The Flower Shop Murder

Aster Moon

The next day...

Aster is running at breakneck speed towards her flower shop, heart thumping wildly with fear and anticipation as her feet pound the sidewalk, racing to her destination.

Gale, her adopted sister, called her a few minutes ago and only said 3 words, codes to be exact.

"10-33. 187. 10-25"

They were police codes and these codes were taught to them from the moment they could talk. It's their way of communicating with each other and telling them everything they needed to know about a situation quickly.

Like people getting killed.

10-33. Emergency.

187. Murder.

10-30. Use caution.

So there's an emergency, someone was murdered and be careful.

She can take a wild guess at what happened, but she doesn't want to assume anything without seeing proof.

But if Gale is using codes, then it's something serious. They haven't done that in a while. 5 years to be exact. They left that life behind, along with everything else that tied them down.

The flower shop she co-owned with her best friend of 20 years is just at the next corner and her heart stops with a feeling of shock when she makes that sharp turn to get to it.

People are outside her shop, phones out and looking in. They're taking pictures and videos and murmuring among themselves.

"Oh God, he looks awful!"

"Poor man, I wonder what happened."

"Look at all that blood."

She scans the crowd looking for a familiar face and finds it standing away from the crowd, leaning on a lamp post as she stares blankly at what used to be their quiet shop/

With a hurried step, she goes to her.

Aster: Gale? What happened?

The petite girl looked at her, the sadness visible in her eyes but she remained calm and answers her sister.

Gale: We've been made.

Aster nods calmly.

They knew it would happen sooner or later. As the saying goes, all good things must come to an end.

And this is that end.

Gale didn't have to say it out loud, she didn't need to tell her who was killed. She could figure it out on her own.

Sandy is dead.

That's all she needs to know. That's all she wants to know.

In the distance, the sound of sirens can be heard. The sound grew closer every second and both women knew that in a few minutes, the police would be there. They would question them like criminals and there is nothing they can do about it.

After all, they are marked for life being the children of criminals, and to some people, the sins of the father also become the sins of the child.

But before the police get there, she at least wants to see her best friend for the last time.

Just one last time.

She calmly walks towards her shop, making her way past the people ogling what's inside. As she is nearing the front steps, she noticed that the blinds inside the shop were raised.

Whoever did this, wanted to send a message.

They wanted the world to see what they can do, what they did.

Finally, she's in front of the glass window and the sight that greets her on the other side took her by surprise, like a knife suddenly being stabbed to her heart.

In the middle of the room, is Sandy. Her childhood best friend and business partner. He is tied to a chair with a pool of blood underneath. His head hung low and he's surrounded by flowers.

Iris, Rhododendron and white roses stained with blood.

The sirens are getting louder and nearer, she could hear muffled shouts around her, but she didn't understand what they were saying. She stood there, shocked and angry, staring at Sandy's lifeless body.

It's true, they were prepared for the consequences of defying their family, but she wasn't prepared to see her best friend like this.

Tortured and mutilated like some animal.

Minutes later, the police and their forensic team start processing the scene.

Inspectors were interviewing people on the sidewalk, asking questions about what they saw, or if they knew anything.

Aster is still in a state of shock and could hardly say a word. Beside her, Gale is calmly observing her surroundings.

Suddenly, a beautiful woman with long brown hair stands in front of her. She flashes her badge and introduces herself.

Insp. Kim: Inspector Helena Kim, KNP. I need to ask you a few questions.

The detective looks young. She doesn't look like a rookie but she still has that youthful glow about her that makes you think she still believes in everything good in this world.

Gale looks at her older sister and Aster just stares at the Inspector, neither wanting to answer any questions but also not wanting to look like she doesn't want to cooperate, either.

In the end, she sighs and gives in, knowing she'll look even more suspicious if she doesn't cooperate.

Aster: Aster Moon.

She extends her hand and the Inspector shook it firmly, but let go almost immediately to take down notes.

Insp. Kim: The victim, Sandy Lee, how did you know him?

Aster: He's my best friend. We grew up together.

Insp. Kim: When did you last see him?

Aster: Last night, before we closed the shop. I was the first to go home and he's always the last to leave.

The detective scribbled down on her small notepad, taking note of everything Aster is saying.

Insp. Kim: Do you remember what time you left him?

Aster: Around 7:30 PM, I guess. We usually close our shop at 8:00 in the evening.

Insp. Kim: Do you know anyone who might have a grudge against him or would want to hurt him?

There's a short pause before Aster answered her. She can think of a few people who would like to hurt Sandy, all three of them really, but she wasn't about to share that with the detective.

Aster: No. Sandy was a good guy. He was always smiling and helping people. Everybody loved him.

Insp. Kim: Can you account for your whereabouts last night?

But before Aster can answer, someone intervened. Stopping the interview at exactly the right time. Inspector Kim attempted to salute the man but he stops her. He looks like he holds authority, a ranking officer perhaps.

The man then faces Aster and flashes his badge and introduces himself.

Supt. Sung: Police Superintendent, Ryan Sung, KNP. I'm sorry for your loss.

The introduction was short and curt and almost sounded robotic. Like he's done this a million times. Unlike the pretty officer who was interviewing her earlier, he didn't extend his hand for a handshake. Instead, he stood there, stoic and professional.

Aster: Thank you.

Supt. Sung: If you need anything, please let me know.

He offers his card and Aster takes it, reading the information on it before tucking it in her pocket.

After that, both police officers leave, leaving the two women, surprised at why their interviews ended so abruptly.