Peter Pan The Killer

Chapter 38: Peter Pan, The Clock Is Ticking

James fiddled with the bandages that wrapped around his forearm as he spoke to Detective Roger over the phone.

Since returning from Lambeth, James had learned a lot more regarding Gregory Skul. Despite the injuries, the trip to Skul's lair was worth it. He had sent the chemical samples collected for analysis and was still awaiting results. Gregory Skul was a scientist, but he seemed to have done well to erase most traces about him.

Several cards and letter headers that James scavenged has pointed to a peculiar research facility called the Neverland Bioengineering Foundation. Tracing the foundation's whereabouts had led to Dr. Louis Young, an ex-scientist who was still in jail for a series of crimes related to the experiments in the foundation. He informed Roger to pay a visit to the doctor. Unfortunately, Dr. Young denied all visiting requests.

Leaving that there, it was still baffling as to how the serial killer was connected to all of it. He and Skul were working together during their earlier days as criminals, so did the notion of Skul being a scientist from a blacklisted foundation has anything to do with the killer at all?

"You didn't tell the girl, now did you, lad?" Roger asked.

"No. Though what are you suspecting her for?" James replied.

"Best kept to myself, for now. So we'll continue looking into the research foundation," He said.

James frowned, "But don't you think we are straying from our investigations regarding the murderer?" he said, as he walked into the office, nodding at one of his colleagues.

"As of now, we are at a dead end regarding him. Skul's our only lead-" cutting him off and hanging up.

Before his eyes were open folders on his desk. His eyes scanned the header of the first document and he immediately ended the call with Roger.

Subject: Murder of Sandera Rue

Documented evidence regarding murders committed by the anonymous killer, dating back to the five years ago until current time. The most recent, Sandera Rue. James sat down and scanned the documents.

Murders. The reports stated they were murders. The many files he had scoured regarding the victims had all been reported as suicide. These, however, were not. Someone out carried independent investigations, producing valid evidence. The investigator, however, was anonymous.

Where did these come from? James began flipping through them. It felt like cheating in an exam; the answers were laying themselves bare before him. They had been going around in circles, trying to grasp on the little traces of evidence they could find, going astray. But this was it.

James needed to know where the files came from, but that could wait till he was done studying them.

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Peter left after the sun has risen to its peak. Just after he did, Gwen received a call from James. He had told her to meet him later that day as he had to tell her something important. Gwen played along. After all, her goal still was to capture Gregory Skul. Peter would be proven innocent soon after.

However something felt off with the way James spoke. She had not seen him since their trip to London. She had no clue regarding his whereabouts. He had relayed no information regarding his discussions with Detective Roger. It was as if he was trying to keep her away from it all. Putting two and two together was simple. They suspected her. After Roger had almost figured it out, she would not be surprised if James found her suspicious too.

But how would she tell him? It was unfathomable, the idea that she had switched sides. It was more complex than that. The reasoning, the emotional convictions. However, in terms of scientific investigations, she was siding with the bad guy, and no detective would let that slide. She had to gain James's trust, long enough till Skul's crimes came to light.

James was already waiting for her at the table by the window in their usual coffee shop. Gwen noticed his bandages wrapped his left forearm.

"James, what happened to your arm?" Gwen asked.

James just smiled wryly, "A bit of a mishap," she eyed him warily. "Where were you? Doing something dangerous? Investigating?" she fired away.

"I forgot how perceptive you are," James said with an amused grin.

"Answer the questions," Gwen said as he averted them.

"Not till you answer mine," he retorted. Gwen tensed. This was it. He suspected her. She had to carefully lie her way out of it. She braced herself.

"Ask away," she said with fake nonchalance.

James let out a breath before eyeing her, as if analysing her reactions. "Just so you know... I don't believe what Roger's telling me is true. He doesn't trust you. I can't understand why. It seems unfair to me, that we're leaving you out of an investigation that you started in the first place," he began.

"So you are leaving me out," she stated.

James looked away and nodded. "Just tell me one thing, Gwen. Do you want to capture this murderer?"

It was plain, straightforward, but her answer was far from that. Now what? How was she going to explain it?

"You and I both know, the situation is more complex than it seems," she began.

"You're evading. It's a yes or no question," he said.

"Gregory Skul needs to be put behind bars," she replied.

"We're not talking about Gregory Skul. We're talking about Peter Pan," James retorted.

"Listen, Gwen. Looking up anything regarding Skul is a slow, fruitless process. I happen to stumble upon some crucial evidence that could turn the tides of this investigation completely," he said.

"What evidence?" Trepidation began rushing into her veins.

"I would've told you, if you answered my first question. Gwen, I want to trust you, but you're making it even harder," he said, shaking his head with a sigh.

"James, listen. Skul is our priority. He is the mastermind-"

"Skul is dead," James cut her off mid-sentence.

"What?"

James pulled out a file and tugged a piece of paper from it. The document was of an assassination that occurred in Lambeth. The images were off a dead Gregory Skul, a bullet hole through his head. Gwen's blood turned to ice.

He was dead?

"You see Gwen, this report along with many others have solved all the puzzles to the crime. This is it. We can put Peter Pan behind bars," James said, his eyes bore strange eagerness with a hint of madness. He was determined to end Peter.

James took her hand. "Listen, Gwen. You're not a professional, hence this may be hard for you. You're confused. I'll take the reins and capture him for you. Then you'll see," he said, standing up and collecting the file.

"James, wait!" Gwen exclaimed, but he shook his head and left after saying,

"Gwen, I'll handle this. Peter Pan will be done for before you know it."

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A/N: Hey, lost boys. We're already at the climax. How do you think it will turn out? Leave a vote and comment.