Part 4/8:
The detective work reveals a complex web: Lolita had recently withdrawn $10,000 from her bank account, hinting at possible financial motives; her relationships with various characters, including the ambitious Mr. Rogers and the jealous stagehands, are scrutinized. Evidence like a torn picture of her mother, found in a prop room, and a book of bank records push the story toward greed, jealousy, and blackmail.
A key breakthrough comes when Dixie, with her sharp instinct, notices inconsistencies—such as a suspicious nail file and a bloody wax seal—leading to the realization that the crime might involve more than one perpetrator. The detectives deduce that the murderer was impatient, poisoning Lolita to hasten her death, indicating premeditation.