The Burnt Rose {Ongoing}

- Chapter 4 -

*Third person POV*

The same afternoon, as planned; the two officers met at their local hangout; the Greenacre park. They sat at a wooden table by the relaxing waterfall as Cara handed Joe his usual : A boiling caramel macchiato. She took a sip of her warm hot chocolate while Joe gave her a heads up on the latest information about the case. He couldn't wait to share the contents of the report with Lance.

" I met with the coroner's team at the Flatiron...", Cara looked at him with hopeful eyes... he continued, "And guess what ? BINGO !", he had that triumphant look on his face, and before Cara could shoot her question, he proceeded "New clue. We might have one of the criminal's intials... The Coroner has discovered a strange mark on Irina's nape... It's shaped like an M, and what's best is that the same shape..." he took out some evidence and checked the previous murder photos, "...the same letter is there on the back of their necks. The coroner thinks that the marks are the result of the exerted pressure of the strangulation, most probably a ring on the murderer's finger. Here, take a look at the report! ".

" Well done, detective Petrucci !" , cheered Cara. 

They spent all their afternoon at the park discussing theories about the case as well as other updates.

They later went home to have their weekly movie marathon while eating Chinese, m&m's, and drinking beer... 

***

Early afternoon, they made their way to the Chrysler's building, where Irina had worked in a Russian-owned international trading company. With hope of gathering further information from her coworkers, they entered the offices on the seventh floor and were welcomed by Irina's boss, Mr. Vladimir Polovich.

"I know what your first question would be" he said. "How come an average employee in this enterprise such as Irina gets to be a guest at the Waldorf? Well, let me tell you about Irina Yanckovich. She comes from a very wealthy family in Moscow. She has been educated in prestigious European schools in England and Switzerland, and completed her university degree in Lausanne."

He continued: "She just works here to pass the time, when she comes to the States. In fact, her father owns the company." He started crying: "Look at me... I'm still talking about her in the present tense... However, I want to assure you that she's not the type to fool around or get in trouble. What a bad luck that her road should cross with a mass murderer".

"Did you notice any change in her behavior recently?", asked Joe.

"On her last visit three months back, she seemed to be very upset; it looked like something was bothering her. When I tried asking, she told me it was a personal matter she didn't want to discuss" answered the manager. "But I think she was having trouble with Anatoly..., Anatoly Wolopov, her fiancé." 

This is interesting news, thought Joe.

"Do you mind if we ask a couple of questions to some of your staff?" requested Cara. "And we would also need the list of your employees."

The manager led them to a spacious hall filled with low height partition offices. They proceeded with the interrogation but got no important information, except for a unanimous opinion that Irina was a lovable down-to-earth lady, and that her fiancé was unworthy of her. They checked inside Irina's drawers, and found nothing but meaningless documents. Once their investigation was over, the detectives thanked Mr. Polovich and were about to leave when he said hesitantly: "One more thing: Saturday, the night she arrived to New York, Irina phoned and told me that she had some terrible news to share. I insisted that she informed me about what was happening, but that was no matter to be disclosed over the phone, she said. For that, Irina would meet me the next day and dine together at Toni's Grill. Unfortunately, she never made it."

In the car, Cara checked the 20-name list: Mikhail, Minkov, Munkin...A total of seven with first or last names starting with an M.  

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ThANkS fOR ReaDiNG AgAIn ! 

HOpE YOu EnJoYED !!

DoN'T bE A SiLEnT ReaDer, ComMeNT aND VoTE PLEASE !!!!

(pretty please with a cherry {or strawberry} on top)

Thanks Again !!!!!!!

- Love, Michelle and Tala. (12.04.16)