As Chief Stewart excused himself to check on Detective James's progress, Inspector Reed turned his attention to Jessica, whom he had welcomed into the lounge. With a polite nod, he gestured for her to take a seat, his expression calm but attentive.

"Thank you for joining me, Jessica," Reed began, his tone gentle as he prepared to delve into their conversation. "I understand that this must be a difficult time for you, but I'm hoping you can provide us with some insight into the events leading up to Spencer Leaf's murder."

Jessica's demeanor shifted slightly at Reed's words, her posture becoming defensive as she crossed her arms over her chest. "I've already told you everything I know," she insisted, her voice tinged with frustration. "I was just as shocked as anyone to learn of Spencer's death."

Reed studied Jessica carefully, noting the tension in her stance and the guardedness in her expression. It was clear she was hiding something, and he knew that getting to the truth would require a delicate approach.

"I understand that this is a difficult situation," Reed said, his tone soothing as he attempted to put Jessica at ease. "But we're simply trying to gather all the facts so that we can piece together what happened. Any information you can provide, no matter how small, could be helpful in our investigation."

Jessica hesitated for a moment, her gaze flickering uncertainly as she weighed her options. Finally, with a resigned sigh, she relented, her defenses beginning to crumble.

"I-I don't know if it's relevant, but..." Jessica began, her voice trailing off as she struggled to find the right words. "I did notice something strange the night of Spencer's murder. I saw someone lurking near the study window, but I didn't get a good look at their face."

Jessica's revelation piqued Reed's interest, causing his mind to race with possibilities. "Can you describe what you saw?" he asked, his voice eager as he leaned forward slightly.

Jessica shook her head, her expression troubled. "It was dark, and they were wearing a hooded jacket," she explained, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "I couldn't see much, but they seemed to be fidgeting with something."

Intrigued by Jessica's revelation, Inspector Reed leaned in slightly, his gaze focused intently on her as he probed for more details.

"And what happened after you saw this person near the study window?" Reed inquired, his tone gentle but insistent.

Jessica hesitated for a moment, her brow furrowing in thought as she searched her memory for the answer. "Honestly, I didn't think much of it at the time," she admitted, her voice tinged with regret. "I just assumed it was one of the staff or perhaps a guest who had stepped out for some air. I didn't want to make a fuss, so I just went to bed."

"Thank you for being forthcoming, Jessica," Reed acknowledged, his tone sincere as he expressed his gratitude. "Your cooperation is invaluable to our investigation."

Jessica nodded in acknowledgment, a faint smile touching her lips. "Of course, Inspector," she replied, her voice tinged with sincerity. "I just want to help in any way I can."

With that, Reed shifted the focus of their conversation, his keen eyes fixing on Jessica as he broached a new line of inquiry.

"Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to ask you a few questions about your relationship with Alexander," Reed continued, his tone gentle but insistent. "Can you tell me how you two met and how long you've been together?"

Jessica's demeanor shifted slightly at Reed's question, a soft blush rising to her cheeks as she recalled fond memories. "Well, Alex and I met a few years ago through mutual friends," she began, her voice warm with affection. "We hit it off right away, and we've been together ever since. He's... he's really special to me."

Reed nodded thoughtfully, absorbing Jessica's words as he considered their significance. As Inspector Reed continued to delve into Jessica's relationship with Alexander, he couldn't shake the nagging suspicion that there might be more to their dynamic than met the eye. With a furrowed brow, he prodded further, his tone gentle but probing.

"Was Alexander with you in your room when you returned to the mansion that evening?" Reed inquired, his gaze fixed intently on Jessica.

Jessica hesitated for a moment, her expression shifting slightly as she considered her response. "Actually, no," she admitted, her tone tinged with uncertainty. "We're not sharing a room at the mansion. He has his own quarters."

Jessica's admission immediately piqued Reed's suspicions, his mind racing with possibilities as he connected the dots. It seemed that his intuition from breakfast, when Alexander had inquired about Jessica's sleep, had been validated.

"Do you mind if I ask, why? After two years, I would assume sharing of a room has become common," the inspector prodded.

Jessica hesitated for a moment, her gaze flickering uncertainly as she searched for the right words. "It was actually Alexander's idea," she admitted, her voice tinged with regret. "He thought that being home might be stressful for him, and he didn't want to ruin my weekend by being restless or irritable."

Reed nodded thoughtfully, absorbing Jessica's explanation as he considered its implications. While Alexander's concern for Jessica's well-being seemed genuine, there was still a lingering sense of unease in the air, as if Jessica were holding something back.

"Thank you for sharing that with me, Jessica," Reed said, his tone measured as he expressed his gratitude. "But I can't help but feel that there might be more to the story. Is there something else you're not telling me?"

Jessica's expression shifted slightly at Reed's question, a flicker of uncertainty crossing her features. "No, Inspector, I've told you everything," she insisted, her voice tinged with defensiveness. "I just want to help find out what happened to Spencer."

Reed studied Jessica carefully, noting the tension in her posture and the guardedness in her expression. It was clear that there was more to her story than she was letting on, and he was determined to uncover the truth, no matter what obstacles stood in his way. With each new revelation, the mystery of Spencer Leaf's murder grew more complex, and Reed was more determined than ever to solve the case and bring the perpetrator to justice.

"Thank you for clarifying, Jessica," Reed said, his tone measured as he expressed his gratitude. "Your honesty is greatly appreciated."

As Jessica nodded in acknowledgment, a flicker of uncertainty crossed her features, and Reed couldn't help but wonder what other secrets might lurk beneath the surface of her seemingly idyllic relationship with Alexander.

With this new information from Jessica, Inspector Reed decided to take his own stroll past the study window. As Inspector Reed made his way past the window, his keen eyes scanning the surroundings for any clues that might shed light on Spencer Leaf's murder, he couldn't help but notice that something seemed amiss. The garden outside the window, which he remembered seeing in disarray during his initial investigation of the crime scene, now appeared pristine and meticulously maintained.

Curious, Reed stepped closer to the window, his brow furrowing in concentration as he surveyed the garden. It was clear that the once-tangled undergrowth had been freshly raked and tidied, obscuring any evidence that may have once existed. As Reed realized that any potential clues in the garden had been deliberately concealed and erased, a sense of frustration welled up within him. It seemed that someone was determined to cover their tracks and prevent the truth from being uncovered. With a sigh, Reed made a mental note to revisit the garden later, determined to search for any overlooked details that might provide insight into Spencer Leaf's murder.

Still reeling from the discovery of the freshly raked garden, Inspector Reed emerged from the brush beneath the study window and was startled to come face to face with Edmond. The renowned social media consultant seemed just as surprised as Reed by their unexpected encounter, and for a moment, they stood there, regarding each other with a mixture of curiosity and wariness.

"Inspector Reed," Edmond greeted, his tone polite but guarded. "I wasn't expecting to see you here."

Reed nodded in acknowledgment, his mind racing with questions as he considered the implications of running into Edmond in this secluded corner of the mansion's grounds. "Mr. Grant," he replied evenly. "What brings you to this part of the estate?"

Edmond hesitated for a moment, his gaze flickering uncertainly as he searched for the right words. "I was just... taking a stroll," he offered vaguely, his tone carefully neutral.

Reed studied Edmond carefully, noting the tension in his stance and the guardedness in his expression. It was clear that there was more to Edmond's presence here than met the eye, and Reed couldn't shake the feeling that he might be hiding something.

"I see," Reed said, his tone measured as he expressed his skepticism. "Well, if you'll excuse me, Mr. Grant, I have some further investigations to attend to."

As Inspector Reed turned to leave, Edmond's voice halted him in his tracks. The tension in the air was palpable as Edmond stepped forward, his expression grave.

"Wait, Inspector Reed," Edmond called out, his voice tinged with urgency. "There's something I need to tell you."

Reed paused, turning back to face Edmond, his curiosity piqued by the sudden shift in demeanor. "What is it, Mr. Grant?" he inquired, his tone serious.

Edmond took a deep breath, steeling himself before he spoke. "I overheard an argument between Spencer and Elizabeth the day before... before he died," he began, his voice faltering slightly as he recalled the memory. "They were in the study, and their voices were raised. I couldn't make out all the details, but it sounded heated."

Edmond's revelation immediately piqued Reed's interest, and he leaned in closer, his eyes intent on Edmond's face. "What were they arguing about?" he pressed, his voice urgent.

Edmond shook his head, his expression troubled. "I'm not sure," he admitted. "But it sounded like they were... disagreeing about something important. It's been weighing on me ever since I heard it."

Reed absorbed Edmond's words, his mind racing with possibilities as he considered the implications of this new information. If Spencer and Elizabeth had been arguing shortly before his death, it could provide a crucial clue to unraveling the mystery of his murder.

"Thank you, Mr. Grant," Reed said, his tone sincere as he expressed his gratitude. "Your insight into the events leading up to Spencer's death could prove invaluable to our investigation."

With that, Reed turned to leave once more, his thoughts consumed by the new lead that Edmond had provided.

As Inspector Reed returned to the study where Detective James and Chief Stewart were waiting, his mind buzzed with the new information provided by Edmond Grant. He found James and Stewart huddled over a stack of papers, their expressions focused as they pored over the results of their investigations.

"James, Stewart," Reed greeted, his tone brisk as he joined them at the table. "What have you found?"

Detective James glanced up, his brow furrowed in concentration. "We've been digging into the backgrounds of the guests, trying to uncover any connections to Spencer or potential motives for his murder," he explained, shuffling through the papers before him.

Chief Stewart nodded in agreement, his gaze serious. "So far, we have found nothing conclusive," he added. "But we did uncover a few interesting details."

Reed leaned in closer, his interest piqued by their findings. "Such as?" he prompted, eager to hear what they had discovered.

James cleared his throat, flipping through his notes before speaking. "Well, we ran background checks on everyone who attended the dinner last night," he began. "Nothing significant yet," he admitted. "But we're still digging. We'll let you know if we find anything else."

Reed nodded in acknowledgment, his mind already racing with possibilities as he processed the information provided by James and Stewart.

As Inspector Reed settled into one of the plush leather chairs of the study, his mind felt scattered, the weight of the investigation pressing heavily upon him. His brow furrowed, deep lines etching themselves across his forehead as his fingers tapped nervously on the armrest. The room, adorned with elegant bookshelves and dimly lit by a grand chandelier, seemed to close in on him, the walls narrowing with each passing moment. Beads of sweat formed on his temples, evidence of the mounting pressure that threatened to consume him.

Inspector Reed took a deep breath, attempting to steady his racing heart, but the air felt thick and suffocating. The weight of the investigation bore down on him like a heavy cloak, constricting his chest and making it difficult to find solace in the opulent surroundings. The leather chair, usually a symbol of comfort and relaxation, now felt like a prison, trapping him in a whirlwind of thoughts and uncertainties.

His mind, once sharp and focused, now felt fragmented, like a jigsaw puzzle with missing pieces. The details of the case swirled in his head, a tangled mess of clues, alibis, and potential suspects. Each piece of information added to the weight on his shoulders, threatening to topple him under its burden.

Inspector Reed glanced at the clock on the wall, its steady ticking echoing in his ears, a constant reminder of the passing time. Time, the one commodity he desperately needed, seemed to slip through his fingers like sand. Every second that ticked by without progress was a reminder of his own inadequacy, intensifying the pressure that bore down on him.

He closed his eyes, attempting to find respite from the chaos within. But even in the darkness, the images of the crime scene danced before him, haunting his thoughts. The bloodstained room, the shattered glass, and the lifeless body of the victim replayed like a macabre film, each scene etching itself deeper into his consciousness.

Inspector Reed knew he had to regain control. He had to piece together the fragments of his scattered mind, find the missing links, and bring justice to those affected by the crime. With a renewed determination, he straightened his posture, his fingers gripping the armrest with newfound resolve.

He watched as Chief Stewart and Detective James murmured to each other, their voices a distant hum in the background. Pulling out his crossword puzzle, Reed's eyes scanned over the clues, his thoughts drifting aimlessly as he tried to focus on the task at hand. But his mind kept wandering back to the case, the pieces of the puzzle eluding his grasp.

Frustrated, Reed's gaze fell upon the name "McCloskey" on the crossword puzzle. Suddenly, a revelation struck him like a bolt of lightning, and he felt a surge of excitement course through him.

"M-c-l-o-s-k-e-y," Reed mumbled to himself, his voice barely audible as he contemplated the letters. "It's not what is there, but what is missing."

With a sense of clarity dawning upon him, Reed's eyes widened in realization. The missing piece of the puzzle suddenly fell into place, and he knew exactly what he needed to do next.

Turning to Stewart and James, Reed's voice cut through the room with a newfound urgency. "Gentlemen," he began, his tone commanding attention. "I think I've just uncovered a crucial piece of the puzzle. I need you to check Spencer Leaf's holdings."

Stewart and James exchanged a puzzled glance, but Reed's conviction was unmistakable. Without hesitation, they rose from their seats, ready to follow Reed's lead as they embarked on the next phase of their investigation.

With a renewed sense of determination, Inspector Reed led the way out of the study, his mind buzzing with anticipation. He knew they were one step closer to unraveling the mystery of Spencer Leaf's murder, and he was more determined than ever to see it through to the end.