????ABIGAIL
INOCENCIO????
(The Murderer….)
By, Precious Pinky
Copyright ©️(Don’t copy this story if you don’t want to see madness!)
CHAPTER 59????60
••••
{ THALLIUM }
“Listen,” She kept her voice even lower than before. “there is a possibility that Dr. Sandra killed the patient but there is also a possibility that she might have arrived at the scene when the patient was already dead.”
______
Emma and Robert exchanged glances as they both reasoned Minty’s speculation.
She could be right.
But does that imply that there is a third party that no one is paying attention to in all of these things happening?
“Did you see the face of the person?” Sammy asked.
Minty shook her head as a no.
“This is serious. If you didn’t see the face of the person, how can we solve the mystery then?” Luca questioned.
“Solve what mystery?” Sammy glanced at him, raising a questioning brow.
“This… Mystery.” Luca responded, hesitantly.
“Are you crazy?” Sammy snapped. “Don’t tell me you are considering getting involved in this shit because if yes, then count me out of it.”
“You are such a scaredy-cat.” Luca scoffed.
“Yes, I am and I don’t care.”
“What about the height of the person?” Emma asked the girl. “Is there a way you can describe it? Or the physique of the person? Anything at all?”
Minty creased her brows as she thought about it.
“Well… The person has the physique of… I don’t know. I didn’t see it clearly.” She sighed. “And as for the height, ” She paused, looking around to see if there was anyone that she could use for description, and at that moment, she sighted Thelma walking into the cafeteria with a few other nurses. “There,”
Everyone moved their gaze to where she had pointed to.
“Where?” Luca asked.
“Nurse Thelma.” She answered. “The height of the person matches hers.”
“Wait, are you saying…” Sammy’s voice trailed off when Minty shook her head.
“I am not saying she is the killer. I am only using her as a description. Don’t get things twisted, Sam.”
‘Things are already twisted.’ Emma thought to herself with a deep frown on her face.
•••••
Abby entered her office in a hurry and leaned back to the wooden door, gazing at the ceiling.
Her heart was still thumping rapidly and loudly.
She can’t believe she kissed her director.
What was she thinking to have done that?
Maybe she was high on drugs because if that wasn’t the case then she has absolutely gone crazy.
Like f**king hell, what would people think of her if they found out about her intimacy with the boss?
They might see her as a wh*re. A bitch who was willing to sell herself for promotions or recognition.
Marshall would see himself as smart-ass because he was the first to suspect her of f**king the boss.
Wait a minute, she didn’t f**k the boss. They only shared a kiss and it most definitely won’t repeat itself again.
However, she can’t seem to take her mind off the heated kiss she shared on the rooftop with Jersey.
She could still feel his hands exploring her body as their tongues got tangled up in their locked mouth and fought for dominance.
She could still feel the softness of his lips and the bitter coffee taste on his tongue which she didn’t mind at all.
The memory was taunting her, making her have second thoughts about experiencing such freedom and inner burns.
She has never shared a kiss with anyone before. So technically, Jersey took her first kiss.
He doesn’t know that and she doesn’t plan on telling him about it.
She loved every second of what they did on the rooftop. Although it was scary, stupid, and crazy but it ignited something inside of her. Something she didn’t even know existed.
Abby bites her lower lip, lowering her gaze to the floor.
Her cheeks were crimson and she was sweating profusely like one who ran a 100mm race.
She was breathing slowly and that was contrary to the rapid pace of her heartbeat.
Abby pressed her head on the door and her eyes fluttered closed.
Jersey was occupying her sense of reasoning, it shouldn’t be so.
She snapped her eyes open and quickly shook her head as if shaking off the thought of him and her on the rooftop.
“Stop thinking about it, Abby. The kiss should never repeat itself again. You can never be happy, don’t ever forget that.” She said to herself, balling her fist. “Don’t drag him into your f**ked up life because there is no happy ending for you.”
She suddenly remembered his words before the kiss.
~FLASHBACK~
“I did something really bad.” He whispered.
“What are you talking about?” She glanced at him.
Jersey returned her stare, both looking into each other’s eyes.
A thicker silence lingered in the air for another few seconds.
“But I don’t regret it.” He added, moving his eyes to her full pink lips. “I don’t regret it at all…”
~FLASHBACK ENDS~
“What was he talking about? What did he do?” She asked herself, pinching her brows together in confusion.
••••
Desmond entered the departmental office of Emma and her teammates but found it empty.
Not a single soul was in there.
“Where have they gone to?” He asked, looking around.
“I don’t remember giving them an assignment,” He frowned, glancing at the time on his wristwatch. “And lunchtime is over.”
He stepped further into the office and walked up to his daughter’s desk where he saw photos of dead people laying there.
Desmond picked up one of the photos and studied it.
He recognized the image.
It was a victim from the case of two years ago. The Santos Hospital case.
What was the image doing here?
Wasn’t it supposed to be with the team in charge of the investigation now?
He saw a crumbled paper on the floor and picked it up.
He unfolded it and read what was written on it.
He recognized the handwriting to be his daughter’s.
“What poison could cause hair loss?” He read out loud, and the frown on his face deepened. “Wait a minute…” He observed the table again, the empty office, and the paper in his hand. “don’t tell me they are still working on the case.”
“Dad?” Ginny called out from behind, grabbing his attention.
He turned around to look at her.
“Dear,” He answered.
“What are you doing here?” She snatched the photo and paper from his hand and dropped it on the table alongside the takeout coffee she went to buy for herself.
“I came over to check up on your team only to find the office… empty.” He said.
“Hmm. But is it proper to snoop around?” She raised a questioning brow at him, crossing her arms over her chest.
“Maybe not. But I am the boss. What is the meaning of that, by the way?” He asked, nodding his head at the photos and paper on the table.
Ginny slightly shrugged her shoulders.
“Nothing serious.”
“Ginny, where are your seniors?” He asked.
“Why are you asking? Do you need them for something?”
“Stop answering my question with a question, Ginny. And can you stop giving me that nasty attitude? I am your father but then again, I am your boss.”
She rolled her eyes.
“I ask again, where are your seniors?”
“They went out to deal with something.” She replied.
“Deal with what? I don’t remember giving them any task to do.”
“They went to give out a helping hand to some seniors.” She lied smoothly.
“What seniors?”
“I don’t know. I don’t care.” She deadpanned.
“I don’t believe you,”
“Suit yourself, Dad.” She grabbed the cup of coffee and took a sip. “You should return to your office. I’m busy.”
“Why didn’t you follow them?” He asked.
“And why should I?”
“What?”
“Dad, I came here to work as a detective and not follow my seniors around. Do I need to remind you that you took away my first case from me, hmm? I am still very mad at you for that.”
“It wasn’t my intention. I had no choice.”
“That doesn’t justify anything.”
“Is that why you are working on it by yourself with your seniors gone?” He queried.
She stared down at the photos on the desk and then nodded her head.
“Yes. They don’t know I’m doing this.” She muttered.
“Ginny, you have to stop it. This could get you into trouble.”
“You are the boss, Dad. If you want to overlook this, you can and no one will question you.” She took another sip of coffee. “But one thing is certain, I won’t leave this case. I don’t care what kind of trouble it gets me into, I will find that f**king psychopath.” She said with determination laced in her voice.
Desmond said nothing as they both stared at each other.
“Stop whatever you are doing, Ginny. I don’t want you to hurt yourself.” He said and left the office.
Ginny released the breath she didn’t realize she has been holding in.
She quickly collected her phone and texted Emma and Robert on a group chat she had just recently created.
GINNY: RED CODE????
••••
“How is my daughter doing?” The poor woman asked Abby.
“She is doing great.”
“Why then hasn’t she regained consciousness?”
“Well,” Abby smiled. “She is only resting, ma’am. You have nothing to worry about. Anyway, how are you feeling? You were also involved in the accident.”
The woman let out a deep breath.
“I’m fine, doctor. Aside from the migraine, I’m okay.” She replied.
“That’s good to hear. You should rest and stop coming over here all the time so you can heal, you know.”
“I can’t rest when my daughter is in the intensive care unit, doctor. I wish I am the one in her place.” She sighed. “She was only trying to protect her brother and took most of the hit that was meant for him.”
Abby stared at the unconscious girl who hasn’t regained consciousness since the surgery she underwent.
Anna, that was her name.
“The most important thing is that she is steady and well.”
“Yeah… She will survive it, right? I am afraid that something bad might happen to her.”
Abby placed her hand on the woman’s shoulder and squeezed it softly.
“Don’t be. I will make sure she is fine. Okay?”
“Thank you, doctor.”
“Dr. Abby.” Abby corrected.
The woman smiled and nodded her head.
“Dr. Abby, thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Abby left the ICU, leaving the woman behind.
••••
“I’m off!” Lisa announced, already changed out of her janitor’s uniform.
“Alright, dear.” Ethan responded and waved at her which she returned and walked away.
“Did you get the text?” Emma whispered to her partner’s ear.
He nodded.
“What do you think could be the case?” She added.
“I don’t know. Ask her.”
EMMA: WHAT IS THE SITUATION?
There was no response. Yet.
Sammy and Luca are already closed for the day as well.
It was remaining Emma, Robert, Minty, and Ethan.
“Why are you people still there? Do you want to work another shift?” Ethan asked.
“Uh… Nah.” Minty shook her head immediately, picking up her bag. She already changed out of her uniform. “Ginny, Richard, hurry up so that we can leave together.”
“Sure.” Emma and Robert replied.
•••••
“Ugh, I’m tired.” Minty grunted.
“Minty,” Emma called out and the girl turned to look at her. “How well do you trust Sammy and Luca?”
She frowned at the question.
“I don’t understand.”
“You told us such a valid information. Anyone could be the killer.” Emma explained.
“If there is anyone I shouldn’t trust then it should be you and Richard. I have been working with Sammy and Luca for five months.”
“Oh, yeah. That makes sense.” Robert murmured.
Emma and Robert finally got a reply from Ginny.
GINNY: YOU GUYS NEED TO STOP BY THE STATION. THERE IS SOMETHING YOU MUST KNOW. DON’T TEXT ME BACK, I’M BUSY????
“Spoilt brat,” Emma blurted out.
“What?” Minty glanced at her in confusion.
“Oh, sorry. I wasn’t talking to you.” Emma apologized, dropping her phone back into her pocket.
“About your description,” Robert began. “Are you sure of it?”
“Totally.”
“Why didn’t you tell the detectives anything?” Emma questioned.
“First of all, they didn’t ask me anything. Besides, you don’t expect me to walk up to them and tell them what happened… they might even see me as a suspect. And secondly, I don’t want to get involved. The killer could find and kill me if he/she knows that I know anything.”
“You are right.” Emma and Robert said at the same time.
“Yes, I am right. That is why I kept my mouth shut until now.”
“Who do you think did it?” Robert asked the girl.
Minty shrugged her shoulders.
“Honestly, I don’t know who to suspect. Everyone is technically a suspect.” They nodded their heads in agreement. “However, there is something I noticed lately… I don’t know if I should trust you guys with the information.”
“Please trust us,” Emma said immediately.
Minty stared between the both of them for a moment.
“Fine. I don’t know why I have a good feeling about you two.” She held their hands and dragged them into a corner, away from prying ears and eyes. “There is some kind of bond between Nurse Thelma, Dr. Sandra, and Dr. Marshall. They’ve been moving around together lately and I overheard Dr. Sandra and Nurse Thelma discussing…”
“What were they talking about?” Robert asked.
“About the night that the murder happened. It was as if Nurse Thelma was threatening Dr. Sandra. But that isn’t what I find suspicious,” She paused. “Dr. Sandra is afraid of people finding out about her presence that night. And Nurse Thelma who knows about it is using it to her own advantage.”
“Hmm.”
“Listen, I am telling you both all these things doesn’t mean you should tell anyone else. Don’t forget anyone could be the killer’s next victim.”
Minty’s phone started ringing, she pulled it out of her small cross-bag and stared at the caller ID, her eyes quickly brightened at whoever it was.
“I’m sorry, but I think I will have to go first.”
“Oh, okay.”
“Yeah. See you tomorrow.” She waved and walked away.
“F**k. This case is getting broad and complicated.” Robert hissed, ruffling his hair.
“I know, right? Who would believe it that there was someone else who stopped by Tara’s ward that night?”
“Sandra could be the killer or not. But if she is innocent, why is she afraid of telling the detective that she was around that night?”
Emma shrugged. “That’s something we need to work on and figure out. So apparently, Sandra and an unknown person is our prime suspect. Because either one of them killed Tara and the patients of two years ago.”
“Wait up here, let me go and get the car from the parking lot.” Robert said while Emma nodded her head and watched him leave.
••••
“What? You are joking!” Minty was on the phone with her boyfriend as she walked down a silent alleyway with barely anyone around.
“I’m serious, babe.” He said.
She giggled, shaking her head. “I can’t believe you would say that to your mother. Tell me, what did she do? Because I know how crazy she can be.”
“Well…”
Minty didn’t hear the rest of her boyfriend’s words as she got distracted by the footstep of someone.
She glanced back and indeed someone was walking behind her, dressed in all-black with their hands tucked inside their pocket and head lowered.
“Babe!” Minty’s boyfriend called out, grabbing her attention. “Are you there?”
“What? Yeah… yeah… Of course. Sorry, what were you saying?”
“You haven’t been listening to me?”
“I’m sorry. I was a little bit…” The unknown person hit her from behind, cutting her off. “Ah!” Minty screamed and fell to the floor, her phone flew from her hand and slide behind a trash can.
Minty looked up at the person who just attacked her and her face dropped at the face she saw.
“What… what are you doing?”
The person took out a bottle containing something liquid and forcefully poured everything into Minty’s mouth.
“Ah!” She struggled to break away but she was gradually losing her strength. “Dr… Dr…”
“Minty? Hello? Babe! What’s going on? Where are you?” Minty’s boyfriend kept screaming from the other line but there was no one to respond to him.
••••
Emma and Robert arrived at the station and went straight to their departmental office.
Ginny was seated in a chair, licking lollipop when she sighted them.
“Oh, there they are.” She stood up. “I’ve got news for you.”
“Shoot. We came all the way here for it.” Emma stated.
“Dad caught me.” She cut right to the chase.
Emma and Robert’s eyes widened.
“He did what?”
“Don’t be frightened. I didn’t implicate you both. I lied that it was just me working on the case.” She said.
“Why would you do that?” Emma asked.
“Well, because I am just an intern and Daddy won’t do anything stupid to get me into trouble. I have more chance of escaping this if being caught than the both of you.”
“You are right but still. We are all in this together. You can’t take the fall for Robert and me.” Emma said.
“Stop making it sound emotional or cheesy. I don’t regret my decision on not telling him the truth. Yeah, we are a team which is why I must protect us.” Ginny stated.
“Aww.” Emma cooed. “You’ve grown up so well.”
“Uh, I am still twenty years old.”
“Yeah. Whatever. I was talking about your mental and intellectual growth. Don’t ruin the vibe.”
Ginny rolled her eyes, a ghost smile playing on her face. “Anyway, there is something else I found in the photos of the victims.”
“What is it?” Robert queried.
“Hair loss,” Ginny answered. “Every victim loses a patch of hair before their death. One of them could have suffered from cancer but it will be a big coincidence if all of them had suffered from cancer that maybe caused the hair loss. I don’t know.”
“Only Tara was in an early stage of lung cancer. While the others were either suffering from chronic malaria, stroke, diabetes, and so on but none had cancer aside Tara.”
“I am no doctor but early-stage cancer doesn’t cause hair loss.” Robert said.
“Exactly.” Ginny agreed. “Which is why I find it strange and suspicious.”
“Does that mean the poison given to them made them lose hair? And what kind of a poison is that because I have no idea at all.” Emma let out.
“I checked them out actually. Poisons that cause hair loss are; Arsenic, thallium, mercury, and lithium. And among them is the poison used by the killer.”
“Which do you think it is?” Emma asked.
“Thallium.” She answered. “It is odorless, tasteless, and undetectable. Best choice to murder someone with if you don’t want to get caught.”
Desmond barged into the office.
“Sir,” They all saluted him and he returned the gesture.
“I have some questions for y’all but that’s for another day. You have a murder case.”
“A murder case?” Everyone repeated.
“Yes. A dead body was found in an alleyway this evening. You all need to go and inspect it right now. Mr. Reid and his forensic team are already there. Good luck with your new case.”
TBC.