Category : Books-Fiction

Sub Category : Suspense/Mystery

It had been 16 hours since April left the police department. According to her GPS, she had only had 12 more to go. 12 more hours of driving non-stop to a place she hoped had answers.
If not, well, she would return home, apologize to her father, and L....L would be executed. If she did find answers, well, it all depends on what she finds. 
She didn't know why she was doing this. Why didn't she just go back to her life? Attend the execution, watch Audrey grow up, play games with them and live a normal life?
But she couldn't. She had a feeling, a feeling that she had met L before. He seemed so....familiar, comfortable. And Audrey, what happened to her real family? Why had she been put up for adoption?
Nothing made sense anymore. Audrey, L, her father, even herself. Hopefully, this place would have answers and if not....well, she didn't want to think about it.
                       ......................
"Willy, when's April gonna come back?" Audrey asked, fiddling with the dolls in her hand.
"In a couple of days, I promise." She sighed and continued to play with her dolls.
"Hey, why don't we take a drive? Go and take our minds off things."
"Can we go see L?"
"Ah, I...I don't think that's a very good idea."
"Please? Pretty please with sprinkles on top?"
"We can go if you tell me why. You know what he's done right? How he's a murderer?"
"But, I like him! He's nice and funny. Can we please go visit? I'm bored." William sighed and looked at her pleading face.
"Alright we can go."
"Yay!" Audrey yelled, running out of the house toward his car. William smiled and went after her.
                         ..................
"Hi L!" Audrey yelled excitedly when she ran into his room at the mental hospital. 
"Hey! It's little Audrey! What are you doing here princess?"
"I wanted to see you! I was bored with William." She whispered the last part in his ear and L looked over her shoulder at William.
"Oh I bet. I'm surprised they let you in, considering you're a little girl."
"I'm not that little! And it's okay. They let us in cause Willy's strong and important."
"Well, that makes sense. Although if I was in charge I wouldn't let anyone see a murderer like me."
"Officer McClane, we've got a situation." A officer said, running into the room. William stood up and approached him.
"What is it?"
"Homocide sir. Ms. Conrad was found dead in her home. Shot twice in the chest. Neighbors never explained hearing a gunshot, so I'm thinking a silencer."
"Ms. Conrad, the kindergarden teacher?"
"Yes sir."
"Alright, let's head out." The police officer exited the room and William turned to Audrey.
"Audrey, I need you to stay here. I'll call your dad so he can pick you up. I'll come by and visit soon."
"Oh, okay."
"William!" L yelled from behind Audrey. Will turned to look at him. 
"Be careful." William nodded his head and left without another word.
                       .....................
"Alright, what do we got?" William asked as he stepped out of his car, studying the crime scene carefully. The officer from before sighed and followed him.
"No signs of a break-in. Witnesses report seeing a black car parked outside, no license plate though. I'm thinking whoever killed her must have been let in."
"Who found her?" 
"Daughter. Came home to visit and drop off some flowers for her birthday. Found her dead, tied up to a chair in the living room."
"Any leads on the murder weapon?"
"Bullet casings were found, only two, both .45 pistol casings."
"Anything else?" They were now walking up the steps to her house.
"Well, forensics say she was tortured before she was killed, and pretty violently too." 
"Tortured?"
"You'll see." And they walked into the living room. The place was a complete mess. Lamps and pictures were all knocmed to the floor. Ms. Conrad was tightly secured to a chair, her arms and face bleeding. The police officer was right.
Fresh scars were scratched into her skin with what looks like was a knife. Her face was beaten and swollen and her hair mangled and bloodied. In other words, someone could say that whoever did this to her had a certain grudge, and a bad one.