"So, you heard a loud noise," Marius said.

"Yes," Professor Laurie said while rubbing her robe with her hand. Marius noticed she was touching the spot where she hid the trinket.

"How did you get inside?" Elsa said.

"I have a key. I usually check on his house when he was on vacation." The professor fidgeted with her hands. "Are you sure you do not want any coffee?"

Marius smiled. "Sure."

Elsa nodded. They watched as Professor Laurie grabbed her mug and walked out of the room.

Elsa whispered, "She is hiding something."

"I know. But we need to be careful. She is fragile and might shut down."

Professor Laurie came back holding a white wooden tray with three cups, a tea pot, a cream dispenser, a sugar container and several spoons.

"Help yourself," the Professor said.

When they were finished pouring coffee in their cups, Marius sat back holding his mug. He sipped his beverage and found it was smooth and sweet.

Elsa said, "We know you and the late Professor Julius were working on something."

"Yes, we were associates."

"You were more than associates."

Professor Laurie looked away from them. "How did you find out?"

"It does not matter. What was your relationship?"

"We were just friends at first but when we started to work on outside projects. We became more."

"You are married?"

"Yes. He does not know. He is always out on business. He sells magical charmed merchandise from the Far East."

"Where is he now?"

"He is traveling."

"Professor what were you working on?"

"It's complicated."

"Please tell us. This can help with our investigation."

She paused and said, "This device can revolutionize the use of magic as it was now being used."

"Can this device exploded by mistake?"

"No, it was not completed and not filled with magical energies."

"So, who will kill him if this device works?

"Well," she said, "I think the technologist for one or anybody who uses dylithic crystals."

"What does this device do?"

"It creates a magical sustainable energy for a year."

Marius understood if this device works, it will change everything. Dylithic crystals only last for several weeks, maybe a month. And everything uses these crystals from lights to the power in homes.

"Who knows about this?"

"Myself and maybe the Professors Julius's grad student, Lawrence. We have kept this to ourselves and not told anybody else."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, but it does not matter. The device does not work."

"It does not work?"

"Yes, it was a total failure."

"So, as you stated before, this device could not have exploded."

"Yes, because it did not work. Professor Julius was depressed about the whole thing."

"Ok," Marius did not see the connection with his partner's shooting. He said, "Do you know Dr. Malovorian?"

"Yes, she is a technologist. A rather brilliant inventor of the dylithic crystal. Professor Julius used to talk to her a lot."

Marius noticed Professor Laurie looked jealous when she talked about Dr. Malovorian.

"Did she know about your project?"

"No, I don't think so."

"Was Professor Julius involved with her?" Elsa said.

Professor Laurie looked away. Marius saw her grimace in pain. She said, "No, I don't think so."

Elsa said, "Is there a possibility that those two were more than friends?"

Professor Laurie said in low tones. "They hated each other. There is no way they would be together. Dr. Malovorian is too young and inexperienced for man such as Julius."

Marius needed to stop this line of questioning before she will close up and not tell them anything.

He said, "Sorry, if we are insinuating anything of the sorts. But murder is nasty business and we have to ask these questions."

Professor Laurie stood. "Can we talk later? I don't feel well."

"Sure."

They both stood. He hardly touched his coffee and wanted more, but he inclined his head. Professor Laurie walked them to the door.

Marius said, "If you think of anything else pertinent, please give me a call." He handed her his card.

• • •

They walked back to the hansom mobile. Marius mind was thinking about the information they just got and wondered if this was a murder case or an accident.

Elsa said, "I know what she was hiding in her hand."

"Really, I did not see it."

"I can only guess but I think she was clutching a locket with a picture of the late Professor Julius. I saw a silver chain before she placed it in her pocket."

"That could be true. However, at this point, she could be our number one suspect. We need to find out more about Professor Julius and about Professor Laurie."

Inside the car, Detective Elsa said, "We should go back to headquarters. I'm waiting for a call."

As they drove away, the teacher, Beatrice, who guided them to Professor Laurie's home, flagged them to stop. Elsa moved the car to the curb. Beatrice went to his side. He opened his window.

"Detective," Beatrice said, "I just remembered I thought I saw a man running from Professor's Julius home last night."

He said, "Did you see his face?"

"No."

"What time was that?"

"Around 10 o'clock at night. I was grading papers in my office."

"Was he tall or short?"

"I really cannot tell. It was dark. We can maybe talk about it over lunch?"

Elsa said, "I have some plans. Marius, why don't you go with her?"

He wanted to politely say no to Beatrice, but he looked at her. "Ok, I don't have my automobile,"

"I have my hansom mobile."

Marius gave Elsa a look and opened the door.

Elsa said, "I will see you at HQ."

He nodded and she drove away. Marius was aware Beatrice was staring at him in a curious way.

"What is wrong?" He said.

"You don't look like a policeman."

"I assure you I am a detective," he said while staring away from her, "So, where do you want to get some food?"

"Follow me. We need to get away from her." Her gaze moved around the campus.