Robert paused, gulped down the water from the glass intensely, taking a moment to compose himself and panting heavily before he continued his situation more.
"But then, I received the final news. My mother eventually died of extreme abdominal pain. People began to suspect that the same woman who was nearly killed by my father was responsible for my sister's condition as well. Policemen came to question me, but I was numb, traumatized by the events that had come to stitch up. I held the paper bag when I attacked my father with which I had covered the knife, I was unaware that my fingerprints could not be traced. As I grieved, realising that one day, I'm gonna be traced down and put behind bars immediately but before that."
He took a deep breath and calmly said his words.
"I just wanted to protect my sister."
The room was dense and officials were discussing and recording the notes. Robert's words lingered to Hailey, his guilt and the tragic events surrounding his family's demise becoming palpable. Hailey gave his statements a deep thought and reached out to Robert, offering him empathy, that was the only one thing she could do.
"I'm so sorry for everything you've been through, Robert. No one should have to endure such unimaginable pain. It's important to recognise that you were driven to madness and insanity in order to protect your loved ones. The responsibility for these tragedies lies with the one who inflicted such unexplainable crime, your father, should've been doomed to death if alive."
Hailey's words carried a gentle assurance, reminding Robert that he was not alone in his suffering.
"We would navigate our way through this and try to avenge your sister."
Robert, his eyes still wet with tears, mustered up the courage to speak through his sorrow.
"I am powerless, all I can do is answer the questions. Go ahead and arrest me if you so choose, but please take revenge for my sister's death."
Hailey, deeply empathetic towards Robert's pain, reassured him gently.
"We won't arrest you."
Every police officer who was questioned opposed this action. Hailey raised her hand, silencing them.
...Well, she's no less than a government official.
Liam thought.
"For now, I said. Your revenge was practically heroic. By defeating a sinful man, you have shown that the delicate heart could also get blood written. However, how do you want us to believe you?"
Robert, touched by Hailey's words, wasn't able to show his expression.
He whispered amidst his tears.
"But... I said, I can't provide proof of my story to which you think is made up. I'll do anything to prove that all I did was to save my sister."
"Don't get too serious, we just gonna keep you in moderation. Ahornbaum doesn't arrest anyone who had a defense or a non-existing proof of an existing situation."
...Look at her, giving him false hopes of the laws...
Liam said in the back of his mind.
Hailey, looked at him with a smile, and made him an offer.
"Look, if you help us catch this evil, I promise, we will provide you with an exquisite support. But I need you to answer me honestly, okay?"
Robert, still tearful, wiped his tears and nodded his agreement.
"Okay, I will try to be accurate."
"Great. Then tell me, have you noticed anything suspicious lately?"
Robert pondered for a moment and then remembered.
"Well, I don't know if it's relevant, but I had a dream yesterday..."
"What kind of dream?"
Robert struggled to recall the details.
"Um, I don't remember it clearly, but I'll try to explain. I was in a place that looked like an infinite void, with permeated light. I saw my sister lying on a bed, naked. As she approached me, her whole face changed, it was just like what we saw today."
Liam, escalated his curiosity, interrupted the conversation in between sat down beside Robert. He urged Robert to share what he had heard more. Hailey and the others were momentarily annoyed by Liam's interruption and asked him to leave but he didn't and so they remained silent, listening to their conversation
Robert, still shaken by his dream, began to recall his dream.
"In shadows cast upon the moonless night,
A girl once pure, consumed by fright."
Liam continued in between before Robert could even speak,
"Chased relentlessly by darkness untamed,
A haunting pursuit, a dance defamed."
Robert, surprised by Liam's response, replied.
"Correct, but how do you know?"
Liam's face displayed a mix of shock and recognition.
"Because... because I had the same dream last night."
The room fell into stunned silence. Everyone present was now fully captivated by this.
"That's impossible."
The main officer muttered from behind, all of them trying to process the history side by side.
"I believe you since you continued where I left off, but how is this possible?"
Hailey, the voice of reason, spoke up.
"It's a children's poem named Decipher. It basically surrounds the dark nature of abuse and harassment. It was banned some years ago so you might not have studied it."
She stood up from the chair and turned to Robert, her eyes, sparkled questioning.
"The fact that I'm not ignoring or judging your responses but... having the same dream is as weird as it is related to this case. You two are one kind of a case and I'll research through it once this case is over. As for this, Robert, did your sister interact with anyone yesterday?"
"Well, she did visit Mr Gerard, He is our neighbour and also the therapist of my sister."
Her eyes widened.
"You mean Gerard Thomas? The famous chess player?"
"Yes, that's him!"
Robert nodded. A mischievous grin spread across Hailey's face.
"Looks like we have a suspect, then. Let's go to his house immediately. Officers, take care of Robert, Liam and I will continue it ourselves."
Hailey and Liam went outside and began walking towards Gerard's house. Liam, filled with uncertainty, concern was evident through his voice.
"Hailey, I told you this wasn't just a dream but are you sure about this? Accusing Gerard seems like a big leap."
"He just became the most suspicious character in this case. We have to investigate further and see what happens next. I fully trust you and I'll ask Edward about it as he knows the best."
...
As they reached Gerard's house, Hailey rang the bell, and an old lady opened the door. Hailey spoke gently.
"May I request a visit from Mr Gerard so that I can ask him some questions?"
The old lady seemed to have a disability speaking, but she understood their purpose and signalled to Gerard that visitors had arrived. He reached the door and greeted them.
"Oh Ms. Hailey, is something wrong may I believe? Please come inside."
They entered his house, which had plain and simple decor. The drapes and furnishings had the same colour scheme throughout. Gerard asked the old lady to bring them some tea, and she obliged.
Hailey engaged in conversation, trying to create a comfortable atmosphere.
"Is she your wife?"
Hailey asked Gerard about the lady to which he humbly replied.
"Yes, Emily and I have been married for twenty-eight years."
"That's nice. Even though she is mute, she seems very helpful."
Emily brought them tea, and after everyone had settled, they started the discussion. Hailey got straight to the point.
"Mr Gerard, I'm coming to the point directly. Can you show me your chessboard?"
"Yes, I guess so. Let me find it."
Gerard seemed puzzled but complied with Hailey's request and went inside to retrieve his chessboard. Liam, still confused, asked Hailey.
"What's on your mind, Hailey?"
"Just wait and watch."
Gerard returned with the chessboard and presented it on the table. He questioned.
"But why do you need it? I'm confused."
"Was this the same chessboard you used to play with Amelia?"
Gerard's expression changed, and he seemed taken aback.
"Oh, so you know that I'm her therapist. Yes, we used to play chess together quite often."
Hailey's eyes focused on the spot where the black bishop should have been. She inquired further.
"May I ask, which side did you usually choose, black or white?"
"Both sides have their own appeal, but personally, I preferred playing as black."
Gerard pondered for a moment and Hailey nodded thoughtfully.
"And when was the last time you played a game with her?"
"I suppose it was yesterday at 2 o'clock."
Hailey pulled out a piece of paper and a black bishop.
"Amelia was brutally murdered this morning, and we found your fingerprints on her body, even in sensitive areas. We also found a black bishop. Care to explain?"
Gerard and Liam were shocked and started stammering.
"That's impossible! Poor soul that she took depart from this world too soon but it's a lie that I am behind this. Yes, I did help her to reach home cuz she fainted while playing chess. You can ask Emily for confirmation."
To which Emily humbly nodded and seemed to give a confidential attitude.
Hailey remained composed.
"Don't need to be angry, that's all for now. I'll be in touch tomorrow. We need more evidence of your response, so don't you dare try to run."
This woman... after knowing everything, didn't trust the process of quickness. She got the prints of Gerard yet she still questioned Robert to confirm it. It's not some great intelligence ounce but with Robert's words, he'll get much worse punishment in a Leftash prison."
Hailey and Liam left Gerard's house, leaving behind a stunned Gerard and his wife, Emily, who were both sitting in silence, trying to process what had just happened.
As Hailey and Liam made their way out of Gerard's house, Liam couldn't contain his curiosity any longer.
"Do you really think he's the culprit, Hailey?"
"Maybe, we have all the pieces of evidence pointing towards him. Now, we just need to gather enough proof to solidify our case. I didn't expect that he might come up with a story which made us doubt our findings at that very moment. But if we leave him be, he might make a hasty move and incriminate himself further."
Liam nodded, realizing the logic behind Hailey's plan.
"I see. So we need to play it smart and gather more concrete evidence before we confront him."
"Exactly, we need to be strategic and thorough. Now, let's go and see what the doctors have discovered."
Liam suggested an idea to Hailey.
"Why don't we send the body to LP for further analysis? They might be able to find something unusual."
"LP specializes in bizarre cases, and while this is a murder investigation, it hasn't shown any extraordinary elements yet other than your dream. But if we hit a dead end, we can definitely reach out to them. For now, let's see what the doctors have found since I have one of my colleagues there who is connected to LP as an official."
They arrived at the faculty where the body was being examined. Multiple doctors surrounded the area with other measures but one stood amongst them differently. A tall doctor, wearing glasses, adorned in a white lab coat, black pants, waistcoat, tie and a green shirt. Around his neck was a distinctive long teal green scarf, divided into two parts: one part hanging down the front on the left and the other flowing over the back on the right. He had rich charcoal black hair which explained his familiar presence. All of them caught each other's attention, but as he turned, Liam and the doctor's gazes met, a surge flashed in their eyes.
...Is that?
"Mason... are you Lampedusa with the surname?"
"Are you Liam?"
The doctor named Mason grabbed his head and sighed.
"How? Is that really..."
Both of their voices filled with disbelief as they saw each other with an unexpectedness, sharing a shock to the bottom.
"How, I-"
Mason continued it for Liam.
"This is truly unexpected."
Mason looked at him with a genuine smile, he walked towards him slowly, grabbed Liam by his neck and hugged him, his face satiated. Hailey, standing there, couldn't help but be shocked by the sudden reunion. She asked, her voice filled with surprise.
"Wait, so you two know each other?"
"I've been caught up in a pretty agonizing story in Britai... I'll fill you in on the details later."
"Of course, Hailey. Liam is an old friend of mine. We've spent a lot of time together since we're from the same period."
Hailey smiled, relieved that Liam had found a familiar face in this challenging situation.
"That's good to hear, Liam. Finally, you have a friend here. Now, if you don't mind, I feel like I can get rid of you."
Liam, not one to back down easily, got easily tensed at Hailey.
"You hag! Ain't you're the one who asked me to be your acquaintance?"
"Acquaintance?"
Mason laughed and smirked, looking at Hailey mischievously. Hailey's eyes filled with shame as she saw Mason's expression.
"Who are you calling a hag? You brat."
"You can't call me a brat. I'm literally older than you through preservation."
Their ridicule banter continued for a moment until Mason intervened, though Liam wasn't precisely wrong about his statement.
"Alright, enough with the fighting, you two. We have important matters to attend to."
...
Back at his house, Gerard was disturbed while the group was having their friendly conversations. He furiously researched, desperately trying to find a way out of his predicament. Emily, his wife, sensed his distress and rushed to his side. He looked up at her, his eyes filled with fear.
"Emily, bring that goddamn powder. I need to find a solution."
Emily nodded, understanding the seriousness of his words, and hurriedly retrieved the powder. Gerard, with an air of secrecy, began preparing something that seemed like a ritual.