Zemblanity

Chapter 3

Place: Police Headquarters

Meanwhile, at the police headquarters, the officers are busy with their daily schedules. Each day starts with plenty of cases and it is a tough job indeed.

Detective James Schilberd lights his cigarette while looking at the post mortem report that has been brought to his desk by an officer. He bends over to take it and opens.

Crime no: XXXXXX

Name of the Victim: Peter Cart

Age: 58 years

Height: 5'2

Weight: 60 kg

Cause of Death: Strangulation

Body Found: The body was found under a tree in the (ABC) park 32 feet from the tree. 

Inference: The body was in a slightly decayed state when it was recovered. After the examination, it is speculated that the death has occurred before two months. On the left side of the neck, a dark red coloured decomposed mass of about 5x3 cm size was seen and the same was recovered. The thyroid cartilage was found to be broken into pieces without many surrounding soft tissues.

Detective James, after reading the file, closed it. A police officer enters and tells him that the victim's wife has come to see him. James asks him to let her in.

A middle-aged woman enters. James motions her to take a seat.

"First, I feel sorry to disturb you at a time like this but I need to have the details to find the culprit." The lady sitting in front of him just nodded her head.

"Fine." He puts the butt of the cigarette in the ashtray. " When was the last time you saw him?"

"Two months ago. He said he would be away for a week for some business deal."

"Hmm..." Detective James was listening to her with keen attention.

" After two weeks I hadn't heard anything from him. No phone call, no texts at which I grew suspicious."

"That's how you decided to report it, right?" The lady simply nods her head.

"Did he have enemies?"

"No."

"Do you suspect any of his friends or neighbours?"

"I don't know. But one day someone came to our house looking for him three days before he left."

James who got quite interested pushes his head forward.

"I haven't seen this person before and they were talking secretly in gardens. And after his missing, I haven't seen him too."

"I see. May I ask you, Mrs Cart, like how did he get the money to start a business?"

"Well, I am not quite sure about it myself.  He hasn't told me anything  more about this business thing."

"Okay Mrs Cart, you may go. I hope to have your cooperation in future."

She agrees and rises from the seat. When she opens the door to leave, Detective James calls to her.

"Mrs Cart, you said he had worked in an organisation. Where was he working?"

"Blackwill Franchise" With this she leaves the room.

"Blackwill Franchise.." Detective James takes another cigarette from his pocket and lights it.

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"Hope we have another case in hand." Bob Klensky , the assistant officer of Detective James says while going through the case file.

"Bob, do you know anything about Blackwill Franchise?" James popped up a question.

"I have heard about this company. They have been in the latest news today. After William Snowdown's death, his daughter has taken over the entire company." 

"When did this so-called William die?"

"Ah...I think two months ago."

Suddenly Detective James slams his hand on the table and rises, "Bob, let us go."