The Killer Boss

Chapter 6

Chapter Six:

The last person Scarlet Monroe was seen with.

—

THE NEXT DAY came swiftly as ever.

Edward purposely woke up earlier than his usual routine—where there are times that he would sleep in and stay more minutes laid in their bed. But today’s a rather different day for him, as he needed the time to pack his bag and bring his essentials with him. Edward knows that he has a long day ahead of him. Keeping in mind that he’ll be spending almost an entire day at the station and that he’ll be going home late, again.

“You’re awake early.” Chelsea commented as soon as she felt a movement by her side. Her eyes were still closed and couldn’t be bothered to take a peek at her husband. She apparently stayed up late since Emily was having a hard time sleeping—in which, in her case, Chelsea had to make her toddler fall asleep before her. Emily was crying every now and then whenever she couldn’t feel the warmth of her mom. She was fortunate enough that Emily seemed to fall into a deep slumber after she breastfed her. The heavy eyes weren’t the only thing she was enduring but also the sleep deprivation for the past months.

She knew the huge responsibility accompanied by raising a child but it was totally different once she had experienced it first hand. It was totally exhausting but fulfilling at the same time. Whenever Chelsea would see the smile etched on Emily’s face while she took care of her, she felt elated—like all the fatigue she’s feeling has been lifted off of her system, and all worries on her shoulder were no longer there.

The feeling was beyond words could even explain—no one can know the true feelings accompanied by it unless they give birth themselves.

Moreover, despite the hardships of being a mother, Chelsea doesn’t have a single ounce of regret that she bore a child. Emily had become her source of strength and happiness after all, and she thinks that nothing can ever compare to that feeling.

Letting out a chuckle, Edward tucked a strand of hair that was covering his wife’s face. “Well, good morning to you too, hon.” Edward laughed and Chelsea joined her. “I need to be at the station before seven in the morning.” Suddenly, he released a sigh before continuing his words. “We need to put extra effort and work in order to solve this case as soon as possible or it might cause an uproar for all the residents in Creek City.”

Chelsea snuggled closer to her husband and hugged Edward as she tried to calm his emotions. She knows that whenever Edward gets too worked up on his job, it takes a toll on him. Even though her husband told her that he didn’t want to talk about his work at home, she’s aware that it’s only needed—to at least release some stress from him.

However, she won't force him to tell her if he doesn’t want to.

“Don’t worry too much, hon. I know you got this. You always do,” her words were enough to ease his mind and with that, he inched closer to his wife’s face and planted a kiss on her lips.

Edward could feel the smile on her lips as soon as he did that. “I just remembered that we didn’t continue what was about to happen last night,” he commented the moment that he pulled back but his arms stayed on her waist.

Most certainly, it caught Chelsea off guard but it did send tingles all throughout her body. She already knew what Edward was talking about and it did ignite feelings inside of her.

She laughed. “Well, we can continue—”

Before she could even finish her sentence, Edward was quick to take her lips as his hands traveled to her chest. The kiss was long and passionate, in which Chelsea returned. As the kiss deepened, she let out a moan.

“You do know that you’re beautiful, right?” Edward complimented her, knowing that she has her insecurities. Chelsea told him before that she felt like she lost her beauty the moment that she gave birth.

But Edward could definitely disagree with that.

Chelsea had always been beautiful in his eyes, even now.

“You say the most cheesy lines as always, hon,” she remarked, yet a hint of satisfied smile etched on her lips.

.

.

.

AN INTIMATE MOMENT with Chelsea never goes wrong.

Well, at least for Edward.

After he ate breakfast, done arranging and fixing the things he needed to bring, Edward bid his goodbyes to Chelsea and Emily as he left his house.

“Take care, hon! Just send a message if you need something.” Chelsea said to her husband as she sent her outside the porch.

Edward nodded his head even though he kept in mind to never disturb his wife at home, who's busy taking care of their daughter, “I will, hon,” he uttered softly then placed a chaste kiss on her lips before parting ways.

Despite the fact that he’s aware that he would be spending more time at his work and would eventually end up not having time for his family. That being said, he just hopes that Chelsea understood enough that he needed to do it not just to make a living but also to serve justice.

In which, Edward always believed in.

Upon arriving at the Creek City Police Station, the unit immediately formed a huddle once everyone arrived—tackling the plan that they created yesterday before they all headed home to their families. All made use of the time yesterday to plan out any strategies and actions that they needed to do in order to gather more information that would initially relate to the case.

The unit decided to split up and make sense of their time instead of being in just one place altogether. All of them badly wanted to solve the case as soon as possible before the evidence runs out, or worse; the perpetrator wouldn’t be arrested. Edward and his team are well aware that if this case wouldn’t be solved any time soon—this case will turn cold.

Edward, never in his job as a detective, had a cold case. Although he kept in mind that the cases he handled before are way different than what they are handling now.

Violence had never been a thing in Creek City.

Maybe before when he wasn’t yet a detective, and it had been long gone ever since he can even remember. And now that this sudden unfortunate event has taken place, most people residing in the city are very much bothered—terrified even. Especially when it would get to a point that no criminal would be punished, that would clearly cause turmoil in the city.

All residents would continue to live in fear. Not unless they would solve this case—that is the ultimate goal.

Detective Manuel Suarez parked the car in the place’s parking lot, just right below a big tree with lots of leaves. Clearly choosing that section to avoid the car getting overheated due to the sunny weather, the moment they get back to the car.

Creek City was pretty much used to gloomy weather so bright weather can sometimes irk them. After all, some people would prefer drizzle over a sweaty day due to the sun shining brightly in the sky.

Edward ran his hands through his disheveled hair as he heaved a deep sigh. Suarez could only do the same. Even though Suarez became reluctant about the whole ordeal of the case being homicide, he still wanted to know the whole truth since the interrogation with Scarlet Monroe’s parents wasn't far from being mysterious.

Gazing through the enormous bricked facility, both sleuths were fascinated by what they’re seeing. Probably because this was their first time to witness such a place. This is by far the biggest academy located in Creek City and it was in the outskirts of the said city. The massive woods that enclosed the school were enough to obscure the said vicinity—making it seem as if no building ever settled deep inside the woods.

Who would have thought that there would be an academy in the middle of the forest? Well, the two detectives that is for sure.

Paradise View Academy was considerably large. The massive map located just near the Hall Room indicated that the whole school was indeed huge. Aside from the building where classes are being held, the vicinity also has a track and field, a soccer field, bleachers, a basketball court, and an auditorium. Judging by these alone, they both concluded that one must be rich in order to study at such a place.

Tuition fees here must have cost a large fortune.

All students in Paradise View Academy have been from a very wealthy family. Particularly those who hold significance in many industries, or have a job that pays large amounts of money.

Edward and Suarez were both guided by the academy’s dean as soon as they reached the lobby and then were led to the Counseling Room. The moment that they arrived at the said room, both detectives scanned around the place, then noticed how narrow and cramped the room was. A lot of dust was visible on top of the books shelves, table and chairs that were placed in the center of the room. It looked as though it hadn’t been used for a long period of time. Judging by the looks of it, this room couldn’t even fit a group of five people at the same time—making Edward well aware how little this academy prioritizes counseling their students.

After all, the room is labeled as the Counseling Room.

The very sight and atmosphere of the room bothered Edward as he released a deep sigh once the counselor and the dean left him both detectives.

Suarez playfully ran his finger across the dusty table, upon seeing his index finger is the proof of fine particles that formed in the room. He chuckled as he dusted the gathered dust. “They must’ve forgotten that this room still exists,” he muttered as he scanned around the place.

Edward nodded at his words, agreeing at how they neglected a room that is supposed to be important for the students. “And that alone had raised a forceful amount of suspicions inside me. This is a major red flag for me.” There was a hint of doubt in his voice that was very apparent.

Suarez turned to examine his colleague, Edward took a handkerchief from his pocket then swept through the wooden chair to dispose of the dirt that was undoubtedly bothering him. Reaching out for the digital recorder and his little detective notebook inside the pockets of his brown trench coat, he peered over Suarez that had been silent for a while, as if he was thinking of something so important that Edward seemingly wanted to have knowledge of. As Suarez kept silent even while sitting beside his friend, Edward’s eyes were solely focused on him, still wondering what was going through his colleague’s mind.

Without looking over at Edward, Suarez muttered some sort of words that he couldn’t quite comprehend but it was something like “I hope you’re right.” sort of phrase for him.

Just about as Edward was to respond, a soft knock—but enough for the both of them to hear—erupted from the other side of the door.

Edward coughed, adjusting his tone of voice then said “Come on in.” Already aware of who might’ve been on the other side of the door—which are the last two people to have been seen with Scarlet, her friends Claire and Alyssa.

Two young women entered the cramped room, making it look as crowded as it could be. Suarez beckoned them to sit on the chairs provided just across their line of view. Which the both of them politely followed suit.

Both detectives noticed how anxious one of them was as she sat down on the dusty wooden chair provided inside the room. Alyssa, the short slim girl with brunette hair flowing down until her waist, was fidgeting with her hands on her lap—noticeably restless even though the interrogation hasn’t yet started. This immediate gesture raised concern to both detectives as they’d been very keen on observing expressions and actions while investigating.

On the contrary, Claire, the tall one with short hair just below her chin, had a smug expression etched onto her face as her arms were folded across her chest. Obviously looking more stable than the other young woman.

With a shaky voice, Alyssa pondered “Are we in big trouble?” Her eyes were fixated on the table, trembling hands intensifying as the seconds passed by. It was clear to both detectives that she’s intimidated by them as she couldn’t look at the detectives straight in their eyes. One could easily tell that she’s anxious and tense at the very moment.

“What makes you say that?” Edward nonchalantly questioned, not even trying to hide the fact that he didn’t have any intention to soothe her.

Instead of responding to the question that was posed at her, Alyssa had started biting her fingernails. Seemingly showing how anxious she is at the current situation. Her mere actions had him puzzled, as Alyssa kept on being nervous over something unspeakable. This had him looking over to Suarez who indeed gawked at him with the same level of tension that his eyes and expression holds.

Detective Suarez turned on the digital recorder as soon as the young women entered the room, his notebook was also on the top of the desk, his hand had already written the important factors that they needed to dwell on and investigate further. He was also mindful of Claire seated across from her and how oddly she seemingly showed her character, fully knowing that the men in front of them are detectives.

Claire didn’t seem to mind what job they were imposing though, she just wanted this interview to end. “Is it true that Scarlet is dead?” Claire lackadaisical inquired.

Edward examined this tough young woman in front of them, her eyes and expression didn’t seem to show anything that’d make them be weary of her behavior.

“I’m afraid that she’s indeed dead.” Suarez replied and they could almost notice the way her lips twisted, suppressing to form into a smirk. The very gesture immediately made Suarez shiver. Claire has been acting mysteriously enough ever since she entered the room. The very sentence earned a sobbed from Alyssa as tears streamed down her face, murmuring countless apologies to the deceased friend.

Both detectives looked at one another as they mirrored each other's perplexity. Nothing was making sense to Suarez, his hand automatically landed on his temple, massaging the upcoming migraine that wanted to seep through him.

Edward, on the other hand, had so much in his mind that could tie the strings together, even though the interview hasn’t even started officially and they haven’t gathered enough information from the two women—his mind was already all over the place. Being impatient enough, he slammed his hands on the table, startling everyone in the room, even Suarez who was also immersed in his intuitions.

All sets of eyes were boring a hole through Edward’s face.

He reached for the brown envelope atop the desk and started taking out the pictures for the both girls to see. Upon seeing the pictures, this earned another set of wails from Alyssa, and Suarez was the one who shushed her—in which the cries have piped down gradually.

Then Edward officially embarked on the interrogation.

“I’m Detective Edward Conrad and this is Detective Manuel Suarez,” he implied while pointing towards the man next to him without breaking eye contact with the girls. “We’re assigned to this case. Now, we will conduct an interview with the both of you, we’ll question you one at a time and shall only answer a question that is directed at you. Are we clear?”

The authority in his voice was now echoing throughout the room, in which Alyssa had mumbled a soft, “Yes, sir.” and Claire only nodded as a response.

“Good,” Satisfied with their reactions, he continued on. “We’ve been informed that the both of you are Scarlet’s closest friends here in the academy.” The two nodded. “How long have you been friends with Scarlet?”

“Prolly 3 months or so,” Alyssa had replied.

“Ever since we’re 10,” Claire’s face was void of emotions, even her voice expressed no feeling. Every single one in the room had taken that in mind—especially both the detectives.

Alyssa, on the other hand, knew why Claire was acting this way. She wanted to be the one to talk it out in front of the detectives but it isn’t her story to tell so she just remained silent.

“So you basically knew her longer, Claire?” Carefully, Suarez inquired as the crease on his forehead was visible enough. “Can you tell us about this?” he retrieved a printed photo of the autopsy results. The one where there was a burn mark on the back of Scarlet’s neck. “Have you seen this before?”

Claire squinted her eyes at the sight of what seemed like a tattoo, and it was in a figure of a flower. “This is the first time that I saw this,” she mentioned, her voice filled with surprise but her face remained an impassive expression.

Edward diverted his gaze towards Alyssa who was only getting anxious as time passed by. “How about you, Alyssa? Have you ever noticed that Scarlet had this before?” He calmly asked, waiting for a reply.

Alyssa heaved out a sigh, shook her head then uttered, “I haven’t, sir.”

He withdrew another photo, now the one where Scarlet’s body was covered in bruises. “Hmm, how about this one? Do you have any idea about these bruises?”

Flabbergasted was an understatement to what Claire was feeling. What was once nulled of emotions had now so much sentiment playing along her eyes, face and even her body language. Even Alyssa was shocked at what she’d seen. Her trembling eyes were glued to the printed photo. Not believing what she was seeing.

Not even one bit.

“I...” Claire gulped the words, unable to form an answer. Her eyes dropped to her shaking hands. She clasped them tightly, resisting the involuntary move of her hands. “I don’t have any idea,” she finally muttered, her voice low. It’s enough for both detectives to hear what she said.

However, what had them thinking was the way that both women reacted upon seeing the symbol. Edward is sure as hell that these two might know something but are keeping their mouths shut. As to why? He could only ponder why.

Not unless Claire and Alyssa are both threatened by it or by someone.

“Do you know how she got these bruises?” As time passed by, Edward’s patience was slowly going down the drain.

He needs evidence. He needs leads. He needs answers. He needs anything, just anything, to help them move forward with the case. It’s as if luck had never been on his side. It was always unfortunate to have leads then being led to a dead end.

Edward gritted his teeth as his jaw clenched. His fist was curled in a ball as the intensity of his eyes had doubled.

Claire flinched as the glares continued to dagger towards her, the man in front of her seemed to have had enough and something inside Claire screamed scared. All of the confidence in her system immediately vanished in just a flash. Not that she was pretending to act tough earlier—she definitely wasn’t. But at the same time, Edward’s intimidating aura shook her to the core. Obviously, she didn’t want to be in trouble and telling the truth might help with the current investigation.

Without much of a choice, Claire had heaved a sigh. Her eyes fixed on the printed photo of Scarlet’s lifeless body on a wet pavement, her blood was surrounding her, creating a scary and brutal view.

“Scarlet... sold drugs.” With her words, everyone’s eyes were on her.