Unable to endure his wife’s funeral, the man hurried away early from the cemetery…

And why did relatives insist so persistently on burial at this cemetery, not where Olivia’s parents rested? And another oddity: why no one from relatives suggested right after funeral to review Grandpa Nicholas’s will content. Usually inheritance matters are settled as soon as possible, especially with serious sums. But here everyone tactfully stayed silent, as if it was indecent.

The more Alex analyzed what happened, the more questions arose. And all pointed to one horrifying conclusion—his wife was betrayed by the closest people. Those she trusted all her life, loved and considered family.

Morning Alex arrived at Brian Peterson’s private detective agency «Wheel» office. Agency in an old brick building in the historic city center, second floor. Modest office of three rooms: reception, work cabinet, conference.

But Brian worked honestly and professionally, earning excellent reputation among colleagues and clients. «Tell it all again from the start,» Brian said, turning on a digital recorder and opening a thick notebook. «And don’t skip any details, even the most insignificant at first glance.

In detective work, key clues often hide in trifles.» Alex retold the whole story in detail, starting from Olivia’s trip to Grandpa Nicholas’s funeral in Riverton. He tried to recall every detail: what relatives said, how they behaved, what questions they asked, if anything suspicious in their conduct.

Brian listened attentively, made detailed notes, sometimes asked clarifying questions. «So, accident Monday late evening,» he summarized when Alex finished. «Body shown Tuesday morning, funeral already Thursday.

Very fast for such a major event, especially with interstate transport.» «Mary explained it by hot weather, can’t delay burial. And relatives came from different cities, can’t hold them long.

Understand?» «And about Grandpa Nicholas’s will? Anyone seen it or knows details?» «So far no one openly said need to read it. Mary said not the time for inheritance talk, wait for the wake.» «Very noble position.

Alex, I need quality photos of Olivia. Large portraits where face features clear. And her full medical records if you have.

Medical records I have.» Alex pulled out a folder with docs. «Photos?» He pulled out his phone.

«Here, latest shots—took two months ago at friends’ cabin.» Brian studied photos on smartphone screen carefully. «Very beautiful woman.

Any special marks? Moles, scars, tattoos, something for error-free ID.» «Mole on left shoulder, quite noticeable. Scar on right knee from childhood injury—fell off bike, stitched at ER.

And small tattoo on left wrist—butterfly, done in college years.» «Excellent. These marks enough for precise ID.

Now our action plan.» «I head to city morgue, check who and when brought in, who handled doc formatting.» «You meanwhile gather max detailed info on all Olivia’s relatives: where work, incomes, debts, loans, serious financial problems.»

«And what about the hospital where Olivia lies?» «Absolutely nothing for now. Too risky to show up extra. If exposed prematurely, they might rush transfer your wife to another facility.

Or take more radical measures.» Alex knew Brian was absolutely right. Had to act maximally cautious and thought out.

«One more important condition,» Brian added. «You must behave completely naturally. You’re a grief-stricken widower slowly trying to return to normal life.

No suspicious questions to relatives, no oddities in behavior. Got it?» «Got it and remembered.» «And just in case, try not to stay home alone long, especially evenings.

If my suspicions true, they might try to eliminate you too. After all, you may have legal rights to part of inheritance as Olivia’s spouse. You haven’t seen the will yourself, maybe you’re in it too.»

«I’ll be extremely careful,» Alex promised. «And memorize my cell number. If anything happens, call immediately, any time day or night.

Don’t hesitate.» Brian Peterson was a very experienced detective with 20-year law enforcement career. Over years he built many useful connections now actively helping his private practice.

At city morgue he was well known and trusted; he’d helped multiple times in complex cases identifying deceased. «Brian Peterson.» Genuinely glad was pathologist Elijah Frederick, seeing the detective in his small office.

«What brings you? What mysterious case?» «Investigating one very tricky case, Elijah. Need detailed info on woman brought last week. Thompson Olivia, 32, died in car crash.»

«Ah, remember that case well. Really strange and unusual story. Usually after such serious crashes with fire, deceased look completely different.

But this woman looked like she peacefully fell asleep.» «Explain more, what you mean.» «Well, you know, they called ahead saying bringing victim of terrible accident.

And when I looked at the body, surprised—face almost intact, just very pale and slightly sooty. No burns even.» «And what did you think, asked those who brought the body.»

«They hemmed, said drove from far, maybe mixed up with another accident description or exaggerated damage severity.» «And who exactly brought the body to morgue?» «Two middle-aged men. Introduced as relatives of deceased.

Docs seemed in order, official death cert with hospital stamp.» «Very rushed, said need to format everything fast and organize funeral.» «Relatives brought body personally.

Not through official morgue of county hospital and not special vehicle.» «Through regular minivan.» «Explained by huge queue at county morgue for formatting, and they need urgently.

Even paid extra significant sum for expedited.» Brian frowned. This violated all procedures and was highly suspicious.

Bodies from other states usually transported only through official channels with many formalities. «Elijah, can study docs on this woman carefully.» «Strictly speaking, confidential info, access limited.

But for you, Brian, exception.» Elijah Frederick opened metal safe and pulled thick folder. «Here’s all documentation. Death cert from central hospital in Riverton.

Chief doctor’s signature, official stamp, looks legal externally.» Brian examined all docs thoroughly. Formally formatted correctly, but content too many general phrases and not enough specific medical details…

«And who conducted identification procedure?» «Recorded in log as deceased’s spouse, per docs. But I wasn’t on identification. I wasn’t working that day.»

«Understand?» «And what happened to body after formatting?» «Buried three days later at North Cemetery.» Brian took several photos of docs on his phone for further analysis. «Elijah, and in same period, Monday-Tuesday, anyone else brought? Women about same age.»

Pathologist carefully flipped registration log. «Yes, another young woman, about thirty. Unknown, no docs.

Found her in abandoned basement on city outskirts. Cause of death—acute heart failure on chronic alcoholism background.» «When exactly discovered?» «Sunday late evening by patrol officer during rounds.

And brought to us Monday morning.» Brian felt pieces of sinister puzzle starting to fit. Sunday—Olivia’s departure day to Riverton…