Vendetta

Chapter One: Introducing Ludwig Ibott

Death Toll: 2

Ludwig Ibott sits at his desk and prepares for a meeting with his superior. After gathering his notes together, he hears the Ding of the bell.

'Perfect timing.'

"Ah, Ludwig. Right on time. We need to discuss certain things…"

"I agree," says Ludwig to his superior, "There are things that need to be changed."

"Need to be changed!?" gasps his superior.

"Yes, 'need to be changed.' You see, I-"

"No," interrupts his superior, "You see. Your idea of change is completely unacceptable! You-"

"I beg your pardon, but I must insist-"

"You must insist nothing! Nothing at all!" shouts his superior going red in the face, "Your 'changes' cause nothing but trouble! There is nothing wrong with our methods and-"

"But, my kind superior, if we only consider certain details of cases…We'd find the one responsible for it that much sooner! The motives, you see, the connections! Not the usual list of subjects, his ex-wife murdered his mother, but more! Times are changing and if we don't catch up-"

"You are inexperienced in this arena of expertise and-"

"But that's precisely it!"

"WHAT?"

"You see, sir, I'm new, fresh meat if you will. I can change; I-"

"You, you, you, Bah!" shouts the superior taking deep breaths. Finally calming his voice down to a normal volume he continues, "Ludwig, I don't want to argue with you. Instead, I'm offering you a chance to, hmm, redeem yourself-"

"Redeem myself?" asks Ludwig, aghast.

"Do not interrupt me!" shouts the superior with short breaths, "But yes, redeem yourself. In the small town of Forks, Washington there has been two murders. The Chief Police, Charles Swan is frantic and is calling for help. I think it's a good place to test your 'changes' and prove myself right."

"I accept! I will prove myself correct! I will find the cause of these murders, sir, and I'll find them quickly."

"Ah ha," mumbles the amused, but relieved superior. He considers himself lucky to be rid of the fellow, "Let's discuss transportations…"

It's not too difficult to find the police station in Forks. "Actually," says Ludwig to himself (in the safety of his rental car of course), "It's not too difficult to find anything at all. This will be much too easy."

After parking his blue rental car in only visitor's parking space, he gathers his black trench coat and his black briefcase (a distinction to his pale skin) and walks toward the entrance. Right before he walks in, he takes a deep breath to quell any fluttering nerves and walks inside. Immediately he is aghast.

He has never seen anything so frenzied, so frantic before. He wonders if this town has had any murder at all. Ludwig holds his head high and walks to the nearest gentleman. Politely tapping the middle-aged man on the shoulder, Ludwig asks, "Good sir, can you please point me in the direction of a Mister Chief Charles Swan?" The man looks at him as if Ludwig is very stupid. Starting to feel nervous Ludwig presses, "Sir, I need to speak with a Chief Charles Swan. It's of the utmost importance I assure you."

"Look mister," says the man in a raspy voice (quite a contrast to Ludwig's clear, clean voice), "Chief Swan is only interested in seeing people who have any information on the two murders, particularly his daughter's."

"His daughter's!"

"Yes, his daughter's, you idiot!" says the man.

"I'm sorry, please forgive me. I am not native to this town, so I…"

"Oh," says the man in his horrible raspy voice, "That explains it." (Pause) "Wait a minute. You're that guy. That guy who's coming."

"That guy?"

"Yes that guy! That man. That man who's going to help solve the murders and find the murderer. The "fledging detective" as your boss put it. You're from…where are you from?"

"Trenton…I work in both Trenton, New Jersey and New York, New York," answers Ludwig. Still feeling pressed to find Chief Charles Swan Ludwig asks again, "I beg your pardon, sir, but it's imperative that I speak to a Mister Chief Charles Swan-"

"Oh yeah, of course. By the way, what did you say your name was?"

"I didn't."

"Excuse me?"

"I had never said my name. Do you wish to know it?"

"Yes," answers the man exasperated.

"It is Ludwig Ibott. Pleasure to make your acquaintance," says Ludwig offering his hand to shake. The man ignores the gesture.

"Why do you talk funny?"

Ordinarily Ludwig would have answered the question, but the man has yet to at least point the general direction of Chief Swan and Ludwig for once is becoming annoyed.

"Please, sir, the Chief…?"

"Oh right, I forgot," says the man, "This way."

"Thank you, sir."

For a man who has lost his daughter, he doesn't seem very depressed. 'Actually, he seems as though he's repelling all emotion. Poor man, must be numb. He must be determined to find the murderer.'

Wisely choosing not to voice his thoughts aloud, Ludwig speaks, "So we'll start with the first death…"

"That would be my daughter," says Chief Swan. Ludwig fidgets slightly, and fully aware that he is in a small office, door closed, and a potentially dangerous, emotional man is talking about the event that has made him a potentially dangerous, emotional man. Loosening his collar, Ludwig gulps and asks,

"Let's start with the facts. How did she die? Here, in my notes, it states a Mister Doctor Carlisle Cullen has examined her. Is this not correct?" Ludwig is secretly pleased to feel his confidence coming back.

Chief Swan's voice starts off unemotional, "Yes, Dr. Cullen looked at her. Stabbed and suffocated." ("Oh my." Ludwig's hand goes to his mouth) "Apparently stabbed before she suffocated, the bastard!" By this time, it has escalated into a shout.

"I'm so sorry…"

"Wait! You haven't heard the best part!" shouts Chief Swan.

"The best part…?"

"Dr. Cullen said that it was procedure to fully examine dead victims to see how they die. Guess what?" (He doesn't wait for Ludwig to gather his thoughts together) "She was raped! You hear that? Raped!"

"Sir, I-"

"Who would rape her? Who would have the nerve to even touch her in a way that she felt the slightest bit uncomfortable?!" shouts Chief Swan. Ludwig clears his throat.

"Sir," starts off Ludwig, nice and slow and (hopefully) calming, "I'm truly sorry for your loss. I want to find the murderer, too. I will work diligently to find this madman. But, sir, I am lacking information…"

"You mean subjects? You want subjects?"

"Yes, if you have an idea. Or if a list of men that she, ah, spent time with…"

"Hmm, well I suppose her school friends, Eric, Mike, Tyler…she hung around with Jacob a bit. And, well, she spent most of her time with her boyfriend, Edward and his family."

"Edward…?"

"Cullen."

"Doctor Carlisle Cullen's son? I was not aware that he had son."

"Adopted."

"Ah."

"Ludwig?" says Chief Swan.

"Yes?"

"There's something wrong with the list I gave you."

"I beg your pardon?" asks Ludwig politely.

"One of the people, Tyler, he, well, he's the second victim."

"The second victim?" echoes Ludwig, aghast.

"Yes, he is. Dr. Cullen examined him, too…" Chief Swan pauses here; Ludwig senses apprehension and encourages him to continue.

"I saw the body, as well as my daughter's, and well, both are pretty mangled up. Dr. Cullen said that he died of a broken neck. There were several other bones broken, too…but the way they were broken…" Chief Swan shudders.

"Yes?" prompts Ludwig.

"A couple of bones were sticking out…of his skin. Really disgusting," finishes Chief Swan.

"Oh my," says Ludwig in response, "I wonder…"

"What?" asks Chief Swan desperately.

"I wonder if…"

"Sir!"

Ludwig stops and turns to see the visitor. The woman looks like secretary, a very panicked one at that.

"Sir, One of the bodies has been stolen!"

"What?" shouts Chief Swan (loud enough to make Ludwig wince) getting up.

"Chief, your daughter's body…has been stolen."

YAY! I finished Chapter 1. This is more fun to write than my other story "Moon River," speaking of which…I apologize to anyone reading that fanfic; I haven't been very good at updating that one. Homework can really get you down. I will update that soon.

Just so you know, this fanfic was inspired by Tim Burton's "Sleepy Hollow." Yes, Ludwig is based off (or inspired by whichever you prefer) of Ichabod Crane. Don't be surprised to find that they have similar mannerisms.

Adieu, adieu!