Edgar was proud of his work, this much was clear to Juraj. The irony struck him that this was the one case where the only end Edgar met was that of his own.
What must have gone through his head when the blade pierced his body?
The trauma that Edgar must have endured passed through Juraj’s mind, replaying the sheer terror that must have consumed and passed over the detective as light faded into darkness. Damn you, Milos.
Soon, Juraj found himself reading notes closer to the present, written about the case dedicated to hunting his brother’s killer.
05/02/25 — 08:17
I have set about my way for Prague. I left Moscow under Comrade Steringberg’s orders; a matter of utmost importance awaits me. My instruction is clear: find the killer of the Teralov boy. He’s an important man, and his family more so. The Baroness holds close ties to people high up in Moscow. I suspect they owe her a few favours, or more likely, as is such the case in these matters, she holds information over them which is best kept suited to the ears of no one. Yet still, I go with honour, proud to serve my country and bring an enemy of the state to justice. Times are trying, and relations between our great Motherland and other nations are tested and toiled. To murder a Soviet citizen in cold blood? Intolerable. Gladly, I go to seek justice for the Teralov family and bring home yet more glory to my beloved Soviet Union. My thoughts now turn to my own daughter. I am always reminded when a life is lost, particularly one adored and loved by many. Of the profound effect and turmoil, the cause and effect create as it ripples throughout time and eternity. One can only imagine the pain you should endure through the loss of a child. Such suffering it does indeed invite, and I have witnessed it a thousand times over already in my life. Your father will be home soon, Anastacia.
05/02/25 — 12:12
I write these words now whilst journeying on horse and carriage. Peter’s brother accompanies me to visit their mother, Baroness Teralova. I have inspected Peter’s body, and indeed, there is no clear apparent cause of death. No sign of struggle, no puncture wound, no welting upon his skin. A murder of some sophistication, or so it would seem. At the present moment, I have one clear suspect in mind, although I have shared this theory with no one. Peter’s friend, known as Milos, had identified the body along with his mother yesterday and has since swiftly disappeared. His current whereabouts are unknown to the Prague locality, and I fear he has a hand in planning this diabolical incident. The young man I ride with appears sound enough, though, of his state of mind, I am not yet sure. He has clear faults and his sense of judgment is one to be of question, yet his heart appears pure. My presence here feels unwelcome. I sense the distrust and distance of the people around me, yet I will continue without complaint. I do what I must for my country, and my country wills me to solve this case and represent the best and good of our own people—even in the face of animosity or fear.
05/02/25 — 20:34
A troublesome light of new knowledge disturbs me greatly. The man that sits opposite me is a liar. I have boarded the train bound for Bratislava from Prague some few hours ago, and we are set in motion towards our destination. This case turns and winds into unspoken and forgotten tombs, reaching and pulling up deep roots, stagnant and unwilling to be pulled by any motion, forceful or not. I have learned the maid of the Teralov home was in love with the victim, Peter. A common occurrence, yet what disturbs me more is the notion that his brother, Juraj, was suspected of being in love with her. Jealously is a disastrous taint, a seed of evil planted with great intent of destruction and sabotage. Juraj arrived quickly at the scene, soon after I myself did. His insistence to accompany me was at best suspicious before, but now I find it most erroneous of my own judgement to have trusted him as closely as I have thus far. I question if the man sitting opposite me is not, in fact, the very killer I seek. I will lay down my pen now and confront this man with words. God help me, do not let it be him.
07/02/25 — 16:47
I have no time to explain it all—it is a ruse! An autopsy report was sent for my attention, but the timing is too soon. It could not possibly have arrived as quickly as it did to my location from Prague, so it was sent before I even arrived here. The cause of death is now known and it is clear to me now who is behind everything. I must make a phone call immediately—I must warn them all now!
Blood rushed to Juraj’s head. He felt faint and dizzy—what could this mean?
If Edgar had worked out who the killer was and meant to make a phone call, why would he simply run past Juraj and Milos if the call was to inform someone that Milos was indeed the killer? It did not add up.
The situation could only suggest that Milos was not the person who killed Peter. Edgar had someone else in mind, and that person was linked to the autopsy report. Furthermore, if that were true, it lent itself well to the fact that Milos did not kill Edgar, and so it meant someone else must have. But who?
How could the killer have been in both Bratislava and Prague at the same time? Juraj’s head spun from the controversy and revolution. And poor Milos!
What terrible fate had now been
