COUNCILMEN - 1
News of the Mayor's son death travelled fast around Easton Land. Even though Gilbert was only the Mayor of one out of the three towns in Easton, the death of his son had alerted the whole land, making the next town become cautious and frightened of how tragic the boy died.
Sybil, who had not stopped crying since the maid informed her about William's death, sat on the small bed of where William used to sleep.
"How dare someone broke into our house in the middle of the night and how could the guards not notice the murderer? What were they doing, Gilbert?!" She shrieked with frustration, throwing and breaking everything that was around her while she threw a tantrum inside her son's room.
The woman was utterly furious and devastated that she had lost her son. She might not be the most loving and caring mother for William, but she was still his mother. The one who carried him for nine months and raised him for thirteen years, hoping that the boy would bring more fortune to her family.
Watching his wife having a tantrum in front of him, Gilbert chose to let her be as there was nothing he could do. He had the same questions as Sybil. How could not the guards notice the murdered? For the past few years, he had made sure to tightened the security in his house. Guards were placed in every corner of his house. How could the murderer have access to the house, killing his son under the same roof as he was and placing the body, that was torn apart, in the backyard?
Who could have done that? Who could have murdered his son?
Being unable to stand in his son's room any longer, Gilbert stepped out of the room, leaving his wife alone that continued crying out of grief.
"Milord," A maid came over him, making him halt his steps. "The men from the council have arrived to do investigation."
Gilbert exhaled loudly before telling the maid to send them into his study room. Gilbert could already tell who they were. He knew most of the men who dealt with murder and crime investigation.
A bunch of morons. He thought to himself. Having those men to investigate his son's murder would lead to nothing. They were as useless as the guards who had let the intruder in last night. Gilbert gritted his teeth as he continued to walk to his study, waiting for the councilmen to arrive.
"Mr. Graham." Said one of the councilmen who was the first one to step into his study room, followed by the other four men. The man was tall and slim. His black elegant suit contrasted with his white skin and blonde hair. His strong looking jaw emphasised his masculinity while his brown eyes added beauty into his handsome face. He was the youngest in his team and the newest. As he bowed to the Mayor, he said to him, "I am sorry for your loss. Please accept my deepest condolences."
Seeing the man for the first time, Gilbert raised his left eyebrow. "Thank you, Mr..?"
"I'm Newton, Sir. Newton Piper." Said the blonde man, introducing himself to Gilbert. He smiled at Gilbert, which was not returned by the man who was in no mood to speak to anyone.
"I'm the new team leader in criminal investigation department. These four men are my team." His hand waved to the four men who stood next to him.
Gilbert observed each and every man that was present in the room. They were not the ones he expected. New and inexperienced team were sent to investigate his son's case, are they joking?
"So, what can you and your team do for me, Mr. Piper?" Inquired Gilbert, blatantly expressing his mistrust in what they were capable of. His solemn face turned sour as he noticed how the team leader lifted one side of his mouth in a cocky way.
Newton and his team already expected this from the Mayor. He knew that many people would have doubt in his and his new team.
"I would like to begin our investigation by interrogating the witnesses and possible suspects, if you don't mind." Remarked Newton. His brown eyes studied everything in the room which was noticed by the Mayor. "Seeing that your son body was found in your backyard, it will be easier if we look for the suspect around your house. That would include you and your wife, Mr. Graham."
"That's the basic procedure." Commented Gilbert. He tore his gaze from the young councilman and walked toward his desk. He rang the bell to call one of his guards in.
A guard, a man with a solid and muscly body, came into the room, bowing his head to all of them.
"Gather all the servants and guards here. Get my wife here as well." He ordered him. The guards left the room.
The four councilmen, who were yet to introduce themselves, left the room with the guard. Seeing the four men leaving, Gilbert looked at Newton questioningly who was also looking at him.
"Only I, myself, require to interrogate the people who reside here. The rest of my men can begin to inspect the whole house and take your son body to our office for the autopsy." Explained Newton to the Mayor, answering his inaudible question.
"Very efficient." Gilbert scoffed. He then voiced his curiosity to the young man, who was now sitting on the armchair without being asked. "What happened to the old team, Mr. Newton?"
Newton ignore the Mayor's scornful remark. He was used to the contempt that people express towards his team since he started working in the council. "They're sent to investigate another murder case in different town. Haven't you heard, Mr. Gilbert?"
"What about?"
"Mr. Clark was also murdered last night." Announced him to the Mayor. From the shock expression that was vivid on Gilbert's face, Newton could tell that the man had not heard anything about it.
"How?" Murmured Gilbert lowly. But Mr. Piper heard it.
"Poisoned." His short statement caused Gilbert to frown.
Gilbert knew who Mr. Clark was. He was one of his acquaintances in the council. The man was a respectable councilman who was given responsibility to manage Easton alongside Samuel. He was known as a good man, less corrupt compare to others. To hear that he died out of poison, made Gilbert wonder what the man had possibly done to get him poisoned.
"Gilbert! Gilbert!" Came the troubled voice of his wife, entering his study room. Behind Sybil, the guards and the servants started to rush in, getting ready for their interrogation.
Sybil's eyes fell upon the young councilman who was idly sitting down on the chair, looking at her sympathetically. Having not seeing the man before, she asked, "Who are you?"
Instead of Newton answering her, Gilbert did it for him. "He's the new councilman, Sybil."
Her green wet eyes went back to look at her husband. "They're taking his body, Gilbert. We can't let them take our son like this."
"Like what, Mrs. Graham?" Asked Newton.
Sybil snapped at him. "Like an animal! He's my son! We should bury him straight away instead of disrespecting his body!"
Gilbert groaned in frustration. He knew that his wife was not in her right mind.
"Mrs. Graham, we never mean to disrespect your son body. We wanted to help you to find the one who responsible for his death." Explained Newton in a calm and steady voice.
"We don't need that!" She yelled at him.
How ungrateful! Thought Newton.
Gilbert got up from his chair and came to his wife. His hand gently patted her upper back. "Sybil, let the councilmen do their job."
"Gilbert,-"
"It's my decision, Sybil." He cut her off firmly, shooting her a glare which went unnoticed by others. He then turned around to Newton. "You may proceed, Mr. Piper."
"Thank you, Mr. Graham." He nodded at the Mayor. "May I know who the first person who found your son's dead body?"
The maids, who were standing in a row behind the guards, looked at each other. They were worried that one of them might be the suspect of what had occurred to the poor boy. But one maid, who was standing right in the middle, looked ahead of her, staring at the councilman who happened to land his eyes upon her.
"Gemma," Called the Mayor. "Step forward."
The maid did as she was instructed, lowering her gaze from the councilman.
"Well, Miss Gemma, take a sit." Newton instructed. He observed others who were looking at the maid nervously. He then dismissed them by saying, "The rest of you, except Mr. and Mrs. Graham, can wait outside."