[AN: The killer's identity is made obviously in this chapter so this is the last chance to guess who you think it is.]
"How are you feeling now?" Ethan asked
"Better," Deborah replied, "i'm still slightly scared of going outside but i'm going to have to leave tomorrow."
"Why? Are you travelling?"
"No, i'm going to the cemetery, it's been a year since my uncle passed," Deborah said, "a year since the killings started and the killer is still going around killing more people."
Ethan face falls, "Do you know why I decided to become a cop?" Deborah shakes her head
"My mom was killed during a highway robbery," he said, "I was 7 at the time and was confused for days 'why haven't mom come home' i kept wondering and after a while i realized she was never coming back, the robbers were never caught. I became a cop because i didn't want anyone else to go through that suffering." he stated
"I'm really sorry," Deborah says
Ethan shoots her a faint smile, "...but the reality is, most crimes can't be stopped until they are already committed and while capturing the criminal doesn't bring back our lost one, it does bring a little satisfaction that their murder is no longer a mystery and their murderer would be punished for their crime and we can at least close the chapter on their death." Ethan stops for a beat,
"So this is my promise to you..." Ethan takes Deborah's hand in his, "No matter how long it takes, I'll make sure the patrician killer is arrested and prosecuted for their crimes."
A smile appears on Deborah's lips, "thank you," she said, her voice low, barely a whisper
Just then, Ethan's phone began to ring. He takes the phone from his pocket to see Patty "hey," he says to the phone "I'm on my way"
***
"You made an arrest without me? What happened to the whole 'we're partners' thing" Ethan said
"You were busy and he was trying to flee the country" Patty replied
"Fair enough, give me the details." Ethan said
"I did more digging into Ralph Bronte and turns out a week before he received that huge sum from FHN, he called some friends he made in prison,"
"Why?"
"According to one of the guys he called, Mark, Ralph said they 'could earn up to a million' for this job he found" Patty explained, "Mark had initially agreed but then later felt it was something illegal so he decided to quit"
"Did he at least know something about the job?"
"Lucky for us, yes. It was to deliver some goods to a warehouse. I checked and it belonged to Jamie Williams, you won't believe what we found in there,"
"What did you find?"
"Some contraband drugs. You should have seen the look on his face when i arrested him."
"I hate that i missed that," Ethan says, "Did you question him yet?"
"No, I left the good part for you."
The two of them walked into the questioning room where Jamie was.
"Mr. Williams," Ethan said taking his seat
"I want my lawyer." Jamie demanded
"Sure we could get you a lawyer but the more time we waste the more likely we are to charge you with murder," Patty said
"What?" Jamie said shocked
"That's right," Ethan says "You see Ralph Bronte had received a huge sum of money from you and made an attempt to kill Ms. Deborah Sinclair and Dr. Rayleigh Cooper"
"Why would i pay someone to kill them, they are my friends!" Jamie shouted
"Mr. Williams, most of the victims of the patrician killer were all business rivals of yours. Would you explain that as a mere coincidence?"
"Is this about the company Williams Shipping acquired?" He asked
"Not just that, your move to become CEO of your company, acquisition of the Sinclair corporation shares of your company, t--"
"Are you implying i'm the patrician killer?"
"No, i'm implying you paid the patrician killer." Patty stated, "here's how everything started: you tried to convince Sinclair corporation to sell their shares of the company to you but the owner, Gareth Sinclair noticed how the stock would only rise with time so he refused to sell anything. This frustrated you because no one ever refuses your offer,"
"That's not true!"
"This company has always belonged to your family but this man is taking it away," Patty continued
"I didn't think that!" Jamie shouted angrily
"Just like right now," Patty said unfazed, "it annoys you when things don't go your way, when people refuse to agree with you. So you decided to--"
"I did not kill Gareth Sinclair!" Jamie's thunderous voice filled the room causing the detective to go quiet, "I did hire some people to threaten him but Gareth was killed before he reached my men. When i heard he passed i used his death to my advantage by convincing his niece who was the sole inheritor to sell me the shares and that's it!"
Patty nodded before rising to her feet, a smile on her face "very well, i'll go call you your lawyer," she says before leaving
"That was really great back there." Ethan says
"I just remembered a trick i saw Quinn used once."
"The PI? Didn't you say she was overrated"
"She used to be a detective and just because I say she's overrated doesn't mean she have no good qualities." Patty says
"You think he's the actual killer?" Ethan asked
"Possibly, come on, let's get something to eat, i'm pretty hungry right now."
***
Rayleigh was about to go to sleep when she heard her phone ringing, it was Deborah.
"Hey Ray ray, sorry i didn't call sooner, i've been scared to touch my phone for the past few days. How are you feeling?" Deborah asked
Rayleigh remained silent "let's leave Golden Hill." she finally said
"Ray ray..."
"Come on Deb, this place scares me now," Rayleigh cried
"I'm not having this conversation on the phone, i'm coming over right now."
"There's n--" and then the call ended
Rayleigh gets up from the bed and turns on her bedroom light. Just then, she heard the front door click "Deborah?" She said as she walked down the stairs to the front door "Deb?"
Rayleigh turned on the lights but there is no one there. She checks the door and it was unlocked, "Deb if this is you--" she turned to see a masked person in front of her "Aargh!" She screamed as the masked assailant attacks her with a knife but missed and the knife hits the door instead.
Rayleigh tries to run through the backdoor but the assailant tackles her and they both crash into a glass table in the middle of the room. The attacker sits on top of her and lifts their knife high enough to stab Rayleigh in the chest while Rayleigh stretches her hand grabbing a vase and smashing it on the masked assailant's face.
Rayleigh quickly runs to the door but the masked assailant grabs her left hand. She quickly used her right hand to pull the door open, smashing it on the attackers face before running straight outside.
Rayleigh's mind was blank and she had no idea where she was going. She just wanted to leave the house. Without thinking, she attempts to cross the road where a car was fast approaching
.
.
.
There was a screeching sound as the driver hits their brakes, merely millimeters from Rayleigh
"Ray Ray, are you okay?" The driver said. Rayleigh turned to see Deborah exit the car
"Deb?" She cried
..........
YOU ARE READING
After Dusk
Mystery / ThrillerThe city of Golden Hills was always known as home of popular and wealthy people but lately someone has been going around killing the rich folks. Renowned homicide detective, Ethan Issac is given the case along with his partner, Patty Kane. The two i...
