Chapter Twenty-four
1186 Words
Rumor has it that Knapelli has been sighted a few times on the University's campus. However, we have not been able to go and bring him in. We are still waiting on the DNA that he is our man.
I suppose you're wondering why Professor Patrick Bryant, the brother of the victim Peter, was placed on the Persons of Interest list? Well as with any investigation our scope starts wide and then gradually narrows as more information is gathered. It could be either from doing interviews with family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers or from the physical forensic evidence recovered at the scene or scenes, depending on the case. You could look at it as being an inverted triangle or a funnel. With Patrick being related and automatically knowing the victim, he was placed in the widest part of our triangle. But with what forensic evidence showed up, he was moved closer toward the lower point. Since his alibi, he was on a date at The Broken Badger, was verified by George and Roger and security footage. He can be completely removed from the list. Of course, Doc Jacobson verified his past injuries as well that matched with the victim's lesser wounds. My gut knew he wasn't responsible for his brother's untimely death, but my gut still doesn't trust him. I don't know why. I just can't seem to shake it.
Now where Knapelli is concerned, just trying to find him to question him has proven to be most difficult. So, yeah, Knapelli is a thorn in the Police Department's side! Don't worry, we'll get him. Wink.
Meanwhile across the street--
A large black SUV is parked out front of City Hall, which sits opposite the Police Station. A mysterious sharply dressed man wearing obviously an expensive suit exits the vehicle. He has dark brown wavy hair. The front section is of a slightly lighter shade of his dark brown. He has dark green eyes. He stands about six feet and three inches tall. He bears a scar on the right side of his face which he has partially hidden with some facial scruff. He almost reminds me of my younger brother—almost. He's about the same age too, 27 years. He is followed by two other men dressed in similar garb. One has blonde hair and the other has light brown hair. Both stand near six feet in height as well. All three men's expressions emit a deadly seriousness. They mean business.
They strut their way into City Hall as if they own the place. Their destination? Mayor Jabberwocky's Office. Excuse me, I mean, Madame Mayor Joanna Wilkinson's office. Without waiting to be announced, they barge straight into her office and proceed to make themselves at home. Ballsy!
“Just who the hell do you think you are?!” Jabberwocky yelled. Yeah, I can't be polite when it comes to her. Sorry. Not sorry. It's just not gonna happen.
The man with the scar, who is obviously in charge, just stared a cold hard glare at her. If he was a Werewolf, that would definitely be an Alpha move. It somehow must have worked as she suddenly remembered who the men are taking up space in her office.
“Mr. Blackwater. I'm so sorry. I didn't recognize you. Since we've only been communicating by either phone or video,” she made a hasty apology, although a weak one. “What brings you all the way here to Wolfdale City?” she put on her sickly sweet act.
“Just the fact that there has been a major work stoppage at our building site. So please enlighten me, Madame Mayor, as to why there have been zero inspections done at the site since the foundation has been laid?!” he practically yelled. “Our permits are only good for so long, and I will not be paying any extra fees for any extension. The fault lies solely on Wolfdale City, not on us in this matter.” His aura demanded an immediate answer.
“W-well, I-I,” she stuttered shamefully. “You see...”
“I see nothing Madame Mayor,” he hissed. His eyes still held the cold hard glare causing her to cower in his presence. “What I do see, however, is someone taking advantage of my company. So here's the deal. If your precious city wants to continue to receive the tax dollars my company pays out for all of our properties owned here? Then you will as sure as hell make sure that every permit and every inspection is up to date and up to code. No more “free” money. Do I make myself clear here?”
“Yes, Mr. Blackwater. I understand perfectly,” she mumbled while she hastily fumbled through a desk calendar. “Would four weeks suffice for the inspections?”
Between the glare and the scoff, Mayor Jabberwocky got his message. “That won't do, Madame Mayor. Come on, you can do better than that.”
“Two weeks?” she asked holding up the number of fingers.
One of his eyebrows arched.
“No, of course not.”
Mr. Blackwater cleared his throat loudly.
“Two days?” she asked hoping that this would do.
“Two days,” he surprisingly agreed.
“Two days then,” the Mayor sighed in relief. “Thank you, Mr. Blackwater. I'll see personally that there will be no more hiccups where this new building is concerned.”
“Thank you, Madame Mayor. It's nice that we could reach an understanding in this matter. My men and I shall take our leave,” he firmly stated. His cold hard demeanor never changed the entire time. Damn. Wish he use that magic toward getting the Police Department a larger budget. The mysterious men made their way back out to the parked SUV. They got in and left Wolfdale City for parts unknown. The mayor true to her word dialed the appropriate number to get the Blackwater Industries new building site back on track. Her plan to squeeze more funds out of the Backwaters didn't work. She'll have to find another way and fast.
Back at the University--
The results from the long-awaited DNA analysis are in. Okay, so maybe it wasn't that long of a wait. It just seemed like it. The Dean contacted Chief Edwards notifying us that they were ready. With the same small crowd, we caravaned our way back to the campus. We made our way back down into the laboratory where the Dean, Professor Bryant, and Miss Hanna Grimm were waiting with the results in hand.
“Sergeant Black and Officer Peterson. It's good to see you two again,” the Dean ever the gentleman started with the pleasantries. Same as before we shook his extended hand. “Everyone please take a seat and we will begin. I'm sure you're anxious about the results. Miss Grimm, Professor Bryant, you may proceed.”
Taking out a manila envelope, Hanna opened it up and removed the papers. She was about to read off of it when...
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