Vendetta

The Poisoned Threads

Pov:- Edward harbour

The image of Jordi running across his room holding his newspaper is flowing through my head. Sometimes, I wonder if I have done the right thing, but whether it was right or not, the people of Salem deserve to know the whole truth. In uncovering that truth, I have just started my journey.

I am sitting in a quaint café with Fubao for a coffee he promised. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingles with the chatter of patrons around us. The sunlight filters through the large windows, casting a warm glow on the rustic wooden tables and vintage decor. Fubao, usually jovial, looks unusually tense today. When I reported the whole situation to him yesterday, he was very happy, but now he seems stressed. It must be the pressure from the police or even the mayor.

"Edward, look, I know you've done a great job, but this morning I got a call from the mayor. He wants me to drop you from the case. He was obviously not feeling well," Fubao says, rubbing his cigar on the ashtray. He leans back on the sofa and straightens up.

"So, you're telling me the mayor called you to remove me from the case just because I presented the truth to the civilians? What a bunch of losers." I take another sip of coffee.

"I know, I know this is going to be difficult, but I have decided to let you continue on the case. Bwahahaha. Boy, do you think I will back down just because the mayor told me to? No, I will not. Bwahahaaha."

I can clearly see the awkwardness in the whole café. This man is really a fun guy. People are literally staring at us. But still, wait, did he just say that he will let me continue?

"There's something else, Edward. I want you to go meet Katherine. She's the lab girl, quite brilliant and gorgeous too. You don't know her yet, but she's been working on this case and might have some crucial information. Report back to me after the meeting."

"Katherine? I haven't heard about her," I say, intrigued.

"She's been working behind the scenes, analyzing the evidence. Trust me, you need to talk to her."

Fubao glances at his watch. "I want you to leave now and go straight to her lab. Time is of the essence."

I nod, finishing my coffee. "Alright, I'll go meet her."

As I get up to leave, Fubao's usual jovial demeanor returns. "Good luck, Edward. Keep me posted."

Leaving the cozy warmth of the café, I step out into the brisk air of Salem. The city is alive with the usual hustle and bustle, but today, it feels different. Every face in the crowd, every sound in the street seems to pulse with the same sense of urgency I feel. I pull my coat tighter around me and set off towards the outskirts of town, where Katherine's lab is located.

The journey takes me through the heart of Salem, past the brick buildings and storefronts that define the downtown area. The streets are lined with vintage cars, and the air is filled with the distant hum of engines and the chatter of pedestrians. The further I walk, the more the cityscape changes. The tall, grand buildings give way to smaller, more industrial-looking structures. The air grows colder, carrying with it the faint scent of smoke and metal.

As I reach the outskirts of Salem, the environment becomes more rugged. The streets are less crowded, and the buildings here have a worn, almost neglected look. This part of town is a stark contrast to the bustling center, with its quiet, almost eerie atmosphere. The lab, situated at the edge of the industrial district, stands out against the bleak surroundings.

The lab is a large, utilitarian building with a brick exterior, its windows reflecting the dull grey sky. It looks out of place here, like a relic of a more industrious time amidst the decay. I push through the heavy wooden doors and enter the lobby, where the smell of disinfectant mingles with the faint odor of old paper. The receptionist, a middle-aged woman with glasses perched on her nose, directs me to Katherine's lab, located on the second floor.