V for Vendetta

It was evening at the Citadel estate, where the elite of the city gathered for the annual masquerade ball. Laughter and music filled the air, and the grand chandelier sparkled like a thousand stars. Among the guests was the charming but enigmatic Eleanor Zaborowski, a rising star in the world of finance, known for his sharp wit and even sharper business acumen.

The clock struck midnight, the atmosphere shifted. A piercing scream echoed through the ballroom, silencing the revelers. Guests rushed to the source of the commotion, only to find Eleanor sprawled on the floor, a blood protruding from his head and chest, his mask askew. Panic ensued as the realization of murder set in.

In the corner, Simone Webster is sitting in tension, unable to move. In a moment, he knew a rapid bullet came fast; he was shot in the head from a distance afar.

The guests ran outside, and a group of armed men went inside. They weren't satisfied; they shot Eleanor in the head, and one of them cut Eleanor's index finger and took the gold ring on it. They shot again at both bodies, and blood started to spread on the floor.

They fled away from the scene. The police and ambulance were too late. A forensic team and detectives arrived to investigate.

Detective Clara is searching for leads through the phone. "The victims, Eleanor Zaborowski, a finance specialist and an investor, and Simone Webster, a real estate agent and developer, are both from well-known families and have connections to politics."

Detective Noel said, "I've already interviewed the guests. An armed group went inside and shot them both in the head. There are no traces of them, it's all planned."

Detective Clara replied, "And the security cameras were all smashed and broken. You're right."

Detective Noel said, "We have to talk to the family and any other possible connections we could find."

Detective Clara said, "I believe we're dealing with a dangerous game."

Detective Noel replied, "I believe there's more. We have to get this over as soon as possible."

The forensic team and the coroner took the body and placed it at the medical examiner facility for autopsy.

Hours pass by, both of the victims' families arrived at the police station.

Ezekiel asked, "What happened to my brother?" worried.

Detective Clara said, "Mr. Eleanor and Mr. Simone were murdered at the masquerade party in Citadel. My condolences."

Detective Noel Ramirez and Detective Clara Bennett introduced themselves properly.

Detective Noel asked, "Does your brother have any enemies at work?"

Ezekiel said, "I heard that he was having a fight about a private property with his business partners."

Detective Noel said, "We will investigate his business partners right away. And I suggest that you should not see your brother for now."

Ezekiel said, "Why so? I wanted to see my brother. He was murdered. I don't know what happened, but I want to see him."

Detective Noel commands, "Show him the way to the facility."

"Right this way, Mr. Ezekiel," Detective Clara said.

Simone's father went through the interrogation room after they left.

Mr. Robert exclaimed, "What are you doing? Instead of wasting your time asking us an open-ended question, you should find the killer now!"

Detective Noel explained, "Mr. Robert, I understand your frustration, but we need details in order for us to find these armed men and the sniper killer."

Mr. Robert said emotionally, "All I know is he's a business partner and a friend of Eleanor. Why did they kill my son? Why him? He was a good kid."

Detective Noel said, "Thank you for your cooperation, Mr. Robert. We will find the killer."

Mr. Robert exclaimed, "Don't assure me, find them!"

He left and went to the examiner facility. Mr. Robert saw that Ezekiel and Jacob's faces were full of emotion and anger. When he opened Simone's sheet, he cried.

Eleanor was shot in the chest and head. He was brutally cut from his finger through arms. Simone was shot in the head and their eye sockets were opened. Their brains were both blown out.

"What did they do to deserve this?" Mr. Robert said weakly.

Detective Clara said, "We should go outside now, gentlemen. We are still going to undergo an investigation here."

They all went outside to see Detective Noel.

Detective Noel said, "Thank you for your cooperation, gentlemen. You all need to rest for now. We will update tomorrow about the findings."

Jacob said, "My brother was a good man. He never had any enemies until the conflict with his partners. They're all in Sicilia quarters. Maybe you will find useful there."

Detective Noel said, "We will, Mr. Jacob. We're not going to sleep until this all brought to justice."

Jacob and Mr. Robert went to the parking lot. Ezekiel stopped for a second.

"If you can't find them, I will," Ezekiel said in a serious manner.

Detective Clara looked at Detective Noel; he understood Ezekiel's words.

Detective Noel said, "I understand, but please don't make any move that will risk your life."

Ezekiel left. Detectives Noel and Clara immediately ran to the car and headed to Sicilia City.

Detective Noel had a conversation with one of Eleanor's business partner. He mentioned the argument at the private property of an exclusive villa that Eleanor tried to sell, but the mafia organization refused to give it up. Eleanor and Simone successfully sold it to a multimillionaire architect, with the help of their corporate business partners and engineers.

Detective Clara explained, "It's clear that the business partners are not the cause of the foul play, instead it's the boss of the mafia gang running a casino in the Sicilia area."

The detectives gathered all the information and details. They visited the Mafia's property, but the security forbade them.

They extended a warrant for arrest but the evidence was not solid enough to prove that the mafia boss hired a sniper killer, and armed group.

It was late at night when Detective Clara woke up to a noise outside her apartment. She grabbed her gun. The situation happened so fast that she couldn't react before a tall man pushed her back inside. He shot her in the head and left a note on the kitchen counter.

The neighbors called the police and arrived at the scene. Detective Noel ran inside the apartment, and he saw his partner lifeless, with open eyes wide and blood dripping from her head.

He sat weakly on the floor and tried to gain his energy as he took support at the counter; he saw a note.

"I'm watching," the note has a drop of blood.

He took it and hid it in his pocket. The investigation to Clara's house was finished in a day. The captain from the police department announced the murder at the citadel as a closed case after a weeks of not finding solid evidence to prove it.

The mafia boss looked at Detective Noel for the very last time at the court hallway.

Detective Noel said in aggression, "What did Clara do to you? She was still young. You killed her."

The mafia boss replied, "Don't play a dangerous game if you're not prepared, Detective. Have a good day."

Detective Noel said, "This is not over. Mr. Paciano."

The mafia boss said, "I believe so."

He left with his bodyguard and lawyer. Ezekiel went with Detective Noel.

Ezekiel said in frustration, "The case is closed. How could you let it happen?!"

Detective Noel said, "They killed my partner. We gathered all the information but the killer threatened us."

Ezekiel said, "This is not the justice I want, Detective."

Detective Noel said, "I am sorry. I have a family. Clara is dead, and I can't risk another life to continue the case," struggling to explain.

Jacob and Mr. Robert walked in their direction.

Mr. Robert said, "You're a coward."

"I am. I am really sorry," Detective Noel said.

Jacob said, "You assured us for nothing, Detective. My brother and his friend were murdered and you let it slide." with a full of emotion.

Detective Noel tried to apologize, but Mr. Robert left along with Jacob.

"My condolences to Detective Clara. Even though this case is closed, I will end this," Ezekiel said.

Detective Noel said, "Ezekiel, you have a family, and they are well-known. You don't have to risk their lives."

Ezekiel asked, "What are you saying?"

"The killer threatened me and left a note."

Detective Noel gave the note, and Ezekiel took it.

Detective Noel said, "Don't do it. It's for your sake and for your family."

Ezekiel left without a word. Detective Noel went outside as he was about to go to the car. A small dot of red was focused on his chest. He stood still and slowly went inside. The sniper killer was at the other part of the building watching his moves silently.

The murder spread all over the media, and the news shocked the people of Sicilia City.