The Symbologist

Chapter 7

Sergeant Carla Lostin felt her phone vibrate in her pocket, "Excuse me, Mrs. Han, I'm so sorry but I have to take this."

"Oh, no worries!" Mrs. Han, a lady in her early 60s, was warming and inviting, and very cooperative at that. She didn't point fingers or accuse Carla or Sugars of not protecting her daughter, and Carla had to admit, it was admirable.

"Hello?" Carla answered the phone as she stepped outside, "Commissioner?"

"Sergeant Carla, how is your progress on the case?" The commissioner asked. He seemed worried.

Carla's hands began to sweat, "We are talking to Mrs. Han right now. Hopefully she can shed some light on the case."

Carla heard the commissioner grunt on the other end, "Is everything alright, commissioner?"

"There's been another murder. On the edge of town, near 1101 Oak Street Drive," the commissioner informed her, "Be there immediately."

"I will," Carla hung up, walking at a brisk pace back to where Sugars and Mrs. Han were talking, "My apologizes, Mrs. Han, but we must be on our way. If it is not too much to ask, could we come by another time?"

"Of course! Has there been another murder?"

Carla debated whether or not it was a good idea to disclose this information to Mrs. Han.

"Yes, we must be on our way," Carla thanked Mrs. Han for her hospitality and together she and DI Sugars were on their way to the crime scene of the fifth murder.

Carla shivered. Five murders in just one month's time, and they weren't even close to solving the case. And just like that, a new lead popped into Carla's head, one that was definitely worth pursuing.

"Sir, I was thinking....What if our killer is actually someone on the police force? Or a former cop?"

Sugars considered that, "I hadn't thought of that before."

"I'll look into it when we get back," Carla said, "Oh and we're almost there."

"How about I look into that while you go interview Mrs. Han tomorrow?" Sugars offered.

That took Carla off guard, "Sir, you're offering to help?"

"Yeah," Sugars shrugged like it was no big deal, "Take it or leave it."

"I'll take it," Carla said quickly, "Before you can back out! Also, Detective George Sinche will be looking into Simon Hilltop's case."

"Mm," Sugars nodded absentmindedly.

Sergeant Carla and DI Sugars arrived at the crime scene shortly. The ride over was fairly quiet after their exchange. Carla was feeling quite good about her new lead and was excited to look into it. Sugars, on the other hand, was, per usual...being Sugars. The two were greeted by the commissioner, who had personally come to the crime scene, which was very unusual of him.

"Good afternoon, commissioner," Carla said, stepping out of the car.

The commissioner took off his cap and politely held the door open for her, "Good afternoon to you too, Sergeant Carla Lostin, DI Sugars."

DI Sugars respectfully nodded and got out of the car, locking it after Carla was out as well. The three walked over to the crime scene together. Carla was briefing the commissioner on their progress so far, leaving Sugars to quietly observe the crime scene.

"You are not as far along with the case as I had hoped you would be, but as this seems to be a difficult case, you will not be reprimanded or punished for your lack of progress," the commissioner said, putting his cap back on, "I will check up on your progress later. I have other matters to attend to right now."

"Thank you, commissioner," Carla nodded respectfully, "I better go and check out the crime scene."

The commissioner nodded back and Sergeant Carla hurried over to where Sugars was observing the crime scene. As soon as she laid eyes on the body, Carla audibly gasped. Everyone turned to look at her before going back to whatever it was they were doing.

"Frozen in time over there?" Sugars waved a hand in front of Carla's face as she stared at the body.

"Trinity...." Carla whispered. What if Simon had killed her...?