Bloody Riddle (REVISED)

Coming Back

March 2026

The sun is above the head, stinging like a bee. March is not as hot as July, when the wind barely blows, but the heat is still there. Even indoors, the heat can cause the brain and body to become confused. Like in Atlanta Police Headquarters. Even though the air conditioner blazed like a storm, still the heat surrounded the entire building.

Something irritated James. He was desperate to open the upper button of his shirt, tried to catch a fresh air. It just half the way to that place as he felt the world tried to swallow him. Dizziness creeping up, even though the wind blew against his skin.

He shouldn't be here, and he knows that. After an annoying encounter with a former boss, who always puts him back in business under the name of the police. They forced him to pay attention. He listens but didn't focus, or tried so hard to remember. All that comes up is the word murder, return and 'need your help', which is still vivid in his mind. But he was curious. What really happened?

Several passersby noticed him. He's clothes no longer reflect a respectable person. A messy brown hair. Black eyes bag. Loosening the tie and he also took off the blazer, slid it in his hand. If only he hadn't worn a fine suit for today, he would have kicked out of the office. Goddamn monkey suit. But he's thankful he still has it. James confused thoughts made him didn't realize that the place he was going to be before his eyes.

HOMICIDE.

A cursed word for himself. He stood still, facing the door. Take a deep breath. This moment is crucial, tough choice. After walking through this door, he can't turn back, he thought. Thoughtfully, he opened the door as wide as possible. People in the room stopped at once, looking at James curiously. There is an awkward silence filled the room.

"James!" He turned to look at the old man who was walking straight towards him. James tried to refuse to hugged, but he was too lazy. Besides, it never hurts to hug his old colleague back. He smiled lightly while patting the old man's back. "It's been a long time, Hugo."

Hugo released his embrace without turning away. James looked a little different, or his eyes couldn't see. Hugo admits that he is getting old.

"It's been a long time since you disappeared. You've changed quite a lot. You had a glass too." He patted James on the arm tenderly. James smirked.

"Where's Louis?"

Hugo gave a half smile, hand motioned James to follow him. They walked from the bustle of the room into a hallway. James was reminded of the times when he was still working as a detective. Place has changed little, only a few minor things missing or replaced.

"Louis is busy. He told me to meet you."

Hugo stopped, taking a series of keys from his pocket and opened the door. Only darkness there. Hugo disappeared for a moment until the lights bright, a small room filled with files piled in boxes. James stepped inside. Hugo placed a brown folder that looked brand new on the table, hand it over for James. Without said a single word, James opened the folder. The first thing James saw was a grisly photograph of a person's body; a leg.

"You must be kidding." James glared at Hugo who leaning against the shelf.

"You think so? But this happened. Around the end of February, we found a foot on display in a museum." He paused. "The girl named Jenna Foley reportedly disappeared about a week earlier. The testimony says Jenna came home from school, went to the supermarket first when her mother called, 'to bought milk supplies', then went home. But she never got home."

The silence was tense. Neither of them spoke to each other. James stared closely at the photo. Memory spun in his mind. "We found her left feet first. The rest ..." Hugo lowered his head. His face sank into shadow. James waited for an answer.