Aric and Darain reached the crime scene at Firm Bridge just as the rest of the team were already scattered, busy with their assigned tasks. The restricted zone hummed with activity-officers examine the area, forensic lights cutting through the mist, the river roaring endlessly beneath the bridge.
Despite a thorough search, Aric and Darain found nothing useful. No footprints, No discarded weapon, No trace that explained how the crime had taken place in such a forbidden location.
Aric's phone vibrated with a ringtone of an old vintage song, "Have you been okay to accept my love for you….Na.Na.Na" the ringtone made Darian snap out of deep thoughts.
Alex, he answered calmly. On the other end, Alex reported, "We found a red scarf about 30 meters away from the main site. But it doesn't belong to either the victim or any suspect. No fiber, nothing linking it to the crime."
Aric closed his eyes briefly, absorbing the information. "Secure it anyway," he said, "We'll review it later."
After the call ended, Darain asked, "What happened? Did we get any clue?"
Aric turned immediately; Darain looked disoriented with a confused and curious look on his face. Aric placed a steady hand on his shoulder, grounding him, then gently rested Darain's head against his own shoulders.
"Darling, Alex couldn't find anything except a red scarf. He feels that it's unrelated to the case, and we will know the answer soon"
Darain nodded faintly, his breathing evening out.
Just then, Darain's phone rang. "Ezra?" he answered, Ezra's voice came through, serious."We went to inquire at 'Canon Orphanage.' Both victims lived there at the same place, but they never met each other, not even once."
Darain's brows furrowed. "Never met? Are you sure?"
"Yes," Ezra replied. "They had no recorded interaction, and there's something else… they're siblings."
The word hit Darian hard. "Siblings?" he hardly repeated, "How could siblings stay in the same orphanage and never meet?"
He pressed further. "Why didn't they meet? Was there any conflict between them? Some separation order?"
Ezra hesitated, "According to the records, they had no connection with each other; also, this orphanage is run by Father Patrick's. The place was founded by William D'Zeren, the CEO of KEMS company. Our background check shows William's was involved in multiple criminal records, but due to lack of evidence, he was prevented from getting arrested."
Darian turned slowly and met Aric's eyes. Something clicked.
Ezra, Darian sharply, "Did you check the victim's personal belongings?". "Yes," Ezra answered. "Their rooms were searched; nothing useful-except one thing. Both had diaries, identical ones, filled with detailed entries about their lives."
Darian went silent. "Who told you that they never met?" he asked. "Father Patricks," Ezra replied. "That was enough. Bring the dairy to the investigation room and bring Father Patricks in- not arrested. Just for inquiry. Something is off; his explanations doesn't add up."
Ezra paused, "You think he's lying?"
"Think for yourself," Darian said. "Same orphanage, siblings, same diaries, no proof they never met-only his words are not enough; we need proof that he is telling the truth."
There was a short silence. "You're right," Ezar finally said. "I'll bring him in,"
Darian exhaled slowly, unease settling deep in his chest. Aric watched him carefully, understanding far more than he let on. He slipped his hand over Darian's waist in a reassuring hold.
"Good instinct," Aric said quietly. A faint smile curved his lips. "You've improved a lot, my little bunny."
Darian flushed despite himself, a soft, embarrassed chuckle escaping his lips. With no further leads at the bridge, the team regrouped, collecting secured evidence and returning to headquarters. The discussion room soon filled again-files opening, voice lowering, tension thick in the air.
The case wasn't just strange anymore. It was connected. And someone was lying in deep dark.
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