100 Ways to Solve a Murder-Chapter 203: Puzzle Skin VI

2008, 7 Eastbourne Rd.

Just as Levi and Marco were about to discuss the possible logistics of this ’business’ they heard a knock coming from the door, causing them to turn. The blond moved swiftly towards it, pulling it open. Marco watched as the man disappeared for a few moments and reemerged where he left, but this time holding a package in his hand.

The visible grin in his lips the bearded man did not miss, "What’s that?" he asked as the blond started tearing the packaging off like a kid on Christmas day, then revealing a folder with papers inside it. He scanned it immediately, placing a page after the other on the table after he finished. Marco took one of the pages and read it, from what he could understand its a list of people, names addresses and contact details, including their ages were on it.

"This, Marco, is the active UK transplant waiting list." the blond informed, causing Marco’s eyes to widen in shock. The first thing that came to his mind was the fact that what they have in their hands was illegal.

"More than 2500 people on the waiting list. Number one organ in demand kidneys!" the blond informed too enthused for Marco’s liking. "How did you even get this? These are confidential information Levi" the bearded man chided, earning an eye roll from the blond.

"It’s from a friend, Marco," he replied casually. And the way he said it, Marco knew it wasn’t the usual pint in a pub kind of friend.

The blond spared him a glance, "Anyway, did you know it takes an average 3-5 years to wait till you receive an organ? 13 people die each day just waiting for a life-saving kidney transplant." he said, scanning over the list of people who were on the verge of death his ’friend’ graciously provided.

Marco frowned at him, "What are you planning to do with this information?" the man asked, although he already had an idea or two.

"What else, Marco? All these people are possible customers." the blond said, grinning wildly.

Marco opened his mouth to chide him, but his train of thought was interrupted by the phone ringing.

The two turned towards the source, and their eyes landed on the blond’s mobile phone on the desk. The blond grinned immediately, and Marco watched the slicked blond swiftly grab it, after reading the name before answering it. He had been waiting for the call since yesterday, if he was honest he’d say that he wasn’t expecting it anytime that week. But thanks to some of his connections, his investigation was running quicker than his sister was.

Marco watched silently as the blond took a pen on the table and started writing on a sheet of paper before bidding the person on the other line goodbye and ending the call.

"Who was that?" Marco asked, curious.

Levi grinned at him, "Another friend" he said vaguely, tearing the paper he had written an address on and pocketing it.

"Are you heading somewhere?" the bearded man asked when he noticed the blond grab his coat on the rack. Levi cocked him a brow, "We are, to Guy’s Hospital." he said, putting his coat on and fishing his car keys.

Marco followed in tow, hopping in the car after him. Levi turned to look at him as he started the car’s engine, "You mentioned before you have a friend there, didn’t you?" he asked, causing Marco’s face to contort into confusion. The blond grinned in reply, facing the street seconds after and driving.

"Why?" Marco asked cautiously, he didn’t like his friend’s tone.

"We may need assistance." the blond simply said and based on his tone Marco knew he wouldn’t be able to get any more than that.

As the blond drove quietly, Marco’s eyes darted from the street outside to his friend a few times, something the blond did not miss from his periphery.

"It smells like something is burning, Marco, are you thinking again?" The blond said, causing Marco to scowl at him. "What is it, spit it out?" he added when the bearded man still didn’t speak. He could feel him wanting to say something. "I realized something." the bearded man huffed.

"What?" he said, taking a right turn.

"Where do they get these people?" Marco asked as he had been thinking it thoroughly. "they can’t just randomly be picking them on the street now could they." he added seconds later, finding the idea ridiculous.

The corner of Levi’s lips curled up, "They most likely are." he said, shocking Marco.

"What, that’s not possible; someone would have reported them missing." the bearded man reasoned, "But there’s nothing, both victims did not match any of the missing reports," he added.

"Hmmm," the blond said, scanning the streets.

"Who do we constantly see but refuse to look at, Marco?" the blond asked, causing his friend’s brow to furrow together in confusion. Why was he speaking in riddles all of a sudden?

"They are always out there, so many of them." the blond continued, dropping hints and hints, but the bearded man still couldn’t get them.

"Most of us don’t even look them in the eye, we refuse to acknowledge their existence."

Marco frowned, what did he mean by that?

"Look outside, Marco." the blond instructed.

"Who do we see but remain unseen? Who do we come across every day but dare not acknowledge?" Levi asked.

Marco looked outside, eyes scanning the streets searching for something, someone that would match the blond’s description. ’Who do we see but remain unseen’ words echoing in his mind.

"A puppy on the street I reckon will get more attention, more kindness." the blond said, causing Marco’s eyes to widen in realization, and he turned to the blond.

"We pretend that they don’t exist." the Irishman said, knowing he had realized it. And his eyes rested on the homeless in the streets. Some were drinking something warm on the streets, trying to keep warm, others curled up to themselves fighting the cold.

"Young healthy people. Kicked out or left their homes. Surviving in the streets." Levi pointed out, catching Marco’s attention and his eyes rested on a group of teenagers with their bags with them. He’d seen people like them around, Marco realized, many of them reside in the borough of Westminster, others in Camden.

"There’s over two thousand of them just in London, 27% of which are between 26-35 years old. 1% even under 18 years old."

"Many of these people are abandoned, their families have left them to fend on their own for whatever reason. Nobody really cares. Nobody reports them missing... After all, A person can never be missing if they are never missed" the Irishman said, and Marco found sadness in his statement.

"So what should we do?" the bearded man asked, determination clear on his voice. "Solve the homeless problem" he cracked a joke, earning an eye roll from the bearded man. Although he knew his friend was joking about that, there was a reason why the blond decided to place their business in Eastbourne Rd located in the East End which was considered to be on the poorer side of the scale. Even though they could have easily built their business in the posher side of the city considering Anna, his sister, had properties all over Europe.

Levi slowed down and parked the car, Marco scanned their surroundings realizing that they were now there, Guys. "First, I’m going to need you to call that friend," he said, grinning mischievously at the bearded man. Marco scanned his friend and based on the glint of mischief in his hazel eyes he could tell they were about to do something either morally unacceptable or illegal. Or maybe worse, both.

The bearded man sighed and fished out his mobile phone. After searching his phone book he clicked the call and pressed the phone against his ear. "Hey, Janet. By any chance are you at work?" he said, eyes remained on the blond’s face, his smile stretching even wider.

Oh boy, he could already tell they were about to do something socially unacceptable.

...

Guys Hospital

Marco stood awkwardly in the middle of the empty corridor, the blond stood right behind him as they both waited. Seconds later his pink dyed friend emerged, a wide smile spread on her lips. "Marco!" the chunky woman said, eyelids thick with jet-black eyeliner. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Marco smiled, both happily and awkwardly. He doesn’t know what was about to happen, Levi insisted he introduced his friend and so there they were. He noted how his friend’s eyes widened in curiosity as her eyes rested on the debonaire looking blond behind him.

Marco cleared his throat and gestured to the gentleman behind him, the annoying mask of a smile suddenly on his face.

One goal to charm his cat-loving friend.

"Janet, this is my friend and business partner, Levi Jackson," he said, and Levi took it as his cue to step forward offering his hand immediately to the Jigglypuff dyed hair woman.

"Levi Jackson, such a pleasure to meet you," he said, softly, holding her hand a little longer for effect. Janet smiled up at, "Mr Jackson--" "Please, just Levi." the blond interrupted softly, releasing her hand.

"I’ve heard so much about you, Levi," the woman said, and as fast as the blond donned his charming smile it dropped. "I hate to do this, but I need to ask for a favour," he said, earning a confused look from Janet. Her eyes darting from Marco to the blond,

"Ah, sure.... Anything to help. I guess?" she muttered unsurely.

Levi grinned victorious, "Perfect!" he said.

"What would it be?" pink-haired asked.

"I will be needing a body," the blond said. And the way he said it the two found something sinister about it.