Chapter Three

Detective Jones and Maria arrived at the garden owned by one of the most popular florists in the city,they stepped out of the car as they headed to the door. A woman who was probably in her late fifties walked out.

"how may I help you, she asked"

“Good morning ma'am, we're from the city's police department and we want to ask you a few questions” detective Jones replied

"Did I do anything wrong" the woman asked in a confused tone.

“No ma'am you've done nothing wrong. I'm looking for a particular type of rose, the white rose specifically. Do you have them in your collection.” Jones asked looking serious.

The woman noticed the sudden change in his countenance while he asked this question. As she delayed a bit before finally giving her response.

"Yes detective, I had only two plants and I sold them two weeks ago"

“May I ask who you sold them to”

Detective Jones replied.

“It was a young woman in her twenties, she looked rich and was extremely beautiful, she really looked like my late daughter. I think she said something about gifting it to a friend” the woman replied with confidence.

“Ma'am, can you tell me more about the white rose, I mean, I didn't even know they existed.”

“Oh, you're are only familiar with the red ones. Well, all I can say about the white rose is, it's beautiful, extremely rare, and expensive. One of a kind, if I may say.

There are only few florists who can confidently tell you they have a white rose in their garden. I was only lucky to get them when a supplier called me and told me he was willing to sell at an outrageously high price and also the white rose signifies chastity, beauty, royalty, and purity. In the ancient times, royalties give it to women they intend to court or have picked some form marital interest in, especially when she's a virgin.“

“Thank you for your time.”

They said as they exited the place.

As soon as they left, the woman went inside her house,picked up her phone and made a call.

“the police officers came here"

she said as she ended the call.

Detective Jones and Maria arrived at the police station and they went straight to the captain's office to brief him on their interrogation session with the florist. As soon as they left the captain's office, they went straight to detective Jones's office and sat down.

After a brief silence, detective Jones broke the silence and asked

"what do you think maria?“

“About what?”

“This, of course!” detective Jones said increasing his tone.

“Calm down partner. Anyways, I think we're dealing with a nasty serial killer that has an obsession with flowers” Maria joked.

“It's not just that. But wait, I think am beginning to get the pieces, according to the woman, a white rose represents chastity and purity,now a blood stain on it would mean what? The chastity or purity have been stained and how is that possible?”

“Rape! The blood stain explains it all” maria cut in on Jones before he could finish.

“But these men are responsible, notable and respected men in the society with no criminal records. I don't think they could have committed such an offence. Lebans group of company is one of the biggest sponsors of Almond city's orphanage not to mention the numerous charitable works these men do”

“Or maybe they covered for someone that did, I mean rich people do a lot of shady things” Jones replied.

“No, I don't think so, if they covered for the offender, they wouldn't have been the ones suffering the most or experiencing brutal deaths and having bloody roses on their chest” Maria replied.

"These two men were stabbed multiple times which means whoever is killing them took his or her time to do that properly. Believe me Maria, this aren't impromptu murders, the killer is definitely someone who had bore grudge against them for long. If it were bullet wounds we would suspect that it was a hitman"

"You are right Jones, I have a strong feeling this is connected to revenge" Maria replied.

"Well, we are definitely getting somewhere. Have David look up the two deceased men. I want every information about them and their time in Lebans board" Jones ordered.

"Yes boss, will do just that" Maria replied as she left the office.

"Maybe they did something the general public isn't aware of" detective Jones said.

Jones and Maria had built a good relationship over the time. She was the only one who could handle his bossy and brilliant nature without getting offended.

"If you're done, I would like us to speak with the spouses of the deceased men, maybe they know something. A woman is her husband's partner isn't it?"

"They may but most women are completely in the dark when it comes to their spouses unscrupulous activities. James Ravengers wife never new he was a paedophile. Do you still remember the look on her face when we informed her after we arrested her husband. She was totally shocked" She said as she stood.

"We are doing it anyway, you can never know" Detective Jones commanded.

Jones remained mute as Maria stood and left his office. Immediately she left, he bent his head on his desk letting thoughts flowing in his mind.