Chapter III - Murder, she wrote (part I)
Note 1: prepare yourselves to be surprised! Although I'm not the best crime writer here (in fact, I don't have any talent for that), I guess it will make some sense. Not a pointless one, they will become closer after that!
Note 2: I'm going to split this chapter in two parts because I don't like too extensive chapters. Sorry for taking so long to continue this but I was so uninspired!
It was a little bit after noon. They arrived at the crime scene, an abandoned field, full of raw, careless vegetation. It seemed like a jungle, perfect to do some wicked things. Like…
- "Astrid, here" - exclaimed Raphaëlle. "There's a corpse behind all these bushes. It looks like it's in an advanced decomposition stage.". Yeah, it was an excellent place to hide things, even the most perverse, most disgusting ones. That corpse was left behind some time ago. Even a lay in forensics like Raphaëlle could notice that. It was found by the terrain owner, who went there because he was planning to sell it.
-"It is dead. His fingers were taken off, there is a lack of finger bones there. He was decapitated. And it's on an advanced stage of decomposition. There is a body of consistent evidence that he was abandoned some time ago and the murderer chopped off his fingers." - pointed out Astrid.
The body was taken to the IML. Dr. Fournier examined the corpse carefully.
-He has been dead for some time. We estimate him to be dead at least since six weeks ago. He's lacking the index fingers. His skeleton is almost complete, it's only missing the bones of those fingers. - analysed Dr. Fournier.
-Modern electronics have incorporated a system of fingerprint unlocking. The murderer wanted the fingers for that purpose - remarked Astrid.
-It was some theft, probably"- concluded the commander.
It was time for going to Criminal Documentation. Astrid doesn't like being late, "there's no need to be late". Raphaëlle dropped her there and came back to the precinct.
-Commander Coste? The victim is a 25 years old man named Pierre Bourlain. He lived alone and worked in Dandelion hotel as a receptionist - answered Arthur.
-Please work to find more information about her relatives and colleagues. Where's his family? He lived alone. I'm going to pick up Astrid to go together to the Dandelion. - requested the brunette.
They arrived at the Dandelion. It was a quite pleasant and fancy place. They promote themselves as a luxury hotel, after all. Pierre would have been earning an obviously satisfying wage working there.
-Bonjour, would you want something? -asked a neatly looking female employee at the reception desk.
Raphaëlle showed off to her the police credentials.
-We're from the Police. One of your colleagues is dead.
-Yes, Pierre! He was a great person, always so quiet but so polite, customers loved him! It was so sad his disappearance. I'm still astonished about what happened. Nothing was pointing to that. As I said, he was completely peaceful. He has never joined any type of conflict. Always helping out whoever asked for it, proactive.
-Do you know anything about his personal life? Family affairs? His relationships?
-Actually, he was quite secretive sometimes… but I know he was all by himself. He lived with his mother, but she was run over by a drunken driver, some months ago, and died. He requested a day off for the funeral but it was only a day. He never took off some time to recover, as people usually do when a loved one passes away. Never stopped serving, always with his well known professionalism. I guess he actually worked to cope with the fact she wasn't there anymore. If we think further, alone it would be worse. Well… one day I was besides him and he was messaging someone. I managed to look at the screen, given the fact I was clearly surprised. He looked so reserved, so loner. And he was messaging a girl?
-What is her name?
-Anaïs. She was talking with a girl called Anaïs. I'm recalling now that once he asked me if I could switch shifts with him. I found it so strange, it was unusual for him. I accepted his proposal anyways. He could need it for settling some remaining affairs about his mom, I don't know. Two days later he was found dead.
-Okay, thanks for your deposition. I'll inform you of further news. I'm sorry for your loss, I guess you appreciated him so much.
-Thanks, Commander Coste. I appreciate your condolences.
Astrid and Raphaëlle left the reception in direction to the street.
-Raphaelle, I have something to tell you - warned the blonde. I need you to go to the Criminal Documentation with me.