The Past : Part 1

Prologue

'Miss Danielle, Mason's been looking for you. Just meet him before going home, will you?' The receptionist said.

'Sure Stella I 'll just go and see him' I replied.

I don't know what it is that mason wants from me. After the heated argument we had yesterday I thought we were way past any humane interaction. But I guess he won't stop pushing my limits. I walk over to the lift, get inside and press twelve. That's where his office is. As soon as I reach there I directly walk towards his cabin ignoring his secretary. She's a bit 'attitude girl' and I like to ignore her as much as I can.

I knock at the door, 'Come in. ' Mason calls out.

'What is it? Why did you wanted to talk to me ?' I said immediately after stepping into his office.

'Hey to yourself Danielle, how are you?' He said.

'That's not why you asked for me. Let's get to the point mason, what is it?' I said.

'Well since you are so hell bent on getting to the point, I'll tell you directly. There's a new assignment for you.'

'A new assignment? After everything we talked about yesterday you still gave me a new assignment?'

'The board decided that this is best for you. Here's the file with all the details related to the assignment and you can get going on it.' He said pointing towards the blue file on his desk.

'I am not taking any new assignment. I am going to complete my previous one that is the Lanoy murder case. And that's my final decision.'

'Danielle that case is a dead end. It's been four years and there's still not a strong lead on it. We can't allow you to waste your as well department's time on such a case.'

'I know there's not much progress on it but I know that we'll find something. I know there much more to it than we are assuming.'

'I don't care what is there and what is not, I just know that this case needs to be closed.' He said firmly.

'That's not fair every one in the lanoy family needs to know the truth. And honestly speaking it's been a long time since I started working on it and it's high time I get some closure.' I could feel my temper rising.

'I'll tell you what's fair. You accepting the fact that there nothing else to this then what already have been told. And moving on with a new case that the board has assigned to you.'

'After yesterday's argument and today's talk between us I have lost all my hopes that you'll ever understand me.'

'Not that all your hopes have been lost would you please pick up this file and start working on it as soon as you can.'

'Mason think about it again. May be there still a lot to be found in Lanoy's case.'

'The decision's been already made. I am sorry Danielle but this is how it ends.'

As soon as those words left his mouth I couldn't take it anymore and so I left the cabin. How can people be so insensitive and not caring about how they are denying some family the right to know the truth about their daughter's murder.

The lanoy case have been the toughest case I've ever had. There were no leads no clues no evidence about the murderer. Just a dead body of a nineteen year old girl found on her bedroom floor clad in blood. I still remember her innocent face and the blood that surrounded her. 'Someone hit her on her head and she died due to internal bleeding.' Doctors had said. But there were other injuries as well her body had been slashed in various places and this was the cause of blood on the floor. That's it, this is what we've known for four years now. We couldn't find anything else. Probably that's the reason why the department wants to close the case or have closed it already. But I know that no justice have been served.

I am Danielle Ashton, investigative officer, Intelligence Bureau. And till justice is not served I won't ever stop working on this case even if the department doesn't allows me to. I was handed over this case two years back when the earlier officer backed out. And now there's no way I am leaving it.

With that thought I looked at the blue file in my hand. I decided I'll work on both the cases. I scanned through the file, it was a state bank robbery case, many high profile people had there accounts in it. Now get it why it's so important. Anyways there's a lead when the file says that a factory worker might be involved. I'll just have to go look at the factory.

Technically I should be taking my partner with me but since no one else has been assigned to this case I have to handle it on my own. So I exit the Bureau and just hop in my car. I give the directions to the GPS and when I am all set I start driving to my site. I hope I get another lead soon.

After half and hour I reached the place. There has to be some mistake in the file because this is not a factory I was expecting. This was surely a factory but a very damaged one and I guess was shut down few years back. But the file said the factory is a leading producer of cement then how is this possible.

I look around and try to find something that might help me. But no clue to be found. I thought I should confirm it with someone at the bureau. And just when I took out my cell phone to make a call someone grabbed me from behind and tried to strangle me. When I resisted and looked back there was a man who had a mask on his face and just as I was about to punch him, someone hit me on the back of my head and I started to loose consciousness.

There was a total blackout and my eyes closed.

When I opened my eyes the first thing I saw was a delusional face. I couldn't recognize it as my eyes were still trying to acknowledge the surroundings. When finally I could see properly I immediately tried to stand up and due to weakness was about to fall when the delusional face which was not so delusional anymore caught me in his arms. I knew who he was.

'Ryan' was all could manage to say before I fell unconscious again. Everything faded.