Sheriff Wilhem began munching on a donut that his assistant had laid out for him. "Mmm, chocolate frosted," he thought. Then he said to Deputy Tim, "Okay, we have a deceased minor and her swab tested positive for the DNA of two different men. Why would that happen?" Some might think it strange to be able to enjoy a pastry while investigating a murder, but a policeman's life was hardly normal.
Tim blurted out, "She had two boyfriends?"
"'K, that's one way. Give me another"
Tim paused. He frowned. "Two rapists?"
"Yeah, unfortunately, that could be. Any more?"
Tim replied, "Don't think so. Am I missing something?"
"What about one boyfriend and one rapist? And there's yet another possibility."
Tim was confused. "I guess if there can be 2 boyfriends or 2 rapists there could be one of each. But how could there be something else? Do you mean she was pregnant?"
Wilhelm became grave, "Negative. We'd have found a fetus. If it were just a short time along, it couldn't have left DNA. But think, women don't just have boyfriends and rapists."
"Sorry Wil, I'm blanking."
"Women have husbands." He smirked.
"C'mon, she was only 17. Who gets married that young?"
"In the state of Illinois, two minors can marry each other with the permission of their parents, 750 ILCS 5 slash 28." Wilhelm quoted from the state statute.
"Aren't there ways to tell from the body that it's rape? I've heard of 'signs of struggle," asked the deputy.
Wilhelm set his donut down on his desk as if for emphasis, "Signs of struggle do exist but they're open for interpretation. The biggest warning I'd offer is that some rape victims react by freezing in terror. In that case, the body won't look like anything happened but sex, even though it's really rape. Then, um, how can I put it? Some folks get down by pushing and shoving."
Tim was confused again, "Come again?"
"Tim, we've all seen movies where the girl tears the guy's shirt or the guy bites the girl's ear. Do you see how an ear bite like that might look like a sign of struggle?"
"Oh my God. Ha," Tim hid his mouth to stop from giggling.
-----
Julius had secrets. Few people knew why he showed up to school an hour before the first bell. His parents thought he was being responsible and making sure he wasn't tardy. They didn't really think about how he didn't need a whole hour if he just wanted to avoid being late. Some kids thought he was just a nerd. He drew some anime characters so he kinda fit the nerd clique. It made sense he might use that quiet time for drawing. A few kids were like that.
Way down on the list of reasons for Julius arriving to school early was the real reason: drug trafficking. It's almost common knowledge now that Adderall is very similar to some street drugs used as stimulants. Julius genuinely needed to take Adderall because when he didn't he couldn't keep his eyes open after lunch. He had three classes after lunch so that wouldn't work. It was very important that Julius get Adderall so his doctor made sure to prescribe enough to keep Julius from running out. But, if you think about it, a school calendar is a bit erratic. In February, there are only one or two days off in the month. On a day off, Julius could have a nap after lunch and be okay. But in December, there are ten days off. Julius had a doctor who didn't take this into account and just prescribed an Adderall for every day. Julius made himself a little bank of the Adderall he didn't use.
YOU ARE READING
Aurora, Illinois
Mystery / ThrillerIt starts with a shocking crime. Kids at the local high school collapse into grief. The police try to unravel the mystery, but this one may be more than they can handle. Meanwhile, criminals are bringing drugs and sex workers into a town that can't...