FLORENA POV:
The automatic sensors of the door slid open and I entered with my usual grace, Ervis right next to me. The door closed as soon as we entered. The chilly air from the automatic chillers surrounding the room upgraded the tension to superlative degrees. The police station as a whole had auto-coolers. Still, the chilliest air always rested in Milton's room.
I noticed the three senior most officers and some of my fellow colleagues of our department looking our way.
"You are on time as usual, Detective Woodville." Colonel Milton's voice cut through the tension like a knife.
I saluted immediately and Ervis followed.
"Take a seat…Oh! I see Detective Lauke is here too. It's a blessing you came early though."
I glanced at Ervis to notice her friendly smile hiding her sneer beneath it.
I was aware of Ervis' extent of hatred towards this snob sitting right in the center of the meeting.
We got on our seats beside each other like obedient students.
I took a moment to take in the atmosphere. Colonel Milton was sitting between two other senior most officers-
Chief Commissioner Drevon Vale, the youngest officer who defied nepotism and gained his position at a young age. Elegant as ever, he wore a black trench coat, his dark brown hair slicked back. I have met him a few times before because of our cases and reports however, I hardly remember him joining in a mere meeting with us. This is enough to indicate how grave our situation was.
On the other side, I noticed Head Forensics Officer, Mrs. Leila Marnes, looking as smart as ever with her bob-cut jet black hair even in her early forties.
"Detective Woodville."
My name echoed through the tension of the room as everyone's eyes turned towards me.
I stood up from my chair.
"You are Detective Woodville I presume?" Chief Commissioner Vale's voice dominated the room.
"Yes, sir."
"I hear a lot about you from Colonel Milton. I heard the last case was successful."
"Yes, it was."
Just like that, he stopped asking further questions. He was testing me, I was sure but I, as always knew not to back down. I stared with the same intensity at his hazel eyes, with the same confidence I have been showing to the others over the years.
For a moment I noticed it, a faint smile on his lips.
It was a sign…A sign of approval.
"Well, it seems like we need your help again." Colonel Milton began.
"What is it this time?" Ervis questioned with a yawn.
"Control yourself, Detective Lawke. This is serious."
I predicted she would roll her eyes at Milton as usual but she didn't. I knew better she would never do that when the senior-most officers are present. We know our places.
"As you all have noticed, Chief Commissioner Vale and Head Forensic Officer, Mrs. Marnes is here with us. This clearly shows the seriousness of the matter, so I wish everyone to listen with full attention and come up with fruitful points."
Everyone played the role of a robot well in these meetings. I am no exception. The only exception was the lady sitting next to me.
"Sir-"
Before she adds any more words Milton shut her up.
"And yes, I expect your best behavior for this meeting, Detective Lauke."
I didn't glance her way as I knew how her face would look like now.
"The West of Noxhaven has been under the thrall of serial killings for the past few weeks. The first murder was committed at Nenvez point and it was suspected to be a murder due to personal accounts. But the circumstances seem to prove otherwise as it has increased to a greater extent in the past few days, one of them even trailing along the areas near Regene quarters near the Noxhaven's State High School."
He continued after a pause.
"From patterns of killing to leaving behind traces…everything matches. It is a serial killing. And I fear this seems to travel to the East now, so it is high time we take on the case and find the murderer."
Ervis whispered in my ear, "Go help your father by finding the esteemed murderer."
Ervis' sarcasm was well displayed and I returned it by whispering back.
"Of course, I am well-paid, isn't it?"
She just huffed in response in defeat.
I smirked.
Suddenly, an officer from our division raised his hand.
"Yes?"
"Sir, I wish to know assuming this is serial killing case, what can be the motive?"
"Another rebellion!" a voice yelled. Surely, it belonged to Ervis.
"Detective Lauke, I must remind you again you cannot-" Milton's sentence was cut off by the authoritative and hoarse voice of Vale.
"Wait a minute. What was your point again?" Drevon Vale's eyes glued on Ervis waiting for her to elaborate.
"I think this serial killing has connections to yet another sign of rebellion."
"Take a note on it." Vale ordered.
An officer took notes with his pen at a cheetah's speed only if a cheetah could ever write.
Ervis faced glowed with a pleased expression as she hummed and took few notes along with the other officers and me from the meeting.
Many discussions and arguments followed.
"Now, Detective Woodville…a word please?" I didn't even notice when Chief Commissioner Vale was standing right in front of me. My habit of being engrossed in thoughts and the cases invaded my other senses working…I noted again.
"Sure, lead the way." I got up from the chair to follow him. Before going I looked behind only to find Ervis no longer in the scene.
'Sneaky rat' I called her in my mind.
----------------------------------------------------------
We arrived in the room right next to the Colonel's office. It was the office of the Chief Commissioner himself. I wondered how it looked like. Over the years, I had never passed through the doors of this room.
Chief Commissioner Drevon Vale was a very rare sight to be spot in the Noxhaven Police Station's main building. He usually sits in one of the other buildings present around the office in the area but since I had nothing to make out of it, I ignored showing my curiosity brewing over it.
"Please take a seat, Detective Woodville." He took a seat across me in his lavish unused yet polished armchair.
I sat across him as I saw him still holding his intense stare.
"I am taking this case personally, Detective Woodville." He stated.
A single sentence yet seemed to surprise me as I knew he had better cases to take care off than to handle cases like these which concerned me. Again, I masked it with my indifferent gaze and straight expression.
"I see." I remarked.
"I prefer officers with such attitude."
"I will keep that in mind."
Though I had no idea why I should be remembering that…maybe not to get on his bad side and get…demoted?
He chuckled.
This was truly enough for me to break my unbreakable façade I withheld over the years. I frowned. Do I seem funny to him?
He took a pause and then resumed.
"Well, I must say…Detective, I did hear from Colonel Milton about your devotion to cases and your career but I never expected to such an extent. I admire it."
He surely had a smooth way of complimenting people.
I smiled.
"Now, we are even."
He continued.
"I am working on this case along with you."
"But Detective Lauke was supposed to work beside me." I couldn't stop myself as the words fell off my mouth.
"Change of plans."
That's it. He makes decisions as he wishes to and…it gets applied.
Time to explore the case.
"The killer struck here then?" I inquire.
"Yes, it seems to be the case now. It is perhaps late now; the meeting was rather too long. I do get it, so you can take your leave, I will share the info and other details to you later."
He is sympathetic…I noted.
"Thank you sir." I saluted before taking my leave.
----------------------------------------------------------