The Deadly Dance

Chapter 2: Day Two

I awakened to my phone ringing. Dr. Jones, I see displayed across the brightly lit screen. I answer. "Hello?" I questioned. "Hello, Detective Emma, I'm calling to inform you that I'm at Ravens Peak. He pauses then whispers, "A body has been found..." He hangs up and texts me the location of the crime scene.

I get a ride from Parker to the location. The victim was found in the lake down the hill from the manor. Unlike all of the other victims, this body was of a seven-teen-year-old male. His body is soaked in both blood and water. His eyes glued open with a lifeless look to them. I frown. Who would have predicted that the murders would start on the first night of the celebration? I look at his face, familiarity crawls across my skin. The victim is Dillion Beaker, the grocery store owner.

My heart aches. Why would someone do such a thing to a kid? He had his whole life ahead of him. I felt bad for his family. "I'm going to visit the boy's family; maybe they may know something." Dr. Jones gives me a nod of approval. After looking up Dillon's home address I leave.

Once I arrive, I knock on the door. It takes a few seconds, but the door opens. I was greeted by a young girl, around seventeen. "Can I help you?" she asks seemingly tiredly. "Yes, are you a relative to Dillion Beaker?" I asked. She responds. " Yes, I'm Lucy, Dillion's girlfriend." "I hate to be the barrier of bad news but, Dillon Beaker... He was found dead this morning."

She dropped to her knees, sobbing. "It can't be true." I hear her whisper. I knelt to her. "I know you need time to process this, but we believe that your boyfriend was murdered. So I would like to ask you a few questions. If that's okay with you?" She stays silent for a while, still processing the fact that her lover has been taken from her.

"Yes... I'm willing to answer any questions you have." I nod at her words. Lucy invites me inside. " Make yourself at home." I sit on the couch while she's making some coffee; she brings the mugs into the living room once finished. She then takes a seat beside me. "Can you tell me a little bit about Beaker?" She takes a sip of her coffee and places it on the table before us.

"Dillon was a hard worker; he would work late some nights. He always wanted to move to the city and become a detective... With all the women going missing or killed, he was determined to put an end to it. I was against it. Last night he told me that he was going to Raven's Peak Manor to investigate... We had a small disagreement, and then he left. He must have found something. The victims are all female." Lucy explains, In tears once again.

"I'm sorry for your loss, Lucky. I can't even imagine the pain you must be in but I swear I will bring the murderer to justice." At my words, I thank her one last time and go on my way. Walking down the street, I make it to my aunt's carols. I smell her famous chili. I walk into the house. Ella greets me with a hug only to be interrupted by my Aunt Carol.

"We need to talk." She claims. I gulp. When she uses that tone of voice, it's always something serious. "Tiger and I have noticed you leaving In and out of the house constantly. You've been here for only two days. You know there is a murderer on the loose, yet you still leave?" Aunt Carol proclaims I let out a sigh, knowing this day would come; I just didn't expect it so soon.

"I'm a detective. Another detective is working with me. he only arrived today." There was a long pause, and then Aunt Carol spoke. "Well, it's about time they sent someone to catch that murderer; if it's you, I know he or she will be brought to justice." I smile. I was prepared for her to yell at me about how dangerous it was. " Yeah! We're here if you need us! We have your back, Emma!!"Ella jumps into my arms with another caring hug.

I can't help but feel grateful to Ella and Aunt Carol for supporting me. "Thank you!" I say, pulling away from Ella's hug. "Now how about dinner, Rosebud? I know you're hungry." She says, pouring chili into a bowl. "Starving," I respond.