18 Running Against Time (1/2)

There is nothing more infuriating than receiving a call at three thirty in the morning. It was Seth who had made the call, and Mr. Butler had been right to guess that it would come. I jolted out of the bed and rushed to his bedroom. I would have to wake him up and leave as soon as possible to reach the burial site.

”Mr. Butler, wake up,” I urged as I pushed his shoulder. I was not in the mood to comment about how perfectly straight his posture was as he slept. It was for another occasion altogether.

He groaned and tried to ignore my calls. Rolling my eyes, I leaned forward to shake him. It almost worked, but the half-conscious Mr. Butler grabbed my wrist and placed it on his cheek to cuddle.

”Sheng Sheng… don't roll around on the bed,” he whispered in a daze and snuggled closer. Horrified that he had somehow mistaken me for his lover, I pulled my hand back and snapped at him.

”Mr. Butler!” I called sternly. He opened his eyes to look at me, irritation clear on his face. ”They found the bodies,” I said. He pushed out of the bed immediately.

”I'll go change,” I informed as I moved out of the room, amused by how fast he had overcome his grogginess that morning.

As I dressed, I reflected on his posture. He had been lying on the bed like a log, stiff, his hands placed on his chest, looking like a corpse prepared for the funeral.

Maybe that was the look he was going for. It would suit the sordid humor that came with his profession, I assumed.

A couple of policemen scurried towards us when we parked the car. They greeted Mr. Butler. I looked away and saw Seth rushing, too. He waved at me, but his expression was sobering. He looked panicked.

”Mr. Butler, we have already found numerous bodies, but we don't know the exact number.” I arched a brow, confused about what that meant.

'How do you not know how many… oh.'

”What is the primary report?” he asked, unmoved.

”Bodies have been sectioned into six parts, the head and other limbs separate from the torso.It is not a pretty picture.” Seth did look a little unsettled by the sight.

”Miss Lewis, follow me,” he said and I gaped at him.

”Mr. Butler, you assured me that I didn't need to look at corpses,” I reminded him. He turned to look.

”It would be a good experience.” His nonchalance was infuriating.

”Good choice, Evie. Even seasoned investigators have been a little uncomfortable at the scene. It's better you stay in the car and wait for us.” I nodded. As I was turning away I heard Mr. Butler call me.

”Are you really not going?” I nodded. ”Pity,” he mumbled and then left.

Did he expect me to jump in joy at the prospect of seeing dismantled bodies? How… presumptuous.

I walked back to the car and slid inside. After locking myself in, I gazed outside and watched the flurry of officers running around panicking. There were individuals in scrubs carrying big boxes and into the restricted area. Sometimes, someone would come out in panic and somewhat excited, notifying a man who was clearly in charge of the finding of a new body. It happened about three times while I sat there. Mr. Butler appeared fifteen minutes after the over-excited police officer bearing the news of a new body found.