Chapter 2: The Crimson Murder

Nina's POV

Usually I am happy every valentine's day, but now I am devastated. I saw the file of Mr. Crimson, it makes me want to puke. His cause of death was so brutal. Laceration on the neck, mutilated penis, gouge out eyes and a broken skull. This is not some kind of an accident, this is murder. And anyone who's responsible for this shall rot in hell.

"You okay? You look devastated." James asked me, we're at the cafeteria today.

"It's because I am, James. I saw this file, from the true crime I am watching, he died from murder. I mean, brutally. It looks like he suffered, from torture." I said, and it terrified him.

"Come on, Nina. Those are just snuff films. Yeah the crimes were true though, but that was just a reenactment." He said, trying to make me calm.

"Let's get you something, what do you want?" He asked me so I think of a food.

"Kinda want a pizza. More meats please." I said and he went to get me some pizza.

I kept thinking of the body of Mr. Crimson, I need to know who did it. It was brutal, and it is now the perfect time to dig.

I went home and texted James to just go here, I need to setup the perfect murder board. First, the picture of Mr. Crimson, the victim. Next, his informations such as cause of death. Next to that is his friends, three guys and one girl.

The girl looks familiar though, she looks like the auntie of Sheree. Mrs. Lisana Stangard, or they were just look alike?

"Pizza delivery, what's my baby doing?" James went in and put the pizza box in my bed.

"I'm just practicing, you know for my FBI Training when we graduate. I'm afraid I won't be qualified if I don't get to practice this." I explained which some sort of it is true.

"All right, you wanna let me help you?" He asked and I immediately shook my head.

If this girl right here is Mrs. Stangard, my boyfriend is close to her. I can't risk telling him, I don't want to. But what if he's in danger? I need to dig into this four boys first. Before digging into Mrs. Stangard files.

All right, why is there surnames are connected to my Friends? Elio, Bliss, Stangard, Jodrew. What the hell? Why is my Dad friends with a murder victim? Should I dig into my Dad first? Since he is closest to me out of these squad.

"Wait here, Love. I gotta ask my Dad something, and please don't do anything to my stuff." I said and when he nodded, I immediately go downstairs.

"Hey, Dad uh, can I ask you something?" I said, hesitatingly.

"Yeah sure, go on." He said and drink in a glass of water.

"Do you happen to know Mr. Crimson?" I asked and noticed the slightly choking he had.

"Mr. Crimson, what's the first name?" He asked back.

"Thomas. Thomas Crimson, I have this assignment as a criminology student to have some true crime presentation tomorrow." I explained, this time lying.

"Why true crime? And why Thomas Crimson?" He asked again.

"Dad, for God's sake stop turning the tables! I should be the one asking." I said, slightest touch and I'm about to loss my temper.

"All right, kiddo. Chill, I know Thomas Crimson since sophomore year in highschool. We've been the best buddies, oh by the way if you see him, send my regard please." He said, I know he isn't lying because he stutters whenever he does.

"You haven't heard? I thought you knew all this time that's why you've been drinking." I said, the liquid in his glass wasn't water, it's vodka.

"What happened? Do you somehow happen to know what's the matter?" He asked and I couldn't keep it so I told him.

"Oh my God... m-my buddy. I-i need some air..." He said and he ran out of the house.

I went upstairs and paste the information I got, my Dad was somehow connected to the victim. Oh scratch, not somehow because he was connected.

"Love, you still busy? I want cuddles." James cutely said and I couldn't resist.

We just kissed and ate pizza, I don't want to be distracted right now. I can't be distracted. This murder case might be my key to FBI.

Next stop will be on the Bliss' Residence, but I just called Paola to meet with me in the resort James owns. With her Dad of course, I want to ask questions.

"Mr. Bliss, it's nice to see you." I said and kissed him on both cheeks.

"Paola!! God it's been a year, how are you?" I said so excited, but this is just my front.

"Nice to see you too, Nina." Mr. Bliss said.

"Well, well, well if it isn't my awesomeness standing right before your very eyes then I don't know what is. I miss you!!" She hugged me and I hugged her back.

Paola and I became friends since junior highschool, and yes she's so arrogant. It's in her nature.

"I miss you too, come sit." I said and they sat down.

"Uh, Mr. Bliss, is it okay if I ask you questions. About your friend, Thomas Crimson." I said and I noticed he became unusual.

"I'm afraid I can't help you, Nina. If you'll excuse us please." He said and was about to sit down but I pleaded.

"Please, Mr. Bliss I really need this. Ten minutes of your time can save my life." I said and he sat down.

"Go on. Get through with it, I have something else to do." He said roughly.

"All right, do you happen to know Thomas Crimson?" I asked. My recorder is now on.

"Yes, he was my friend since junior high." He said.

"If you knew Mr. Crimson, then you also happen to know my father. Right?" I asked again.

"Yes. I knew your father since junior high too, but I become friends with Thomas first. He was my math tutor." He answered.

"Last question, do you somehow know Lisana Beth Stangard?" I asked slowly and I noticed his hard breathings.

All right, this is it. They're hiding something! Four of them.

"No. I don't know her." He said, stood up and then walked away.

"I'm so sorry, Nina. He is really stubborn, I don't know why my Mom married him. See you when I see you?" Paola said and I nodded.

You can't fool an aspiring detective, Mr. Bliss. You're hiding something and I'm gonna find out what it is.

"How'd it go?" James asked soon as I got inside my room.

"He's lying. He lied to my last two questions." I said.

Two questions, first was he knew who's Mrs. Stangard is. Second, Mr. Crimson wasn't his math tutor. In fact, he didn't excel on that subject.

My eyes are on you now, Gerald Ford Bliss.