Chapter 8:Clues Washed in the Rain
Mike, Mrs. Williams, and Frank were standing in a deserted alley, rain pouring down from the skies and drenching them. They had decided to investigate the very alley where Frank had first run into the Origami Killer. They all knew pretty well that the trail was cold, but maybe they could still find a clue as to where to go next. The police had long ago been here, so the body of whatever child that was tossed in the alley was gone, along with the trademark flower and origami crane.
"Why in the world are we here?"Mike asked, looking around in disgust at the filth of alley,"The police were here already and the rain probably washed away what was left."
"We have nothing else to go on so we might as well take a look."The elderly woman replied, although she herself wasn't too keen on going through all this garbage.
Frank on the other hand, did not have a problem with this. He was homeless after all, so an alley like this is what he would call home. He whistled a tune to himself as he started searching around the alley. Reluctantly, Mrs. Williams and Mike joined him. They searched the deserted alleyway for an hour, finding nothing and drenched to the bone. They were just about to give up when Mike noticed something shiny down a storm grate.
"What is that?"Mike asked as Frank and peered down the grate.
"I don't know. It's too dark to see."Frank answered,"Not to mention its too far down to reach."
"We have to find out what it is."Mrs. Williams said,"It could be an important clue."
"Or just some garbage."Frank stated.
"We better hurry and find a way to get it before the rain washes it away."Mike interjected.
"Well in that case it looks like we'll have to get ourselves into the sewers."Frank said, grinning at the looks of horror on his friends.
Mike reached down and with his strength, pulled off a nearby sewer lid. When they looked down they noticed that the sewer water had rose dramtically. It looked like a rushing river of filth, that would surely carry them away. The water was almost to the top of the sewer tunnel.
"What are we gonna do now?"Frank asked,"We might drown if we go in, plus, the shiny whatchamacallit is probably already gone."
"We have to try. The trail is cold and this is the only thing we have to go on."Mike answered.
"Well sorry boys but I can't go with you down there."Mrs. Williams stated,"I'm too old for that sort of thing. So I'll just wait up here."
"Fine. Ok Frank let's get a move on."Mike ordered as he jumped down into the dirty river, followed by Frank.
Mike tried not to smell the sewer, for fear of losing his lunch. Both of the men had to hold on to the wall with all their might, for if they didn't the current would carry them to god knows where. Slowly, they made their way down to where the storm grate was above. As they got under the grate, they looked around and noticed a gold coin was wedged into the crack of the sewer wall.
"What is it?"Mrs. Williams yelled from above the grate.
Mike stared at it intently,"It looks like a casino coin."
"Hey give it here."Frank said as Mike handed it to him,"Yeah this is from the Golden Quail. It's on the east side of town."
"What's it doing down here?"Mike asked.
"Beats me, but looks like we need to find out."Frank answered.
"Thats great gentlemen!"Mrs. Williams shouted,"Now get your tails out of that filth and let's get a move on!"
