Box

I took a deep breath and grabbed my magnifying glass. Leaning in and examined the box, I tapped it twice realising it was made of wood. My eyebrows raised on their own. Without wasting any another second, in one shot I opened the box. I saw something covered under a white sheet, biting my lip, hearing my heartbeat in my ear. Gulping down, feeling the cold sweat breaking on my forehead, I slowly pulled the sheet away. Gasping at what was infront of my eyes.

Mrs. Johnsen's head in box. I felt my vision blurring, it was not like I never dealt with such cases, but this one is really very brutal. I felt a shiver run down my spine.

I picked that paper sheet up, reading the note left behind. It had few drops of dried blood on the note, which I guess was of Mrs. Johnsen.

"Aww poor baby, trying to track my every moment but failing as always. Maybe that's what we call experience, I'm waiting for you to catch me, It's going to be a fun play between an experienced killer and a new baby detective. See you in 2 days.

And oh! I forgot to mention you little fool friend. He is held by me so you might like to hurry up, you never know.. Who I might kill next. TAKE care."

I was totally shaken , thoughts of Oliver started running in my mind. I knew I will not be able to endure his loss. "F-Fred.." I whispered so weakly, I don't even know if he even heard me.

"Hey, what happened? Did you opened that package?" Fred came near me to witness the horror which was in that box. I heard him suck a deep breath in, I heart beating fast still.

"Call the investigation team. I'll call Nora." I moved my eyes from the box, picking my phone up and calling Nora, telling her to come at my apartment.

My eyes were burning because of lack of sleep, a small yawn escaped my lips. A mug appeared infront of my eyes, I looked up to find Fred. Smile spreading on my lip, I took the mug from him and sipped the coffee. This was the first time I looked at Fred so closely, we worked with each other for 3 years now, but I never really observed him, or let's say I never allowed my mind to do that ever. I wanted to respect the boundary which I never wanted to cross or want to cross.

That brown eyes, that sweet smile which is rarely seen on his lips. The swiftness in his movements, his sweet voice. That big hands, it was the first time I noticed how he towers me, he is muscular but at the same time he was well toned and lean too. That kissable lips, my mind started to think how it'll be to kiss him. The doorbell ranged pulling me out of my haze, I saw Fred staring at me, making my cheeks redden with blush. A thought passed my mind, 'Was he looking me? or he caught me staring at him?'

I opened the door to find Nora and the investigation team, moving to side inviting everyone in, as soon as everyone got in the investigation started. Nora put the gloves on, "I hope you didn't touched it with bare hands."

"Not me, but I guess Fred touched it."

"No I didn't, I called you immediately after I found this box at your doorstep."

Nora nodded, and started to cut the box slowly. The condition of the head was same as Miss. James's. Eyes scratched out, tongue out, face scratched few times, the plucked eyes placed in mouth and few teeth plucked out too. I felt like I would collapse after seeing this scene again.

The team was taking finger prints from everywhere but nothing. "We have found few prints on the box but not that well. Maybe they are the prints of the person from whom he bought this box from. Still we can't take a chance we will match these prints with the DNA we found on that thread and on Miss. James head."

I nodded, "And by the way, it's not he, it's she." Nora and Fred both went still. I nodded again, "Yes it's she, I meet Jacob today and tried to collect some information about that tune we heard on that phone. He claims that it's she, and I think we can't deny that fact. I was wrong at the start.. It can be a woman too, plus she is taking revenge on people."

I rub my hands on my face, I was sure that by now my eyes will be bloodshot. "Fred do one thing, contact L.A. forensic department and tell them to fetch the records of Miss Audrey James and Mrs. Avery Johnsen's. We can find out who is his next target by that." Fred nodded and was about to leave, "And yes! Don't let anyone know about this at all. Remember the first rule, can't trust." Fred left the apartment and so did others.

I was standing in the balcony, looking out at Miss. James's house. Thoughts running on their own, a hand rubbed my back breaking my haze. Looking back to find Nora, I smiled weakly. "Hey, I'm sorry."

"Sorry? For what? If you saying that you are not finding lead so you are sorry then you are totally wrong you know that too." Nora smiled at me.

Shaking me head I continued, "Nah, nor for that. I'm sorry for Oliver, I know you and Oliver were kind of-"

"It's ok. We did spoke about this, he did told me to be prepared for worse too. I've seen him on duty so it is kind of expected. I just wish.. He is not in much pain." I could see the pain in her eyes and words. I could feel it, a tear rolled down my cheek, taking a deep breath.

"I promise, he'll be back, fine and healthy. As he is someone to you, he is my family. And you know we never give up on family." A smile came to her and my lips. watching the sun setting down as we stood their admiring it silently.

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