THE BEAUTIFUL MINDS

CHAPTER 25

A pair of inscrutable ebony eyes was observing every move inside Ronny's precinct.

First, there was nothing but confusion with the women screaming at each other. After Ronny entered the scene, the whole room went silent and there was nothing but nude shock on everyone's face.

Ebony eyes glimmered on seeing Ronny's reaction.

He stood there, pain and fear slowly creeping into his eyes.

Sarah looked confused and at the same time quite suspicious of Ashley. Patrick was gawking, wondering how Ronny would put up with the situation.

Ashley was determined not to leave the place without accomplishing what she'd come for. She would be the medical examiner and forensic analyst for this case. She will not let anyone else touch her brother's body.

All this had given enough time for ebony eyes to scrutinise Ashton's corpse and erase any remaining evidence.

Ebony eyes scorned at the utter foolishness of the nation's most smart personalities gathered there. Each of them having their own orchard of secrets, secure within the walls of their minds, oblivious to the fact that this was his strength.

The devil's strength.

Ashley spoke vehemently to the small party and after a few minutes of deliberate discussion, it seemed as if Ronny budged.

But, Sarah was still displeased.

Everything went on as per the plan.

Shortly afterward, ebony eyes took out a phone.

A subtle smile appeared on the face.

A little later.....

Patrick's precinct echoed with the sound of the cordless ringing.

"Hello" he answered, a little out of breath.

"Good morning" answered an impatient voice. "I know something about the suspects you are dealing with for the Richard and Ashton homicide. I need to speak......"

Patrick sighed. "And who are you?"

"Oh sorry. I'm a little nervous" the man said, feigning a laugh. "I'm Eric Walter"

Sulking inside, Patrick carelessly fidgeted with his keys as he spoke into the phone. "What do you know Mr. Walter?"

He heard the man gulp. "I'm afraid I have to tell that to Chief Jones in person"

"I'm afraid, he is busy at the moment"

"But, this is very important...."

Patrick frowned and hung up. Ever since the press conference, they had received numerous such calls from people claiming they knew something about the case.

It was all fake.

People were nosy. Since, this case had the country's most renowned personalities as suspects, it made people all the more curious. A few of them were diehard fans of Veronica, trying to seize this opportunity just to catch a glimpse of her.

Taking a can of Pepsi, he swiftly walked to the enquiry room.

At the enquiry room....

"I SWEAR, I HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS!!" screeched Derek, on top of his lungs and banged his fists on the already weak table. It trembled.

"Screaming is not going to take you anywhere. I demand to know everything you hide from me" backfired Ronny.

Derek grit his teeth. "Listen, Ashton is my best friend. I would trade anything I have, anything beyond my strength, just to see him alive. Why would I want to do this to him?"

Ronny looked into his eyes.

Is he sincere?

"Then, how do you justify the bloody tongue and graffiti we found in your house?"

Derek frowned. "I don't know. I didn't hear a single sound, neither did any of my family members"

Ronny exhaled. "Okay. For now, you're free to go"

Derek got up, relieved. "I'm sorry, I was of such little assistance to you"

At that moment, when Ronny looked up at him, there was a trace of a smug smile.

Once he left, Ronny closed his eyes and traced circles around his temples, an involuntary action when he is too stressed.

Just a moment ago he'd received a text from Angela's phone:

Busy shunting between your darlings?

By this time, Ronny's mind was so stuffed up with matters that he couldn't bring himself to worry about the text. Even if he did, he knew he can't do anything about it.

To Ronny, it felt as if everything was out of control. He'd pondered on every piece of evidence he'd gathered from the beginning. It was all futile.

He'd travelled in an exact circle. Now, with Ashton's death, he'd reached exactly where he started from. Nothing to prod further.

Ashley being here, was making it all the more worse. He was sure Sarah had already smelt something fishy. Perhaps, it was his own eyes that gave away the guilt.

But, he couldn't deny what Ashley asked for. She seemed so persistent. Besides, she was extremely talented and had a great role to play in catching hold of the elusive black beast.

Perhaps, she'll really be a great help in this case too.

Ronny opened his drawer and checked out the packets he'd stored there. They were the DNAs of the suspects, collected during the enquiry.

Much to his dismay, they weren't of much use.

The faster he ran, the farther the killer ran.

Not only was the killer proving to be elusive, but also he or she, manages to torment him, so he wouldn't put his mind and soul in the investigation.

"To all this, there is only one solution" muttered Ronny.

Then, he took out his phone and called Sarah, who was on the other side of the enclosure with Patrick.

"Sarah, I think it's high time we call Stana"