100 Ways to Solve a Murder-Chapter 200: Puzzle Skin III

Two days later, Jackson Detectives Agency.

Marco turned to Levi; the two of them sat inside the Agency. The serious look on the blond’s face Marco couldn’t deny concerned him; he was obsessing. Not the usual. This one he was well aware of was personal; he had been very clear about that.

Revenge.

That’s the word he chose, but the question remained in the bearded man’s mind.

Revenge for what?

His eyes remained on the blond, who sat in silence—lost in his thoughts. He and Anna had been pulling a lot of strings. They had been exchanging hushed conversations, something very private. Something that didn’t involve him.

The slicked blond’s mobile rang, and he picked it up in a flash, stepping out of the room before Marco could even say a word. He returned minutes later.

"Levi," Marco called, trying to catch his attention.

"Yeah?" the blond absentmindedly answered as he flopped on their newly purchased mustard-coloured sofa--something clients can sit on while they wait for their turn. Something at the moment wasn’t looking so optimistic in Marco’s opinion.

"Ya gotta tell me something. How do I help?" Marco asked, and Levi spared him a look. "I want to destroy him, Marco. Possibly kill him. Will your catholic self be able to live with that and assist me?" the blond challenged, annoyance clear on his tone. He wasn’t in a great mood after the call, the information Anna shared dampened his mood. He knew he must start looking at the case differently. This wasn’t just murder, this was worse than he originally anticipated. Marco clenched his jaw, "You are catholic too." the man retorted, well aware the blond grew up in Ireland and went to Catholic school.

Levi rolled his eyes, waving his hand dismissively. "Meh, and look what 12 years of catholic school turned me into," he said. Marco sighed, knowing full well he wasn’t the religious sort of guy; after all, he wasn’t exactly a good guy, but fortunately, in Marco’s opinion, he wasn’t a bad guy either.

Marco pulled a chair towards the blond, placing it in front of the blond and catching his attention.

The bearded man leaned forward with a patient look on his face, "Levi," he said, and the way he spoke, Levi knew he was going to use his emotional tone, causing the blond to groan.

"Jesus, Mary and Joseph!" the blond exclaimed, suddenly annoyed. He didn’t have time to waste on Marco suddenly being in the mood for a serious heart to heart talk.

Marco shot him a stern look, one that would give a father to his son. "Levi, if you want me to help. You gotta at least tell me more." he insisted.

"I tell you enough, Marco," he shot back. The Irishman insisted.

The bearded man shot him an expectant look, "Then tell me what that phone call was." he said.

"Anna," Levi replied in a clipped tone. Not willing to say more.

"What did Anna say?" the bearded man challenged. "Hmm?" he added when the blond remained silent.

Levi uncrossed his legs and leaned forward in reply, resting his elbow on his knees, and looked his friend straight in the eye.

"Marco, it’s better if you stay in the dark. We’re dealing with unconventional men; we need unconventional methods for us to be able to catch them," he tried to explain, and he was well aware even the gullible Marco wouldn’t fall for that lie.

"Right," Marco said, pretending to fall for it for half a second. "Then at least tell me the connection between you and Jason Murdoch." causing the blond’s eyes to darken. As if for a split second or two, he was back there at the shed, his small hands covered in blood.

Levi stood up abruptly, surprising Marco at his sudden movement, and then he stepped out of the Agency, not saying another word.

It was almost two hours later when the bearded man realized that he wouldn’t be coming back, and so, he decided to find answers on his own. And he visited the very person he knew will be able to provide that. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

....

Jackson Real Estate

Marco sat quietly, waiting inside the platinum blonde’s office, nursing a cup of Earl Grey tea. He took note that even though the woman herself wasn’t in the room, her scent was so strong he could still smell her.

Not five minutes later, the door swung open, followed by the sound of heels hitting the floors. Marco turned, standing up immediately to greet the blonde.

"Dr Evans." she greeted, gesturing for him to take a seat, and he did. "Sorry to come by so suddenly." the bearded man apologized.

The blonde took a seat opposite him reading a file in her hand; Marco frowned, confused, wondering what he should do next, should he leave? She seemed very busy. Or should he talk?

Anna sighed, sparing him a look, before looking back on the paper in her hand. "Don’t mind me, talk." she urged, and Marco nodded.

"Jason Murdoch," he started. "What about him?" the blonde asked. "What’s the connection between him and Levi? And what did your brother mean when he said you aren’t Jacksons?" the bearded man asked, causing Anna’s brows to rise as she looked at him. By the look on her face, he knew that he had her full attention now.

"Interesting." the blonde mused out loud, placing her manicured finger on her chin. And her ruby lips curled up into a grin.

"He mentioned but didn’t fully explain to you the situation?" the blonde inquired, earning a nod from Marco. She stood up suddenly, her very action reminding him of what Levi did just hours before. She turned her back to him and made her way towards her desk, placing the file in her hand on top then turning to look at him thinking.

"What’s between Mr Murdoch and him I don’t fully understand. I have my suspicions, of course. But it’s not my story to tell." she said, causing his shoulders to drop in disappointment.

"But with regards to not being a Jackson, it’s true," Anna said, and his ears perked up immediately.

"We’re adopted, Dr Evans." the blonde informed.

"Any more than that, I would suggest you ask my baby brother. He, after all, is the one with the most baggage when it came to the way we were initially raised growing up," she said, making her way towards him and gesturing for him to stand. And he did so; she ushered him to the door pulling it open for him.

"Thank you for your visit," she said, slamming the door to his face before he could say another word.

The next day, Marco came to the Agency; Levi was already there, and based on his rugged appearance Marco knew he had an all-nighter.

"Good morning, Marco," the blond greeted, looking at the whiteboard in front of him, "Have you been here the whole night?" the bearded asked, scanning him. "You already know the answer; why ask?" Levi shot back, looking at what was in the bearded man’s hand.

Marco noticed how his eyes eyed the cup of coffee in his hand, one that he bought from a shop on the way, and so he handed him one, leaving the other for him. Levi happily took it, taking a sip immediately, clicking his tongue when he burnt himself at the contact.

"Thanks," he said, earning a nod from Marco.

"So, what did Anna tell ya?" the blond asked, knowing full well that was where he went yesterday. He has eyes everywhere, after all. Marco’s eyes widened in surprise, "Did you stalk me?" he asked, slightly disturbed.

Levi scoffed, "Don’t be ridiculous, I’m too busy for that." he said, and Marco was about to expel a sigh of relief when he added, "I have people for that." Marco shot him a glare, of which he simply shrugged.

"You were the one snooping around. Don’t be a hypocrite." the blond said, causing Marco to feel a little sorry for what he did. He did realize invading the blond’s privacy was a form of betrayal, but he only realized it after the guilt he felt going home hit him like a tidal wave. He honestly barely slept.

"Well, we’re a sleuthing agency. Might as well get used to it, I guess." the blond said, brushing off the betrayal easily.

"She told me you guys were adopted," Marco said, making his way to stand beside Levi, who was facing the whiteboard.

"Hmm. Our Aunt, yes." he replied, surprising Marco, "She didn’t mention that part." he said. "Must be busy," Levi commented. "Who’s busy?" the bearded man asked, confused. "Anna. or she would have mentioned it," he said, turning to Marco. "Ah yes, she was a little busy when I dropped by," he said, recalling.

"Anyways, why did your Aunt adopt you? Did your parents...die?" the bearded man asked,

"I wish." the blond commented, and that simple admission made Marco whiplash to his direction.

"Why??" He asked, taking note of how Levi’s jaw tensed when he asked. "Our birth mother, well, she abandoned us. I don’t know where she is or whether or not she’s still alive. I don’t care either way." he explained, then turned to look at Marco. "Our biological father, on the other hand..." he paused.

"He’s a serial killer."

And for a few moments, Marco thought the blond was jesting based on how casually he said it, like any other person saying their parent’s profession.

’My father is a doctor.’

’My father is a teacher’ or whatever.

But the earnestness within the blond’s eyes, Marco knew just how true his words were.

"Not just your ordinary serial killer..." the blond trailed, "A serial child killer."