Nova Direct Examination (Prosecution)

Good morning/afternoon, can you please state your full name for the court.

My name is Blaise Brow—sorry, Brown was my maiden name. I miss the alliteration. Blaise Nova. Mrs. Nova, if you want to be formal about it.

And are you married Mrs. Nova?

Happily! My wife Alex and I have three beautiful children together.

What do you do for a living?

Well, I’m a real estate agent by trade, but I occasionally dabble in property management—which is why I’m here!

I’d like to focus on a specific complex you had managed named Ivy Lane. When did you originally get involved with this property?

I started in January 2022. My friend Cherry asked me to fill in for her as business manager so she could pursue her dreams. I couldn’t very well say no to that. Unfortunately that didn’t really work out too well, so Cherry’s back at Ivy Lane.

What responsibilities did the position entail?

It was quite simple, really; I rented empty units to new tenants and coordinated cleanup and renovations of newly vacant units. Anything to do with maintenance requests went to RP—sorry, Riley Poole. Couldn’t have done it without him.

Mrs. Nova, could you describe Ivy Lane further?

Sure! It’s a multi-residence complex with a mix of condos and apartments—probably about half and half.

In your experience as a property manager was this a typical complex?

It was pretty normal for a multi resident complex, but there was one thing I found weird—people often paid their rent in cash. I even called Cherry to make sure that was okay, and she said it was normal for short term rentals.

Another thing—there are no cameras in any public areas which I also thought was really strange.

Was the building secure then?

Yes the building was very secure. In order to even enter the lobby you had to use a key fob

You mentioned a key fob – could you ela

Of course. Every tenant has a unique key fob that they can use to get into their unit. They can have extra key fobs made but it costs extra.

Once the lease ends, all keys are turned off and can’t get you into any of the buildings.

I’d now like to talk about a unit within Ivy Lane.  Do you remember unit 322?

Yes, very well. It was empty most of my time at Ivy Lane. There were lots of stories online about a previous tenant—darker stories, I’ll put it that way—and, well…no one wanted to rent a haunted unit..

Would you recognize a copy of this floor plan if I showed it to you today?

Yes

Your Honor may I approach opposing counsel with what has been previously marked as exhibit 8

And may I approach the witness with the same

And would your honor like a courtesy copy of this exhibit?

Now Mrs. Nova what is this document?

This is the floorplan for Unit 322

Is this a fair and accurate copy?

Yes it is.

Mrs. Nova, can you walk through  the layout of unit 322?

It’s such a beautiful unit, I thought it was such a shame no one wanted it! Open concept floor plan, full kitchen, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, gorgeous floor to ceiling walls with a view of the skyline including Miller Tower. It’s a top floor corner unit next to the emergency stairs. There’s a washer and dryer in the unit.

Really fantastic space. It was just that nobody wanted it. We just couldn’t manage to rent it out until August 9th of 2022.

When were you able to get the unit rented?

Well, on August 9th someone called asking for a unit.

Was the buyer looking for anything specific?

Yes, tons of rooms, a corner unit if possible, full kitchen and laundry, view of the downtown area and close access to a fire exit.

They were perfectly describing 322, I couldn’t believe it.

Diving into the sale itself, when did the potential buyer come to view the unit?

The buyer, who introduced themself as Memphis Raynes, came at one that same day they called—August 9th.

And how was Mx. Raynes' demeanor?

They weren’t very talkative. Most of the time I try to have a chat with potential buyers so they know I’m not only trying to sell to them, but he didn’t seem up for conversation at all. In fact they said something about wanting to move along because they had other places to be, so I just took them to the unit straight away.

Once you took Mr. Raynes to unit 322, did it seem as if you were going to make the sale?

I wasn’t really sure, to tell you the truth. They seemed pretty unimpressed with the place, but they did ask if anyone lived in the neighboring units.

And were there tenants occupying the neighboring units?

Only the Lampers next door, yeah. They’re a lovely couple—both of them are hearing and sight impaired, poor dears.

The other unit was under renovation at the time. The buyer just smiled and told me he’d be long gone by then. After that he went into the hallway to take a call

Did you accompany Mr. Raynes to take the call or did you stay behind?

I stayed behind but the walls are rather thin, so I caught bits and pieces. He was essentially discussing the unit itself with someone else.

I heard him talk about the unit with someone and confirm some of the things we talked about—neighbors, fire exit, that sort of thing.

Once they returned, did you sell the unit?

Well before I could I had to disclose the, um, murder. But he didn’t seem bothered by it at all. Took the unit right then and there.

Was there any other purchases made in addition the apartment?

He asked for five sets of keys, which I thought was odd but he suddenly snapped at me. I felt like he didn’t want me to ask anymore questions, so I just went on making the keys.

Did this affect your sale of the unit?

No, he apologized right after and weirdly questioned my trust. It didn’t affect the sale but it definitely put me off a little

Your Honor, at this time I would like to refer to what has previously been marked as Exhibit 12 for identification. May the record reflect that I am approaching opposing counsel with a copy of this document.

Could you please identify this document for the court?

This is the Midlands Lease Agreement for Unit 322

Is this a fair and accurate representation of this document?

Yes, it is.

Your Honor, at this time I would like to enter Exhibit 12 into evidence. May I approach the bench with a copy for your convenience?

Mrs. Nova, within this document who is named the Tenant?

Memphis Raynes

I’d now like to draw attention to page eight, at the bottom can you read the name signed next to “tenants signature”?

Memphis Raynes

Your Honor may I approach the witness to retrieve exhibit 12?

Once the agreement was signed, when was the payment made?

Payment was made the next day—the entire stay was paid in cash in a duffle bag. Once I got the cash I gave them the 5 key fobs, which I color coded for convenience. They were green, blue, purple, red, and grey.

Would you be able to recognize these key fobs if I showed you them here today in court?

Yes I would.

Your Honor, at this time I would like to refer to what has previously been marked as Exhibits 9,10, and 11 for identification. 

May the record reflect that I am approaching opposing counsel with a copy of this document.

Mrs. Nova what are these pictures of?

The purple, blue, and red key fobs I had given to Mr. Raynes when he purchased unit 322.

And are these fair and accurate copies?

Yes, they are

Your Honor, at this time I would like to enter Exhibits 9,10, and 11 into evidence. May I approach the bench with a copy for your convenience?

Did Memphis use any of the keys you see before you today.

Yeah, he used the purple key.

Thank you Mrs. Nova.  

After the transaction, what had happened?

He thanked me for my discretion and gave me an extra 500 dollars for the time.

Mrs. Nova, when was the next time you interacted with Mr. Rayes?

Late August of that same year. I remember seeing him with two other people. I tried to say hello but they were in a rush—I never caught the other two’s names.

Over the next several months, what did you observe of Mr. Rayes’s behavior at Ivy Lane?

I saw him and the others going in and out of Ivy Lane, mostly at night. But I was only ever around at night after I had dinner with the family. I was really happy to see that the color coded key fobs were coming in handy.

Can you recount the color of the key fobs you saw being used?

I saw green a lot, I saw grey—I never learned their name, so I just started referring to them as the color of their fobs. To myself, of course. And Memphis has purple.

I’d like to focus on the month of September, about how many times a week would Mr. Raynes frequent Ivy Lane?

About three times a week? I’d see Memphis and the other two on my breaks when I’d walk around the complex.

Would you ever interact with Memphis and his guests during these walks?

No, but they weren’t exactly the quietest group of people. I’d pick up on some of their conversations.

I’d now like to focus on October 2022, how often would see Mr. Raynes and his guests?

I started seeing them quite a lot in October! It seemed as if all three of them were actually living in the apartment together. Oh! I also saw a fourth person show up—they had the blue keyfob. I called them blue.

Did you ever interact with this fourth person?

Yes, actually! I asked if they were here for Unit 322 and they got a little spooked. We had a brief conversation thereafter but I got the sense they were in a hurry.

Mrs. Nova, outside of Mr. Raynes and his guests, were there any other new faces you saw at Ivy Lane?

Yes, there was. In late September, I was working at Ivy Lane during the day for once. I was waiting to show a unit when I saw De La Porta at a coffee shop next door. I recognize him, of course—he’s a mega millionaire! And he’s super well-known. Owner of MSIG, huge investor in disruptive new technologies. I couldn’t believe it, to tell you the truth.

Did you have an interaction with Mx. DeLa Porta?

Yes, I did! It’s not every day you see a celebrity out in real life! I approached them about this product idea I had—I’ll spare you the details, but it seemed right up their alley. They seemed a little on edge, but they said it sounded great, gave me a business card, and told me to send them an email!

Was the end of your interaction with Mx. De La Porta

Yes, however as they walked away I noticed something strange.

What did you see?

Well, they were walking back to Ivy Lane, where they’re surely not a resident so I was a bit confused.

Did you ever see Mx. De La Porta again?

Yes, on October 14th, 2022. I had seen them again at Ivy Lane and had asked them what they were doing there.

How did Mx. De La Porta respond?

They seemed kinda surprised by the question but had said that they were here to talk about my new product idea. Before I could though,  my wife had called and said that one of our kids ate a crayon and to meet her at the ER.

Did you leave then?

Yes, however I had to turn around because I forgot my keys and that's when I saw Mx. De la Porta swipe into the elevator.

Do you know what Mx. De la Porta swiped in with?

I can’t say for sure what it was, but when he swiped I swore I saw a flash of red, which was so odd considering Memphis was the only tenant I had given a red key fob to. I was also confused because no matter what it was, you have to have a keyfob to get into Ivy Lane.

Mrs. Nova, I’d now like to focus on the night in question, October 31st. Where were you that evening?

Well Alex and I were running our annual Haunted House but then I got a call from a tenant for a noise complaint so I went to Ivy Lane to resolve the issue.

Once you arrived at Ivy Lane, what did you do?

Well I went to go see what the problem was, however I had to take the stairs, I was Marie Antoinette and there was no way my hoopskirt was going to fit in the elevator, and right as I gotten into the stairwell that's when I heard the elevator ding and then heavy footsteps.

After you heard these heavy footsteps and the elevator ding, how did you respond?

Well I stayed behind the door and watched.

What did you see Mrs. Nova?

Well it was a bit dark so it was hard to really see anything but I saw what looked like two people helping to carry a third toward unit 322. However I could hear their voices very well.

What did you hear?

It sounded like they were making a phone call and when the person picked up I was a bit shocked because it sounded like Mx. De La Porta.

Why did you think it was Mx. De La Porta?

I mean I’ve had multiple conversations with them so I know what their voice sounds like.

What did Mx. De La Porta say?

Something about how they weren’t supposed to be contacted until at least 24 hours afterwards, there was some mumbling but then they said “well, are the packages secure? You idiots seem to have blown the job, leaving blood everywhere, did you at least get what I asked for?”

Was this all you heard?

Yes, quickly after Mx. De La Porta finished, the group disappeared into unit 322.

Was this the last time you heard from Mx. De La Porta?

Yeah, after that night I never saw or heard him again. The same goes for Memphis, Grey, Green and Blue. When I went to check the unit a week later everything was completely gone and cleaned out.