"The Killer Reveals Himself"
(Chapter from The Avenging Angel)
At the Court
Rayan arrived at the basketball court and found Yaman waiting for him.
Rayan: "I hope I'm not too late."
Yaman: "No, you're right on time."
Rayan: "So, what are you doing here? When you called and said you were at the court, I was surprised. Are we playing like the old days?"
Yaman smiled, "Of course we'll play together again like we used to. But not today—it's getting late, and we should head home. Lin is waiting for us."
Rayan: "Right. Let's go."
They walked out together, talking.
Rayan: "You still haven't told me why you came to the court today."
Yaman: "Actually, I came here with Dani. We spent some time and played together."
Rayan: "That sounds great. And it seems like you've grown close to Dani—otherwise, you wouldn't have brought him here. Now I'm really eager to meet this guy who managed to break your shell and become your closest friend in such a short time."
Yaman: "Don't say that. You're still my closest friend, and you know that."
Rayan: "Alright, alright. I said nothing. But you do owe me an introduction to your new friend. Deal?"
Yaman: "He also wants to meet you—and Lin too. If you'd arrived just five minutes earlier, you would've met him. He was sitting with me, but then he got a work call and had to leave quickly."
Rayan (slightly disappointed): "That's a shame."
Yaman: "Don't worry. You'll meet him soon."
Rayan: "But I think I might've already run into him."
Yaman: "How so?"
Rayan: "Didn't you say he left just five minutes before I arrived?"
Yaman: "Yes, but what are you getting at?"
Rayan: "Because as I was arriving, I bumped into someone. I didn't really see his face—I was carrying stuff and when I accidentally hit him, everything fell. I quickly picked it up and didn't pay attention. I was in a hurry to get to you."
Yaman: "It could've been him. I'm sure you'll see him next time."
Rayan: "You're probably right."
The two continued walking home together.
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🔍 Scene of the Crime 🔎
Dani arrived at a nearby apartment just a street away from the court, accompanied by two security officers.
Officer: "This is the place, sir—apartment 315."
One of the officers knocked on the door, which was opened by another officer from inside.
In the apartment's living room, there were three security personnel and one civilian.
Dani: "Have you completed the preliminary investigation and procedures?"
Officer: "Yes, sir. Right this way."
He led Dani into a room sealed with yellow crime scene tape. Inside lay a man sprawled on a rug, a knife in his hand. His right wrist was severed, and blood trickled onto the floor.
Dani approached carefully. The first thing he noticed was the precision of the wound—it indicated the person was likely skilled with their left hand.
But what puzzled him most was the position of the knife—it seemed either the victim had turned the blade in an unnatural angle after severing his veins, or someone else had placed it in his hand. The blood on the floor was still warm and fresh.
As Dani knelt, his eyes caught the corner of the rug—it was slightly folded. Across from it was a table with medicine. Curious, Dani moved forward and noticed a small shard of glass tucked beneath the table. He picked it up—it had a spot of blood on it.
The blood was light red and cold, unlike the dark, clotted blood of the victim.
He handed the glass to an officer.
Dani: "Take this to the lab. I want a full analysis of the blood."
Exiting the room, Dani turned to the civilian seated quietly on the living room couch. The man's eyes were red, brimming with tears, his face steeped in grief. Dani approached.
Dani: "I have a few questions, and I hope you can help."
The man stood up, nodding.
Man: "Of course, sir."
Dani: "Please, have a seat."
They sat opposite each other.
Dani: "What was your relationship with the deceased?"
Man: "He was my friend."
Dani: "Did you live together?"
Man: "Yes, we're not from this city. We came here together from a small village to work and chase our dreams. We even studied and worked together back home… but I never imagined it would end like this. I never thought my best friend would take his own life."
Dani: "Was he suffering from any pressure or mental struggles?"
Man: "No, he loved life. Always cheerful, full of energy. Suicide? Impossible."
Dani: "Did he have any enemies or work-related problems?"
Man: "None. He was beloved by everyone."
Dani: "I noticed medicine on the table in his room. Was he sick?"
Man: "No. He just felt unwell at work today—took a sick day to rest."
Dani: "What kind of illness?"
Man: "A cold, maybe a fever."
Dani: "Did he like keeping windows open?"
Man: "Never. He was paranoid about getting sick—always kept the windows closed. Especially now, with a fever? He wouldn't have opened it."
Dani: "Was your friend left-handed?"
Man: "No."
Dani: "And finally… when did you return home?"
Man: "I planned to come back early to take care of him but was delayed by work. When I arrived, I used my key, called out to him, asked how he was feeling, but got no reply. I went to the kitchen, put down the groceries, drank some water. I called again but still no answer. I figured he was asleep, so I opened the door gently to avoid waking him… but I found him like that. I checked his pulse—he was gone. Then I called you."
The man burst into tears. Dani placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.
Dani: "Don't blame yourself. You were a good friend. I'm sure you'll meet him again—on the other side."
Dani stood and turned to the officers.
Dani: "Have you notified his family?"
Officer: "Yes, sir. They're on their way."
Dani: "Good. Once you interview them, report back to me."
Officer: "Yes, sir."
Dani: "And the neighbors?"
Another Officer: "We questioned them. One neighbor said the victim's friend called him earlier to check on the deceased because he wasn't answering either phone. He asked him to knock on the door."
Dani: "And?"
Officer: "He knocked but no one answered. He assumed the man was sleeping and left."
Dani: "Alright. You—stay here and interview the family. Rami, come with me to the station."
Dani and Rami left the apartment. As they drove, Rami spoke up.
Rami: "Sir, shouldn't we just close the case? Everything points to suicide."
Dani: "No. This was murder. The killer was clever—but fear made him sloppy. And that exposed him."
Rami: "What mistakes, sir?"
Dani: "First, the knife—its orientation was unnatural. Second, the wound was to the right wrist, made with a left hand. Severing veins like that requires precision—something a right-handed person couldn't do with their off hand. I asked the friend—he confirmed the victim wasn't left-handed. So… suicide? Impossible."
Rami: "What else?"
Dani: "The window. Why was it open? The man had a fever and hated open windows. He'd never open one—not in that state."
Rami: "And the glass?"
Dani: "Ah… the blood on the glass shard was warm, bright red—fresh. Unlike the cold, dark blood of the corpse. That's mistake number three. The killer returned."
Rami: "Returned? Why would he come back?"
Dani: "Simple. He killed the victim. Just as he was about to stage the scene, there was a knock on the door—the neighbor. The killer panicked and fled. But later, realizing he left clues behind, he came back at night. He snuck in through the window in the dark. Didn't turn on the lights—used a flashlight or his phone. As he approached the body, he tripped on the rug and bumped into the table, knocking over a glass. While cleaning up, he cut himself on a shard and bled on it. He cleaned everything—but missed one piece that slid under the table."
Rami: "Incredible. It's as if you saw it happen."
Dani: "That's the detective's job—reconstruct the scene in his mind. Only then can the truth emerge."
Rami: "You're right, sir."
Dani: "Tomorrow, the truth will come to light—and so will the killer. Justice will be served."