Courage in a Box

Camera lights flickered over the tragic crime scene where Janet, the brave property lawyer, lay. Her eyes stayed widened in shock, as she was drenched in a crimson pool from a fatal gunshot wound.

She stayed at the Cavalier Inn where she was due to meet up with Detective Hendon. She had planned to expose the nefarious dealings that a prolific billionaire, Ben Stroth, had been undergoing to gentrify the infamous inner city area of Benson Falls. Detective Hendon suggested they meet at the precinct, but Janet wanted something more discreet. Unfortunately, it wasn’t discreet enough—she had been followed.

Hendon’s stomach sank as she walked closer to Janet’s hotel room. She just spoke to her in the morning, Janet seemed happy with herself that she was doing the right thing. Now she was dead. Maybe I should have tried harder to convince her to come to the precinct. Hendon thought, overwhelmed with guilt.

She entered the room trying to hide her hesitation and held her breath as her eyes met Janet’s body…

She was met by medical examiner, Doctor Wu. “Evening, Detective Hendon. We have a young female here. Deceased, age 34–”

“Her name is Janet. Janet Mendoza. She was working with me on a case.” Hendon interjected.

“Oh… you knew her? I’m so sorry for your loss, Detective. Had I known—” Wu answered, feeling guilty.

“It’s okay. You weren’t to know, everything was meant to be discreet. We should have had back up or protective surveillance. I let her down.” Hendon sighed.

“Residents reported gunshot noises at about 4:30p.m. Lividity indicates she was dead for about two to four hours from a gunshot wound to the chest.” Wu reported. “We also found a small black book and a key on her person, as well as her cellphone.”

“Can I have a look?” Hendon said whilst putting on latex gloves.

“Yes, sure. I’m not sure what the key was for but I’m having Glenn working away at it as we speak.” Wu assured Hendon.

Hendon intensely examined the key, it was quite peculiar as it had a cylindrical shape to it and she couldn’t quite figure out what it could have been used for—and why it was on Janet. She quickly flipped through the small leather bound black book, looking for any possible clues. It was blank except for one page. It contained a numeric code, as well as a short note saying:

‘Thank you for believing me, Hendon. Find my box. Janet.’

She left me a message? Did she anticipate her death? Oh no. Hendon thought as she felt a lump build up in her throat. She then tried to think what kind of box Janet could have been referring to. Then it dawned on her…

“A safety deposit box!”

“A safety deposit box!” Glenn and Hendon said in unison. He had just briskly walked into the hotel room carrying an open laptop.

“Evening, Detective. I matched a picture of the key found on the deceased—”

“Janet.” Hendon firmly corrected him. Glenn looked over at Doctor Wu puzzled only for her to motion with her face that he should be on his best behaviour.

“I apologise, the key found on Janet. It matched with keys typically found at Sendort National Bank. I’m working on a warrant so we can go over there and see what’s inside. It can probably be a break in the case.” Said Glenn.

“Well, she left me a message in this small black book and I’m guessing the key, too. Whatever’s in that box, you’re right, it’s probably very important. I’ll rush through that warrant, I need to see what’s in there now.”

***

Detective Hendon, focussed and contemplative, pushes through the double doors at Sendort National Bank. She was determined to find out what was in Janet’s safety deposit box. Glenn followed shortly behind her. She approached the branch manager:

“Hi, I’m Detective Hendon for the Millview Police Department. You have a customer here, Janet Mendoza. She has a safety deposit box here and I’m going to need to see what’s inside. You’ll find my warrant is in order.” Hendon announced as she presented both her badge and the warrant.

“Oh, I see! Uh, always happy to help the police! Right this way.” the branch manager said smiling nervously.

They made their way to a large room plastered with safety deposit boxes all against the walls. The branch manager guided Hendon to Janet’s box.

“Miss Mendoza’s box is 21B, right here. Let me know if you need anything else, Detective.” He said courteously.

“Thank you.” Hendon replied.

She took the key, turned it firmly within the lock and pried the box open. She gasped aloud and couldn’t believe what she saw.

“Everything okay, Hendon?” Glenn asked curiously, trying to peer over her shoulder. She moved to the side allowing him to see.

“Holy Mother of—”

“There has to be about twenty thousand dollars in here! And there’s a large envelope with a note, too.” Hendon rushed to open up the note. It read:

‘To Hendon,

If you’re reading this note, it means I’m no longer alive. I knew going after Stroth was going to be dangerous, but I had to go for it. What he was doing to those poor people was wrong and I couldn’t stand for it. The public believes he’s this kind, generous guy; but he’s not. He’s willing to evict families for the sake of profit.

Also… I don’t have much family, so I leave you my life savings. You believed me about Stroth when most people wouldn’t. You encouraged me to go after what’s right and I will always be grateful to you for that. Go on that holiday to Bora Bora you always talked about!

In the large envelope, I have a USB pen filled with pictures of Stroth’s people at Benson Falls. Find out what they were doing there. He must be stopped. Now, it’s my turn to believe in you. You’ve got this.

You were always so nice to me. Maybe we’ll see each other again. Thanks for everything.

Janet.’

A tear strolled down Hendon’s cheek. She didn’t expect this from Janet. It was her turn to avenge her and she wasn’t going to stop until she did.

“Glenn.” Hendon called with righteous anger and gritted teeth.

“Yes, Hendon?”

“Get me a warrant for Stroth’s arrest and a search warrant for every damned thing he owns. NOW.”

“Right away!” Glenn started typing away on his laptop.

“That man just messed with the wrong detective.” Hendon looked down fondly on Janet’s note, looked up and then got ready to take Stroth down.

___

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