THE SHADOWS OF TRUTH

The rain-soaked streets glinted like a polished stone, reflecting the neon lights on the billboard. 

I stepped out of the car in high-heeled leather shoes, stamping on the little drops of water that were left on the ground by the heavy rain.

Everywhere is surrounded by yellow tape, blocking everyone from getting access to the corpse.

Sirens wailed, and the colored lights on the patrol cars shimmered around the street.

A few minutes ago, the news of Mr. Wang’s death circulated, shaking the whole city.

Mr. Wang is a prominent figure, and a candidate in the presidential election which is to take place tomorrow.

In this city, murder cases occur every day. 

But it has been a long time since a prominent figure was killed. 

I bent over, went inside the circle where his body was lying, with a hole in his forehead. 

Dipped my hand inside the bag and brought out two disposable gloves.

I slid them on my hands and scowled.

Hmmm.

This is serious. 

Mr. Wang was seen on the news an hour ago, when he was giving a speech about the election which is to take place tomorrow.

Whoever did this must have been targeting him

For a long time now. 

I turned his head from one side to the other, checking for any injury.

But there is none, 

The only injury is from the bullet hole in his head.

“The bullet penetrated from the back of his head,

Which means the gun was shot from this angle.”

I pointed behind the car.

Its glasses were shattered by the gunshot,

But surprisingly, only Mr. Wang died on the spot.

“Ms. Lizzy?”

I raised my hand, preventing the cops from interrupting my thought. 

That is one thing I hate like the plague.

Interrupting me while I am trying to figure out a thing.

“I am sorry to interrupt, but we need to take his remains away.”

I have no problem with that.

My job is to investigate the crime scene,

So, I waved them off.

As soon as the remains of Mr. Wang were taken away, 

I walked around, carefully scanning the whole place for a clue.

If a politician is murdered on the eve of an election, who is the first suspect?

Suddenly, I brightened up and removed the gloves in my hands, then discarded them.

A suspect has just crossed my mind, and this will hasten my investigation.

“Pass this order,”

I said on the phone.

“Mr. Mathew’s residence should be taped. No one goes in and no one must leave.”

After giving the instruction, I threw my bag in the car, hopped in, and sped away.

A few minutes later, 

We arrived at Mr. Mathew’s mansion.

An expertly built modern building, standing on the tail of the city.

Mr. Mathew isn't only a politician, but a renowned businessman known all over the country.

One thing about him which everyone knows is, 

Whatever he puts in his mind, he must achieve it no matter what.

He isn't scared of anything,

Because to him, Money stops all nonsense, 

Money can get you whatever you want unless you don't need it.

“What on earth is this?”

He staggered down the stairs in his robe, waving his hands in the air as he grumbled. 

I scoffed at him and continued what I was doing. 

While scanning the living room, I stopped in front of a statue, pressed the almost invisible button, but found nothing in it.

“Lizzy?”

I turned towards him, removing the gloves.

“Point of correction, it is detective Lizzy Mason.”

I snapped at him.

He knows my full name, so why can't he refer to me by my profession?

These rich people.

Pfft.

“What are you doing in my house?”

He asked, wiping the beads of sweat on his face. 

What does it look like I am doing?

In this city, everyone knows me for only one thing, 

Investigation.

And whoever falls into my investigation becomes frightened.

And even if the person I investigate doesn't have a hand in a case, that person will still fall into my hands if he has a terrible secret they are hiding.

“Your opponent was murdered this evening.”

Mr. Mathew raised a brow.

“And you think it is me who killed him?”

Pfft.

I sat down on the sofa, crossed my legs, and gently removed the glasses from my face.

“My investigation will show the truth.”

“Detective Lizzy Mason, I have no hand in this. Even though we are political opponents, Mr. Wang and I aren't enemies.”

Who cares?

I got up from the sofa, walked towards him, and halted.

“Investigation will prove that.”

I turned to the officer behind me and motioned to him to step forward.

“Escort Mr. Mathew to the headquarters for questioning.

“What!”

Mr. Mathew exclaimed, eyes widening in shock.

“What is the meaning of this, Lizzy? The election is tomorrow. Do you have any idea who you are dealing with?”

He shouted angrily.

“I don't care.”

The election can be on hold until I find out who killed Mr. Wang.

How evil people’s minds can be.

“Mr. Mathew’s family shouldn't be allowed to leave this house, and no one must come in.”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

After looking around for a while, I left.

But first, I needed to stop at the crime scene to see if I could find any clues.

If Mr. Mathew is behind this, 

Then he didn't do the dirty work by himself.

He must have hired someone to do it.

I searched around, but since it was so dark, I couldn't find any clues.

“Detective Lizzy?”

“Keep an eye on this place, do not make a mistake in letting anyone enter this place, no matter who it is. And if anyone comes here, inform me.”

“We will do that.”

Today has been so hectic.

Ever since I stepped out of the house in the morning, I haven't gone home to check up on my baby.

Ahhh

This is draining my energy entirely.

“Welcome, Ma’am.”

The maid took my bag after opening the door for me.

As soon as I stepped inside the room, Alex stopped pacing and veered towards the door.

“I am tired of this, Lizzy.”