CHAPTER ONE

NEW YEAR'S EVE

"What do we have Abraham?" Stacy asks Abraham as she enters the small discussion room with exhale of breathe. It is just a small space in the office where they talk about crimes and problems of the day and how to solve, tackle and crack them. Stacy David is a senior Detective at the Washington DC Police Head quarter. The Metropolitan department. She has solved many cases of murder and crime in the past four years of her employment without fail. She is a renowned detective.

"Good morning Stacy" Abraham greeted before proceeding to answer her question "MURDER" Abraham Jesse is Stacy's partner. He moved from Ohio to DC after he was promoted. This is his first case with Stacy and he is looking very forward to working with her.

"Murder? It's New year's Eve and someone is starting it with killing? Oh god" Abraham just watched her with keen interest. He is a very big fan of her and her ways of solving crimes. "Can I see the file?" He hands the file to her as she sat down on the chair opposite him.

"It has all the details"

"Good. That's one good way to start" she opens the file and starts to read out loud like her partner hasn't read it before. "William James. A wealthy business man who owe companies in DC. He divorced his ex-wife Vivian Anthony six years ago. He has three children with her. Two girls and a boy. Stephany James, Lucy James and William James jnr. He got married to his current wife Alessia martins five years ago. And she bore him one girl child, Emily James. His ex-wife took to alcohol and drugs after their divorce, but became clean one year later for the sake of her children. She has been diagnosed with tumor, and has been at the hospital ever since then. Her first daughter is a graduate, working with an editing company. The second daughter and only son are still in the university" she stopped reading and took a sip from the plastic paper cup of coffee that she came in with minutes ago. "Does Mr William have any enemies?"

"We haven't gotten any at the moment but we might stumble on them as the investigation goes"

"Our first target and suspect which she is not yet confirmed, is Vivian. Let's go to the hospital"

"Before we go I would like you to see something" he opens another file which has the pictures of Mr William lifeless body. She takes a look at the pictures.

"He was strangled. What is that note on him?" She looks close and read the content out loud. "THEY WILL ALL DIE! THEY WILL KEEP DYING UNTIL THEY REPENT!" She stares at the paper for some time before saying" whoever did this is clever and smart I might say. They printed instead of writing with their handwriting"

"I don't know how they managed to strangle him. I don't think it's something a woman can do" Abraham stated his opinion while still staring at the pictures of Mr William on the table

"They can send someone to do it. Let's go to the hospital" they stood up and left. They got in the car and drove to the hospital to go question Vivian and try to get some answers. They got to the hospital, parking at the lot and entered the big building. They showed their ID to the hospital attendance before heading to her ward.

When Vivian saw the police she wasn't surprised. She was expecting them. She knew they do come to ask her some questions about her ex-husband's death and murder.

"Hi Vivian. We are from the state Head quarter. This is my colleague Abraham Jesse and I am Stacy David, Would you mind answering some questions for us?" Stacy introduced and asked as they showed their ID to her. She nods. Immediately Stephany came into the room with bags.Her hand bag and the other bag which contains food and other items.

"Hi Mom" she said before she saw the two detectives. "What is happening?" She questioned to no one

"Don't worry honey I'm fine" her mom tried to calm her down.

"Mom you're sick. You don't need all of this"

"I know baby. Just let them do their job and before you know it, they will be gone"

"You guys should better be fast about it" she scoffed out.

"Mrs James"

"Anthony" Vivian corrected

"Hmm" Stacy cleared her throat "Mrs Anthony how was your relationship with your late husband after divorce?"

"We had no relationship. He only calls the children to check up on them. He pays the bills whenever there's any to pay and that's all"

"You guys were never in any argument or quarrel"

"Only during the period of our divorce process"

"What were these arguments"

"It wasn't argument. I was just trying to reason with him. I do always ask him why he choose to leave us. To leave my children and I after all we've been through. I never wanted the divorce. I didn't want my children to live that life. I just wanted my family. A family with him but I guess he already made up his mind so I couldn't do anything"

"So no threats were exchanged during this period?"

"None at all"

"Ok. That will be all for now and thank you for your cooperation. Get well soon. We will take our leaves" they opened the door and left.

"Why would they even think you might want to kill Dad?" Stephany questions her mother in anger

"My dear" she tries to calm her down again "In a situation like this, everyone is a suspect. Including you and your siblings"

"But you do never hurt Dad" she stated firmly with trust in her mother.

"Yes honey. You know me but the police doesn't. So let them do their job. A clear conscience fears no accusations"

"Ok Mom"

"I miss your Dad"

"I know you do Mom" she rubs her back

"Who would do such a thing?" She asks bitterly. Even though William left her for another woman, she still loves him very dearly

"I don't know Mom, I don't know"

Stacy and Abraham came outside of the hospital and enters the car.

"Drive to the William mansion"

"Yes Boss" she chuckles at Abraham's response.

"You jerk"

"You're the Boss here"

"You're older"

"Yeah older but not Boss. I am not the one that is senior detective"

"Oh really?"

"Yeah. Mmhm"

They joked around with each other until they came to a stop in front of the William mansion. They got out of the car and made their way to the door. Abraham rings the door bell

"Who is there?" A voice from inside spoke through the electrical panel on the wall.

"The police"

"Ok. Come in" the door opened and they got in. In the living room is sitted Alessia. Looking in a magazine maybe reading it, but it just looks like she's just flipping through and nothing more.

"I am Stacy David and my colleague here is Abraham Jesse. We are from the DC Head quarter"

"You're welcome. Please have a seat" they shook hands with her and sat down on the soft couch

"Do you mind answering some questions for us?"

"No problem at all. I don't mind" she said in readiness to answer their questions.

"Did your husband William James have any enemies before he deceased?"

"Yes. He did. Mr Mayor. They have this enmity between them" as she spoke they jot down but Stacy demeanor flicked at the mention of the Mayor

"For how long?"

"I don't know about when we weren't yet married, but I know that since I have been with him for the past five years that they have been having this thing going on"

"How sure are you about this?" Abraham asked

"I'm very sure about this. There has been many attempt to kill my husband and they finally succeed" she begins to sob

"What about his ex-wife? Do you think she has anything to do with this?"

"No. As long as I have known her, she is a peaceful woman. I don't think she do ever kill William. She loves him"

"Ok. If you suspect anything at all, you let us know. Thank you for your cooperation" they shook hands and took their leave.

"Mr Mayor is our next suspect" Stacy spoke as she got into the car with somewhat heavy heart

"So it seems" breathed Abraham "So to the Mayor's?"

"No. Take me to the crime scene first" Mr William James was murdered at the parking lot of his company yesterday night. He was murdered by an unknown person. The face could not be seen. Nothing at all could be seen. A rope was used to strangle him as he was about to enter his SUV after the day's work. He was held in a way that he couldn't move or fight back. How that happened no one knows.

They got to the crime scene. You can see the usual 'Do not cross' tapes. Stacy got down from the car and began walking towards the direction of the scene.

"He didn't fight back, why?"

"I don't know. Maybe he didn't get the chance to"

She inspects the place more

"No clues was found?"

"None"

"Nothing to show or give us any lead?"

"Nothing. This person seems professional to me"

"Well not for long"