"Life is problems. Living is solving problems."-Raymond.E

(Officer in command of Inspector Roy)

General Chief Liam POV:

I leaned against my chair and sighed. There is a connection in this case and I know it.

It's been two years, eight months and still there is something missing that the case hasn't yet closed.

I sigh again and sit up straight. My gaze lingers over the huge paper work beside my puzzle.

A puzzle of the case with all pictures and notes scattered on my wooden table.

I squint my eyes at the small writing on the sticky note and read it again for the millionth time.

It's about the wanted serial killers who aren't just sick psychopaths but one of the smartest murderers.

They tend to enjoy torturing their victims, drugging them before ending the innocent lives.

-Case 567- 09 , 2018-

Victoria Emmanuel:
Identity-Unknown
Kills- 39 victims, most of them drugged with Trxyonate.

Paul Smith:

Age-47years
Kills- 28 cases of Trxyonate.
Death: 19th February, 2018
Case of death: Shot dead near the car accident.

Both of them are wanted serial killers. It's a fortune for the world that one of them happened to be shot dead during the car accident.

But the accident took two more precious lives. And there's no proof as to who killed Paul Smith.

The reason the police team was able to record their kills was thanks to the killers itself who left a mark on their victim's body. Usually a piece of skin would be burnt with the killers name or they would do the honors of carving their name on the victim's forehead.

Later they throw the bodies in a public area to create terror, with missing fingers, nails, ears, skin torn and more such gruesome descriptions.

My gaze shifts to the other notes and photos on the table and I lean further to inspect, popping my elbow on the table for support.

Victims of car accident:

Time: 1:30a.m, Brook's Highway

Place: 250miles away from Versley town
350miles from Willows town-- Brooks Highway junction Road.

Victims:
Evelyn Amsterdam, wife of Doctor Steve Edison. Died on spot due to skull fracture and bleeding.
Steve Edison, the Scientist drugged by Trxyonate and died within minutes.
The car crashed and was caught in flames.

I lean back into the chair and run a hand in my hair in frustration. This wasn't coincidence, but planned by the serial killers. There was one more person during that night, who drugged the doctor and probably killed Paul.

As for Trxyonate, it's a drug that was made by the wanted criminal Victoria, for her own sick pleasure. It causes a sane human being to develop craving of bloodshed, more like turning them into a wild beast before slowly killing them.

Mostly, the drugs slows down the blood pressure and breathing rate, that causes dizziness further the toxic substances makes an individual incapable of being conscious with actions.

In short it's a death flag of severe failure of several organs.

It led victims of Trxyonate to die in a brutal ways. Their insides slowly dissolve or lead to failure of organs. Some of the victims with better luck survive the brutal death but get provoked to cause more bloodshed, later within hours they would die too.

The news of the drugged prisoners breaking free into the Hiltons town caused a lot of pressure on citizens and many were attacked.

It seemed false to be a reality. Like a zombie apocalypse but the infected cannot infect the sane individuals.

I look at the old pictures near me. They're the pictures taken by press or either the citizens that night when prisoners broke free, turned into beast and ran into the town.

I scan the gruesome sights portrayed in the pictures, reading its case study that lay beside the dozen of pictures.

Car accidents - 7
Deaths -9, casualties: none

Pedestrians attacked- 49
Injured-20
Killed-22
Missing -5

Many houses were burnt and the town's bank was robbed by few of the prisoners who weren't drugged. It was just another golden opportunity for the rest of these criminals.

It became a nightmare for the people. The other four towns could only offer aid and shelter to the Hilton's people.

A knock appears on the door, breaking me from my train of thoughts.

"Come in", my voice booms in the empty huge room. It surprises me that I didn't sound strained but rather bold.

I don't shift from my position well aware of who the person is inside the room.

"Morning Sir."

I look towards the source of voice this time, sitting up straight in my chair.

"Morning, Inspector Roy", that made a grin cross his strict features and he smiles genuinely.

I could see the traces of stress through his dull eyes. The case took a good stroll on him than me obviously. He was in charge of it.

"Have a seat Mr. Roy." I insist gesturing towards the seats placed across my large table.

He nods and comes over to sit across me. Roy is one of the best inspectors the police department could ever have.

Thanks to Roy, the case that left disturbing impact on everyone was eased when he showed up.

The higher authorities decided to give the case to Roy when it seemed to have no progress for nine months but under his command it came as far as today.

"What brings you here so early today?"

A smirk crept on my face. Funny thing was both of us became close friends over these past two years.

"Mr. Liam can't I come to see my friend, it's been a week, unless you didn't bother meeting me."

I nod and he gave a dramatic facial expression of being hurt, placing a hand over his chest. A ghost smile forms on my lips.

"Today I bring good news for you." I cock an eyebrow at him, tilting my head.

"And that is?"

"The patient has woken up from coma. The hospital just informed me today. Once she is normal, we will be heading to enquire her."

I blinked at him wondering if he decided to play games but he looked serious. It took me a second to recollect about the peculiar case of this young girl. There aren't any reports of her missing nor do people recognize her.

I open my mouth but close it. My mind wanders off to her in wonder if she has a connection in this scenario.

"Don't tell me you don't believe me because trust me I wouldn't come here this early in morning just to see you." He frowns leaning back into his chair. I roll my eyes at him.

"Not like I wait everyday to see your face and start my morning." I fire back. He narrows his eyes at me but I cut him off before he could start rambling rubbish.

"Well that indeed is good news to hear Roy." I smile satisfied changing the topic. Luckily the airhead lets go of it as well.

He looks down at the pictures scattered on the table and narrows his eyes.

"It's not much of a good news for the young girl though."

I didn't say anything to it because I knew what he meant. I gaze at the pictures once again before Roy speaks.

"So far no one has been able to make any antidote to the Trxyonate drug. A few more cases have been reported related to it these past days."

"As you discovered during investigation, indeed, Dr.Steve was killed so as to stop the project of that antidote." I add.

I glance at the pictures of car crash next to me. The car was upside down and barely intact. It was completely burnt to crisp.

"And that Hilton's town was nothing but a sick pleasure to the very serial killers, to mislead the police."

I nod at him. Only Roy was capable enough apart from other officers to have figured that out. It made the investigation easier and it has gradually progressed.

"You reported all the prisoners being captured, haven't you?" I tilt my head at him.

He leans further back into his chair and smiles sheepishly.

"Of course Li. It's been past two years and all of them were captured. But we still couldn't find a trace of evidence about the antidote from Dr.Steve's research labs or his residential home."

I get up from my seat walking towards the window, thinking about his words.

If the patient can give any information about what occurred to her, it will somehow help if she is involved.

"Hey Li, don't stress over. This case will be closing soon enough." He calls back behind me, I could sense his stare on my back.

I should be the one comforting him after all he is my best friend.

I raise an eyebrow turning to face him, "How so R?"

I genuinely felt that he needed a break from the investigation but the young man is persistent.

A chuckle leaves him before a smirk appears on his face. A determined glint in his eyes.

"Every murderer forgets a clue."

He waits for my reaction. I roll my eyes at him, this dumbass may be smart but barely remembers any quotes correctly.

I decide not to correct him, he will make a fool of himself by saying those words out loud. It will be a priceless moment.

"Yes R they do. You're blind not to see any of it" I snickered at his obvious how-dare-you face.

"Just kidding"

"Better be." He murmured but I heard it crystal clear.

" R.. you are doing just great, if not, you're working yourself up for everyone's safety as well as to solve the case."

His frowned expression changes into a bulb that just got lit up.

How can such a child be a James Bond...

"If there is anything helpful that I receive from the patient I'll be sure to inform." With that said, he gets up ready to leave and walks towards the bulky door.

"Take Care Mr.R"

He looks at me over his shoulder before smirking.

"I'll , but- smile often Li. You scare the ladies on this floor."

My eyebrows shoot up and he stifles a chuckle. The door shuts leaving me shaking my head, a smile going unnoticed by others.

Well R, I don't smile often so I don't distract the ladies here.

°°°

And that's Li and R , typical best friends!!

I decided to put this chapter here so that it will be easier to solve the puzzle of this story.

Who could be the other person besides Paul?

Who killed Paul and why?

Note: This chapter has important information for our main character, Chloe.

It will help the reader connect the dots in further chapter

See you in next chapter!

Love,
Cadance.