CHAPTER 7: JOHN

John Grant walked into the washroom and looked at the body of Suzanne Lee. He knelt, inspected her bloodied head, and shook his own. Like the first murder victim, Diane Walker, this victim never stood a chance. The murderer had struck her from behind, leaving a fatal blow on the head, and it appeared that she had died instantly from the impact. All bloodstains had been meticulously erased, and like the first victim, Suzanne Lee had her eyes stapled shut.

Unbeknownst to many, though, John and his team had found some clues. Both victims wore the same brand of perfume, and both were rumoured to be romantically linked to William Silverman.

“Have the forensics arrived?” John asked as he stood up.

“They’re on the way, sir.”

“Check the CCTV in the hallway, trace the staff who came in and out of the washroom, and get me a list of every employee who was in the office between five and seven.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Has the family been informed?”

“Yes, they’re not taking it very well sir.”

John sighed. “Who would?”

He looked back down at the victim. She was in her early thirties. Employee records stated that she was single and had been with Silverman Corp for about a year.

“Sir,” a young, jittery police officer tapped John's shoulder. “These are the records of her phone calls.”

John took the paper and scrutinized it. On the very top of the list was William Silverman’s name, with the last call timed at 6:15 p.m. John scanned the other names and handed it back to the officer.

“Get me William Silverman. And have the rest of the names checked out. I want to know how they’re all acquainted with the deceased.”

The forensics came not long after, and John headed back to the foyer. He hadn’t eaten his dinner yet and was just about to step out of the office building to get a snack from his car when William Silverman walked in. The man was a sight, poised and commanding — no wonder he was so popular among women. Not only was he romantically linked to the victims, but William Silverman was also frequently seen in the entertainment circle with female celebrities on his arm. No doubt he was a charismatic man, but John’s talk with the CEO this morning had left a bad impression. The man might have been charming, but he was also extremely arrogant. 

There goes my snack, John thought, as he shifted his attention to the CEO.

“Mr. Silverman.”

“Detective Grant, we meet again.”

The CEO extended his hand. John shook it, wondering if this was the hand that had struck down the two women. But this thought fell away when he saw who was behind William Silverman: Rebecca Grey herself, with her curly hair tumbling down around her shoulders.

John's first thought was that Rebecca had also gotten first-hand news of the murder. But he quickly realized he was wrong when he saw her wearing an oversized men's shirt. It had the same silver zircon cufflinks that William Silverman wore this morning. John’s eyes narrowed, not liking what he saw.

The CEO turned around, placing his hand on Rebecca’s shoulder in concern.

“Becca, are you alright?” he asked, as Rebecca clutched her sling tightly.

He’s calling her Becca? John’s nostrils flared slightly.

“What are you doing here, Becca?” John asked.

He noticed that she looked pale. Her asthma must have been acting up again. Rebecca looked up, her face soaked in sweat and strands of curly hair clinging to her face.

“Trying to get an interview?” She coughed slightly.

John frowned, more concerned about her health than the fact that she was probably sleeping with the CEO.

“Where’s your puff?”

Rebecca shook her head. “Don’t mind me. I’m fine. Really.”

She was lying, and he knew it.

He turned to whisper to Sam, his colleague, “There are two inhalers in the box of my trunk. Blue and orange. It’s urgent.”

Sam nodded and rushed out. John took another glance at Rebecca, who seemed to be struggling to suppress a cough. Then, he turned his attention back to the businessman.

“Mr. Silverman, we are going to have to bring you in for some questioning. The victim’s last phone call was traced to you.”

John saw William roll his eyes.

The woman just died, and the CEO was rolling his eyes?

“Alright, but I’d like for it to be done in my office. I have urgent matters to attend to.”

John fought the urge to punch William in the face. The man was a bastard.

Rebecca was coughing violently now, and out of the corner of his eye, John saw her sway, clutching at her chest. John shoved William aside and dashed forward — just in time to catch Rebecca as she fell onto the marble floor.

“Becca!” John yelled.

She was gasping for air now, wheezing and coughing at the same time, her lips turning blue. Sam came rushing in, tossing both the inhalers to John, who popped open the blue cover and shoved it into Rebecca's mouth. He squeezed it tightly as Rebecca tried to inhale, only to cough more. John took the inhaler out and shook it before swiftly giving Rebecca another puff. He eased her into his arms and sat her up. She was limp as a doll by then.

A flashback brought John to when they were both ten. They were in the school courtyard, and John was feeling very naughty. He had snatched Rebecca’s inhaler and made her chase after him. He remembered her face going blue as she coughed clawed for air, collapsing onto the school compound right before his eyes. He thought he had lost her that day…

“C’mon, Becca! Breathe,” he commanded, coming back into the moment.

It took her six puffs of the blue inhaler before the colour started coming back to her cheeks. John cupped her face in his hands, holding her steady.

“Better?” he asked, not caring that a small crowd had gathered around them.

Rebecca nodded silently, obviously still not feeling well.

John glared at William as he barked an order to Sam, “Get a staff to send Becca to the ER. Mr Silverman and I have some talking to do.”

He looked back at Rebecca and pressed the Flixotide inhaler into her hands.

“You’ll need this orange baby as well.”

He helped her up, slipped her fallen bag over her shoulders, and flicked her damp forehead out of habit.

“Get some rest, Becca.”

Rebecca looked over at the CEO who gave her a slight nod. Then, she followed John’s colleague out.