The Last Hunt

V

  After a tasty filling meal, l am in my room thinking. The statement l made this evening was a bit quick. As l've learned in my long career, you should never take a decision in a moment. I shouldn't exclude Mr. Ion Pârjol. Who knows what lurks down inside that greasy creature. With the aspect of a bulldog, you wouldn't expect him to do such a horrible thing, but sanity is a fragile thing. Maybe his brother's death affected him. Maybe l was wrong... Ah, l hate doubting myself.

  But before considering the reason, l have to see what kind of person is my murderer. First of all, he knows how to skin, how to clean a skull and how to tan a skin. Haven't l told you? The skin was preserved with some chemicals. Very well, this can include hunters and taxidermists.

  Now the actual murder. My victim died because of stabbing in the back of the head. He was either surprised of unable to move. About those shots, you can argue they were made so the killer could make sure Popa is dead, out of pure anger or as a decoy.
What was that?....Oh, just my phone! I wonder who texts me so late at night. I look at the clock: 1am

  "Hi, Mr. Trapper. Georgescu here! I wanted to tell you that l analized the scraches our weapon left on the skull, and l found some splinters. So, the weapon was a wooden sharp tool"

  Interesting...What could have been? A stake? Most likely...
  The stab is very precise, l doubt it could have been a long stake. It must have been a close range stab. But Mr. Popa was a big muscular man. The killer must have been a man to fight him. Mr. Szabó is muscular enough, even if short and a bit hunped, to fight someone that size. Mr. Iona is tall and could have killed Mr. Popa easy. As for Mr. Pârjol and Mrs. Ecaterina it's hard to imagine they could have done it, since their physic is too weak. But what if...yeah yeah! Maybe my victim wasn't able to fight! Maybe he was druged! This can put Ecaterina and Pârjol back on the list.

Moonlight Sonata is heard again. 2 am. Who is it? I look on the screen and the name "Sarah" is shown. Hm, a quick break would be good
-Hello, darling!
-Hi, Charlie! Do you got a good time in Romania?
-I had. Now l am involved in a creepy case
-Oh my! What is it?
-A hunter slaughtered in the forest. Skinned and beheaded. His body is nowhere
-Good Lord...that's horrifying! Do you got any clue about the body?
-No. It could be rotting somwhere around here, or who knows what this madman did with it
-Do you think he...?
-Cannibal? You can never be sure. It's possible, l don't exclude any possibility
-And what are you doing tomorrow?
-Hear some poachers Popa caught some time ago.
-Be careful, honey!
-Don't worry, Sarah. You know me. I can notice a dangerous man. Plus, l never leave without my cane. And how is your case?
-Oh, it's good. I can feel it's coming to the end. There are so many proofs against the gang
-Ah, that's great news! I hope next time we can go togheter on holiday
-I hope so!
-By the way, what are the little ones doing?
-Jack is doing fine. He has a new collar and he is sleeping at my knees now. He stopped barking at squirrels now. Meanwhile, Cleo is under her rock. I gave her a mouse earlier and now she went back in her hide. Haha, sometimes l think your snake hates me. Why she always go to sleep when l am around?
-Ha, it's cool. She is a ball python after all. Well, l gotta go now. Tomorrow l have a busy day.
-Oh, alright. Love you, hun!!
-Me too, sweetie. Bye!
-Bye!

  Ah, this is one of her many gifts! She can get me really distracted! I have to go to bed now. Tomorrow l have to visit those poachers.

  10 am. We are heading towards the village through a road in the forest.
-Mr. Ionescu! I remebered something
-What, sir?
-Pull over!
  I take a folded paper out of my pocket
-Mr. Iona gave me a map of the feeders. We will check them all!
-Are you sure is a good idea to go wandering on a hunting field?
-I am sure. Mr. Iona told me no one schedlued a hunting here today.
-Very well then.