THE MIND OF A MONSTER

CHAPTER 4- The Crime Scene

Rachael's POV

I didn't sleep until very early the next morning. When I finally woke up, it felt like I had only slept for seconds.

Even though I felt Christian's warm kisses on my face, I refused to move.

I only yawned when I heard him leave the room.

Stretching, I opened my eyes halfway. I layed still on the bed, staring at the ceiling.

Why was my career getting so difficult at such an early stage?

I had only been promoted to detective three weeks before the first murder.

Investigation would have been a lot easier if only Dolores actually took it personal like I did.

For goodness sake! Two innocent women had lost their lives in the most gruesome way.

Yet, she didn't care.

" I hope she's the third on the killer's list." I said, scoffing and rolling over on the bed.

I smelled something nice and then, my eyes went open fully, immediately.

There were roses on the other side of the bed, and a note too.

Smiling, I reached for it.

" Even though I know you had woken up a long time ago, I just wanted to say you still looked good pretending to be asleep. Don't stress too much on the case. I'm sure you'll find something in one of the crime scenes. Take care."

" Awwwwn" I cooed, pressing the note into my chest.

Ever since we started living together, Christian had made it a habit to always write me morning notes and leave me flowers.

He was an accountant in one of the local banks so he always had to get to work early.

In a sweet way, I felt less pressured after reading his notes.

" Well, I have spent too much time on this already." I said, staring at the thick paper, designed with Christian's lovely handwriting in purple calligraphy ink.

I got out of bed, to get ready for the day.

Each time I looked at the mirror in the bathroom, all I saw were the gory sites of the two victims.

Ugh!

I have to solve this case real soon if I do not wish to lose my sanity like Tina did.

As a Detective, it wasn't necessary for me to always wear police uniform. I could decide to just wear casual but formal outfits.

So, I chose a black trouser and a lose long sleeved blue shirt. 

The cold March wind was already here, it was best I took a jacket too.

Grabbing my car keys, I left the room, tieing my white shoe laces.

As expected, Christian had already made breakfast. I would never get tired of eating his croissants.

I packed up the ones I couldn't eat, together with the bacon and orange juice.

I made sure to double-check my door before finally leaving.

The drive to the station was pretty long because of the bad traffic. I ate some of the leftover croissants on the way.

All the officers greeted me as I made my way in. Even the ones around my age who had a lower rank.

Fortunately for me, Dolores wasn't in when I arrived and I had a spare key to her office.

I got in and took the camera from her locker.

As fast as I could, I made copies of the pictures I took on our last two investigations.

I kept the camera right where I took it before exiting her office, locking it.

Just as I made it into my office, I heard her rough voice, greeting the other workers.

Phew!

What a relief.

I don't have time to look at the pictures now but I would place them on my investigation board at home and study them tonight.

For now, I should check out the last crime scene. I would have chosen the first, but then, the last one was still fresh.

I believe if there's anywhere I would find evidences, it would be the last crime scene. Some evidences at the first might have dried up, or tampered with by Tina's nosy neighbours.

Dolores must have settled down in her office. She'll be too busy to notice me.

Carefully keeping the pictures in my bag, I exited my office.

I hadn't made it past Dolores' when I heard her call my name.

" Rachael." I froze on the spot.

Had she possibly found out I messed with her things?

I didn't notice my tensed shoulders until I heard the door creek behind me.         

" Rachael?"

I relaxed before turning around.

" Ma'am." I saluted her at once.

" Look, I know I acted irrational yesterday but I really want to apologise."

My jaw fell open.

What?!

She was...... apologizing?

" I shouldn't have spoken like that. Innocent people had died and I didn't act like it. I'm really sorry. You were right, we should work on the case." She concluded with a small smile.

She actually looked prettier, smiling.

" W...w..wo.....wow. I don't know what to say ma'am. But thank you? I guess." I stuttered, returning her smile.

" I'll look up the pictures from the two scenes today. There should be something in there. Moreso, Zack was able to get me information about where Tina worked. We should look into that." She said, shutting the door and facing me completely.

" Umm..... actually, I..." 

How do I tell her I was going to run off without telling her?

" You seemed to be in a hurry. Going somewhere? It's still work hours, you know? And you know how the Sergeant can get." She said, now folding her hands across her chest.

I sighed loudly, lowering my gaze to the terrazzo floor.

" I was going to investigate the second crime scene. There should be something, anything, a lead." I said, taking my brown eyes back to her light blue ones.

" That's good. Tell me about it when you're back. Good luck." That was all she said before returning to her office.

Wow!

I really can't believe this!

She actually is interested in solving this. I guess today's gonna be a good day after all.

***

Fortunately, no one had tried to break into the crime scene. 

The tapes were still intact, just the way we left them.

I had brought a notepad, gloves, a flashlight, a nose mask, a small bag and white handkerchiefs with me.

We had changed the locks and Dolores had been kind enough to give me one of the keys, the other day.

The lights were switched off and it was horribly dark in here.

I switched on my flashlight after putting on my gloves.

The first thing I met was a cobweb.

"Ugh!"

They couldn't even wait a week before turning a crime scene to their home.   

     

There were droplets of blood only in the living room. I had walked through the house and it was as clean and organized as a normal house.

Even the living room was in order.

There was no sign of self defence.

Probably the killer was careful enough to poison their victims before killing them.

" What is this?" I looked closely at the tiny blue object on the couch; it was a fingernail.

I picked it up and brought my flashlight closer to it, examining it.

It was a fingernail that probably belonged to the thumb. It had blue polish on it.

I picked it up and put it in in my bag.

As I walked around the house, I made a list of things in the house, and also the nail I had found.

It looked too small to actually belong to the second victim.

But why was her nail removed?

Is this just getting here?

Well, the only way to find out, is actually checking if it fits with the other one on her dead body.  

" At least I found something."

I got off the floor to leave but almost slipped on something.

" Ah!" I screamed, shutting my eyes and grabbing the arm of the couch midway through my fall.

I opened my eyes  when I didn't fall.

I rose up and turned to check out what I had tripped on.

It was blood.

" Ugh! Seriously?" 

This was a new shoe!

Surprisingly, the blood was still really fresh.

Usually, as long as it was exposed to air, blood would start to dry up five minutes after.

Plus, it was only a few droplets of blood.

Did someone preserve it for me to see?

" What the hell?! "             

   

I took out a white handkerchief and cleaned up part of it. I carefully placed the handkerchief in my bag before heading out.

I turned to close the door but stopped, staring at the blood on the door knob.

It was still fresh too!

I remember seeing this here my first time. 

I also remember seeing this in the first crime scene.

Whoever has killed these ladies, it must mean something to them.

I took out another handkerchief and took part of the blood. 

I put it in a nylon before putting it in the bag.

Enough evidence for one day.

As I walked back to my car, I dialed a number.

Almost immediately, the receiver picked it up.

" Well, well, what a pleasant surprise Rach! You haven't called your grandfather in ages since you became a cop." I heard grandpa John's friendly voice from the other end of the phone.

Every tension I was feeling burnt away.

" Hi." I chuckled, getting into my car.

" How is my favourite cop doing?" He asked me and I could imagine him smiling.

" Well, a lot has been on my table lately and I really need your help." 

" Yeah? What's that?"

" I need you to conduct some blood tests for me."