1Chapter 5
Burton opened the car door for Claire. She stepped out into the cool evening air.
"I'll have to warn you, Detective Ravenscroft is a bit egotistical." Burton quipped.
Claire laughed. "Don't worry, all the people I know and work with are egotistical, I'm use to it."
They entered the stone building walking down the vaulted hall where police officers scurried about moving from one office to another. Claire peered into each office as they walked past. Phones were ringing off the hook and people shouted to one another telling them to pick up the phone.
"Ravenscroft's office is just up ahead." Burton piped.
They approached a dark oak door with the name 'Detective Harrison Ravenscroft' engraved in it. Burton gently knocked on the door. Claire was silent as she could hear the faint sound of Beethoven playing in the office.
"Oh I see, so he's an egotistical uptight old m..." Claire started, then went to a mumble as the door opened.
"Burton? What are you doing here?" Ravenscroft said as he stood in the doorway.
Claire felt her stomach twist as she looked the man over. He was young, about 36. He had light brown hair and pale green eyes, and was dressed casually in blue jeans and a grey polo shirt. His face rough, and needed to be shaved, but that didn't harm his looks any, if anything it made him even more handsome. Claire sighed, feeling like a teenager again as a smile swept across her face.
"This is Ms. Claire Robertson, Harry, she's writing a book about the Clock Tower murders. She was hoping to ask you a few questions." Burton said, introducing Claire.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Robertson." Ravenscroft said, his voice showing a faint British accent.
Oh and he has an accent too, Claire thought as Ravenscroft put out his hand to shake her's. Claire didn't notice as she daydreamed.
"Ms. Robertson? Some thing wrong?" Burton looked at her.
Claire blinked then blushed slightly. "Oh sorry, I was just thinking about something. It's very nice to meet you Detective Ravenscroft." She said, shaking his hand.
"Please, come in both of you. Take a seat make, yourselves at home." Ravenscroft said, stepping aside.
Claire entered the office looking around. The walls were paneled in a dark mahogany wood with a single window behind Ravenscroft's dark cherry wood desk. On each side of the window was a bookcase, each one packed with books. Then on the left wall were three filing cabinets and on top of them was a boombox, a ship in a bottle, and globe. On the right wall were three more filing cabinets with papers, books, and VHS tapes piled on top of them. Then in front of Ravenscroft's desk were two black leather chairs. Claire took a seat in one of the chairs as Ravenscroft took a seat behind his desk. She looked up at the bookcases spotting a whole shelf full of books she had written.
"I take it you're a fan?" She enquired.
Ravenscroft smiled. "Research, Ms. Robertson."
"Please, call me Claire." Claire made a faint smile.
"So, Claire, what did you want to ask me about?" Ravenscroft asked.
"Well I want to know about what you seen when you and your partner stumbled upon cult activity at that mansion outside of Prague?" Claire quipped.
Ravenscroft looked at Burton with slight distaste. "If you ask me, Claire, I think you're asking for trouble. I stopped looking for answers a year after the last incident happened, it's hopeless, no one will ever catch Scissorman, and I would prefer to keep him in hiding rather than start another killing spree. He hasn't killed in five years because no one has snooped around, now you come here asking questions about him and what happened, you're going to get yourself killed, along with others."
"Excuse me! My husband was killed by that bastard and I won't stop until I've learned the truth and maybe even have brought that maniac to justice!" Claire scoffed.
"Well I'm sorry, but tons of other people died besides your husband, my partner included." Ravenscroft retorted.
"So you're just going to let the maniac get away with it! What kind of cop are you!" Claire snapped.
"There's nothing we can do, Ms. Robertson. Scissorman isn't human, whatever he or it is can just disappear for years without killing until people like you decide to dig up the truth. I learned a long time ago that it's best to leave things alone while you're already ahead." Ravenscroft barked. "Now if you would excuse me, but I have better things to do than argue with some egotistical author who thinks she can bring Scissorman to justice."
Claire stood up with a huff and left the office.
"Why did you do that?" Burton looked at Ravenscroft.
"That woman is going to get herself killed along with others. Don't you remember what happened last time, except it was her husband that did the snooping. I want to catch the son of a bitch as much as anyone else around here does, but the point is we can't, because he disappears without a trace until some one starts investigating." Ravenscroft quipped.
"I know, Harry, but maybe we can catch him, or maybe he's gone for good." Burton piped.
"Look, just be careful around her, ok. Call me if some thing happens." Ravenscroft sighed.
Burton nodded then left the office going after Claire.
Claire sat in the passenger seat waiting for Burton. She glanced to her left seeing him come out of the police station.
"Humph, I'm egotistical!" She mumbled to herself.
"I apologize, but Harry does have a point. What you are embarking on is dangerous, not only for yourself but others too. I said I would help, and I will, but we must be careful." Burton said getting into the car.
"I know, I just don't understand why he couldn't just answer my questions. Men." Claire snorted.
"He's afraid Scissorman will return, Claire. Actually I don't blame him, I mean it is a known fact that Scissorman returns anytime some one starts investigating the Clock Tower case." Burton said, his tone hushed.
"And why is that? Hmm? Why is it that anytime some one starts looking for the truth behind Scissorman he returns? Don't you think that he would attack when no one is looking for him?" Claire retorted.
"Like I said, he isn't human. He's like the Boogy Man or the monster underneath your bed. When you stop believing in them they disappear but when you start believing they become real." Burton whispered.
Claire was silent as they drove away heading to her hotel.