1
It was the first body since Akihiro’s wife and the fourth body overall. The crime happened in the campus of the Rockwell university which is in front saint John the Baptist cathedral.
Akihiro got to the crime scene and as soon as he looked up, he was shell shocked. The body in contrary to the previous murders in which the bodies were not damaged, the victims were choked to death and then hanged, this body was hanged from a tree from its head and two arms and it had a hole where the heart is supposed to be.
“It’s barbaric, isn’t it?” said Raphael.
“Humans are capable of much worse”
“Are you sure you’re okay to investigate this case? I mean you should take a break or something. Your wife just died. It’s okay I’ll take over and find this bastard”
“I know you mean well but I won’t go anywhere until I find who did this. I need to do this Raphael”
“I understand” said Raphael looking at his friend with a look conveying sadness and pity.
“But I don’t” said a man who came from behind Akihiro. He turned around to find that it’s captain frank Jackson.
“I can do this captain” said Akihiro with an angry tone.
“I don’t doubt that but you’re too emotionally involved in this. Your judgement is clouded at the moment.”
“My judgement has never been clearer. I’m going find this monster if it’s the last thing I do”
“Well, too bad Akihiro because that’s an order. You’re off this case,” shouted frank. He then said a bit more calmly “go home and rest and I promise you we are going to find him.
“Yes, sir” said Akihiro “It’s up to you now Rahy”
“don’t worry about it”
“Sir, we found something in the victim’s mouth” said one of the forensics team.
“What is it?” said Raphael.
“it’s a note with a sequence of numbers written in it”
Akihiro took from the forensics guy using a tissue and looked at it.
The paper contained a sequence of numbers which read: [5,19,1,5,12,16] [16,5,20,19] [5,8,20] [20,19,1,5,2] [18,8]
Akihiro took a picture of it with his phone before Raphael snatched it from his hand and said angerly “go home Akihiro”
“Fine fine. I’ll go get a cup of coffee and then I’ll go home. Promise”
“If I see you here again after this. I’ll assign a force to take you home and see to it myself”
“Easy raphy, I’ll go” said Akihiro with a fake smile.
2
Akihiro sat down on a bench at a green area inside the university. He took a sip of his coffee, lit a cigarette and kept looking at the photo of the code on his phone. He can’t think straight. He is usually good at cracking codes but right now he can’t think straight. His judgement is clouded and can’t stay calm.
He put the phone on the grass in front of him, buffed on his cigarette and closed his eyes.
He remembered a time when he and his wife were lying on the bed, she was hugging him from behind and Chopin’s Nocturne No.20 in C sharp minor was playing on the radio.
“How was work today?” Anastasia said in a calm and soothing tone.
“Same as always. A body was found hanged from a tree in the park near the river”
“Suicide?”
“No, it’s a pattern now. This is the second body we find in that position. Choked to death and then hanged from a tree. No finger prints, no strange DNA on the body, no nothing.”
“So, the killer just chokes them and hangs them and that’s it. no other damages to the bodies?”
“Yeah, exactly. In fact, the bodies are so clean that we suspected that the murderer was a mortician but this small town only has two of those and both of them had alibis”
“Isn’t there anything common between the two victims”
“Not really, the first one is a female college student and the other is a male in his late twenties. Both of them were loved by everyone. I guess the common thing is that the people around them thought that they were angels. But that’s not something that could be considered a lead”
“I guess maybe the murderer thought that these people were two good for this world. I mean think about it. even the murder method is so clean and gentle”
“Gentle?!” said Akihiro with a small laugh.
“You know what I mean. Don’t take my words so literally. You have a better theory smart ass?”
“I don’t really. Maybe except that you’re a one psycho beautiful angel.” Said Akihiro and then he kissed her.
Someone sat next to him interrupting his thoughts. A lad in his early twenties, his hair is medium length and its color is brown, he is tall probably 185 cm to 190 cm, no beard or mustache and he has that empty look that Akihiro used to have.
“Can I have a cigarette?” said the lad.
“Sure thing”
He took the cigarette. Took a sip of a drink he brought with him in a black opaque bottle and then lit his cigarette.
“Are you allowed to drink alcohol in here?”
“Never really cared. I consider it a medicine and people don’t seem to care”
“So, people actually know you drink in here and they let you”
“Well, not professors of course but students don’t care. They just give you that look of disgust. But here’s a secret for you; as long as you treat people how they want to be treated no one will care about you personally”
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
“If you told me that a couple of years earlier, I would have agreed with you but trust me lad; some people are born just so that they can find monsters like us and show them the light”
“Monsters huh” said the lad with a smile “what gave you that idea”
“Well, I recognize that look you have. That empty look like you accepted living in darkness a long time ago”
The lad’s expression changed quickly from a smile to a dead stare “We live among monsters. People who lie and kill for their personal gain. People who make you trust them only to take advantage of you. Let me ask you this Mr. detective” he put his hand on the back of Akihiro’s neck and his lips were close to Akihiro’s ear “has anyone taken advantage of you before”
Akihiro smiled a little “You would be surprised kid” Akihiro continued “there’s light in this world you just have to be patient”
The lad returned slowly to his place and said in a sad tone “it’s too late for people like me. But I’m glad that one of us got to escape this fate”
“By the way, what’s your name kid?”
“Harry Riddle and you?”
“Akihiro Hirayama and umm one more thing. Did you know the victim?”
“Met her only once or twice but I can tell you that she was an angel”
“What do you mean?”
“You know how sometimes there are people who are too good for this world”
“Yeah. I might have heard that before” Akihiro looked at him like he’s trying to gaze into his soul. He heard these words before. From his wife. Is this kid the murderer? No, he’s just a kid. Well, I’ll keep an eye on him just in case.
“It’s just a thought. Don’t look at me like that. I might fall in love Mr. Akihiro.”
“Pardon me kid. I just haven’t slept in a couple of day and I think I’m starting to lose my mind”
“Well, I have to return to class now” he put out his cigarette “It was really nice meeting you and one more thing; Please stop the beast”
“You mean the murderer. Don’t worry kid, I’m motivated enough to catch this bastard” Akihiro also got up and left.
On his way out of the campus he went by the crime scene.
“What did I tell?” shouted Raphael.
“The captain is gone right?”
“yeah”
“Then, you can chill out. I just need a favor”
“What is it?”
“I just need you to assign a patrol car to follow someone. His name is Harry Riddle, a student here”
“You think the murderer is a student? Just because one of the victims is a student here doesn’t mean that the murderer has to be a student”
“Of course, it’s just that... I’m not an idiot. I spoke to him and there’s something unsettling about him”
“I’m not sending a patrol car based on a hunch”
“Come on Raphy. If you won’t do it for me, do it for Anastasia”
“I lived to see the day that Akihiro emotionally manipulated someone. I understand that you’re desperate to find the murderer but this is low”
“Desperate isn’t enough to describe what I’m feeling. That bastard took everything from me. She was my everything”
“Okay I’m going to do it but promise me that you will go home now”
“I’m promise. I’m leaving now”
“And one more thing, Akihiro” Raphael hugged Akihiro and said “Grieve. It’s okay to grieve. you don’t have to be strong all the time”
Akihiro shed a tear or two which he wiped them quickly and said “I kn…I know Old boy” he then left.
3
On his way home, Akihiro remembered a guy he caught five years ago who stabbed a guy in the arm and killed five others because he claimed they were spies sent by the Americans. How he came to that conclusion you might ask. He has Schizophrenia and like John Nash before him, he believed he was recruited by the Intelligence Agency of the country to crack the codes spies in the country used to communicate which they put out in the newspapers. He is now in a psychiatric ward, a bright mind that jumps between sanity and insanity.
Akihiro thought that this man is the only one smart enough to break the code in this town. He called the ward, send them the code and they told him he could come and speak with him tomorrow.
The next day, Akihiro went to the ward and as soon as he entered the room a voice greeted him “Mr. Hirayama. It’s been so long. How are you?”
“Believe me not long enough. Hello Matthew. I’m fine.”
“Surely you don’t look like it. you look like shit. When was the last time you slept?”
“I don’t know, two, three days ago”
“Oh my. Must be Important then. You don’t sleep. You come to the insane for help” Matthew was wearing a straight jacket and his legs wear chained. He came close to Akihiro and looked at him with a devious smile and said “How is the wife?” Akihiro’s cold expression changed to anger and he grabbed Matthew by the throat.
“Take it easy. I’m insane remember.”
“I don’t care. Mention her one more time and I’ll put six feet fucking under alive you punk” shouted Akihiro and then he let him go.
“I see you’re not as cold as you used to be Mr. Hirayama. But I understand. Us crazy people have to stick together”
“Did you crack the code or not?”
“I did but let me ask you this; why should I help you?”
“I didn’t expect you to cooperate that easily so I came prepared”
“You can’t threaten me. I have nothing. My life ended a long time ago. All I have now is my wife and daughter and apparently I’m the only one who can see them.”
“So, you don’t care if you live or die”
“Exactly” said Matthew then he laughed hysterically.
Akihiro pulled out his revolver took out all the bullets except for one. Rolled the wheel and then closed it.
“What are you doing” Matthew asked while stopping his laughter a bit by bit. “You can’t kill me. You’re an officer. You can’t do that”
Akihiro looked at him with empty eyes and said in a cold calm voice “I don’t care about that anymore” then fired the first shot at Matthew and it was empty “You’re lucky. My turn now”
“Come one stop it. I’m the villain you’re the hero. That’s not how this is supposed to go.” Shouted Matthew
“I’m no hero. I’m a monster and monsters kill until they’re killed” then he put the to his head and fired the second shot which was also a blank. “Looks like I’m lucky too. Your turn”
“Okay, okay. I’ll talk,” shouted Matthew
“Good”
“It read [Please stop the beast, HR]”
Akihiro looked at him with shock and then ran out of the room. Matthew broke down on the ground and started to cry.
Akihiro called Raphael
“Raphael speaking”
“Where is the kid I told you to watch now?” Asked Akihiro
“Take it easy. He went to his home yesterday and haven’t left it then. Where are you?”
“I’m in my car and I’m going to him now. Just tell me where he lives”
“Why?”
“It’s him Raphy. He’s the killer. I cracked the code”
Raphy was lost for words for a second and then said “o…okay. He lives at the 3rd district of the Rockwell residential apartment buildings. Building number five, second floor, apartment three.”
“Tell the force there now to arrest him until I arrive”
“Don’t do anything stupid Akihiro. I’m in my way too”
Akihiro hung up “Fuck” said Raphael then threw his phone one the ground.
Akihiro is blind with anger at the moment. He got to the place and if you ask him, he won’t be able to tell how he got there. He is not human at the moment. He got to the apartment, entered and what he saw made him lose his color.
The body of Harry was hanging from a fan on the ceiling and there was a huge drawing of a tree on the wall behind him. When you enter the room, it would seem as if he hanging from a tree in his room.
Akihiro’s leg couldn’t hold him anymore. He broke down on the ground lost for words, thoughts, energy and reason to keep on going. Raphael arrived and entered the room “good god, bring him down” he ordered the men at the scene.
“Akihiro, are you alright?” asked Raphael.
“I don’t know. Why did he do that? he has no right to end his life before he pays for what he did,” shouted Akihiro then he ran towards the body and started to punch it in the face “Why did you kill her you bastard? What did she do to you? She was an angel. She was the only reason I had to love this miserable world. Why why why?” he started to cry
Raphael held him back and hugged him and other officers are staring at him with pity.
“He is dead now and from the looks of it he’s been dead since yesterday. There’s nothing we can do.” Said Raphael while hugging Akihiro “it’s over now mate”
“Sir, we found something” said one of the officers.
“What is it?” asked Raphael
“it’s a journal with the name of detective Akihiro written on it”
Akihiro snatched it from his hands and started to look threw it but Raphael snatched it from his hand
“This is evidence”
“I need to know why Raphy”
“I know. Go home and rest and I’ll make a copy and send to you tonight. I promise”
“Okay. I’m leaving”
“By the way. How did you crack the code and how did you know it was this kid?”
“I didn’t, Matthew did”
“Matthew!? As in Matthew Bradford the schizophrenic”
“Yeah”
“You really are desperate to count on the insane. And how did you know it was the kid”
“The message reads [Please stop the beast, HR]. he said that to me at the campus but I thought he was just scared of the murderer but now I know better”
“So, he wanted you to stop him!?”
Akihiro didn’t respond and his empty look mixed with his weariness and despair made him look like a corpse walking.
“Go home now Akihiro”
Akihiro left and didn’t say a word.
At around 12 am. Raphael faxed Akihiro the journal. Akihiro hasn’t slept yet and he’s been drinking staring into an empty wall since he got home. He picked up the journal and a bottle of Vodka, put his gun which he hasn’t touched since he was with Matthew on the table in front of him, poured himself a glass and started to read.