Detective Karma - Chapter 13

“WHAT?!”

Chief Ahrest roared so loudly that all the officer in the vicinity turned to see what was happening.

“What are you all looking at?” Chief Ahrest said to everyone in the vicinity, that all the officer turned away and resumed what they were doing.

“Detective Rodney. Please explain in more detail.”

“Well, you see,” Detective Rodney started, “while you were gone investigating , we received a call that there was a robbery at the Newfund Bank. But things escalated, apparently, so now the perpetrators have three hostages with them.”

“What? And where are you?” Chief Ahrest asked.

“We’re on our way, but there’s heavy traffic out here.” Detective Rodney said, “We think we won’t make it in time. You might be able to, though.” He added.

“Very well, we’re on our way.” Chief Ahrest said, before ending the call.

He turned to Karma, “Well, Officer Karma, looks like we got a robbery and hostage taking on our hands. Let’s go.”

“I’ll have things ready when you get back.” Officer Marge said to Chief Ahrest.

Chief Ahrest took out his walkie talkie and talked into it. “There’s been a robbery that became a hostage taking at Newfund back. Get the SWAT Division on the case immediately.”

“Come on, Officer Karma.” Chief Ahrest said as they headed for the patrol car.

“Chief, I heard what happened.” An officer ran up to them when they were about to get in.

“Come with us, officer.” Chief Ahrest said. The officer got in the driver’s seat and they headed towards the bank with sirens on.

“Chief, you there?” A voice came out of Chief Ahrest’s walkie talkie.

“Yes, I’m here, what is it?”

“Chief, the SWAT team’sbeen dispatched. They’re on their way.”

“Good, we’re also on our way. Tell them to meet up with us outside, since we’re nearly there.”

“Yes, sir.”

When they finally reached the scene, they stopped and got out, guns in hand.There was another

patrol car nearby and there was one officer pointing a gun at the entrance, while another officer was lying next to the car, with another officer assisting him.

“Ah, Chief Ahrest!” the officer holding the gun said.

“Officer, what happened here?” Chief Ahrest inquired.

“Well, we were on patrol nearby, so when we heard there was an emergency, we came here as soon as we could.” The officer said, “We ended up engaging in a firefight with the perpetrators and Officer Thompson here was hit. They’ve retreated further inside with three hostages.”

“Have you called an ambulance yet?” Chief Ahrest asked, concerned.

“Yes, sir.” The officer said.

“Do you have any idea who the hostages are?” Chief Ahrest asked.

“We do have a good idea on who they are.” The officer said, “We think it was the owner of the bank Mr. Holt Starvald, along with his secretary and the bank manager.”

“Wait, Mr. Starvald?” Chief Ahrest asked, surprised.

“Yes, sir, turns out he was on his monthly visit to the banks when the robbery happened, so, now, there he is.”

“So, how many perpetrators are there?”

“I think three fired on us, but there could possibly be more inside.” The officer replied, “They were armed with assault rifles, and there was one with a pistol.”

“Any civilians trapped inside?”

“We think there is, sir?” the officer replied, “But we can’t get them out unless we have backup.”

At that moment, the SWAT team finally arrived. They screeched to a halt and the police hurried out.

“Sir!” The captain of the SWAT team saluted Chief Ahrest. “What do you need us to do.”

“Seems as if Detective Rodney isn’t here yet.” Chief Ahrest told Karma, “I want you to stay here and block the entrance, and inform Detective Rodney when he arrives.”

“Yes, sir.” Karma said.

“Let’s go.” Chief Ahrest told the SWAT team captain.

“Understood, sir.” The SWAT captain said to the team members. “You heard the chief, let’s go!”

Chief Ahrest and the SWAT lined up on both sides of the door. On the SWAT captain’s command, they broke down the door and rushed in.

“Looks like there’s nobody here.” One of the SWAT said.

“Stay sharp.” The captain said, “They may be hiding.”

Back outside, Officer Karma heard the sound of a siren. A police car arrived, whereas three SWAT officer and Detective Rodney came out.

“Karma, where’s the Chief?” Detective Rodney asked.

“Sir, he’s gone in the building along with the SWAT team.

Detective Rodney signaled to the SWAT team to go into the building. He then turned to Karma.

“Come on, Karma, let’s go.”

As Chief Ahrest and the SWAT slowly progressed through the third floor, they came across a locked door.

An officer took out his shotgun and shot the door, causing it to break, and they attempted to go in. They were fired upon by two robbers, who were hiding behind an overturned door.

“Get down!” the captain commanded. They quickly got on the ground as bullets razed overhead.

“Flashbomb!”

A deafening sound went off and the robbers were dazed. They quickly went in and arrested them. They saw a couple of people crouched around the room.

“Well, we can’t be too sure about this.” The captain said, “For now, just secure everyone.”

Once they cleared the third floor and left a couple of SWAT in the room with the robbers, they proceeded to the fourth and uppermost floor, where the robbers were holding out.

They went onto either side of the door. “Okay, prepare to engage.” The captain said.

As they all aimed the gun at the door, the captain kicked down the door and threw in a smoke grenade.

The robbers, who were now coughing and disoriented from the smoke, fired blindly upon the SWAT.

“Augh, I’ve been hit!” one of the officer said as a bullet hit their arm.

“It’s just a flesh wound, you’ll live!” The SWAT captain said, “Fire!”

After the firefight, they rounded up the surviving suspects and opened a door on the side that was locked. In it was the three hostages.

“Sir, I hope you’ve been alright in there.” Chief Ahrest told Mr. Starvald.

“Oh, I had a jolly good time indeed.” Mr. Starvald said sarcastically. “It was a good thimng you policemen showed up when you did. A gentlemanly banker like me couldn’t possibly survive those ruffians!”

“If you don’t mind, we need to bring you to the precinct for questioning.” Chief Ahrest said.

“Of course, anything to help the police.” Mr. Starvald said. “I hope you’ll bring my secretary and manager to the hospital?”

“After questioning.” Chief Ahrest said, “Let’s go.”

Detective Rodney showed up accompanied by the three SWAT officers and officer Karma.

“Ah, Detective Rodney, you’re late.” Chief Ahrest said.

“Well, looks like you’ve done it well yourselves.” Detective Rodney said.

“Yes, it’s a good thing too that we came.” Chief Ahrest said. “Anyway, enough of the chatter, let’s get going.”

When they arrived at the station, Chief Ahrest got Detective Rodney to ask Mr. Starvald for his testimony, while he and Officer Karma proceeded to go to the Forgery Department.

“Ah, Chief, right on time.” Officer Marge said, “I’ve got it done for you.”

“So, what have you discovered?” Chief Ahrest asked.

“Turns out that they were using the most high tech invisible ink.” Officer Marge said, “Even UV lights didn’t work. That was when my assistant accidentally spilled water on it.”

“What?” Chief Ahrest asked, “So, what happened?”

“I’ll let my assistant answer that.” Officer Marge responded.

“W-well, you see, Chief.” The assistant began, “Turns out that it was written in an invisible ink that is waterproof. So when the water spilled on the paper, only the part that was written in invisible ink remained dry.”

“So, did you find out what it read or not?” Chief Ahrest asked.

“We did, sir. We wrote what it said on another piece of paper.” The assistant said, handing him that piece of paper, “And, it was for a purchase of one million mohns worth of hemlock, which he purchased from Deyd Krimeenall!”

“What? One million mohns worth of hemlock, from Deyd Krimeenall?” Chief Ahrest exclaimed. “Well, in that case, I guess it is now time to confront him about it. And just in time, too. Any sooner and we would have had to release them.”

Chief Ahrest and Officer Karma went into the room that Mr. Paradox and Mr. Eclaire were detained. The guard moved aside for them. Attorney Pence was also there, talking to Mr. Paradox. He stopped when he noticed the officers.

“Ah, Chief Ahrest, what is it this time?” Attorney Pence asked the chief.

Chief Ahrest dropped the paper on the table. “This is evidence we found that shows that Mr. Paradox was involved in the illegal hemlock trade.”

“Oh?” Attorney Pence said, “And do you have any more evidence other than this piece of paper that could have forged just to get my client detained longer?”

“Well, the actual paper was written on by invisible ink.” Chief Ahrest said, “And this is what it said. It confirms that Mr. Paradox was in contact with Deyd Krimenall, which makes him our number one suspect.”

“Whatever you say, then.” Mr. Paradox said.

“What?!” Attorney Pence exclaimed, staring at Mr. Paradox, “Are you okay with this? They’re accusing you of the murder.”

“It’s not like we can stop them anyway.” He said angrily, “And they will learn that I am not the killer eventually.”

“Are you still maintaining you’re not involved in Deyd Krimeenall’smurder?”

“Of course I am!” Mr. Paradox said angrily, “You know who’s suspicious? Mr. Lusserson of Luminescence Corporation.”

“That has crossed our minds.” Chief Ahrest said, “We’ll be investigating them eventually.”

“Ah, good-”

“But until we can find his guilt in the murder, I’m afraid you’ll have to be stuck in here.” Chief Ahrest said.

“What about Eclaire?” Mr. Paradox asked.

“Well, uh, he’s allowed to post bail since he’s not directly implicated, but he’s still involved.” Chief Ahrest said, “You aren’t, though, Mr. Paradox. This note claims you have one million mohns worth of hemlock, and that is a very grave accusation.”

“Attorney Pence.” Mr. Paradox said to Jeff Pence, “Go post bail the first thing tomorrow morning for Eclaire.”

“Of course.” Attorney Pence said.

“We’ll be investigating this case of your possession of hemlock.” Chief Ahrest said, “Well, I hope you’ll be comfortable here in the meantime.”

“Still, unless you find more direct proof of my client’s involvement other than that so called hidden ink message,” Attorney Pence said, “You won’t be able to keep him detained for very long.”

“Oh, well, in the meantime.” Chief Ahrest said, “Atleast it’ll keep him out of the way of the investigation, for now.”