There are always a few people whom you might have a bad impression. For me, they are police. The amount of corrupt officers I have met and incompetent ones especially is just way too much. If it comes to trust, I might trust everyone but police just straight up no.

But the people I hate the most are people involved in forensic research. Not because they are bad at their job but instead because now rarely people need detectives. It's been more than 2 years since I have worked on any murder case. DNA analysis is just so good that I don't even think I can commit a crime and not get caught.

It was autumn of 2021, I was moving from London to Paris, my hometown. It was then I got a call from one of my colleagues in the National Crime Agency, Mr David Williams. He asked me to meet in his office. As I still had 6 days to move, I decided to give him a visit.

"Oh thank you Steve, you are really the most reliable person I know. Sorry you have to come, especially you must be busy shifting right now", he said when I reached there in the evening.
"It's fine Mr David. Let's discuss the reason for calling me here."

"Oh ,umm it's regarding my niece Jessica . Eight years ago, she was murdered...", he said with a low tone and sad expression, "She was married and even had a baby in her womb. Her corpse was discovered in a small lake located in the outskirts of the city."
"I am really sorry for what happened to Jessica. Do you have the forensic and investigation reports."
"Yes I have, wait let me show you, " he pulled out some files from his drawer, "Here they are. Have a look Steve."
I briefly read the forensic report first...

...Jessica Carter, 29, female, 5-6 months pregnant, died because of brute force trauma, hit with a heavy object on head several times, died 27 days prior to discovery of her body, bruises on arm, legs and face, marks of an attempted choking on neck, skin was deformed due to water...

"I don't understand Mr David, why are you telling me all this now, when this case was already solved 8 years ago", I said after reading the report.
"Steve, it's because the person who was previously accused of the crime, Thomas Owen, may not be the actual one…”

While he was saying this, I was just thinking how poorly did they investigate?

He continued, “...His mother has got some evidence which may lead to something. I have made a promise to her that this time, there won't be any mistake. That's why I have called you.”

I stayed there for a few more minutes asking other details about the case but out of that, most of the talk was just about his new rifle.

Next morning I went to meet victim Jessica’s neighbor Edward Scott. According to me, he is definitely the most interesting character in this whole murder plot. Edward has a long history of treatment for mental illness and his excess alcohol consumption. His every statement in court is invalidated because of this. But still he knows a lot and without him there is no investigation to begin with.

His wife opened the door and I told her that I want to meet Edward. Even when he came he was still holding a beer bottle.
“Hello Edward, It's Steve Lenoir from NCA. I am here to investigate about murder of Jessica Carter.”
In a harsh and drunk voice, he said,”What is use of that, umm Mr Steve? No one is gonna believe me anyways.”
“You are right. But only you are the one who saw what happened on the night of 17 July 2014. You remember it clearly isn't it.”

“Sir, I can forget my wedding anniversary but I can never forget that day. I was drinking till late that night. I could hear some fighting noise that day coming from her house earlier. Mainly Jessica and her husband screaming and arguing. I thought it's fine, in every house people fight. But I really regret that ignorance…”

“... Around 3 am, I heard a very cold scream from Jessica. She was running from her house. And her husband, he had an axe in his hand. I am telling you, he is one of the ugliest demons, who does not even regret killing his pregnant wife and his child…”

© Dark_Flinch