𝐏𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐦

CH6

Carlo's POV

2 weeks after we cracked the last case, we were given a new one. "3 weeks ago an elder man reported a lifeless male body thrown in a lake, police arrived at the scene and confirmed the information."

This seems familiar, could it be the same elder from a few weeks ago? I suspected. I left the office and made a quick call before entering my car. "Will, I'm going to inspect the body for the case we were given. If you arrive at the office check your email and come to the given address if you're able to." I told him, "Alright, got it." He replied in an overly tired voice.

I started my engine and got going. 54 minutes passed and I arrived. I walked up front to enter, "Badge?" the officer asked. I flashed him my badge "You're free to go." he permitted me to pass. The sensory doors detected my presence and extended.

"Detective Carlo, we were excepting you." She handed me a clipboard. "Hello," I greeted her as I signed on the clipboard. "Please, come this way." I follow her as she leads the way. She hands me latex gloves, "So far, the body has been untouched and only photographed." she puts on latex gloves as well before peeling off the white sheet that was masking the horror beneath it. "It was found in Lake Eacham, just a few weeks ago by an elder man."

I investigated the body, it had burn marks all over. The water caused further damage to it. What seemed to catch my eye the most was the deep hole in his chest. "Why is there a hole here? What caused it?" I asked. "There was a rose in that hole but, examiners removed it for testing. You know, DNA, fingerprints. But, I doubt we'll find anything because who knows how long this body was floating around in the water." A rose? So, the killer just stabbed a rose in his chest? Was it for fun or does it have a deeper meaning to it? I questioned the unusual act but, I had to further review the body before going into deeper details. His lower lip was ripped off, leaving his upper lip in the best condition out of his entire body. "I'll rotate the body now to check the back," I cautioned her, and she nodded. He was quite light because of his unfit body so it wasn't a difficult job to rotate him.

His back had deep scratches that sliced off his skin completely. "The cuts here still seem fresh, could be because of the water. But, I can see his "well-conditioned" skin still has wrinkles because of the water. This body has had its life taken away recently." I explained, then, I pointed at the hole in his chest. "About the rose, it could be a "symbol" or a clue to finding our killer. That's all I can guess for now, send me the photographs you took of this body."

"No problem, thank you, detective." she thanked me and repositioned the body in its original place and covered a new wrap of white sheet over it. I took off my latex gloves and proceeded to wash my hands. I pumped the soap and it fell on the palms of my hands. I washed them thoroughly and exited.

I walked to my car, opened the door, and got in. I checked my phone as it was on silent mode and I received 2 texts from Will 31 minutes ago. I opened my phone to read them.

The first text read Won't be able to make it, but, I'm in the office and about to check all the emails I received. My eyes hovered over to the next one, See ya.

I started the engine, which surprisingly worked on the first try, and drove away.