Chapter 45
Chapter 45
Snowflakes
Finished
I dialed the Director’s contact. I knew it was late and perhaps too much, but I prayed he would grant me an audience and, as I prayed, he did. I exhaled in relief.
“My child, you called p>
“Father, good evening. I… I shouldn’t call at this hour p>
“I am at H.O.W.L. You don’t need to be too modest. Tell ne p>
“Father, I found something tangible, and I want to show it to everyone. If… if an urgent meeting can be arranged, I promise not to disappoint p>
It felt bold, especially coming from a new employee like me. The Director paused for a moment, and my heart thudded in my chest. Then, his voice came.
“Call an urgent meeting in the main hall. We will address the case of Mr. Hanba’s death again p>
My heart leapt in relief, and then he spoke again.
“You shouldn’t keep anyone waiting. I will also be there.
“Alright, sir. Thank you p>
“Please, don’t mention it,” he said before disconnecting.
I stood frozen for a moment, trying to gather my thoughts. When I glanced at Quince, he was staring at me, eyes filled with admiration and curiosity.
“We should go to H.O.W.L now, Quince. We need to attend the meeting p>
“Wish I had a father–in–law at the top. That’d be beneficial,” he joked, and I smiled.
We hurried to my car and drove off. The ride was quick and soon we parked at H.O.W.L. Entering the elevator, we ran into Mr. Gerald. He looked in a hurry, but when his eyes met mine, his jaw tightened, cold, angry, full of hatred.
“Mark my words, Snow. If this meeting doesn’t yield positive and tangible results… I will make your job a living hell p>
With that, he dashed into the elevator, and my chest sank. I bit my lower lip but said nothing. Quince and I followed, arriving at the main hall.
By now, most of the staff had arrived. Mr. Gerald, Quince, and I were the last. As I stepped in, I saw my brothers, Eshan and Roc.
I’d received their texts, telling me not to overwork myself, that they would handle things but I hadn’t replied. Seeing them here told me more than I wanted to know. Kashi had likely been brought in for questioning.
I bit my lower lip and walked up to Roc, who kissed my forehead.
“You don’t need to do anything, Snow. We don’t want you to worry p>
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“Let me. It’s deeper than you think. If nothing is done, my brother might end up sentenced. All evidence and statements point to him… and the head of the profiling department, who should have used her head, is blinded by hatred for me. Let me brief them p>
“Alright,” Eshan said, softly. “Go on p>
Just as I stepped toward the screen, the door opened quietly. Mirena walked in, bowing in greeting. She looked pale, and I could tell she was coming straight from the interrogation room.
“I called her here,” the Director said, seated at the head of the table. “We need a newscaster to air any tangible information we gather p>
I swallowed hard. The responsibility weighed heavily on me. I couldn’t afford to fail, not for myself, my family, or those I loved. The connections my family had earned me this audience tonight. I couldn’t waste it.
Standing before the screen, with everyone waiting, I positioned myself naturally as a profiler and began.
“Profiling the ongoing investigation into Mr. Hanba’s death, I have identified several inconsistencies. It doesn’t make sense that a scalpel was found days after Mr. Hanba’s death, tossed near the crime scene as if evidence were planted p>
“Criminals do that, Snow. What are you talking about?” Wrinks challenged, but I ignored her, glancing at Quince operating the screen. The photo of the scalpel as it was found appeared on display.
“There was rainfall this morning, yet reports claim the scalpel was found last night after the scene was revisited. Examining the ground where the scalpel lay, it’s wet, meaning it cannot be reliable evidence. Moreover, my brother was not at Mr. Hanba’s vacation house that night p>
“Speaks with fact,” Wrinks said again. “Did Kashi have an alibi p>
“Without even checking the alibi, you need to do your job correctly before blaming someone unrelated to the murder,” I snapped, eyes locking with hers. “There is a witness. Brown Fash. Did you try to get his statement p>
Silence fell. Brown Fash’s photo appeared on the screen, drawing the attention of everyone in the room, including the Director.
“The young profiler is right,” said the Deputy Director, Mr. Sonny, after a long pause. “Who is Brown Fash again p>
I turned to him, bowing respectfully.
“Brown Fash is the night watchman who claimed he had information about the murder but then disappeared. He was supposed to be brought in for questioning and p>
“We saw no need, since Cherry Billions had already given her testimony, sir,” Wrinks interrupted.
The Deputy shook his head.
“In this investigation, even Cherry Billions is a suspect. She was the first to discover her husband’s body,
correct p>
Wrinks swallowed, nodding.
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“You should have started there. Finding the night watchman instead of neglecting your duties. Do you think you can shoulder the consequences of accusing a Frost without proper investigation?” the Deputy chided. Wrinks bowed immediately, raising her head to speak.
“I will find Brown Fash, sir. I need time p>
“The timeframe to close this investigation is tomorrow morning,” the Deputy said, and my heart sank. All cases have deadlines, and Mr. Hanba’s has already been stretched far too long.
Send Gifts
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Lucia Morh
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.