𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐌𝐞 𝐀𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞 ❦ (𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐝)

Chapter 13

I'm wondering what news Leo got for me. He is the key to obtaining more info on Taylor.

"Have you got anything on George Taylor, Leo?" I ask him with a confident smile once we meet in the usual café, yet he only pouts at me.

"Not really."

My smile drops and I start getting concerned. "Isn't he a police officer? Why can't you find any information on him?"

"Well, to be honest, nothing good..."

I sigh. "Please go straight to the point, Leo."

"Let's put it that way. We already know that Taylor was Bryar's partner, and that he died in the line of duty. Normally, I should be able to check Taylor's personal archives for info or look for Taylor's name on the police memorial. But none of these have anything on Taylor!"

My eyes widened as my concerns are confirmed. "But, officer Bryar told me-"

"From what I know, we have no reason to believe that he lied. I can only conclude that Taylor's death is part of something bigger," Leo states gloomily.

"Isn't that obvious, though? And I thought you had perceptive things to tell me..."

"I can't help it!" Leo defends. "There is not enough evidence. But I did manage to make an old officer talk. He told me about a peculiar tradition in the police. Corrupted of criminal police officers never receive any medals."

I frown deeply. Was Emily's father involved in police corruption?...Was the mafia involved?

"I see. Thank you, Leo!"

"My pleasure. I love doing business with you! I can't wait for you to ask for my services again, this little investigation of yours is getting interesting." He smirks.

As I walk home, I think about the next step of my investigation. The lead of Bryar and Taylor is getting cold. I can only focus on the owner of this car's license plate... I decide to follow the plan I talked about with Ekaterina. I am going to sneak into the Weller pharmaceutical factory and look for the car.

I learnt from Ekaterina that the workers don't wear a uniform, but I should still put on comfortable clothes for this job. I put on some big leather boots, brown plaid pants, a shirt topped with a warm scarf, shoulder straps and an ivy cap. I hope that everything will be okay...

It's already midnight. The streets around the factory are particularly quiet. There is no one to watch the backdoor but the portal is shut by heavy, metallic doors. It looks like I'm going to have to climb...

Ow! I rub my achy butt and get the map I drew out of my pocket. The night is on my side, I am a shadow among shadows and the threatening, dark shapes of the facilities around me. There is some lightning though, either piercing from large windows or falling from very high, metallic lamppost that make me feel dizzy and a bit threatened. The atmosphere is eerie, the dusty yard is a bit too calm, like an empty stage.

Alright, Gerard, focus. First, the parking lot.

I jog to the parking lot. The crunching that faintly rise with every step I take makes me anxious. The silence is concerning. I feel like danger is awaiting at any corner.

There are very few cars in the parking lot. It should be easy.

I examine the license plates and... Is it the one I'm looking for? The numbers match! I'm lucky!

I bring my face close to the window of the car so as to look inside, determined to know more about its owner. Nothing... What should I do? Wait until tomorrow and come back?