Seth River and Keagan Woods in the Case of the Yin Yang

Killer

By Christine Kotschwar

CHAPTER ONE: ARRIVAL

The day I arrived in London, England after my long 6 year trip across the world to many

various places like Japan, the United States, and Africa, I realized that I had missed a lot in

London, my home town. I got home after my long flight from the southern regions of Africa at

about 10:00pm. Exhausted as I was, I knew it wasnt a good idea to do any walking around. I set

my stuff down in my flat, which I had recently shared with my brother, and just lay on my bed

staring at the ceiling until I finally fell asleep.

In the morning I woke up to the sound of a loud telephone ringing, I rolled out of bed and

sluggishly went to the phone. I looked at Caller ID and it was Scotland Yard, the London Police

Department. I picked it up hastily at this point.

Hello? I said, with my voice quivering.

Seth River? There was a deep voice talking to me from the other side of the phone.

Yes this is him I tried to keep my voice from quivering more.

This is Chief Anthony Waters. We heard about what you did in the United States, and

Australia. About you solving cases, can you come meet us at Scotland Yard? He asked almost

sounding admiring.

Yes Sir. I didnt know anyone here would know that I had been a PI along my trip. I

solved many cases along the 6 years that I took for the trip across the world. I learned many new

languages and challenged my brain in the toughest cases and still solved almost all of them.

Be here as soon as possible. The man said in a stern voice breaking my train of thought.
I was about to say something else but he had hung up already. I hastily went back to my room

and got dressed in a white shirt and black trousers, then black braces with a long coat. I rushed

out of the door of my flat and started walking to Scotland Yard.

As I got to Scotland Yard, I tried to calmly walk in. There was woman at the front desk,

dressed in a deep blue dress, that was obviously too small for her and She was also wearing a

wedding ring on a chain along her neck and she had sleep bags under her eyes, her hair

distraught and barely any makeup to be seen. Recently Divorced... I thought as she stood up to

address me.

Seth River? She said with a little bit of a southern American accent.

Yes. Here to see Chief Anthony Waters. I said trying to sound official,

Right this way. She came out from behind the front desk and slowly started to lead me

through a long hallway. There where lights flickering almost out, the walls were bare white with

paint flecks chipping off a little. We get near the end of the hallway and turned right into a

common, room with desks and tables of papers and people working. We dont go to the office

that says Chief however, we go into the room labeled Conference.

When we enter the room there is a long table in the center with 10 chairs surrounding it,

also a small tray of biscuits in the center taunting me. But aside from the surroundings, there

were three men in the room with me. Two of which were sitting on the chairs both looking

agitated by something and one leaning against the wall in the corner. I couldnt get a read on

him, he had no emotion expressed in his face. I sat down in a chair on the end and it was silent

until the secretary left.

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 Seth Rivers, This is mister Keagan Woods our personal consultant private investigator.

The man of which I presumed was Chief Waters gestured to the man in the corner, who still

didnt move an inch or say a word. This, he gestured to the man across from him, Is Captain

Jay Rodrigues, transferred from the FBI in the United States. Jay had a look in his eye like he

wanted to kill someone, or something. I am Chief Anthony Waters, we spoke on the phone, now

we need you to consult on a case.

Isnt that what he does? I said looking over at Keagan Woods.

He. He said with a harsh tone, Isnt willing to cooperate on this case. I looked over at

Keagan, he seemed to be in his own world, a mind-palace as I call it.

Unless he decides to cooperate, you are being called in as a stand in. Do you have

anything to say Woods? The Chief glared at him.

Words Words do not describe the true matter that is occurring in this case. I will not

take my precious time affiliating with a case that would waste my time, when I could be solving

other cases. Keegan said in a heavy British accent with a snotty sort of tone.

Woods The Chief started quietly then took a deep breath, This could be one of the

hardest cases in the history of Scotland Yard. It would be easier if we had two Private detectives

on the case.

A simple murder case, no ties to anything. I want to be challenged Mr. Waters not

playing ring around the rosy with simple minded idiots. Keagan started to raise his voice a little.

What is the case? I finally budged in trying to distract from the heavy argument that

was happening.

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 A women was found murdered in an alley dumpster, she had a face with a smile carved

into her lower abdomen, with a knife we presume. The killer sent a letter to us here at Scotland

yard, Rodrigues said and handed me a piece of paper. Looking at the paper I saw that the letters

were cut outs of magazine letters, and the paper was different. An American brand of paper used

only for typewriters. A hair thread was located on the lower region of the paper glued underneath

one of the letters which read, It was too late to save her, but you can always save the next one

~Yin.

The killer is American, and this is a note with a hint to who the next victim will be. I

said as I pointed to the letter with the hair under it.

Get this to the lab. The Chief said to Rodrigues then looked over at Keagan. Rodrigues

left and silence fell on the room. The chief smirked then said, You knew didnt you?

Of course I knew, I was waiting to see how long it would take you simpler people.

Keagan said with a sort of smirk.

Anything else you know? The Chief said in an awe tone.

The magazine clippings come from British magazines, the paper is American but the

way he wrote in the corner signing his name suggest old English writing. The hair is a clue to the

next victim which will be dead by the time we find him/her and find our next note. Keagan

spoke quickly and took only one breath in-between.

How do you know she will be dead? The Chief asked.

Judging by the text and the hair that was found he already has her and once he finds out

we know who the next victim is he will wait for a while, then finally kill her after taunting us for

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a few days. We have a potential serial killer on our hands Waters I will take this case! Keagan

added a dramatic ending as if he wanted to be begged to do the case so he could do that.

Woods, River, Find our killer! The chief said as he left the room.

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CHAPTER TWO: CONFUSION

Keagan and I went to his flat after our meeting with the chief, well it isnt really a flat more of a

little living space on top of a deli-shop. The landlord named Barbra lets him live up there, though

Im not sure why considering that Keagan treats her like a house keeper. We went up old almost

rotten stairs and open a door that led to a sort of living area. It was messing with papers thrown

all over the place, and stains on the carpet. It was open concept with three doors, two of which

led to two separate bedrooms and the other led to a lavatory. I went into one of the bedrooms and

saw a smiley face painted onto the wall and bullet holes in the wall. I go into the open concept

Livingroom/kitchen/dining room area and sit at the dining table with Keagan and Barbra brings

us a tray of tea.

Where do you want to start? I asked Keagan, then took a sip of tea. He remained silent, in his

own little world staring off into space, in deep thought like he was while we were at Scotland

Yard.

Good luck getting anything at him Whenever hes like this he wont speak, move, or blink.

He calls it his mind palace give him a few minutes, or hours, maybe a few days before he will

come out of his state. Barbra said before she left. I awkwardly waited as Keagan was in some

sort of trance.

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Finally after several minutes of waiting he blinked and looked around. He got up quickly and

pulled a string on a map that made it fold up. Underneath was a crime board and he tore

everything off quickly and threw it on the ground. He hastily started writing on the board all

sorts of equations and locations, names of suspects and witness, but also possible victims. I

watched in sort of awe as he wrote swiftly covering the board in words and numbers in just

minutes. Soon he stopped and the board was full and he waited as I started to analyze it.

What do you think? Keagan said as he tapped his foot fast while waiting for me to respond.

How do you know the killer is an officer for Scotland Yard? I asked as I read the board which

had arrows leading to officers in Scotland Yard, but also other names such as restaurant workers.

If my theory about the killer finding out that we know who the next victim is, then I predict that

he is a part of the Police Department. But also could be someone working at a diner where the

officers eat and could be chatting about the case. He started raising his voice There are so

many possibilities this case is frustrating me!!

His and my phone went off at the same time and we both answered them. It was Scotland Yard

and they had found the next victim. A women was found murdered in an alley dumpster, she

had a face with a smile carved into her lower abdomen, with a knife we presume. The voice on

the other side sounded like the one of Rodriguez. He gave us the address and we hustled outside

and hailed a cab.

When we got to the crime scene there were lots of news reporters and camera crews. The chief

and Rodriguez were talking when we went under the police tape and saw the body in the alley

dumpster. Keagan and I both examined the scene, while he was doing what he does I was doing

what I do. There were tire tracks leaving the scene, recent because if it was any later than two

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hours they wouldve been washed away by the rain. Not only the tire tracks but small traces of

blood along with them, a fiber in the cut from the face looked to be wool from a suit. Not

something a restaurateur would be wearing I presumed. I looked over at Keagan and he was

looking at something under a magnifying glass. He looked up at me and then we both looked

over at the chief.

What did you find? The chief asked Keagan as we walked towards him.

There is no sufficient evidence. Keagan said, but I could tell he was lying. The chief started to

say something but Keagan walked off before he could say anything. I followed Keagan in haste

as he went throw the alley of the crime scene around the back into another alley and finally

stopped.

What is it? I asked although I had a pretty good idea what he was thinking.

Someone in the department was there, size 11 shoe same size that the chief and Rodriguez wear.

That means that one of them had to have been there before the murder. Finger prints I took off of

the dumpster are rather large. He handed me two make-shift fingerprint slides.

I found a trace of wool in the cuts along the victims torso. The kind of suits someone in the

department would wear. The letter, Rodriguez said it was sent to Scotland Yard, which means

that if couldve just been Rodriguez giving the letter he wrote to the chief. I dont like making

accusations like that but the evidence was piling up. Keagan started jogging out to the street and

hailed a cab and quickly got into it. I ran up after him and dove into the cab with him.

When we got back to Keagans flat I felt something in my pocket, I pulled it out and it

was folded up piece of paper. I open it up and it is the same as the one that I examined while at

Scotland Yard. It read, The clue within is where you will find me, though I live beneath a roof, I

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never seem to dry. If you will only hold me, I swear I will not lie. What am I? ~Yang This is the

same type of writing as the other one, but this said Yang and the other one said Yin. Yin and

Yang? Two peas of a pod, two murders. The Ying Yang Killer.

Keagan look at this. I said as I handed him the paper. He read it and seemed to be reading it

over and over.

What lives under a roof, but is never dry? Is what we have to ask ourselves? Then we must ask

what can we hold and make it so we can never tell a lie. Keagan seemed to be talking to

himself. Your tongue! He exclaimed. We need to go examine the body!

How do you know its your tongue? I asked almost sounding stupid.

Your tongue is under the roof of your mouth and is never dry, if you hold your tongue you

cannot lie. Keagan spoke quickly.

Of course, Yin Yang. Two killers one the cunning one. The other, the muscle the perfect pair. I

said trying not to sound too awed, even though I was. We must get to Scotland Yard!

When we got to Scotland Yard we went immediately to the crime lab and asked to see

the second victim. Keagan took tweezers and pulled up her tongue slowly. Using another pair of

tweezers he pulled out another fingerprint slide from underneath her tongue.

Same size as the other one. He commented as he handed it to the medical examiner. She

started analyzing the fingerprint by running it under a scanner. Keagan looked over at me and I

looked over at him and we just stood there in silence for a few minutes.

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 Suddenly, Keagan went over to the table where the victims belongings were kept in a

plastic tote, slipped on gloves and started searching through the small container. He pulled out a

piece of paper that looked similar to the other ones the killers had given us. He read it and

handed it to me. It read, A king in England has a jewel, a dog, and a crown. A thief comes in the

middle of a night and takes the dog and yet the next day the king reports that he has two missing

items. The king said the truth and there was only one robbery that happened. How is this

possible? ~Yin What could this mean? My brain started working fast and hard thinking almost

like a speed montage in my brain. I could see that Keagan was doing the same thing, we were

both thinking. It was hard silence for a while, until the medical examiner broke it with the results

from the fingerprints.

You wont believe whos the fingerprints they are! She exclaimed as when she handed us the

test results. We looked it over, at the top where it said name it read, Jay M. Rodriguez. On the

second sheet of paper it read, Anthony C. Waters. Keagan started zoning out after he read this,

probably in a deep thinking state he calls his, Mind Palace.

A few minutes passed and suddenly I hear the door open, the chief and Rodriguez showed

up through the door and stared at us, a little shocked to see us here. I could almost see the

lightbulb go off in Keagans head and he quickly took a medical tool, and cut open the victims

stomach. He reached in and pulled out a badge, a police badge. It was silence as Keagan wiped

off the blood on it and read, Chief.

"What're you guys up too?" Rodriguez asked sounding innocent. I look over at Keagan who I

assume was trying to decide if he should question them or not.

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"Working on things for the Yin Yang Case..." Keagan finally said, it was obvious that he wanted

to pile more evidence against them before accusing them. Or maybe he thought that one of them

would be the next victim! This was just too well planned out! I was sort of admiring these

killers.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Keagan and I met back at the flat after talking to the chief and detective. I wasn't quite sure what

his plan was but I knew it was going to be clever. When I went into his office he was shooting a

smiley-face on the wall with a gun. It was obvious that Barba his landlord didnt like it because

she was arguing with him, or at him at least. I sat down in a chair next to him and Barba left

looking furious.

Whats our play? I asked him while admiring his accuracy in his shots on the wall.

What do you think? He asked in reply sounding bland as ever.

Well I think that you either think one of two things. One: You think that the chief is

going to be the next victim, or Two: You think that the chief is one of the killers. I said, still not

making eye contact.

I didnt ask what you think I think. I asked what you think. He said sternly. This caught

me by surprise, it was clear that he was agitated. I hesitated and he sat there staring at me,

analyzing me. So He finally said after a few minutes in silence.

Keagan, youre head inspector. We do what you think. I said still not looking at him

straight in his face.

Seth, whats gotten into you? He said sounding curious but still bland in a way. I didnt

respond. I got up and went to my bedroom, where I could be alone. I lay there staring at the

ceiling for hours, when finally I hear a knock at my door. I look at a clock and see three hours

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had passed, I wasnt sure what had happened with me.

Come in. I said to the person on the other side of the door. Keagan stepped in, sat on

the foot of the bed and stared at the wall across from him. What do you want? We have a big

day tomorrow and I wont get my eight hours if you keep bothering me. I said kind of snappy.

What has gotten into you, are you going through relationship or family issues? He

asked still staring at wall.

No Keagan, just let me be I dont need this right now. Tomorrow we are continuing our

search for the-My phone breaks my rant, I look at the caller ID and it was a blocked number.

Hello?

I'm the one that gives you information, I'm the one that lets you have the ability to control

yourself, I'm the one that stores all memories and without me you'll be dead in an instant. What

am I? ~Yang the voice hung up.

Who was it? Keagan said standing up slowly.

No one now, go away Keagan I need my sleep.

_ - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Keagans POV

I leave Seths room confused as ever, the voice on the other side of the phone said

something to him that made him uncomfortable, I could tell. It was probably the killer, with

another riddle. I cant help but wonder if it is indeed the captain and Rodriguez.

The notes in order play out a sequence;

It was too late to save her, but you can always save the next one ~Yin.

The clue within is where you will find me, though I live beneath a roof, I never seem to dry. If

you will only hold me, I swear I will not lie. What am I? ~Yang

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A king in England has a jewel, a dog, and a crown. A thief comes in the middle of a night and

takes the dog and yet the next day the king reports that he has two missing items. The king said

the truth and there was only one robbery that happened. How is this possible? ~Yin

Hint, tongue, dog ate the crown, the voice on the other side of the phone was one of the murders

telling him another riddle.

SETH!! I yelled out so he would come to me.

Whatttt!?!?!? He walked out sluggishly.

What riddle did the voice on the phone say to you? I tried to sound intimidating.

What are you on about!? he sounded offended.

Tell me what the riddle was! I exclaimed.

Fine, I'm the one that gives you information, I'm the one that lets you have the ability to

control yourself, I'm the one that stores all memories and without me you'll be dead in an instant.

What am I? ~Yang Are you happy now!? he was getting agitated. It could be the fact that it

was 2am.

Brain tongue, stomach. The next victims brain will be where the next clue will be. What is the

relation? What is the motive? Am I dealing with a true psychopath? There is too much to

analyze so for now I rest in my mind palace.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Seths POV

Keagan had woken me up at 2am so he could question me, after going back to sleep he woke me

up again at 7am. I go out my bedroom door and he has a crime board set up, with pictures of the

victims, the notes, and possible suspects.

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Youve been Busy. I say as I pour myself some tea into a tiny cup.

I did think that Anthony is the next target, but if so that would break from the pattern. All the

victims have been girls. So Im thinking his wife. What do you think? He was pacing in front of

the board.

Hmm... I think that if they havent killed her by now we would be lucky. I said, but all of the

sudden there was a knock on the door. Keagan went to go get it and I stayed in the living room. I

could hear them talking but I couldnt quite make out what exactly they were saying. I sat in the

living room and listened as I heard footsteps come up the stairs and the voices started getting

louder.

Oh hello Seth It was Rodriguez I had my suspicions about him and I still do. You guys

have been busy these are all the notes? He walked up to the crime board and Keagan was

watching him very closely. Ah This one is rather difficult How did you figure this out?

It is a very simple riddle, a fifth grader couldve solved it! Keagan told him and I could tell he

was trying to anger him.

Oh Well Yin seems pretty cool dont you think? He said and thats when it dawned on me.

Hes a mass murderer. Keagan said as he passed me a note telling me to call the police.

Well What if Yang did all the bloody work?

What if Yin and Yang were in the police department? as Keagan said this Rodriguezs faced

dropped. Rodriguez You and Captain Anthony Waters are under arrested for the murders of

Emily Wagner, Tonya Fair, Audrey Parker, and so many others. Rodriguez stopped I expected

him to run but he didnt and as the police arrived on the scene we also arrested the captain. In

turn they both confessed to the murders of those girls. I was surprised at how quickly this all

played out. Back at Keagans apartment I stood silently as he started taking down his crime

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board.

It was a very un-expecting case. Keagan said as he threw everything into a box.

Im glad its over. I told him. Suddenly the doorbell rang, and when I went to get it I slowly

opened the door. There was nothing there but a cardboard box with a letter on it that read, To

Two unwise private detectives. I jogged back up to the living room and brought the box to

Keagan. He took the letter off carefully and as he was opening it I opened the box. Inside lied the

head of Detective Rodriguez.

I travel around the world but what am I? You thought it was over but this is just the beginning.

You two werent even close to catching me before. ~Yin Yang. Keagan read aloud. I started

thinking about what the riddle could mean and then I got it.

Check the stamp! Keagan turned over the letter to the envelope and I watched a grin appear

upon his face.

Looks like our time together isnt over yet Mr. River, Were going to Paris.

~To Be Continued. ~

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