Deception

Tomorrow is Sunday, no work and lots of time to come up with a plan. That's what Shaun had thought when he hit the bed last night but was struck with an amazing idea which made him very excited. He had called Sallie late at night, she picked up and he could tell that she was afraid, that she had been found out. But Shaun didn't let her know that, instead, "Hey Sallie, it's me Shaun, I was wondering that we should go meet the head detective, I mean I really want to know who killed that scumbag and also if you are with me, it'll look like we are curious because he harassed you and we want to know who did the justice. What do you think? ", Sallie at first was about to refuse, but then she thought that would be a great idea, she might be able to find out what leads the police have and even be able to destroy evidence if any. She agreed, but little did she know that Shaun was just drawing her into a big trap.

Shaun got up early, his body was trembling with excitement and he couldn't help grinning. Mary thought Shaun might be going out for a date, "What's her name? ", asked Mary, all excited herself. Shaun didn't catch what she meant and answered honestly, "Um... well her name is Sallie, why? ". Mary just smiled and said, "Nothing ". The clock struck 11 am and it was time to leave. They had agreed to meet at the cafe and then go to the station together.

Sallie had arrived early and was waiting. Shaun ran to catch up, "Sorry, I called you out of my selfish curiosity and then made you wait", Sallie paid no attention, "It's fine, I just happened to arrive early, let's go". Shaun wasn't the type to make small talk, so most of their journey to the station was in silence. Well rather calling it a journey, it was just a leisurely stroll, for the station was 30min away from the cafe. They both entered the station and were stopped by the recruit officer, Mark Stefman. "Whoa! What are you doing here, do you need any help? ", Sallie smiled politely and answered, "We are here to talk to the head detective, Detective Dan Palmer ", Shaun was surprised, as Sallie seemed rather tense throughout the walk till the station but now she's suddenly quite calm and collected. Mark noted that head detective wasn't busy, so he guided them to the detective's office. On entering, Shaun and Sallie were greeted by Dan, who was sipping coffee. "Oh! George's employees, welcome! What can I do for you? ", Shaun was about to answer but he was cutoff by Sallie, "Actually we are here to ask if you have any leads about the killer who got Richard Kramer. I was rather curious ", Dan's expression became serious, he glanced toward Shaun and asked, "Is that why you are here too? ", Shaun smiled nervously and shrugged. Dan let out a sigh and said, "Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you, it's just that I am frustrated, I don't have any leads, and I now have an open case which I can't do anything about ", Sallie's face lit up, but she tried to suppress her happiness, noticing this Shaun pulled out an envelope and handed it to Dan, he looked confused but understood when he saw Shaun's face. He slowly started opening the envelope when Shaun pulled Sallie closer and whispered, "I just gave him a lead about the killer, the envelope says that you did it and as for evidence he shall find traces of blood on your hoodie which you hid in the cafe locker", Sallie became pale, she glanced towards Shaun hoping he was kidding but what she saw was the devilish grin and blood red eyes!

Dan's eyes widened as he opened the envelope, he looked at Shaun with fear and then at Sallie, who was expecting him to arrest her but was now confused as to why he looked so scared. The letter said this, "Enjoy your last coffee, I made sure to add some extra flavor, like poison". Dan tensed up, he knew that this wasn't a prank, for what he saw on Shaun's face was the devilish grin and red eyes. He tried standing up, but he couldn't, getting scared had increased his heart rate, which made the poison to spread faster. Shaun took back the letter and the envelope and put in back in his pocket. He looked at Sallie and winked, "Just kidding ", Sallie was frozen, she knew that if she cried out for help she would be dead next instant. Shaun looked at his watch and then at Dan who was suffering more and more to take one breath after another. He was fading off to unconsciousness, Shaun counted 15 seconds and then stood up and cried out, "HELP! SOMETHING'S WRONG!! ", Mark came running in, and on seeing Dan unconscious and turning blue called for an ambulance and carried Dan out.

All the while Sallie didn't understand what had happened, why did Dan get sick, what was written on the letter and why is Shaun doing this. Shaun asked her to follow him, as they stood in front of the station, Mark who had sent Dan in an ambulance said, "You two come back tomorrow, for now go home", Shaun nodded, he had put up a shocked look on his face, "Of course, make sure Dan is alright ". Shaun started walking and Sallie was beside him, not caring what may happen next, Sallie spoke her mind, "What the hell just happened!?". Shaun was waiting for this question, actually Shaun had tailed Dan around and had made a note of his routine habits. He usually arrived for work around 9 in the morning, by 10 he would complete his usual report and go to pick up coffee from the near by stand. But this morning he had failed to notice Shaun standing beside him who had dropped a pill while passing the coffee. That's why Shaun had been late to meet Sallie at 11. Sallie was speechless, she asked where he had got this poison from to which Shaun grinned even wider, "I didn't get any special poison, Dan has asthma, his lungs originally have lesser tendency for absorbing oxygen, I just overdosed him on his medicines, which pushed his lungs further and now stopped working what so ever. That's why it was important that I give him the pill with his coffee, or else the timing would have been wrong ", Sallie trembled, she now knew that she cannot cross Shaun ever, if she did, she would be next. As for Dan, he didn't survive, since the medicine had been given an hour before, even pumping his stomach didn't do much good, and he died suffering and gasping for air till the last minute.

With his usual, blade at the throat approach Shaun had been very content, but now he realised that killing in different ways had their own feel!

But the plan isn't over yet, by taking Dan to the hospital it was made clear that the police knew he had been poisoned. Shaun needed somebody to take the fall for that, and Sallie had played right into his hand. Sallie's behavior from the beginning of entering the station till the very end had dug her grave. Shaun didn't just drop a pill into the coffee, but also a fake nail, used by Sallie which still had traces of her skin, that meant her DNA. Shaun was kinda creeped out on how well the plan had proceeded, it felt like it was too easy.

Next day, Shaun, Sallie and John were at work when two police officers entered and announced, "Sallie Mathew! You are under arrest for the murder of Head detective Dan Palmer! ", Sallie looked at Shaun with wide eyes, and he looked at her, grinning!