Inspector May paced about in her office. Her head hung low, hands crossed behind her back. The heels of her shoe dropped heavy clicks in the office room. Every step she made caused Sergeant Leo and Constable McLamb to fidget in their seats.
“Constable Jenny confirmed.” Inspector May sighed. “Jim Lawton died in a car crash several weeks prior Sarah Tucker being reported missing.”
Leo pursed his lip and McLamb couldn’t resist rubbing his neck. Both men flinched when the inspector dove down between them like a hawk, perching her hands on the back of their chairs with white knuckles.
“Furthermore: A few hours ago, I got a call from some of the officers watching over the crime scene at Adam’s Pulp Factory. Seemed various self-proclaimed True Crime YouTubers and Mystery Hunt Twitch streamers snuck in and started filming the place, causing a big mess. They said they were helping us and the viewers to track down the notorious Splitter. Even boasted they should get a Citizen’s Award, tch.” The inspector shook her head. “After their live streams we’ve received too many anonymous calls, public warnings, even complaints – all talking about Splitter this and Splitter that.”
“Like we said, Madam.” Leo turned in his seat. “The real killer is hiding the true intent of Sarah Tucker’s murder. And they have the internet to stir up a storm to blind us. The killer is hoping for the public to pressure the police for a quick conclusion. Then we’ll miss out on the real evidence the culprit left behind.”
“Which is exactly why I am asking you both – politely – to hurry up!”
McLamb raised a hand to speak. A glance from the inspector’s glare nailed his voice mute. However, Leo gestured a head to the constable and forced him to voice his true thoughts.
“J-Ahem-Jim Lawton had obvious motive to kill, but since we confirmed he is out of the picture this leaves two potential suspects to consider.”
“Now we have two more? Who?” Inspector May pushed off their seats, folding their arm.
“Frank Tucker and his mistress.” Leo answered. “I got an eye witness stating they have been having relations for some time, even in the office. Frank Tucker spends more money on her luxury than he does saving his company. McLamb also mentioned Sarah Tucker found out and it affected her performance at work, causing the death of Jim Lawton’s father.”
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“Sergeant.” Inspector May combed her fingers through her hair. “I’ve seen my fair share of love triangles gone bad, before and after I joined the force. I think this case is a little extreme. A divorce would’ve been cheaper, don’t you think?”
Leo tapped a hand on the rim of his chair. “The mistress was also an insurance broker.”
“Oh. So, classic insurance fraud? Typical.” Inspector May tilted her head to the side with a pursed lip. “What’s her name?”
“I got Jackson to do a profile check on her. I’m waiting for his call.” The moment he said that, Leo’s phone rang. Not waiting, he picked it up and listened to it. A few nods, okays, and he ended the line. “Felicia Harvey. Works for Precious Life Insurance company. 26 years old and has been seeing Mr. Tucker behind the wife’s back for some time. She is in charge of both Tucker’s insurance files.”
“Get someone to find this Harvey woman for questioning. I want no stone go unturned. When we have too many noise from social media, I don’t want to miss a single detail in this case.”
“Yes Madam.” McLamb leaned forward in his seat. “Also, maybe Frank Tucker not only wants just the insurance money? I’ve heard of Patreon and Kickstarter groups who raise funds online to help the kin of victims from death and accidents. Virtually, the husband could become very rich from a single death.”
“The question remains: why dismemberment?” Inspector May waved a finger in the air. “I can see why the Splitter, a well known criminal still on the loose – you mix up a lie with the truth and people would believe it to be real. However, I already read Frank Tucker’s file. Has asthma, poor physical health, and has zero butcher or surgical experience. On paper, he is incapable of something this gruesome.” She then swept her finger into an open palm. “Alright. Say he did use his carpentry equipment at his factory – why is her head still missing?”
“True.” McLamb nodded. “Not being able to immediately identify his wife could jeopardize the plan to get insurance pay. It’s a big gamble. If we hadn’t found the thumb in the ravine, I don’t think we would ever figure out who the body belonged to.”
“Exactly.” Inspector May swung a light slap across the back of McLamb’s chair, starling the constable. “And insurance companies don’t pay coverage for missing people. Otherwise the husband has to wait for the courts to rule the wife dead in absentia; at least a seven year wait time. Worst investment plan ever.” With a huff, she would stormed back around her desk to sit down and adjust her posture. “Whoever killed Sarah Tucker isn’t stupid. Everything has been planned out: luring Sarah Tucker, masking her death as another Splitter victim, riling the media to kick up a dust storm, and having the police looking the other way. At this point, there is only one thing we can do.”
The constable raised an eyebrow. “What would that be, Inspector?”
“Follow the money. Now get going!”
== TO BE CONTINUED ==>