Chapter 3: Two Men, One Murder

THE COPS from the Wallis Station were gathered at the city police as they were called by the current chief, and now firmly standing in front of him.

“How sure are you that this piece of necklace belongs to him?” the chief asked, as he himself couldn’t believe that the former Detective Illinois is linked to the recent crime.

“I gave it to him as a gift for his birthday last year, sir. His initials were imprinted on the pendant as I have it customized, therefore, there couldn’t be anyone who owned this other than him.” Inspector Isaac answered, leaving a messy mind to the chief. The chief examined the pendant, and there really are initials in it. I. N. W.

“Where did you specifically find this?” he asked with his eyes glued to the necklace.

“I found it on the backseat, sir.” Kyle answered. The chief turned his head to him and frowned.

“While the body was at the driver’s seat, right?” the chief said. Inspector Isaac halted. “Alright. So, as of now, Illinois is the primary suspect. Dig and find everything you could to justify your claim. Otherwise, you’ll have the suspect on the loose.” He added, and his phone suddenly rang. He just let it ring as he’s opting to finish this meeting quickly.

“Yes, sir!”

“Keep an eye on Illinois, I know you’re aware of how clever he could get.” The chief closed his remarks, and was about to answer the call, but his brows sank when he noticed something among the team before him.

“You all are present here… Who’s guarding him at the hospital, then?”

Isaac looked around them and noticed it too, and he can’t help but to frown at them. “Philip, didn’t I tell you to just not go with us?” he asked to one of his men, who’s stunned at his words with his eyes expanded open.

“S-Sir? I couldn’t remember you telling me that…” Philip stood frozen.

“You idiot! It was because you’re focused on your phone when he said that!” Sam hissed at him.

“We’re screwed.” Isaac murmured and abruptly bid his goodbye to the chief to go back to the hospital.

The team rushed to the hospital until they were greeted with a nurse baffled by the sight in front of her. The nurse who was assigned to take care of Illinois. She was standing in front of the empty hospital bed, with a medicine with her.

“Where is he?” Isaac asked the nurse.

“I… I just got here too…”

Isaac rushed closer to the bed when he noticed the opened cuff and the pin in it. But he eventually halted when he noticed a letter on a scratch paper that says, ‘I will take care of this. Watch and I’ll prove you all wrong. PS: You may consider this as my comeback to the force.’

“Check the footage. NOW!” Isaac shouted at the team, prompting them to comply immediately.

I.N.W.

MEANWHILE, Illinois was hiding on the plain sight of the people while looking for shelter. He went from his condominium to get the things he needed, still wearing the same suit. He didn’t get the chance to change because he was in a hurry.

At the narrow dark alleyway, Illinois halted when the phone he retrieved by himself from the station rang. His mother.

He stared at the ringing phone for a second before hitting the answer button.

“WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON, NATE?!” Illinois was prompted to distance the phone from his ear. Although he expected that very shout from his mom.

“THE COMPANY IS IN A FUSS BECAUSE OF YOUR GODDAMN SO-CALLED CRIME! YOU BETTER EXPLAIN EVERYTHING—”

“It’s not me.” Illinois cut his mom’s words short in a calm voice. “I don’t know who in the world put me into this, but I’m going to catch that freak.”

“Mom, I’m asking you to hold the company for me for a while, please… I will take care of this matter and clear my name myself.” He continued. If it weren’t for the company, he wouldn’t end up running away. But his desperation to clear his name weighed more, and his reputation of the company is on the line. He had just begun his journey as a CEO last night, and now, this thing occurred.

It just doesn’t sit well with him. Not to mention that he also loves doing thing on his own way as well.

By doing so, he has to take measures to this extent. Although, he believes that the Wallis will eventually prevail the truth by themselves, but the time is running and the reputation is on the line. It has to be him to sort this thing out, and might as well come after the person who put him into this situation. Otherwise, the years that he had waited to acquire the name of the company would be a waste.

“Huh?! You expect us to still give you the company after all the trouble you’ve put onto us?! Forget it, Yesenia will have it instead. And don’t you ever come back and lay your feet here. You’re a disgrace to this family and to the police force, Nate… I’m so disappointed in you.” And the mother ended the call in an instant, after muttering those hurtful words to him.

“Argh, damn it!” Illinois aggressively grabbed his hair out of frustration. His back leaned on the dirty wall while his eyes looked above where the bright moon surrounded by twinkling stars shone on him. “I was once a detective… now running away for a fucking crime I didn’t even do. Ironic, huh?” He murmured along with his heart racing out of frustration and agitation.

He sighed after a few moments, and stood up. But he fell down back to the wall instantly, when a man in a seemingly black suit rashly walked pass to him. “Hey.” in his lazy voice and sleepy eyes, he called out that man. “I’m in tight situation right now, I appreciate it if you apologize.” He said with fresh frustration from argument with his mother.

The man turned his head sideways, and a mask on his eyes gleamed at the moonlight. The man suddenly cracked his neck and turned around. A few seconds later, just like a thunder lighting, a punch suddenly landed on Illinois’ face, spitting a blood from his mouth.

“The fuck is wrong with you?!” he got up from being pushed to the wall, and the man didn’t say a thing. “Well, this is such also a way to project my frustration.” Illinois whispered and cracked his knuckles. In just a snap, he grabbed the collar of the man when he was about to land another punch. He pushed the man against the wall and pressed the strength of his upper body against him.

Illinois’ eyes dilated in rage. “You see, I haven’t been using my physical skill for days already. So, consider yourself lucky that you got it from me.” And then, he swung his arm toward his face while panting, throwing that man’s face to one side.

But the eye mask didn’t even budge. Illinois was about to take it off, when he suddenly heard rushing footsteps coming closer to them. However, that occurrence gave the mysterious man the chance to escape because of Illinois’ grip loosening.  Illinois didn’t bother to chase after him. He had successfully projected his frustration anyway, although, that was still not enough.

Panting, he took out of his phone to light whoever is the person owned those steps. The fact that this alley is infamous for crimes back in his time on the police force, he has to be vigilant and cautious here—especially now that he had just stumbled a seemingly sick mysterious man.

But his brows furrowed when a woman in a bob-cut hair who was seemingly chased by a monster was illuminated by the light. She was bathed with sweats and tears.

“Help!” the woman cried for help, although she wasn’t hurt physically.

The light from his phone reflected on her eyes and the look of horrific was vivid on it. To his surprise, the woman stopped right in front of him and tightly held his arm. She chased her breath and had her dilated eyes directly looked at him.

“S-Someone…” she’s catching her breath as her heart palpitated crazily. “I… I s-saw someone…” her hand gripped on his arm even tighter, making Illinois wince in pain. He ought to let it go as this woman begin to drive him nuts.

“Look, miss, I don’t know you. Why are you—”

But his words fell in deaf ears when the woman finally completed what she was trying to convey. “I saw s-someone s-stab a person—fuck!”