Michael- The Punished
I arrived at the headquarters at around 8:30 in the morning. The clouds were dark and grey and my vision was blurry because of the heavy falling of snow. Arriving inside the lobby, I wasn't greeted by many people. I ignored it.
I guess some old stories refused to die.
I went to the small three person office, where my co-workers were, already hard at work.
"Did you talk to her?" I asked, as soon as I walked in, getting the attention of Darian Henderson and Leroy Benedict.
"We did." Darian answered. "She came by yesterday."
"Her friend, Kieran, also showed up." Leroy said. "I guess he must've came for moral support. Darian was the only one that questioned her, though. I just watched from the other end."
"I see." I said, taking my seat at the table. I took out my laptop from my bag, logging in. "What information did she give us?" Darian scanned his notes.
"She and her brother had a good, normal relationship. However, after Kashan's murder, Rehan mostly kept to himself. After Kashan's case was closed, due to lack of evidence, Rehan eventually confided in her that he's been stressed due to the gaps in his memory. He wrote Samaira and Iyaat Mansoor a note, and left home. Samaira told me that he's never contacted her since."
Leroy hands me a sheet of paper.
"Here's what Samaira told Darian about the note Rehan left."
I read and analyzed the words:
Samaira & Iyaat,
After knowing what Kashan meant to you, I cannot watch the two of you suffer because of me. One day, I promise to come back, to fill your grieving hearts with love and hope again. But until then, I will have to make a silent departure into the cold waters of the unknown. Know that I will always treasure the memories shared with you, that were filled with love and happiness, and that I will never forget the generosity you all have shown me.
Love,
Rehan
"What does 'But until then, I will have to make a silent departure into the cold waters of the unknown' mean?" I asked.
"I'm not sure." Leroy said. "Samaira said she had no idea either."
"Well, this doesn't give us much of a lead." I said, leaning back in his chair. "We're still at square one."
"I still fail to see how Rehan is connected to all of this." Darian said. I remained silent, thinking.
They didn't understand.
Earlier this week, a journalist was found dead in her home. Murdered, to be exact. Her apartment was trashed, lots of her work stolen. But, that wasn't the intriguing part of the case. Next to the body, was a black rose. And tied to the stem, was a cardstock tag that had a cursive M symbol. There was only one flower shop that I can think of that matched the description.
The Mansoor's flower shop.
It was connected. I knew it. The black rose symbolized revenge, hatred.
I knew it was going to be hard, but I went to the FBI and managed to persuade them into letting me investigate the journalist's death, and reopen Kashan's case.
"We found evidence that Ms. Bailey Hart was investigating the murder of Kashan Mansoor." I said. "According to her friends and family, she was planning on publicly releasing the information in her next news story. But a day before it's released, she's mysteriously murdered, and most of her work is stolen. The killer only left the generic information, the stuff the FBI already knows."
"So?" Darian asked.
"So, this gives Rehan the perfect motive. He would've wanted to kill Ms. Hart because he didn't want any new information that she found to be released. If she did, then everyone would know that he killed Kashan Mansoor four years ago."
"Rehan killed Kashan?" Leroy asked. "That's quite the accusation."
"Rehan certainly has a motive, but we shouldn't assume things." Darian said.
"Think about it." I said. "Rehan hasn't been heard from in four years. He would've wanted anything the journalist found that incriminated him to be destroyed."
"Even though those accusations are quite incredible, Michael may be onto something." Leroy said. "We can't deny that Ms. Hart's murder is connected to Kashan's murder." He examines a picture of the crime scene, one where the rose was present, comparing it with pictures of the Mansoor flower shop. "The tag on the rose had the symbol of the Mansoor's flower shop."
"Black roses symbolize hatred and revenge." Darian said. "Maybe the killer is trying to send a message?"
"It's possible that the killer wanted to get rid of incriminating evidence and also send a message about wanting revenge."
It seems like something Rehan would do, considering the circumstances.
"Why do you think that Rehan murdered Kashan in the first place?" Darian asked, after a while.
"Let's just say," I said. "He has a very good reason to want him dead."
YOU ARE READING
Mandate
Mystery / Thriller"Everyone has a story to tell," He finally starts. "A wise person once told me that. He used to say, 'Son, everyone you meet in life has a story to tell. People will always describe themselves as heroes, but it's the things they do that will determi...
