The investigation was started as soon as it was surmised that the cases had an external involvement.
The fear of some connection existing between them and the murders committed five months ago lead to a definitive need for keeping the news from the public for the time being.
The ruling government was specifically on it's toes, now that the gaming system was indirectly involved. Hence the responsibility of investigation was assigned to a family relative of current foreign affairs Minister, as she happened to be incharge of an investigation team, considering the confidentiality that ought to be maintained throughout.
Hence, the cases were assigned to the investigation team 3 lead by Ms Ria Jones.
Pufff
" The bastard was found dead at his house "
" He had a visitor an hour before his murder after which the security camera ran out of power despite having a backup battery.. "
Jones mumbled to herself while slowly smoking a cigarette.
She, with few others sauntered in the front yard. Anything noteworthy might have lifted up her mood a little, but nothing seemed out of place.
Few men inspected the crime scene, the study room inside the house where there was a rush of inspection personnel. A dead, semi curled up body laid beside the table, in a pool of blood.
" He sure knew how to court death and so he did.. " She rubbed her temples, tired by the way things were unfolding.
A man in white coat, his one hand in glove doffing the one on other which looked visibly soiled after examining a corpse.
" If I had to murder someone that way, I would have left a bloody chaos "
The forensic doctor approached the calm lioness from behind, signalling all others to leave. He paused just beside her, looking at her burning cigarette before speaking and chuckled.
" Say, if I wanted to stab my hand with a pen, such that I see the purple, blood and ink drip from the tip, how would I do it? " He raised his hand in front of her face like a child playing around with an adult.
She squinted her eyes at his idiotic question, while smacking his hand which blocked her view.
" I would need a super sharp weapon at a high speed perforating through my hand. "
" There's no way I can neatly do that with a pen. Also, it's not possible to achieve a high velocity in one go to leave such smooth borders of the wound. It at least needs repeated forceful poking at the same place which would leave ragged borders. "
He took out a pen from his pocket, pointing at the pen tip and enacting the procedure while explaining.
" So you say, those wounds weren't created by those pens. " She interjected, raising her right brow as she snatched the pen from him.
" I'm simply analyzing those wounds. Also, there's no evidence of a potential weapon at the scene which could have been used instead, unless he brought his own. "
He shrugged casually after practically proving the fatal wounds of a corpse unrealistic.
" What a quirk that crim has to stuff the wounds with pens.. " She snickered while taking in the last puff, crushing the half burnt cig under her shoes and entered through the front gate of the house.
The air smelled stale, like an extinguished candle. However the blood spread around the body was painfully fresh.
The officers made some space for her to inspect.
The tall body slightly curled up in the pool of abstract patterned blood, with curves of purple in red.
" The ink has leaked out of those....um..pens.. So the colour is a bit.. " A man added after looking at her stern expression.
The face was neatly disfigured, almost as if it were a software malfunction rather than a physical assault.
Almost, an arty, unrecognizable face.
Jones crouched beside the body, her eyes narrowing as she inspected it.
No bruising around the wound, no signs of struggle.. Whatever killed him, didn't give him a chance to fight back.
How could these pens not miss a single critical point on his body?
One such clean, surgical like wound penetrated deep into his heart.
No sign of the criminal breaking into the house through other openings, windows or doors.
" Background, social relations and recent activities, family and contacts; everything by the evening"
On her way out at the entrance gate, she took a pause to look at the security camera on the corner.
The only visitor it had captured before running out was late manager's secretary. The only prime suspect for now.
Even as they tried to piece together the first murder, a second, more bizzare case was reported.
However, a report from an illegal business locale was unusual. A murder which was actually reported and not suppressed as it is.
The owner of the business, not worrying about the allegations he might face because of his illegal business was the first to be interrogated, that too on his own persuasion.
It not only made the things look out of order, but the things seemed complicated too as soon as he opened his mouth.
An eerie feeling made him horrified to the core, deluding that the malefactor would come for him next. But his statements gave no solid reasons for such fear.
A young man in 20s found dead at an underground illegal place.
The half naked corpse was found inside a bathroom stall, sitting on the closed lid of the throne.
A long metal rail stood notably on his head, which bathed in blood. Only because of it, was the corpse still sitting erect though leaned slightly to the left.
The forensic doctor frowned. The physics of boy's death didn't add up, leaving him puzzled.
The method again.
The method of murdering was odd almost as if the criminal had a quirk for arty corpses.
A look at the corpse was more than enough to know that.
More like a psychopath. Playing with their victims like art projects.
He proceeded to examine the corpse after it was taken out of the stall. Others inspected the scene which was devoid of any possible clues.
After a while, the doctor glanced at Jones who hadn't spoken till now. She seemed to be inattentive, even oblivious to his gaze which she would usually notice as soon as he peeked in her direction.
*****