THE MISSING WOMAN

Professor Macky could not help himself from interrogating Jimmy, his fellow professor after he broke the news.

"Who was the missing librarian?" his eyes almost popped out from her small face

"The new librarian, Miss Desiree Williams. She was reported missing to the police!" Jimmy blurted.

Macky raised both his hands above his head. He looked straight into the eyes of his officemate.

"Okay, so..when was that? What was the time she was reported missing? Who reported her missing? Why was she reported missing?"

"I know your curiosity would be killing you so I've got the exclusive news this morning. She clocked out last Friday at 7:30 in the evening. According to the janitors, she was seen carrying her bag in front of the elevator on the third floor. What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means she's going home!" he answered.

"Bingo! However, the big news was that she never came home that day, the next day, yesterday, and today. According to the report, her family and friends keep calling her but no avail, her phone was off and her possible location is off the map."

The professor paused for a moment before asking the question that came across his brilliant mind.

"If she went home at 7:30 that day, then who was that woman? She told me her name was Desiree and she was the new librarian?"

"What woman?"

"There's this woman who said she was the new librarian and her name was the same as that of the missing librarian. She signed my borrowed card last Friday night before the closing time."

"Professor, have you heard of the wailing ghost of the dead librarian. I guess you have finally met her," Jimmy exclaimed and he covered his mouth with his hand and he stepped further away from Macky.

"Well, maybe, but I've never heard of a talking ghost, did you?" Macky stood up from his desk and took a glimpse on his watch.

"No need to ask that. You have already found the answer yourself! Is she charming, like what they say?" There's something with Jimmy's voice. It's the expression of admiration.

"I would be having my class Sir Jimmy but if you would not mind, you could join me. I've got one vacant seat," Macky said as he hurriedly took his laptop and books.

"Okay, so if I would be coming, you're gonna tell me about that woman? Deal! So where would I be sitting?".

"Outside the door of my classroom."

"Yeah, and I hate you for that."

**

"In crime scene processing, you must remember that it is the basic job of the forensic experts but in some cases, the investigator could take the job in some circumstances just like when-

" Knock! knock! knock!"

Macky was not able to finish his lecture about crime scene protection and processing.

"Yeah, this is your new classmate, Jimmy Bellruz," he told the class as he opened the door but the two policemen in uniform standing there proves him wrong of his expectation of who might be knocking on the door near dismissal period.

"Excuse me, professor. Can we disturb you for a bit?" the taller policeman asked.

"Oh yeah. I was already disturbed so better start talking now or regret it later."

"Oops sorry but we can't discuss this matter here prof. Can we see you in a bit there outside?"

"Yeah. Just a little bit."

After his dismissal, Macky went to the consultation room of the office where the two officers are waiting.

"Good Morning professor. I'm officer Reagan and this is officer Jenkins. Sorry for taking your precious time but we need to ask you some important questions regarding the case of the missing librarian. You were the last person who saw Miss Desiree last Friday. Could you tell us where and what did you talk about?"

Macky did not leave a single detail.

"Okay. Sir, what time did you took off from the library that day?" the young officer asked as he continues to scribble something on his notes.

"It's about closing time so maybe about nine o'clock in the evening."

The officers ask him a lot of questions until they finally ask the time when he last saw the librarian.

"I just want to clarify that on that evening, it was close to nine o'clock on the evening when you were assisted by Miss Desiree who signed your borrower's card. This was something in conflict with the janitor's statement. Miss Desiree did not go home at 7:30 but it's nine o'clock."

"I wasn't sure about the janitor's statement but yeah, the new librarian was there until nine o'clock of Friday evening," he reassured the officers.

**

After the interview, there was something that was bothering Macky but it's something he wasn't sure about. His curiosity was triggering his natural human instinct to find the answers.

That evening, after his dismissal for the afternoon class, he visited the library in search of Mrs. Renfort.

"Hey, prof. You've got to be kidding me about that new librarian who went missing last Friday evening. You've just told me this morning that she was here and yet she was missing this time? What do you think happened?" the librarian whispered as soon as he arrived at the library counter.

"That's what I'm supposed to ask you, ma'am. How in the world did the janitors testify she was seen clocking out at 7:30 in the evening and yet she was here near nine o'clock that same evening I borrowed books here. What the hell did just happened?"

The librarian stopped him from talking about the case.

"Let's not talk about that here. The kids are listening. I mean you could treat me to fries and burgers later." she smiled.

"I'm broke. I've got 10 dollars only in my pocket and I have to take a bus going home. I'm also hungry but fries and burgers do not satisfy me."

Mrs. Refort stares at Macky with a sarcastic look.

"Oh well, I know you. You might be frustrated with the low sales on the stock market but don't get me wrong. Sacrifice your ten dollars or let your curiosity kick the hell out of you during your sleep."

She knew Mrs. Refort even during his college days. She was the most kind and understanding among the librarians in the school and until now. He feels too comfortable with her that he keeps forgetting, she was the librarian and he was a professor. He's got an ally, a sister, and a friend in the school and that matters.

He was waiting around six o'clock in the afternoon when Mrs. Refort enters the cafe where they agreed to meet.

"I have already made the order. Now tell me what you know about the new librarian," he asked as he could not wait any longer.

"I've got nothing to tell you. Let the police do their job. Let's just hope Miss Desiree is alive and well somewhere. I came here for the burger and fries," Mrs. Refort leans backward to avoid any physical retaliation from him.

"But I'm smarter than you. I did not yet put the order. Now if you'll excuse me, I've got to go before I'll miss the bus." Macky stood up but the woman held his arm.

"Hey! Hey! Easy man! Okay, I lost. Now, call the waiter for the order and I'll tell you something interesting."

"Tell me. I've done ordering the food a few minutes ago."

"Thank you. I heard rumors that Miss Desiree has a criminal record for fraud way back in 2015."

"What? Seriously? So what's the use of the background check of personnel? We're in trouble!"

"I agree but I know, the police are looking into that if it is true. By the way prof, have you notice something in the library?"

"What?"

"These days, the library has this distinctive smell. I mean, it's stinky. If I exaggerate, it's the smell of a corpse."

"Corpse? Do you mean a dead body? Oh, wait! Yeah! It's the smell of a corpse! I knew it!" Macky exclaimed and he rose from his seat.

"What do you mean?" The old woman raised her eyebrows as she looked at him.

"Someone's dead!"

*****next episode***

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