Chapter 3

Claire arrived at the precinct. She hastily got inside and headed for the captain’s office. As she walked past, the officer’s look on their faces confirmed her earlier fears. By then, she knew something was terribly wrong. All she had left was the answer to the question of what. She got to Michael’s office and inside she went. The captain had put on the same look as that on the officers’ faces. She did not give the captain more time to put himself together to start the conversation and the reason for the call.

She looked worried, “Captain, I have had my share of trouble thinking about your call and enough time to put myself together for anything. So, please…get it over with and tell me what the hell is wrong and why everyone is looking at me as if I am a walking dead,” she demanded as she sat down.

Michael sat upright, took a deep breath and looked her straight to the eye, “You may not be dead but I’m afraid someone is…someone you care about deeply. I am so sorry. I wish there was anything we could do to change the fact,” Michael responded in a low tone.

“Which someone are you talking about? If you must know, the wait is getting worse than the news. What are you talking about,” she insisted impatiently.

“Our patrol officers on the Northern side of the city got a call about a murder at 1640 St. Paul’s drive…” she interrupted.

“That is my father’s house. Did something happen to my father?” she queried with tears forming in her eyes.

“Yes detective. I am so sorry but your father Peterson was found lying dead on the living room floor this morning. The neighbor whom reported said…he met the front door open and the house messed up before he saw his body. It seems he did try to fight for his life to the end. I am so sorry. Your partner detective Johnson is already at the scene,” he explained.

“What happened… are there any clues as to who killed him or what exactly transpired?” she requested in pain.

“Take it easy Detective. We are still waiting for the report. I suggest you let the others handle this one. You have our full support on this rest assured, we shall find his killer,” Michael assured as he stood up and walked towards her.

She stood from the chair wiping off tears off her eyes, “thank you for your concern and the support but…no one is better to solve this case than me captain. Tell them to touch or move nothing until I get to the scene,” she suggested as she reached for the door.

“Are you sure about this detective? It is not a good idea to take lead. You are too much involved,” he tried to reason with her.

She turned around, “that is the very reason I am the best to lead the case. I am too much involved to sit it out,” she stated as she walked out.

“Your call Detective. I will agree with you not because it is okay but because you need every support you can get,” Michael acknowledged as he followed her out of the office.

As she walked down the stairs, “should I get you an officer to drive?” the captain suggested.

“Do not push it captain. I need your support not baby-sitting,” she answered as she continued walking.

As he returned to his office, he took out his phone to notify Johnson of her request, “it’s just an opinion… you didn’t have to take it,” he spoke in a soft voice operating the phone.

At the crime scene, detective Johnson, Hills, a forensic analyst and, several officers scrutinized for clues and answers. Hills was busy studying the body for the cause of death. Johnson walked around trying to piece everything together as the officers marked the scene taking pictures.

Shortly, detective Claire arrived and walked straight inside. The officers on guard tried to stop her but Johnson waved them off. As she approached Johnson, he tried to give her the I-am-sorry speech but she was beyond that.

He walked towards her as she approached, “I am so sorry…” she interrupted him by a show of hand.

“Save me the speech Detective. I have had enough sympathy. Tell me what you found at the scene. Any leads as to whoever did this or what really happened?” she asked as she put on a pair of latex gloves.

Still, Johnson looked unsettled by her reaction, “are you sure you want to be here detective? You should let us handle this,” he tried to reason with her.

She made an instantaneous stop and turned to look back at him, “why do you people keep thinking I need a baby seater. All I need is clues to whoever did this. Do you have any detective?” she asked bitterly.

Johnson hesitated to answer, “I thought so Detective. So…please let me work and help me to solve it. Otherwise…do not stand in my way,” she cautioned as she got back to work.

Johnson lifted his both hands backwards as a sign of backing off, “okay, your call Detective. I will help in every way I can, just like always,” he assured.

“Let’s find the killer but first, I need to make a phone call,” she took out her phone and excused herself.

She called her mother to let her know of what had happened. A while later, she came back to where her father’s body was, “Hills, what do you have for me, anything I need to know?” she asked Hills.

He stood upright and shifted his eyes from the body to her, “Nothing besides the obvious at this stage. I need more time to carry out more tests,” Hills informed.

She bent low closer to the body, “which is…” she looked back at Hills, “the obvious…what is it?” she inquired shifting back to look at the body.

“From what I can see on…” he hesitated and swallowed some words, “…he died from asphyxia as a result of strangulation. From the marks around his neck, whoever he was up against was super strong,” he reported.

“How strong is super strong…is that all? What about these weapons? Why did he not use them?” she brainstormed as she walked around.

“As I have said, more information after a few more tests. About the weapons, I am in as much darkness as you. Nothing more I can do from here, I am sorry.”

“Just wrap up the scene. It’s making me nostalgic. Let’s solve the rest at the precinct,” she said looking outside through the window.

Something caught her attention and got closer to the pane looking keenly. Johnson noticed it and asked about it.

He approached her, “what is it Detective. What do you see?” he asked looking outside as well.

“That man there, standing under the shade, did you see him before? Does anyone know what he is doing there?” she inquired walking outside to confront him.

Her phone rang as she walked out. She took it out and picked to answer. It was her mother calling.

“Tell me something Claire, does the name ‘Vivienda de Vampiros’ mean anything to you,” her mother asked.

“No, I have never heard of it. Should it mean something?” she questioned in curiosity.

“Yes it should. I am sorry to keep you in the dark for all these years but, it is time,” her mother explained.

She got dazed and stopped, “sorry and time for what mother. You are getting me more worried here. I have had my share of worries for today. Enough, what do I need to know,” she pushed with need to know.

“Your father’s death was no accident. I think it is time for you to know who you are and about Blood City. We have to meet as soon as possible,” her mother hung up the phone.

Claire dropped it from her ear in wonder. Upon looking for the man she saw standing outside, he was long gone. She could not hold the frustrations within to herself.

In a soliloquy, “who the hell did I offend and what the hell did I do to you? Show yourself and face me. Do not be a coward hiding in the shadows,” she spoke aloud to everything around her as she turned in circles, anger and confusion.

Shortly, her phone rang again. She lifted it face up to see the caller Identity. It was none other but Adams. Besides her mother, she had told no one else about her father’s death. Not even her younger sister Jane.