The Gambling Killer

Chapter 2

He took a deep breath. – It was around 6:30 this morning. You know, I have a habit of fishing every Sunday at this river. As I went to the same spot I go to every time, I noticed something on the rock right under the bridge. Since there was a fog, I couldn't properly see what was hiding there. I assumed it was a bag full of garbage since a lot of people come here to have a picnic. It wouldn't surprise me because let's be real, people are the biggest polluters in this world. As I got closer, it wasn't a bag it was a body. I froze. It felt like the time has also frozen together with me. The sounds around went silent. When the realization kicked in, I grabbed my phone and called the police. So here we are.

- It must've been shocking for you. – I finally said.

- Yes it was. I'm still kinda shocked.

- I'll go tell a police officer to give you a ride back home if you want to?

- Thank you. It would be great if you could do that.

******

It was noon now. Verona and I have collected information as much as we could. The police gave us Ashley's home address, so here we are, in her street. We decided to have a small talk with her closest neighbors. First stop, Mia Hayes. Ding Dong. The bell rang. Slowly the doors opened and revealed a woman standing. She was young, I would say around 18 and 21. Her golden hair was tied up into a low ponytail. A few strands of hair falling in front of her face. A confused look was on her face.

- How may I help you? – She spoke gently.

- Police. – I said as Verona and I showed her our ID cards. – I'm Steve Smith and this is my friend Verona Blaine. We came here to ask you some questions. Can we? – I said as I was directed to enter her house.

- Yeah, sure.

She directed us to her living room and asked us if we wanted something to drink or eat. I asked for a coffee and Verona asked for tea. She came with the drinks we wanted, putting them on the table in front of us as she began the conversation.

- So... What questions do you want to ask? – She said with a nervous voice.

- First, can you tell us something about yourself? – I asked.

- Sure. My name is Mia and I'm 19 years old. Last year I moved here to study medicine.

- What's your relationship with Ashley Nelson? – Verona interrupted her.

- She's a really good friend of mine.

- We're here to tell you that her body was found this morning in a river. We don't know if it was suicide or perhaps murder. So could you tell us more about her?

She looked at me with a confused and sad look. A while passed before she spoke again.

- Ho-how did that happen? – She asked, now with tears falling down her red cheeks.