ᴇʟʟᴀ.

"Yes, chief, I've reached the crime grounds on 116 avenue. I'm just closing in." I say, on the call with chief Marco, who orders me to be careful multiple times.

"Yes, chief. I'll contact you in a bit. Goodbye."I disconnect the call and pull my earphone out as I pull into the parking lot.

I rush out of my car immediately after parking, not caring about my sloppy parking job. I walk towards the dark entrance.

Gosh...just what exactly is this place?

I grab my flashlight and turn it on, flashing it over the area. A dark, creepy-looking building stands before me, appearing as if nobody has been here in a long time. The place looks ancient, maybe even abandoned.

I take a step closer, the grass and fallen leaves crunching beneath my feet. Flashing the black door that's slightly ajar and covered in cobwebs, I make my way through it, removing the webs as I step onto the pavement ground.

There's...nothing here?

I Walk Inside, venturing deeper  into the dead surroundings of this area, still unable to find any trace of suspicious activity. It is exactly the same place from the photo, where 21-year-old Jacob Smith- I gasp as my flashlight illuminates suspicious blood splotches on the corners of the walls and a bit on the ground. My mind races back to the photo.

Blood splotches? There wasn't any blood in the photo.. w-where did this come from?

I scurry over to the blood splotches  and examine them closely.

Murder.

I need to contact chief Marco right away.

I dial his number as I rush out of the area, plugging in my head set. "Yes, chief, it's me, Ella hawks, reporting."

_____

At Cocoa's Cafe.

I settle down in the seat inside the coffee shop, stirring my cup of americano while looking out the bright window. The sun is shining so brightly it may blind me from staring. "Ah, my sincere apologies. Did I make you wait too long, Miss Ella?" I look up and immediately stand. "You're here, chief." I say. "Please, no need to stand up. Have a seat." I slide my chair back out and sit down as my boss faces the sun out the window, pressing his fingers together, waiting for me to tell him what I think  happened to Jacob Smith. "I believe this wasn't just a suicide like the reports said, chief." I say, stirring  my Americano and taking a light sip.

My boss turns his head to look at me, then looks back down, placing his hands on his lap. "Are you positive about this, Ella?" I nod slightly. "You see, the photo showed the rope hanging from the ceiling with him, but when I was at the crime scene, there was no rope to be found. Also, one more thing, chief." I say, taking a deep breath. "There were blood splotches." His eyes widen as he shakes his head, trying to disbelieve my words. "Blood?" He says. "but the photo..." I cut him off. "Didn't show any blood."

I stand as my boss follows suit. "Don't you worry, chief. I know what I'm doing." I say, shaking his hand firmly. "I'll find the murderer. It's my responsibility now."

_____

I Walk  to the exit door of the cafe, waving my last goodbye before diving into the investigation. I won't be at the station as much, so I won't see him as often as before.

As I walk and wave,  I turn back around on my heels and bump into someone.

"Oh shoot! I'm so sorry!"

I look at the man in front of me, panic setting in as I see his suit now drenched in hot coffee, dripping to the ground. I rush into my saddlebag and pull out a bunch of tissues, frantically wiping the spilled coffee off his suit without even knowing who he is. "Oh god oh god... I'm really, really sorry. This is my fault. I didn't see where I was going." I say, handing him the tissues. "Ah, no worries, pretty girl."