Grounded
CHAPTER 4

Monte sat on the office chair in his cold office, facing the window and backing the door; he was lost in so many thoughts. He had been the Police Chief for over three years and was still running around the same case that himself and the entire crime department found very difficult to resolve. He had a few more months left before his replacement; he dreaded the idea of having to shamefully leave his position for someone else due to incompetence, but he barely had a choice, this was the rule of service. He probably would have been doing better at his job if his wife had not left him, taking their only son with her. He had a good life and planned on perfecting it by retiring from service at an old age; he thought he had a good wife too until he returned from work one day to replace his home empty; she was gone, so was his son, their clothes and many of her personal effects. He searched everywhere for a note, a clue as to why and how they left; he ordered every department to search the whole city, he prayed, he called her phone day and night; all his efforts proved futile. He shut the case down six months after their disappearance; it was ruining his job and concentration.

He jerked back to reality when he heard a knock on his door, he swirled his Italian made chair around to face the door; "come on in." he said hesitantly. "Ken” Monte called, casually rubbing his palms together and then gently pointing to the seat in front of him. Ken sat down and smiled at Monte. "Good morning sir; you don't look alright, is there a problem?" Ken asked showing concern.

Monte shook his head lightly and rubbed his eyes; he then took a deep breath and looked at Ken again.

"There have been news concerning the homicidal maniac_"

"Has he been found?" Monte asked throwing himself forward in a bid to get closer to Ken in spite of the office table that clearly stood between them.

Ken kept a straight face for a few seconds and they both broke into a soft laugh; each one trying to out-laugh the other.

"Okay, okay; I need to be serious and I know it, but I've been waiting for such a long time for him to get caught." Monte said.

Ken smiled a little; "he attacked another woman last night; I know it is another terrible news but look on the bright side, the woman survived the onslaught."

Monte's eyes shone crystal bright from the news, he rested his back on the chair waiting to hear more.

"She lost some teeth and broke her ankle; I tell you it is not a pretty sight." Ken added.

Monte leaned forward again, obviously tired of listening; "when do we bring her in for questioning?" Monte asked anxiously.

"Sir, this young woman is the first one in three years to survive the murderous assault; I think we need to take our time, allow her recover completely." Ken suggested.

"We don't have time for all that; Monte added immediately, getting off his chair and slowly pacing up and down the room; "we need all the information we can get as soon as possible; as we speak, I bet the killer is out there looking for another victim to murder. Our speed matters a lot."

He stopped pacing and turned to look at Ken.

"I know this sir, but we need to also consider the emotional trauma the victim must have gone through; we can only get full and entirely truthful replies if she is mentally stable and physically well." Ken added. Monte heaved a sigh; Ken knew he had won him over.

"Alright; Monte replied returning to his seat; "I'll give her three weeks, after then, we are bringing her in." he concluded.

"Anna from forensic department is already working on the evidence recovered from the crime scene." Ken added.

"The usual evidence, a single stalk of black rose." Monte said expecting Ken's reply to be in the affirmative.

"We found a ring at the crime scene too; it had a symbol of the rose on it." Ken explained looking at the expression of surprise on Monte's face.

"I'll be down at the forensics department to see things for myself then; we're finally heading somewhere." Monte added with a smile of contentment.

"Okay sir." Ken added, arising from his chair to take his leave.

The office landline rang, and Monte took the receiver promptly; "Office of the Police Chief." He said to the caller.

"Sir, Andrew Casterly was spotted at Vine Street, Downtown, trying to snatch a lady's purse this morning but there was no sign of the missing vehicle; "we are bringing him in." The caller stated briefly. Monte closed his eyes very tightly and then opened them again; he was tired.

"Thank you, Hazel; he should be restrained when he gets here. Relay this message to Ken." Monte replied.

"Yes sir."

"One more thing Hazel, did you hear about the woman who was brought in today; a victim of the homicidal assault?" he asked, hoping he had heard something.

"Yes, I did." Came the quick reply.

"Where is she currently receiving treatment?" He asked again.

"The station's infirmary sir. I think Doctor Reynolds is in charge of her case." Hazel replied.

"Have you set your eyes on this woman?" Monte continued interrogating him.

"No, I haven't." Hazel replied much slowly this time.

"How do you know so much?" Monte asked surprised.

"You've forgotten I am the man at the station's front desk, I know everything." He chuckled as he replied, Monte broke into a short laugh and placed the receiver back at its spot on the table. Monte felt a ray of sunshine light up his heart; he had been waiting a long time for a moment like this to come. It had been exactly three years and five months that the young women of Downtown were being terrorized by the same homicidal maniac. The killer was in a habit of defiling his victims, which were usually young women and inflicting various kinds of injuries harmful enough to kill the victims at the end of the onslaught. He was also in the habit of placing a rare black rose on the bodies of each of his victims at the end of every attack. This was the first time in over three years that a victim was brought in alive. Monte needed to bring the killer to book; it would mean justice for the victims who had lost their lives and above all, it would mean that he would get to retain his position as the Police Chief, and this was very paramount to him.