Whatever happened earlier, things got completely wiped away from Jackline's mind when both of them reached the crime scene. The place where the body was found was marked with a cross and yellow tapes which read 'Do Not Cross' were tightly sealing the area. Miranda and Jackline crossed the line and went to the spot where the body was found earlier.
"See, the way the dead body is positioned here, it's like the same thing that had happened years back. Isn't it?" Miranda who was squatting down near the chalk outlining lifted her head to look at Jackline while she spoke up.
Jackline had her brows furrowed while she pressed her lips tightly and nodded. She looked around and noticed the CCTV's that were around the area. She pointed at one and asked Miranda.
"Did you all check each one of the CCTV footage?"
Miranda stood up and clasped her hands together before walking to her friend and replied.
"Of course we did. Do you know the most interesting fact? What actually happened?"
Jackline's expressions darkened while she herself guessed what must have been the case with the footage.
"The CCTV coverage of that time was removed, isn't it?"
"Wow girl! Can you be less intelligent at times?" Miranda playfully punched Jackline on her shoulders and laughed. Just as Jackline was about to say something, her phone started ringing.
"Hello, it's Jackline Carter. how may I help you?"
As soon as Jackline received the call a shaking voice came through.
"Hello... My name is Isabel. I live here in North Apex, Lane 2. My... My roommate had gone missing since this morning. I had just gotten a parcel outside and it's stained with blood. I... I don't know what I should do..."
Jackline raised her brows and instantly tried to calm down the lady.
"You remain calm and please don't touch the packet. We will get there soon."
Jackline hung up the call and gestured to Miranda to get going. The latter immediately followed her and she could roughly hear what the other lady spoke from the other side of the call.
"Dude, you returned back. Is it because of that we are receiving so many cases these days?"
Miranda shot a glare at Jackline before she buckled the seat belt and started driving. Jackline gave her an odd look before putting up the next location in the screen in front which would as well notify the Investigating bureau.
It took them around twenty five minutes to reach that specific location where the Investigating Bureau had already sent a few officers to collect the fingerprints. Jackline tossed the package which was now sealed inside a plastic bag in her hand while her gaze travelled to the lady who was still shivering.
"Miss, Can you please tell me when did your roommate leave in the morning?"
The lady shook her head and answered.
"I don't know. She woke up early today. I really don't know when she went out."
Miranda was enquiring in the neighborhood and came at that very moment itself.
"The girl, Claire left around four in the morning. At that last house, an old couple lives there. They saw her going out for a morning walk in the east direction. believe me, she was trying to look for death. That area is completely wild and a forest one."
Miranda's words surprised Jackline. Why would a girl of this age, so young, try to even go out there in a forest? Isabel, that lady who had called Jackline earlier looked puzzled and raised her doubts.
"She never went on any morning walk... then why today?"
Jackline and Miranda looked at each other for a while when they heard Isabel. probably the case was not so easy to deal with. Both of them came out and looked around before Miranda leaned forward slightly and said to Jackline.
"Let's get the officers to check the whole area. We might find something."
Both of them quickly gathered up the team and divided in three groups before each of the group parted in their ways to go on for a search out operation. Miranda and her group went into the south direction while the other two went in through the two entrances.
Jackline's group was in the middle of the forest when a faint sound was echoing. It seemed as if some kind of audio was being played. She alerted the other members including Miranda's team before following the source of sound. While they reached around that area all they could see was just an iPod whose earphones were plugged out. With a handkerchief she picked up that iPod before noticing that faint drop of blood on it. her mind registered the very possibility of blood being there, she must have been injured. Miranda's team reached there as well and one of the officers took that iPod and placed it into the evidence bag.
"What now?"
Miranda looked around with frustration apparent in her voice. What was disturbing her the most were the flies and mosquitoes. The jungle was too dirty for anyone to even travel.
Jackline was silent as she thought about it. they had to continue with their search operation anyhow. just as her eyes were looking around she noticed a pink cloth piece hanging on one of the branches in front. She walked into that direction and noticed that ahead there were footprints.
"Miranda!!"
Miranda followed her friend's line of sight and noticed those footprints. with the other team following, they followed the path. It was only after that they walked a few miles before an unpleasant sight came in front of them. The body was brutally scratched and bitten. one could say that the person died a very painful death. immediately the body was covered with white cloth and was wrapped around with it. The body condition was so bad that it was very difficult for them to even look through it. The whole body was immediately sent to the forensic department.
"Around the whole area it is evident that there is an animal. it could be a wolf, what do you say?"
Miranda stated while she turned to look at Jackline. the latter shrugged her shoulders and said indifferently.
"Whatever, let's go back. I don't feel like being able to handle this."