Tears among the Strong

"A 45-year-old Carynx Detective was found dead near Polus river today. He was killed having 56 stab wounds on his whole body. It is said that it might be done by the serial killer on the loose though there are no significant proof yet. The SBI or the Special Bureau of Investigation is still investigating whether what motive and who might be behind this disturbing crime…."

That is the first ever news I have watched as Carynx City welcome me. My name is Javier John Cole. I am a Detective-Police at the country of Calus. I was the person sent to Carynx with my wife Phoebe Cole as an SBI Police. We are now in our 15th year of marriage. And I can truly say that "Marriage" really is not a word, it is a sentence, a death sentence. Kidding aside, I can say that the both of us is happy and our relationship is in a great shape. But I would just like to advise you, do not marry a lawyer for they are stronger than any kind of lie detectors out there.

I was born here in Carynx. This was once a very peaceful city. People are very kind and very polite. I actually never thought that this beautiful city would be a target for a serial killer. The SBI already reported 5 killings including the recent detective. Victims' ages ranged from 18 to 45, all male. Although serial killers' moves and plans are somehow predictable, the killer we have here is somewhat more intelligent than a common type of a killer. He always leaves a note saying "The reason why there is war is to create peace". The SBI find it hard to collect proofs and solve crime scenes for the killer's actions were very discrete. And the first time I stepped on the crime scene, I already knew that this case would be a hard one compared to the previous cases I handled. But life is very precious for me. And in the midst of fear, I am very determined to catch the bastard behind these crimes.

*****

"The reports say that there are no CCTVs around the crime scene, making it hard for us to gather visual information whether who might have come around before the crime was committed. Also, we cannot gather witnesses for the crime is done at exactly 12:13 am.." SBI police officer.

"How do you know that the crime was done at 12:13 am?" I interrupted.

"According to the forensic investigator reported at 10 am today, the victim had been dead for 9 hours and 47 minutes assuming that he died at exactly 12:13 am, Sir." Police Officer.

"Have you recovered the knife used?" I asked

"No, Sir"

I entered the crime scene. The victim was killed on a small cabin near a river. I saw the stuffs messed around the room.

"There was a struggle. The victim tried to defend himself." I said.

I carefully examined the place. All I see is broken table, broken stuffs, and blood spilled on the ground.

As I look around, I saw two cups lying on the ground. I took it and saw that both of it was once filled with coffee.

"Where is the forensic examiner?" I asked the Police.

"Let me call him….."

"No. Give this to him and tell him to examine the saliva from these cups." I said.

"Okay, Sir" He took the cups.

I again examined the room. The room has a good space with one light bulb on the ceiling. It seems that this cabin has electricity supply.

"Everything is broken." I said as I looked around.

"Broken table, broken stuffs….broken window" as I look at the window.

I saw that the window really is broken. I looked at the window glass pieces on the ground and they are not covered in blood. And the note was also found at the victim's pockets proving that this is another kill for the serial killer.

"There was no knife at all" I realized.

I called out one police officer.

"Where is your team captain?" I asked.

He called his captain.

"I want you to search for a piece of window glass filled with blood. It should be around here." I said.

***

I decided to go out and buy a coffee. I found a café. I bought a coffee and sat.

"Coffee.." I said while staring at the cup.

Why were there two cups of coffee?

"Are you a coffee lover?" I asked while staring at my coffee.

I took my phone and called my friend Nash which is now inside the crime scene.

"Hello, Nash. Can you give me a record of the victim including his full name, age, family members and their contact numbers?"

"Yes, I can. Do you need it now?" He asked

"Yes, I am here at Corpuz Café." I said

"Alright, better prepare me a food there. I haven't eaten for years now. You better get this guy. He is making my life worse." He said.

"Sure, what would you like to eat?"

"I can eat anything right now. I can eat a whole horse, you know?" He said

And so, I ordered him some food and waited till he comes over. He came after about 15 minutes.

"So, is this a date or what?" he asked

"Sorry, you're not my type" I said

"That's kind of a hurtful words to say to a pretty woman" He said then makes face.

"Come on, Nash. Don't tell me you are gay all this time?" I said.

"You are ruining it." He chuckled.

He then looked at the food I bought him as the waitress serves the food at the table.

"What's this? It looks good." He asked the waitress.

"That is called the Kokutei Ramen, a popular Japanese ramen, Sir." The waitress said.

"This looks yummy, we have here 2 fresh eggs poured down…. Noodles…And the best part, the meat. What kind of meat is this? Is it beef, pork? He asked.

"Horse meat, Sir" waitress said then smiled at Nash.

"What?!" Nash looked at me horribly.

"You said you could eat a horse!" I said

"Didn't you realize it was a joke, John?!" He said.

I looked at the waitress and said "Thank you for serving, don't worry about the lady here, she is just undergoing post-partum depression"

The waitress seemed to be confused. "Are you sure, Sir..?" She asked

"Yes" I said.

"Do I have a choice?" Nash said.

I laughed. You should've seen Nash's face.

He started eating though.

"Well, can't complain. This is good. I never thought horses tastes like chicken." He said while devouring the ramen.

"Slow down, dude" I said.

"Well, okay then. Let us discuss yours. I am listening."

I seem to forgot that we are about to discuss a very gruesome topic here. I started to be serious and so did Nash.

"You got the victim's profile?" I asked.

"Yeah, here." He handed me a folder. "I kind of feel sad about Frank." He added.

I opened the folder containing the victim's profile.

"Frank Corey, 70. Colossus Avenue, 17th residence. Wife Carol Corey. Got 3 children." I looked at Nash and added "Did they already know?"

"The wife, yeah. We already informed her. Not sure if she told the kids. Maybe you could pay them a visit?" Nash

"Yes, I would. I would also like to ask something. There is something weird in the crime scene." I said

"What did you see?" Nash

"I don't think I can discuss it now." I said

"Well, the team also found a piece of glass several meters away from the room where Frank was killed. It is covered in blood. But the forensics only see 1 set of fingerprints which belongs to Frank only"

"I already knew that the killer used the glass, not knife." I said.

"This may add up to the clue. Because the killer surely messed up his hands as he used the glass. Those wounds will leave a mark, right?"

"I suspect that the killer is a smart one. He disappears in thin air just like a very stealthy assassin. Also, as you said, there are no other fingerprints other that Frank. I assume he used gloves and does not hurt himself with the glass." I said

This is where I realized that the killer is not as dumb as I though he is. This will be a tough one.

"Well, you have better assumptions than mine. And I think you are right, except that you haven't figured out that I am joking about the horse. We are not even sure if it is a clean horse or the one they got from the dirty market just like what is very rampant right now." Nash

I stared at the open space.

"I wonder why." I said

"Wonder about what? You think that is not a clean horse?" He asked

"Shut up, Nash. You are disgusting." I said

"Well, wonder about what?" Nash.

I stood up and took the folder and gave the waiter a sign to pay the bill.

"Never mind, I want you to take charge at the crime scene while I am gone…." I said as he interrupts me.

"John, I forgot that your wife called and said that she would like to see you." Nash

"Tell her I'll meet her at the apartment tonight." I said and payed the bill as the waitress approaches me.

"Romantic" Nash.

I fled and took a cab and told the driver to take me to Frank's address. I stared at the window. And as we travel, questions had filled up my mind. What is Frank doing at that cabin at 12:00am? Just to relax and sip coffee? Who does that? I reviewed the folder again and saw Frank's achievement. I wish that I got to know him. His records show his excellency on his work. As the detective taking charge at the case, it is my job to check on the victim's family and offer them my condolences.

***

We arrived at Frank's address after about 30 mins. And saw the exact house. I approached it and rang the doorbell. After a few moments, a tall old woman appeared at the door.

"I assume you are Mrs. Carol Corey?" I asked

"Yes, I am. State your business." Carol

"I am Detective Javier John Cole from the Special Bureau of Investigation. I would like to ask a few questions, Ma'am. If I may?" I asked

"Please come in" Carol.

Carol seemed to be a nice lady. She is beautiful even though she is already old. But I can see the sadness and grief on her face. She would not tell but I know that it is really hard for her to lose his husband.

She escorted me to the dining room and she offered me to sit. I sat on a chair. They have a good-looking simple house.

"Would you like to have a drink?" She asked

"Thanks, Ma'am. But I am okay" I said.

She nodded and sat down on a chair.

"I am very sorry for your loss, Mrs. Corey" I said

She nodded. I would change the course immediately because I don't want her to break down.

"Are your kids around?" I asked

"No. They started to move back when they started to become professionals. Me and Frank live on our own. If you would want to know. My twin sons, James and Mark, is working on a restaurant at the next town. While my eldest, Roderick is a police officer stationed at Carynx Police Office." She said

"Thanks, Ma'am. I want you to know that whoever did this will pay for the crime that has been done. I promise to bring justice upon Frank's death."

"I am glad that you are giving attention to this. You know, this city used to be a very peaceful place. I remember me and Frank used to go out at night and enjoy walking. We used to visit this book store just 20-minute walk away from our house. Frank loves to read books. And as I grow older, there are nights where I worry about Frank's safety. And there are nights where I couldn't just sleep. That is why sometimes I even ask him to read books for me so that I could sleep, like a child I was. Our life was just good until my worries came back again as a killer was reported lurking down Carynx. I told him to lay low, he wouldn't listen. And now my worries finally came to be true. I think I just need to be strong. Because even if justice would be given, Frank will never return again. Frank would not be able to read books again for me." She said

I can sense that Frank and her has a good relationship which is quite rare nowadays in terms of marriage. And I can see that Carol is a strong woman. She just looks like she would break down and cry but even if she tells me these words, she won't.

"How long have you been married to Frank?" I asked.

"We are already in our 20th year of marriage. He was just a cab driver back then and I work at the shoe industry. I go to church every Sunday and one day I rode his cab. At first, I thought that he is not a good person for he keeps on looking at me as he drives. Then this young cab driver learnt that I go to church every Sunday. The reason why he kept on waiting me on front of my house every Sunday morning hoping that I could hop on his cab. I found it convenient for me and back then, I never went late to attend church. One day he offered a free ride and I asked him why is he doing that. He just said that he thinks I am too beautiful not to be offered a free ride. He had a sense of humor this man. And later on, I just became comfortable with him as he talks to me every time I hop on his cab. He is very talkative. There are also times that I would just go out even if I really don't know where to go only just to ride his cab and talk to him. After some time, he asked for my hand and so I gave in. I married him. He planned to be a police officer and I shouldn't have let him. I guess all stories really have an ending" She said.

It is hard for me to find the words. And it is very sad that she thought that her and Frank's story has come to an end now that Frank is dead.

"Frank is a good man. I am sure of it." I said

"He is till the end." She said

We exchanged few talks and finally, she gave me an opening to ask questions about the crime.

"Do you know of any person who could've been in conflict with Frank?" I asked

"Not that I know of" Carol

"The night before he died. Did he mention going to the cabin?" I asked

"No, I know that he was at his office. He never mentioned me going to that cabin." Carol.

"Did the two of you had a quarrel the night before the crime?" I asked.

"Actually, yes we do. Because I want him to drop the case about this serial killer. Because this cased kind of changed him. He started to become mysterious. He cleared out a room upstairs and started working the case on his own. He doesn't want me even to enter that room." Carol.

"I guess maybe the reason why he was at the cabin is that he doesn't feel like coming home because you two are in a quarrel and he just wanted to relax and sip some coffee and think." I said.

"Oh no, Son. Frank doesn't drink coffee." Carol

It confused me and I immediately looked at her.

"He does not?" I asked

"He had anaphylactic shock. A caffeine allergy." Carol

"Ma'am, we found two cups that is suspected to be full of coffee back at the crime scene. Are you sure that he is allergic to caffeine?" I asked.

"Yes, I should not be mistaken. We've been together for 20 years. He experienced this one back then. The worst thing is that he had difficulty breathing because his throat and tongue became swollen." Carol.

I became speechless as it sinks into me. If Frank had a caffeine allergy, why would he drink 2 cups of coffee at that cabin? Maybe I should ask the forensics if Frank really did drink it.

"I am not quite sure yet if Frank really did drink the coffee. I have the forensic examiner to check on that. I'd be expecting the results soon." I said

"That is impossible, he foreswore caffeine after he was hospitalized for it." Carol.

A silence occurred. Then I started asking new questions.

"This room, can I see it? The room where Frank started working on the case?" I said.

"About that, that would be impossible. A day before we quarreled, he started burning all the files he worked on for months. He carefully did burn them and made sure that everything will turn to ashes. He then mixed the ashes to a drum of water then poured the water elsewhere." Carol.

It left the question "why would Frank do that?"

"Then the night where I cannot convince him to drop the case was the first time he yelled at me. He said he cannot drop the case because lives are at stake and he is very close to solving it. Then he left the house bringing a bag full of stuffs which I don't know what the contents are" Carol.

Every statement that Carol got me thinking. Frank really is a few inches away from solving this? Is that the reason why he was killed? But why would he burn all his works? This is very complicated to understand. Also, the bag Carol mentioned was not even found on the crime scene. Why would such a very wise detective do these things? Is he hiding something?

If the killer outplayed Frank which is a very clever detective, then that means that the killer is smarter. I should prepare myself because I know that this case will not be anything life my previous cases.

"Why do you think…." I was interrupted as my phone rang. My wife is calling.

I answered the phone.

"Hello babe, I'll meet you later..." I was interrupted.

"John, there is something in our apartment. You need to come, NOW!" Phoebe