THE DETECTIVE QUESTIONS

Detective Adrien LaFleur's piercing gaze locked onto Emilia's, his eyes seeming to bore into her soul. "So, Mademoiselle Grayson, care to tell me about this?" He nodded towards the ornate box, still connected to the victim's wrist.

Emilia swallowed, trying to gather her thoughts. "I...I designed that box as a prototype for a new line of alarm clocks. It's a clockwork device that uses a unique mechanism to...to manipulate time, in a sense."

Adrien raised an eyebrow. "Manipulate time?"

Emilia hesitated, realizing how it sounded. "Not exactly...It's more like it can create a...a temporal anomaly. But it's not supposed to be lethal. I swear, I didn't know it would do this."

Lyra stepped forward, her voice low and melodious. "Perhaps, Detective, we should continue this conversation elsewhere? Emilia's workshop isn't exactly the most...private location."

Adrien's gaze flicked to Lyra, his expression unreadable. "And you are...?"

Lyra smiled, her eyes glinning. "Just a...concerned friend."

As they stepped into the nearby café, Emilia couldn't shake the feeling that she was in over her head. The coffee was bitter, the atmosphere thick with tension. The café's patrons cast curious glances their way, but Adrien's presence seemed to keep them at bay.

Adrien leaned forward. "Emilia, I need you to be honest with me. Did you create this device intentionally? Are you involved in this...whatever this is?"

Emilia's eyes widened. "No! I swear, I didn't know it would hurt anyone. I thought it was just a prototype, a experiment gone wrong..."

Lyra interrupted, her voice calm. "Perhaps it's time we explore the possibility that someone else is behind this, Detective. Someone who's trying to frame Emilia."

Adrien's gaze narrowed. "I'll look into it. But Emilia, you need to stay close. I may have more questions."

As they sipped their coffee, Emilia's mind whirled. Who could be behind this? And why? She thought back to her workshop, trying to recall any unusual interactions or strange occurrences.

Adrien's voice broke her thoughts. "Emilia, did you notice anything unusual about the victim?"

Emilia thought for a moment. "She...she had a small tattoo on her wrist. A symbol I didn't recognize."

Adrien's eyes narrowed. "A symbol? Can you describe it?"

Emilia closed her eyes, picturing the scene. "It was...it was a circle with a crescent moon inside. And a gear, like from a clockwork mechanism."

Adrien's expression turned grim. "The Mark of the Crimson Clock."

Lyra's eyes locked onto Emilia's. "It seems, Emilia, you're in deeper than you thought."

The café's clock ticked away, the sound echoing in Emilia's mind. She felt a sense of unease, like she was trapped in a web of intrigue.

Adrien leaned back, his eyes never leaving Emilia's face. "Tell me, Emilia, what do you know about the Crimson Clock?"

Emilia hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "I...I only know the legends. It's said to be an ancient device, one that controls time itself."

Lyra's voice was a whisper. "The Crimson Clock is real, Emilia. And it's calling to you."

Emilia's skin crawled. "What do you mean?"

Adrien's phone broke the tension, shrilling loudly. He answered, his expression growing grimmer. "We need to go. Another body has been found."

As they left the café, Emilia felt the city's shadows closing in. The Crimson Clock's influence seemed to be growing, pulling her deeper into its darkness.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***