Falling...
The red river
Yuri
Hey, did you find out the information about the case Red river?
Asher
Not exactly, I couldn't figure out a profile for our murderer but I was able to find some really weird stuff about that place, it looks like it is not the first time that the river turns red and corpses start to float on it
The blue haired man sighs and get some photos to show to the woman
Asher
Here, there are photos taken in the first investigation and the ones we took a couple days ago for our research
The photo's content was a red river, in the middle of the forest, surrounded by pine trees and filled with corpses, all women with their throats ripped.
Yuri
That is terrifying, but at least we were able to identify a common factor among the victims
Yuri
They are all around their 20s and have short hair, also they look really fit and are wearing white dresses that turned red because of the blood
Asher
So maybe our subject is copying his obsession in the victims, maybe a college trauma?
Asher
In the histories I gathered by asking the people who live around this forest they say it all started after the spring in 1996 and every 5 years the same thing happens again, the river turns red and people die
Yuri
So it might be a work of a man around his 47 years old
Yuri
all starting with his girlfriend breaking up with him or cheating on him and the desire of revenge
Asher
It makes sense but still doesn't explain why the 5 years of waiting and the fact that why didn't he just kill her instead of doing this game?
Yuri
Maybe because she ran away before he could even try, she probably knew he'd try something
Yuri starts making a cup of coffee for herself
Asher
I'll go down the river again tomorrow to see what more I can find, will you come with me?
Yuri
Sure, I also need to do some outside research anyways
Asher
Great, I'll head home now, it is late, do you wanna a ride?
Yuri
No, I'll stay a bit more to review some documents, then I'll get a cab to go home
Asher
Okay, don't push yourself to much
Asher kisses her forehead head and leaves the room, Yuri jus sigh, tired after all the research she had to make
She walks to her office while drinking her coffee and starts to analyze again the bullet points in the big board, there should be something more, something she was letting pass by too easily
Yuri
C'mon...I need something more...
She whispered to herself when her eyes spotted a small photo in the corner of the board, this was one of the photos of the trees and ground around the river, there was a corpse, a purse, most likely the photographer 's one, but what really cached her attention was a little note laying down besides the victims corpse
In the note was written in a beautiful calligraphy "Where. Are. You? I need you." the note was written in a purple colored paper and if payed really attention we could notice the name "Black rose". The A million dreams no.1 enemy.
Yuri
What else didn't you tell me?...
Little did she know he was watching her...
Black Rose
Joshua
Misses Yoshikawa, what are you doing here so early?
The man with golden eyes and a kind smile asked, he was new in the investigation area, a really smart man of 24 years old.
Yuri
I was just organizing some paperwork yesterday and I think I fell asleep here, but that is not the point, I think I know something extra about our killer
Yuri smiled kindly at him and stood up to show the board with their investigation's bullet points and proofs
She points to the photo that she spotted yesterday
Yuri
Here, you see this little note? It is written here "Where are you?" so it looks like our Killer is looking for somebody, maybe an ex girlfriend or a bully who is alike the victims
Yuri
Also, if we pay attention, we can see that this note is in a purple paper and has the name black rose on it
Joshua
Okay, I think I know where you going, but if you're talking about the company Black Rose I think they went bankrupt a couple years ago, didn't they?
He asks after analyzing the photo
Yuri
Yes, but that's the thing, they just disappeared, all of sudden, a day after the news announced that they went bankrupt, their chairman and their co-CEO just disappeared, the employees, most of them, switched to work on the company A Million Dreams, what is weird because the black rose used to be the A Million Dreams No.1 enemies
Joshua
And some of the victims found were ex black rose workers and the A Million dreams 's Chairman assistant
Joshua walks around the office and starts to open the drawers until he finds some other paper work and put it on the table
Joshua
Here, we can see that before the Black Rose went to bankrupt their chairman had a fight and he threatened the A Million dreams chairwoman, who has short hair and is around her 20s
Joshua
Since then the chairwoman has practically disappeared of every social media and news, just like she never existed, also the company was passed to her best friend and Co-CEO
Asher
It makes sense but the Black Rose went bankrupt only 3 years ago and by what I found out, the Red River's killer have been in action since 1996
Asher says entering the office, he held a bag in his hands that he handed to Yuri
Asher
And you should stop sleeping in the office, you're not going to dream and find all the answers to the case here
Yuri
Sorry, I know, I was thinking of going home, but I had to organize some papers
Asher
I know I know, always the same excuse, anyways, lucky that you have a good husband who brings your clothes and makes coffee for you
Yuri
Thank you Honey, I'll get changed
Asher
You're welcome, the coffee is in the kitchen, you know
Yuri nods positively and leaves the room while Asher and Joshua stay trying to work with the new information
Asher
Well, we know that he must be looking for someone
Joshua
Do you think we should start interviewing some people for real today?
Asher
I think so, also Sam is coming back to work today so you'll meet him, he is one of our best detectives
Joshua
Sam?!You mean Sam Harrison the man who solved the midwife case?!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Joshua's eyes lightened up and he smiled in excitement
Asher
Exactly, well, everyone likes that old man
Sam
Who are you calling an old man, punk?!
The tall man, around his 40 years old enters the room with Yuri, his eyebrows frowened. Yuri was holding her laughter
Asher
I may be a punk but that doesn't make you any younger!
Sam
Yuri! Deal with your husband before I kill him!
Yuri
I have nothing to do with you kids, I'm working!
She laughs and take a sip of her coffee
Asher
Don't put my wife on this you old man!
Sam
I'm not talking to you!
Joshua murmurs with his eyes shining and a large smile
Yuri
You are such a fanboy aren't you?
Joshua
A little bit, I studied his book in college
Yuri
Cute, anyways, are we going to the river today?
Asher
Yes, now instead of just asking about the river's history we will make some official interviews
Yuri
Good, maybe we will gather some information to have a solid profile
Sam
Agreed, I'll just get my jacket and we can go
Asher
Hey, are you sure you okay with that?
Asher looks worried at Sam
Sam
I'm perfectly sure, so don't nag me
Sam smiles mocking Asher, the blue haired man just roll his eyes and ignores Sam, whom leaves the room
Joshua
So...can someone tell me why is he "back" and what happened for him to leave?
Asher
It is a long history kiddo, Sam might tell you sometime now let's go
Joshua
Don't call me kiddo, I'm 24 years old!
Yuri
A little baby for sure, now let's go
Yuri mocks Joshua and pinches his cheeks softly, then she takes her jacket with Asher and both of them leave the room
Joshua
I'm not a kiddo....
Joshua whispers annoyed to himself and then go after the other three, he wanted to know more about the red river as well
I got you
When they arrived at the River the smell of rottenness and death was strong, making they feel sick, Yuri held her breath for a couple of seconds, but soon letting it go when Asher held her hand.
Yuri
I'm okay, we're back for a reason, right? I don't have to deal with that anymore...
Asher
You're such a bad liar, well, I can't do anything about it anyways, that's actually good, I know that you would never trick me, mostly because you can't
She laughs and kisses his cheek
Asher
You love me and You know it, now let's get to work
He laughs and roll his eyes, but it don't get too long for them to go back to the professional look.
Joshua
I think I'm going to throw up....
Sam
Just don't do that on me, kiddo
Joshua
I'll just ignore that, anyways, other common fact between the victims is that they have only their throats ripped, not other wounds
Yuri
Well, if he is looking for someone, maybe that person lied to him?
Asher
That makes sense, so our subject might be someone with a broken heart, lied to, or at least, he thinks he was tricked by a woman that looks like our victims
Sam
We should go check on the bodies report later, but before it I think we should go make the interviews now, so we can see other points of view
Joshua
Ask question before the conclusions!
Asher
Did you just quote his book? Kiddo, this dumbass is good detective, I won't deny, but his book is boring as ****, how did you make it to the end?
Sam
And exactly Joshua, I always say that because...
Yuri
If you make all your conclusions first and ask questions later when someone's life is at stake they chances of being wrong are not worth the time that you could use trying to be precise and right
Sam
You learn fast, Yuri, That's why I like you
Asher
She is amazing isn't she?
Joshua
Yeah, I am still trying to figure out what spells you used to make her marry you
Asher
I'm sorry but I can't see your girlfriend here
Yuri
Asher, stop picking on the kid!
Asher
You see? Now she is angry
Joshua
It is not my fault that you are a bully
Joshua mocks making a little drama
Yuri
Yeah Yeah, now let's go, who is the first on our list Sam? I know you did your research before coming
Sam
Yes, I did, the first one in our list is Mister Elliott Hemsley, he is the one who told Asher the Red river story isn't he?
Asher
Yeah, he is really grumpy, around his 80s and has a really kind nurse who takes care of him
Yuri
Okay, where does he live?
Sam
House 67, the little farm right beside the forest
Joshua
Do you think we should start asking if he remembers of some college boy that was quite different in 1996?
Asher
I think so, I wanted to know more about the river but he refused since I didn't have my badge that day so wasn't an official interview
Asher
He also didn't like me
Sam
Oh what a surprise, what happens? The smirk smile or the rebel eyes?
Yuri
Did you bothered the man with your sarcastic comments?
Joshua
Or was the way you dress? Sometimes old people don't like to feel like they are being interrogated
Asher
Okay! You've made your point, people tend to don't like me at first, but you married me, you were my best man and you are a newbie, eventually you're going to like me
Asher defends himself pointing Yuri, Sam and Joshua in this order
Joshua
To be honest I already like you, you're fun and is a good detective
Yuri
Everyone loves you after meeting you dumbass, now let's go already
Asher
Okay okay, quit nagging me
Asher laughs lightly and Yuri rolls her eyes at him. The four of them walked for about thirty minutes until they get to Mister Hemsley.
Mister Hemsley 's house was quite small, the walls scratched, the painting fading and some vandalized parts with the quotes "You better die soon fucking old man" and "Why don't you go see your devil wife in hell already?"
Yuri
Well, it looks like someone really wanted him to die...
Asher
This wasn't here when I came yesterday...
Asher walks in front of Yuri, trying discreetly to let his body as a shield in front of her and with one hand on his gun.
Sam
Hey, lets not get ahead of ourselves, it may be nothing
Joshua
But still we never know
Joshua had his hand on his gun as well, shaking a little bit as he hated fights.
Yuri
I agree with Sam, it might be just some teenager disgusting prank, and Asher I know what you're trying to do so stop it right now, I know how to take care of myself
Asher
I don't fucking care, you could be 100 times my size I'd still be in front of you.
Asher
And, Sam, I'm not getting ahead of myself, this vandalism wasn't here yesterday and there's a broken window in the corner, also there's something red on the door handle
The blue haired guy indicates, that's one of the reasons why he was on the investigation team, he analysis everything in seconds, almost like a human scanner.
Sam
Okay...I'll go by the front with you, Joshua and Yuri go through the back, okay?
Yuri
No buts, I'll be fine, you know it
Asher
You better be careful, you too kiddo
Joshua
We'll be, you guys too
Sam
I can't promise anything
They followed Sam's instructions, but once they were inside the house, the scene was terrifying.
Mister Hemsley, an old man with his white hair and wheelchair, needing tubes to breath properly was with his head wide open.
The blood was everywhere in the wall behind him, the shooter was in front of him
Joshua turns away from the scene and throws up almost immediately
Yuri
Lets call the doctors to come here and start some search, we'll need some backup as well
Sam shows his phone while calling to the other for backup.
Yuri points to the wall full of blood, right in the corner, written in the blood.
Asher
Death to all liars...
Asher reads outloud, and that was the moment that they realized that they needed to hurry.
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