Jason Webber was a trusted police officer of the Avalon City Police Department (ACPD). He was a good man who was devoted to his job and his best friend, Zora. The pin he gave her led her to this bar called The BrewClub Bar.

“This place was on the news this morning...” She thought as she reversed and parked a few metres away. When she came down, she took her notepad and pen with her, her camera hanging on her neck, as well as her AD journalist license ID card.

Yellow tape drawn from square edges surrounding the bar prevented her from further entrance. She needed to find Jason. Reporters were already present; pictures were being taken, and she knew this was bad for business.

“Zora. Over here.” Jason scolded from a distance as he bent down below the yellow tapes, waving at Zora to meet him. She caught up.

“What the hell is going on?”

“You wouldn’t believe it even if I told you, but I would anyway. Three men died there. One beheaded, one barbecued to ashes, and the other with every single bone in his body broken.”

Zora had already put her pen to action and began writing when the barbecue party stopped her halfway. And they both stared at each other in silence for a few seconds before Jason nodded his head, hands to waist, as if to tell her, “Yes, Hun. This is no bluff.”

“Thirteen witnesses; none of them can vividly explain what went down.”

“What? How is that possible?”

“Basically, it’s as though they never saw anything.”

“So... how are they witnesses to the crime?"

“Sorry. Supposed witnesses. They were all there at the bar in the time frame where the incident should have happened.

“-should have?” Zora's eyes widened. She hoped Jason would correct himself immediately.

“Zora. These people were at the bar last night, and their reports are the same: that these bodies just appeared from nowhere, dead. But they were alive and laughing, cracking jokes minutes ago and before their deaths. The bartender admitted to serving them all drinks.”

“But he has no idea how they ended up dead. They were brutalised. How could anyone not know? They’re hiding something. All of them.”

“That’s the problem. I personally don’t think so. But they’re standing suspects as we speak. They’ve all been arrested. They’ll be questioned and tested as soon as the alcohol in their systems has been flushed.”

“We need answers.”

Jason scoffed, “Why do you think I called you?”

“I don’t even have a lead, J. All the witnesses are in police custody. Yesterday was a rainy night, so I’m pretty sure no one went in or out at that time, so that’s pretty much all.”

“Actually, there’s a major suspect, however.”

“Name.” She said, holding her pen that way again, ready to strike her paper and bleed ink on it.

“Zora?” Just then, a voice said behind her. She turned.

“Chris. What are you doing here?”

“Franklin already sent me here. I’m capturing.” Chris Newton said. Zora scoffed.

“Is that so?”

“Seriously, Zora, you can’t just show up here. Have you even dropped by the office?”

“I’m allowed to follow a lead. I’m also allowed to check on my friend if he’s okay, aren’t I?” She said, gesturing at Jason, who waved with a hint of disinterest at Chris.

Chris scoffed and walked away, and Zora proceeded to grope her pockets.

“Shit. I left my phone in the car. Franklin would have called by now. It’s probably way past 7:30 by now.”

“You should get going then. “

“No. He’s inconsistent. “

“He’s your boss, Zed.”

“I know that. But he also wants to—” Zora smirked.

"Do not say it." Jason interrupted, smirking as well. Zora chuckled and shrugged.

“About the major suspect..." Zora reminded him. And he shook his head left to right in disappointment and sighed.

“No name. No pictures. My guys are still checking out security footage surrounding the bar and across the street from it. The news won’t be ready now.”

“Wow,” Zora sighed.

“I’ll fax you.”

“Alright. Male?"

“Yes. Dressed in black, hoodies, and the like. He came in a few minutes before the murder and had a mystic nature to him. The bartender said he thought he even spoke to one of the guys who came in to order a drink after he ordered his. But the hitting bit is the fact that another witness saw this same guy leaving, and immediately, they noticed the bodies.”

“But...how...at what time did he leave? Does it correspond with the time the bodies were seen?”

“I don’t know, Zora. I just don’t know. Look, I have to go.”

Zora sighed. She took down some notes. “I’ll see you.” She said, and they said goodbye as she headed for her car.

That was when she noticed Chris hanging by it.

"Can I ride with you?”

“Hell, no, taxis are all over, Chris.”

“Waste money? Zora, come on, open up, thanks. “

Zora signed and reluctantly unlocked the car.

Meanwhile, just at the far end of the lined blocks opposite the BrewClub Bar, a white man with auburn hair, about six feet tall, with tiny eyes and thinned lips, watched the scene for a few minutes. He was in a black, explicit suit, which the sun gave extra life to, and his neat shoes sparkled. His bow tie was neatly, evenly knotted, and his white inner sleeve was white as snow. He could hear everything faintly, for he was actually at a reasonable distance. But he could definitely discern much more when the funny-looking, nearly handsome police officer had said something about a major suspect. When he turned sharply, his gaze met the woman’s, who looked carefree as she turned away harmlessly. Frankly, it sharpened his ears. And he proceeded to get in his black, tinted Mercedes-Benz when he heard the conclusion of this policeman’s meeting with the tall, long, and black-haired woman whom he concluded was definitely a journalist.

He started his car and drove away.