---[POV: Lyra Nightshade]
"What are your thoughts, detective?" Edger, the assisting officer I brought with me, asked.
"Is the forensics report ready?" I replied.
"Yes, the forensics report is ready," he confirmed.
"Take me to the forensics department first," I ordered.
"Not to the crime scene?" he questioned.
"No, this is not a simple case of death by fire, especially in a company that restricts employee access after 9 PM," I explained.
Sophia Chen was the second in command to the Founder and CEO of Sightex, serving as the company's COO. She had no potential enemies, no outstanding loans from sharks, no possible illegal dealings, and no disputes or conflicts with colleagues.
She was the only child in her family, living with her mother and father. So what reason could she have had to be at the company at such a late hour?
"We're here, detective," Edger said, interrupting my thoughts as we arrived at the forensics department.
I flashed my badge at the entrance to the forensics department and stepped into the designated area. As soon as I saw Vickston Worth, the head of forensics and my friend, I could tell he had already had a long day.
"Hi Vik, tough day at the office?" I greeted him.
"Morning Lyra...you know the first thing you see after you have a great coffee, breakfast, and morning sex session is a dead body completely burned with no way to identify it other than using DNA and also running forensics on it. What do you expect my mood to be?" he replied, his tone a mix of exhaustion and sarcasm.
"I guess I can't argue with that," I said with a half-smile. "Should've chosen a different career."
Vickston chuckled. "You got that right.
"What do you have for me?", I asked.
"I've got some basic information about the case, but I also got a call from Kevin at the crime scene. He said this one is interesting," he explained.
"Well, let's have a look, shall we?" Vickston said as he led me to the room he was working in. I could see Edger, the assisting officer I had brought with me, hanging back. I knew he had a phobia of burned skin, so I motioned for him to stay outside.
As we entered the room, Vickston pulled up the first image on the computer screen. It was a photo of the charred remains of a body.
"This is Sophia Chen," he said, pointing to the image on the board and then at the body.
I looked at the charred body, the smell of burnt flesh still heavy in the air. The sight made me feel sick to my stomach. I had seen enough crime scenes to know that this wasn't a simple case of arson.
"Look at this", he said, pointing at the blackened corpse. "The cause of death isn't fire. She was long dead before that."
He poured some liquid on her head and wiped it with a piece of clean cloth, revealing a bullet hole. He picked up the bullet wrapped in a plastic bag on the metal table beside the body and handed it to me.
"The cause of death was a gunshot," he said.
"Now you don't need to, at least, doubt that this is a murder case," he added.
"Exactly... Thanks for this," I replied, taking the bullet from him.
"Anytime," he said, giving me a small nod as I left the room.
Outside, I found Edger waiting for me. He was busy chatting with the guards of the department. I walked over to him as he noticed me and started following my lead.
"Edger, make a list of employees Sophia had even a little bickering with, interview them, her colleagues, friends, and family members," I told him.
"Yes ma'am," he replied, taking out his notebook to jot down my instructions.
"Bring out her financial and phone records and send this bullet for examination," I said, handing him the bullet wrapped in the bag. "And drop me off at the crime scene."
"Yes ma'am," he replied, getting into the driver's seat of the car as I took the passenger seat.
---[POV: River Hart]
I sat on the couch in the living room, Cedric standing before me.
"Cedric, there are a few things you gotta do today," I said, taking a sip of my coffee.
"Y-yes sir," he replied nervously.
"First, we'll go buy you some new clothes and take you to a salon. You need to upgrade your style and get some fashionable glasses. You need to look sharp," I said firmly.
"Okay sir," he nodded.
"Second…" I placed my gun in front of him on the coffee table. "Trace the manufacturer and seller of this gun and its bullet. I want every dealer related to this traced as well."
"I can do that," he replied, eyeing the gun warily.
"Third, I need information on recent sales and deals of illegal arms in the area," I said.
"Will be done sir," he replied.
"Fourth, I need a sleek black face mask. Make it modern and stylish. Add any features you think will be useful. I want a dragon imprinted on the left side of the mask," I instructed.
"Can be done sir", he said.
"Perfect, I need you to authorize me for finishing off illegal trades such as arms dealing, human trafficking, drug trafficking etc", I said.
"Will be don- …wait what?", he got out of his stupor.
"What?", I asked.
"Sir, are you thinking…what I'm thinking?", he asked with a hint of hesitation.
"How would I know that you're thinking, what I'm thinking?", I asked, amused.
"Are you going to…finish off these people…like those movies?", he asked, clearly concerned.
"Can't I do that?", I replied, raising an eyebrow.
"Sir it would be a little…", he paused, searching for the right word.
"A little what?", I asked, curious.
"Cliché?", he said, shrugging.
"Are you asking or telling me that?", I asked with a chuckle.
"Both sir", he replied, slightly embarrassed.
"Hmm…then what do you suggest?", I asked, leaning back on the couch.
"Sir…you might not know, but there are many weavers across the world who indulge in such activities and earn a lot doing these sorts of heinous crimes…", he said.
"Go on…", I said, intrigued.
"Sir, Ankarath is against such activities…but higher-ups just let the situation be because no one is interested in dealing with crimes…moreover when some of the corrupt higher-ups are earning from it", he explained.
"So you mean to say…that if I make a devastating difference like killing a lot of them, they would try to come after me?", I asked, pondering.
"Correct sir", he confirmed.
"…Cedric…Don't think too much about it, you're getting anxious over nothing. I'll deal with it when the time comes. Focus on the task at hand for now", I said, reassuringly.
"O-ok Sir", he said, regaining his composure.
"Now proceed with the instruction I gave you", I said firmly.
"Yes sir", he replied, nodding.
"And make sure that the compensation is delivered to the family as soon as possible, Cedric. They have lost someone dear to them, and it's our responsibility to ease their suffering as much as we can", I added, my voice filled with empathy.
"Understood sir, I will make sure to expedite the process", he replied, looking at me with a grateful expression.
"And about Lyra Nightshade, I will keep a close eye on her and update you with any significant information", he said, his tone becoming more professional.
"And regarding Lyra Nightshade, I appreciate your willingness to monitor her and provide updates on any significant information, but I never instructed you to keep a close eye on her," I remarked, arching an eyebrow.
"Sir, I understand that, but she seems to be acting suspiciously. She has a flawless record, except for the case where she was tasked with solving unprecedented murders. While she may not be aware of the existence of mantles or night lords, she is on the verge of discovering the truth," Cedric explained in a more professional tone.
"Don't fret about it, Cedric. It's best to leave her alone and refrain from reporting anything to Ankarath," I replied calmly.
"May I ask why, Sir?" Cedric inquired.
"I have my reasons," I answered evasively.
"I see," he muttered with a nod, seemingly understanding my intentions.