2 months later
Sam stood at Trafalgar square a week after Knox's case had reached a verdict. The verdict was not guilty due to a lack of evidence. He was acquitted and released soon after in his family's relief. Levi had theorized that what happened with the victim was an actual hit. Drugs were found in the flat of the victim during an investigation, and with the lack of the murder weapon and leads, the case went cold.
The redhead walked along Trafalgar square, ice-cream in her right hand, and the other with shopping bags on her way to a store she paused surprised suddenly. There on the widescreen was Levi Jackson with his signature grin plastered on his chiseled face, standing outside Jackson Detective's office in a burgundy 3 piece suit.
Behind him were the boys, Joe, Alex, and Michael. To his right was Marco and to his left was a female reporter with moss green dress, red lips stretched into a sheepish smile.
Levi smiled at the camera, Sam shifted to look at the people around when she noticed the once busy square suddenly paused, and everyone was looking at the screen. Girls murmuring to each other, grinning mischievously. He had successfully charmed the audience, Sam thought rolling her eyes.
He was after all not only incredibly good-looking, he also happened to dress like a suit model and had a swag that held too much confidence in Sam's opinion.
"We are here today outside Jackson Detectives together with Levi Jackson, criminal psychologist and private detective. He, together with his people are responsible for not only successfully preventing a 5Mil insurance claim fraud but also solving the disappearance and murder of Jason Padelecki." the reporter shifted her microphone towards Levi, and said "Anything you'd like to say, Mr. Jackson?"
The camera focused on Levi, and the expression on his face Sam knew he was loving the attention. Beside him was Marco, standing there with a sign with Jackson Detectives' email, address, and contact number. Sam smiled, knowing their phones will be ringing non stop soon.
"These successes were only made possible with the help of the Criminal Investigation Department, who had from the start worked with us every step of the way. Especially with the assistance of Detective Sergeant Davies who led the arrest of Ralph Coulson " Levi lied through his teeth, and he was convincing. The Criminal Investigation Department initially refused to assist his investigation with the 'accidental death' of Ralph Coulson, and even got arrested during his investigations. Marco smiled pleased with Levi's statement; they all knew otherwise.
Marco was glad they were having a free promotion for their business; business had been slow the past months. And a high-profile case works wonders for their pockets and their reputation bringing them more clients in the future. They have bills to pay after all.
Marco's smile started to melt when Levi started his business motto
"Here at Jackson Detectives no case is too insignificant." he started, Marco subtly elbowed him to stop, his face morphed into a look of derision at Levi, but he was ignored. "...as long as you're willing to pay. " Levi continued, a wicked smile spread on his lips.
Earning an awkward pause from everyone present.
"If you have suspicions that your SO is cheating, we'll find out all his dirty secrets with pleasure."
Sam laughed out loud where she stood and everyone present sent her a look, wondering if she was crazy. She started walking to her destination, ignoring the stares. As she did so she looked back on the Jason Padalecki case.
It was a weekend, her day off when a dark-haired woman in her late 40's entered Jackson Detectives. Bags under her eyes Levi noted, her hair was oily, hinting she hadn't had time to shower for a few days. And she was clearly under a lot of stress. Her name was Melissa Padelecki, she explained her situation, saying her husband, Jason Padalecki hadn't been home for a week after taking a side job, with some guy her husband named Ralph. But she didn't know this person's last name.
Melissa claimed he hadn't been answering her calls either, Levi asked if they had any marital problems, she answered yes, like every couple. But she was certain he wouldn't just leave her suddenly, knowing full well she was pregnant with their first baby. A baby they have been waiting for more than 8 years since they've been married. Levi accepted the case, and they went straight to their flat in Hackney. Hackney in the northeast of London, known to be one of the poorer parts of London.
Levi surveyed the flat, looking at photos and belongings. He even went through Melissa's email, and phone with her approval searching for clues. But he didn't find anything that would lead to the missing man's location, only learning that Jason wouldn't have left without telling his wife. He wanted that baby, he wanted to be a father, something he had mentioned a few times on his Facebook account.
Together with Marco, Levi went to where Jason Padalecki worked, a 7-11 on Norstrom street. He worked on the night shift, and from what they heard he was looking forward to another part-time job since he and Melissa are expecting and he wanted to save some cash before the baby came.
"Do you know anyone named Ralph? Melissa mentioned it, saying Jason told her he was going to work for this guy for a day then leading to his disappearance." Marco asked, "NO, not really. Sorry." Mark, Jason's coworker answered, saddened with his sudden disappearance.
Days went on, with no leads, until they received a call from Mark.
Levi sat with Marco, the two reading a file that an Insurance company agent sent them, about possible insurance fraud, 5million pounds. "The police report says, the guy got crushed by his truck while working under it and a fire erupted when the truck knocked over the light. Why can't they just pay the family?" Marco ranted, earning a snort from Levi.
"What did they think, he faked his death to get that 5Mil?" Marco continued with his rant, annoyed that this life insurance company would give a family who just lost someone a hard time with their payout claims.
"Boss, Mark from 7-11 called. He said it may be possible that the 'Ralph' that employed Jason was Ralph in the newspaper. He says he recognized the guy had come to the store a few times, but he never knew his name until he saw the paper this morning." Alex says looking at Levi, who was seated on the office sofa with his legs crossed.
"What newspaper?" Levi asked, Alex handed him a printout of the newspaper from the web and Levi looked at it, on the corner was a report with a photo of a white man in his early 40's. The report says that the man died of an accident in his garage. Levi raised a brow and snatched the file in Marco's hand, the name Ralph Coulson, that same name in the newspaper.
A wicked smile spread on Levi's face. "This is awful good!" he exclaimed, greatly enthused. "What is it?!" Marco asked, recognizing his friend's excitement. In the form of an answer, Levi handed Marco the printout and the file.
Levi stood up and fished his phone from his pocket and started typing while he explained.
"Ralph Coulson died the same day Jason Padalecki disappeared. He died after being crushed by his truck, and his body burnt beyond recognition after a fire erupted in his garage. Look at Ralph Coulson's face, Marco. Who does that remind you of?" Levi said, the doctor looked at the picture printed on the paper, and it hit him. "He looks like Jason!" Marco said in surprise.
"I think it's highly possible that Ralph Coulson is still alive, and faked his death." He added, grabbing his coat on the rack. Marco took it as his cue to follow, "Where are we going?"
"Where else? Guy's Hospital of course." Levi answered, exiting.
Marco followed in tow and the two got in his Shelby cobra. "Is his body still in Guy's?" Marco inquired, "Oh, I wish it was that easy. No, unfortunately, the Coulson family had the remains buried 2 days ago as Janet kindly informed." Levi explained, exiting.
"Then why Guy's?" Marco asked, "I need someone that can order to have the body exhumed." Levi states grinning, he knew just the perfect someone who could make that possible.
Sam was signing papers in her office when Levi's blonde head popped in her door, "What?" she asked, recognizing the wicked smile on his face. She knew he was up to no good.
"I need you to ask for a body to be exhumed," Levi stated, earning a sigh from Sam. "For what grounds?" she asked, continuing to sign papers.
"Your people made a mistake." Levi started and Sam's eyes snapped back at his statement, "Ralph Coulson." Levi adds, handing her the file.
Sam checked the file, there she saw 'accidental death' as the cause of death. Notes stating that due to the extent on the face and fingers facial recognition and fingerprint couldn't be done. But she saw no notes on the DNA exam being performed. Or dental. She looked at the responsible pathologist and grabbed her landline.
"Dr. Singh, this is Dr. Gray. Please come to my office now." She said
"Awful good"
In Ireland awful can also mean VERY as in “the weather was awful good”
..........
NOV 16,2020
To celebrate reaching Volume 5.
,
I had a crazy idea.
Ever wanted your name to be in a book?
If you do, yeet me PS and gifts.
The reader with most Points (weekly) will get to decide A character's name. Now, which one depends on me. Be it recurring character or just a passing one depends on how the story unfolds. But chances are I'm going to kill it *evil laugh*
Now, how to get points.
1 PS= 1 point.
Gifts= (1 coin used=1 point)
I will announce the winner on my discord server every Monday.
Here's the link.
https://discord.gg/ppNn947
P.S.: Points countdown starts tomorrow. Nov 17, 2020.
I will inform the winner through discord, which chappy their named character will appear in.