Taste of menace

Chapter 2 : Ferris,under the cloud

" Honey. That's okay! I have heard a lot about this inspector. To his eyes, we all are the characters involved in Agatha Christie's novel. It's just the way he deals with each case", pacified Dana. " I threatened Robert babe. He was out of his mind. He was just, you know..." " That's fine. You know that you are innocent, right sweetheart?" " Yeah. I do." " Well. Here is the answer. You didn't take his life. Okay?" "I wish I could be fine." " Honey. Don't forget that Robert did the same things with his ex-wife. He disrespected her privacy, sold her properties and at last she got her freedom." " So even she could be the killer,right?" " Oh crap! Honey... you are thinking way too much. Go and get some rest now." " Hey... before I forget.. Mathew didn't sleep last night. The lights were on in his room. He was up till 7, I guess." " Okay. So?" " He could have seen something. The café is clearly visible from bedroom." " Fine then. Ask him once he is up. And don't meddle too much into this case." Dana kissed him and bade a goodbye.

" Dr.David reported the time of death. It was around 6 AM. Mr.Trey told that everyday he opens the café at 5.30 AM and Robert reports at 5.45 to clean the place. But yesterday Mr. Trey's wife was ill. So he gave the keys to Robert telling him that he would be late" reported Mr. Clinton. "Well,put Ms. Lisa on the phone."

"You up,brother?" "Yeah. Hey,check out the new poems I published in the magazine. I received a thumb up from the local readers." "Ah...sure Mathew. But before that." Ferris sighed and his lips curved outward. "Robert has expired. He was killed by someone at an early hour today in the café. Did you happen to see anyone by chance?" " Good old man, he was. But,I didn't see anyone. But you guys sure that he was killed?" " Yeah. The new Inspector in our town is investigating the case."

"I'm Drake Williams,Inspector in Sawsley Bay. I'm sorry to say Ms. Lisa, your ex-husband has been killed today." " The demon which had tortured me in the past, is now vanished. Thanks, to almighty. Why on god's name you are telling this to me,sir?" "Ah..mm... We are in need of your statements regarding Robert, mam." "Sure. Marrying the man was my worst regret. It was my worst nightmare. He always ill treated me. He once, invaded into my privacy and suspected that I had an affair. He lost all his money due to the filthy casino game. He sold everything he had, and even property. Thank goodness,that he spared me and my daughter. He filled a divorce, and I was happy to sign it. And in a couple of months, I got my freedom. He moved to your town and I didn't hear anything from him after that. " Thanks. Ms . Lisa."

"Good evening Mr.Ferris. Do we have some telepathy or what? I was about to visit your place",chuckled Mr.Drake. "Sir. I'm here to tell about Mr.Trey. Last week, Robert came to me and he was disturbed. He was about to fire him in a month. He was badly in need of money. No one offered him a job in this town. So,I went and asked Mr.Trey. He gave me an awful look and didn't speak a word to me after that",told Ferris. "Thank you, young man. That was quite informative. We will see to it." Ferris stepped out of the station and ran into Mr.Trey. "You blonde, what are you doing here?"asked Mr.Trey. "I came here to tell good evening to the Inspector. Why do you care ?" Ferris told and made his way. Mr.Trey blocked his way and starred at Ferris. " I never messed in your way. So,I expect the same from you too. Be very careful",he warned ferociously.

"Sir. The reports said that Robert had met with an accident,a couple of months ago. His head suffered a severe damage. Someone who knew this very well,should have taken advantage of this and must have chosen to hit him hard there",reported Mr.Clinton. "Well.. Too much of satisfying information. And did you notice one thing? Both,Mr.Trey and Ferris are trying to pull each other down. Ferris told me about Mr.Trey in a clear tone. After him, Mr. Trey came to explain the argument they previously had. Now, keep a watch on Mr.Trey too", sighed the Inspector.

"Good evening,honey. I've got you freshly prepared Dana's dinner. Ferris's family and Dana set up the table for dinner. "Where is our young Wordsworth? I haven't seen him today. Call him to grab a bite." "He is asleep dear. He was at his friend's place after school, learning some literature stuff" told Mr.Richard. "It's yum babe." " Aww.Thanks hon. Do you like the meat. Is it well cooked?" "It's perfect,just like you",winked Ferris. I'll save some for Mathew. He must be very hungry. "You are filling your mother's place,that's good to see." "I would do anything to make him happy!"

Trey started to show hatred towards Ferris. Trey's café had been sealed temporarily and now he had to be with his annoying wife all day. His place is two buildings right to Ferris's. Ferris could see his living room through his bedroom window. The next day, Trey bumped into Ferris at the drug store. "Hey,Mr.Trey. What's up? Are you not hale and healthy?" Trey sighed. "I've been inhaling a lot of smoke since yesterday. My wife had burnt all the leaves in the garden which made me suffocate. So, I had to buy some medicines and an inhaler. Is this information enough to alert the station?" asked Mr.Trey in a hasty tone. Ferris chuckled. "Mr. Trey, you are being very silly to be mad at me. I just told everything I knew about Robert. Don't we need to find the bastard who killed him?" "Oh yeah Ferris. The Inspector has our names bold and underlined. Uttering my name would never prove your innocence. I gotta go. Good bye." "He is a real madcap. Don't you think so Mr.Ferris?" interrupted the shopkeeper. "Well. If you are done with your eavesdropping, get me a strip of migranil."

Ferris returned home and was quiet for a while. Mathew questioned him. Ferris ignored his questions and went up for a nap. Mathew went to Ferris's room with a hot cup of coffee which he made after so many attempts and a waffle. "Brother,I know something is really bothering you." "I don't like Mr.Trey's attitude nowadays bro. He has become super weird after Robert's death." Mathew sighed. " So, you suspect him huh?" "I don't know ,but just leave me alone for a while." "Sure" said Mathew and shut the door.

"Clinton,you were telling something about Ferris and Mr.Trey right?" asked the Inspector. " Yes sir. I was around their neighborhood. There was a drug store nearby. I happened to see Mr.Trey and Ferris. It seemed like,they had an argument." The Inspector scoffed. " Ferris. This guy" he told and pinned his photograph on the board. "Keep a very close watch on him" ordered the Inspector.