Grounded
CHAPTER 16

Monte looked at her face as she was almost trembling before him. He knew how putting Ken under arrest had made everyone feel. There was intense silence in the Police department as Ken's arrest sent shivers down everyone's spine. Monte could not explain to them that the victim who had died was his wife and how he was sure that Ken had murdered her in the middle of the night.

"Anna, do you know when I got into this office?" Monte asked her, no ray of sunshine on his face; the hair on his head stood on ends like he had not been combing his hair.

"The twenty-ninth day of June, two thousand and twelve sir." She replied, her eyes focused on his.

"Very correct. Now, do you know how much time I have left to remain in this position?" he leaned forward looking at her sternly.

"Barely a week sir." She replied looking down at her feet.

"You are very intelligent; he said getting on his feet, pacing the length of the office; the very day I took up the mantle of leadership as Police Chief, a young beautiful woman by the name Gabrielle Daniels died. Do you remember?" he asked pausing to hear her reply.

"Yes, I do. She was murdered at night in an alley, battered, raped, mutilated and a single stalk of black rose was found in her hand." She replied closing her eyes as she recounted the details.

"Ever since then; Monte continued pacing the room, impressed with her reply; "we have been working tirelessly to bring the killer to book. We thought that was all he was going to do but he went on to kill more women, names?" he asked pausing again to look at her.

"Michelle Obrien and Samantha James were next, both killed in one night." She answered like an enthusiastic student who was in a revision class.

"What were the similarities in the death of these women?" he asked looking away and resuming the pace.

"They all had a single stalk of the rare black rose flower in their hands, they were all mutilated, raped and abused." She added with empathy.

"Good; a total of thirty-eight women, young and vibrant have been killed in the last three years." He said placing his hand on the table to get Anna's full attention.

"Yes sir." Anna replied, not sure of what to say.

"I am not a very strong believer in miracles, but I am a staunch supporter of justice. If for nothing, for the young women who lost their lives, we need to bring the suspect to book." Anna nodded her head as she listened on. She had never seen him look or talk like this since she had known him. They had both attended the Police academy together and she had watched him grow from position to position, watched him struggle alone until he got to where he was. He deserved to be Police Chief and she could understand his pain.

"I need you Anna, I can talk to you. I need you to work on the rose flower I obtained from Ken and I need you to run an autopsy on Lydia's body; the results need to come in as quickly as possible, put every other work on hold. I want every member of the Forensic department working hard on this case. We have just a week left; we must get it this time or die trying." He instructed.

"Are we working to prove that Ken is the suspect?" she asked avoiding his burning eyes. "No, yes...well, we are working to replace the suspect; no sentiments attached." He concluded as they heard a knock on the door. Anna rose to leave, opening the door for the one who seek to come into the office. She bowed a little when she saw Hazel at the door, he smiled at her in return. Hazel let Marie enter the office first and then walked in behind her closing the door lightly.

"Sir, Hazel spoke directing his conversation to Monte who was only barely listening; "Joan called, Gina's car has been found." He stated with a weak smile as she moved his glance to Marie who was comfortably seated. "That's good news put a call across to her to inform her. Close the case appropriately." He replied without any sign of excitement on his face.

Hazel nodded and exited the office, concerned about Monte's state of being.

"You ordered some hooligans to lock up Cadbury's place." She stated sternly waiting to see him deny it.

"How is that any of your business? I thought you have come here in respect of Lydia's death." He fired back adjusting his seat and dismantling his tie to release its gripping effect on his neck.

"I work there, you coward. I and other people live and pay our bills with the money we make from that place you have just shut down." She screamed at him and then stopped abruptly trying to recap what he had just said. "Did you just say Lydia's dead?" she asked him, her heart racing, her body was starting to feel weak. She rested her back on the chair and went silent immediately. She was not going to believe him, she waited for him to say it again. "The owner of Cadbury's Place was Mrs. Lydia Evans, according to this document I have with me. You told me she has not one relative; I can only let the business run if a member of her family comes forward to lay a claim to the property and if he or she agrees to let the business run. This has not happened so far; this means that the government has every right to all her properties, in assets and in cash. I'm very sorry Miss Marie." He said closing the file on his table and leaning forward with his hand on his cheek.

"Can I at least see her body?" She asked, her eyes welled with tears.

"No, for now. Her body has been deposited for an autopsy to be carried out. I would inform you of the possibilities of you coming to see her body in no time." He replied, "Thank you." She said soberly.

"Thank you for your cooperation Miss Marie. May God grant you the fortitude to bear this loss. If you ever replace a member of her family, let them know that her properties are still opened for inheritance; they could come with a proof from now until the next three months. This is the only way Cadbury's Place could ever be opened again." He explained as Marie made to exit the room. He hung his head in sadness, life had played a lot of games with him.