Legacy of Darkness

by Andersson, A C

  As Summer lent in for a closer look she saw the two tiny wounds on the victims neck, she took a step back in horror as visions of Vampires invaded her mind.

  “Yes” Von Wolf said matter of factly “That was my reaction also. I have never seen anything like this in over thirty years of doing this job and against all my best judgement only one explanation came to mind…”

  “Vampire!” Summer cut in her voice laced with doubt and disbelief. “But that’s just impossible Vampires don’t exist there just stories”

  “Well if you can offer me another explanation I am all ears, believe me”

  “there must be” Summer said as she desperately tried to think of another way the victim could of lost so much blood, but almost inevitably she came up with nothing.”

  “I keep telling myself the same thing” Von Wolf told Summer “ But there is nothing I know of that could take so much blood via two small holes in the victims neck, its just impossible and as the great Sherlock Holmes once said. If you eliminate the impossible. Then whatever is left no matter how improbable must be the truth.

  ” “

  Sherlock Holmes is a fictional character” Summer bemoaned “

  Yes, but the quote remains true none the less” Von Wolf assured her “Maybe we need to broaden our horizons slightly. Maybe the things we tell ourselves can’t possibly be by the light of day, actually do exist. But I found something else” Von Wolf said, quickly changing the topic of conversation back to his findings. “I found stray strands of hair on the body that don’t belong to the Victim. After having the DNA analyzed we found they were a match for a petty criminal by the name of Oliver Bloom. A man that disappeared without a trace eleven months ago.” “That doesn’t mean our Perp is a Vampire though” Summer said sternly trying to convince herself as much as she was trying to convince Von Wolf.

  “Agreed but it’s a remarkable coincidence you have to agree”

  “Perhaps” Summer sighed “But I still don’t buy this Vampire theory and if I go back to my boss with that he will hang me out to dry and probably have me committed while he’s at it”

  “You will have my report and full backing” Von Wolf tried to ensure the young detective

  “I stand Corrected he will hand us both up to dry” Summer said without a hint of humour in her voice.

  “You will have to tell him something” Von Wolf told her

  “And I will” Summer said confidently “I have a name Oliver Bloom and that is what I will tell him.”

  “Before you go there is one more thing you should know, the victim had died her hair, her natural colour was red.”

  “Lots of kids dye their hair to hide colours they don’t like, I don’t see why that is important.”

  “When I ran a trace I found this particular shade of red to be very rare and extremely unique. So unique in fact only members of a certain family sport that particular shade of red, your family” Von Wolf said as he looked Summer in the eye.

  “Your saying I’m related to this girl” Summer asked getting more ever confused as she was certain she had never met this girl in her life.

  “Are you sure. I mean I don’t know this girl”

  “I’m sure” Von Wolf said his tone stern and grave “I ran a blood test and there’s a ninety eight percent chance that you are related to Jessica folds.”

  “Well if that’s the case it is definitely something I will look into” Summer admitted

  “But for now I have to concentrate on the case in hand and work out how I am going to track down a man who has remained hidden for nearly twelve months.”

  Doctor Von Wolf smiled at Summer as he carefully placed the sheet back over the body before pulling off his latex gloves. Summer followed suit removing her gloves and throwing them into a nearby waste bin. With her hands free Summer extended her arm and shook the Doctors hand before leaving the autopsy room.

  Not sure what to make of the Doctors comment’s about being related to the victim or indeed any of the information she had received in the autopsy room. Summer left the coroners office none the wiser and unable to shake the preposterous theory that her Perp could be a Vampire. There had to be some other explanation, there just had to be. Vampires are just fictional characters that belong in teen romance novels and in the movies. Summer was determined to get to the bottom of this investigation one way or another and Oliver Bloom was the only clue she had. She just had to work out how and where to find him and maybe the best place to start would be the collage Jessica had attended; Maybe someone had seen Oliver the night the she had died perhaps someone even new the man. There was only one way to find out….

  Chapter Three

  Back at the station Summer had been summoned to her superiors office, Detective Chief Inspector Adam Greenhorn. Adam was an extremely driven and intelligent man who was in his early forties, he was clean cut in good shape thanks to frequent trips to the gym and Summer had to admit not bad looking. His greying hair giving him a rather distinguished George Clooney look.

  Summer tentatively knocked on Adams door before walking in and closing the door behind her. The DCI looked up from his paperwork and smiled at Summer, motioning at her to sit down with his hand. The pretty young detective sat her self down opposite her superior officer and waited for him to speak.

  “So what do you know” Adam asked calmly

  “Not much I’m afraid” Summer admitted. “Victim died of extreme blood loss..”

  “Blood loss?” repeated a surprised Adam. “I was led to believe the crime scene was clean”

  “It was Sir” Summer confirmed

  “So what happened to all the blood?”

  “We are working on it Sir. But in the meantime I do have a name, Oliver Bloom.”

  “And what do we know about him”

  “Again not much” Summer said to her bosses exasperation.

  She watched the Detective Chief Inspector as he sighed, followed by an impatient look that slowly crept across his face. Hoping to avoid a rollicking Summer quickly relayed what she did know about her prime suspect.

  “Oliver Bloom is a thirty four year old petty criminal, cautioned and fined for minor theft and GBH but was reported missing by his family twelve months ago”

  “So he resurfaces a year later to kill some random teenage girl” Queried an unconvinced Adam Greenhorn.

  “I know” Summer agreed “It doesn’t make much sense but it’s the only lead we have.”

  “Well you better follow it up then” Adam told her “Because we are going to need answers on this one and fast”

  “I understand” Summer said as she leaned back on her chair. “I’m hoping our suspect was spotted at some point during the night Jessica was murdered. So I am going to contact the collage and arrange some interviews with the kids who attended the party maybe someone will have something useful to tell us.”

  “Maybe” Adam said “But most likely they were all too drunk or high to remember anything that may help us”

  “Shall I not bother then”

  “No, no conduct your interview we need to follow every avenue we have.”

  “Yes sir” Summer responded dutifully as she climbed to her feet ready to leave Adams office.

  The following morning Summer woke up a good hour early she wanted time to shower, have some breakfast and prepare her notes for the impending interviews, she knew Jessica’s murder would still be raw in the poor kids minds. So she wanted her questions to be few and straight to the point. For the sake of the kids and her own sanity Summer wanted to get the interviews over as quickly as possible.

  Summer stepped into the shower and closed her eyes as the warm water saturated her naked body. She closed her eyes as she washed her luscious red locks, working the shampoo and conditioner slowly into her blazon hair. Summer let the shower wash the conditioner out of her long hair before grabbing the soap and lathering her soft silky skin.

  Summer climbed out of the shower and began drying herself off when her phone suddenly
began ringing. Thanks to the specially allocated ring tone Summer knew instantly that it was her boyfriend Steven calling. No doubt desperate to hear Summers voice as she hadn’t seen him for a couple of days now.

  It was the one major downside of the job, it sometimes gave very little time for family and relationships many of those in the police force had suffered broken romances and shattered marriages thanks to the job. Many husbands and wives were simply unable cope with the danger of the job and the sheer amount of time that they lost with their loved ones. Summer herself had seen several relationships disappear down the drain because of her commitment to the force. But Steve seemed different he seemed more laid back and understanding than previous boyfriends, he was certainly good looking and sexy as hell and Summer really hoped that she could make this one work.

  She could barley hold back her smile as she answered the phone looking forward to hearing Steve’s warm and sexy voice and the comfort it gave her.

  The conversation was short but sweet as Summer didn’t have much time that morning. Steve asked how she was and how things were going and if he could see her soon. Summer assured him that she would be able to see him in the next couple of days come hell or high water, they both told one another that they were being missed and exchanged I love you’s before reluctantly hanging up.

  Summer got herself dressed as she thought longingly about Steve’s gorgeous face, his bright blue eyes, his cropped brown hair and chiselled jaw line perfectly framed by his five O’ clock shadow. She then allowed herself to think about his bulging biceps and abb’s, while she squeezed herself into a pair of figure hugging blue jeans and pulled on a white knitted crew neck jumper. She left the en-suite bathroom and picked up her brown leather boots as she walked through the bedroom and into the main living room. She placed the boots by her white leather couch and opened the door that led to the kitchen. Inside the apartments immaculate and ultra modern kitchen, Summer made her self a hot cup of instant coffee, she much preferred ground but she was usually too pushed for time to bother, she sipped the coffee as she poured herself a bowl of cereal. Summer then made sure her notes and photo’s of the suspect were all in order Before putting on her boots and full length rain coat. She left the flat and made her way to the car park and her Audi TT.

  Summer wasn’t surprised to see a large memorial of flowers and messages for young Jessica Folds building steadily around the collage gates. By all accounts he had been a popular girl and her fellow students had taken her sudden death hard. She drove slowly and carefully through the entrance and found a place to park, she took her folder containing her notes and made her way to the collage building.

  Summer Entered the collage through the main entrance and made her way to reception. As she walked through the corridor she couldn

  ’t help but notice how quiet and sombre the mood was amongst the students. She imagined that the corridors would normally be a hive of activity, young adults talking and laughing, running to get to class in time, even stealing a quick kiss against the lockers outside the many class room‘s. Today there was none of that, every one was sad and upset and rightly so, Jessica’s death was a horrible tragedy and Summer was determined to catch the son of a bitch responsible. As she approached the main desk Summer gave the receptionist a warm smile. She was a small elderly woman who was well into her sixties. Her dress sense was smart but unspectacular as she wore a cream cardigan over a smart green blouse and her glasses hung on a chain around her neck, a smile crept over her wrinkled features as she welcomed her pretty guest.

  “

  Can I help you dear” she asked in a friendly tone “

  DI Summer Richards” she introduced her self as she showed the receptionist her badge “

  Ah yes the Head Master is expecting you, he has a room set up for you just down the hall” she informed the young DI. “We will start sending the students to you in the next few minutes; you should know they are still very shook up” “

  I understand” Summer said as she gave the old receptionist a sympathetic look. “

  How do I find my room?” Summer asked not wanting to get lost trying to find her way, she knew the corridors of these collages were like labyrinths, one wrong turn and she could end up at the wrong side of the building. “

  Just carry on down this corridor, turn left then it’s the second room on the right. I have the list of students you need to interview right here, is there anyone you would like to start with?” “

  Her closest friend please” Summer insisted. Summer knew that Jessica’s best friend would probably have the most information to share and she would also be the most upset. Better to get her questioned and processed quickly so she can go home and take it easy, rather than sit around stewing while she waited to be interviewed. Summer walked into the class room and sat at the teachers desk, it was pretty much how she remembered a class room to be, a large room full of vandalised desks with names and initials etched into them, cheap and uncomfortable chairs for the students to sit on. The only real change was that the old blackboard had now been replaced by a large whiteboard.

  Summer went over her notes at the desk as she awaited the first student, who arrived after only a few minutes. A blond girl dressed in a black top, and trousers entered the room and sat on a chair Summer had placed by the desk. The young woman, who was still visibly shaken and upset, could barely make eye contact with the Detective Inspector.

  “Hi I’m DI Summer Richards” Summer introduced herself as casually as she could. “Charlotte Green” The blond girl replied while trying to force a smile. “

  I know this is very difficult for you.” Summer began. “But we are determined to find out what happened to Jessica as quickly as possible and to do that we need all the information you and your friends can give us about the events during and after the party on Thursday night. Just take your time and think very carefully about everything you tell me” Summer said as she gave Charlotte an encouraging smile, not that she thought it would do much good. “

  I will do my best” the grieving young woman finally managed to say “We all want to help as much as we can” “

  I know you do” Summer said reassuringly as she opened up her file and pulled out the photograph of Oliver Bloom. “Do you recognise this man” Summer said as she handed Charlotte the picture.

  Charlotte took her time staring hard at the photo before shaking her head and handing it back. Summers heart sank as she took back the picture, Charlotte obviously didn’t recognise Oliver at all. It probably meant that he likely only saw Jessica as she made her way home, Summer had to face the possibility that no one had seen her Perp. Summer felt her case against Oliver Bloom collapsing around her before it had even started.

  “Are you sure” Summer asked softly clutching at straws that maybe the young girl would suddenly remember that she saw the suspect after all.

  “I’m sorry” Charlotte said as once again she shook her head.

  Never mind Summer thought I’ve still got a few more questions to ask maybe someone else followed her home a jealous guy from the party perhaps.

  “Tell me about the party” Summer asked “What did Jessica get up to”

  There was a slight hesitation as Charlotte thought about what to say in the end she decided to tell the detective everything. She didn’t want to be responsible for the culprit getting away because she held back some small piece of evidence that seemed unimportant at the time.

  Charlotte composed herself and began to tell Summer all about the

  party and everything Jessica got up to on that fateful night, even telling Summer about the kiss with Jason and the other guys.

  “

  Did any of the guys get jealous of one another?” “

  No” Charlotte replied candidly “the girls always tease and wind the boys up and the guys just love it, it’s all just a bit of harmless fun really and besides most of the lads would be too drunk to notice what’s going on around them anyway.” “

  What about Jaso
n?” Summer asked. Did he follow Jessica home that night? “

  Oh no Jason stayed to the end. Jessica always leaves early and as far as I can remember she left alone, no one left with her or followed her out of the club” Charlotte sniffed as she tried to hold back the tears, despite her best efforts several tear drops rolled down her face. “

  Hey don’t be afraid to cry” Summer whispered as she placed a reassuring hand on the girls shoulder “it’s better than holding it all in, trust me bottling up your emotions never does anyone any favours. Charlotte nodded in agreement and smiled through the tears.

  “

  I think we are done here now anyway, nothing else you can think of that may help?” The young women shook her head, she had nothing left to say, Summer thanked Charlotte before dismissing her and asking for the next student to be sent in.

  The interviews had been a total bust, none of the students could offer anything constructive, all their stories were more or less the same. Jessica came to the party looking particularly stunning in a tight little black dress, she danced and flirted with a few of the boys, before finally making out with Jason Ryder, then at around Twelve am, she left the club alone to walk home, although of course she never made it. This case still wasn

  ’t adding up, there was no evidence, no witnesses and apparently no suspect, nobody had any idea who the man in the picture was. Summer began to wonder how Oliver Bloom fitted in to all this. Had he faked his own disappearance so he could carry out his sadistic fantasies of killing young girls? Or was the hair strand simply circumstantial and she was out chasing a red herring? They were both plausible possibilities but Summer didn‘t have time for that right now. She had somewhere else she needed to be.

  Chapter Four

  It had been three long weeks since Summer had been round to visit her Mother Linda. Summer knew she was guilty of not seeing her Mum as frequently as she should and more often than not felt guilty about the fact. Especially when Linda rang her up and gave her daughter a hard time for not popping round.