Chapter 50

Chapter 50
“Is the autopsy report on Mr. Gideon out?”
Ariel shook her head. “They said they’ll call when it’s ready.”
The photograph was still in her hand, her thumb rubbing the corner absentmindedly.
Micheal glanced sideways at her as he swerved left, cutting through traffic.
“You’ve been staring at that photo for ten minutes. Something wrong?”
Ariel exhaled slowly. “Remember the case of SK? Oh—right. You weren’t at my station then.”
Micheal’s grin widened. “SK. The serial killer. The obsessive creep who hunts women.”
Ariel turned sharply toward him. “I see you dip your nose everywhere.”
He laughed under his breath. “Can’t blame me. Your station is… interesting. New cases popping up like mushrooms. I wish they’d transferred me sooner.”
She rolled her eyes and looked straight ahead.
“So,” he continued, “what’s with the woman in the picture? Are they related?”
“She was one of his victims who survived.” Ariel’s voice softened.
Micheal nodded. The joking left his face.
“I think this is the place. You sure anyone still lives here?” he asked as he parked.
The environment was silent—too silent. Dry leaves scattered across a dirt path, the wind pushing them like restless whispers. The house leaned to the side, patched with rusted zinc sheets.
“Yes, I’m sure,” Ariel muttered, stepping out.
She knocked. Once. Twice. Harder.
Micheal scanned the surroundings, frowning. “You’re certain?”
Ariel ignored him and knocked again, louder. “Hey, it’s me! Don’t worry—you can open up!”
After a long pause, the wooden door creaked and shifted open.
“Detective Ariel?” Dara’s voice trembled from behind it.
“I just need to talk to you for a moment,” Ariel said gently.
Dara peeked outside, saw Micheal, and stiffened. Her fingers curled around the edge of the door.
“Don’t worry,” Ariel added softly. “No one is here to hurt you.”
Dara stepped out timidly. Her appearance told a story Ariel didn’t comment on— torn clothes, sunken cheeks, dark circles from nights of terror.
Ariel went straight to the point. “My colleague and I have a few questions. You’re not in trouble. We just need your help.”
Dara shook her head immediately. “I— I don’t know anything.” Tears welled up.
“Hey. It’s okay,” Ariel said calmly. “We won’t force you. Just a few questions.”
Dara’s breathing grew uneven. “I don’t know anything. Please… just go.”
“Dara,” Ariel called softly.
The name broke her. Her lips quivered, her shoulders shaking. Ariel tried stepping closer, but Dara flinched and moved back.
“What more do you people want from me?” Dara whispered hoarsely. “I said I don’t know anything…”
She rushed inside and slammed the door.
Ariel sighed heavily.
Micheal approached, his arms folded. “Thought you said you could handle it.”
Ariel gave him a hard look. “I can.”
“Sure,” he said dryly. “I can see you handled it perfectly.”
Ariel breathed out in frustration. “You don’t understand. She’s been through hell.”
Micheal twirled the keys between his fingers and leaned against the car. “Then I guess we wait until our little Dara decides to talk.”
Ariel ignored the sarcasm. She pulled a paper from her purse, scribbled something, and slipped it under the door.
“I hope you call me,” she whispered to the closed door.
She walked back to the vehicle. Micheal slid into the driver’s seat but didn’t start the engine.
“Let’s go back to Mr. Gideon’s house,” he said. “I think we missed something.”
Ariel nodded.
Minutes later, they pulled up in front of the Gideon residence. The yellow tape still fluttered around the property like a warning banner.
Inside, the air was stale.m.
“The police said there were signs of a struggle,” Micheal said, crouching near a broken piece of glass on the floor.
“I think someone else was here.”
Ariel scanned the room. Something felt… off.
Micheal straightened and gave her a cold grin.
“Mrs. Cole.”
Ariel turned. “What about her?”
“The ring, I'm certain it's connected somehow.“
“Are you saying Mrs. Cole night have been the one who was here, cause I doubt it. She claimed to be out of town during the whole thing and only returned after hearing their deaths even the maid testified she travelled.“
Michael was silent for a while. “Then who could it be?“ He thought.
“Did you find anything else? Because the CCTV in the house are broken. I heard it's always been that way and Mr. Gideon been that he lives alone, has refused to have it fixed.“ Micheal said.
“What's that?“ Ariel muttered. Micheal turned in hdf direction.
Then she pointed at something behind the sofa.
He followed her finger.
A small blood smear.
Not Gideon’s blood— this one was fresher.
Someone else had been here.
And they’d been hurt.
Ariel’s stomach tightened. “I think someone was here.“
Micheal rushed into the inner room. He returned with a hard look.
“The windows are open, the person was just here.“
Ariel's eyes snapped.
“I'll call the lab, for the blood.“