THE INEVITABLE

CHAPTER 3: One Step Closer

A confused and frustrated Alex, calmed down and was ready to listen. The blood that boiled with rage, had settled down on hearing what John said.

"A vague idea huh? And what would that be?", asked Alex.
"I said that I have a vague idea. I need more details. I'll investigate the place and let you know if anything comes up. Meanwhile, it would be helpful if you investigate all possible suspects. Both business and personal. Staying here is only gonna make things worse." said John.
"Fine. I hope we solve this as soon as we can. I'm looking forward to have a TALK with the killer." said Alex, and put on his badge.

Just then, entered officer Parker. Parker was a young officer and was liked by friends and colleagues alike. He was 5'6", hair, greener than the meadows, and black eyes, that were as cunning as a fox.

"Hello officers. I'm officer Parker, assigned by the chief to help you with the case. It's an honor to work with you both. Hope we could get along".

"The honor is ours, officer Parker. It would be helpful if you could coordinate with officer Alex and investigate the suspects. I'll take care of this place. I'll be sure to notify any developments.", said John.

He saw both of them leaving the crime scene. He was lost in thoughts, just when his phone rang.
"Detective John. This is Harrison speaking. Did you get any leads regarding the case?"
"No solid leads yet sir. But I'll be meeting you with information before night falls."
"I'll be looking forward to that. I want a report of the details and status of the case when you come." said Harrison, as he finished speaking.

"First, the hand size. There is a bloody hand print on the wall. It could either be the killer's, or the victim's.", John spoke to himself.

He measured the hand size in the wall. Then, he called Paul  from the forensic team to come and collect the blood sample from the crime scene. Paul has been in service for four years now. He collects and reports blood samples to the forensic HQ. Even though his job was simple, he did it efficiently. He also earned enough money, as he was also selling second hand motorcycles as a side business.

Paul arrived within thirty minutes, and fully scrapped the blood from the wall. He was then leaving the crime scene with the blood, in his new bike.

"Why do you come to crime scenes in your bike? Didn't the department give you one ?" asked John.
"They did. But it was too slow and fuel consuming. So I returned it and bought my own bike. But yeah, as I have a private vehicle, and not the one actually assigned to me. So, I've got to park it outside the forensics HQ, and go in, report, and then get the bike inside. Everyone in the department knows about my new bike. It has been over a month since I bought this darling! Where were you the past month?" asked Paul.

"I've been working. The recent increase in the number of murders makes sure that I don't get any breaks to even come to the station. I've only been coming there to meet the chief, ask about the next case, meet Alex, go with him to the crime scene. Eat, sleep, Crack the case. Repeat." said John.
"You take care. I'll be leaving now. I have to report this sample for testing, as soon as I can.", said Paul.

After Paul left, John compared the hand size found in the crime scene, with Raymond's hand size.
They did not match.
"Bingo!", he said, as he had Just found the killer's hand size.

"Now, for the second clue.", he was talking with one of the most intelligent humans he'd ever seen. Himself.
"The camera shows the recording, while the killer comes to stab Raymond. In the next recording, he's gone and Raymond's dead. But what caught my eye, is the painting in the wall. When the killer walks in, his head and the top of the painting are parallel. So, his height can be measured with this. To put it in simple terms, the distance between the ground and the top of the painting, is the killer's height.", concluded John.

"Damn! It's late. I have to report to the chief. "

Within thirty minutes, he was standing in the chief's office, reporting the status of the case.
"So, the solid leads we have now are the killer's height, and his hand size. Any other news?" asked Harrison.
"I've got another lead, that I noticed before leaving the crime scene sir. A lead that would bring us more closer to the killer. "