Confidential Scheme 1

Chapter 5: The Messenger

Chloe's POV

I have never been motivated in my life until today. I just finished drinking my morning tea and is now taking steps down the stairs on the apartment where am staying at.

The cab is probably gonna be here in 3 minutes according to the tracker. Waiting for three minutes here wouldn't be that hard unless the if the traffic's that bad.

"That person targets everybody close to me."

Thinking at how Lorcan said it, there might something happened back then that caused him to eagerly track and reveal that person's mask. He's been finding that person for months yet instead of giving up, his determination gets stronger everyday.

Ugh! Why am I sounding like him when I said 'that person'?

Beep

I didn't even sensed that the cab I booked is already here. I really need to get better focus since I'm at risk now.

These past few days since that thing, I've never felt someone's eyes watching me nor do I feel someone's presence from far away.

I guess Lorcan is right, that person just wants to warn us people that is getting close to him. But to think about it, I've only met Lorcan once and that is when Science Room incident is happening.

Does that person always just targets anyone that come up to him for what? I have an idea but when I told Lorcan about it, he refused to believe the possibility for some reason.

What if that person just wants Lorcan? You know, in love with him or something. And because of jealousy, that person actually does everything just to make people get away from him.

I must admit it, Lorcan is attractive. And I will not be surprised if someone is obsessed with him.

The cab driver stopped in my destination and paid him with the card. I left the cab and walk to the entrance gate. I didn't mention it but this university do not use identification cards. You'll only have to walk to a scanner that's quite similar to the one in the airport then that's it. Rumors in the school says the authentication is on your uniform but who knows? The important is that the scanner never actually declined me as it should.

There's not a lot of students the time I entered the school. I'm early for 30 minutes due to club affairs. Lorcan texted me a meeting place and I don't know exactly what is the reason. Whenever I ask he'll just read it. I was seen-zoned.

The building isn't that far away from my class building so I wouldn't have a hard catching up later. When I arrived there were policemen and three students around the area. I checked the text message again to verify if I was in the right place.

"Ms. Park?"

I looked at my back to see if someone's behind me, "Uh, Sir is it me you're talking too?" I asked the officer in front of me.

"Are you Ms. Park? Chloe Park?"

"Oh yes, Sir. That's right."

"This case is possible murder."

Wh- what?

"The victim's name i-"

"Wait, wait, Sir. What is happening here?"

"We fou- wait. Did Lorcan inform you?"

"About what?"

The officer let out a chuckle shaking his head, "Same old Lorcan."

Tell me about what? Lorcan texted me the meeting place and I thought we're gonna discuss something.

"You must be confused. I am Inspector Bernard from the campus police."

He introduced the other officers next then turned to me, "Lorcan texted you here for a case. But do not worry, he'll be here in 2 minutes."

A case? Why didn't he tell me about this? And how dare he texted the officer and not me.

"I'm sorry, Sir but did you say Zoe Part?"

"No, Chloe. Chloe Park."

"Sad to say I'm not the person you're looking for. I'm here for my friend in the end of this hallway. I gotta go, Sir."

Good thing I've think of an excuse to get out of here. I don't want to solve a case, I just wanna know the person behind my a*******n.

"Wait but-"

"Sorry Sir but I really need to go."

I walk quickly as fast as I could but I did not even make four steps when...

"Petty excuse, ain't it?" I bumped into Lorcan that's obviously just arrived.

"I apologized, Sir. This colleague is just nervous because this is the first we'll do a case together."

A case? Together?

"Well then you should accompany her through out the case. I know you will not chose someone as a decoration for your club."

Ugh! Now I have no choice but to do this. I signed up for this club with a burden of solving cases whenever something happens at school. My thoughts came to an end when I saw a pool of blood in the room in front of me. There's also a trophy beside that probably the culprit used to kill the victim.

I looked at my side. And what captured my attention is the three students being interrogated by the two officers. Two guys and one being a girl. Does this mean they're the suspects?

"If you're thinking they're the person of interest then yes."

Lorcan suddenly emerged from my side looking at them.

"Officer Bernard said that the proffesor died not exceeding 30 minutes before the body was found. It is still hot." He put latex gloves on his hands that came out of nowhere and gave the extra two gloves to me.

What am I gonna do with this?

"This a crime scene now so we must nut contaminate anything that might be a substantial evidence."

I put the gloves on my right first then finished with my left hand. He then bend his head and took over the yellow baricade in the door. I did the same thing.

"What am I gonna do here?" I whispered discreetly.

"Just look around."

"Wh-" I wasn't able to finish what I was about to say when he turned around and examine the things around the room.

Hoo! I need to act like a detective.

I walk towards the proffesor's table where his laptop and documents were scattered around. Some are even on the floor. Might be because to suppressed the culprit's attacks.

I looked over the shelves surrounding his table leaning the wall. Then there I saw one sharp book that has a blood into it.

When I looked down I saw the victim's chalk trace and beside was numbers that was written using a red liquid thingy that looks a lot like a blood.

32 28 92 16

I can tolerate seeing blood but not a dead person. So if the victim's body is still in here, I would've not take any chances to enter this room.

"I know who did it."

Lorcan stood right in front of seem to be a dying message turned into a number.

"No, it's not a dying message. Its the culprit's identity."

Here we go again with his quick reply as if he knew what's on my mind. Should I be surprised?

Lorcan nodded and all the police officers outside including the three suspects. Officer Bernard whispered something to him and the guy did the same. I wonder what is it about?

"Proffesor Ferdinand Sherlf was found dead 9:30am. Based from his body temperature, he died not exceeding 30 minutes before he was found."

The suspects seemed shocked about it. One of them is definitely faking it but I can't tell who's who.

"Unfortunately and fortunately for the culprit there's no witnesses around this hallway so we didn't get to know the murderer and yes, this is a murder."

"What? I thought it was just an accident?

Officer?" the girl said and was confused and obviously nervous of what's happening.

"I told them not to tell you were the suspects cause the culprit might run away. I can't let that happen." Lorcan replied.

"Now who among the three of you is the killer? To make it more fun, I want you to say your name and where you're the moment the crime is happening." Lorcan added.

"Why would we do that and we can refuse to say anything, right?" The guy on the left side said probably losing his patience.

"Right. But its either you prove your innocence or choose to not say a single word and be guilty of the crime. Your choice."

This time, Lorcan is more serious of what he's saying. He's looking at them in an intimidating way. If I were one of them, I would just tell where am at instead of being accused guilty of the crime.

The guy gulped and then started talking, "I am Microft Shyde. I was doing my math homework on the computer lab when someone Mr. Sherlf texted me to go in his office. And when I arrived... I- I found him d-dead."

He then showed his phone, "This. This is the proof that he texted me. " His hands were shaking.

"Are there anyone that can prove you're really on the lab when this thing is happening?" Lorcan asked.

Microft answered with shaking his head sideways which indicates a 'no'.

"No alibi," Lorcan said then he changed his glance to the girl in the middle.

The lady cleared her throat first, "Um, I'm Madeline Bayhart. A- and..." she stopped a few seconds then sniffles until she bursts into crying.

I looked at Lorcan who's visibly irritated by what she has done.

"Tsk, enough with the drama," all person turned to him, "Tell us more."

"Can't you see? She's crying." The guy in the right corner finally spoke.

"So?"

"What so? Want me to punch you?" He was about to take steps closer to Lorcan and punch him. Thank god the police officers were that fast that they prevented it from happening.

"I might actually consider you punching me if you tell us where you are when the crime is happening."

The guy glared at Lorcan.

"Sir, you need to cooperate to prove your innocence." One of the officers spoke.

It took a few seconds before he started talking, "I am Michael. Michael Writher. I was in the field for... P- PE. PE class."

That explains why is he the only one wearing a jogging pants and a shirt instead of the normal uniform.

"What? We have PE class?" Microft asked out of nowhere.

"Y-yes. Didn't she inform you?" Michael answered with another question.

"Interesting," Lorcan once again took everyone's attention in the room. "So you two are classmates."

"Actually... We are classmates." Madeline spoke more precise than she had before.

"Mm. So how come you're the only knows about this PE thingy?" Lorcan turned to Michael.

"I- I- Guys? Didn't you forget? Miss Santos told us that we'll have a PE class today, right? Right?"

No one answered him.

"What do you think, Chloe?"

I was surprised when Lorcan mentioned me. All faces turned to me.

"Me?"

"Yes. Who do you think is the culprit?"

I was so intimidated at how everyone is waiting for my answer. Now its time to drop things that I have observed.

"This might not be accurate but... I think Michael did it."

People inside looked surprised then there's this Lorcan whose smile is getting wider.

That's the first time I saw that smile of him. But that's not important anymore. I need to support my accusation.

"Excluding the fact that you are the only one who knows about the PE class, you have a blood stain on the side of your shirt." I pointed at the tiny red spot on the bottom left corner of his shirt."

"Not because its red, its already blood. It could've been ketchup! I ate hotdog for breakfast."

"But as far as I know, wiped ketchup no matter what brand, it would'nt be that dark."

Lorcan replied.

Finally! I don't how to support my accusation the right way. Why did he asked me in the first place?

"Also, what about that thing in your head?"

Lorcan followed up.

Michael touched his head and was shocked seeing the red stain coming from his head.

"You probably hit it in there after you killed the proffesor." Lorcan pointed at the shelves where there was a sharp thing that has blood in it.

"No! NOO!" Michael screamed. "How can you prove that it's really me? Microft saw the body so he is the killer!"

"Then explain why your proffesor wrote this." Lorcan stood right in front of the numbers written in the floor.

"Pretty sure you understand it, Michael."

Michael's eyes were stucked on the floor.

His eyes weren't even blinking.

"I checked the proffesor's laptop and found out each of your grades on his subject."

Lorcan took a step backward and put his arms on his back.

"Why? Its because the #1 motive a student could kill his/her teacher is because of failing grades. And I found that one of you actually failed his subject."

"It is Madeline."

What? I thought it was Michael. What was his motive then?

"Microft's grade isn't that high and definitely not low. Could he be the one that killed the proffesor? Possible. But the thing is I already checked the CCTV footages before I got here. There isn't much people here at this school during the time so I didn't have any trouble checking from each one of the building. The time Microft checked in is 8:50am and he's out of the lab 9:21am. Its obvious that he didn't do it because the victim was found 9:30 and you will spend minutes of walking from there to here. He didn't have much time to kill the victim."

So that's why he told me to come in here first because he checked the CCTV footages.

"What about Madeline?" Lorcan continued.

"Does she have a motive to kill the victim? Yes. Does she have time to kill the victim? Nope. Madeline entered the school premises 9:00am and she straightly go in the classroom and was out 9:37am."

Lorcan took a step forward the three suspects and stopped in front of the culprit, "And that leaves one person, you."

"32 28 92 and 16. You can read it as GeNiUS.

Atomic number of elements Germanium, Nickel, Uranium and Sulfur. A clever way of revealing the murderer's identity."

Lorcan put his hands behind his back again.

"But what bothers me is why you killed the professor despite you being #1 in his class."

I was more than amused by what I am hearing. Do not get me wrong, I don't like the fact that I can hear evrything what I'm hearing right now just because someone is dead. I'm impressed that Lorcan was able to identify him just by looking at things.

"You killed him with the trophy using your right hand. After you're done with the crime, you texted Microft to come to set him up of the crime you and only you did."

Michael looked up, "YES! YOU'RE RIGHT! YOU'RE F**KING RIGHT! I KILLED HIM! HE DESERVED IT!"

Policemen quickly grab his arms and handcuffed him so that he could not harm anyone. He's still screaming while officers are dragging him out of the room.

"Thank you again, Lorcan."

"Its nothing, Officer. I should be the one thanking you for bringing this instresting case in me."

"Later." The officer took his way out of the room and followed the others.

We stepped out of the room. I wanna ask Lorcan about many things when we heard a thud in the room. Madeline was unconscious on the floor. I didn't even realize she was still in there. Microft who was standing beside her lift her up ran towards the stairs. He's probably gonna take him in the clinic.

The only people left in the room are what seem to be a crime scene cleaner. They all wear the same uniform and taking care of the place.

I checked the time on my phone and its already 11:47, 13 minutes left before the class starts. Students from each side of the building is also increasing.

I stood beside Lorcan looking at the sky without any visible emotion.

"Hey, shouldn't you be happy? You've solved a case."

"I solved cases uncountable times already." He replied not even looking to me.

"I have questions about the case."

"What is it?"

"How are you so sure about the predictions you have made just by seeing things?"

"He finally looked in me, "I've told you before, I don't predict things. I just knew it."

"So are you saying you're a psychic?"

"I will never say that. And please, its called deductions. My deductions were based by the clues and evidence presented in the crime scene. Putting them together without having any holes have never been so hard for me."

"As in never?"

"Never."

I still think there's better explanation than that but I don't want to pissed him off. So maybe I'll just next time.

"But..." I was a bit surprised when he started talking, "there's something fishy about the case."

I assumed it is the case that he just solved.

"Michael secretly likes Madeline."

What?

"I observed him. Officer texted me the information before I even took a shower.

Proffesor texted Madeline."

"And?" I replied.

"He's already dead when the girl received the message."

My widened a bit. Why would Michael text Madeline using the proffesor's phone and set her up the crime if he secretly likes her?

"Who texted Madeline?"