Confidential Scheme 1

Chapter 10.2: One Murder, Two Suspects, Three Cases

Chloe's POV

The two girls were identified as Madeline Bayhart and Ricanne Seoul.

I still can't believe to see their bodies being lift by a stretcher without having any consciousness.

When we saw the two bodies hanged on the ceiling using a rope, Lorcan closed the door and told us not to come near and step any of our feet inside of there because it's already s crime scene.

Who would do that kind of thing? I didn't know that it was Madeline and Ricanne until I heard the police who was dressed different by the ones inside the campus said.

The other day Madeline was just performing. She didn't look like she was having a hard time. Same goes to Ricanne, she just referred us to Writher's case who abducted the theatre's actress.

If someone had the motive to kill them, then it's Michael Writher. But that doesn't make sense because Michael was inside the campus police the whole time.

Could it be someone dear or related to Michael? What if-

"Chloe."I gasped when someone suddenly touched my left shoulder.

"Oh, sorry." Dustin said. "Here, you should drink first." He gave me a bottled of drinking water and opened it for me.

"Thanks."

He was silent for afew seconds when he started talking, "I heard them."

I looked at him, "Who?"

"The police. They said that the case is closed and it's a suicide case. They'll informed the relative first once the evidences is finalized."

"What? Didn't they consider other possibilities yet?"

"I don't know. Those guys are from SOCO and we can't ask them about the information about the case."

I get that. The case was outside of the school premises and only the inside incidents or accidents are meant to be manage by the campus police. Means we also don't have the rights to ask for any informations about it since we don't know any SOCO officers.

Only Officer Bernard has allowed our club to investigate about the cases inside. Other police officers on the camous police seemed cool with it though. Now, I don't understand why Lorcan didn't want us to go enter the room when we saw the bodies.

Also because our footprints would be there and that alone could set us up the crime. But there's really something with his reaction earlier.

That's the first time I saw him lose his usual expression. He's visibly stunned about it for some reason. He's also saying things earlier like, "I don't really like that pose" or "Who did this to you?"

Minji and I was the one who informed the condominium staffs and they immediately called the SOCO. We waited for a few minutes before they arrived.

We also give each of our statements. But we were the one who told statement for Lorcan. He's obviously spaced out. He can't even focus on what the person in front of him is talking about.

The thought him traumatized by seeing two bodies hanged in a wall is nearly impossible. I mean yes, Lorcan is still a human after all. No matter how cold and unbothered he is.

But he solved numerous cases and there's no way he got traumatized after months of doing so. He loves solving cases just like kids loves solving puzzles.

I was new to the club and yes, I was terrified when I was two bodies swaying like a pig in the butcher's house. But I tolerated it the longer it gets so, why can't Lorcan?

We're now sitting in the couched inside our clubroom. We had to call Dustin because we can't stand Lorcan saying the same words and not even listening to any words that came out of our mouth.

Good thing he's now stable. By stable what I mean is, his facade is not as cruel as earlier. He's well seated on his favorite couch. And...

"It's indeed suicide."

We looked at him as he finished saying those words.He then stood up and stationed to opening the door when I stopped him.

"Lorcan! Where are you going?"

He looked at me, "To Officer Bernard, I'll ask him about something."

"If you're gonna ask about the case, then you need to contact the SOCO because they're the ones who solved the case."

"Solved? The case is far from being solved, Chloe." He fully turned to me while he was talking.

"But... you said it's suicide indeed. Right?"

"Yes. But why did they commit suicide? Did the SOCO mentioned something about it?"

As far as I know, I've never heard them mention about why did the two hanged themselves on the ceiling. They just straight to conclude that it is suicide with the evidences presented. I shook my head.

"Exactly. That's what I need to know."

"We're coming with you." Minji muttered.

Lorcan nodded and we then head to the campus police. When we arrived, Lorcan asked the assigned officer on the counter front of the station and asked to talk about Officer Bernard. He then motioned his hand to wait on the waiting area.

Not even a minute later, when we saw Officer Bernard walking towards us. The looks on his face showed a hint of concern when he saw Lorcan.

"How are you, Lorcan?"

"I'm fine, Officer."

"About the request, well..." Officer Bernard seemed hesitating to say whatever he has to say.

"They denied." Lorcan finished his sentence.

"You see, we're stationed as campus police. Compared to local police departments, the extent is mainly on the university. Cases outside the campus premises are not assigned for us. Although we still investigate cases outside, it's limited and permission from higher positions is needed."

"I understand well, Officer. I actually expected that answer before you even say it. I'm here to close Michael Writher's case."

I looked at him as soon as he finished talking. I almost forgot about that. Not his death but the reason behind it.

"And I would like to discuss it with you right now."

The Officer nodded. Compared to the expression of his face earlier, he now looked like a proud father because his son didn't cry after having a wound.

I really have to give to Lorcan. Imagine how quick he changes his mood overtime. Didn't even took him an hour after the condominium case.

We then followed the two of them to Officer Bernard's office. Him and Lorcan is leading the path to there. As we walked past by every rooms, I can say that the campus police is quite large for a campus police.

I can feel the cool breeze of the air condition sway in my skin. It felt good, I'm not gonna lie but it was a bit too much. I am shaking because it's so cold. I need to keep my posture though.

It will looked weird if I'm like a rotten vegetable lacking of sunlight. If that makes any sense. Officer Bernard opened the white modern door with transparent glass on upper side for us.

We entered the room and fortunately, it's warmer inside. The room is good for at least 8 people. There's also shelves on the opposite side from where the door is.

A rectangular table in the middle and a whiteboard chart in front of one of the sides.

We all sitted on the chair. Lorcan and Officer Bernard on each of the shorter side. They're sitting in front. The three of were on the longer side.

"Shall we start?" Dustin asked.

Since Dustin was not with us earlier when that happened. Minji and I were the ones who told him what exactly did we see and what we've observed.

On the hand, Lorcan seemed a little impatient because he probably wants to start talk about something and conclude the case.

"So they is basically the one who poisoned Michael? Surprising but definitely not a twist." Dustin commented after we explained the things.

"Exactly." Lorcan replied and we all looked at him. "That's why we're here to consider every possible motives as to why they did all of that to the poor man."

"Wait. They? Don't tell me-" I kinda think of that thought but I don't wanna consider it.

"Madeline Bayhart and Ricanne Seoul planned Michael's death. They even risked their own lives just to see him suffer."

The Officer took over the chat, "Wait, wait, wait. Are you saying that they planned all of that to make Michael detained?"

Lorcan nodded. "We got one substantial evidence that I wanted but to make it more fun we're sharing what we knew individually."

My eyebrows knitted. What is he saying?

"By the way, Lorcan." The Officer then stood up and opened one of the drawers to take out a single folder. "This is the CCTV screenshot you requested. It was finalized. Confirmed it's Bayhart."

Lorcan nodded repeatedly. His eyes seemed filled with joy. What's happening?

"As I was saying, we're going to share any of our main theory individually that fit with the evidence presented. And the next person will finalized and give an additional things that they think are important to conclude the case."

"Let's start with the club's researcher first." He said giving a look to Minji.

"As we all know, Michael and Madeline have both been suspects for killing a professor. When she fell unconscious on the ground, he catched and even lift her up to the clinic. That alone shows how much this guy is concerned about the girl. We can say that they have been in a secret relationship afterall. An affair."

That's right. I mean, if a person shows affection towards another person then they'll not hesitate to risk it all.

"Ricanne Seoul who wants to be called 'anne' entered the scene." She continued. "She's Michael's girlfriend. If they're living on the same roof then that means they trusted each other. She said that she's suspicious of her boyfriend going out every night to go somewhere. Why would she just sleep and be bothered by the thoughts if he really treasured his partner, then she would think of following him. Right?"

Lorcan's face is becoming more expressive as ever. His mood gives a feeling and I don't what is it. It's a good feeling, by the way.

"The answer is simple. She didn't care about them. She had reason as to why she didn't follow him but instead introduce us to the case." Dustin followed by.

"She wanted us to see Michael visit Madeline who was tied on the ground. I bet Ricanne helped her do that. She wanted us to think that Michael is the real villain when it's not. They set him up. Now that explains why he shouted 'Madeline' that day with a hint of concern. We didn't really see through that day since she's a great actress. Not gonna lie, that was well played." He said in more sincere way rather than sarcatically.

Now that I've heard it from them. It actually makes sense. It's just crazy to think that we've known from what we have seen is not what we think it is at all. To see is to believe but how come it's an exception for that one?

"That leads to Michael being detained for days in the campus police while the two are having fun with their own play. One reason why they killed him is they want him to remain silent."

"Considering that they planned this for months, they're really eager to take him down." I started explaining my own thoughts. "And since they've fullfilled their will they chose to end themselves by commiting suicide using a rope."

When I looked at Lorcan, I almost bit my tongue inside. The curve on his lips is wider than before. That's the first time I see him do that.

"No holes. No breadcrumb left. Not a single explanation that does not give a sense. But unfortunately the case is far from over but we'll get there soon."

After answering all those questions in my head, another set of questions builed up my mind.

"What EXACTLY is the reason they planned for a long period of time just to make Michael suffer? What did Michael do against them?"