100 Ways to Solve a Murder-Chapter 204: Puzzle Skin VII

11 PM, 2008, Guys Hospital

Marco and Levi stood outside of the morgue, waiting. While they did Marco glared continuously at the psychologist, annoyed. He really was something. The very first day, no, not even 5 minutes into the introductions he immediately asked for a favour.

And not any ordinary favour, oh no, not Levi! He asked for a body. A human body.

"What are you planning to do with it?" the bearded man asked, this better be worth the possibility of him having a falling out with one of his close friends. Levi turned to look at him still wearing his coat over his crisp suit, and a grin emerged from his lips. "The call I received before was from a friend." the blond started, "Yeah you said that already." Marco shot back clearly annoyed.

"Well, this friend had a friend who had a friend... you get the gist," the blond said, earning a nod from Marco. Of course, the blond wouldn’t be willing to drop names, his assets, after all, rely on his silence when it came to things like that, That was also why he was so good at what he does, he had ’friends’ in different places. Assets from thieves, crooked cops, to even some of the mobs. Some of the mobs he even plays underground poker with.

There is no honour among thieves, after all, everyone has a price.

Levi leaned back against the wall, "And this friend knows a small-time organ supplier, that works for Riverside Memorial." he said. "A funeral home?" Marco asked, earning a nod of confirmation.

Marco opened his mouth to speak, his initial inquiry about the body remained unanswered. He opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted when the morgue door swung open. And stepped out Janet reconsidering what she was doing for a second or two.

"It’s ready," she said, looking at the slicked blond.

The Irishman broke into a smile looking at her. The way he looked at her, Marco didn’t like, he knew that look, it was the same look he uses when he finds something useful. "I can’t even express how much we appreciate your help, Janet,’’ he said, and Marco smiled sheepishly at his friend. "Well, I’m happy to help!" she said, her face suddenly second-guessing again. "I just hope it’s for nothing weird." she hinted, looking at the two oddly. Marco’s eyes widened, he recognized that expression he knew what was running in her mind, necrophiliacs!

"No, no! Nothing like that I swear it." Marco said, and Janet expelled a sigh. "Just please make sure to return him before the shift ends. Or I may get fired," she said, more so to Marco who vouched for his friend.

She knew it was too trusting of her to just say yes when they didn’t even give her enough reason, or any reason at all why they would be needing a dead body. She just hopes they stay true to their promise they were merely borrowing it. The two men nodded in response and she nodded opening the door for them.

She assisted them out of the hospital, making sure nobody saw. As they secretly pushed the gurney with the body on towards the car park and placed it on the car’s back seat.

Satisfied, Levi looked down at the woman. He smiled, she would be useful he thought. He reckons they will be good friends. "Anyway, time is of the essence. Till next time" the blond said before turning his back and walking to the driver seat side and hopping on.

Marco waved awkwardly at Janet, "I’m sorry, we can’t tell you much. But thanks so much!" he said, getting in the car as well.

"We owe you!" he added, waving as the car moved.

Janet waved back, as they drove away at the back of her mind she was contemplating whether or not she should start packing her things. She was confident she’ll get fired on the spot if anyone found out.

Marco turned to Levi "You haven’t answered why we need that," he said, gesturing to the body on their back seat. He just hopes they don’t get randomly pulled over. Or he might piss his pants.

"You’ll find out soon enough." the blond answered as he drove, grinning.

Marco’s eyes narrowed at him, "I don’t like the way you’re smiling." he said, earning a chuckle from the blond.

...

7 Eastbourne RD.

Marco looked at Levi, "So, what’s the plan?" he asked, catching the blond’s attention who was currently on the phone with Anna. Levi grinned at him yet again but did not answer, "Everything set?" he said over the phone, then he nodded receiving an answer.

"So?" the bearded man asked, as he made his way to the sofa. He flopped down lying and closing his eyes for a few moments.

"Anna will be sending some of his people." the blond said, making a beeline towards the water heater on the corner and started to make some tea. Marco opened his eyes for a moment to look at him, "What are we gonna do with the body?" he asked, knowing full well in three hours they have to do their end of the deal and return it for Janet’s sake.

Levi approached Marco on the sofa, placing a cup of tea on the table before him. "What is our plan anyway? Stop keeping me in the dark," he said, turning to sit instead. Levi watched as he blew on the cup of tea, taking a sip himself.

"The plan is luring over the funeral home, and finding out the organ supplier." the blond said, and Marco looked at him. Visibly exhausted.

"I trust you know that dead organs are not viable for transplant." the bearded man said, earning a nod. "Yes... that’s where you come in." the blond said, watching him finish his tea. Marco looked at him, "I’d hate to not meet your expectations, I’m incapable of resurrecting the dead." the bearded man deadpanned, placing his cup back on the table and leaning back.

Levi smiled, "Believe me, Marco. You continue to meet my expectations." he said, watching the man’s eyes start to glaze over.

Marco scrunched up his nose looking at the blond, then his eyes fell on the empty teacup. "What did you do--?" he slurred, his vision started to blur and his body felt heavy.

"This is where you come into play, Marco. I need you to...well die." the blond said watching him fall on the sofa, muttering what he could only imagine as curses.

.....

30 minutes later

This wasn’t how Marco imagined waking up. Blinding lights, muttering noises he can’t seem to understand and focus onto. He scrunched his eyes shot turning away from the lights on the ceilings. IT was too bright. Where was he? He couldn’t help wonder to himself. And why was it cold? Did he forget to turn on the heater again? That’s odd. Marco thought as he tried to move but couldn’t. Why can’t he feel his extremities? What was happening?

Where was he?

He racked his brain, trying to recall where he was last? Levi.

He was with Levi, wasn’t he? Yes, that’s right.

He closed his eyes trying to focus and saw flashes of his memory. They went to Guys. Levi asked Janet for a body.

Yeah, a body, for what for?

He told him, but he couldn’t recall?

Oh, wait, they were on a case weren’t they?

One that involved Jason Murdoch.

That guy, yes...illegal organ trade.

Harvesting organs.

Burnt bodies.

Marco snapped his eyes open immediately, and he tried to focus. Where was he?

He turned his head and he could see a body on the examination beside him. Wait, what the? How did I get here?

Then he remembered the tea.

LEVI!

He mentally cursed.

That asshole drugged him! But where was he now?

Why was he there now? Then he remembered what the blond had said before he lost consciousness

"This is where you come into play, Marco. I need you to...well die."

That bastard used him as bait!

He looked down at himself, and he could see that he was still inside a black body bag. He turned to his right, after hearing the door slide open, and his eyes narrowed at the familiar asshole he calls his best friend.

"Marco, you played your part perfectly!" the blond said, grinning at him, not at the least remorseful for what he did.

"Levi you fucking asshole" the bearded man seethed, if he could only move he’d give him a right hook. Levi clicked his tongue, looking down at his pathetic state, brows furrowed in slight confusion.

"That’s odd. Did you lose weight?" the blond asked, wondering why he was still in there. "You must’ve lost weight. My calculations can’t be wrong. I gave you just the right amount." he added, as he pulled the zipper down. He poked Marco, waiting for any movements but he remained unmoving.

He grinned down at the seething man, "I should’ve weighed you first. Well, next time." he said.

"You shouldn’t be drugging people in the first place, Levi! ’’ the bearded man spat, and what did he mean by next time!?