Investigations

Jane pulled over by the roadside. She had sighted Pat resting on his car’s bonnet right in front of Randy Bar Investigator Patrick at Randy Bar.
“l am sorry for coming late. Hope you did not have much difficulty locating the bar?”Jane asked as she walked closer.
“Not at all. Your description was detailed and easy to follow,” Pat responded.
“Alright then, I feel less guilty for coming late, let’s check in,” Jane said and led Patrick in.
“Hello, please may we speak with the manager?” Jane asked one of the waitresses.
“Excuse me ma’am, the manager is not someone you can see without an appointment,” the waitress responded. “What!” Jane yelled.
“Oh! Yeah! You can see the manager,” a familiar voice boomed from behind, it was Shaggy.
“You are welcome ma’am. I can see you are here with an officer as promised,” Shaggy said and walked closer. “This way ma’am,” he added and led the way.
“I don’t know why you uninstalled the cameras inside the bar,” Jane complained. “We were losing our patrons,” Shaggy responded.
“Alright, let’s get down to business,” Jane responded as they walked into the security arena.
Jane racked her memory to remember the morning Lisa came to her all messed up. She was able to pin down the date. Lisa was obviously taken by the culprit a night before she rushed in all messed up.
Jane supplied the date and searching began.
They checked through the recordings from the camera outside the bar. Though the images were blurry, the camera captured the culprit walking Lisa out of the bar.
Despite Lisa’s random movements, the culprit walked in the shadows. He was able to avoid facial contacts with the camera.
The camera captured his car but the plate number wasn’t visible as it was covered in darkness. He had driven the car into the camera’s blindspot before putting on the lights.
“Seeing how he avoided the camera… this isn’t his first,” Pat muttered as he watched the video over and over. He paused a part of the video and ordered that the part be forwarded to his email address.
“You said you can identify him, right?” Pat asked Shaggy.
“Yes I can,” Shaggy responded.
“Did you possibly remember the time he checked in on that day?”
“No, I only noticed him when he complimented the woman.”
“Alright, let’s rewind the video, we could possibly get some clue if you can fish out the time he arrived,” Pat offered and they resumed the video.
“Stop!” Shaggy shouted and pointed at the screen, “I think that is him!”
The man Shaggy pointed out was covered with a face cap and he looked downwards. “This is spectacular! This shows his actions were intentional. Seeing how he hid his face from the beginning, he had it all planned out. Send the picture and the initial one to my mail please,” Pat said and rose to leave.
“I think we are done for now. If we need more clarity we’ll be back, thanks for the cooperation. If he possibly comes around again beep us on any of these numbers,” Investigator Patric said and handed his business card to Shaggy.
Jane and Pat left Randy bar. They drove down to Evans Mechanics. Lisa was already waiting at the company.
Jane introduced Lisa and investigator Patrick. Both greeted and they made their way in to meet with Benny Bells.
After a brief introduction, Benny led them to the third floor and into the workshop.
“The fire started from the machine,” Benny said and led Pat to the burnt machine. “Do you mean the faulty machine?” Pat asked. “That was a misconception. The machine wasn’t faulty, we had sold it out but the buyers didn’t follow the manual. We asked them to return it so we could check it out.”
“But it caught on fire,” Pat argued. “It wasn’t because it was faulty. We found out its water had dried up. That was the cause of it’s malfunctioning. We had rounded off the check up before the fire broke out, “Benny said.
“We? Do you mean you were in the workshop when the fire started?” Pat asked. “No. I was on an errand for the boss… I got the testimony of one of the engineers who was present during the incident,’ Benny said. “Alright,” Pat said and took pictures of the machine and the workshop as a whole. “Who called the fire fighters?” Pat asked.
“I have no idea. When I rushed down, firefighters were already on ground. They pushed me down from here.”
“Incredible! Do you mean the fire fighters were possibly on ground before the fire?” Pat asked. “Exactly,” Benny said. “What is the present condition of the engineers?” “They are still hospitalized though they are recovering fast.” “I should visit the hospital. I need a first person’s testimony,” Pat concluded and made his way out of the company.
They all headed out to the hospital where the other crew members were being treated. The engineers all had the same story. “We were done with the check up and were already leaving. Now that I think about it.. I think there was a click before the fire… The machine wasn’t powered, it couldn’t have caught on fire without being powered,” one of the engineers said.
“l am sure there was a click, I heard it too, that was why I turned around,” another testified.
“Did you possibly notice anything strange when you turned?” Patrick asked. “Not ready but now that you asked, it seems I saw a shadow that passed quickly by the window. Yeah I did see it,” the engineer affirmed.
“Was the PA supposed to be with you when the blast occurred?” Pat questioned.
“Yes but I think the boss sent him to retrieve some stuff from the office. He wasn’t back before the fire,” another one if the engineers supplied.
“Alright, thanks,” Pat said and added. “Did you notice when the fire fighter arrived?” Pat asked.
“It was almost immediately. I was in panic when I saw the fire, I ran towards the door only to realize that firefighters were already in. They must have been within the premises before the fire,” another engineer supplied.
Pat nodded slowly. He took down some notes and was ready to leave. “Thanks for your cooperation. Get well soon,” he said and led others out.
While Benny and Lisa led the way. Patrick and Jane followed from behind. “It’s indeed an arson. Possibly by someone who has a vendetta against the company. It surely involved someone from inside. Possibly one of the engineers. The attack was carefully planned. We need evidence to support our claims… I will have to visit the fire department. We could have a lead if we are able to track the person who gave the fire fighters a call,” Pat said to Jane.
“Wow! That’s a good idea… It did not cross my mind,” Jane replied happily.
“By the way, did you know much about the PA?” Patrick asked. “Why did you want to know?” Jane questioned.
“His absence in the workshop during the fire seems suspicious… He also seems interested in you. He could barely take his eyes off you… I know when a man is in love,” Pat said with his eyes dazzling.
“Common Pat! Don’t be melodramatic!” Jane blushed.
Lisa’s phone beeped, it was Marie. She picked the call hesitantly.
“You old cargo! Where did you hide my husband!?” Marie yelled into the phone. “I should be the one asking you what you did to him! It all happened the day you called in to threaten that I won’t see him anymore!”
Marie Chuckled, “oh! You indeed feel threatened. You don’t need to be, it was just an empty threat. Moreover, why are you still sticking around? I think I already have Alex to myself. You told me you had divorced him and I should go to hell with him. Remember?” Marie threatened.
“I will make you pay for what you did to us!” Lisa screamed and hung up Immediately. She was flustered and her eyes were clouded with tears.
“Are you alright?” Benny asked and tried to hold her. Jane ran forward to her aid.
“I am sorry friends, I think I am done with the investigation today. Thanks so much investigator Patrick. You can carry on without me. I need to go see my husband,” Lisa said.
“It’s understandable, you have it your way. I will check on more stuff and we will continue tomorrow,” Pat said.
“Thanks so much”, Lisa responded and made her way to the parking lot. They all watched her drive off. “I would have loved to go with her but I know her well. She possibly wanted to be alone with him. If she wanted me to tag along, she would have demanded,” Jane said.
“I need to see her husband also, I would have loved to go with her but I read the situation; she needs to be alone with him. It’s rather unfortunate. I empathize with her,” Patrick said.
“Lisa is strong but I perceived she is gradually breaking apart. l pray, her husband comes around before she crumbles,” Jane responded.
“I should head back to the company already,” Benny mumbled. “Alright. See you tomorrow,” Jane responded while Benny smiled wide.
“Did you see that?” Pat started but Jane changed the subject. “Why did you need to see Alex? He is unconscious and can’t give any testimony?” She asked.
“Yeah! I need to see the extent and degree of his burns. It goes a long way to determine if he was the target or if it was just a random crime. Come to think of it. None of the engineers is in a coma. If the fire fighters were indeed around earlier. Alex should also have been rescued in time,” Pat responded. “Oh you’re right. Tomorrow it is,” Jane responded.
*****
Lisa entered her husband’s room with tears on her face, she neither whispered nor muttered a word. She wept hard and bitterly. After she had cried her eyes out, she turned to leave. She held the lock and looked behind her. She said in a whisper, “come back to us, return Alex. The torture is enough!”
Lisa drove back home and was surprised to meet Jane. She did not expect that she would wait behind. She wanted to be alone.
“Lisa, is there anything you ain’t telling us?” Jane asked in concern. “Not at all, I just want to be alone. Can you leave and take the kids with you?” Lisa asked. “Common! What are you up to? How can you tell me to go with the kids? I can’t, if you won’t allow me to stay then your kids should remain by your side. You shouldn’t stay alone. You need company,” Jane said and patted Lisa on the shoulder. “I will be on my way,” Jane said and took her leave.