The White Envelope

John and Sam had to catch the killer in a week's time or they would suspended be from their jobs and could even be attacked by the mob. There was a chance that the masked serial killer could target more people because of this challenge.

However, they were unsure that Dr. Felter was a victim of the masked killer as well. They had to ask Jessica about it as she was the only one who saw the killer's face.

John was lost in thoughts while crossing his fingers and sitting on the chair in the police station when he saw the police inspector arrive.

"What did she tell?" John asked the police inspector.

"She said someone with the name Professor Ryan came at her house and did this crime," The police inspector answered.

"Hm… Did she tell how this Professor Ryan looked like?"

"Sir, she said that he was a young man with brown hair…"

John raised his eyebrow after hearing it.

"…and he seemed to wear spectacles."

A young man with brown hair, John had his doubts turn into assuredness after hearing what the police inspector said.

He said, "Take Alexander Stone's picture to her and ask her if he was the man."

"Alright, sir," The police inspector said and left.

John leaned back on his chair with a smile, with his elbows on the armrest and his fingers crossed parallel to his chest. He was almost sure that this Alexander Stone was the person he was looking for. He just had to confirm it from Jessica and the survivor old man.

There was one more task pending for him. It was to meet Miss Claire and clear his doubts.

His partner Sam was missing for more than an hour now, so he guessed that he must be loitering around which he loved to do. He took out his cell phone and called him.

"Hey, where are you?" He said on the cell phone as soon as Sam received it.

He was outside Claire's house again to watch for any suspicious activities. Criminals tend to be more active at night as it is the most convenient time to commit a crime.

The darkness of the night tends to cover all the trails. The darkness of the night covers for the screams. The darkness of the night loves the suffering.

"I am outside Claire Hoover's house. I am watching out for any suspicious activity," Sam answered on the cell phone.

"Don't watch for suspicious activity. Claire Hoover is a key in this case. You will bring her to the police station first thing in the morning," John mentioned.

"Alright."

John cut the call before Sam jumped into the trash bin to look out for any strangers coming around.

Meanwhile, Claire took a taxi and went back to the hotel to search for Alex. That detective came in the way last time.

As soon as she entered the hotel, the female staff on the counter mentioned, "Mam, are you Claire Hoover?"

Claire found it strange. How did the staff come to know her name when she didn't mention it. She remembered that Sam called her name when she was here earlier, but he didn't address her surname.

"How do you know my name?" She asked.

The female staff took out a small white envelope and handed it to her. "Someone left it for you a while ago."

Claire couldn't understand what was happening. "Who left it?" She asked with a confused expression.

"Harvey Scooter."

Claire's eyes got widened as soon as she heard it. "Harvey Scooter? Is he staying in this hotel?"

"Sorry, mam. He just checked out of the hotel," The staff mentioned.

"Oh, can you give any details? Phone number or something else?"

"Sorry, mam. We don't share personal information of our customers."

Claire had got an envelope from Harvey Scooter, or you can say, Alexander Stone.

"When did he check out of the hotel?" She asked in a rushed voice.

"It was around half an hour ago," The staff replied, making Claire's face sink.

"What did he exactly say when he gave you the envelope?" She asked in a rushed tone.

The staff could vaguely remember her dialogues with Harvey Scooter.

***

Harvey Scooter placed an envelope in front of the staff after getting done with the formalities required to check out from the hotel.

"A girl named Claire Hoover will come to ask for Alexander Stone. Give this envelope to her," He said after placing the envelope in front of her.

"Sir, someone arrived earlier of this name and was searching for Alexander Stone," The female staff mentioned.

"What did you tell her?"

"I told her that someone with this name is not staying here, but a man arrived and she walked away in a hurry before she could ask anything else."

"Then keep it. She will arrive again. Give this to her," Harvey Scooter said moved with his luggage to walk away, but his legs stopped when the staff said.

"What if she doesn't come?"

Harvey scooter smiled and replied before walking away, "She will come. I know her very well. She will…"

***

Claire thanked the staff and went out of the hotel, staring at the envelope in her hand. What could be inside it? She was thinking about the stuff which could be inside it.

Meanwhile, Detective Sam was hiding in the trash bin when he received a phone call again. He picked it up as it was from Francis Hoover. He wondered if everything was okay.

"Yes, Mr. Hoover, is everything alright?"

"Sir, my daughter is missing. I can't find her at home. Sir, please find her," Mr. Hoover said in a panic. His breath was rushed as hell.

"Calm down, Mr. Hoover. I am coming," Sam said while coming out of the trash bin. He didn't want to panic as it didn't suit a detective, but his heart was racing too fast for some reason.

He rang the doorbell of the house after disconnecting the call and Mr. Hoover opened the door.

"Sir, how did you reach here so soon?" Mr. Hoover asked before he wrinkled his nose when he smelled a foul odor from Sam's clothes. "Sir, please do something."

"First, calm yourself and answer what I will ask," Sam said with a lump of seriousness on his face.

On the other hand, Claire opened the envelope and pulled out a card like something from inside it. It seemed like a pass for some event.

What was Alex trying to convey to her?