"So?" Scofield pressed.
"Therefore, logically", Feng Bu Jue continued, "even if Jack once contemplated murdering Dennis, he wouldn’t choose today. In my view, after the warning shot incident, his provocative remark came because seeing his father and brother quarrel filled him with smug triumph, leading him to boast recklessly. That comment did inadvertently reveal his mindset. However... someone truly plotting murder would act without prior signs, leaving no such obvious contradictions."
He paused, then added, "Also, did you notice his final phrasing? 'Whether there’s a motive or not'—that sentence practically admitted he’d entertained the thought of killing. Yet there was no fear in him. Judging by his eyes, tone, and subtle body language, 'I didn’t kill anyone' was genuine." Leaning his elbows on the table, he cupped his cheek. "His confidence wasn’t that of a criminal—confident the police couldn’t gather enough evidence—but the certainty of innocence. He didn’t do it. The difference matters. The former relies on legal loopholes; the latter, on sheer truth. Jack belongs to the latter—'A straight tree fears no crooked shadow.'"
"Hmm..." Scofield mused. "So Jack’s suspicion can be practically ruled out?"
"Mm", Feng Bu Jue affirmed. "At this stage, we can tentatively clear Kolsten, Henderson, Oliver, Carol, and Jack."
Scofield muttered, "Nine suspects in total. The remaining four are... Family Doctor Powell, Gardener Barton, Miss Nancy, and Madam Odetta." He hesitated. "By the way... Nancy arrived after the murder, so she can be directly excluded, right?"
"Who said that?" Feng Bu Jue countered. "Nancy had the perfect conditions to commit the crime—perhaps even more advantages than others." His gaze sharpened. "If we find her motive, her suspicion would outweigh Jack’s."
Knock knock knock—sounded the door.
Speak of the devil...
"Nancy Miss has arrived, sir", Dempsey’s voice echoed from outside.
"Come in", Scofield replied.
The door opened, and Nancy entered. Her attire was strikingly androgynous: a plain white shirt under a casual jacket, classic jeans, and thick-heeled riding boots. This aristocratic lady seemed untouched by Vienna’s artistic flair, more akin to a visitor from the American Wild West.
Yet her tomboyish look didn’t diminish her charm. Nancy remained a captivating beauty—her delicate face framed by bright eyes, full lips, a straight nose, and golden hair casually cascading over her shoulders, gleaming under artificial light.
Unlike Madam Odetta’s mature, sensual classic beauty, Nancy radiated youthful vigor. Her sharp, capable gaze carried a faint aura of modern feminism, which Feng Bu Jue couldn’t help but notice.
"Good day, Miss Nancy", Feng Bu Jue began as Dempsey shut the door. "It seems we haven’t formally met..." He stood, stepped out from behind the desk, and extended his hand. "I’m Feng Bu Jue, a Celebrated Detective."
Nancy politely shook his hand. "Pleased to meet you, Mr. Feng", her voice as subdued as her somber mood.
"This is Detective Scofield", Feng Bu Jue gestured, "you met him in the foyer earlier."
Scofield rose, touching his cap brim and offering his hand. "At your service, Ms."
"The pleasure’s mine, Detective", Nancy replied, shaking his hand.
"Please sit down, Miss Nancy", Feng Bu Jue said. "Don’t be nervous. We just have a few questions."
"Alright", Nancy answered as she sat. "But I can’t promise help. You know, when I arrived... Dennis was already..."
"Really?" Feng Bu Jue’s tone abruptly shifted.
"What do you mean?" Nancy asked, puzzled.
"Perhaps... you arrived earlier than we know", Feng Bu Jue said, deploying what he called "Operation: Accusation Without Evidence."
"What are you implying?" Nancy sensed hidden meaning.
"Merely exercising imagination", Feng Bu Jue smiled. "A crucial skill for detectives. We must follow logic and common patterns, yet avoid rigid thinking." His smile deepened. "So... what I’ll say next may sound bizarre or offend you. Let me clarify—everything I say is mere speculation. If anything upsets you, I hope you’ll forgive me in advance."
"Hmph... Here we go again... But this Miss Nancy arrived after the murder. How can he still frame her?" Scofield thought, struggling to imagine Feng Bu Jue’s reasoning.
"What exactly are you saying?" Nancy demanded.
Feng Bu Jue smirked, thrusting his arm forward with dramatic flair. "The killer who murdered Dennis... is none other than you, Nancy Lovecraft!"
(End of Chapter)
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