FICTION PROMPT: A STRONG HUNCH

Detective Ryan wasn't your normal detective. He wasn't the type to conform to the rules and hide his values to fit in. In fact he is a very blunt man who for long stopped caring about what people taught about him. He did whatever his guts told him and spoke his mind boldly, without caring about the consequences or who got hurt in the process. Most people described him as quirky and eccentric. But Detective Ryan didn't care about all that. As long as he got his job done and brought criminals to justice he was a fulfilled man.

However, this time around his instincts were laying a bold accusation on a prominent figure, the Mayor of the city. In the town of Red ville, a series of assassinations had been taking place and was beginning to get alarming. The streets of the city were filled with fear. People no longer stayed up past 6pm. Everyone made sure to lock their houses tight at night. Rumours of deaths spread like wild fire round the city. Some declared the town insecure.

The rumored deaths were done in cold blood, over a span of two months. The first, a journalist, murdered in cold blood late at night. He was found lying dead in his apartment. The second was a retired government worker, who used to work for the mayor. He was shot dead in his car while driving home. The third was, a renowned business man and a political ally. He was shot at a public gathering while trying to give a speech in a convention. This particular bold assasination got the city shaken with fear. And the last one, which just happened a week ago was a young Lawyer probably between the age of 27—28.

The police had labelled these series of attacks as the work of a serial killer. But Ryan saw something no one else did.

“This isn't just some random kills, there is a pattern. All these victims are connected to the Mayor in one way or the other, can't you see.”
Ryan spoke to his captain again, trying to convince him of his hunch.

“You're chasing ghosts, the Mayor is a prominent and respected figure in the city. He could never do something like that” the captain replied dismissively.

“But don't you find it odd, all these murders happening two months before the election. I’m positive, He is covering his tracks, eliminating those who can expose his evil deeds.

“Enough! With your baseless accusations. I won't let you talk about the Mayor
that way. Effective immediately, your dropping the case” the captain, slammed his hand on the desk, authority oozed with every word he spoke

Ryan didn't say anything. He just walked out of the office with nothing but a resolve to unravel the real culprit behind these murders.

The following weeks passed by in a blur, Ryan worked quietly, obsessively even. He investigated the Mayor silently, under cover. Went through his financial records to see if there was anything unusual, even followed and tracked Mr Hugo, the mayor's driver on multiple occasions, watching and waiting. He lurked around at night near the mayor's mansion, watching from a distance in his black SUV that blended with the night. Searching for clues, evidence, anything he could find. His colleagues thought he had lost it.

“Ryan's gone crazy” they talked behind his back.

“Still after the mayor's story?”

“The Guy is mad. He just won't stop, will he?”

However, one faithful evening, Ryan finally dug up some dirt. He followed Mr Hugo, discreetly to an old abandoned warehouse which he immediately recognized as a property the mayor had purchased a few months ago. From afar, he sat in his car watching.

The mayor came out of his car, entered the warehouse and after about one hour, he left with his driver. Ryan didn't hesitate to take shots with his camera. After they had left. He got down from his car and made his way into the abandoned warehouse . Behold, he found a flash drive, taped under a small desk. He quickly connected it to his PC. On it were evidence gathered by the last victim, the young Lawyer that was shot dead a week ago. He played one audio from it and froze.

It was the mayor's voice,

“He will be speaking at the public convention tomorrow. Make it look like a serial killer attempt. The election is in a few months, we have to take him out now.,”

“Understood boss

Ryan didn't need to play more. His instincts were right after all. The next morning Ryan burst into the station, went straight to the captain's office.

“Here is all the proof you need. I told you, I’m not crazy” he said, sliding the flash drive on the desk.

“What's this? The mayor picked it up, raising an eyebrow.

“Evidence, gathered by the last victim, right before he was killed the mayor behind all the assassinations and murders”.

The captain took the flash drive and dismissed him.

By afternoon, the Station was buzzed with anticipation and officers. The commissioner came down himself. Ryan was called in. The officers looked at him with something he couldn't quite put a finger on. For a minute he doubted himself, was I wrong ? He thought. He was told to wait. He sat in a small chair, fiddling with his fingers. After a few minutes, the Mayor stepped in.

“Detective Ryan, I hear you've been spreading quite the story.”

“You should be careful, you're making powerful enemies.”

“No need to threaten me if you have nothing to hide” Ryan said simply, unfazed by the threat.

At that moment, the commissioner and some officers burst in with handcuffs.

“Mayor Ahmed, you're under arrest for murder. Whatever you say will be used against you in the court of law.”

Everyone stared in disbelief. Ryan turned to the captain.

“You listened to it?”

“Well I had the tech team verify the voice. You were right all along.”

“Youre making a mistake" Mayor Ahmed shouted as the officers led him away.

Ryan let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. At last!

“The other officers gathered around him,

“You really were right” they said playfully

“Told you, I am not crazy, just a strong hunch”.