CHAPTER 22
1012 Words
Ronny turned around and saw Sarah for one last time.
"When I come back I want Ashton's autopsy reports on my table. And I also expect Derek to be in the inquiry room. Just ensure all this happens"
Sarah worriedly smiled at him. These murder cases were beginning to take a toll on him. And for some reason, she had a feeling it was invading into their personal lives.
She saw his creased forehead, thick dark eye bags and wilted muscles. Things were getting stressed up between them. To Sarah, it felt like it's been a decade since they made love.
She raked her fingers through his and saw him with desperate eyes. Then, planted a small peck on his cheeks.
"I love you, Ronny. And I'll do my best to help you get out of this"
The creases in his forehead eased a little.
"Thank you and I love you too"
Sarah could see the same despair in his eyes.
"Ready?" murmured Patrick.
Ronny relaxed and took a deep breath. "Yes"
With that Patrick opened the door to a conference room where a flock of press reporters had assembled.
Lights flashed on him and the reporters erupted with questions as Ronny swiftly walked to the dais and took his place on one of the two seats. Patrick sat beside him.
Angela was the first person to inform them about the murder in the Broadway metro station. Later, when they arrived at the place, they identified the victim as a man named Ashton Feathers.
Ronny hadn't linked him up with the Richard Anderson suspects until they found that his tongue had been cut off.
Besides, the man had velvet brown eyes. The same the stranger chatting with Derek had.
A match!
But, Ronny had pitied a little too much for this guy. He wasted a whole day feeling sorry for the young man, like he'd known him for a long time. Perhaps, it had to do with the ruthless way he was killed.
Ronny moistened his lips and erected his posture as he encountered the first question.
"What are the similarities between the Richard Anderson and Ashton Feathers homicide?"
Ronny cleared his throat. Then positioned the mic appropriately before answering.
"The autopsy isn't over yet but we could find out that his tongue had been cut off. Besides, the bloody graffiti and the cut off tongue were found in one of the suspect's house"
Another reporter shot out a question.
"Is it possible that the killer is doing this just to establish himself/herself as a skilful serial killer?"
Ronny contemplated that for a moment.
"I don't think so. The killer has an incentive. A motive"
"And what is that?" Shouted another reporter.
"We are investigating on it"
Patrick admired Ronny. There was so much turmoil going on inside and yet he managed to keep calm his disposition.
"Could the actress be the killer?" beamed another reporter.
Patrick sighed internally. Wouldn't they arrest her if they knew the answer for that question? The problem was that every suspect had equal chances and they'd briefed it to the reporters so many times. Can't their brains come up with something genuine and worth explaining?
*********
Eric Walter was just a few feet away from Ronny and Patrick.
His trembling hands took note of every question that was asked and every answer that Ronny uttered.
Eric had to come up with some question. That's what his boss had sent him for, but he was too nervous to muster up anything.
He looked around at all the people and then back at Ronny. He knew much more about the suspects than anybody else and he had to bring that to Ronny's notice.
He had to reach Ronny privately, otherwise his life would be at stake.
"Is it true that both the victims were Rachel Louis's exes?"
Queried one of the reporters.
The whole room went sheer quiet. Every eye was fixated on Ronny, curious to know the answer.
Up until then, it was just assumed that the victims were Rachel's exes. Ronny's statement today would make it official.
Eric could see that Ronny was a little taken aback. Yet, he was maintaining his nonchalance.
"I'm afraid yes" replied he.
Sweat dribbled down Eric's forehead. His heart thumped wild as his mind processed the sheer terror of the words he'd just heard.
The sooner he gets to Ronny, the better it is.
His life is already at stake.
*************
Ronny and Patrick had to literally push their way out.
It seemed the reporters would never cease to come up with questions. To Patrick, they looked like famished sharks.
Ronny looked around for Sarah but she was nowhere to be found. Maybe, she was busy doing what he'd asked her to do.
They got into a car and sped to their office.
There was still so much they had to work on.
"We have to inquire the suspects again" said Ronny. "This time more tactfully"
Patrick nodded. He recalled Angela's terrified face in the station. It was evident that she was losing her peace of mind over all these murders. He had to help Ronny solve this case as quickly as possible. At least, for his Angela.
The minute Ronny and Patrick landed in their office, a short, stout guy came rushing to see them. He was the medical examiner and forensic analyst.
"I'm sorry, sir, but, I couldn't conduct the victim's autopsy"
Patrick saw him bewildered. "Why?"
"A woman is creating lot of trouble, sir. She is claiming herself to be the victim's sister. At first, Mrs. Jones tried to convince her but now, she's lost her patience too"
Ronny and Patrick rushed to where they were. A little away, they could hear the woman and Sarah screaming at each other, yelling filthy names.
Ronny ran towards the room and opened the door.
The women turned silent.
For a minute, there was nothing but shock in everyone's eyes.
Standing before Ronny was the woman of his bitter past, bringing back all the traumatic memories.
She was Ashley Feathers.
- Writer
