While Troy and Amanda, were enjoying themselves, our story shifts to a factory in Compton with police tapes surrounding it. One could easily understand that this was a site of ongoing investigation. Few policeman in uniforms could be seen guarding the perimeter as few forensic experts worked the scene. A middle aged lieutenant in his mid 40s was overlooking the scene when two black SUVs pulled up on the scene. The lieutenant an experienced man could identify directly from the plates on the SUVs, the identity of these people.
'Feds! Why are the feds here at a local gang shooting', he thought. The local PD had ruled it as a mass gang shooting seeing all the dead members were from the Hell's Angels biker gang. The doors opened as five people stepped down, leading them was a woman. Lieutenant Smith had seen a lot of feds in his 25 year long career, but this woman was the most young and strikingly beautiful agent he had seen who claimed to be a captain.
"Lieutenant Smith, hi my name is Julia Caldwell, senior captain, FBI special forces, we need to take a look at your crime scene as we believe it might be connected to one of ours, we believe the attack pattern here matches one of our ongoing cases, this case is now a federal case" the lady called Julia extended her hand. Lt. Smith observed that she could not have been more than 35, dark brown hair, intelligent and confident brown eyes, flawless face and an enticing figure, which not only gave the sense of beauty but a sense of lethality as well.
Lt. Smith composed himself as he explained the case findings showing Julia scene photographs. Julia checked the injuries on the photographs and asked a confusing question, "Where the fatal wounds the only injury marks on the bodies?",
Lt. Smith who had been trying to understand how his case had become a federal one, when Julia's question shocked him, but he kept his composure and replied, "Yes, that was the only one. There were no indications of struggle or any second degree injury."
Julia nodded as if expecting it and then her next words sent a chill down Lt. Smith's spine, "I guess you also did not find any fingerprints right!"
Lt. Smith sweating in a cool summer night and said incredulously, "I don't know how you knew but yes, there was not a single fingerprint. Not one! One of the victims had his throat crushed, but there was not a single imprint of any choke hold being applied. No imprint on the skin, can you believe it! Our forensics looked like they had seen a ghost".
Julia signaled her team as they went into the scene with their own equipment and started their investigation. Julia looked at Lt. Smith who was still in the dark and explained, "This factory is the sixth among six factories in LA that have been hit in this similar fashion. No prints, No DNA and one single fatal attack. Also, the killer has used some kind of piercing weapon whose traces we could not find similar here. It is like you said as if a ghost had visited them and reaped their lives."
Lt. Smith shuddered, Julia remained calm as she mulled over the case. Six factories destroyed in a matter of 3 hours. More than 45 dead bodies including this scene. Everything pointed to an organized hit. Her superiors suspected the same, but Julia was not convinced. She also had a personal motivation as one of her best friend whose family was also her benefactors had stakes in these factories. So when she was asked to lead the investigation she did not hesitate. The more she looked at the details she was convinced that this was done by one man, as with only one man can you have such deadly accuracy and such deadly power, but she could not fathom one man having such crazy capability.
"Boss traces of opiates confirmed, same as the other scenes. I am taking a sample back to the lab to test it out against the other five trace samples from the other five scenes. If they match, then the 6 factories would have a common tie" one of the forensic experts said.
Julia approved but she already had a feeling, that all the 5 samples would match. She needed to sit down with her friend. She decided to take a detour on her way to field office. Instead she found herself in a luxurious restaurant in downtown. She had booked a private booth. Soon a woman walked into her booth. She had an equal beauty to Julia, with black hair and pearl black eyes. Her presence gave of a sensual and enchanting feeling with her every movements. She sat opposite to Julia.
"Julia, tell me how you've been. We haven't met face to face like this for a long time. So tell me what's the urgent call," The woman asked Julia with an enchanting smile.
"Vera, please be straight with me. We found drugs at all six of the locations. I know you are funding Hell's Angels. Are you mixed up in drugs business?!" Julia asked in a low voice, concern all over her face.
Vera smiled seeing Julia's concerned expression. She was breaking all protocols just to let her know this. She smiled, "I expected it. Don't worry I did not approve of any drugs, looks like Carlos was doing things behind my back. So he was not lying."
Julia caught the end of her sentence, "What do you mean?"
Vera's mind reeled back to last night when she had found the letter on her study table. She was shocked at first, but soon the news of the factories hit her. She crossed checked the data attached to the letters and everything matched. All she needed were physical evidence of drugs that Julia just confirmed.
Vera told Julia everything. She also shared the data she had received from this mysterious benefactor. Julia checked everything and sighed in relief, "well whoever this guy is saved you a lot of trouble, and with this data the drug thing can be pinned on Carlos. But what worries me is who is this guy, and what does he want? how is he so powerful and why did he help you?"
Vera replied, "The letter also mentioned that no thank you was needed, and this was an investment."
Julia could not figure out anything so she decided to focus on the case at hand. The two friends separated each making way to their own destination destined to have a sleepless night. One wondering who her mysterious benefactor was and what investment he meant, whereas one wondering about how much of a powerful person was lurking within the shadows of this city.
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In another location, another rich mansion one man sat looking at documents on table. His eyes were fixed on the message he had received on his tablet. Soon an old man looking like a butler walked in. The man looked up from the table and asked, "Is it true?"
"Yes, all six factories were attacked, none survived, most injuries were caused by unidentified piercing weapons, few were crushed thoraxes, each victim was dealt one fatal blow. Drugs on the scene were confiscated by FBI, no witnesses, no fingerprints or DNA, no gunpowder or casings or shells, not traces of the money, as if it is the work of a phantom." the butler finished with grim and serious voice.
The man's jaw tightened, " Whoever attacked us was not only well informed but extremely capable. The kills were not done by firearms hence no gunpowder or shell casings. The ambushers used only melee weapons. Whoever this is, I am not forgetting this. My name is Duncan Ross, and what I want I will have. No matter if it is a man or ghost."
He stood up, " Tighten security, cancel all plans on Hollywood Boulevard for now. Tell the team to focus on Canada for now. I will go find someone. Edwin, keep my jet ready tomorrow at 8. I need to visit a friend."