Dark Secrets (Thriller)

Chapter 4

Flynn was deeply hurt by the terrible memory Neil brought back.

“What’s wrong with you, Neil? Do you have to remind me of that hurtful moment? You’ve ruined my mood,”

Neil apologized and took another sip of the beer. Flynn has always been an emotional man, but the dude can barely hurt a fly. He couldn’t even kill a turkey the previous thanksgiving. What nerve would he have to kill a grown lady?

“Her death was a shock to everyone,” Flynn went on. “No one expected her to be killed like that. Who did it anyway? Was her killer ever found?”

Neil shook his head in denial.

“Unfortunately not. The police department is trying, but this is a more difficult case than I thought. Unless, maybe the suspect is someone close. Someone closer than we think. Someone no one suspects because everyone thinks he would never do a thing like that,” Neil arched his brows at Flynn and studied his reaction. Flynn coughed due to the beer entering the wrong hole.

"Are you okay, Flynn?" Neil asked.

Flynn nodded and then gasped at a thought.

“Could it be her secret lover? Or one of her exes?”

“We do not know yet. For now, I want to focus on the athletes. The suspect was believed to be a skilled runner. There is a possibility the killer might participate in this marathon race you speak of.”

Flynn nodded and drank some more beer.

“True, true. I will recommend you see the director, Mr Evan. He has the list of the registered participants,”

Neil thanked him and they both clanked their bottles. Flynn was definitely not a suspect since he was a coward. Aside from that, he gave out too much information that could incriminate himself if he was involved. No killer would do that. Neil felt grateful for the relief. He wasn’t sure how he would have felt if Flynn turned out to be a suspect. Flynn was his damn best friend!

The following day, he was at Mr Evans' office, waiting patiently to be allowed in. Mr Evans sent him in fifteen minutes after a boring wait.

“You are Detective Neil?” Mr Evans questioned, as he led him in.

“I am Detective Neil Schoenfeld to be precise,” Neil agreed.

“This is a rare visit, Neil,” Mr Evans confessed. “What brings you here? I have let go of my criminal ways. I don't go to that website anymore."

Neil laughed.

“I promise this has nothing to do with you or that website. I am here to see the list of the registered marathon runners.”

Mr Evans was surprised by the request. He reached out for a folder in his cabinet.

“Is there any problem? Do not tell me I registered a criminal.”

“We aren’t sure yet. They could all be innocent, as far as I know,”

Mr Evans handed him the list he requested and Neil combed through it. The list contained mostly teenagers who were barely out of high school yet. Since the crime occurred during odd hours, and no parent confessed to their child missing at that time, he scraped it off. He moved over to the young adults. There were quite a number of them, but neither of them satisfied his time.

“Are there any adults on this list? 5’8ft adults?” Neil asked.

“I am not sure about the height but we have 20 adults who registered for the race. Only 10 are above 5’5ft, and that’s where your friend Flynn falls in,”

Neil nodded and requested for the list containing the names of these adults. Mr Evans complied patiently. The list contained three females and seven guys of his interest. For some reason, he had a good feeling about what he saw. He took a picture of the list and handed it back to Mr Evans.

“I need your help. I hope you won’t mind?”

Mr Evans nodded.

“Sure! Anything to get this criminal out of my union.”

“Good.” Neil smiled. “Can I join the race as an undercover?”

Mr Evans arched his brows.

“You’ve got to be kidding me, Neil.”

“I am serious. There could be a killer among the runners as we speak. Who doesn’t want 500,000 dollars? Even a killer wants money you know,”

Mr Evans gazed at him for a while and shook his head.

“No. It will be risky for you. The killer could recognize you.”

“I look different without my long coat and hat, trust me. As soon as I walk around in jean shorts and a tshirt, you will think I am regular man,”

“I will agree on one condition,” Mr Evans struck a deal.

"It doesn't have to come to deal. I am saving your reputation sir,"

"I know you are, Neil. But if anything happens to you, the cops will come knocking at my door. I am not ready for that. I do not know how dangerous this criminal is, but if I were you I will not go undercover in a large gathering like that."

Neil sighed.

"This is my job. I have sworn an oath to do it judiciously. I do not care faking love for a girl to get the result I want. Come on, register me for this and let me get this done."

Mr Evans smiled weakly and nodded.

"I will still need you to comply with this deal. I do not care what you say at this point. "

Neil couldn't understand why the man was so stubborn. What was his concern with his safety anyway? He was a detective and detectives freaking take risks all the time. They avoid all form of emotions and try to think outside the box. He didn't need a man of 50 worrying about him as if he was his long lost father or something. Neil gazed into Mr Evans eyes before nodding in reluctance.

"Fine then. You have left me with no other choice. What do you want from me?"

"My request is simple, Neil,” Mr Evans rested his hands on the table and leaned towards him. “I want you to get a permit directly from the Chief Officer himself.”

Neil raised his brow.

"Look, I know what I am doing..."

"I know you know what you doing, but this is protocol. We need to follow it. Get him to call me and inform me that he wants you to patrol my event undercover.”

Neil massaged his head in disappointment.

"So you won't let me?" He asked.

“I am sorry, Neil. Those are the rules.”

Neil gazed at him helplessly, and wondered what to do. He stared at the file containing the list of racers, before coming up with a plan. After a brief silence, he smirked. Mr Evans frowned at his crafty stare.

"Don't do anything stupid,” He warned.