2 CHAPTER ONE

Chapter one

"911,what's your emergency?" the smooth voice of the lady on the emergency call said, with that clinging ability of soothing tension.

"Someone's been butchered, a lady, blood all over her room... " the seemingly frightened hotel lady answered, her hands shaking frivolously.

"Where is that? "the emergency lady asked back.

"Regents hotel, downtown Los Angeles " the frightened lady replied.

"Please stay put, help is on the way, any other person hurt? "

"No, just that lady...she was butchered, like an animal" she spoke slowly.

"Help is on the way OK? "

"Are you the manager of the hotel? " the emergency lady asked again.

"yes" she answered in fear.

"What's your name? "

"Madam Vivian".

"Please Madam Vivian, help us by ensuring that no one leaves or enters the hotel from now until the police comes ok?"

"Certainly" Vivian replied.

She moved he door back a little and stared into the room with the remains of a pretty lady that had been one of her best customers over the years. They had suddenly grown fonder.

There she lay in pieces, butchered on her own bed.

And that was another problem, whenever the cops begin questioning, they'd start with her. Maybe calling the cops first wasn't actually the best thing to do at the moment.

In no less than 15 long minutes, police cars began to pile up in front of the hotel. She went downstairs to meet them.

A thorough investigation began. Investigators walked to and fro the hotel rooms and passageways. Questions were asked and people were told to leave the hotel premises until all investigations were complete.

Soon. Vivian was sitting in front of police officers, answering questions she had to answer.

Her questioner, a tall, slightly fair man with black hair and a shorter one standing beside him.

"Am officer Danny" He said extending his hand.

Vivian sat watching, she had grown tired already.

" We understand from our sources that you were last seen with her down the hall after last nights party, is this true? " he asked, his eyelids steady.

"She was a friend of mine... " Vivian said. Her voice more firm than ever. Perhaps she's grown tired.

"Look, relax, we just need straight answers " Danny protested.

"Yes" she replied.

"You mind telling me what you guys were talking about? "

"She was planning on taking a trip to Europe for the summer,so we were actually talking on how bestvshe spent it"

"What was your idea to her then? " Danny asked.

" I don't understand..."

"how did you advice her to spend the summer? "

Vivian kept mute for a matter of seconds.

" I.. I didn't advice her otherwise... She said she was going to find a loving guy and start a new life"

"what happened to her old life then? " this question didn't come from Danny but the shorter man standing beside him.

"She's been In sort of dilemma since she divorced her husband... That's all I know. She hasn't told me anything more than that"

"Do you know this husband of hers? " Danny asked, resuming his normal duties.

"No, I don't " she replied. Danny's look clung to hers, that look that seemed to search someone's soul,that deep look.

"Really, I don't" she added.

"You have video cameras around here right? "

"Don't waste your time, the other officers have already checked the tapes... Nothing " she said again, clutching her left upper arm with her right.

"Thank you for the information, we'll be glad if you'll contact us whenever you have new information " The short one said.

She nodded and walked away. Her walking was brisk, tired, worn out. She's been outstretched already, only if she'll be able to sleep with all the buzzards images she saw.

"Poor lady" Danny said.

"I guess so. Only that I don't understand why you always lie to your clients whenever you're questioning them, Henry" The short one said.

" Your name always seemed easier, and if killers were to be sent, they'd kill you first, Danny" the taller one, who's name was apparently Henry, said.

The two walked into the room where the other investigators were. The room was being turned upside down, any small trace could lead to a great catch.

"This is satanists at work Henry, don't you see it? " Danny whispered as they entered the room.

"Shut up" Henry warned,Turning to the investigators. "Any clue?"

"we've found red candle wax, which is not common inside this hotel.

"Looks like she was having a romantic dinner I guess" Henry said.

"Remember she just broke up?" Danny chipped in again.

"I know.." Henry said, walking away, swiftly followed by

"Red candles are for rituals, Henry, think! " Danny said as they got outside.

"She could have invited any guy to come in and have dinner, or maybe she's a lesbian!"

"Are those your odds? " Danny said.

"it is, and it makes more sense than some crazy reason about rituals and satanists! "

Danny sighed.

"I don't believe in God or angels or the devil or even demons, you know that! "

" And you're blinded by it " Danny said.

"It's the truth, everything happens for a reason, she could have angered someone a long time ago and that person has come to take his revenge! And it's our duty to find that psychopath before he does it again!"

"Like he's done the last three times? " Danny said in a sarcastic tone.

"I have a feeling that the lady Vivian has something to hide from us" Henry said.

"I don't feel it, I know it. There's fear in her eyes, I doubt every word she told us" Danny said.

"if that dead lady was actually divorced, then we need to see her Divorced husband, he'll give us clues " Henry said.

"Maybe" Danny said.

He turned to the investigator emerging from the room and called him back.

"See to it that this room is locked until further notice "

" Yes sir? " he said. Walking off.

"This is the fourth kill, we've gotta get moving, we don't wanna be it's target soon" Henry said as they left the hotel.

Vivian stood in front of her window and held a phone up to her ear.

A sneer showed loudly on her face.

"They've gone..."