Bryan went through some of the case files again. He had been glued to his seat since he arrived this morning, reading through case file after case file but failed to find any clues. He was yet to receive results of the further investigation of the doctors and pharmacies that sold halothane in Haston city. It was frustrating. Anytime he looked at the video tapes of the smiling psychopath, he always felt creeped out.
Today, he compared some key features of all the murders. He found nothing of great importance except that all victims had traces of halothane vapour, were killed with one blow, were always alone before they were attacked.
"The weak has been exorcised, you're next..." He said the phrase again. Does he have something against weak people? If so, how did he know they were weak? Could he sniff them out? He shuddered when he realised that his train of thought was leaning towards the supernatural. Maybe this is the angle to look at it from?
He was also worried that this person was an expert in forensic science! No prints, no body fluids, no traces at all!
Bryan pushed his chair back and took out his phone to check the time. 5:48p.m.
He had invited some of his colleagues for a dinner party, especially those who didn't get any gifts. He got Jason to do the invitation. He had reserved a private room, which cost him a lot given his current financial situation, at the Fairy Haven bar.
He still had some time to work. He busied himself again with his analysis, jotting down some important points. What he really wanted to know was why Ma'am Janet had rushed over that day. What did she know?
Unfortunately, the woman wasn't in the right frame of mind to talk to anyone now, otherwise....
....
At 8, he was already at Fairy Haven. He had to wait a bit before the rest of the people arrived.
Bruce, who originally didn't want to come, had turned up. On his way home, be kept imagining that the twins would wait by the door just to use him for sport; he turned around and decided to go home when they had already slept.
"I must say, you look great tonight," Bryan couldn't help but praise Regina, the lady with a heavy sense of aesthetics. She looked so pretty in her simple off shoulder blue dress that spiralled at her knees.
"Thanks, you really know how to make a woman happy!" She beamed and took her seat.
Truthfully, Bryan; who was very inexperienced with woman, was just trying to make a conversation.
They started the night with drinks. They had a drinking competition, which was Morgan's idea. They each downed five glasses of white wine. The competition didn't see any Victor as they all stopped at five glasses each. Bernadette had also surprisingly finished hers too.
Next, the slightly tipsy Regina suggested some games. They played cards for a few rounds.
Bruce won most of the bets on the card games.
"Man, you're good at this!" Bryan praised, he was tempted to use his sleight of hand skills to cheat but later decided against that.
"Comes with other benefits." The chief shrugged. It was hard for anyone to know what he was referring to.
After the following round, Bryan decided to bet little. He had already lost $30 today. He placed a bet of $5 this time.
"Nothing ventured, nothing gained!" Jason slapped his shoulder.
"I rather not trust my luck." Bryan frowned as he took a look at his card.
"Full house!" Bernadette shrieked on the opposite side of the table.
"Arrghhhh!!!" Bryan threw down the cards. He lost again!
More rounds of beer arrived on the Chief's order. Bernadette, who looked like a deprived lion, gulped down bottle after bottle.
"Geez, girl, take it slowly!" Morgan warned.
"I just want to get drunk." She shrugged. She had a lot to worry about. Coupled with her step mom, she really wanted to go home drunk.
"Who ever said girls can't drink?" Regina raised a cheer and downed her glass. She was nearing her tolerance limit.
"Man, why aren't you drinking?" Bryan asked when he noticed that Jason wasn't trying any glass; he didn't even drink the five glasses from before.
"I will drive all of you when you're drunk." He said slowly.
"Good idea, drop me off later!" Bernadette downed another glass as she asked for a drop indicating that she was totally going to get drunk. Bryan tipped his glass at Jason. He wasn't worried about being caught for drink-driving, he could easily walk to the hotel just a few blocks away. The chief and the rest knew the rules as police officers; they had planned on taking cabs home.
The food arrived and they dug in. It was fun when they gathered like this. They could express themselves and bond with each other and not be on alert like when they were on duty. It was a time they could actually forget about the "exorcist".
After eating, they started playing Ludo game. Since it could only accommodate maximum of 4 people, Bernadette; who was already drunk, decided to sit this one out. Regina also stepped down and allowed the four to play.
The game really favoured Jason since he was still clear headed. He won most times. Bryan held his own and won some bets. Bruce was a sore loser this time.
"I'm bored, let's play karaoke!" Regina raised her glass and announced.