Secrets

© Crescentlite

Eric Jones crossed his feet on top of the mahogany desk and leaned back lazily on his chair. Outside, the setting sun painted the clouds a warm orange and skyscrapers littered the skyline. Another case solved, another job well done. He was finally going to take a break today.

Nothing like a nice warm cup of coffee to relax. He thought. Tomorrow I will start my work again. This time, it's going to be legendary…

Sirens blared and cars made way for the New York Police Department (N.Y.P.D). Senior inspector Jason Tolland pushed back the police strip and entered the crime scene. It was exactly as he expected, yet a little too gruesome to stomach. In the dark alley of 5th avenue Main Street, garbage cans have been overturned and splotches of blood flooded the scene. The "skull and cross bones" graffiti on the wall had been covered with obscenities and blood. However, none of this could be compared to what Tolland saw next: the intestines of the victim had been detached from his stomach and tied around his neck. All ten fingers were chopped off and 5 were stuffed into his mouth. On the ground beside the body, was a huge circle – drawn with blood – and a star inside. This was the sign of the devil and the unlucky victim seemed to have offended a cult. Even seasoned inspectors would have barfed at the sight. Tolland turned away and quickly offered the newbie beside him a handkerchief.

In his office, Eric Jones disposed of a bloody glove and sank into his seat. Then, he lifted his right palm, and started counting down. 5… 4…

Tolland made another move towards the decomposed body and covered his nose. He expertly put on a pair of gloves and was about to look for clues when the superintendent, Ray Ames spoke. "You can't handle this. It's too messy, Jason, call Eric Jones."

3…

"But superintendent! We haven't even tried yet! Besides I don't trust this guy. This is a job for the NYPD, not some average detective agency!" retorted Tolland, his fists clenched.

2…

"No buts. I have every intention of letting you take over this case, inspector, but how long will you take to break it? I need efficiency here; we do not have time to waste. Get me Jones now!" ordered superintendent Ames. Tolland opened his mouth but was cut off rather abruptly. "I said NOW inspector! What part of now don't you understand inspector? NOW!"

1…

RING!

"Detective Eric Jones speaking, how may I be of service to you dear sir of madam?"

After a brief exchange of words with senior inspector Jason Tolland, Eric Jones smiled to himself. What a great pretender he was, fooling the NYPD into giving him all this jobs. Don't they even have the brains to figure out something was wrong? Don't they suspect a thing at all why Eric was always the one to break the case and catch the perp? The only conclusion he could draw was that the police are only too glad to get their dirty work done by others to even bother with the procedure.

"Heh, useless police/" muttered Eric as he got ready the equipment needed to 'catch the culprit'. He recalled the last time he broke the case and the superintendent had asked him what his secret was. He also remembered saying something about putting himself in the shoes of the murderer. Eric took one last look at the office, and closed the door.

Pulling back the police tape, Eric Jones joined senior inspector Jason Tolland and Superintendent Ray Ames in front of the body.

"Looks like the work of occult." He commented slightly and pulled out his cell phone to make a call. "Listen AJ," he spoke into the cell phone "I need you to get me some information regarding occult crimes. Which gang do you know of that draws the sign of the devil beside the victim instead of drawing it around the body?" When he received his information, Eric Jones turned to Tolland and smiled. "I think I go the case solved." This time, Tolland looked stunned. He had never seen a person solve a crime in a matter of seconds after his arrival and just with a phone call. There must be something this man is hiding. He shouldn't have known.

"How did you know who did this?" asked Tolland.

Wow, deja vu. Thought Tolland. He briefly remembered himself asking this very same question after Eric solved the pervious case they had worked on.

"I know because I know. Just put yourself in the shoes of the murderer." He paused, and then looked into Tolland's eye. Tolland didn't know why but he suddenly felt a chill run down his spine. This man's eyes are far too creepy. They are red, the color of albinos, and the color of blood. As Tolland quickly avoided prolong eye contact with Jones, his answer made him shiver even more.

"I know because I become the murderer, quite literally."