The Killer Boss

Chapter 3

Chapter Three:

Scarlet Monroe, the First Victim.

—

[ SPARROW HILL LANE, CREEK CITY 1980 —

— THREE WEEKS AGO ]

IT WAS AN utterly frigid night.

Despite the trench coats wrapped around their bodies, the detectives were also shivering as they tightly wrapped their arms around themselves to lessen the chilly feeling. Considering that it was late at night and the rain was still pouring down over the tents and pavements—the crisp air had its way to produce an intolerable coldness. As well as the whistling of the wind that added another factor to why most of the people at the scene are shuddering over the bitterly cold weather.

Clearly, it is bad weather to be on duty.

However, that isn’t the case for some people. Most especially to the detectives and police that have work to do even during this late at night. Although, most of them are really working 24/7 so it isn’t a bother.

Lead Detective Edward Conrad didn’t seem to mind the piercing weather as he examined the notes that he had written down on his little notebook. Despite the droplets of rain that wrinkled the paper and produced a smudge over the words, it was readable for him. Well, it’s his writing so even though some of the notes were written in such an ugly handwriting, he could still decipher the words that he had written on his little notebook.

Not that it even mattered to him, most of the writings were just scribbles and glimpses of the information that he gathered during the whole case. Edward has a sharp memory so he remembered most of what he had written in the notebook.

The news was very sudden when they were called to the scene, to the point that he had forgotten to bring his digital recorder. In most situations, he relies on it to clearly remember the recorded conversations and interviews that he had done with other witnesses on scene. All he has to do is replay the conversations and not bother to jot notes anymore. However, as soon as his unit heard the news, they immediately drove to the place, leaving some valuables at the station.

Sparrow Hill Lane is a very narrow lane alongside Diliman Street so it was hard for all the cars to park all at once. It was even too narrow to allow two cars to pass through in different directions. So in conclusion, the police cars and other sightseeing cars just come and go to pass through without the need to park the cars.

The Creek City Police Department Unit decided to revisit the crime scene even after the body had been collected several days ago. For they needed to investigate further if ever they had missed some important clues of evidence that were left behind at the crime scene. The unit had been examining the crime scene for roughly two hours already as they were all double checking whether they had missed some traces of evidence at the place.

However, they found none.

In addition to that, Lead Detective Edward can’t seem to tie all the strings together no matter how hard he tries to ransack his brain.

Aside from the victim’s body laying on the cold wet pavement when they arrived several days ago, there was no other evidence at the crime scene that could help them to further know the cause of death. So they could only rely on what the state medical examiner would find in the autopsy reports.

They couldn’t find evidence before and they still couldn’t find any evidence again tonight… it’s almost as though the initial findings is the fact that the victim committed suicide.

Well, that is if there’s no conclusive evidence to support the claim that someone had killed them or had accidentally murdered them.

Edward was busily shuffling the unlit cigarette in his calloused fingers when Detective Manuel Suarez offered his lighter to him. Edward looked over to the man that stood beside him with furrowed eyebrows and scrunched his nose as he wasn’t sure why he needed to offer him his lighter when he knew well enough that Edward had his own inside the pocket of his trench coat.

“It’s frustrating to see you play with an unlit cigarette instead of actually using them.” The man uttered before him, a soft look flashed on his face as he intently stared at Edward. “They aren’t for display purposes, Ed.” Suarez added and then laughed as he grabbed his lighter in Edward’s hand and lighted up the tip of the cigarette in his mouth then took a long drag. The smoke instantly disappeared as the rigid wind did its purpose—vanishing the smoke into thin air.

Suarez released a sigh as he offered the lighter again to Edward who just shook his head as a sign of refusal. He fished for his own inside his pocket and showed it to Suarez and he just chuckled.

“You know, I still don’t get you.” Suarez had mumbled through the cold weather. “I always see you holding a pack of cigarettes—even playing with a single roll—but I never saw you actually taking them,” he added and then took another long drag of his lighted cigarette.

On the other hand, Edward lowered his head down as he tried to avoid Suarez's eyes. “I was told by someone not to smoke because it damages my lungs and my years would be shortened.” There was a bitter smile across Edward’s face when he looked back to Suarez which the man had noticed.

The both of them had been friends as soon as Suarez started working as a detective. Edward was older than Manuel Suarez but it doesn’t show much in their bond since they are in the same unit and they usually hang out a lot whenever there are cases to be solved.

Edward had never been an over-sharer. He’d always liked to keep things straight and short. If ever Suarez would ask Edward about something, Edward would seem to answer in a clipped manner. Like a simple yes or no only and no more added details to it. It is one thing that Suarez had noticed even years before they had been colleagues.

Aside from that, Suarez also had a hard time comforting his friend because Edward seemed to push people away when there are a lot of things in his mind. There are certain times that instead of talking about his feelings so that he can at least vent out the bottling emotions—Edward would still prefer to just stay silent and carry all emotions just by himself.

However, Suarez was sure as to why Edward was acting like this.

Suarez took a deep breath before actually responding to what Edward said as they were both still lost in their own train of thoughts.

“Is this about Myrabelle?” Suarez’s voice was low. Even though it was pouring and the wind was still whistling at the very moment, Edward clearly heard what his friend had emitted.

There was a tinge of pain coursing through his body as Edward felt his heart growing heavy by the mention of her name. It seemed like forever ever since he had heard that name. It felt foreign and familiar at the same time. In which, had bothered Edward as his shoulders slouched down from what Suarez had said.

There was a bile in Edward's throat and he took his time and effort to gulp down the emerging emotions that were starting to brew inside him. “I’m afraid that I can’t do anything for the victim just as I did with her.” Despite how hard it was for him to express those emotions, Edward is certain that he needs to let it out right now or else he will explode.

The yearning and the sadness in his voice was so evident that Suarez almost regretted talking about the topic. He stared at his respectable friend, he knew that there were moments when Edward would be sentimental and even though he doesn’t mention it, Suarez knew that deep inside him—the torment is still fresh as if it just had happened yesterday.

As for Edward, everything still feels new to him.

Just as when Detective Suarez was about to speak in regards to his friend’s sadness, one of their colleagues that's part of the same unit as them—Detective Michelle, rushed over to both of them after receiving a phone call just seconds ago.

“Detectives,” she greeted them, indicating that she's intervening in their conversation and has something important to relay to them. Suarez took a last drag of his cigarette before he threw it in a trash can nearby. Both men nodded, she continued her words. “Doctor Hudgens just called, the result is out.” Detective Michelle uttered, breathless.

Without wasting another seconds to pass by, they all immediately packed up their belongings and equipment, as they rushed over their car and drove to the Creek City’s Crime Laboratory in a fast manner, since for them it's really an important event.

Detective Edward and his unit were edgy throughout the whole ride and none of his colleagues had the power to speak considering how tired they all were.

All that is going through Edward’s mind and the rest of his unit is that they are hoping that they would get a lead based on the autopsy report as soon as possible so they could solve the case faster. It is really important for them if ever there would be clues or even small hints that would add another information about the case.

For right now, time is certainly not in their hands and most definitely—any given time whenever solving a case. They can’t just simply tiptoe through it as if they shouldn’t consider doing things in an abrupt manner. Everything needs to be logical and needs to be assessed together so they can help one another in solving the said case.

Medical Examiner Miles Hudgens was the one who tended to all of them as soon as they had reached the lobby of the Crime Laboratory. As one of the top in her field, it is expected that she will be the one handling this case for she was more advanced than others. Doctor Hudgens was actually waiting for them with a brown envelope in her hands at the lobby.

Edward and his team were pretty much expectant of what the result would be. They had been waiting for several days already and were hoping for at least one piece of evidence to be found. All of them were hoping that it could definitely point them to something that would initially help with the ongoing investigation or else... this case would really end up as a suicide case even though Edward is skeptical of that thought.

“Are there any possible leads?” Edward spurted, he couldn’t even wait for a formal greeting as he was eager to know the results.

There was a hint of worry in Miles’s face and it was evident for them to easily catch up. As they were all detectives, they were well mindful of sudden changes in one's expressions or even in their movements.

“The victim is female and is in her teens, presumably a high school student. We have corroborated that the cause of death is drug overdose, opioid to be exact,” she heaved out a deep breath. “There were still foamy substances inside her mouth when we checked. As well as countless needle track marks on her right arm,” she frowned.

Edward and his team could only let out a sigh as to what they were all hearing. Some were even astounded from the results, obviously showing how unimaginable that someone would do such a thing. Most especially to a high school student.

As far as everyone knows in Creek City, drugs have been down the drain even back in the 1960s. There was no evidence that it had even existed in such a place for as long as they could remember ever since the Creek City Law has announced that they have put behind bars all people who’ve been involved in such illegal acts and burnt all of the drugs seen in custody.

Detective Edward could only mouth a cuss about everything that was unfolding before his eyes.

“Unfortunately, any physical evidence or proof of that matter was washed out due to the Storm Harvey,” she uttered, remembering the recent storm that hit the country of Southfield.

“Also, we weren’t able to find any fibers, hairs, fingerprints, or even other DNA evidence that would help us with the case. Aside from the drug overdose as the cause of death, we aren’t able to determine any leads if this was even a accidental or suicide.” Doctor Miles handed the envelope with the papers and pictures inside for their references to Edward.

“Are there any implications of struggle or anything that would suggest that this is a homicide case?”

Miles offered all of them a frown. “Aside from the traces of needle marks on her hand, there were a lot of bruises on her body. It was odd that the bruises seemed to be all perfectly hidden when she wears clothes. However, we were able to determine that those bruises were already healing, we’re assuming that she had them weeks before she had perished.” She took a deep breath before uttering. “I’m afraid that there was no foul play.”

“Well, fuck.” Edward cussed as he ran agitated fingers into his hair.

“There is one thing though…” Doctor Miles muttered, so soft that they had second guessed whether the sound came from her.

Edward and his colleagues instantaneously looked at one another then had their eyes fixed onto Miles Hudgens. Edward could almost hear the erratic beating of his heart and he was convinced that even his coworkers heard it even though that was a silly thought.

“There was a thermal burn mark on the back of her neck.” Doctor Miles began and pointed towards the envelope that she had handed over to Edward.

Edward abruptly opened the brown envelope and searched for the particular picture that Miles was talking about. As soon as he had found it, he examined the photo. Then he also showed it to his colleagues.

“I’m quite unsure if this holds significance in the case but this burn symbol on the back of her neck—which we identified as a dandelion flower–seemed to be a fresh mark. No longer than two days since it had been there.”

Edward could see what she meant, it seemed new even in the pictures.

“At first it looked like some sort of a tattoo but we checked that it was indeed not a tattoo but a thermal burn. We’ve presumed that a heated metal can be the cause of that burn.” A small hopeful smile escaped her lips. “Maybe it would help you with your case.”

Edward nodded at her, implying his gratification.

“Have there been any cases like this before?” Detective Suarez questioned, still bewildered by the results.

“I’m afraid that this was the first.” All of them have noticed that even Doctor Miles was bothered by this, mirroring how everyone currently feels.

“On the other hand, I’ve received a phone call and I was told that someone reported a missing person. The family already visited beforehand, they already confirmed that it was their daughter who died upon seeing the body. I think you all should look into that.” Doctor Miles informed the detectives. “And if there are any possible leads, I wouldn’t hesitate to give any one of you a call.”

Michelle didn’t even need to wait for Edward’s order and instantly phoned Creek City Police Department for the information about the call. In which, the representative immediately answered and confirmed that a family had reported their daughter missing for about two days already and are currently being held at the precinct.

Edward and his team departed from the Crime Laboratory and straight away traveled to Creek City Police Department and was welcomed by Under-Sheriff Collins by the entranceway.

“Is the family here?” Edward asked as he scanned the room and found two people by the lobby that were looking straight at them in return.

“Yes, they’re here.” Under-Sheriff Collins pointed out towards the couple by the bench. “You can use the investigation room for the interview.”

Edward expressed his appreciation towards him as Collins left the team to do their own interrogation. Before Edward could stride towards the two persons, he examined their faces. Edward only furrowed his eyebrows as he dug deep inside his head why the man looked familiar and before he could even point it out, Detective Michelle whispered beside her.

“Is that the Monroes?”

“They look familiar, who are they exactly?” Edward questioned, quite lost at who she was talking about. He looked familiar but the name didn’t ring a bell.

“They are the owners of a small regional supermarket chain along Quezon Avenue, the Monroe Mart.” Michelle mumbled softly, afraid that the old couples would hear them.

Edward’s mind was in a haywire.

He couldn’t utter a single word as he gazed towards Mr. and Mrs. Monroe, a well known people in Creek City. As his mind has its own way of thinking, he couldn’t stop the thoughts and conclusions arising inside of him.

This might be a big case after all.