Chapter 7 ONE LESS DETECTIVE

Leonard’s body was covered in cuts and bruises, his mouth frozen in an open scream. Strands of veins were visible across his neck, and his bloodshot eyes were wide open, staring at the crowd in a way that made most of the people that’d gathered there really uncomfortable.

And just like Murphy, his chest was torn open, and his ribs were visible. His heart hung from his chest. The corpse appeared pale from losing too much blood. Struck with revulsion, Kevin quickly turned to look away, tears forming in his eye.

Then several seconds later, having made peace with the fact that Leonard was truly gone, he slowly turned to look at the body which lie in the same spot Mirabel’s body had once been laid.

His fingers folded into a tight fist as he forced himself to look away. But he couldn’t. His gaze remained fixed on the corpse, tears sliding down his cheek, lips trembling.

I can’t believe they got you too.

Kevin glared at the disfigured body of a once able police officer, now lying lifeless on the ground. His eyes were wild, chest heaving.

“What had happened to you? How did you end up like this? I thought we were getting closer to getting justices for Loretta.” he mumbled, wiping off his tears.

His eyes fleetingly caught something lying beside the body, and when he looked at it more closely, he saw that it was the same note that’d been attached to Mirabel’s corpse. Picked it up and looked over it.

Everybody you love dies.

He felt nausea formed in the pit of his stomach. His tears dropped. Soon, loud sirens from several police vehicles filled the air as they drove into the pack. Alex highlighted from a black SUV, Lawrence Linus trailing along behind him.

Lawrence wore a brown scarf around his neck, and a cowboy’s hat to match. He wore no smile on his face as he trudged towards the crowd, arms folded behind his back. His overly large, body-sized bodyguard heeled him.

Some police officers quickly moved in to clear the path for Lawrence, then they wrapped Leonard’s body in a plastic bag. As Lawrence approached the body, the crowd went silent for a moment, then came to life in a burst of conversation. An officer adjusted the bag to reveal Leonard agonized face at Lawrence’s request.

Alex, who couldn’t stand the sight, ran off to a corner and threw his guts out into the gutter. Lawrence came and stood by his side, and then offered him a towel.

“Thank you.” he took the towel from him, wiping his mouth with it.

Lawrence seemed unshaken by what he’d just witnessed. He must have gotten used to seeing bodies like this back in his good old day in Fallout City, where he formerly worked as an SIAS officer.

Soon, the ambulance crew arrived and put Leonard on a stretcher, then they drove away with him.

“This is the third murder victim we’ve had this week.” Alex started off, watching the ambulance drive away. “His name is Leonard—a police officer with the Fallout city police force, homicide department. This is the second time we’ve had an occurrence like this one here in the park. The first was a little girl that was brutally tortured to death—almost in the same way.”

“A serial case?” Lawrence asked, raising his brows inquiringly.

“It appears so,” he answered. “The circumstances of both murders are not entirely different. They were tortured almost in the same way and both their bodies were dumped here.”

“So far, what do we know about the killer?”

“The only information we have right now is just his name—T-Rex. Bet that’s not even his real name. Might just be a code name or something. ”

“Then we’ve got a big problem.” Lawrence breathed, taking in sight of his surroundings. “There is a serial killer here in the city, and we have to find him fast. There’s likely going to be another victim before this week runs out.”

“Not unless we stop him.”

“And how’s that coming along?”

“The forensic department is working tirelessly to create a profile for our killer. So far we haven’t made any significant progress, but we expect to have a profile before the week runs out.”

Disappointed with what he was hearing, Lawrence turned to leave, but stopped when he noticed Kevin sitting on one of the park benches far across. Kevin appeared sober, and there were tears in his eyes. He was totally broken and devastated as he stared blankly at the spot where Leonard’s body had been removed.

“Who is that?” Curious, Lawrence asked, eyes narrowing at Kevin as he studied him. “A relative of the deceased officer?”

“Leonard has no close relatives.” Alex pointed out, and turning to look at Kevin, he said. “His name is Kevin Logan. Leonard was the detective assigned to his case about a year ago when he was still in Fallout. His commanding officer had teamed him up with detective Murphy to search for his fiancée, who was abducted two days before their wedding.”

“Detective Murphy—the one whose body you’d found in that warehouse?” he interrupted him.

He nodded and continued, “The detectives had found Miss Loretta along with Kevin in an old abandoned warehouse—unfortunately, they were too late. She had been tortured to death, and the boy was made to watch everything. Ever since then, both detectives have been tracking down the guys involved in her murder—until Murphy mysteriously disappeared and was later found dead.”

Alex turned to look at the spot Leonard’s body had been found. “… and today, it is Leonard. I wonder who’s next.”

Lawrence’s eyes were drawn to Kevin. “Hmm…” he stifled a groan. Couldn’t take his gaze off Kevin. “He seems quite like an interesting character. I’ll like a word with him.”

Alex walked to where Kevin sat, Lawrence following closely behind. “Kevin, there is someone I would like you to meet.” he said to him, smiling, gesturing towards Lawrence. “This is Sir Lawrence Linus, president of threat control unit, and he is here to help.”

Kevin felt a sudden chill go down his spine. He quickly turned to gaze at his face, trying to cover the fear coursing through his veins. Lawrence's features formed a humourless smile as they established direct eye contact. Then Kevin’s eyes fell on the dark, muscular soldier standing behind.

And just then, Derik’s words rattled through his mind.

Lawrence Linus is TCU’s new president who was appointed recently to replace Mr. William. That guy is a real pain in the ass. He’s already figured out what I am. It’s only a matter of time before he comes for me. Tomorrow, he’s conducting a home-to-home investigation in every household here in the city. It’s something I’d like to call shifter hunting. I advise you to stay out of sight when he comes around. He’s great at sniffing out shifters. When you see him, you’ll know. Trust me. He walks around with a muscular giant of a bodyguard who never leaves his side. Lawrence doesn’t go anywhere without him.”

“It’s a pleasure making your acquaintance, Mr. Kevin.” Lawrence gestured towards Alex, then continued. “Alex told me about the tragic incidence with your girlfriend a year ago…”

“My fiancée.” he snapped a reply, interrupting him. “We were supposed to get married, but… he took her away from me.” he slouched at the painful memory.

“Is there any particular reason he’d chose to target your girlfri…” Lawrence immediately corrected. “---your fiancée.”

“None that I could think of.”

“I heard he also attempted to kidnap William’s daughter—that was a few days ago. Hope you don’t mind me asking? Do you have any affiliation with Miss Natasha?” Lawrence asked, paying close attention to his facial expression.

A cloud of gloom settled over him. It seemed like an unfitting question to ask at the moment. There had to be a reason he asked. “We are just school friends.”

“How long have you known Miss Natasha?” Came another question Kevin considered inappropriate.

“I met her in school—the day I applied to be registered as a student. That was barely a week ago.”

Lawrence looked over at him, as if studying him. “Is there any reason you’d changed school?”

His questions just got more inscrutable. Kevin started feeling uncomfortable with his questions. “I moved into this city recently, and since I couldn’t continue with my old school at Fallout city because of the distance, I had to register in a new one here in the city.”

Looking straight into his eyes, Lawrence asked. “When did you arrive in this city, if I may ask?”

It took Kevin a moment before he finally answered. “A week ago.”

“A week ago?” Lawrence asked in confirmation.

“Yes.” he affirmed. “… a week ago.”

Then he turned to look at Alex, who had been quiet all along. “When was the first murder reported again?”

“Few days ago.” Alex answered.

“Have you recorded any serial murder in Burnout before now?”

“None, sir.”

Then Lawrence tossed a glance at Kevin.

Kevin suddenly realised where this was headed. He figured Lawrence is trying to link him to the recent murders. He knew he couldn’t afford to get caught—if he hadn’t already.

“A few days after you arrived in this city, the same guy that’d tortured your fiancée a year ago shows up here in the city, tried to kidnap William’s daughter, tortured a little girl to death and killed the two officers working on your case. Don’t you find that a bit odd?”

Kevin screwed up his face, opened his mouth to say something, and then closed it again. Didn’t know what to say to him. His expression was numb as he stared blankly at Lawrence.

“I’m starting to think these deaths are all your fault.” he said with a pointed look in Kevin’s direction.

Alex said, “Sir Lawrence, if I may---”

“Inspector, please stay out of this. I know what I’m doing.” Lawrence cautioned him, the corners of his lips sagging in a frown.

Turning to look at Kevin, he drew in a breath, thoroughly enjoying his role as finder of truths. “That will be all for now, Mr. Kevin. I will contact you as soon as more matters arise.”

He turned to leave, the big-bodied bodyguard following him behind. And when Lawrence was a distance away from Kevin, he turned to gaze at him with suspicion. Shook his head before entering the SUV, and they drove him away.

Kevin followed the vehicle with his eyes until it was finally out of sight. Something caught the corners of his eyes and he quickly turned and found, sitting on a rocky cliff, few meters away from him, three black crows. They were all pecking the ground. His mind suddenly flashback to the vision he had last night.

Oh, God.

An uncanny feeling spread throughout his body.

It is already happening.