The gray brick walls towered over Cammie and Mikayla as they waited for their client to approach the plexiglass window. There were two lights, one on both sides of the glass, that illuminated the room. A flat desk was under the window. Along the side was a box that would allow materials to be passed from one side to the other. A policeman stood on both sides of the box, armed and ready in case something would go wrong. A small window on the walls let in a little bit of light, though the iron bars covering it blocked most of it. A door to Cammie and Mikayla's right on the other side of the glass was the entrance into the room from the prison cells. Behind Cammie and Mikayla was the enterance for visitors. A chair sat on the other side of the glass, while two chairs were avaliable for visitors to sit in. This was only one of seven other rooms that allowed people to visit the prisoners.
"I can't believe that they already found enough evidence to arrest someone." Mikayla said in disbelief. She sighed and stared down at the ground.
I can't believe it either. Just this morning, Magdalena said she didn't have anything that would point to any perpetrator, but now, the defendant is already waiting. We barely even have any evidence on their own side either. The only physical evidence we have is a ripped ticket, and even that didn't help their case much.
Cammie sighed. "Where is our client anyways? I thought you called ahead to let them know we were coming."
"I did. I don't know what's keeping our client." Mikayla nervously fidgeted with her badge.
"I've been meaning to ask you, Mikayla. What is up with your badge? The word sheriff is spelled wrong. It should be two F's and one R, not the other way around. for something that official, I think you would have had it spell checked." Cammie said, directing her attention to Mikayla.
"Oh, well, you see, it was a gift from my sister, Maddie. When we were young, we used to play costume. I often ended up being the law person and she was the culprit. She had actually hand made this badge. I did use to wear an official badge with the word spelled right, but after her death, I wear this one in her honor." Mikayla still fiddled with her badge, but it became less due to nervous and more due to sentiment.
"I see. Magdalena and Martin didn't join in?"
"They did. Maddie even gave them special gifts too. Martin has a special pin she made for him that he wears all the time. Magdalena, on the other hand, has a feather."
"A feather? Seems like a strange gift to make someone."
'Oh, she didn't make it. It's from a legendary bird known as the Yazaka. It's a grand and majestic bird that is supposed to live in the Hacienda Heights."
"Hacienda Heights? Where is that?" Cammie interrupted.
"It's off to the east of the Laggorian Plains. Like the plains, it's highly inhospitable to people. However, there has been evidence of... " she paused to think of the right word, "...something living up there. Many research teams went to search, but all they found were feathers not belonging to any normal bird. Legend has it the feathers are so rare, that anyone who holds them holds great power. Maddie gave a feather she found to Magdalena. She keeps it on her always."
That was a bit odd that I didn't see the feather when they talked to her, but next time we meet, I will be sure to look for it. Even small towns had their superstitions, and evidence of a creature of this size warranted further inves-
Cammie's thoughts were interrupted when the door behind them opened up. Cammie and Mikayla turned around to see a man rush in there, through the doorway.
He was rather young, somewhere in his twenties. He had jet black hair, slicked back as if he had just gotten off a high speed ride. His hazel eyes were wide from the rush. The man's crimson red sport's jacket fluttered as he ran into the room, his white undershirt revealing itself. He wore a black watch on his left wrist and a purple wristband on his right. He wore navy jeans and had sleek red and white sneakers. The man's face was in an expression of panic as he rushed in. The guard on the side held him back as he began to yell.
"Quorra! My sweet! How could they do this! I won't rest until you are free! I swear it!"
"Sir! Please calm down! I will not hesitate to restrain you!" yelled the policeman.
"Hang on, hang on. Let me talk to him. Quintin, please calm down now and let's talk." Mikayla said, calming the man down. She stood up and calmly offered the man her seat. He took some deep breaths as Mikayla went to reassure the guard everything would be alright. Cammie took this opportunity to gather more information. She pulled out her sCAn Pad and analyzed Quintin, adding him to the database.
"So, you are Quintin?" Cammie asked, in a calm voice. Quintin nodded and Cammie continued to question. "You mentioned the name 'Quorra'. May I inquire as to who that is?"
"She..." Quintin paused, trying to calm down, "She's my wife." He fiddled with his wedding ring as he took some deep breaths.
"I see. Quorra, she wouldn't happen to be the defendant, would she?"
Quintin nodded. "Yes, my poor Quorra, arrested for murder. I know she didn't do it! She's no cold-blooded killer!" Tears began to form in his eyes.
"You don't have to be a cold-blooded to accidently kill someone." Cammie flatly stated. Mikayla, Quintin, and the policeman all stared.
"Cammie!" Mikayla shouted in disbelief.
"What? I'm simply being real. I'm a scientist. I hunt for the truth, Mikayla." Cammie flatly replied, turning her attention to Mikayla.
"Well, while you are my assistant, Cammie, you will hunt with a little more compassion, understood?" Mikayla's voice was filled with determination and a sense of superiority. Cammie nodded and returned to Quintin.
"My apologies for my rudeness."
I'll have to be careful. My mercenary side is starting to come back, and I don't think Mikayla will take too kindly to that.
"It's alright. But my Quorra isn't a killer! I know it!" Quintin exclaimed.
"I've know Quorra for a long time. I don't think she killed this man either. However, should she turn out to be the killer, I will have justice put upon her." Quintin fought back some tears and nodded.
"Quintin, I'm going to have to ask you to leave. You cannot be here while Mikayla and her assistant are discussing with the defendant." The policeman said. Quintin nodded again and stepped out of the room, shutting the door behind him.
"Emotional, wasn't he?" Cammie said, crossing her arms.
"Yeah, Quintin's been know to get rather emotional at times. Though, now, I believe it's our time to talk to Quorra." As if on cue, the door for the defendant opened up and a guard brought in a woman.
Like Quintin, she was in her twenties, though she seemed to be more in her later twenties. She had short brunette hair, barely brushing her shoulder. A large pair of red headphones were around her neck with an X pattern on them. She had hazy grey eyes and light skin. She was wearing a pine green turtleneck with lines going vertically down her body. The sleeves were longer than her arms, covering her hands. Her pewter grey slacks has a patch from when they must have ripped at her right knee. She wore smokey grey sneakers and her socks were covered by her pants. She sat down at the prisoner chair with a depressed look on her face.
Cammie pulled out her sCAn Pad and began to analyze Quorra and add her to the database as well. "So, Quorra, I am Cammie. I am Mikayla's assistant and w-"
"I DIDN'T DO IT! IT WASN'T ME! YOU GOTTA BELIEVE ME! I'M BEING FRAMED! FRAMED I TELL YOU!" Cammie was cut short when Quorra suddenly burst out screaming. Tear streamed down her face as she continued to scream. Mikayla and Cammie were both taken aback by this.
Mikayla tried to focus on Quorra, but she sighed, exasperated. "It's no use. She's too emotional, and I can't get a reading on her." Cammie sighed this time, using her sCAn Pad to analyze Quorra more. "Quorra, please try to calm down and talk." Quorra continued to cry, unable to speak.
"Quorra, please stop crying. We can't help you if you're like this." Camie said in a calming voice. Quorra continued to sniffle and cry.
"Well, we aren't getting anywhere like this. We have to get her to stop or else we can't help." Mikayla sighed.
Time for something desperate then. Let's see if I can still recall how to do this. It was an old technique that Snipe taught me about four years ago. I haven't had to use it since he taught me, but, I should be able to do it.
"Mikayla, I think I know how to get her to stop, but it's a little... unorthodox." Cammie stated, gripping the desk.
"Well," She paused, thinking, "Alright Cammie, as long as it's not illegal."
Cammie nodded and stood up, slamming her hands on the desk. "Quorra!" Cammie yelled at the top of her lungs, startling Quorra. "I demand that you stop crying," She paused to stare in Quorra's eyes, "and that you start telling us what we want to know," She pointed her left hand at Quorra, dead in the center of the eyes, "NOW!" Quorra fell silent, paralyzed in fear. Mikayla was silent as well, surprised by the actions of her assistant.
"Y-Yes ma'am." Quorra quietly said, calming down. Cammie sat down and adjusted her jacket. Mikayla took some deep breaths and regained her composure.
"Now then, tell us about what happened around the time of the murder?" Cammie activated the video camera on her sCAn Pad to record Quorra.
"I'm telling you, I didn't murder anyone!" Quorra began to shout, but a stern look from Cammie caused her to quiet down.
"I believe her Cammie. I don't even need my gift to tell that from her. I've known Quorra for a long time. She didn't kill anyone. I trust her." Mikayla stated firmly, not breaking her gaze to Quorra. "Sadly, she is still very emotional and I can't effectively find any tells." Cammie nodded and returned focus to Quorra.
"Quorra. If you have an alibi for the time of the murder, it helps us to be able to defend you better." Quorra nodded. "Now, tell us what you were doing when the murder occurred."
"It's..." Quorra paused, trying to think, "It's still all a blur to me. Everything that's happened these past few days. Do you have a specific time frame from me to remember?"
"Umm... Well..." Mikayla paused and turned to Cammie.
"We should have gotten a better autopsy from Magdalena besides just how he was killed. We should have learned when." Cammie stated. "Quorra, did you go out near the Laggorian Plains within the last ten days?"
"Within the last ten days? That's rather specific." She paused and thought. "No, not at all."
"I see. Do you have any evidence of that?" Cammie asked, making a mental note of what Quorra said.
"Sorry, I don't have a details report of my whereabouts the past ten days." Cammie nodded and turned to Mikayla.
"Without a time frame for the murder, I don't think we can get anything more out of her. She may not show it, but she's still very emotional and I can't read her. We'll have to trust her testimony for now."
Cammie nodded in agreement. "I think we need to go talk to Magdalena and get a better autopsy report." Mikayla nodded and the two of them excused themselves.
"W-Wait!" Quorra shouted after them as they began to leave. They turned their heads to Quorra. "You two... you're going to prove I didn't do it, right?"
Recalling that note that she had gotten, Cammie, in her calmest and most sincere tone she could muster at the time replied. "Yes Quorra. Don't you worry. We'll get your acquittal." Quorra smiled, still holding back tears. With that, they left to go see Magdalena.
* * * * * * * *
"What do you mean 'no'!?" Mikayla shouted at her sister, her voice echoing through the dunes.
"The bigger question what you don't understand. I'm not giving you the autopsy report." Magdalena crossed her arms defiantly at Mikayla and Cammie.
"Hey now, we are defending Quorra, we deserve to know the facts." Cammie firmly stated.
"You can know when the trial starts tomorrow." Magdalena said, summoning a police man. "Now, get off my crime scene or else."
"Wait!" Cammie shouted, "Can we at least get the preliminary report?"
Magdalena paused, but nodded. "Alright then. You there!" She shouted to a nearby policeman, "Get me my preliminary report."
"Yes ma'am!" The policeman ran off and return a few minutes later.
"Here you two are. My preliminary findings. Now scram before I have to get brutal with you!" Magdalena reached into her jacket and pulled out a long and slender object, whispy in appearance. It was dull violet at the base and slowly transitioned to a bright crimson color.
"Mikayla, is that...?" Cammie asked, taking a picture with her sCAn Pad.
"This is a feather of the legendary Yazaka. Learn your lore and learn your place." Magdalena smirked and placed the base of the feather in her teeth, like a toothpick or a pipe. "Now scram!" Cammie and Mikayla nodded and left, returning to Mikayla's office/house.
"So, what's the report say, Cammie?" Mikayla asked, taking a seat behind her desk.
"Let's see..." Cammie paused to pulled out her sCAn Pad and took a picture of each section of the report before reading them. "Victim's name is unknown. Unrecognizable due to damange. Alias is John Doe. Lower back of victim's skull is blown off. Face and fingers are badly burnt. Wearing standard army clothes, but no damage to the clothes. Found face down in the sand dunes in the southwestern area of the Laggorian Plains. Little to no blood found in the surrounding area. Rifle found approx. 10 yards away. Attached are the crime scene photos." Cammie removed a clip from the report and four pictures fell onto the desk.
The first one was simply a picture of the rifle. Not just any rifle, but a custom made rifle. It was completely silver coated with a .45 mm barrel. It was about a foot and a half long and had a hand holder on the barrel and one on the handle. Technically, it was more like a rifle. The trigger on the gun was polished with a golden paint and the metal around the trigger was also gold painted. The sight on the rifle was about 2 mm tall and 3 mm thick with a curve out of it of about 1 mm. On the side of the gun was an illegible signature belonging to the man. The barrel of the rifle on the inside had curved ridges, which caused the bullets that were shot out to spin as they flew.
The second photo was a large view of the crime scene. Snipe's body was lying in the sand in the lower left corner of the photo. There wasn't really anything else note-worthy about the photo. The sky was blue with puffy clouds dotting left and right. The sand dunes were plain and there were no signs of footprints.
The third photo was a close-up of Snipe's body as it was found, lying face-down. His pine clothes were rattered and wrinkled, but no sign of wear or tear. The ammo belt strapped in an X-fashion was visibly on his back. His army helmet was just a few inches from his head, his scraggly dirt brown hair in a mess. The brain was clearly visible from the wound. Mikayla gagged at the sight of it and turned her head.
"Squeamish?" Cammie asked, flipping over the photo.
"A little. Ugh... It's not the blood and bones that bother me, it's that you can see brain. That's just wrong on so many levels." Mikayla shuddered and crossed her arms protectively.
"Alright then, let's move onto the last photo." Cammie said, putting the last photo in the middle of the desk.
The last photo was Snipe's body, but turned over, so he was lying on his back. The damages on his face were immense, barely any patches of skin were left unburnt. His eyes were closed and he had a faceless expression. There wasn't too much difference between the photo of his front and the photo of his back. The ammo belt was missing two refills, both where the two belts crossed. His army clothes were still undamaged, and the photo stopped at the waist.
"I guess that's it. We're not going to get much more investigation done today; it's already too late." Mikayla sighed and stood up. "Feel free to keep looking over the photos. Lock up when you're done, Cammie." With that, Mikayla left and went upstairs. Cammie looked over each of the photos closely.
There has to be something that I can use to defend Quorra. However, this looks like a standard murder. Magdalena has to be holding onto more evidence then she's letting on, which will be detrimental to our case. I can't find anything unusual about these pho-
Cammie's thoughts were interrupted when she spotted something on the last photo. It was small, but still somewhat noticable. Underneath Snipe's right sleeve, in the small gap between the cloth and the skin, was a scar. However, it wasn't just any scar, but a triangle with the sides bend inwards with a diamond shape in the center. Cammie took a deep breath and locked up, said "good night" to Mikayla, and quickly made her way to her motel room. She didn't say a word to Yolanda or Yarren as she passed them. Cammie quickly pulled out her sCAn Pad once she was in her room and called Lynia.
"Yes Cammie? Is something up?" Lynia asked in a calming voice.
"Lynia, where are you right now?" Cammie asked, her mercenary calm slowly building.
"I'm in my house. Why do you ask?" A little bit of fear entered Lynia's voice.
"I need a certain file on a case. I believe it's known as the CP-27 case." Cammie said, trying to recall those events that had transpired.
"The CP-27 case? That's a highly confidential dossier, Cammie. What do you need it for?" Lynia questioned, more concern growing in her voice.
"I have a distinct feeling that this case that I'm working on and the CP-27 case has some connection." Cammie held that fourth photo in her hand, eying up the strange scar on Snipe.
"What makes you say that?" Lynia asked sternly.
"I can't disclose any information right now. I need you to send me a copy of those files." Cammie stated, trying to persuade Lynia.
"Cammie, this case, CP-27, is highly classified and many conspiracies are still lingering. I ask again, what makes you think that these two cases are connected?" Lynia sternly demanded.
Cammie paused and thought to herself about her response. Finally, she found the words to speak. "Lynia, that mark that surrounded the CP-27 case has reappeared here. To protect you, your island, and the people here in Swan Valley, I need to go about this alone. The less numbers here, the less people are in danger. I need you to trust me on this Lynia."
There was a long pause before either of them talked. "Alright Cammie. I'll send over a copy of the dossier. Where do you need it sent?"
"Send it to the Backfoot Motel in Swan Valley. I'll need it as fast as possible."
There was another pause. "Alright. I'll send it. I warn you, Cammie. Whatever this is that you are getting involved in... I want you to get out as fast as you can. I'm warning you, Cammie. Once you start this, there won't be any turning back." With that, Lynia hung up.
"I can't believe that they already found enough evidence to arrest someone." Mikayla said in disbelief. She sighed and stared down at the ground.
I can't believe it either. Just this morning, Magdalena said she didn't have anything that would point to any perpetrator, but now, the defendant is already waiting. We barely even have any evidence on their own side either. The only physical evidence we have is a ripped ticket, and even that didn't help their case much.
Cammie sighed. "Where is our client anyways? I thought you called ahead to let them know we were coming."
"I did. I don't know what's keeping our client." Mikayla nervously fidgeted with her badge.
"I've been meaning to ask you, Mikayla. What is up with your badge? The word sheriff is spelled wrong. It should be two F's and one R, not the other way around. for something that official, I think you would have had it spell checked." Cammie said, directing her attention to Mikayla.
"Oh, well, you see, it was a gift from my sister, Maddie. When we were young, we used to play costume. I often ended up being the law person and she was the culprit. She had actually hand made this badge. I did use to wear an official badge with the word spelled right, but after her death, I wear this one in her honor." Mikayla still fiddled with her badge, but it became less due to nervous and more due to sentiment.
"I see. Magdalena and Martin didn't join in?"
"They did. Maddie even gave them special gifts too. Martin has a special pin she made for him that he wears all the time. Magdalena, on the other hand, has a feather."
"A feather? Seems like a strange gift to make someone."
'Oh, she didn't make it. It's from a legendary bird known as the Yazaka. It's a grand and majestic bird that is supposed to live in the Hacienda Heights."
"Hacienda Heights? Where is that?" Cammie interrupted.
"It's off to the east of the Laggorian Plains. Like the plains, it's highly inhospitable to people. However, there has been evidence of... " she paused to think of the right word, "...something living up there. Many research teams went to search, but all they found were feathers not belonging to any normal bird. Legend has it the feathers are so rare, that anyone who holds them holds great power. Maddie gave a feather she found to Magdalena. She keeps it on her always."
That was a bit odd that I didn't see the feather when they talked to her, but next time we meet, I will be sure to look for it. Even small towns had their superstitions, and evidence of a creature of this size warranted further inves-
Cammie's thoughts were interrupted when the door behind them opened up. Cammie and Mikayla turned around to see a man rush in there, through the doorway.
He was rather young, somewhere in his twenties. He had jet black hair, slicked back as if he had just gotten off a high speed ride. His hazel eyes were wide from the rush. The man's crimson red sport's jacket fluttered as he ran into the room, his white undershirt revealing itself. He wore a black watch on his left wrist and a purple wristband on his right. He wore navy jeans and had sleek red and white sneakers. The man's face was in an expression of panic as he rushed in. The guard on the side held him back as he began to yell.
"Quorra! My sweet! How could they do this! I won't rest until you are free! I swear it!"
"Sir! Please calm down! I will not hesitate to restrain you!" yelled the policeman.
"Hang on, hang on. Let me talk to him. Quintin, please calm down now and let's talk." Mikayla said, calming the man down. She stood up and calmly offered the man her seat. He took some deep breaths as Mikayla went to reassure the guard everything would be alright. Cammie took this opportunity to gather more information. She pulled out her sCAn Pad and analyzed Quintin, adding him to the database.
"So, you are Quintin?" Cammie asked, in a calm voice. Quintin nodded and Cammie continued to question. "You mentioned the name 'Quorra'. May I inquire as to who that is?"
"She..." Quintin paused, trying to calm down, "She's my wife." He fiddled with his wedding ring as he took some deep breaths.
"I see. Quorra, she wouldn't happen to be the defendant, would she?"
Quintin nodded. "Yes, my poor Quorra, arrested for murder. I know she didn't do it! She's no cold-blooded killer!" Tears began to form in his eyes.
"You don't have to be a cold-blooded to accidently kill someone." Cammie flatly stated. Mikayla, Quintin, and the policeman all stared.
"Cammie!" Mikayla shouted in disbelief.
"What? I'm simply being real. I'm a scientist. I hunt for the truth, Mikayla." Cammie flatly replied, turning her attention to Mikayla.
"Well, while you are my assistant, Cammie, you will hunt with a little more compassion, understood?" Mikayla's voice was filled with determination and a sense of superiority. Cammie nodded and returned to Quintin.
"My apologies for my rudeness."
I'll have to be careful. My mercenary side is starting to come back, and I don't think Mikayla will take too kindly to that.
"It's alright. But my Quorra isn't a killer! I know it!" Quintin exclaimed.
"I've know Quorra for a long time. I don't think she killed this man either. However, should she turn out to be the killer, I will have justice put upon her." Quintin fought back some tears and nodded.
"Quintin, I'm going to have to ask you to leave. You cannot be here while Mikayla and her assistant are discussing with the defendant." The policeman said. Quintin nodded again and stepped out of the room, shutting the door behind him.
"Emotional, wasn't he?" Cammie said, crossing her arms.
"Yeah, Quintin's been know to get rather emotional at times. Though, now, I believe it's our time to talk to Quorra." As if on cue, the door for the defendant opened up and a guard brought in a woman.
Like Quintin, she was in her twenties, though she seemed to be more in her later twenties. She had short brunette hair, barely brushing her shoulder. A large pair of red headphones were around her neck with an X pattern on them. She had hazy grey eyes and light skin. She was wearing a pine green turtleneck with lines going vertically down her body. The sleeves were longer than her arms, covering her hands. Her pewter grey slacks has a patch from when they must have ripped at her right knee. She wore smokey grey sneakers and her socks were covered by her pants. She sat down at the prisoner chair with a depressed look on her face.
Cammie pulled out her sCAn Pad and began to analyze Quorra and add her to the database as well. "So, Quorra, I am Cammie. I am Mikayla's assistant and w-"
"I DIDN'T DO IT! IT WASN'T ME! YOU GOTTA BELIEVE ME! I'M BEING FRAMED! FRAMED I TELL YOU!" Cammie was cut short when Quorra suddenly burst out screaming. Tear streamed down her face as she continued to scream. Mikayla and Cammie were both taken aback by this.
Mikayla tried to focus on Quorra, but she sighed, exasperated. "It's no use. She's too emotional, and I can't get a reading on her." Cammie sighed this time, using her sCAn Pad to analyze Quorra more. "Quorra, please try to calm down and talk." Quorra continued to cry, unable to speak.
"Quorra, please stop crying. We can't help you if you're like this." Camie said in a calming voice. Quorra continued to sniffle and cry.
"Well, we aren't getting anywhere like this. We have to get her to stop or else we can't help." Mikayla sighed.
Time for something desperate then. Let's see if I can still recall how to do this. It was an old technique that Snipe taught me about four years ago. I haven't had to use it since he taught me, but, I should be able to do it.
"Mikayla, I think I know how to get her to stop, but it's a little... unorthodox." Cammie stated, gripping the desk.
"Well," She paused, thinking, "Alright Cammie, as long as it's not illegal."
Cammie nodded and stood up, slamming her hands on the desk. "Quorra!" Cammie yelled at the top of her lungs, startling Quorra. "I demand that you stop crying," She paused to stare in Quorra's eyes, "and that you start telling us what we want to know," She pointed her left hand at Quorra, dead in the center of the eyes, "NOW!" Quorra fell silent, paralyzed in fear. Mikayla was silent as well, surprised by the actions of her assistant.
"Y-Yes ma'am." Quorra quietly said, calming down. Cammie sat down and adjusted her jacket. Mikayla took some deep breaths and regained her composure.
"Now then, tell us about what happened around the time of the murder?" Cammie activated the video camera on her sCAn Pad to record Quorra.
"I'm telling you, I didn't murder anyone!" Quorra began to shout, but a stern look from Cammie caused her to quiet down.
"I believe her Cammie. I don't even need my gift to tell that from her. I've known Quorra for a long time. She didn't kill anyone. I trust her." Mikayla stated firmly, not breaking her gaze to Quorra. "Sadly, she is still very emotional and I can't effectively find any tells." Cammie nodded and returned focus to Quorra.
"Quorra. If you have an alibi for the time of the murder, it helps us to be able to defend you better." Quorra nodded. "Now, tell us what you were doing when the murder occurred."
"It's..." Quorra paused, trying to think, "It's still all a blur to me. Everything that's happened these past few days. Do you have a specific time frame from me to remember?"
"Umm... Well..." Mikayla paused and turned to Cammie.
"We should have gotten a better autopsy from Magdalena besides just how he was killed. We should have learned when." Cammie stated. "Quorra, did you go out near the Laggorian Plains within the last ten days?"
"Within the last ten days? That's rather specific." She paused and thought. "No, not at all."
"I see. Do you have any evidence of that?" Cammie asked, making a mental note of what Quorra said.
"Sorry, I don't have a details report of my whereabouts the past ten days." Cammie nodded and turned to Mikayla.
"Without a time frame for the murder, I don't think we can get anything more out of her. She may not show it, but she's still very emotional and I can't read her. We'll have to trust her testimony for now."
Cammie nodded in agreement. "I think we need to go talk to Magdalena and get a better autopsy report." Mikayla nodded and the two of them excused themselves.
"W-Wait!" Quorra shouted after them as they began to leave. They turned their heads to Quorra. "You two... you're going to prove I didn't do it, right?"
Recalling that note that she had gotten, Cammie, in her calmest and most sincere tone she could muster at the time replied. "Yes Quorra. Don't you worry. We'll get your acquittal." Quorra smiled, still holding back tears. With that, they left to go see Magdalena.
* * * * * * * *
"What do you mean 'no'!?" Mikayla shouted at her sister, her voice echoing through the dunes.
"The bigger question what you don't understand. I'm not giving you the autopsy report." Magdalena crossed her arms defiantly at Mikayla and Cammie.
"Hey now, we are defending Quorra, we deserve to know the facts." Cammie firmly stated.
"You can know when the trial starts tomorrow." Magdalena said, summoning a police man. "Now, get off my crime scene or else."
"Wait!" Cammie shouted, "Can we at least get the preliminary report?"
Magdalena paused, but nodded. "Alright then. You there!" She shouted to a nearby policeman, "Get me my preliminary report."
"Yes ma'am!" The policeman ran off and return a few minutes later.
"Here you two are. My preliminary findings. Now scram before I have to get brutal with you!" Magdalena reached into her jacket and pulled out a long and slender object, whispy in appearance. It was dull violet at the base and slowly transitioned to a bright crimson color.
"Mikayla, is that...?" Cammie asked, taking a picture with her sCAn Pad.
"This is a feather of the legendary Yazaka. Learn your lore and learn your place." Magdalena smirked and placed the base of the feather in her teeth, like a toothpick or a pipe. "Now scram!" Cammie and Mikayla nodded and left, returning to Mikayla's office/house.
"So, what's the report say, Cammie?" Mikayla asked, taking a seat behind her desk.
"Let's see..." Cammie paused to pulled out her sCAn Pad and took a picture of each section of the report before reading them. "Victim's name is unknown. Unrecognizable due to damange. Alias is John Doe. Lower back of victim's skull is blown off. Face and fingers are badly burnt. Wearing standard army clothes, but no damage to the clothes. Found face down in the sand dunes in the southwestern area of the Laggorian Plains. Little to no blood found in the surrounding area. Rifle found approx. 10 yards away. Attached are the crime scene photos." Cammie removed a clip from the report and four pictures fell onto the desk.
The first one was simply a picture of the rifle. Not just any rifle, but a custom made rifle. It was completely silver coated with a .45 mm barrel. It was about a foot and a half long and had a hand holder on the barrel and one on the handle. Technically, it was more like a rifle. The trigger on the gun was polished with a golden paint and the metal around the trigger was also gold painted. The sight on the rifle was about 2 mm tall and 3 mm thick with a curve out of it of about 1 mm. On the side of the gun was an illegible signature belonging to the man. The barrel of the rifle on the inside had curved ridges, which caused the bullets that were shot out to spin as they flew.
The second photo was a large view of the crime scene. Snipe's body was lying in the sand in the lower left corner of the photo. There wasn't really anything else note-worthy about the photo. The sky was blue with puffy clouds dotting left and right. The sand dunes were plain and there were no signs of footprints.
The third photo was a close-up of Snipe's body as it was found, lying face-down. His pine clothes were rattered and wrinkled, but no sign of wear or tear. The ammo belt strapped in an X-fashion was visibly on his back. His army helmet was just a few inches from his head, his scraggly dirt brown hair in a mess. The brain was clearly visible from the wound. Mikayla gagged at the sight of it and turned her head.
"Squeamish?" Cammie asked, flipping over the photo.
"A little. Ugh... It's not the blood and bones that bother me, it's that you can see brain. That's just wrong on so many levels." Mikayla shuddered and crossed her arms protectively.
"Alright then, let's move onto the last photo." Cammie said, putting the last photo in the middle of the desk.
The last photo was Snipe's body, but turned over, so he was lying on his back. The damages on his face were immense, barely any patches of skin were left unburnt. His eyes were closed and he had a faceless expression. There wasn't too much difference between the photo of his front and the photo of his back. The ammo belt was missing two refills, both where the two belts crossed. His army clothes were still undamaged, and the photo stopped at the waist.
"I guess that's it. We're not going to get much more investigation done today; it's already too late." Mikayla sighed and stood up. "Feel free to keep looking over the photos. Lock up when you're done, Cammie." With that, Mikayla left and went upstairs. Cammie looked over each of the photos closely.
There has to be something that I can use to defend Quorra. However, this looks like a standard murder. Magdalena has to be holding onto more evidence then she's letting on, which will be detrimental to our case. I can't find anything unusual about these pho-
Cammie's thoughts were interrupted when she spotted something on the last photo. It was small, but still somewhat noticable. Underneath Snipe's right sleeve, in the small gap between the cloth and the skin, was a scar. However, it wasn't just any scar, but a triangle with the sides bend inwards with a diamond shape in the center. Cammie took a deep breath and locked up, said "good night" to Mikayla, and quickly made her way to her motel room. She didn't say a word to Yolanda or Yarren as she passed them. Cammie quickly pulled out her sCAn Pad once she was in her room and called Lynia.
"Yes Cammie? Is something up?" Lynia asked in a calming voice.
"Lynia, where are you right now?" Cammie asked, her mercenary calm slowly building.
"I'm in my house. Why do you ask?" A little bit of fear entered Lynia's voice.
"I need a certain file on a case. I believe it's known as the CP-27 case." Cammie said, trying to recall those events that had transpired.
"The CP-27 case? That's a highly confidential dossier, Cammie. What do you need it for?" Lynia questioned, more concern growing in her voice.
"I have a distinct feeling that this case that I'm working on and the CP-27 case has some connection." Cammie held that fourth photo in her hand, eying up the strange scar on Snipe.
"What makes you say that?" Lynia asked sternly.
"I can't disclose any information right now. I need you to send me a copy of those files." Cammie stated, trying to persuade Lynia.
"Cammie, this case, CP-27, is highly classified and many conspiracies are still lingering. I ask again, what makes you think that these two cases are connected?" Lynia sternly demanded.
Cammie paused and thought to herself about her response. Finally, she found the words to speak. "Lynia, that mark that surrounded the CP-27 case has reappeared here. To protect you, your island, and the people here in Swan Valley, I need to go about this alone. The less numbers here, the less people are in danger. I need you to trust me on this Lynia."
There was a long pause before either of them talked. "Alright Cammie. I'll send over a copy of the dossier. Where do you need it sent?"
"Send it to the Backfoot Motel in Swan Valley. I'll need it as fast as possible."
There was another pause. "Alright. I'll send it. I warn you, Cammie. Whatever this is that you are getting involved in... I want you to get out as fast as you can. I'm warning you, Cammie. Once you start this, there won't be any turning back." With that, Lynia hung up.