"Mum!", Abra said, scared, as she got up and was about to rush to the kitchen, but her mom ran out instead.

"I am sorry. I just saw something really horrible online now", Mrs. Roberta said, handing her phone to Abra. It was a picture of a dead body with chopped fingers and other parts of the body chopped as well.

"What is this?", Abra asked in disgust.

"I don't know, but it is on the news. Someone got killed today in the city."

"But who put this up on the internet like this? displaying the dead body to the world."

"I don't know..."

"That was what I wanted to say", Mabel said, speaking up. "On the news, it is said that two people have been killed today, and their deaths are similar, like the whole chopping of bodies. The police are suspecting the two people may have been killed by the same person."

"So how does this have anything to do with Lucas? Are you trying to say Lucas has something to do with these deaths?"

"I think I will excuse myself now", Mrs. Roberta said, walking away. She did not want to make Mabel feel too uncomfortable.

"No no. Lucas isn't really violent", Mabel said defensively.

Abra didn't want to push further into Mabel's personal life, but for the sake of the case, she had to. "What do you mean by not really?"

"I mean, when he is angry, he says a lot of mean things and raises his voice, but he isn't violent."

"So why did you say there was something else going on when I said we would go to his place tomorrow?"

"The city is quite unsafe. These deaths. I'm scared."

"You think Lucas' disappearance has something to do with these deaths?"

"Well, maybe; I don't know."

"Okay then. I guess we are done for today. I think you should go home. As you have heard and as you have also said, the city is unsafe. Just give me your number so I can reach you anytime."

"Thank you. When do I make my payments?", Mabel asked Abra as she gave her a card with her phone number written on it.

"Tomorrow."

"Okay, thanks again. Goodnight", Mabel said, getting up.

"Good night."

"Uhm, Abra", Mabel called Abra, getting her attention again. "I know this is none of my business, and I know I shouldn't be saying this, but I will. A man that loves you will not slap you."

Mabel did not give Abra the opportunity to reply. She hurriedly left the house. Abra touched her face. She had rushed out to see her guest, forgetting that she had a bruised face. How did Mabel guess at once that it was her boyfriend who slapped her? There was something about Mabel...

Abra thought about the case. She had previously dealt with two cases of kidnapping but never with a murder case, and if it is true that Lucas was involved in the recent murders, then she will be dealing with a murder case. But if this was just a kidnapping, then it would be one of her usual cases. But what if Lucas was just at home and giving Mabel the silent treatment? What if he was actually involved in the murder case and was the culprit? Or what if he was captured and was going to be found dead soon?

Abra knew the first thing she was going to do the next day before seeing Mabel.

She couldn't help but check the messages Zach sent her. As expected, he sent a very long message apologizing and promising to make things right. He even promised to take her to her favorite place for a date whenever she was ready to speak with him again. Abra thought that Zach was actually sweet. Only that he had a problem with his...

Abra knew she had to sleep because she was going to have a long and busy day the next day. Plus, she did not want to go easy on Zach, so she did not see the need to text him back.

Abra left the house early the next day to make her own findings.

First, she headed to 'Reportersspace', a home for journalists, writers, and reporters in the city. It was home for the latest updates, news, and juicy gossip. She needed some information and knew it was best to go there.

But along the way, she spotted a crime scene. Paramedics had just arrived, and there were several police officers and some forensics experts around. Abra parked somewhere and came down from her car. Her phone started to ring, and she saw it was her mom, but now was not the best time to pick up calls, she thought. She walked closer to the crime scene until she was blocked by one of the police.

"You are not supposed to be here."

Well, Abra had no proof that she was supposed to be here. In fact, she was not supposed to be here. She had to get a legal license as a private detective but Sheriff Barry refused to give it to her even after she successfully solved two cases.

"She's Abra Ramsbo. The lady that solved the last kidnap case that was difficult for all detectives", another police officer interjected.

Abra did not recognize the police, though he recognized her. It could have been one of the police officers involved in the kidnapping case.

"You see, I'm a private detective. Emphasis on private, and I strongly believe what I am working on relates to this death. I would love to have a look", Abra pleaded.

Before any of the police could say anything, someone behind Abra beat them to it.

"Abra Ramsbo. I thought I would find you here. You're always in the middle of a tough crime scene. It's a pleasure to meet you again."

Abra could recognize that voice anywhere. It was Sherrif Barry. "Is that a thank you for solving the other two cases you couldn't solve as a sheriff? Now don't tell me this is any different just because it is a murder case. A crime is a crime. You and other detectives needed me for the last case, so don't think you can just treat me like dirt after the case. Now don't tell me long stories about how you've gotten everything handled and how you won't be needing my help like in the last case. I really don't care about that. I am already on a case. I am just connecting dots."

"What case?"

"It's confidential."

That was able to shut Sheriff Barry up. He was not surprised at Abra's behavior because she had the tendency to be sassy at any time. But somehow, she always found a way to leave him speechless.

"So I guess you want to see this crime scene then. Follow me and don't touch anything."

Abra wanted to reply, "I'm not as dumb as you are ", but she was able to refrain herself from saying that.

"It's a guy", Sheriff Barry said, looking at the dead man on the ground, and Abra took a look too. The dead man was fierce-looking, even when dead. All his fingers were chopped off.

One of the forensics officers handed a wallet to Sheriff Barry, saying it was the dead man's wallet, and once he opened it, the first thing that caught Abra's eye was the name 'Lucas Silver."