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Chapter 3

I had to make sure if I saw correctly or I was mistaken. But if it wasn't a dead body, what could it be? A bag of potatoes?

I headed to the police station again the next day. I looked around but there was no sign of Mr Duncan. I asked one of the constables on his whereabouts and found out that he was away because of a hit-and-run accident that happened nearby.

"I came here yesterday to check the CCTV footage of the Wellsworth Hospital, representing the Harrington law firm. Do you have the CCTV footage? Can I check something for a minute?" I requested.

The constable accepted and directed me towards one of their computers. I sat down and started going through it again. Soon, I became frustrated with the computer. I called the constable again.

"Is something wrong with the computer? Why are there so many glitches on it?"

The constable shook his head and sighed. "I went through the records many times and even checked the computer. Nothing is wrong. I confirmed with other police stations and the prison who received the CCTV footage. All of them got the camera footage and had glitches in them."

"The CCTV footage worked quite fine on Mr Duncan's laptop," I remarked.

"Did you check everything? I'm sure there were some glitches, though he took them directly from the hospital. The people from the hospital themselves stated that there had been some problem with their CCTV cameras for some days and they are being repaired right now. It's useless checking the CCTV footage right now. The police are doing their best looking for the escaped prisoner," the constable explained and walked away.

I rubbed my temples into concentration. Mr Duncan got the footage directly from the hospital and it worked just fine. The camera footage the police stations received was handed over to them by the hospital.

What if the CCTV footage was tampered with by somebody before it was given to the police stations? I slammed my hands on the desk loudly and stood up so quickly that the chair screeched back. Yes, that's it!

Then I noticed the silence in the middle of my amazing temporary conclusion. Everyone stopped their work and were looking at me. I could feel the judgement in their eyes.

I chuckled nervously and clapped my hands in the air. "Ahaha, it's just those flies. They are such pests." And I walked out quickly to avoid further embarrassment.

☆☆☆

I sat at my desk again after lunch, searching for inspiration as I analysed the pictures I took.

"Has the burglary case finally been closed?" I asked Eliyah who was busy typing something on her laptop.

"Yup, I'm just finishing its report right now."

I sighed and looked back at my phone. Eliyah's eyes wandered to me for a second before she continued typing. "What's up with your case?" she inquired.

"Pfft, finally you asked!" I exclaimed and started ranting off about my problems, difficulties, complaints or whatever they could be called.

"I am at a dead end," I finished. By then, Eliyah already stopped typing, closed her laptop and was listening to me.

"Give me your phone," she demanded. I handed it over to her as she looked at the pictures as well.

"Did you search the ambulance in the picture by its licence plate?"

"I did. I looked around for it and asked some of the security guards. They said it was sent for repairs."

"Hmm, you could go check for it wherever it was sent to be repaired. Maybe you could get a little hint by asking around. Like who drove it there or when it was sent there, before the disappearance or after."

"Yes! I'd know then if it was the two men who were seen in the CCTV footage. Or I could get better CCTV footage if there is any surveillance camera at that auto repair shop."

I got up, took my bag and phone. "Thanks, Boo," I grinned as I rushed past her and ruffled her hair. I knew she hated that but she didn't get the chance to yell as I ran past her.

I sat in my car and searched for all the auto repair shops nearby. There were three so I decided to check each. The first one had no ambulance that was there for repair so I moved on to the next.

I arrived at Fix Auto West London after thirty minutes. I looked around to ask someone but everyone seemed busy.

"Hey lady! Do you need something?" I heard from beneath me as I jumped back stunned. Someone slid out from under a car that was next to me.

He seemed to be in his forties. He had dust and black dirt smeared all over his clothes.

"Are you the owner of this place?"

"Yes, I am. Do you need help with your car or something?" he asked gesturing to my car parked outside.

I shook my head. "No, I came here to check something. By any chance, was an ambulance from the Wellsworth Hospital sent here for repair?"

"Yes, there it is," he said gesturing to one at the far end of the place. I ran to it and pulled out my phone. I looked at the licence plate. LA13SBR. Yes, that's it!

The owner followed me in a perplexed manner. "I wonder how this ambulance could interest you."

"Oh," I took out my work ID and showed him, "I am making a report on a case related to the Wellsworth Hospital. And my curiosity led me till here. And this ambulance here may be of big importance to me," I said as I patted it and laughed.

"I still don't understand...," the owner trailed off.

"First of all, I want to know when did this ambulance arrive here?"

"Last week. 20th May I think."

"How many people were there in the ambulance?"

"Only the driver."

Wait. But it doesn't click. There is supposed to be two men. Or three. If the 'dead body' counts. Unless they got off earlier.

"Does your repair shop has a surveillance camera?" I asked glancing around.

"No, but we have one outside," he said, pointing to one to the left, outside near the road.

"Perhaps, I could check them, please," I asked.

"Yes, sure," he said and smiled. He turned around and yelled, "Louis! Show the lady the camera footage of last week." A young guy popped out from under a car and walked over to me.

"That's my son," the owner said patting his back, "he'll show you whatever you need. I need to get going."

"Thank you," I said gratefully.

"Anytime," he smiled and left.

The boy, Louis, guided me over to a compact office at the corner of the repair shop. He turned on the computer. "Only the records of last week?" he asked.

"I need only the records of the 20th May."

He stood up and gestured me to sit down instead. I sat down and started going through the records.

"Are you searching for something specific? I could help," Louis offered.

"Yes, were you there that day? I need the CCTV footage at the time the ambulance arrived."

"Yes. I'm not sure about the exact time but it must have been around noon," he said after a thought.

I searched through the camera footage quickly around that time and finally, I saw it. But then, it just passed and entered inside. I got no glimpse of the driver. My fingers brushed through my hair in annoyance as I kept replaying it.

"Did you see the driver?" I turned to the boy while taking out my phone and showing him the picture. "Was it one of those men?"

"I can't tell. This picture is blurry and the driver actually had a mask covering his face. Because of a cold or something," he said.

My eyes went back to the camera footage. I continued playing the records after the ambulance went in. Five minutes later, a black car appeared in the video. I sat up straight with attention, my hands already reaching for my phone. The black car waited there for a while until a man came out of the repair shop and got into the car.

I took some pictures of the car. That's all I can get from here. I stood up and turned to the boy, "Thank you, both you and your father. That is a lot of help." Then I walked back to my car.

☆☆☆

As I was returning to the law firm, I passed by the hospital. Should I check right now or later? Maybe it was better to do so now. It was already afternoon anyway.

I entered the hospital parking lot. There was a fifty per cent chance the black car belonged to one of the hospital employees. I drove around the parking lot slowly, searching for the car. I checked all the black cars until I finally spotted the right one. Checking all details to be certain, I parked right across it and stared at it. All I can do right now is to wait. I looked at my watch. 4 pm right now.

My wait lasted an hour or so. I had even been taking walks in between. Was it really worth wasting my time? Or would I be able to confirm my doubts? I knew I didn't have to do this. All I needed was a report. But fact-checking would harm no one, right?

As I took my fifth walk or so and was approaching my car, I saw the black car pulling out. And it left. Wasting no time or thoughts, I rushed to my car, got in, fastened my seatbelt, started it and followed after.

I started tailing the car and made sure I remained close behind. I allowed no car to get in between and interrupt my pursuit. I couldn't even get a good look at the driver. I kept my car right behind him for about fifteen minutes.

Then I started suspecting that he knew I was following him. I noticed how he kept glancing at his side mirror and his doubts seemed to have increased when I followed him as he sped up into complicated roads here and there. Soon he stopped sideways, maybe to check if I was going to stop or just go ahead.

I decided to pass by. I put my hair sideways to hide my face but as I went ahead, I saw him take out his phone. Oh no! He took a picture of my car!

Taking out my phone, I called Eliyah. "Hey, I'm returning from the auto repair shop. But I need my motorbike. Can you get it to the front of the law firm for me, right now?"

"Okay, why?"

"I'll explain after. Just get it to the front, quick!"

I took a left turn and went to the law firm. I saw Eliyah waiting for me, leaning against my black beauty, my bike, with the helmet in her hands. The bike was a gift by my Dad, on my 18th birthday. I was crazier for a bike than a car back then. I bought the car only a few months ago.

Rushing out of the car, I threw the car keys at Eliyah to catch.

"Take my car back to my apartment," I said as I got on my bike. "Oh, and your black hoodie looks nice. Let's swap!" I said, taking off my jacket and handing it to her. Though she was puzzled by my actions, she followed suit.

"What kind of shit are you getting yourself into?" she asked in a serious tone as she watched me put on her hoodie.

"Let's just say I'm playing catch the criminal game," I grinned and patted her shoulders, "Don't worry, I'll be safe."

"Oh, by the way, there is a gathering at Brian's apartment after dinner. Will you be there?"

"I might be there, a bit late, but still there," I said as I put on my helmet.

"Don't do anything stupid. And don't be late. Other friends will be there too. Especially Cas-"

"We'll see, Eli. For now, I'm in a hurry," I interrupted her.

And then, I took a turn and returned to the freeway. Seeing that the car was on the freeway all the time, I assumed he could be going out of town. By now, he may be a bit ahead of me, while staying on the lookout for my car. Ha! Guess who's the smarter one!

I spent some minutes speeding past cars here and there until I got back on track, behind the black car. The driver seemed more at ease now, with no doubt at all that the pursuer is right back, behind him.

We got out of London and into Hertfordshire quite fast. I made sure this time to avoid any suspicions. Sometimes I took other routes to distract him. Or sometimes I would stall behind and then catch up after.

As we continued on, the vehicles decreased in number and the sky grew darker in colour and night crept in slowly. I no longer knew where I was going but I had come too far to stop now. I could only continue following the car so as not to get more lost than I am right now.

The roads the car took became narrower and bumpy. There was only him and I now. I stayed far behind, far enough for him not to see me. And soon, I was the one that couldn't see him at all. The road came to a dead end, or more like a mud path into a forest of some sorts.

I stopped near a cabin, which I made sure was empty and abandoned. I hid my bike behind it so as no one could get a glimpse of it.

I checked my phone. It was almost 7 pm now. I needed to hurry and leave. But before that, I need to search for the black car. I used my phone's flashlight to get around.

I followed the path in the woods, not paying attention to the mud sticking to my shoes. It was totally dark. And the air was chilly with the continuous breezes. I couldn't see anything except trees, trees and mostly trees. There was no sign of the car, the man or even any noise around. At some point, I gave up and leaned against a tree to rest. I was hungry. It had been eight hours since I ate lunch.

Then I heard a vibrating sound. I listened quietly. It seemed like the sound of a car! But no, it seemed a bit louder. I couldn't be sure. I jogged in the direction of the sound, sometimes falling and tripping against tree roots.

I finally found myself back on the road. A poorly paved one, that is. I saw a light ahead. I turned off my flashlight so as not to arouse suspicion. I continued my way among the trees, trying to walk by feeling each tree with my hand.

The path became clearer as I approached the light. The view became clearer and clearer. And just in front of me, there was the black car I followed, another black car and a truck. I was sure it was the truck's noise that guided me here.

And all those vehicles were parked in front of an old building. Windows were missing almost everywhere. The building seemed like an old warehouse, with moss covering the outside. Just then I saw three people opening the back of the truck and dragged out something long, wrapped in a large bag which was thrown over one of the man's shoulders.

This is definitely not a bag of potatoes! What am I getting myself into?

A/N:
Hello again! How is the book so far? Please, don't forget to vote, comment or share! Thank you so much!

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