//------------------------------// // Chapter 2 // Story: The Architect // by keithsterling //------------------------------// Its 1300 hrs Equestria Standard Time, the afternoon of that same day, Coltifornia Ranch-style home, Westcliff Neighborhood, City of New TrotPort beach, Coltifornia, Apple County, living room. It the afternoon of that same day as Lord Somnus Silverlight and his aunt senior Princess Luna Silverlight find themselves sitting in a bright and airy, wide-open living room with natural wood detail that is not overly dark. The floor-to-ceiling windows reveal a stunning view of the harbor and the Back Bay of New TrotPort beach. A sliding glass door can be open to the outside, allowing the salty sea air to travel through the whole home went the breeze is right. Standing by a heavily used vintage wooden drafting table covered with interior design blueprints and design supplies was charming looking pink earth pony mare with yellow and orange mane and tail. Her fit 5ft 9in equine figure was attired in a Royal blue short-sleeve embellished cape fit and flare dress. On her ten and two-third inch pink bare feet with lavender colored toenail polish were black heeled sandals with two and one-fourth heels. This Earth pony mare was Lady Goldie Amberlocks, the mother to Lawyer Ewing Amberlocks and retired interior designer from her Amberlocks design firm. "I can tell you, my lord and your highness, my son, is a good pony; he would never do what he is accused of. We needed nothing from that stallion, Mr. Shelby Trucker." Goldie said testily as she snorts loudly. "My late husband and I worked long, hard hours to give our foal a wonderful future. You, my lord, should understand that even those your mother is the co-ruler of Equestria. She still works to secure your future along with your aunt here." Goldie said firm as it causes Somnus to gasp out loud and sit down. "Indeed, Lady Amberlocks, my nephew, does understand that. But we came to talk to you about Mr. Trucker. Your son mentioned that you were going to marry him if your husband did not ask you first. And if you don't mine, went did your husband pass away." Luna asked as Goldie snorts, aggravated at the thought of marrying Mr. Trucker. "My husband pass away a few months ago, and to answer your question, your highness. Indeed, I was going to marry Mr. Trucker; I was so naïve in my youth. I thought Mr. Trucker was a good stallion, but the few design jobs I did for him change my mind quickly. I found that he was a callous and cruel pony. I couldn't believe I ever thought of marrying that stallion." Goldie said sourly as she snorted once again. "But still, Lady Amberlocks, Mr. Trucker was going to leave your son his fortune." Luna comments as Goldie's eyebrows shoot up in surprise. "I don't know why he would ever do that, your highness. Went I broke it off from him, he was none too happy about it and more so went I married his rival. Ewing's father was a magnificent stallion; he was there for his son and me. As I mentioned before, we have our own fortune; my son needs no other fortune." Goldie explains, walking over to a small wooden box on a shelf and opens the top to retrieve a small photo from the box. The picture was a small colored photograph of a young earth pony mare with a hole through the face from what looks like a knife and torn all most to the bottom of the picture. "That is a photo of me; your highness went I was younger," Goldie explains, handing the photo to Luna so she can look at it. "Mr. Trucker sent me that photo in that condition on my wedding day. So that why I wonder why he would ever do anything to help my son or even me." Goldie comment taking the photo back and put it back into the box. Its 1400 hrs Equestria Standard Time, that same day an hour later, Burn-out remains of Coltifornia bungalow, Crystal Cove Beach Neighborhood, City of New TrotPort beach, Coltifornia, Apple County. After finishing the interview with Lady Goldie Amberlocks at her home in the Westcliff neighborhood of New TrotPort beach Royal Investigator Somnus Silverlight and his Aunt Princess Luna Silverlight drive to the burn-out remains of the Coltifornia Bungalow in the Crystal Cove beach neighborhood. As Somnus pulls on a set of coveralls and changes his shoes to boots, he places a pair of gloves on his hands and put a hat on his head behind his horn before walking up to the bungalow. Waiting for him in front of the house was Police Detective Suzanna Lightly; like him, she was wearing coverall, boots, gloves, and a hat. She was also carrying a folded spade; as both ponies are unicorns, they need not worry about a flashlight, and they both know how to use a unicorn light spell before walking into the structure. Somnus pick-up a large metal box with all the other equipment for poking around in the house fire debris. At that same time, his aunt Princess Luna Silverlight begin talking to the neighbors living around the burned home look for photos and video of the fire. As they know that the fire was intentionally set to cover the so-called murder of Architect Shelby Trucker by accused Lawyer Ewing Amberlocks, what they find might clear Ewing of the crime. "I am going to assume this is where the body was found, Detective." Somnus comment as the two unicorns stood in the center of the home. "Because this looks like the point of origin for the fire," Somnus said, looking at the burn pattern on the ground. "That is correct, Somnus; this was Mr. Trucker's body was found," Suzanna said, self-assured as Somnus look at Suzanna, annoyed. "Has your Medical Examiner confirmed the burned body is, in fact, Architect Shelby Trucker," Somnus said, uncertain as Suzanna fixes Somnus with a level stare. "The body was to severely burn to be absolutely certain," Suzanna said testily as she snorts at Somnus. "Then till your Medical Examiner says it, Mr. Trucker body he has at his morgue. We can assume he might still be an alive detective." Somnus comments as Suzanna give Somnus a scorching look. "You are not going to let me one-up you are your highness," Suzanna said hotly, snorting once again. "I will give in went your Medical Examiner say it is Mr. Trucker body, not anytime sooner," Somnus comments as a spasm of irritation crossing Suzanna's face. That slowly begins to crack as her face grows haggard with worry that Somnus know something she does not know. Meanwhile, outside, Princess Luna Silverlight begins to talk with some of the neighbors around the burned home. Through the interviews with the neighbors, she was able to get that the house fire started about 8:30 pm and the fire department arrived soon after to put the fire out. Sometime after that, the police department came went the fire department was mopping up, and they found the burned body inside. She also learned that yes, two earth pony stallions were at the house at about 6:00 pm talking about something. But went one of the neighbors asked if the home would be sold, the older earth pony stallion chase him off. (Inside the burned-out home) "Detective, was the home finished?" Somnus inquiry as he was looking at some charred lumber in one corner of the room. "Why do you ask?" Suzanna inquiry walking over to Somnus. "Because this pile of lumber looks to be brand new, their no nail holes in the wood. Plus, this lumber is of low quality. Not the type of lumber you would use in a new home that was built brand new." Somnus explains as Suzanna looks at the lumber. "Well, your highness, not everyone can afford the high-quality building supplies you can purchase being of royal blood," Suzanna said bluntly as Somnus ignored the comment from Suzanna. "What I mean, detective, if this home was finished, you would not need to purchase more building supplies and much less cheap building supplies," Somnus explains as Suzanna gasps with the idea. "Who told you this home was finished?" Somnus inquiry as Suzanna thought for a little while. "The Housekeeper Miss Milkweed told us the home was finished," Suzanna explains as a troubled look appears on Somnus face. "Besides what the housekeeper told you, detective. If let us say that Mr. Trucker is alive, why go through all this trouble?" Somnus posed the question to Suzanna. "If Mr. Trucker is alive, that is an excellent question, your highness? Should I dig deeper into Mr. Trucker's background?" Suzanna inquiry as Somnus smiled. "You know that I am not going to tell your job, detective." Somnus comment as the two unicorns left the house.