The Agent (Chapter 3, The Exterminator)

by Alec in Michigan

I ripped through the yellow crime scene tape, not caring about whether or not I would be reprimanded. I shoved my way past the crime scene photographers and the officers standing guard, flashing my badge for clearance, even though I knew I would get there even if I hadn’t been allowed to. When the photographers and officers parted, my eyes went wide at the sight in front of me. The window of the café was shattered, bits and pieces of it laying on the sidewalk in front of it. A light flickered eerily on and off, sparking occasionally, courtesy of a bullet. A chair inside of the café was flipped onto its side, and next to the chair was the most horrendous thing on the entire property. It was John, laying on his back, staring upward at the ceiling, his eyes wide with surprise. Red splotches dotted his light grey undershirt. I cringed, and put a hand to my forehead. I looked back up at the crime scene, and noticed something I hadn’t my first look at the scene. Strangely, John’s computer had managed to survive the whole situation. It sat dormant at the table where he had been sitting and drinking coffee, seconds before his life had ended. I stepped inside the café, making my way towards his table. An officer raised his hand to stop me, but when he saw the look of rage on my face, he thought better of it and waved me in. I swiped the track pad with my palm, and watched as the laptop came to life. I scrolled through a Google search, and saw that John had another tab open in the internet browser. I clicked it, and a site came up on the screen.

ROLLAND EXTERMINATORS
WE TAKE CARE OF PESTS AND MORE

Underneath the Rolland Exterminators heading, a row of links proclaimed five things.

INFORMATION CONTACT BUSINESS HISTORY PARTNERS

A tall, dark, greasy haired officer was motioning for me to hurry up and get out of there, so I grabbed a pen and pad of paper from trench coat’s pocket, and hurriedly scribbled down the URL. I stalked out of the café, and began to walk towards my car, a rental 2030 Chevy Aardvark. I pressed the ignition switch as I sat down in the driver’s seat. I also reviewed my situation.
I was in Michigan, investigating a high profile murder, with barely any leads and zero witnesses.
My partner was dead, presumably at the hands of the same killer.
Great.
As I drove towards a different café, needing desperately an internet connection, the gray November sky darkened more, and then the clouds opened up, a deluge of rain falling from the heavens.
How fitting.