Past Unveiling by Audrey Walker (little readers .TXT) 📕

to ring, and she sighed, wondering what more bad news awaited her.

“We located the cab used for the murder,” Burke said, on the other side. “You gotta get to the station. Now.”

Chapter Nine

“The cab was parked outside this apartment,” Andrews whispered. “Some officer spotted it and called it in.”

They stood behind a building located in one of the more impoverished areas of town, guns ready in their hands. The buildings themselves were old and shabby and looked as if they hadn’t been maintained in years. Some of the buildings were even empty, too broken to live in. Robin knew only squatters could be found here.

“We found out that cab belongs to one of the men who resides on the top floor,” Andrews whispered. “There is a good chance that this man is our killer.”

“Alright,” Burke said. “Let’s do this. Did we find out more about the cab?”

“We did,” Andrews whispered. “It was reported stolen over a year ago by the company. The thief must have changed the number plates. No one ever checks the taxi plates, so he probably got away with it.”

“Okay, I want this done quietly and without any bloodshed,” Burke said. “Arrest the man and make sure he doesn’t escape. Shoot if you need to, but make sure he is not killed. Understood?”

“Team Alpha, are you on the roof?” Robin asked into the earpiece.

“Team Alpha, ready,” the voice said back.

“Team Beta, are you securing the fire escape?” she asked.

“Secure,” the voice answered back.

“Right,” she said. “All clear. All escape routes have been blocked.”

“Let’s go,” Burke whispered.

Holding their guns at the ready, they slowly made their way through the building, climbing the stairs in single file. Robin held her weapon in front of her, alert for any sign of possible attack. They reached the apartment, and Burke gestured at them to pause.

“Sir, open this door!” Burke shouted, banging on the door. “This is the police!”

Nothing could be heard from the inside, and Burke reached down to turn the door handle. The door opened, and Burke gestured at the team to follow him. Robin walked into the dark apartment, her eyes and ears alert for any sign or noise. One of the officers turned on the light, and they all waited until their eyes adjusted. Then, Andrews voice rang out.

“Sir, I found him,” he said. “He’s dead.”

__

“The taxi driver is clearly not the man we were looking for,” Kyle said.

“Yes, it would seem so,” Burke said. “He was killed just five minutes before we reached there. The killer did this in a hurry. He shot the cab driver in the chest and left through the fire escape.”

“The cab driver was one Heath Jason,” Andrews said. “I ran his prints through the system. He had a past criminal record for committing various crimes. He must have stolen the cab last year.”

“I had a look at his financial records,” Robin said. “He recently received the money in his account. He must have been asked to pick the girl up and take her someplace by the actual killer.”

“And when the killer realized we were on the trail of the cab driver,” Burke said. “He killed him.”

“The killer is someone who is not very rational or logical,” Robin said. “This was preplanned, but he didn’t plan it properly. It seems as if a juvenile mind did it.”

“I agree,” Burke said. “Ask the forensic team to expedite the process. Let’s go over any possible motive and all the alibis of everyone all over again. Maybe we missed something.”

Robin’s phone rang, and she picked it up, “Yeah, Abby?”

“Hey, you aren’t home yet,” she said.

“Sorry,” Robin said. “I will be a bit late. I have lots of work.”

“But tonight, Jim’s parents are visiting,” Abby said. “I saved a dinner. I requested you specifically to be there.”

“Oh, damn,” Robin said. “Abby, I am so sorry. I just can’t get out of this–.”

“I haven’t seen you in days,” Abby whispered. “Where have you been?”

“I am sorry, work has been so messed up,” Robin said. “I will make it up to you, I promise.”

Silence fell, and Robin twisted uncomfortably, wondering what Abby was thinking.

“Alright,” she finally said. “Take care, Sis.”

Robin sighed and put her phone away, rubbing her tired eyes.

“Let’s get to work,” Burke said. “Robin, can you look into the cab driver? Find whatever you can about him.”

Robin nodded and headed back to her desk, mentally exhausted. Kyle had been strangely quiet, and she had no idea what was running through his head.

She frowned as she looked down at her desk, noticing a small parcel lying there with a simple rose attached to it. With trembling hands Robin slowly opened it, knowing who it was from.

Inside was a plain locket with a crest on the top. Robin looked around for a note, and sure enough, she found it.

“Well played, Robin. You have always been excellent at solving mysteries. You managed to evade my first plan. I am actually glad that you did. This makes everything so interesting. Do you remember all those puzzle games and math quizzes we used to do? We were always putting our minds against one another. I loved those times I spent with you. They are my fondest memories. I know you are trying to find me, so I thought, why not let you? Here is a clue. This necklace belonged to my mother. Find me, Robin, if you can.”

“What’s that?” Kyle asked, noticing her expression. She let him read the note, her own thoughts running wild.

“What game is he playing now?” Kyle asked.

“I don’t know,” Robin said. “But this necklace belonged to his mother. There is a crest on it, Maybe a family crest? Let’s see what we can find out about it.”

“Robin,” he whispered. “This will have to wait. We have a killer on our hands.”

“I know; I will look into the cab driver,” she said.

“No,” he said softly. “If you really want to help me arrest Danvers, then do it. Otherwise, I am taking matters into my own hands.”

He walked