The Ghost Case - The Apparitions...

Around One in Morning,

The night was as dark as a shadow- that even the street light were barely lighting up the roads. The thick haze around the town was evolving as days passed by while the murder victims piled up. Suddenly a door made clattering sound somewhere as if someone was trying to barge in. After sometime of pure struggle along with some hubbub- the door finally opened with broken lock. Someone entered the room with barely any light to walk with, he stood there and tried to feel the light switch on the left side of the door. Eventually he found the button but with the luck as bad as him the light's didn't worked. 

"Malditos those bastards! Why would you close-off the circuits today of all days." He mumbled as he tried to look for some source of light maybe a small window perhaps. 

The thing he wanted was placed in the locker near the broken window on the far right of the room. All the smashed glass pieces were scattered on the floor as if someone threw something from outside. The debris were making crunching sound as he walk on it while a small gust of wind blew from the broken part of window. He tried his best to walk as quietly as possible but on his third or fourth step, his right leg hit the chipped wooden table the was placed in the center of room. 

"Mierda!" he exclaimed in pain as he slammed the table. 

He stood there for a moment while leaning toward the table as he withhold the pain and glared around the room trying to observe it from every direction. He was loosing his patience every second he stayed in that room while the environment too seemed to aggravate him. The second he took another step his right leg sting like a bee, he rub his hand over the cut and it appeared to be bleeding with a minute chance of a chip stuck in it. After taking a deep breath he stood up and tried to limp toward the locker. After reaching at foot of locker he took out his handkerchief and used it to pick up a piece of glass dropped just under the broken window. With a bit of grace there was a street lamp just outside the window frame still lit, he used the glass to reflect light while checking the locker number and for opening the locker. The moment he bend to read the number written on locker a creaking sound produced out of nowhere as if someone tried to close the door behind him. He readily looked behind but found no one there, well even if someone was standing there with as low the light was in that room chances of locating him were zero to none.

"Might be the effect of this silence as well as the darkness." He mumbled as he took deep breaths to calm his nerves as the night was passing by so was his time. 

He unlocked the locker and opened the second drawer from below and started shuffling the files placed in it as if he was looking for specific one. After searching for a minute or two he took out two files and closed the drawer as well as the locker before he used the glass to read the numbers written on top of it. 

"Now which file did Mr. Andreus asked me to brought back. Was it TK-981 or maybe it was TN-309." He thought while starring at both of them as he tried to remember but this uneasiness he was feeling since he arrived wasn't making the decision easy.

 After pondering on it for some minute he finally decided to took a random one and was about to move out. At that particular moment he heard some footsteps approaching him so he rushed to take cover at side of the door. He was scheming of using the darkness to run past anyone who might be guarding outside. While still in thoughts he looked toward the window for a second then shook his head. Room in which he was currently in was built at 3rd floor so in his age and health jumping out to escape was similar to short path toward heaven. The footsteps grew louder and clearer as if the one outside was too intending to approach that room. His heart was beating so loudly that anyone present in that room might heard it clearly while his whole body was covered in sweat. The moment footsteps arrived just adjacent to the door they disappeared as if they never existed in first place. 

"Gracias Dios mío." He said while taking a sigh of relief. He knew if he had gotten caught here it would had been all over figuratively as well as literally because it was his life that was on line here. 

He still waited a minute before opening the door just to check if he really was out of trouble. There was nothing but dead silence followed by deep darkness outside but somewhere in that darkness he felt relaxed. He was about to run from there when he noticed someone dropped behind his back swiftly. He was so scared that his body got frozen at that point making it impossible for him to move even if he wanted to. Maybe the person standing behind was the reason he was feeling so uptight till now. While being terrified as well as shivering he cautiously turned back toward him with a thought of talking his way out. The second he faced him instantly in the deep silence of the room a loud bang was produced from the shot fired and the next moment he found his chest bleeding as the bullet pierced his body along with the heart. With his life fading in front of his eyes, his trachea filled with blood as he struggles to breathe and down with his blurry eyes he finally saw his face. Not too clearly but enough to recognize him in that dead of a light.

"Tú!…No, it can't be." That's all he could mutter after gathering all his strength while his body dropped against the wall as he took his last teary breath. Maybe at that instant with his fading breath he resented the decision of arriving there in first place.

The killer looked at the dead body briefly then picked up the bullet that was dropped on the floor covered in blood. He opened the locker and took a specific file from there and glanced back at the body for a last time before he jumped out from the window.

Around 5:30 in Morning,

There was a commotion with a huge crowd gathered near The Library. Usually on any other day library was opened around Seven or Eight in morning but it wasn't a normal day at all. It seemed like a morning guard went to check the broken window and found the dead body when he informed the authorities. While cross checking it was found that some people in that same neighborhood complained of what sounded like a gunshot in the small hours. Policemen from the local precinct reached at the homicide location around Six and seized the surrounded place. Some went inside to determine the identity of victim while other stood outside keeping media as well as public out of the investigation. Two policemen were questioning the Witnesses who were present when the body was first found. All in all it was total chaos, people were panicking while policemen for some reason were looking scared. After an hour or so Chief Inspector- William finally reached the scene. The sun had finally started to rise just to be covered by clouds again, it seemed as if the weather itself was gloomy. C.I. William's presence on the scene made people present in dilemma as they didn't knew if they were at relief or more terrified than before. They all knew if William had came himself then the situation was far more worse then it seemed to be. Chief Inspector William was a well built man in his late 40s with a clean beard and dark grayish hair covered with hat. He was wearing his usual black over coat along with midnight blue suit and black shirt. He came out of his car and just stood there looking at the building without paying attention to anything else. After some time he went toward the entrance door while quietly looking toward the crown at intervals. Inspector Aaron Rodger came outside and stood near Chief Inspector who was now standing directly under the broken window looking toward it.

"Victim was a Constable named Alan Lopez. Sir." He reported as he too tried to look toward the broken window. 

William put both his hands in coat as he closed his eyes for a moment ass if he was trying to comprehending the incident that took place in small hours. He had a very reputable image as a very patient and creative Inspector that the citizen of "Lavenisle" had ever seen. After opening his eyes he took a deep breath and was about to went toward the scene when Inspector Aaron stopped him. He was having a confused look on his face that he was trying to hide from everyone present.

"Sir, It seems like Lopez came to fetch some confidential files for someone." He informed while trying to hide his worries. William silently patted his shoulder as he nodes with a small smile as if he was trying to say 'It's Alright'.

William went toward the scene and looked at everyone present in that room. Beside him and Inspector Aaron who was still climbing stairs, there was a Camera-Man who was capturing pictures of evidences and two sergeants and an inspector who was currently observing the victims body. William foremost attention went towards the opened locker as he entered the room. Upon approaching he went over the files and two files that were on table in the center.

"As expected it's missing, Damn." He mumbled to himself as all the files placed in that locker were extremely important. Knowing that one of them is missing might bring havoc on all precincts so for the time being he decided to remain silent.

He looked at the files kept on the table and went toward the victims body. He started to check body for any sign of struggle or any kind of bruise but unfortunately there was none present. The bullet hole on his chest piqued William's interest. His attention then shifted towards victim's lifeless eyes, it seemed as if they were glaring at William directly. He gently closed victim's eyes and payed his respect after he stood up. Inspector Aaron had approached toward William along with Mr. Johnson who was the manager of that building and that specific room's security was upon him. Other workers who worked there were forbid to approach this section of the building making him the sole person responsible for checking all the materials inside that room. 

"The room was closed from inside when I last left the room before I locked it from outside as well. Sir!" He spoke nervously the moment he reached Chief Inspector. Maybe he was scared of being treated as a suspect in homicide or maybe he just wanted to get it over with all this questioning that the authorities were doing before William.

Johnson was already nervous enough due to William's presence there but the dead body struck the last nail to his will. The moment his eyes laid upon the pallid body of victims he got shivers down to his bones as he fall down unconscious. Aaron asked two other sergeants to take Mr. Johnson downstairs in the hall near entrance. Chief Inspector asked Inspector Aaron to send the body for further inspection for discovering any new clues regarding killer's intention. 

"This makes about Ten murders in just past three months, Chief." Aaron whispered after noticing other Sergeants entering the room. All the information regarding murders were kept confidential and out of media's hand resulting only few Inspectors knew about those details.

"Do you think it's him?" Sergeant Richard slowly asked Sergeant Dawkins as they entered in room.

"No, I don't think so as this one seems to be different from the rest." Dawkins replied while they both took a glance toward Chief Inspector who was still conversing with Inspector Aaron.

While everyone were discussing their own views toward that homicide, a fine young man entered the room not so soon after those Sergeants. He seemed to be on off-duty noticing his casual suit rather than his usual uniform. Harold was Chief Inspector's subordinate who had worked with him for the past six years. He was a big admirer of William and had always thought of him as his teacher. He walked toward William and whispered something that even Aaron who stood beside them couldn't hear. Chief Inspector's expression remained unhinged as he went outside. He took out his pipe from his left coat pocket, cleaned it throughly and filled it and waited some time before lighting it up. Everyone presented were expecting some kind of statement from him but William silently smoked his pipe as he observed the surroundings. At that point crowd was totally baffled, within a second William noticed them making their own theories behind the homicide. Suddenly his attention was shifted toward a restaurant- "The Finest One" established on the right side at next corner of three-way. 

Harold and C.I. William both silent walked toward that restaurant quietly while William smoked his pipe in solitude. It was already around 2:40 pm but the sun hadn't shined to it's peak rather cold gust of winds started to blow while the clouds grew darker as seconds passed by. The instant they entered restaurant all eyes in that room shifted towards them. Being in service for past many years William had now learned to live with their contempt regarding his work. Half of people present at that restaurant had already been behind bars at-least once, majority of which were caught by Chief Inspector. Even the air in restaurant was bitter reeking with unsolicited that was making Harold unease with nervousness. Although he had remained by William's side for most of the times but there were still some places he never visited and things he didn't knew regarding Chief Inspector. William took the last table on the right besides the window as it was the only place where he would be far away from the unwanted noise as well as from other's piercing gazes. He leaned his head on window focusing at the third floor of that 'Library' as he resumed smoking his pipe. 

"What did they meant by it's different, Chief?" Harold who just returned from the restroom asked as he took the seat opposite to William's who was absorbed in his own thoughts.

Harold sat there in silence- looking outside observing peoples, looking at William who was still fixated on that same building as if he was reading something from it. There were many things that were not making a single sense to Harold but again it was William's job. His was to just stay there and sit quietly- Well at-least for now.

"This time the victim was working in our department." William sat straight dusted his pipe to the side of table and placed the pipe back in his coat. They both looked at each other while Harold tried to ponder on what William had just said.

"Say Chief, Do you have any suspects?" he asked in a low voice while looking for the menu.

"Let's order something first. I'm famished." William said as he pointed Harold toward the menu place on the table before them. 

Noticing William changed the subject intentionally he dropped anymore work talk and ordered their lunch. Harold asked the waiter to clean their table while William who took out his pipe again, was in dilemma to smoke it or not. One of the waiter approached their table and started cleaning their table unevenly with a wet cloth while glaring at Chief from time to time. Each one were openly showing their resentment toward Chief Inspector, none of them tried to hide their emotions. Before leaving Waiter told William about their 'Prohibition on Smoking' rule at their place while clearly other sitting at front openly performing it. When the topic was brought up by Harold, he simply brushed him off and went back to his chores. 

"How dare you!" Harold who had enough with their animosity toward Chief, yelled at Waiter. The waiter stopped in midway without looking back and once again all the eyes were now shifted toward William and Harold.

 It looked as if everything that happened was staged by the waiter and other guys. William asked Harold to calm down and to just focus on something else. Even though Chief was one of the brightest and creative inspector, he had a very low patience specially when it came down to disrespect. For some reason he was way to calm and patient than other days and this was making Harold dumbfounded. The food they ordered came after taking it's time and to make things worse it was cold. William still didn't react rather gave a brief smile before he start eating his lunch silently. Time flew past them as it was five in evening and they both were still there. William looking outside the window as the weather seemed to change, while stealing small glance over time at his pipe placed on table. It was clear that he wanted to smoke but for some reason he was complying the rule that he knew was made for him only. Sky started to grew darker and the wind was whistling with cold breeze. Some people started to close their shops early today in fear of unfavorable rain.

"Looks like a big storm might be approaching our town." William said still looking outside while lost in his own thoughts. 

He finally gave into his habit and picked up his pipe and filled it. One could notice a tranquilize look on his face as if he had been complete again. He puffed it twice with his eyes closed appearing he was in trance. 

"What Chief?" Harold asked as he observed both sides of street from window and then looked at William who was clearly enjoying his evening smoke. 

Another half hour had passed but nothing had changed, their empty plates were still occupying half of that table while the other half had William's hat, hit pipe and some of Harold's stuff. Suddenly out of nowhere William asked Harold to visit Police Station before he head back home. He wanted to know if some other inspector had found any clue regarding this particular Homicide. Something about this murder was disturbing William that even he was not able to figure out, At-least not yet!. Harold was unable to comprehend Chief's motive by doing all this as being in no position to question him, he had no choice but to follow his orders. He wore his jacket and greet William one last time before he went out on his way to precinct. William who was still enjoying his smoke while the rain started pouring outside dripping on the window in front of him. He looked at Clock hung in Bar at front then took a last deep look toward the restaurant's entrance from his window.

He dusted his pipe on the side and clean it throughly before putting it away. Took a deep breath and left his table just to sit again on the one near entrance. At this point William had spent his whole day at a restaurant. It was around quarter to six, William's eyes had started to grew heavier. He was now not as fit as he was in his prime one could say or maybe that wasn't the case at all. Knowing Chief Inspector one thing that's sure was to never expect something so obvious. A while later- entered a charming man wearing black formal suit carrying a case damped due to rain. He seemed be to around 31, clean shaved with a normal body- so not your usual fitness lover. There was something about his demeanor that made him stood out than the rest of them. He seemed to be a regular there noticing that manager himself show him toward the lounge section that had been kept empty till now. 

Chief Inspector was noticing everything happening silently. He had been quiet to a point that even presence started to vanish. In time, he saw owner coming from downstairs- who went toward the bartender whispered something to him, went straight toward the lounge section and closed the door behind him. William who looked fatigued a minute ago seemed as if he had been filled with life. William now looked toward lounge area time to time watching Manager, Owner and one specific waiter entering and exiting- mostly Manager and Waiter. Owner rarely came outside but that Waiter never went in after second time. All of the sudden his all attention shifted to an old man who had just entered. He was wearing brown tracksuit with casual white shoes, for an old man he was quite fit as if he had served in army before. William wore his hat and sat with his face down looking at him as he approached William's table and sat without uttering a single word. They both had exchanged some glance with each other but none spoke single word. William tapped the table twice before he looked up and gave a brief smile to Old man. He instantly went toward the bar and ordered a drink.

He gulped two drinks straight away as he sat down and looked at bartender. "I wonder how long will it took for the authorities to catch a single killer!" he raised his voice a bit as he smirked at bartender who looked at William and smirked back.

"Damn right, Oldie." Guy sitting beside him replied as he pat old man's back and laughed. Other's joined in soon, everyone was making comments while laughing boisterously. 

All were busy discussing the bad workmanship in police precinct while William who was sitting on the side noticed behavior of each present there. Some second after he stood up approached the old man who was on his way out, nod at him with a smile. He then silently made his way toward the last seat at the bar- which was the only seat nearest to the lounge section. That same seat was also kept empty as an order from manager maybe because one could heard everything from that seat.

"Don't worry Mr. Anderson. This will be our secret." It wasn't clear but from the voice it kinda seemed like owners voice.

"Just keep in mind that Boss won't tolerate any mistake!" Anderson warned owner as they both came out from the lounge area. He noticed William who was looking outside, occupying the seat nearest to the lounge.

He passed William by some steps and turn towards him smiling. William noticed that Anderson was not carrying his case anymore. Anderson looked towards manager then at owner that finally shifted towards Chief Inspector. 

"Enjoying yourself, Chief Inspector?" he approached toward William who was now looking directly in his eyes.

William nodded with a smile as he ordered a pint of beer. He observed the time and took a deep sigh, representing his fatigue. Anderson gesture the manager to put that drink on his tab, to which manager readily agreed. Even though all four of them were smiling atmosphere was so tense that one might not be able to breathe easily. For a moment there was a complete silence at that place, everyone's eyes were on both of them. They both looked at each other for some time.

"Same as always, aye. Chief?" Anderson finally broke the silence and smiled to which William smiled back without replying.

"Anyhow Take Care, Chief. This town still needs you." He walked toward the exit as he shoved the waiter serving drinks aside and went outside.

William didn't react to any of that rather start drinking his beer while glaring manager at intervals. It was around now ten past ten, almost everyone had went back to their homes leaving some newly arrived couples, manager, two waiters and the bartender. William had finished his beer and was all ready to go home. The rain outside had settled down but the wind was still blowing cold. Deep in those wet and darkened roads, freezing wind and silent night was walking alone and exhausted William pondering on a thought as he walked toward his home.