One Night

17:00

It's like it happened yesterday. The nightmarish scene was burnt so deeply in Agent Auditore's memory, he knew it would haunt him like a fiend till his death bed.

"Sir, are you alright?" Private Kelvie placed his hands on Auditore's shoulders, concern written all over his freckled face. Auditore was shaking like a leaf, his eyes blank. Grotesque images from the past flashed past his eyes and her screams echoed in his head endlessly. He was suffering from another mental breakdown and he knew it. But he had no control over his own thoughts. They had consumed him, paralysing every nerve in his body.

It didn't take long for Willson, Isaac and the rest of his team to come to his aid. But as capable as they were, none of them could possibly fathom what was running through Auditore's mind.

None of them knew what happened.

--

"Here you go, Jeremy," Jane said, carefully carrying out a cold glass of ice lemon tea from the kitchen. She filled it to the brim, expecting him to stay for quite some time.

Jeremy was standing backfaced to her, staring at the family portrait by the television. Crouched over, he stood there hands on knees and eyes fixated on the picture. Toolbox on the carpeted floor next to him, he was muttering something to himself.

Curious, Jane inched towards him, her ears straining to decipher what he was saying.

"It's ... Wait... No..." His inaudible mumbling went on. Jane craned her neck, closing in on him one step at a time. She was about an arm's length behind him by now. He was so still, almost statue-like.

"Jeremy?" Jane poked him on his shoulder. Jeremy fell silent. After a second's pause, he straightened his back and turned around, a thumb pointed to the portrait.

"Isn't that Mrs Nancy Williams?" he asked, grinning.

"Yes, she is... How did you know her?" Jane replied, surprised.

"My mum knew her well in the past." he explained, glancing back at the family portrait, "They used to be really good friends. Oh and... My condolences to Mrs Williams by the way."

"It's fine, water under the bridge," Jane replied, passing the glass of ice lemon tea to him. It's been years since her mum's death. Putting on a strong front has become almost second nature to her. "How did your mum know mine? I don't recall you staying around here."

"I believe they went to the same taichi class together?" Taking a sip, Jeremy licked his chapped lips, "This happened more than a decade ago though so I can't remember for sure."

Jane recalled how her mum often bragged and showed off her taichi skills at home. Practising taichi was her favourite pastime. So he must be Mrs Anderson's son. Jane thought to herself, faintly remembering the times mum mentioned Mrs Anderson at her taichi lessons.

Jane watched Jeremy gulp down the remainder of his lemon tea silently, his emerald eyes sparkling green. There was something in his eyes that captivated her. Was it how beautifully unique they were? Or was it something else? Jane couldn't quite put her finger on it.

"Well, that's enough chit chat I suppose," Jeremy placed the empty cup on the glass table and picked up his toolbox, "Why don't you show me which aircon requires fixing?"

--

Six days ago at Marial Canal, a body bag was located on the banks. The night was freezing cold, a full moon overhead. Clad in the same kevlar he now wore, Auditore's hands trembled not because of the chilling winds that slapped his back - but because of what he dreaded to see inside the bag.

After mumbling a soft prayer, he pulled the zip down in one swift motion.

"Sir? Damn, where's the medic when you need him!" Isaac's yell derailed Auditore's train of thought, pulling him back to reality.

This breakdown lasted an eternity longer than his previous. Ever since that day, Auditore found himself repeatedly plagued by the same nightmares.

Gradually, Agent Auditore found himself back in line with his thoughts.

"I'm fine, just needed a moment's rest. That's all." Auditore finally regained his senses. He adjusted his kevlar and stretched his stiffened neck. At the rate this was going, he knew someday he would have a breakdown he would never recover from. But now was not the time. He had a team to lead, a case to solve, a person to avenge.

Seeing his boss back on his feet, Isaac nodded and gestured the others to get back to work. Auditore sighed as he steadied himself, watching Team Auditore quickly resume operations.

"Sir, I don't know what just happened and I don't mean to pry but... This is about Emma, right?" Private Kelvie picked his words with discretion this time. He was treading lightly, careful not to step on and trigger any landmines.

"Yes, you're right kiddo..." Auditore responded nonchalantly, suddenly remembering who he was talking to.

"For once," he added.

"Was there something here that triggered the breakdown?" Kelvie stopped beating about the bush, "What happened, exactly?"

Reluctant initially, Auditore decided to spill the beans. Partly because there was no point hiding it, and largely because he desperately needed Kelvie to get off his back. He needed some time alone.

"The puddle, it's a message. A criminal mastermind like the Ripper isn't dumb enough to leave something so blatantly obvious right at the doorstep... And then I saw something."

Kelvie leaned in, a look of inquisitiveness on his face.

"Duckweed."

"Duck what?" Kelvie unknowingly raised his voice, startling some of the others.

"Duckweed you idiot." Auditore pulled Kelvie to the side, away from the rest, "The puddle? It's not just water. It's sewage water. Smell it, the odour's distinct. Look close, the colour's not transparent, it's slightly green. Possibly from algae remnants."

Auditore paused to catch his breath, "Question now is, where did it come from? Duckweed. There was a thin layer of it on the surface, not easily seen unless one actually takes a closer look. Many canals have it but there's one that's infested with that particular type of Duckweed," Auditore's left eye twitched at the thought of that place.

"So you're saying, that the Ripper brought that all the way from Marial Canal?" Kelvie shot him an incredulous look.

"Yes, I'm convinced it's a message. A damn good one too," Auditore answered firmly, peering out the window, "He's toying with us, or maybe..."

"He's toying with you." Kelvie interrupted, his eyes widening.

Auditore glanced at Kelvie, impressed. He wasn't that slow a kid after all.

TO BE CONTINUED

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