Ch. 3 The Murder
Monday, 21st December 2014
London, London International University.
Early morning, a quiet wind blew through University. The sun was hidden behind the sea of cloud. Snow covered all over the roof and the road as well. Souji Seta found himself to be the first person to awake in the very morning… Actually he wasn't even sleep all night. Uh, morning already... Sleeping on the couch isn't as comfortable as it seems... Souji thought. He glanced around after rubbed his tired eyes. Nate was still sleeping so relaxingly on the ground, Is he always like this? He let out a deep sigh. Suddenly, Rane came out from Nate's room wearing a calm face. He sat on the couch facing Souji's sleepy face.
"Souji, I will tell you what will you, and Nate, joining is." Rane began,
"Oh, okay," he yawned and rubbing his eyes again."But, don't you think it'll be better if he heard this too?" Souji pointed at the sleeping Nate.
Rane was a bit surprise when he noticed Nate sleeping beneath him. "I think you're right." Rane, didn't want to waste time, stomp on Nate's body to wakes him up... A little rude, but it worked as Nate slowly opened his eyes. "You have to hear this too." Then the blond forced him to sat next to him.
The raven haired man was as confused as a newborn child. He glanced at Souji, silently demanded an explanation. The silver haired man just told him to listen at the blond man said. Understood enough, he nodded.
"You will be joining my Murder Club." Rane said the 'Murder' with a grin. The two sleepy people began to turn serious... or rather shocked, even the expressionless Nate.
"Murder?" asked Souji, tried to back to his calm demeanor. "You want us to murder people?"
"Ha, of course not. That's just the club name." Rane laughed. Souji thought he was looking like his father as he laugh. "What we do on the club is helping the police force solving a murder case, if required. Of course, this isn't an official club. The police was requesting my assistance very often lately, as they seemed to be distracted by a 'confidential case' as they put it." Rane was laughing again when he saw Nate's relieved face, "Hmph, I never thought you can be a serious person Nate."
"Ah, I'm still human you know."
Souji appeared to remember something after that. "Oh yeah Rane, about five-"
"Yes, about that. Save it for later, it seems we'll begin our first operation tonight," Rane opened his note he picked from his jacket.
"Tonight?" asked Souji. Rane nodded in confirmation.
"A young lady named Sarah Gareth, was murdered last night. Oddly, the police couldn't identified the cause of her death and the murderer left a piece of paper which written '5'. I got a little info that this is the 'confidential case' they were talking about, but I haven't confirmed it yet." As he done reading his note, both men seriously exchange glance.
Naoto came out from Souji's room, confused when saw all the guys already up so early and were appearing their 'Thinking stance' with a messy look. "Um, excuse me-" when Naoto said that, the guys turned at her with 'what?' expression. "I'm going to make the breakfast, what would you like?"
"Anything's fine." Souji replied, the other just nodded for agreement.
"Okay," Naoto was wondering was what they're thinking about. Even he saw Nate who appeared to never be bothered with anything turned serious.
After watching Naoto walked to the kitchen, Rane spoke, "With only that as a clue, I don't think this'll be easy thought," He put back his note and sighed.
Shortly after, Eirika get out from Naoto's room, no one seemed to realize her abrupt entrance."Hey, where is Naoto?" Eirika asked and she received three fingers pointing at the kitchen for answer. "Oh, okay..."
The petite detective was there, slicing bread to made sandwiches. Thought she really focused on the knife, Eirika could see something was bothering her. But, she couldn't voice it and offered a help instead.
"Yes, thank you."
"I'm sorry for last night.
"It's fine."
"Thanks, that guy was really a jerk."
"Who?"
"Nate."
"Oh…" With that, Naoto felt she couldn't ask any further.
"Naoto, don't you think there is something weird with the guys?" Eirika asked, suspecting the guys weird behavior.
"Maybe they're just tired, or still feeling sleepy."
"Really? They seem troubled."
Finally, both of them have finished making three sandwiches and three cup of tea. They went to the lounge to serve it, but only Nate was sitting there, reading a sports magazine. "Hn? Where are Souji and Rane?" asked Naoto while serving all the dishes, and sat in front of him, Eirika did the same.
"Ah, Souji says, he's working on something in his room, and he don't want anyone, including you," Nate pointed at Naoto," to interrupt him, until he's done. Rane's back to his parent's house with his little brother." explained Nate while keeping his eyes on the book. Naoto wondered who he meant by 'little brother'. He never said anything about it, or is he Teddie?
"Why don't we visit him Naoto?" suggested Eirika, brought back Naoto to reality. She's a little hesitant about what to do.
But, her reply was cut off by Nate. He immediately snapped close his book and recklessly thrown it somewhere, "Wait-," he said, the girls seemed to be surprised by his statement.
"What?"
"Are you still mad at me?"
"Isn't that obvious."
"Then, I apologize."
"Not enough."
Naoto felt she didn't belong at this conversation, so she went out somewhere. Nate and Eirika seems too busy arguing to notice Naoto already gone. "What should I do to make you not mad anymore then?" Nate asked, gave up arguing.
She smirked. "Well, come with me." Eirika dragged Nate out the dorm, he didn't seem to mind.
London, Victoria Park.
07:34pm
This was the spot where the body of Sarah Gareth had been founded with neither blood nor finger print. The body was just hanged there on the tree, with a piece of paper written '5'. The police were stationed all over the place. They were very aware of everything that passed by them. They even prohibited pedestrian to enter the park.
"Hey, where's the Inspector?" asked a middle aged man with unshaved beard. His messy hair was gently blown by the wind and it almost flied off his leather jacket off from his shoulder. Despite the cold weather, he still hung it on the shoulder instead of wearing it.
The officer seemed to be troubled by his presence. "Sorry sir, you can't cross the police line." he said. The man grunted before took out his ID and showed it to him. "Oh you're-"
"Yes, I am. Now where is the Inspector? I need to talk to him." the man demanded.
"H-he's at the van, sir! But, I'm afraid you must wait a little longer. He currently have a guest."
"Okay then. This is my assistant so she'll come with me, and I'll be outside. Tell me whenever he's empty." Not waiting for a reply, the man and his assistant walked back outside the park, waiting for the inspector to come out. "Relax Satonaka, it's not like this is your first time you went into crime scene."
"I know, I know, it's just so cold here."
Inaba Police Officer
Name:
Chie Satonaka
ID:
7890372383
Date of birth:
July 30th 1994
Sex:
Female
Age:
20
Height:
158 cm
Nationality:
Japan
The short haired girl glanced at her surroundings. Truth to be told, she never expected to be promoted as Detective assistant shortly after she finished the training. More surprisingly a few months after her assignment, the capital police force had instructed her superior to handle a case far away from Japan. However, despite her happiness of the big achievement, a dread feeling planted in her heart. An officer's rough steps interrupted her thoughts. He informed her superior that the inspector was able to talk to and waiting for him. Her superior immediately told her to follow him afterward.
"Richard Cooper, nice to meet you." said the inspector as he shook hands with Chie's superior.
"Dojima, Ryotaro."
Inaba Police Officer
Name:
Ryotaro Dojima
ID:
4294739092
Date of birth:
May 16th 1969
Sex:
Male
Age:
45
Height:
179 cm
Nationality:
Japan
"Oh, I'm really glad you arrived fast, detective. This case is really a troublesome."
"I could understand that." he replied wryly.
"The Japan police force has sent you here to help us. I believe with your experience in handling similar case will greatly help us." Said the Inspector.
Dojima frowned, "I don't think so Inspector. We don't have enough clues to identify the culprit, but one thing I know is certain. There will be another." Dojima's face is somewhat angry,
"Do you mean-"
"Serial Murder..." Chie spoke out.
"The paper was written '5' right? Maybe this is the culprit fifth victim… and also. Our 'similar case' as you put it was a serial kidnap and murder case. So I won't be surprised if there's another." Dojima continued, everyone fell silent at that. "Very well then Inspector, I ask your permission to investigate the crime scene."
"Yes, yes, you have my permission. But, I hope you are wrong Detective." The Inspector went back to the van. Finishing their first objective to become 'legal', Dojima and Chie began investigate the crime scene.
Meanwhile, Souji, Naoto and Teddie had arrived at the park. They're not went to the crime scene though, the police won't let them in. Instead they stood by the brick fence, watching the busy police doing their work. Souji couldn't help but heard the other bystanders talked about it. How this is their first time they saw the park being closed because of a case, what the case might be, will they become the next. Souji wondered how they could think about next target. The police hadn't said a word about it.
He saw Rane ran back after talking with one of the officer. "They still can't let us, or even me in." he said, followed by a sigh.
"So what now? Abort the mission?" Souji asked out of his frustration, but still with his calm face. "I wonder thought, why they can't let you in. They asked your help right." Rane eyes widened at that, he gave him a wry smile as he scratched the back of his head. "Don't tell me they didn't…"
"Not really. I just took the initiative."
"Then how could you know that detail about the victim?"
"As I said, I took the initiative investigate her detailed information. How could I know she was murdered and had a piece of paper under her jacket as a souvenir, was another story." He paused, picked up his cell phone, "Yes…" he gestured them to wait as he dashed off to the nearly building.
"By the way Sensei, your 'tired-eyes' friend is still not here." Teddie asked, much to Souji's surprise.
"Tired-eyes? Oh, Nate. So how was it Naoto? Could get in touch?"
"I still can't reach him and Eirika either."Naoto replied, fingers busily typing.
"Maybe they're on a date or something?" Teddie spoke out. Souji and Naoto exchange glance for a moment, then decided to not bother at what he said. "Oh, oh isn't that Chie-chan?"
"That can't be possible. Inaba is far away from London." said Naoto, still busy with her cell phone.
"Naoto, I'm sorry to involve you into this." Said Souji, looked apologetic.
Naoto let out a small smile, "Not necessarily. In reverse, I should thank you for letting me join you. I haven't taken a single case for a year. This might be a great change for me to see if my skill is still perfectly works. And besides, I don't think being alone in the dorm is a good idea." explained Naoto. Both couple gave each other an understanding stare as she finished, smiling broadly. But this good moment was ruined by Rane who handed a piece of paper to Souji.
"To : Rane Princeton
From :Inspector Jack, Homicide Division
A young lady named Sarah Gareth, was murdered at Victoria Park. The body was found dead at Sunday, 20th December 2014, police had not identified the cause of her death and the murderer left a piece of paper which written '5'. We required your help in this case Rane Princeton, I hope you're able to solve this.
Thank you for your corporation, Inspector Jack."
"When did you receive this?" Souji asked as he began reading the paper again.
"Teddie found this in front of my dorm. Thus I believe they need my assistance."
Teddie nodded in confirmation, "I found it a moment before we went to your dorm. I was placed right in front of the door."
The couple's eyes grew wide. In one glance, Rane could convert their expression to words, "Yes, this paper was probably from the culprit. He knew exactly who the victim name, and where even when the victim was founded before her death. This 'Jack' must be the culprit… besides, I've never heard of Jack in the police force."