Chief... the room is in a tragic condition... khoff khoff—a policeman coughed, standing inside the dimly lit room with a flickering torch in his hand. Dust blanketed every surface—the desk, the shelves, even the once-bright curtains now hung like mourning veils. The furniture was all in place, untouched, as if time had stopped... but the splatter on the floor told a different story.
"Inspector," a sharp female voice cut through the silence, "it would be better if you spent your energy looking for clues rather than narrating the obvious."
She stepped forward—Mary Derroth, Chief of the National Crime Investigation Department. Her presence was commanding, her tailored formal uniform crisp, blonde hair tied back tightly, icy blue eyes scanning the room like they'd pierce through secrets.
"B-but Chief," the officer stammered, "wasn't this case marked as a suicide...aren't we just wasting time..huh?"
Mary ignored the question, instead pulling open shelves, checking behind books, her eyes narrowed. "It's not your place to assume. Something doesn't add up."
Mary had never failed a case. She was known for her razor-sharp instincts, and this case... it gave her chills. Something about it already felt wrong and there was no way Mary Derroth would leave any case unsolved.
Another officer stepped in—Ben, calm, methodical, with brown hair and black eyes. "Chief, according to the coroner, the blood spatter indicates homicide. The girl... she was a teen. Cause of death was blood loss from slashed wrists. Appears to be suicide."
Mary turned sharply. "And why would a child slit her wrists without any known motive? Out of nowhere? Even if it was suicide, we find the reason."
Darin leaned against the doorframe, chewing gum, tall and casually handsome, with black hair and blue eyes. "Tch... Ben, don't you think Chief's losing her grip? We asked the neighbors. Same story from everyone. Suicide. Kids these days..."
Ben's expression hardened. "Do your job, Darin. You know Chief is rarely wrong."
Darin rolled his eyes but stayed quiet. Despite his arrogance, he respected Mary. Deep down, he admired her and she was his senior, so he had no choice but to follow her instruction.
Mary turned to both men. "What did the neighbors and schoolmates say?"
Darin answered, "The neighbours say the girl—Violeta—was depressed for some time. Acc to her classmates it happened after her best friend went missing Her best friend went missing. Since then, she changed."
"Missing? Where did the friend go?"
"Her homeroom teacher said she transferred schools and there was no contact since then."
Scene: School
"Mr. Lawrence," Darin said, chewing on his gum, leaning on the teacher's desk, "I want to know everything about Violeta. Who was close to her, how she behaved before her death. And don't lie."
"Haha... of course not, sir," Lawrence stammered, adjusting his glasses. He was the homeroom teacher of Class 8B—Violeta's class. Sweat gleamed on his forehead.
Ben, always observant, recorded everything.
"Violeta was a bright child... academically excellent, well-mannered, but..." Lawrence hesitated.
"But what?" Darin's tone hardened.
Ben nudged him. "Respect."
Heeh..."fuckin dungshit" Derin replied and regained his composure
"She was... aloof and she just use to study... she had big dreams Then a transfer student, Lyla, came. They became friends. Lyla was shy, quiet, awkward. But after a year or so Lyla transferred again, after that Violeta changed. She lost interest in school, and looked... empty and nervous all the time..she use to even talk to herself all the time everyone thought she has gone mad."
"Lyla," Ben repeated. "Any photo? Records?"
Lawrence handed over a file. "Lyla Brojorn. She had reddish hair, freckles, black eyes. She could be considered a pretty girl. She came from another city after her parents died in a car accident. Poor child."
" parents died in a car accident. Tragic." Darin narrowed his eyes.
"She studied through scholarship and paid part of the fees with part-time work. After a while she came to me and said she couldn't afford to stay here, so she transferred again."
But before...she transferred she and Violeta stopped talking and seated separately.
"Why did she and Violeta stop talking?"
"Kids fight...you know haah kids fight and reconcile," Lawrence shrugged, but his voice trembled. "I don't know the details as such."
Darin shot Ben a look. "He's hiding something. Look at him shake. Can I cuff him?"
Ben gave a flat look. "One, you can't. He's a civilian, not a suspect. Two, you do look like a thug who make people shiver..."
"Oi—have you ever seen such a handsome face like mine huh...dickhead!"
Scene: Crime Scene
"This whole thing is quite normal," Ben muttered.
Didn't you asked the children about why Lyla and Violeta fought..?, Mary asked
We did...but they said they didn't know, now we can't force kids right chief, Derin muttered with mischief.
I think there is something sus...
Ding dong.
The bell rang.
Who is it...this time..?Mary thought
Darin walked and opened the door. A girl with brown hair and black eyes stood there, nervous, holding a schoolbag was standing there
"Are you... investigating Violeta's case? I... I was her classmate."
Hehh...wtf, hey kiddo do you know what are you spouting do you think thi-this...
"Didn't see you in class. You lying?" Ben eyed her pushing Derin at back.
"Who is it?" Mary asked.
"A kid. Says she knew Violeta."
"Let her in."
The girl stepped in. "My name is Rune. I was Violeta's classmate. I want to help you she had always helped me please let me return the favor."
Mary offered her a chair. "Take your time."
Rune opened her bag and pulled out a small, locked diary.
"This... this was Violeta's. I found it in her locker when she stopped coming. I hid it before anyone saw it..she use to write diary everyday she told me once. I was scared Julia and her friends might destroy it or do something...
Why would they do such thing..? Mary asked
they bullied Violeta...they hated her because she was good at everything..umm
"You did good," Mary said, gently seeing her all nervous. "We'll protect you if you too face such problem do contact us...Mary handed her a note with her number.Thank you."
"I don't have the key... so I brought it, I hope it helps. I have to go now... my mom doesn't know I'm here."
"Wait—" Darin said.
"Let her go," Mary nodded. Rune stood and walked forward, then paused at the door.
"Please... help her. Violeta was a good person." She smiled and left.
Ben stepped forward. "Chief. This could be the breakthrough."
Mary nodded slowly. "Send it to the Brittney. Let her crack the lock. Now."
Why--that bitch, Derin rushed...he had a deep enmity with Brittney who was also his sister.
Shut up..Mary scoffed him.
Ben saluted and rushed out.
And none of them knew...
This diary would make such a impact in so many lives....
TO BE CONTINUED...