Frostheugh, 1900
Drip. Drip. Drip.
Fresh bloodied hands were covered by the white gloves. It was dark, as the smell of sewage choked every corner, while a new scent surrounded the air when the moon hung in the dark sky among the black clouds.
Once the gloves were fitted, the figure walked back to see the display of their art.
The body was hung upside down, dead while the blood slowly dripped into the sewage water, drop by drop, echoing in the dark tunnel.
Satisfied by the exhibition, the figure smiled and walked away, whistling their favourite tune of melody, driven by absolute passion.
_ _ _ _ _
"DEAD BODY FOUND INSIDE THE TUNNEL: A GRISLY CRIME"
Soon the news spread. Two workers had found a dead body inside the tunnel. What shocked people was how the victim was killed.
"After the Police Inquiry" the article read. ''It is reported that it was a man in his thirties. The Medical examiners revealed that he was skinned alive and had teeth pulled out. It must have been shocking and painful to feel when being alive. Later the killer murdered him by stabbing multiple times, and hence hung the corpse upside down in the sewage tunnel. It is reported that the murder happened 2-3 weeks before and hence the body has almost decomposed."
The police searched the tunnels, nearby places for any evidence or clues. But there was none.
"This is so horrible," the chief said. "And to think that we haven't yet identified the body, the killer must have been someone powerful to leave no evidence or must have an experience in murder."
Months passed, yet the police couldn't find the culprit. Everyone assumed that the killer might have left the city or will never be found.
But the following year, another body was found, murdered exactly in the same way as the first one.
This confirmed the fact that it was a serial killer.
Yet there was no evidence, no lead to find or identify the killer. And again, more murders happened following years leaving no trace of evidence.
The public named the killer as 'The Skin Slaughterer', for the killer's signature, skinning his victims alive.
The police couldn't find any leads. They took some measurements and precautions to keep the citizens safe, yet they couldn't find the killer hiding in the city.
It could be anyone.
A chief. A duke. A peasant. A worker. A citizen.
When the time comes, they may find the killer or….
Perhaps, the killer may reveal themselves, to get what they always wanted.
_ _ _ _ _
Frostheugh, 1910
As the seasons passed, winter arrived.
The Roseheard estate, one of the richest noble families settled near the forests of the city. Since Frostheugh was known for its beauty during the winter season, the estate was also a landmark for its old architecture of mansion and greenhouse where rare plants and trees were reserved.
"Once you finish those, go and pick some dry wood." Aunt della snapped. ''Don't stand there daydreaming or staring at the mansion" she said before leaving.
Evelyn nodded, cleaning the backyard. Once done, she began to pick up dry wood. As she did, she found a few pages covered in dirt.
"Not again" Evelyn sighed as she looked at.
Aunt della had hated her receiving education and so she would sometimes throw out her notes or materials. Each time, Evelyn kept another set of notes and it worked out.
But now it was an admission form for a college. Evelyn knew she had to carefully handle it because uncle mike won't agree to sign it again. But somehow, aunt della found it and decided to ruin it.
"I guess I can't go to college now" she muttered to herself.
Because uncle mike initially refused to send her to college, but Evelyn had somehow convinced him. He was still in disbelief while signing the paper, but now she was sure he would be angry and also won't agree to sign.
She sighed, staring at the paper, now dirty in mud and ruined.
"Hey Evelyn!" a voice called from the bushes.
She turned back. Edmund stood behind trees, hiding and called her again.
"Edmund!" Evelyn gasped looking around making sure no one saw. "How many times have I told you not to come inside the gates? If anyone sees you or aunt della sees, she will yell at us!"
"The guard told me to come quickly so I sneaked in" Edmund said as she approached him. "So did your uncle sign the application form? He agreed, didn't he?" he asked.
Evelyn shook her head, disappointed. "No he didn't. He's already struggling to pay for George's fee in the capital. How can he afford for mine?"
"But you have a part time job and even a scholarship. He should have definitely agreed!" Edmund insisted.
"It doesn't matter," Evelyn murmured. "You know Aunt Della. She fought me going to school every step of the way. She'd never let me leave for college." holding her hands back, cramping the paper.
"Then…..does that mean I'm going alone to the college?" Edmund asked. "Ugh, I'm going to have no friends then."
"Well you have your 'sports' friends though." she said, trying to cheer him up.
They stood there in silence, when Edmund finally shifted the topic.
"Have you heard the news?" he asked, his tone low.
"What?" she looked up at him.
"This year too, they found another body…..near the tunnel." Edmund said. "And again, the skin slaughterer murdered the famous writer, Hector Meldwin"
Evelyn listened to him, stood silent for a moment and then nodded. "It doesn't even shock me anymore," she said. "Each year, we wish not to have another victim fall into his hands, yet it happens. And it feels like no one can even prevent it."
"Well the ministry tried to hide the case from the royal family but somehow they came to know. It's a shame that they started to investigate 5 years ago. We have 10 victims now." he replied.
As they chatted about college, evelyn heard aunt della calling her again.
"Well I need to go, bye" she said carrying all the dry wood she had picked. "If she sees you again, she'll definitely complain to your mother."
With that she walked back to the cottage.
Edmund watched as she left and soon he too walked away, leaving the estate.
The fireplace burned merrily with dry wood, while Evelyn added another log into the fire, making sure the room stayed warm for the cold weather. As aunt della finished setting the table, uncle mike sat down, tired from the day's work.
"Dear, George needs some more money for stationary. Can you lend me some tomorrow? I need to post right away'' aunt della said while serving food to mike.
"Didn't he just ask for money last week for some occasion? What for now?" uncle mike asked. "I'm starting to wonder if he even studies there or does something else."
Aunt della sighed and said "well you never bother to know about his marks. He just scored distinction this semester and is preparing for the following!"
"It would've been better if he joined the college here instead of going to the capital.'' Mike said, picking up his spoon.
"Because the education there is far better than here!" Aunt Della debated.
Just as she was about to bring up the matter again, she saw Evelyn standing near the hearth waiting.
She then sat down, pouring as much as soup she could in her bowl and took bread from the basket.
With a nod, she allowed Evelyn to dine with them.
Evelyn reached the table and found the pot almost empty. The basket had a small piece of bread and Evelyn took it, grateful for the food she was given.
As they dined, uncle mike watched evelyn eating. He then asked "well did you give in the application?"
Evelyn hesitated, stirring her bowl with the spoon. "No"
Mike paused. "No?" he asked. "Why didn't you? Isn't tomorrow the last day for application?"
Evelyn bit her lip before, saying "I thought through and realised …. It was simply expensive. The uniform, books, stationeries and fees … it would be too much for you. Besides, I can get a job as an assistant teacher at the school."
Uncle Mike just stared at her.He opened his mouth as if to protest, but the words caught in his throat. He glanced sideways at Della who seemed happy, but hiding her smile.
"Well, if that's what you want then…" he finished off before della started "its for the best then," she stood up. "Whatever, girls shouldn't be educated much, it's a waste." She picked up her plate and walked to the kitchen. "Oh and dear, I heard the duke's son is returning soon."
Uncle Mike nodded. "Yes, I heard that," he said before standing up.
Before he walked toward the doorway, he paused behind Evelyn's chair. Gently, without saying a word, he placed his own untouched slice of bread onto her plate, gave her head a warm, tender pat, and vanished into the adjoining room.
Evelyn looked down at the bread, her throat tightening with emotion.
"Finish up and scrub those dishes, girl!" Aunt Della shouted from the kitchen sink.
_ _ _ _ _
"Well it's the same sir, no evidence, no leads" the officer said, piling the documents on the chief's table. "It's the same killer. I'm sure he's hiding somewhere in Frostheugh, " the officer finished.
"Its not the murders," the chief began looking at the photographs taken. The body was hung upside down, the blood dripping and the skin missing from the corpse. "It's the way he is killing them, mercilessly, gruesome. And the way he is leaving no traces behind." he tossed the photographs away. "There's nothing to follow. No clue, no leads to follow. And it's been 10 damned years."
"We can search up the tunnels again sir, maybe we can find something-"
"WHAT ELSE IS LEFT?" the chief growled. "Even the ministry is not doing anything to help us out. The journalists are degrading us and the public has begun to look at us as if we are some peasants." he stood up and paced around the office.
"In that case sir, should we hire….a detective?" the officer suggested, his tone measured.
"Which detective?" the chief asked. "Any detective who can solve the case when there's no leads?"
"Sir, as you may know…..the capital has many detectives aided by the ministry and administration. While some of them work for the police there, few work privately to solve crimes that the ministry doesn't acknowledge."
"Then who do you suggest?" the chief asked.
"Jonathan Cernan"
Silence grew as the chief expression became tough and measured.
"Isn't he the one who revealed the illegal smuggling done by his majesty's right hand minister?" the chief asked.
"Yes he is the one. Somehow, that minister managed to pull his strings and prove him wrong, causing him to lose his reputation in the court. But the other ministers say the scandal was true. But his majesty favoured the minister." the officer said.
"Jonathan Cernan has solved many crime cases which were set aside, sir. The reason he wasn't sent here in the first place was because the ministry wanted to keep him in the capital. I believe since he is betrayed by the ministry, he will definitely come here and agree to take this case."
The chief stood there thinking. "The Ministry enforces strict protocols. They won't permit their official squad to take on cases outside their jurisdiction. But Cernan... he stands betrayed by both the Crown and the Court. "
The officer nodded. "Going against the rules is a risk. But if he solves the case, catches the culprit, the king would definitely restore his rank. If he fails, he'd be the one responsible for it. In any case, the choice to accept the case ultimately is with him."
The chief nodded. In any way the risk fell on Jonathan. But all he wanted was to end these murders and close this case successfully.
"It's decided then," he turned to the officer. "Send him a letter, requesting to travel to Frostheugh and take over this cold case."