Bloody Riddle

VII : Searching

"Here we are." Karin got out of the car, followed by James behind. Day turned to night when detectives and the search team from the Columbia police arrived. The cemetery atmosphere was tense, only the sounds of crickets accompanied the silence. 

James looked around, eyebrows arched deeply. The large area that he did not know would make their search difficult. Moreover, a body that was buried.

"Sir, could you order your men to split up? If we are searching in one place, we will only waste time." James said staring at Donny.

"What do you suggest, young man?"

"Find a new grave, about two or three days ago."

"Just like that?" James nodded and started walking toward the cemetery. Karin follow behind. She parted ways with James.

James is not stupid. He already knew what this killer wanted. He followed all the instructions and even play with him. But he didn't expect his friends dragged into his trouble. The killer wanted to show him he could ruin his life. Well, that will never happen.

Donny looked at the watch many times, after tired walking around the cemetery. He sat on the hood of his car. It was getting dark when they were halfway down this vast place. Some of Donny's subordinates doubted because they found no evidence.

A police officer come from a distance. His tired face masked with the shadow of his hat. "Don, I think we should end this search." Donny stared at the man then shake his head. "No, we need this, my friend because we can’t reach Murphy, I'm worried."

"Just because of the boy's words, you trust him?"

"He has enough evidence, how can’t I trust it?" Donny looked at James far enough away from him. His friends just follow where his gaze leads.

"Have faith, my friend." Donny whispered to make his friend silent.

From Far James stopped. He looked toward the shadowy wood. The sunlight had fallen on the horizon caused the wood look more creepier. James's greenish eyes looked through the wood. His brain thinks hard. Something must be there. "Do you think the same as me?"

Karin appeared right beside James, staring in the same path.

"I think so."

Without warning, the two of them ran into the wood, shocking the other officers. Donny half sitting on the hood of the car stood up, ordered his men to follow them.

James entered the dark, cold wood. The sound of crickets grew louder, making the atmosphere more tense. Karin pointed the flashlight in various directions, still looking.

James looked around, searching for the most suitable spot. He tried to think like a murderer. If the assumption is right, maybe Isabelle's body will not placed too far from where he stands now. James looked at Karin for a moment and started walking again. They both walked together in the dark. The flashlight is enough to give them light.

"You think she's here?"

"My gut is never wrong before."

James stopped suddenly as soon as his nose smelled something horrible. He turned to the right. Karin brightened their way because James didn't have anything in hand. Both of them said nothing, still walking towards something they were looking for.

Karin began hearing insects buzz as they approached one of the trees ahead. Something rotten began to smell around them. With her hands Karin covering her nose and mouth. Trying to drive away the smell.

"Flashlight, please." Karin gave the flashlight to him. James walking closer, touched the brown stalk, looked to the other side of the tree.

The light reflects back from the glistening surface. James carefully illuminated the shiny surface, until the entire surface was exposed. They found it.

The remaining pieces of the body belongs to the detective Isabelle Murphy. Her body was half rotted with shapeless face. Left leg and right hand were gone. Just like the pieces that have been found previously.

"Oh god." Karin whispered.

James approached, leaning on his feet, staring grimly at the corpse of his best friend Isabelle Murphy. Karin closed her eyes, took a deep breath. They managed to find Isabelle, even though she was not alive.

Karin glanced at James. The figure plunged into the abyss of sadness.

From the side Karin could see the flashlight, accompanied by noise. Behind the tree Donny and other officers appeared. Donny turned his flashlight toward Karin. Their stopped when one of the officers aimed the flashlight at James's and looked in the direction he was headed.

"Is that?"

James didn't answer and just stood up. Donny walked over. The flashlight he was holding fell to the ground. The old man fell down limp, couldn't escape the scene in front of him. The detective at the same time, good friend, has become a victim of a heartless vicious killer.

Donny bit his bottom lip, anger begin to rise. "Make sure you catch the bastard who killed her."

James didn't know what to say. But from Donny's words he could tell that the police chief wanted to catch this murderer. James firmly stared at Donny.

"I'll catch the killer with my hands, sir."

Two days later they returned to Elmwood cemetery to bury Isabelle Murphy's body. Louis, Hugo and Philip also came because they were also friends of Isabelle. They had made contact with the Columbian police about Isabelle's remains. They brought her here.

The sobbing sound of Isabelle's family was so heartbreaking. The eldest son of the Murphy family cried incessantly for the mother's departure. Isabelle's husband could only be silent with a sorrowful face.

"We're sorry for your wife, John." Donny said, patting his shoulder. John, Isabelle's husband just nodded. After the prayer was finished, they buried the coffin and covered it with the ground. Friends from the police also gave their condolences.

John fell silent as one of the unknown man shook his hand. The man passed without looking at him. John remembered something. "Detective James Floyd?"

James stopped instantly, turned his face to John.

"I know we've never met before, but my wife always talks about you." James was staring at John with his green eyes. Made John little nervous.

"Can we talk in private?"

"James, I know this is a selfish request, but I want you to catch whoever killed my wife. She, Isabelle doesn't deserve this. She is a good mother and wife, James."

"Find her like this, It's too much."

"So promise me, James."

James sat on his couch, staring at the wall of his house for an entire hour. He had never felt this before. Depression and helplessness. After talking to John, more precisely listening, James really wanted to catch this killer. He has ruined everything, even people's lives. He take a deep sigh.

He rose from his couch to the bathroom, washed his face. He saw the reflection in the mirror. Looks lifeless. He came out of the bathroom to his room. James opened his laptop. He hadn't read the last e-mail that Isabelle had left before disappearing.

So he started to open the folder and clicked on one of the icons. The window appeared not long after. James read it there.

For anyone reading.

This may sound crazy, but I've been following this guy. Since March 15, 2026. I saw this man coming out of a fast-food restaurant during lunch. He has a height like the American people in general. unfortunately I can't see his face closely because I was working on another case. He caught my attention ever since I accidentally saw him a second time. He was at the scene, staring at someone. I don't know and not so sure either.

He always there watching. I'm a bit annoyed to be honest but I try to think  positive.

The day after, I saw him again, this time he smiled. Somehow the smile frightened me.

Since then I feel tailed. I don't know but if that guy was a killer I might know soon.

Curly black haired man. About 6.2 feet tall. Dressed casually.

Please find out who he is and send the data to me.

Please hurry.

So, Isabelle had been targeted since the 15th and then she sent an e-mail on the 19th. That's how long the killer had been following her. James rubbed his face with both hands, sighed deeply, remembering every emotion that flowed within him. Anger he couldn't get rid of.

Poor Isabelle, she didn't know what came to her. Caught between homicides and became victim. These bastards will pay for his actions. James will guarantee it.

But before that there were many things that crossed James's mind. What is the motive of the killer. Is it possible that he has a foundation or he acts only according to his desires. James wasn't so sure. The evidence he collects is not enough. He must find out more.

James got out of his apartment, down the deserted town this morning. He looked at his watch and sighed. He realized that he had not slept since three hours ago.

James climbed the public bus to the city library. Crowded streets accompany the morning. He got off the bus at the stop, looked toward the large building. James casually walked inside.

James walked through the hallways were filled with books. He sees each title of the book with his index finger pointing one by one. Various titles of books he had seen, but nothing interesting. When he turned in the opposite direction he saw a book catching his attention. He saw the cover of the book and flipped through it. James smiled.

He opened the book and read it.

He enjoys reading. Many books have been read. He didn't realize that he had taken many books and placed them beside him. The librarian has come and told him to go home. of course, in a subtle way. But did not succeed. James stay, doesn't budge in his chair. He read his every book until he forgot that it was dark outside.

"Looks like you enjoyed reading this book, right, Mr.Floyd?"

James looked back. Karin stood with the librarian beside her. Their faces both look annoyed. Karin came over and banged on the table.

"You didn't answer your phone!"

He remembered something and fingered his pocket. He cursed himself for his carelessness. A chuckle escape his lip. It looks like he left his cell phone at home.

Karin grabbed James by the collar and pulled him. "We go to the office now."

"Why?

"They found new evidence."