Dark Secrets (Thriller)

Chapter 2

“Why did you go there, Neil?” The Chief Officer, Richard Fodd asked, sitting before Neil. Neil scoffed already seeing that coming. The moment the police arrived at the scene and forced him off the ground in handcuffs, he knew he was in trouble. There he was in the interrogation room, being questioned like he was a criminal or something. Neil took off his hat and placed it on the table.

“Someone had to check the murder scene. Not just anyone, a detective to be precise. That was why I rendered my services as a good detective should. You are welcome."

Richard stared at him briefly and laughed, tapping the table with his pen.

“Neil, Neil, you are something else, aren't you?Your ears aren't working at all. How do you not still understand what is going on here? No one thinks you are fit for this job, boy. No one wants you to do this job. You aren’t allowed to get involved in cases anymore.”

“Why?” Neil lashed. “ 5 years of college experience and special training weren’t for no reason. I worked really hard for this job, Richard. It is not my fault that the murderer keeps getting sneakier.”

The CO sighed and adjusted his glasses.

“Look, you’re just 24 years old. You have a life ahead of you. I am sure you can get more sophisticated trainings. 5 years in college isn't enough. You are too inexperienced to be involved in this.”

Neil smacked his lips and rested his back comfortably on the seat.

“I guess you equate intelligence with age. This isn’t fair, boss. There are children out there that are mentally skilled for this.”

“O! Neil! Do you need to misunderstand me? I am not referring to age," Richard corrected. “Of course there are genius children out there. I am referring to an experienced detective who can protect an entire city. You were given two years to solve cases, Neil. Tell me what you have achieved in those two years.”

Neil could admit the cases weren’t a walk in the park but he wasn’t one to give up easily.

“I will catch him. I promise you that. All I want is more time…”

“There is no more time, Neil!” The CO shook his head. “People are dying at random times. No one has been caught yet due to you slacking off. What is the assurance that these dead people will get the justice they deserve under your watch?”

“So you think bringing a stranger will help the case?” The CO seemed to be bluffing. Neil was proved wrong as the CO opened his drawer to pick up a file. Neil watched him place it before him, opening it to reveal the passport and details of a British lady.

“This is 28 year old Morrie Harper,” the CO gave the paper a tap. “One of the best detectives in London so far. She is very fast in thinking and accurate in strategy. Words were sent to her through email with the case reports. She accepted wholeheartedly,”

Neil hissed with disinterest.

“She doesn’t know…”

“Doesn't know what?”

Neil was silent.

“I am sure you know what to do, Mr Neil. Stay away from the case, and we won't embarrass you. Wait until you're called back.”

Neil was stubborn. His shimmering blue eyes and reluctant stare proved he wasn’t getting up from his seat anytime soon.

“Who will handle the case till then?” He questioned, leaning closer to the CO. His confidence was remarkable. The CO couldn’t believe his audacity. Realizing Neil needed someone of his caliber, the CO leaned closer to him too, offering him a piercing stare.

“Stay away! Two days won’t hurt anyone.”

Neil smirked. He drew away from the CO and took his stand. After one last disappointing look, he walked out banging the door behind him.

“Neil!” The CO screamed with anger due to how loud the bang was. Neil didn’t care. He had no interest in people who looked down on him.

***

Neil Schoenfeld sat in his office at home, looking through the previous cases. He barely touched his meals or spoke with his siblings who kept troubling him for a gist. His office was messed up with piles of old newspapers scattered around. The previous four cases were pinned against bulletin boards, with a thread linking to the known suspects. Suspects that were not suspects in this case. Neil roared in anger and ripped off the threads.

“Why can’t I figure you out?!” He thought, holding his pen firmly. “Why?”

He retrieved the records of the previous cases and placed them side by side, comparing the similarities.

First Case; Body found - November, 2, 2015

Name: Emma Suna

Age: 26 year old

Job: Large scale entrepreneur

Cause of Death: Strangulation

Second Case: Body found - November, 6, 2015

Name: Tony Dunn

Age: 28 year old

Job: Certified Doctor

Cause of death: Stab wounds

Third Case: Body found - November 10, 2015

Name: Zenaida Haile

Age: 27 year old

Job: Fashion Designer

Cause of death: Strangulation

Fourth Case: Body found - November 14, 2015

Name: Bobby Benson

Age: 26 year old

Job: Dancer

Cause of death: Stab wounds

He sensed a kind of pattern surrounding their deaths and took out his phone. Luckily, he took a picture of Melanie’s case file for reference purposes. Opening his pen, he jotted down the relevant information he needed from the report.

Fifth Case: Body Found - November 28, 2015

Name: Melanie Hopper

Age: 22 year old

Job: Model

Cause of death: Strangulation.

His eyes darted through the five reports. Each murder happened in secluded areas within a 4 day interval. The first four victims were found hours after the crime took place, excluding Melanie whose case struck differently. She was younger, the timeframe was longer and her body was found seconds after her death. He took out his non-recommended glasses, wore them and bit on his chewing stick. He needed to feel smart at that moment, and for some reason, the glasses helped. These dead victims were of similar age ranges and had wealthy jobs. Their dead bodies had no fingerprints on them which showed the murderer knew exactly what he or she was doing. The murderer had every freaking attack figured out and well planned.

Neil sighed as he dropped his pen and rested his chin on his back palm. Each victim had their share of fame. For Melanie's case, she was a gorgeous model all guys had a crush on. She had a child and a secret lover no one knew about. Could he be the cause of her death?

Neil's brain was drained from thinking too much. He closed his jotter and made his way out of his study room. His youngest sibling of 10 years, Gilbert jumped on his back trying to play a wrestle match. He laughed and played along.

“Freeze! You’re under arrest!” Neil pretended to hold a virtual gun, kneeling on a knee and his fingers pointed at him.

“Not when I am a mafia!” The young boy laughed and kicked his fingers away.

“Wo! Wo! Easy there, buddy! You shouldn’t be violent now.” Neil calmed him down.

“Do not ruin the fun, brother. I was getting better at it,”

Neil nudged him.

“Yeah you were and I got scared, my boy. Please do not do that in school.”

Gilbert sulked and stumped his feet in disappointment. Neil’s 35 year old mother noticed his obnoxious act and bribed him with a bowl of cereal, distracting him from Neil.

“He wouldn’t have left you alone,” She said to him with a wink, before joining Gilbert.

“When is dad coming?” Gilbert asked, munching the cereals like his life depended on them.

“Later tonight, my love. Eat patiently,” his mum brushed his hair.

Neil watched her impressed. Despite being a teenage mother in the past and raising Neil alone for 16 years, she still had her usual charming smile. A smile that never left her lips no matter what suffering she faced. Neil turned away from her and admired a framed photograph containing his 6 year old self and his mother.

“I will be the best detective you will ever see, mother,” he thought to himself with his fist clenched. “I promise.”

He took his phone out of his pocket and dialed George.

“Hey Neil!” George’s positive tone ranged at the other side of the line.

“I need your help.”