Beautiful Murder
680 Words
“I’ll be damned.” Seferino whistled. In the same brutal manner Clyde Farris had been murdered, the victim’s eyes were missing from his sockets, his torso and body lacerated in the same, bloody way.
“The victim’s name was Aiden Flint. Known member of the Black Adders gang.”
“I’m aware of who he is.” Seferino informed her.
“Oh? A friend of yours?”
“More of a, uh, rival of sorts.”
“Ah, I see.”
“Elina!” A voice called out to them from behind.
“Hey Xavier.”
His eyes darted over to Ariti’s. He lowered his voice to a whisper. “What the hell is he doing here?”
A half-smile ghosted her face. “Oh you haven’t heard? He’s our new consultant on this case.”
“You’re...kidding, right?”
“God I wish I was.”
“And what about the murder weapon?” Seferino inquired loudly.
“There wasn’t one.” She said.
His eyebrows rose.
“Sorry, what I meant to say was that there wasn’t one for us to find.” She nodded towards the gun placed delicately on the table. “That right there, is the murder weapon. The perp used his own gun.”
Seferino glanced towards the weapon. “Slaughtered with his own pistol?”
“And there’s one more thing.” Elina mentioned. “His apartment wasn’t broken into. Whoever the killer was, he just let him in.”
“Caldaron. Airiti. Over here.” The chief beckoned them over. “I’m sure you’ve noticed Aiden’s apartment is just over the bar downstairs. Why don’t you two head downstairs? Ask around, see if anyone heard any loud ruckus last night.”
“Noted. Great idea sir.”
***
“Aiden Flint? Yeah, he was here last night.” Wiping the bar clean of the many sins of yesterday, the man hung the small towel over his shoulder, placing his hands on the table in stereotypical fashion. “He’s a regular customer here, actually, that being his apartment is upstairs and all.”
“And did you happen to see anyone suspicious?”
The bartender raised an eyebrow.
“Elina.” Seferino chastised. “This is the Hawthorne District. It’d be harder to find someone who wasn’t suspicious.”
He turned back towards the bartender. “The poor victim’s name was Aiden Flint.” He leaned closer. “A notable figure of the Black Adders, though I’m sure you would have known that. Have any Brotherhood members walked into the bar recently?”
The man remained silent.
Seferino sighed. “I see. So that’s how it is.”
“Unwilling to snitch on your clients. I can respect that.” Reaching into the linen of his suit, he withdrew a leather wallet. Slipping out a hundred dollar bill, he set it onto the table.
“You’re bribing someone… in front of a cop?” Elina said incredulously.
“Oh shut up.” He muttered. “I don’t see you getting any better ideas.”
Taking the bill, the bartender sighed.
“There was an altercation. The other night. Between some members of the Adders and the Brotherhood.”
“And?”
“I asked some of them to leave. The especially rowdy ones. I didn’t see them back here again, but they could have gotten to Aiden’s place another way.”
“What time was this?” Elina asked.
He furrowed his brows. “9, 10 PM, maybe?”
“I see. Well then, thank you very much for your assistance sir.” Elina turned to leave.
“So. What’s next?”
“Elina whispered under her breath. “Do you… I don’t know, have any contacts? Someone from the underground? Someone who might have known what happened here?”
“Why? You think one of the Brothers did it?”
“Honestly, I’m not sure what to think. But I do think it’s something worth checking out.”
Seferino grinned wickedly. “I know just who to ask.”
- Writer
