Chapter 49 Video Leak
Clio
Questioning began with the police. Dave and Lily were called in while Chris got a few days off to mourn for her daughter. She took one of urns' home while one was taken to the Columbarium.
Since the floor we worked on was sealed off, the people from our floor moved to another one that was fortunately still unoccupied.
The office atmosphere was pretty grim
And Harou's words kept weighing on my head.
'The killer is someone very near you.'
I gulped
Near?
How near?
Did he mean to say that it might be someone from the office? I stopped working for a moment and then glanced around.
Everyone was quietly doing their work
Could it be anyone from here? Really? The morbid atmosphere continued and I looked from one person to another, closely looking at their expressions and trying to study them when a sudden vibration scared the shit out of me and I flinched violently.
!!!
My phone dinged, indicating a message and I let out a sigh after realizing that.
OH GOD...
I turned around and got my phone out of my pants pocket and immediately opened it.
It was from Lily, the secretary
'The Boss usually takes his coffee around this time, since I'm not here, you'll have to make him some.'
I stared at the message with a long look of confusion. Why is she suddenly asking me that? Why should I make his coffee for him?
'Why me?' I texted back and thought that since Lily was most likely at the police station at this time she might not answer fast.
But contrary to my expectations, I got an immediate reply.
'Because you're the intern.' It was a fast and blatant reply which made me roll my eyes.
I frowned and stood up from my seat to go to the kitchen to make some stupid coffee. When I went in and grabbed a cup, I got another message from Lily.
This time it was a detailed recipe description on how to make the coffee and I shook my head at it in disappointment.
But, I still followed through nonetheless.
I knocked on the door twice
"Come in,"
Then I entered the room with Matthew's coffee in my hands. He was standing near the bookshelf grabbing some documents and reading them through. His sleeves were folded up and I won't lie, he looked hot as hell standing there in all seriousness doing his job.
"I brought your coffee."
I guess he wasn't expecting me there, because when he heard my voice his ears perked up and he turned his head around immediately to look at me.
"Clio?" He raised his brow at me and I shrugged.
"Lily is at the station and she told me to get your coffee," I showed him the cup and walked towards him.
"Ah," He nodded and took the cup from me, "Thank you," He lifted the plate and turned around to put the plate and coffee cup on his desk while I noticed something was wrong.
My eyes caught a small detail—the mismatched button in his waistcoat. It was a subtle imperfection in an otherwise impeccable ensemble. Without a second thought, I moved closer to him without any warning.
And as he turned around from the desk he flinched since I was right next to him. He was about to bump into me but somehow managed to avoid the collision.
"Oh!" I realized I should have said something, "Sorry," I looked down at his chest, "It's just," My fingers gently brushed against the fabric as I reached for the offending button, "There's a mismatched button." And I started to unbutton it.
Matthew didn't say anything, he just watched me and I felt his gaze on me which made me conscious and shy.
I was feeling weird, so I glanced up at him for a split second and noticed his smile and his subtle expressions. His astonishment at my small act of care and attention was evident, and it made me feel giddy, not allowing me to look at him anymore.
And I immediately looked down again.
With a delicate touch, I secured the button in place, my fingers lingering for just a moment longer than necessary.
Oh, God...
There was no need for me to do that? Why did I even offer the service? I didn't even ask. Am I losing my mind or something?
"Done," I said softly and took a step back, "Ah, um, sorry, I didn't even ask." I pursed my lips and then finally looked up.
Our eyes met, and I saw a softness in his gaze that hadn't been there before.
My heart skipped a beat and then felt a weird sensation in my chest.
"No problem," He smirked, "I appreciate it."
Holy Hell! I looked away
NO!
My heart should not be doing this!!
I just had my heart broken, I was balling my eyes out four days ago! What is wrong with me? I won't even get these feelings reciprocated!
Like ever!
Oh God! I should make a run for it!! No time to waste!!
I turned around, "Alright then-" But before I could, there was a knock at the door.
"Come in," And Matthew gave an immediate reply to it.
The door opened,
Bizy entered the room with a pale expression. I wanted to make my escape but looking at him made me quiet down.
He looked like he had something really important to tell the boss.
"Sir," And it looked like he had seen a ghost or something, "You have to see this." He walked towards us like a waddling confused duck which got me worrying for him.
Is he okay? Why is he so out of it? Did something happen?
"What is it?" Matthew stepped towards him.
"The CCTV footage," He gulped and came to stand between us, "That the police took from our office is released publicly."
Matthew frowned, "What?"
OH! Shit!
They released it publicly? Why? I don't think the cops can do that. Especially not when the investigation is ongoing.
"Did the police release it?" Matthew asked
"I don't think so," Bizy answered, "They can't do that because that not only goes against their policy but it will also harm our company."
The boss closed his eyes for a moment to think
I pursed my lips
I'm sure he's stressed. He keeps getting attacked from everywhere.
"Show me," He let out a soft sigh and opened his eyes while Bizy played the video on his phone.
The video showed the office which was shrouded in a morbid silence, the only sound the relentless patter of rain against the windows. The atmosphere was thick with an unshakable sense of dread as if the very air had turned heavy with foreboding. It was on this bleak canvas that the murderer made his chilling entrance.
Dressed entirely in black, the figure was a silhouette against the dimly lit corridor outside the office. The raincoat, slick and glistening from the rain outside, clung to the murderer's form, emphasizing a tall, sinewy physique. With each step, water dripped from the coat, forming a dark puddle on the floor, leaving a macabre trail in their wake.
In one gloved hand, the murderer carried an ominous bundle, hidden beneath the folds of the raincoat. It was a package that promised horror, hidden inside a plastic shopping bag.
The dim overhead lights cast long, eerie shadows around the suspicious person. The room was bathed in a sickly yellow glow, and every piece of furniture seemed to take on a sinister quality.
With a deliberate and deliberate movement, the murderer approached the targeted desk in the room. The raincoat was unbuttoned slowly, revealing a stark, black ensemble beneath. The atmosphere grew thicker with tension as the room seemed to hold its breath.
And then, with a leisurely and unfastened movement, the murderer took something out from the plastic bag and placed the severed head on the table.
OH! My God...
My heart dropped at the sight and I felt sick. It was a grotesque tableau, a horrifying centerpiece that was too cruel no matter how anyone would define it.
He carefully put a head that was dripping down blood on the center of the desk and then began to stare at it as the bodyless head stared blankly into the abyss, its lifeless eyes a testament to the brutality of the act.
The suspicious person made a thinking gesture, then moved to adjust the wet hair of the corpse, making it look 'pretty'
I clenched my fists as my heart drummed in my ears. It failed to process in my mind, how could that person in the video be so heartless that he was finding decorating the head amusing.
And he was taking his sweet time!
And when he was done, as if to taunt the very notion of justice, the murderer turned to face the security camera, the very one we were watching this video from.
The chilling, faceless figure raised a gloved hand and waved in a slow, deliberate manner as if mocking everyone. It was a gesture that sent shivers down the spines of anyone who would later view the footage.
Matthew watched the whole thing quietly and after the video finished, he just nodded.
"You both leave," He ordered
Bizy and I glanced at each other, then quietly left. As I closed the door behind me, I turned to glance at the door.
The video certainly wasn't easy to watch, I wonder if Matthew is alright...
I turned around to go to my desk.
I wonder if Chris saw that... I hope not...
>>Chris
I sat in my room, the lights turned off as I watched the clip released by an anonymous source that showed a dark figure putting the head of my daughter on my work desk.
My eyes were wide open and the rage in me was bubbling up as I glared at the screen.
I had the pillow in my arm, the corner of which was in my mouth that I kept chewing while I stared at the person in the video.
'Let me get my hands on you,' I seethed the words, 'You will regret ever being born!'
>>Matthew
I took out my phone as I went and sat down in my chair and dialed a number.
The call tried to connect and I pulled my coffee towards myself and took a sip from it.
The other party picked up the call.
"Hey~" He greeted me, "I'm assuming you saw the video I released." He smirked, "Did you enjoy it?"