CHAPTER TWO: THE MISSING CORPSE
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One day later, the sun rises in the east which was quiet complicated sunrise after the chaos and blood in the wicked town. It was a complicate day which was unsolved. It was only a matter of time and death to the whole town. Some of them started migrating from Trevewood to Seattle, the nearby city but as per the law accorded by Mayor, they cannot trespass outside of the town except for certain condition.
Déjà vu Café was closed for the first time in Trevewood history as it was serving 55 years ago. People noticed an official paper signed by Mayor on the doors of Déjà vu Café. It was written as the owner has went to England to see his mother who was dying of pain. For instance, life is not an infinite thing.
Even, Sheriff Jack Philson was out of the town due to some unfavourable conditions or maybe he is out under weather. So, the town’s hope is us. They were excited to broke down the curfew and break a leg. Although, it was impossible, we got up ready to investigate Lewis Brown for the storage of organs in his basement. Tony Ford remembers to welcome his sister to home, a lifeless body for the last and final rites forever.
We went to the station and the news was shocking as Lewis Brown was dead. I was surprised, “Sofia, I think the culprit is dead. How can he possibly be dead?” She replied, “Obviously, you’re right but maybe it’s a psychological attack to his brain to commit suicide.” I laughed, “Suicide? How come in this complicated situation. Maybe, it’s poisoning by himself or someone.” The statements triggered her mind and she called the deputy to report the body to Dr.Thomas Line for an interesting fact.
After hearing the death of Lewis Brown, Jessica Brown shouted from her cell, “Murderer, he’s not the one who committed the crime. You killed him and I’ll not leave you.” We thought to release them but due to complicated situation outside our station, it was impossible.
Death of Lewis Brown was felt all over the town and they thought that he is found to be guilty. Riots broke again with signboards, “KILL HIS FAMILY” “THROW HIS FAMILY HELL” “BURN HIS FAMILY” and so on. We entered Jessica’s cell, she was sobbing for her father’s death, Sofia consoled her, but she hit hard in her face. The deputy’s hold her and handcuffed her. I sat down on the chair, facing her, “We’re sorry. There is nothing….” As I need to continue the apology statement, she spat on my face. I wiped my face, obviously anger spread to my body. Sofia consoles me, “Control your anger. I understand her feelings!”
“You understand my feelings! Get the hell out of here!” shouted Jessica. We thought that this is not the right time to investigate her nor apologise her. We left the station and we were on our way to Steve’s house for further investigation. But media took control and stood before us. One of the reporters asked, “How can we think that Lewis Brown is dead?” Sofia replied, “No comment. Leave us alone, we are still investigating.” Again, one of the reporters asked, “Why did Mr. Freightbury is out of the town in spite of quarantine rules to see his mother and Is Sheriff Jack is really feeling sick as the town is in chaos.” I replied, “To be honest, we don’t knew that Mr.Freightbury has left the town but we’re sure that Sheriff is feeling sick. Leave us alone.” We took a cab, made our way to Steve’s house.
By the way, Tony Ford reached the mortuary and asked the receptionist for Hannah’s body. After signing the paperwork, they handed her body to him. But, he was surprised to see that she was already sealed down in the burial casket, finely carved with modern art. He cries out but consoles himself. He took her to his house for preparation of final rites for her body. When, he left the mortuary, Rd. Thomas Line calls the receptionist, “Is he gone? Did he suspect anything?” She smiled, “Yep, he didn’t suspect anything as we loaded an empty casket with few vegetables equivalent to the weight of Hannah.” They both laughed maniacally.
Tony ford was unstable in his feeling and yes, he didn’t suspect that he is going to bury an empty casket with vegetables in it. He was also stubborn with rules as the receptionist told him, “Do not open the casket. If you open it, it is said that the one who opens our casket which is finely carved with modern style possess with demons. It its true. One of our customers, Bruce Yon was possessed in Texas and he was killed in sight by the police due to his strange activities. According to the report, maybe he killed 20 men and 2 women along with children.”
This was really made-up nightmares to cover up their crime but to our understanding FORD generation always believe in paranormal activities and especially possession of demons. It was all inserted by Grandmother of Richard Ford.
At some point, it was strange and weird as why did Dr. Thomas Line sent an empty casket to him. Is he involved in murder of Hannah Ford? Actually, the whole town is wicked with demonic secrets of everyone.
It was few minutes for us, to knock the door of Steven. His mother, Susan Anderson invited us with a big smile in her face but deep down in her heart, she felt anxiousness and anger and fear. We sat on the couch, “Bring us a cup of water to drink?” Both Susan and David Anderson went to the kitchen and we felt suspicious.
Since, we’re FBI agents, placed a small bug under the table of the living room which was camouflaged. All thanks to my technology as they can’t find it unless they use a trick. Few minutes later, they bought us a cup of water, “I think, bringing a cup of water to quench our thirst takes few seconds!” asked Sofia. Susan smiles, manages to tackle the situation, “Well, it’s always a problem for us. The purifier was not working and we need to reset the code so that it may work again. Malfunction takes time to solve and we’re sorry for the loss.”
“Code? Malfunction in purifier? Wow! The world has really changed” replied Sofia. Steven steps down the stairs with strange look, “You! I remember you. What’s up?” I replied, “Yes, we’re here to interrogate you again.” “Interrogation? Well we’re sorry. We need to attend the funeral ceremony in Hannah’s house.” I smiled, “We get it. We’ll meet you there. Thank you, for your hospitality.”
Tony arrives, cleans up the house, brings the empty box in the living room, places the empty casket in the middle of the room. Richard and Julie were weeping for their loss. They didn’t invite anyone but as her friends are loyal and the town remembers her, a door bell to her house. It was her classmates and especially Steven. They were invited by her parents with a perpetual smile in their face. Steven placed the bouquet in front of her casket.
No one in the room, knew that the casket is empty. Finally, we entered her house and Tony has a weird look. I greeted him, “Well, I’m Sachin Anthony, Asst. FBI agent and this Sofia Rose, Chief of FBI team. We’re here to pay condolences and also some questions to catch the murderer.” Tony grumbles, “We thank you for the condolences but we don’t accept questions. Leave us alone!” Richard catches his eye towards us, “Who are you?” Sofia introduced herself and me to him. He smiled, “We accept your condolences but leave us alone.” “We understand your feeling, sir. We’ll leave the house by seeing her face” replied Sofia. “That’s great! You can stay here till the eulogy and see her last one time” replied Richard.
We didn’t sit on the chair as we were suspicious to find out that if the murdered comes here to visit his/her last pay. Then, Steve gets up and goes to dais to propose his eulogy. He says, “I am Steven Anderson and I was used to be bullied every time in elementary school and high school. But, the courage and love of Hannah Ford saved me. she was highly excited to help anybody in need of help and also, she helped me in many manners. She never leaves anyone behind nor she falls out from failure. We were so close and felt that spirit of love. We promised each other to look after each other when we grew up in future and help the society. A charming friend to all and my best love of my life.
I’m gonna miss her forever and…(sobs)I’m sorry. You know, we used to solve different kind of mysteries. We used to play as a team, with our friends. They gonna miss so much as she used to console Alex Bush and Samuel Philson. Well….that’s it…” He leaves the scene unsettled, Julie Ford walks forward to console him. I stood up, whispered to Sofia, “Shall we go? I’m feeling emotional after missing her.” “Calm down, we will leave after seeing her beautiful face” replied Sofia.
I smiled, “You’re a stubborn person and I’ll wait outside. I’m feeling sick. Meet you out.” She agreed and I walked out the door. Sofia was curious to see her, one last time. She walked towards the casket and tried to open it. As she was trying to open the casket, Tony approaches her and slaps her face. She felt ashamed and I heard the noise. I walked inside and by my thought I was astonished. I shouted, “How dare is you to beat up a Chief Officer of FBI. Since, you’re emotional, we were feeling sorry for her and now, we’re deported here to investigate your sister case and you end up messing things around. As per the laws, I’m gonna arrest you for assaulting a Chief officer of FBI and charge you for 2 day stay in prison and you’ve the right to remain silent.”
I handcuffed him and people in the room were astonished. I told him to sit down in the chair and walked towards the casket.
I told Richard to bring a crossbar to open down the casket. Sofia consoles, “Let’s leave this filthy town. There is nothing we can do.” I replied, “No, Sofia. I’m gonna solve this mysterious case with you.” He hands over the crossbar to me; I tried a lot to open the casket but it was a failure. By the way, Steve walks down the staircase and was amazed to view the scenario of funeral ceremony into a fish market. He confronted me but I told him, “You’ve right to remain silent or yesterday case will be on you.” He was afraid and sat beside Tony Ford.
Finally, I opened the casket and the whole scenario of the room was changed into amazement. I was shocked to see the vegetables inside the empty casket. I said, “This is not Hannah. Where is she?” Tony and his parents were shocked. Steven lost his temper and felt depressed. Alex and Samuel were unaware about this situation. I removed the handcuffs of Tony and he asked me an apology. I consoled him, “Well, listen kid, we were all done with this. I’m sorry and we’ll leave this place but before that we need to speak up with you.” Sofia sits beside him, “Explain me everything.” While, I told everyone to leave the house except Steven and his friends.
After listening to his statements, I told Steven to start his engine along with Alex and Samuel to drive along the mortuary to bring down Dr. Thomas Line. They agreed and rolled down their engines, on the way to the mortuary.
“This is town is wicked and especially haunted with serial killers. First, Hannah Ford and now Lewis Brown” said Sofia. “What? Lewis Brown, who is the main culprit behind this case?” replied Richard. “We’re unsure. We can’t predict him as the one behind Hannah. We have sent his body to mortuary for an autopsy…(thinks)Oh my god! We need to leave” replied Sofia. She hustles down the door, and I followed her. She starts running half a way and I asked, “Why are you running? Let’s catch a cab…Look, there’s a cab.” She hesitates and starts running faster.
I stopped the cab and got in the cab. On the way, I pulled Sofia inside the cab and we were on our way to the mortuary. I called Steven but he was not picking up the call. We were worried as we don’t want to be the third person behind the mysterious death of Hannah Ford and now, Steven and his friends.
We were putting ourself with best effort to reach them through phone but they were not picking it up. We were worried as if they’re dead or killed by Dr. Thomas Line or the murderer who killed Hannah Ford. Finally, we reached the missing spot with a weary face, tensed up with fear. I shouted, holding the pistol, “Freeze! We’re FBI.” We followed to the reception and there was no receptionist. Finally, we walked down the stairs to the ground floor, shouting out for Steven and his friends but there was no answer.
We reached the basement; it was dark and I lit the lights. Hopes were success as Steven and his friends were tied up to a pillar, obviously injured with bloody mess in the room. There was no sign of Hannah’s body in the mortuary room. I untied the knots, removed the tape which was strong, “How did this happen?” Steven gasped, “Well…it was Dr. Thomas Line who injured us badly. He didn’t utter a single word about Hannah but he told me that someone told me to do so. Then, he tied us and fled to border. One more thing, he was drugged too…” Sofia replied, “Sachin, take them home and I’ll investigate this wretched place. By the way, call some deputy from the station and release Jessica Brown by reminding her that she’ll be invited again for suspicious activity…”
Steve said, “Why Jessica? She is an innocent girl but plays like a rich girl if she is abided with gifts of her father. We all like her…” Alex continued, “Yep, he’s right. She is innocent and I’ll never forget if she has committed a crime.” I said, “Stop it, guys. End of discussion. I don’t think why do you feel her as innocent as if she’s your girlfriend.” Sofia insisted to stay there until, I dropped these boys to their house with a safe gratitude. I also released Jessica Brown with a stern warning and told the Deputy to help Sofia. Finally, I went to my office and I was shocked to view the scenario of the whole room. I picked up my phone, to call Sofia but she was not picking it up.
I tried to call her again but she was not picking it up. Suddenly, I hear squeaky sound, I mean footstep sound approaching towards my desk. I hid near the book shelf, and the stranger was approaching near the book shelf with a crowbar in his hand. I was gasping for oxygen due to fear and obviously, I was weary and worried as I don’t want to be dead. My pistol was missing as I left it in the mortuary.
They tried to investigate every inch of the mortuary department but none of them seem suspicious. But Sofia Rose is clever and genius like Enola Holmes. She walks down the basement again and she notices a door painted with same colour of wood but the arrangement of patterns is different. She calls the deputy to break it, and it was shocking as they’ve found….
While, I was saving every breath of my life as I was worried, not to be caught up in wrong hands. But the alarm was triggered, “There you are, Asst. FBI agent. You’re caught at the right time. I’m right here to kill you for the committed crime. Stop suspecting everyone and leave this town. So, I’m here to warn you and hell, yeah, I took away all your samples except the strand of hair…” I replied, “Look, turn yourself in for shorter sentence…we’ll testify for you.”
He laughed, “Testament that I’m innocent…wow! You’re clever…”
He walks closer, embraces me, whispers, “You’re so dead. I’m the one and only to kill Sabrina King and Hannah Ford…” He swings the crowbar and hits me hard, right to my chest and he picks up a knife from his pocket. I tackle him, but he was strong enough. He stabs me right to the abdomen and leaves the place by crushing down the book shelf. He also destroyed the DNA testing machine. While, leaving the office, he shouts, “She is still alive. Come and save her if you can live for another day.” He fled like an animal with a suspicious message.
While, the thing which surprised Sofia Rose is, the same boxes found in Brown’s basement. The only difference is it is stored with jars of organs and drugs. She took a sample of the drug, told the deputy to seal down the mortuary department.
On the other side, I was struggling for life as I was severely injured. I crawled towards the desk to press the button as it will create an emergency signal to a nearby FBI person. Finally, I pressed the button and it created a wave of signal to Sofia. Few minutes later, Sofia was back to our office and she was surprised to view the scenario of the room. I was lying on the floor, unconscious, blood mixed with dirt flowing rapidly like a river. She was confused, calls for ambulance. She hustles forward, does the CPR technique but I was deeply unconscious due to the pain. She took out a first aid kit, tied the bandage to my abdomen, pressing hard to stop the blood.
The ambulance comes at the right time, they pick me up and admit to Trevewood General Hospital. Dr. Arthur Wilson takes me out to emergency room for immediate surgery. They perform CPR again, but I was irresponsible. Sofia was weeping outside the operation theatre, as she was my close friend from High School. Finally, they performed the surgery, plastered me with stitches, almost 36 stitches to my abdomen but I was unconscious. It was time to automated defibrators machine. Dr. Arthur said, “Switch it to 150V” It was a bit luck and finally he ordered it for 190V and it was a meagre success. Finally, 200V will be the last shot and the one last shot gave me life. It was a miracle for me and the doctors.
I regained my consciousness, gasping for respiration. Dr. Arthur said, “Take rest. You’re alive and it’s a miracle. You’ll be discharged 2-days later.” He leaves the operation theatre, towards Sofia Rose, “He lives for another day. He is special and obviously a miracle to this hospital.” She was so excited to see me alive and expresses her gratitude to Dr. Arthur. She leaps for joy and thanks herself and God for helping out me with a spirit of joy. She walks down the canteen, picks up a special menu for an evening snack. On the other side, I was still wondering his last suspicious words. I was tired of thinking of Sabrina King. Sofia Rose enters the room with a cappuccino and burger, smiling like a high school student.
She sits beside me, tickles me with a perpetual smile and tensed face, “I was so worried about you. I’m so sorry that I didn’t pick up your call. But the emergency call made you alive. I’m so happy that you’re alive. Well, I need to inform you again, that I found something in mortuary…” I paused her, gasped for breath, “Can you lift me up?” She lifted me up, places the pillow beside my head which was fluffy like a cotton candy. I said, “The stranger is a man, I’m not sure of his age but he sounds like a man. He took all our samples, also crushed my DNA machine. By the way, when he stabbed me and fled like an animal, says a warning, ‘SHE IS ALIVE. SAVE HER IF SHE LIVES FOR ANOTHER DAY.’ I’m confused with the subject ‘SHE’. Is it Hannah Ford or Sabrina King?”
She smiles, “It’s really impossible for them to be alive. Obviously, he is manipulating your mind to evacuate you from the right track. The only thing we should note is that he is afraid of our duo thing. So, we can find him by cleaning off the debris in our office while you can take rest.” I replied, “What’s the special thing you’ve found in the mortuary basement?” “Well, we’ve found the same boxes with jars of organs and especially packets of drugs. We’ve deported it for drug testing. We’ll get the results by midnight and I’ll stay here beside you. I don’t want another speck to fall on you as you’re the only one who can lead this case after me.”
I was shocked, “What the hell are you talking about? Why are you speaking things like death?” She smiled, “Since high school, as we’re friends, I forgot to tell you an important thing but I didn’t want to stress you out, by disturbing your love towards Sabrina King.” I was surprised, “We used to share everything even it is depressing. I will never neglect anybody’s words. Tell me…” She stammers, “The thing… is that I have been diagnosed by Blood cancer and the doctor says that I will never revive it or there is any cure for it. Last year, the doctor told me that
I’m diagnosed with Stage-III cancer and there is nothing they can do to revive my life…I’ve done the therapy but it was unsuccessful.”
I felt sad, wiping out my tears, “This will never neglect me from Sabrina King. There is something that disturbs you. I can hear your heartbeat; you feel nervous to tell that thing which I understand.” She stammers, “What do you mean?” I smiled, “I knew it, you’ve this other feeling for me which cannot be measured. In other words, you felt this presence of…spirit of love. You were aware and strong to propose me on our senior year but the thing ‘cancer’ disturbs you. Because, you knew the end.”
She chuckles, cries for a moment, walks up outside without a word. It was a sad moment for me to reject her in high school and now it is too late. So, I didn’t want her to die in vain without her fulfilment.
Thus, I called Dr. Arthur and he was worried by seeing my condition. I said, “I really thank you for saving my life. But I need to save someone who is already dying.” He smiled, “But, the stitches will not hold longer if you injure yourself.” I replied, “Well, I don’t think it as a pain for me but can you please discharge me or not?” Finally, he agreed to discharge me from the hospital.
While, Dr.Thomas Line who escaped in the hands of Trevewood police was in loose. He was in the border along with Sheriff Jack and Mayor William. They were whispering something where no one knew it, not even me. Sheriff Jack said, “We need to move this body from Trevewood town. Otherwise, our boss will kill us.” “Yep, you’re right. But, how can we do this?” replied Dr. Thomas. “Well, we can decompose her in the river. It’s the perfect place because no one can witness it” said Mayor William.
“You are really cunning and intelligent but not like those two shitheads” shouted BOSS. “B…o…. boss, we were un…unaware that… you’re here” stammered Dr. Thomas Line. He slowly inserts his hand in his coat pocket, picks up pistol, loads it with a bullet in the pistol. He points towards Dr. Thomas Line, “You deceived me, not because you’re alive today but you made a big mistake” said Boss. He was worried, stammers in fear, “Bo…Boss, I’m really sorry. We’ll solve the mystery of this girl.”
“You seem the death of Hannah Ford as funny…you deceiver, you traitor” shouted Boss. He was afraid, shivering for death, “Bo…Boss, we’ll never deceive you…Give me last one time.” He laughs maniacally, “Since Sachin and Sofia are not dead, you’re gonna sacrifice for them.” Saying the last warning, with a perpetual smile, pulls out the trigger and shoots Dr. Thomas Line. After shooting him, he threw the pistol to the other end and boom! the pistol blasts to pieces.
He tilts his head, to Sheriff Jack and Mayor William, puts his hand in the pocket, pulls out a photo and hands it to Mayor William and commands him with a word,
“Finish them, I mean the whole Trevewood town.” He collects the photo, his hands were shivering, “We’ll not deceive not you, Boss” replied Sheriff Jack and Mayor William. A limousine comes and he vanishes like a cloud. When the Boss left the crime scene, they both plot a plan to kill someone and also by the way, they burnt Dr. Thomas Line. The body of Hannah Ford was still mangling like a doll in the mortuary van.
While, the day or the minute I was discharged from the hospital. I went to the Jewellery store to buy an ornament for Sofia. I bought the surprise gift and hustled to my office to gift her the best gift in her life. I knocked the door, smiling myself. She opened the door, looks surprised and sleepy, “How is this possible? Well, I was told that you’ll be discharged after 2 days.”
I smiled, “My mind was cancerous and hence to cure it, here I am.” I walked in, locked the door, switched off the lights; she was worried, shouts like a child, “Are you pranking me again?” I said, “Wait, I’ll surprise you. Just a sec.” Few minutes later, I lit candles in one of the tables which was not broken or destroyed when the killer was here. She said, “What’s this?” I told her to be patient. Then, I placed the champagne on the table with neatly arranged plates which was ornamental or designed with modern design. I served the dish, with not a special dish but chocolate ice cream as a dessert served with mild dish, chicken burger. After serving the dish on the plates, I took out the surprise gift and placed in on her right side.
I said, “Please sit, we need to talk something which is necessary for us.” She smiles, “Is this…are we going for a date?” I smiled, “You get it the right clue but it is not so.” She sits on the chair, gently she pops out champagne. After eating ourself, I said, “Well, let’s talk something important beside this case.” She was curious and inside her heart she knew that this is one of the perfect date, I said, “Open the gift. It’s a surprise gift for you.” She unwinds the ribbon and suddenly, beep…beep…beep…the earth falls down to ground to someone….
What happens next?
Was our date being successful?
Is it the evil plan or is it about Sabrina King?
Is it the plan plotted by the BOSS to Sheriff Jack and Mayor William?
Who is the serial killer or who is the BOSS?
Stay tuned…
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