????ABIGAIL
INOCENCIO????
(The Murderer….)
By, Precious Pinky
Copyright ©️(Don’t copy this story if you don’t want to see madness!)
CHAPTER 61????62
••••
{ MORE MYSTERIES }
“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.”
______
Desmond left the office after the announcement.
Emma let out a deep breath, dusting off imaginary dirt from her shirt.
Robert stuffed his hands inside his pants pocket as he leaned back to the doorframe.
Silence lingered in the air for a few minutes until Ginny spoke up.
“Who would kill someone in an alleyway?” She asked.
“Is that even a question?” Emma scoffed.
“The heart of a human is very complex and they have a lot of thoughts going about in their heads.” Robert stated.
“Your best friend today can be your enemy tomorrow. Nobody is to be trusted. Not even a family.” Emma sighed.
“You talk as if you have been betrayed before.” Ginny pointed out.
“I’ve never been betrayed.” She answered, shaking her head. “Besides, I don’t have any family aside from my best friend. Abigail.”
“And do you trust her?”
Emma was quiet for a moment as she stared at Ginny, processing her question in her head.
“Do you trust your father?” She retorted.
Ginny smiled and threw her hands in the air in surrender.
“Fair enough.”
“Can we drop our personal conversation aside and focus on the case at hand now?” Robert pushed himself off the doorframe.
“Yeah, you’re right.” Emma pinched the bridge of her nose. “This new case is going to distract us from the undercover mission. Don’t you think?”
“Well, we can still do the undercover mission, Emma.” Ginny crossed her arms over her chest. “I don’t see any reason why we can’t.”
“Can you hear yourself at all?” Emma frowned at the girl. “The new case is a murder investigation, remember? We shouldn’t get distracted by anything so we wouldn’t make mistakes.”
“So what are you trying to say then? Are we going to forsake the Santos Hospital case and focus on this new one or what?”
Emma faced Robert, giving him the ‘do you have any suggestion?’ look.
Robert ruffled his hair.
“Maybe Ginny will keep looking for clues on the Santos Hospital case while you and I focus on this new case. What do you think about that?” He proposed.
Emma thought about it in silence, biting her fingernail.
“I think that makes sense.” Ginny concurred.
“Emma, stop biting your fingernail. It’s unhealthy.” Robert said, pulling her finger out of her mouth.
“I don’t have any idea so yeah, let’s go with yours.” She ran the tip of her tongue over her lips. “However, all of us are going to inspect the crime scene tonight. I don’t want Chief Desmond to be suspicious of Robert and I since Ginny had decided to take the fall for the team.”
“Why am I regretting my decision now?” Ginny asked, jokingly.
“It’s too late to regret, bratty.” Emma wiggled her brows.
“Like seriously, stop calling me that. Or else I’m going to start calling you…”
“Call me old hag and see what I’m going to do to you.” Emma threatened.
“Calm down. I was going to say,” She grabbed her cross-bag from the chair and started walking towards the door. “Old hag!” She ran out of the office.
“Old…old hag? Didn’t I warn you not to call me that? I swear I’m going to kill you.” Emma likewise ran out of the office, chasing after the intern.
Robert shook his head at his team’s craziness, picking up Emma’s bag which she had dropped on the floor before chasing after Ginny.
He attempted to take a step when his phone chimed, signifying a notification for a new text message.
He pulled it out of his pocket and read the text, a deep frown appeared on his face.
TESSA: WE NEED TO TALK, ROBERT. I KNOW YOU ARE MAD AT ME BUT YOU CAN’T KEEP IGNORING ME LIKE THIS. I AM YOUR SISTER AND ONLY FAMILY. ANYWAY, I WILL BE STOPPING BY YOUR HOUSE TODAY. PLEASE OPEN THE DOOR WHEN I KNOCK. I LOVE YOU AND I’M SORRY.
Robert quickly deleted the message, slide the phone inside his pocket, and left the office.
He doesn’t want to have anything to do with that girl who unfortunately happens to be his sister.
••••
Jersey has been washing his hands for over thirty minutes.
His face was pale and his lip quivered.
He doesn’t look so good or like his usual composed self.
Jersey continued scrubbing his hands under the running faucet when he heard someone clearing their throat behind him.
He quickly turned off the faucet and turned around to see who it was.
A deep frown appeared on his face immediately after he saw who it was.
“What the f**k are you doing here?”
Marshall shrugged his shoulders and started washing his hands in another faucet, a few miles away from where Jersey remained standing.
“I didn’t know we were banned from entering the men’s restroom.” He gave a sarcastic reply, scoffing.
Jersey didn’t say anything and went on with scrubbing his hands over again after turning on the faucet.
Marshall silently washed his hands and by the time he was done, he switched off the faucet.
He blew dry his hands under the dryer machine and tried to walk away when he caught sight of Jersey’s hands which were now swollen and reddened from the never-ending scrubbing.
He creased his brows together and stepped close to him.
“Are… you okay? What are you doing?”
Jersey didn’t answer.
“You are going to hurt yourself if you keep scrubbing your hands like this.” Marshall added, seeming a little bit worried.
“Mind your business.” Jersey snarled.
“Do you realize that you are almost bleeding?” He questioned.
“I thought I told you to mind your f**king business, Marshall? Whether I bleed or not, it has absolutely nothing to do with you.”
“Yeah, you are right. Why am I even bothering myself?” Marshall rolled his eyes and walked out of the bathroom.
Jersey grunted loudly, turning off the faucet for the second time.
He banged his fist on the sink and squeezed his eyes shut.
“Why the hell am I doing this? What is wrong with me? I’m f**king going to regret this. I know I will.” He mumbled under his breath, letting out a deep breath of frustration and anger.
••••
Marshall dangled his car keys as he walked towards his range rover parked in the second slot.
He was almost getting close when he heard footsteps from behind.
He turned around and saw Sandra.
“Hi, babe.” She smirked and kissed him softly on his lips.
Marshall was in deep shock at her behavior.
“Are you closed for the day?” She asked, tilting her head to the side.
He raised a questioning brow at her, looking very confused.
“Wait a minute, what was the meaning of that?”
“Meaning of what?” She asked, feigning ignorance.
“What was the meaning of what you just did, Sandra?” He flared up.
“Why are you creating a scene over nothing? It’s not like we don’t kiss before.” She scoffed.
“I am a married man, Sandra. Have you forgotten that?”
She laughed.
“Stop fooling yourself, honey. You are a married man?” She shook her head in disbelief at his choice of words. “And yet you had an affair with me. Don’t be stupid.”
“I regret doing so.”
“Oh, you do now?”
“Sandra, we broke up.”
“Did we?”
“Yes.”
“Really? Why don’t I remember that?” She pinched her brows together, pretending to be in deep thought. “Well, I just ransacked through my memories and I don’t remember any scene of us breaking up.”
“Sandra!”
“What!?” She snapped. “Do you really think you can break up with me, Marshall? Huh?”
“We can’t be together. I am married with two wonderful kids and I love my wife.”
“Shut up. Don’t tell me that bullshit. You love your wife and yet you had an affair with me. You cheated on her, I don’t need to remind you of that, do I?”
“I did that because I was stupid and_”
“Then remain stupid.” She cut him off. “I am in a huge mess right now because of you, asshole. I won’t let you use me and then toss me like I was some piece of trash. I swear I won’t.”
“It is over between us, Sandra. It is high time you accept that fact and move on. Besides, I promised to help you out of the mess and luckily, no one will suspect a thing about you or find out about what you did.”
“I don’t care what you do!” She shouted. “You are not going to leave me. Never.”
“Stop this craziness. What is your problem?”
“I should be the one asking you that question, Marshall. I won’t let you break my heart.” She angrily wiped off the tears on her face.
Marshall hesitated for a moment and then released a soft breath, running his fingers through his hair.
“Please, Sandra. Don’t make this any more difficult than it already is.” He turned around, opened the car door, and attempted to step in when Sandra said something, bringing his movement to a halt.
“You have two choices here,”
He frowned and turned to look at her.
“What do you mean? What are you talking about?”
She smirked and stepped closer to him.
“You want to break my heart, don’t you? Then get ready to have your heart broken as well.”
“What are you saying?” He was still in confusion.
“How would your precious wife feel if she finds out about your infidelity, honey?” She dusted off imaginary dirt from his suit. “I know how much you want to be with your wife… I mean, that’s the reason why you want to break my heart but trust me, Marshall, I won’t let you win. You either continue what you’ve started with me or lose your wife and me. The choice is yours.” She pecked him on the cheek and winked at him before clambering into her car and driving out of the parking lot, leaving him behind in complete bewilderment.
••••
Emma and her team arrived at the crime scene in forty minutes.
They crossed the tape that states, ‘Do not enter’ and walked towards the people already gathered there to search for information.
Mr. Reid and his team, the prosecutor, and four police officers. The police officers were guiding the path to stop any civilian that tries to walk past the scene. While Mr. Reid was having a conversation with the prosecutor and his team members, they were examining the scene for footprints, fingerprints, and any kind of evidence. Anything at all.
“Look who we have here. You’ve finally shown up.” Mr. Reid stated when he noticed their presence.
“Good evening, Mr. Reid.” Emma and Robert greeted him at the same time.
“Good evening, detectives.” He answered. “It’s been a while, right?”
“Yeah.” Emma nodded. “Anyway, what’s the situation?” She asked, looking around for the body when she saw a body bag beside a trash can. “Is that it?” She pointed.
“Yup.” Mr. Reid nodded his head and led them toward the body bag. “We actually found the dead body inside there when we arrived.”
“What? Are you trying to say that your team wasn’t the ones who package her body in the body bag?” Robert queried.
Mr. Reid shook his head.
“They weren’t. It was shocking for us as well. Seems like the killer did it.” He shrugged.
“That’s crazy.” Robert muttered.
“I guess the killer wanted to get rid of her body but changed his/her mind or got distracted.” Emma observed.
“That could be the case.” Mr. Reid agreed with a nod of his head. “But it’s just… creepy.”
“Hmm. Murderers are getting feisty and more dangerous day after day. The world isn’t a safe place anymore.” Emma noted.
“I agree with you, Detective Emma.” He handed her a file. “That’s the profile of the victim.”
“Okay.” She collected it and went through the file.
NAME: MINTY KYLE
AGE: 22 YEARS OLD
OCCUPATION: WORKS AS A JANITOR IN SANTOS HOSPITAL
FAMILY BACKGROUND: ORPHAN
Emma went back to the other information about the victim’s occupation, her brows creasing.
She studied the name of the victim as well and her mouth dropped open as her gaze moved back to the zipped-up body bag.
Robert noticed Emma’s strange behavior.
“Emma, are you okay?” He asked.
“Rob… something is wrong. I think… I think…” She gave him the file without completing her sentence and rushed to zip open the body bag, her hands trembling as she does that.
Robert read through the file and his eyes widened in panic as well.
This can’t be a coincidence, can it?
Emma eventually opened the body bag and as soon as the victim’s face come into view, her face dropped and she plopped to the ground.
Robert looked over Emma’s head and saw the face of the victim.
He couldn’t believe his eyes.
It wasn’t a coincidence.
“How… How did this happen?” Emma stuttered, tears rolling down her face.
“What is going on?” Ginny asked no one in particular, looking between Robert and Emma.
Neither of them answered her.
There was no sign of stab or strangulation on Minty’s dead body. It was like the case of the other victims in the hospital. And that could only mean one thing…
“It is my fault. Robert, it is my fault that Minty is dead. I caused it.” She cried.
“What do you mean?” Mr. Reid asked.
Emma did not answer as she continued crying her eyes out.
Robert huffed out a deep breath, tugging at his hair as he watched his partner cry and blame herself for the death of Minty.
“Why is nobody answering me?” Ginny snapped. “What the f**k is happening here?”
“Ginny, I will tell you everything tomorrow but right now, I think it will be to everyone’s benefit if I take Emma home because she is not in the right state of mind.” Robert stated.
“And why not? Does she know the victim before?” Ginny asked.
“I said I will tell you everything tomorrow.” Robert groaned. “Emma, please stand up.” He pulled her up to her feet. “I will take you home.” He faced Mr. Reid. “Can we continue this tomorrow?”
“I don’t know what is going on. I am as clueless as this girl,” He nodded his head at Ginny. “But I don’t think it is reasonable to leave the crime scene and return tomorrow.”
“I also oppose the idea of leaving to return tomorrow.” Ginny said. “How about we call a cab that will take Emma home while you and I will continue inspecting the crime scene?” She suggested. “And then you will tell me what the hell happened.” She added.
Robert thought about it before nodding his head.
“Okay. Let’s do that.”
••••
Abby knocked on Emma’s door and waited for a response but there was none.
She knocked again.
“Emma, are you in there?” She asked.
Still no answer.
“I swear if you don’t answer, I’m coming inside.” Abby threatened, banging her fist repeatedly on the door.
••••
Abby was still knocking on the door, seeming frustrated and angry now.
“You know what, I’m comin_”
Emma eventually opened the door, cutting her best friend mid-sentence.
“What?” She deadpanned, rolling her eyes.
“Have you been in there all this while? Did you purposely keep me out here for two minutes?” Abby huffed as she walked into Emma’s room.
“I needed my space, Abby. I’m sorry for ignoring you.” She apologized, rubbing her face with her palms.
“I was worried sick about you, Emma. You returned home without saying a word to me and went up to your room. And that wasn’t even what scared me but seeing you cry… You rarely cry, especially in front of me because you don’t want me to feel bad about not knowing how to cry.” She paused. “I left you alone for three hours because I know you want ‘your space’ and now that I finally come to check up on you, you refused to open the door for me. That’s not fair, girl.”
“I’m sorry, okay? It was stupid of me to ignore you. I apologize.”
Abby examined Emma’s bedroom and saw how messed up it was. Books were littered on the floor and bed.
“What happened in here? Did you messed up your room out of anger?” Abigail asked, still looking around.
Emma sat down on the edge of her bed and crossed her arms over her chest.
“No, I didn’t. I was actually working on the case.” She replied.
“Working on what case?” Abby sat down beside her on the bed, watching her very closely.
“The current case at hand, of course. The murderer from the hospital obviously killed Minty because she knows too much and can be used as a witness for the case.” She sighed.
“I thought you were crying in here…” Abigail pointed out, frowning a little bit.
“I was but not anymore. Crying won’t solve or change anything. The five patients of two years ago, Tara and now Minty, these people died unfairly and I will do everything possible to catch this f**king criminal and make him/her pay for their crime.”
Abby nodded her head in agreement.
“I support you, Emma. Tara and Minty and the rest of my innocent patients didn’t deserve what they got.”
“Hmm.” Emma lifted her laptop from the bed and dropped it on her lap.
“So what did you find?”
“We were able to figure out the poison used.” She turned the screen of her laptop to Abby for her to see.
“Thallium?”
“Yes. Do you know anything about it?”
Abby quickly nodded her head.
“Of course. It is odorless, tasteless and undetectable poison but it can be detected when a thorough autopsy is carried out.” She explained. “Why do you suspect…oh, I know why.”
“Mm-hmm. It is the best option for a murderer.” She noted, biting her lower lip.
Abby exhaled a deep breath. “God, It feels like we are in a horror movie, you know. I wonder who is the killer’s next victim.”
“Probably someone close to you,” Emma blurted out.
Abby shot her a glare.
“What?”
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to_”
“What are you talking about, Emma?” She cut her off. “Why did you say that?”
“Listen, I’m not so sure but I think the killer is killing patients that you are fond of.”
“But Minty is not my patient neither was she close to me. Besides, if I am really the reason, why then haven’t the murderer killed you? I mean, I’m fond of you and I love you more than my life.”
Emma’s mouth dropped open and she rose to her feet.
“That’s it.”
“Huh?”
“If you are really connected with all these then I should be dead but I am not. Does this mean the murderer has his/her preference? Possibly weak patients that has no chance of survival. If that’s the case then the criminal killed Minty because she knows too much. Normally, every murder takes place in the hospital but the location changed this time around…”
≤!≥I guess the killer wanted to get rid of her body but changed his/her mind or got distracted.≤!≥ She remembered her words in the alleyway.
“The murderer didn’t change their mind. Someone caught them in the act so they ran off and left Minty’s body in the body bag without tossing it away like they intended to.” She cupped her forehead. “I think I need to interrogate the person who reported the murder to the cops.”
TBC