The+Cortells+Minus+One

by Mia and Caroline

“Get up,” Mr. Violet whispered. Max Longsted was sleeping in his bed in the apartment that they both shared together on the third floor. Their address is 422, Free Spirit Apartments. “What is it?” Max whined. “There has been a new case report! Get up, so we can go to the scene!” “You do know that it is 6:30 in the morning, right? What is the case, and why do we //need//to go now? Can’t we go later, you kept me up until midnight talking about how you are going to raise money for the Violet Crime Solving Foundation,” Max said. “A girl, around 22 also known as Rose Cortell, has been murdered in her shop, Funky Furnishing. The police said that the murder happened between midnight and 3:00 in the morning,” Mr. Violet explained. Mr. Harry Violet and Max Longsted are investigators that work together to solve crimes. They have been partners for 21 years. Since they work together, they are forced to share an apartment on Sunny-Lane, in Mia island. “Do the police have any relatives living near by that we can interview?” Max asked. “The police have four people already. They are her mother, Ameila, Father, Frank, Sister, Serena, and her brother, Travis. The police have also found her grandfather, but he lives in Meghannville. They also said he is nuts and can't remember anything so, we should not go to him. No one knows what he will say,” “Okay after we investigate the scene, who do you want to interview first?” “I want to start will Travis, her brother,” Violet told. Around 7:00a.m, Mr. Violet and Mr. Longsted arrived at the crime scene. Funky Furnishing was really a funky furniture store. There were some pieces of furniture that would never be in regular furniture stores. The furniture was mostly neon colors with really funky sets. Longsted and Violet walked over to the counter where Ms. Cortell’s body was lying. Next to the counter, on a chair, was a brown coat was lying face down. It had a missing button and a fur collar. Ms. Cortell had a blue dress on. She was a young, beautiful woman. She had dirty-blonde hair and bright blue eyes, that looked like crushed kaleidoscope pieces. Her blue purse was lying on the ground behind the counter with a shopping list pulled out. “I think she has a new dress on.” Mr. Longsted said. “Why do you think that Longsted?” Questioned Violet. “Mrs. Cortell forgot to take the tag of the front of her dress, under her arm. ” Longsted laughed. “Over here is a shopping list. It looks like she was going to go shopping for groceries. How old is she again?” “22 years old. Her files say she just got engaged two weeks ago. The wedding was planned for next year in July.” Longsted explained. A police officer called them over. “We don’t know how this could have happened. There are no places where the murderer could have gotten in without Ms. Cortell knowing. We looked all around the only thing we found was a note on the counter next to the corpse.” the police officer said. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“Let me see that note officer.” demanded Longsted. The police gave him the note. Longsted read the note out loud for all of them to hear. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“'Now I finally got revenge! It feels so good. Now you can feel the pain I had all my life. I hope you like it. Sincerely, the unknown'.” <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“That was creepy, Whoever did this was really jealous of Ms. Cortell. Is there anyone who has had anything against her, like any family or friends?” Asked Violet. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“There is a coffee stain on the top of the note. Whoever did this was drinking coffee and on a caffeine rush, or the person is going crazy. There is always the possibility that the person was jealous,” explained Longsted.“However, this person obviously did know what they were doing. If the person did not know what they were doing they would not write a letter. Also, this person had to have some reason to murder Ms. Cortell. Whatever the reason is, were going to find out.” said Mr. Longsted <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">After driving for 15 minutes from the scene, they arrived at the Cortell house. The Cortell house was a small light blue cottage. It had a huge meadow in the back, as well as a small lake. There were willow trees around parts of the lake, also a bench. They walked up towards the door and knocked hardly. When someone finally came to the door, it was Travis. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“Hi Travis. I am Mr. Longsted. This here next to me is Mr. Violet. We are detectives. We heard about your sister, could we ask you some questions, please?” <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“Um. Yes. Come in.” Travis said hesitantly. They both walked inside. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">When they walked into the house they noticed that the house was old fashion and had lots of hall ways that led off to another set of rooms. The Cortell’s furniture was very old and dirty. Very odd for someone who owns a furnishing store. Travis looked like he had been crying for a long time, with his red, puffy eyes. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“You guys can sit on that couch if you would like. Sorry for the house being dirty. My parents have been so out of it for the past few hours. They did not bother to clean up the house. My sister, Serena, is at work right now she had to spend an overnight shift. I have no idea why.” Travis explained. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“Okay. This is the first question we had for you. When was the last time you saw your sister?” Mr. Violet asked. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“I saw her yesterday morning before she went to work for the day.” <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“Have you had any problems with your sister lately?” <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“We have had problems over which pizza to order when we came here to spend the weekend with our parents. That about it, but my sister has had lots of problems with Serena. I don’t know why.” Travis explained. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“What were some of those problems your sisters had?” Violet asked. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“They were always fighting about why Rose got the family store instead of Serena. Serena always thought Rose was the favored child. Serena hated her for it, and they haven’t talked sense their last fight 3 weeks ago.” explained Travis. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“Well we better go interview Serena. Thanks Travis.” said Mr. Longsted. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">After they left the Cortell house, they went to meet Serena at the local Starbucks to interview her. When they got there they saw that she had tan skin, dark green eyes, and brown wavy hair. Serena was wearing a brown coat with a fur collar and a button missing. Serena looked like she was gonna faint. Her skin was pale and she was fidgeting in her chair. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“Hi Serena. Do you mind if we ask you some questions?” Mr. Violet asked. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“What about?” Serena asked. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“Your sisters murder.” Replied Mr. Longsted. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“Ask away.” said Serena annoyed. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“We heard you and your sister, Rose, haven’t had the best relationship after your parents passed on the family store to Rose instead of you.” <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">said Mr. Violet. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“It’s not fair, it should have been passed down to me! She was always the favored child and even Travis knows that! Everyone always said how pretty she was, and how lucky she was, and how much better she was! Even on the day she was murdered! She had on a new blue dress and new shoes now one knew she was wearing! My mother bought her that dress because she said it would look just beautiful on her. Not me! ” yelled Serena. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“Do you have any reason to get back at Rose?” asked Mr. Longsted. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“Well, not really. I mean I wouldn't want do anything to her, she is still my sister.” <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“Well, thank you for you time, Serena.” said Violet. Violet and Longsted walked out of the coffee shop and went to their apartment. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“So, are we going to interview the Cortell parents tomorrow?” asked Violet. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“Yeah. I hope we get something from them because we need something to get this case moving.” replied Longsted. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“I agree. I am going to bed.” said Longsted. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">In the morning they got up and went to the Funky Furnishing store where they were interviewing the Cortell parents. When they arrived, they saw the parents sitting on an orange chair shaped like a mushroom. They both had tears in their eyes and had tissues in their hands. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Cortell. Mind if I ask you your names?” asked Mr. Longsted. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“Yes, yes. I am Tyler Cortell and this is my wife Sarah. Are you going to ask us questions?” Tyler asked. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“Yes, we were planning to ask you some questions about you daughters.” said Longsted. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“Ask whatever you want. Go ahead.” <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“Okay. Have you heard your two daughters fight in a while?” asked Longsted. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“Well, actually yes. They have been fighting lately. More than usual.” explained Sarah. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“Did you ever think that it was too much fighting between them. Also, did you ever hear what they were fighting about?” Longsted asked. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“I have worried that their fighting was too much. I could hear them yelling from up in their room when I was making dinner one night. I did not know what to do so, I sent them to separate rooms for the rest of the night. It sounded like they were fighting about the store, their past, and their relationships with William.” Sarah explained. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“Ma’am, who is this William?” asked Violet. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“William is, or was, Rose’s faience. William is a doctor. He went to Harvard University. He is very smart and handsome.” explained Sarah. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“Was Serena ever jealous of Rose?” <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“Not that I know of. She did date William in collage. He broke up with her to go out with Rose instead. He didn't know that they were sisters.” <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“Do you know where we can find him?” Longsted asked. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“I think you can find him at his house, four down the street.” said Tyler. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“Okay thanks for everything.” said Violet. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">After they left their house, they counted four house down from the Cortell’s and went to the house. William’s house was gigantic. It was a modern house that had three floors and was the size of a small mansion. They got up to the door and knocked. When someone answered, they saw a strong and tall man. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“Hi, what can I do for you? I'm William.”, the man said. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“Hi William. I am detective Longsted and this and detective Violet. Would you mind if we asked you some questions about Rose?” Longsted asked. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">As soon as William heard the name Rose, his smile turned to a frown and he got tears in his eyes. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“Um hm. Sure. Right this way.” said William. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">William led them into a a well organized room with expensive furniture. It looked like everything was from the future. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“The first thing I would like to ask you is when was the last time you saw Rose?” questioned Longsted. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“I saw Rose the night before the murder. We went out for our three year dating anniversary. At that time we had been engaged for two months. After the date I drove her back to her house and it seemed like nothing was wrong. I can’t believe someone would do this to a kind, loving girl.” cried William. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“While you were on the date, did she seem like something was bothering her?” <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“Not that I know of. She was just her normal self. I do not know what to do without her.” William pleaded. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“Did Rose ever tell you anything about what was happening between her and her sister?” Longsted asked. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“She did say that her and her sister had little problems but nothing major.” <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“That’s all we need. Thank you William.” <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">They walked out of Travis’s house and got back into their car. When they got back into the apartment, Longsted went straight to his computer, not even taking his coat or shoes off. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“Excuse me? What do you think your doing? Take off your shoes, your going to get mud on the carpet!” demanded Violet. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“Wait I think I have something on the case!” yelled Longsted. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“What is so important that you had to walk through the carpet with mud on your shoes. I just vacuumed!” screamed Violet. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“How would Serena know that Rose was wearing new shoes that //nobody// had seen before? Why was Serena fighting with Rose a lot? It only leads to one thing! Serena must have done it! She was the only one who had something to get back at Rose for! She was jealous. What was she jealous about? I have no idea!” yelled Longsted. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“Duh! William, the store, Roses whole life basically!” screamed Violet. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“That’s It! I have it! I know who did it! I know you are going to ask, Why did you need you computer? Well I was looking at Rose’s profile and I saw that in her profile picture, there was a picture of Serena looking really mad in the background. Serena obviously wanted to get back at Rose for something other than the jealousy part. I have to find out! Come with me! We are going to see Serena! Call everyone we interviewed! I want them to see this!” Longsted screamed and ran out he door like a mad man. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">After Violet finished calling everyone, he ran down the stairs and joined the jumpy Longsted in the car. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“You better be right about this thing because I don’t want to be embarrassed.” Violet said. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“Don’t worry! I got this! I have enough evidence!” <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">When they got to Serena’s house, Longsted sprinted towards the door and banged on it. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“Open up, or I will break it down!” Scream Longsted. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">By that time William and the others had already shown up. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“Wow! Is that what a case can do to a man? He has gone completely insane!” laughed William. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“That is surprisingly normal for him. He does it every case we get!” Chuckled Violet <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">Finally, Serena answered the door. She was in a black dress and was started shaking when she saw all of the people walking to her door. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“What do you guys want?” she asked. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“We need to talk to you, Serena. Let me in!” yelled Longsted <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“O-o-okay. Sure.” <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">She barley had time to open the door fully without Longsted barging into the house and running to the kitchen table. When everyone sat down, Longsted shot straight up from his chair. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“Thank you all for coming on such a short notice,” he began. “I just wanted to let you know that I have solved the case! Would you like to know who did it?” he asked. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“Yes!” everyone yelled at the same time. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“Okay then! The murderer is Serena! How do I know that? Well, when we interviewed her she said that Rose was wearing new shoes that //nobody// had seen before. She also had the same coat on that me and Violet saw at the scene. The coat is a light brown color that had a missing button! The coat also had a fur lining along the collar of the coat. She was also the only one who was jealous of Rose! She wanted William and the store. She got neither and she was furious! She felt that she had to to something to really let out her revenge on her sister! If only, she thought of something less harmful and deadly! She was the one who did it and she knows it! Right Serena?” He explained. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“Fine! I did do it! I had a good excuse! She got everything she wanted and when she wanted it! She had the perfect job, the perfect fiance and the perfect life! All along I knew that I wanted to be like her.” <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“Ah Ha! You did do it! Someone call the cops and have her taken away!” Screamed Violet. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">William got up and called the cops. No later than ten minutes, the cops showed up. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“A job well done, Longsted.” The cop said. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“Thanks officer.” replied Longsted. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">The cops took Serena away and everyone sat at the table with their mouths open not talking to one another. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“I can’t believe Serena would do that. I raised her better than that!” Sarah cried. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“Well it is best you all to be getting home now. I will talk to you later.” Longsted said. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">Ten minutes after he said that everyone had left and Longsted and Violet were walking up to their apartment. <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“Great job, Longsted.” said Violet <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“Thanks, Violet! You to!” <span style="font-family: Verina Sans,sans-serif;">“ Max Longsted, you really are the best detective I know!”