“Breaking News! The next riddle from the Cheshire Murder has been found.” The news reporter claimed on the local news station. The channel was on because it plays music throughout the day, and advertisement from local stores and restaurants. Everyone’s attention, at the Water Lily Café, is fixed to the television. “Here is the riddle. ‘Hurry, hurry. The prize is almost mine. Can you solve two more riddles? Maybe, maybe. We will see. Up and down the riddle will go. No chains nor cords, strings nor ropes to make the riddle dance. Moving all by itself, oh my. Hurry, hurry, you only get one chance.’ Police are asking for everyone for their help to solve this riddle to find the next. Family and friends of Joyce Webber are desperately searching for her. Please do your best to solve the riddle.” The reporter disappeared and left the riddle on the screen, this is for anyone who wants to take notes or write it down. “This is the sixth riddle, isn't it?” The male costumer ask me as I brought my attention back to my job. “I believe so, anyways, just the coffee and the Flower Parfait for the young lady.” I asked him to confirm his order. He responded with a nod, “The total comes to six dollars and thirty-nine cents.” I said, as the man pulled out ten dollar bill from his wallet and hand it to me. I took the money and gave back the change and a buzzer. I watched them go sit down as I prepared the man’s coffee with French vanilla creamer and cinnamon and the strawberry flower pattern parfait for his daughter. “Dyna, I hope Joyce will be alright. I kind of lost hope as well.” Janet, one of my co-workers, told me as I finished up the parfait. “A lot of people already gave up when the name of the person who kidnapped Joyce was announced.” I replied placing the coffee and the parfait on a small serving tray. Joyce was a usual who came in every week, she was a happy, helpful young lady, who, during busy times, would help out around the Café by bringing orders to the tables and cleaning up plates and cups from empty tables. “I know Dyna, but there was that one time that they found the person still alive when she got him.” Janet recalled as she pour five cups of coffee. The man she mentioned, Jordan Hunter, a fifty-two year old victim of the murder who was died in the hospital three days after he was found. He told police that he felt bad for the murder, but police suspected that she brain-washed him. “I don’t know about that Jan, he did die afterwards.”
Janet shrugged and carried her tray to a table full of high-school boys. I sighed and brought my tray over to the man and his daughter, “Here you go. Enjoy.” I said placing the coffee and the parfait on the table. The girl thanked me as I walked to a table nearby with a few cups and plates from the previous costumers and I smiled at her. Picking up the dishes, I heard a panicked scream from outside the door. Everyone looked over and a few got up and went to the window, at the same time our boss, Mr. Water, went outside to see what the commotion was all about. I brought my dishes behind the counter and put them in the sink, then I followed Mr. Water outside. The person who screamed was a male who just left the café. He is sitting on the ground pointing at the Café sign. So stricken with fear, it seem that all the color was wash off him. Our boss is one the phone calling the police, as I made my way over to the male to help ease his mind. He was trembling but managed to keep his arm pointing to the sign. When I look up to see what he saw my mouth was agape in shock. Hanging from the sign was a detached arm, a bloody detached arm. “The Cheshire Murder, she been here!” The man cried out. Looking at the arm as I helped the main to a chair on the outdoor patio, I saw the cuts on the arms were not random, but instead spell out words. The riddle that was just broadcasted to the city did not mean, I know for a fact, the Water Lily Café is the location of the next clue.
The police showed up within fifteen minutes, anything about the Cheshire Murder gets priority. I was sitting with the man at one of the outside tables on the patio, gently holding his hand, to help him calm down. His face was slowly regaining color his lost from the ghastly sight. Two police officers questioned my boss, the man, and myself. “I came outside after I heard the scream with my boss. I was clearing off one of my tables when I heard him scream.” I told the officer questioning me about what I was doing at the time the gentleman screamed in horror. Once he finished writing what I said, I was dismissed from the location. I was sent back inside as a ladder truck from the local fire department rolled into the parking lot to remove the arm from the sign. The co-owner, Ms. Water, the boss’ wife, was attempting to keep order inside the café. She told the waitress to give all the costumers a free pastry to help keep things in order and to apologize for any inconvenience that this incident brought. While I was bagging cookies and slices of cake, Rachel, another co-worker, asked me a question in a hushed tone, “What is going on outside?” Janet and she were waiting for me respond to satisfy their growing curiosity. “Well, there is an arm hanging from the sign.”  I whispered to them trying not to scare any costumers. Both Rachel and Janet had a horrified, shocked expressions told me everything I need to know. “Are you for real?” Janet asked me while folding a bag closed. I nodded again handing a bag to a costumer. Rachel finally found her voice, “Did the riddle really mean our café?” I shook my head again, “It is probably one of the members of the group that worships her. They always enjoy playing pranks on us while there is a victim.” Both nodded in agreement and continued to work in silence for the rest of the shift.
In the evening, when the café was closing down for the night, I was sweeping under the tables and placing the chairs on top of the tables. Janet was there as well helping me clean up the dining area, she had the radio on listening to her favorite radio station, 99.4 Best Music Now. It was nice to have the radio playing the background, it got our minds off what had happened earlier. I knew it was part of the Cheshire Murder’s fan club, and not the murder herself. “Good Evening music lovers!” The nighttime DJ exclaimed in his usual upbeat tone, “Sorry to interrupt our Dive-Home-Commercial-Free hour of the Best Music, but we have a report from today’s incident at the Water Lily Café. The ‘clue’ that was found was not from the horrid murder, but some punks playing a prank.” I couldn't help but smile, since I did already know what was just stated. “Also, we also have news about Detective Henry Vincent. After reading up on the previous cases from the Cheshire Murder, he has agreed to help local police in the hunt for this killer before she can capture her next victim.” Great, some new moron to chase the killer, sounds like a fun game changer, not. “I am heading out now, Mr. Waters. I will see you tomorrow.” I said walking out the back door bag in hand. “Thank you for your hard work as always sweetie.” He responded with his usually goodbye to all the girls that work at the café. Walking down the street to my apartment, I looked up the street lights as the flicker to life. The eerie feeling passing the abandon streets, listening to the calls of parents hurrying their children inside then doors slam shut locking them all safe away inside. I hurried to get myself to my apartment to get out of the dangerous nighttime hunting grounds of the Cheshire Murder.
My apartment complex, Catshore Apartments, sits right next to a graveyard that holds only fifteen headstones. Some people even claim that the complex is haunted because of that graveyard. The reason that people say that, is because those fifteen graves is what we call, “Predator to Prey” grave yard the place that the Cheshire Murder buries the challengers. The detective or inspector that comes to catch her and locker this killer away forever, they have no riddle game for the public to solve in order to save them instead they only get two warnings, the first warning is a tombstone appears with their name on it, then the second warning is a six foot hole appears in front of the tomb stone. Then within a month the hole is filled up with a set of five flowers, a tiger lily, a daisy, a rose, a violet, and a larkspur. At first no one knew what the flowers meant, then one day a student from the local high school figured out the reason for the five flowers. They are the flowers that Alice met in Wonderland. Wonderland, home of the Cheshire Cat. No one knows if it was out of respect for trying to capture her, or it was mocking them for unable to capture her.
I was once suspected to be the Cheshire Murder because I visit the grave yard often recently. It was a big deal, finding out the identity of the killer and putting an end to all this torment. The police were quick to act, sending officers and a swat team to the apartment complex and barged into my room while changing for work. Of course, I screamed and threw stuff at them such as; a cup, a towel, a few books, and even my comb. No one blamed me really, I was only wearing my bra and underwear for crying out loud. Out of respect, and embarrassment, they waited outside my apartment door as I finished getting dressed. They were careful though, surrounding the building with the SWAT trucks, cop cars, and the rest of the task force responsible for taking in the Cheshire Murder. They knew, if I was the killer, I could not escape with all possible escape routes covered by the swat team members and highly trained police officers. Besides my apartment is on the twelfth floor. After finally letting them in, I spent two agonizing long hours of questions. Finally had enough of that bullshit, I demanded to know why I was being suspected. Keeping the identity of the person who reported me secret, to protect the witness in-case I was the killer, the officer questioning me told me that they had an eye witness watching me enter the grave yard on my home from work once a week. They even took a video and pictures as evidence. Rubbing my eyes, completely annoyed now, I explained to the officers that I only visited the grave yard to visit the last detective who recently joined the others, his name was John Green. While he was investigating, he came to the café regularly and we started to chat. Having a lot in common we hung out and eventually started dating. John was the only detective that lasted more than a year, no one knows why, but he was the closest to catch her. Maybe she found him fun to toy with, who knows? I went to work late that day with a parade of police cruisers and swat trucks escorting me, not truly believe in my alibi, I told them my co-workers can verify my claim. Utterly embarrassed by the scene, I got Janet and Rachel to explain to the officers that John was my boyfriend and I visited the grave yard because I miss him dearly. After that, I was free from the accusation of being the killer, but did not stop some of my friends from teasing me about it for months after the incident
It’s has been a year since John died, and every week I visit the grave yard to give him an update on the case. I stopped in front of the yard looking at the row of headstones, and walked in going to the last one and knelt in front of it, gently wiping off any dirt and moss that decided to reside on the cold marble stone. Smiling seeing his name untainted by the cruel erosion as I began to talk to him softly, “Hi Johnny, I’m back again. I still miss you love. I wish you got off the case when I asked you to. We could still be together.” My smile faded into a slight frown, as I spoke, “I think you are trying to send me a message. A new detective came in today to catch the killer.” I laughed softly as a tear rolls down my cheek, “I have a feeling he may be joining you soon. Making number sixteen. His name is Henry Vincent.” A cool breeze ran through my long blonde hair as if they were fingers running through my hair. I stood up and wiped my tear, “One day I will be with you again.” I softly said as I kissed the top of the tombstone, my usual goodbye to him. When he was still alive he would kiss my forehead before leaving. “I will see you next week Johnny. I will give you an update on how Henry is doing.” Turning around, being careful not to damage the newly grown grass over the spot where my beloved laid, I walked out of the yard. Leaving to head to my apartment, I noticed a black mustang outside the apartment. It was strange because I knew no one owned a black mustang. Walking through the front doors the night lobby manager called out, “Have a wonderful night Dyna, your usual wake up time?” I nodded to him as I made my way to the elevator.
While waiting for the elevator to show up, I opened my bag and looked for my key, I heard footstep approach me from behind. I pretended not to notice them as I closed my bag and tightened my grip on the strap. Closer and closer the shoes tapped against the tiled floor, then a large, warm hand gripped my shoulder. Instantly, I swung my bag around attempting to hit whoever it was. The male figure behind me blocked the bag with his forearm, “You have fast reflexes miss.” His semi deep voice rang in my ears. “One must adapted to survive with a killer lurking in your home town.” I replied sarcastically not wanting to deal with another flirt tonight. Ding, the elevator doors opened up and I rushed inside and pressed the button for floor twelve, the male figured followed me in. Staying tense in-cased he tried something else. “What is your name miss?” He asked. Quietly sighing at the male’s question, not really wanting to deal with a flirtatious bastard. “Why do you want to know?” My tone was annoyed and harsher than I expect, as the doors closed trapping this stranger in a small box carrying us up to my floor. “I am sorry if I made you uncomfortable in anyway, miss. I can only assume that you have been flirted with a lot and some men even attempted rape. You are beautiful but your eyes are darkened by a loss of someone close. You must have cried recently too, since your mascara ran a little.” He spoke while analyzing my body, strangely there was no hint of lustful desire in his eyes. Whoever this man is, the way he is acting, he might end up in the ground with others that the Cheshire Murder targets. Who knows, maybe she will do me a favor and get rid of this new creep for me? Leaning against the elevator wall with the railing watching the numbers slowly light up and fade as we pass by floors. My hand was resting against the railing while holding the strap of my purse.
“I am Detective Henry Vincent.” He introduced himself to me passing floor five. My mouth was agape with shock when he introduced himself. Now I felt bad for wanting the murders to slit his throat for being a pervert. Suddenly ashamed of my actions and words, I drop my gaze down to the elevator floor, “I am very sorry Mr. Vincent. I did not know it was you.” Suddenly the black mustang made sense outside, it belonged to the detective. “I am Dyna Heart, I am a waitress at Water Lily Café.” His warm smile cheered me up a little knowing he was not offended by my rude outburst. I look up at him meeting his gaze. Once again he was analyzing my body. We stood in silence as the elevator continue to carry us to floor twelve. “What do you think of the Cheshire Murder?” He suddenly asked. He must enjoy surprising people, because that is a question you don’t hear to offend. I glanced up at the elevator the floor was on, the number eleven. “Would you like to come into my apartment and have a cup of coffee while we finish our conversation?” I asked politely not wanting to leave his question unanswered as our ride comes to an end. “That sounds wonderful.” He replied as the elevator doors opened, freeing us from the small box. We walk out and went to my apartment, number 1206.
Unlocking the door I let him enter first then followed. “How would you like your coffee?” Asking politely walking into my small kitchen to brew some coffee I brought home from the café. “Cream, no sugar if you don’t mind.” He said looking around, only natural for a detective to explore a little making sure there was nothing suspicious. I didn’t mind him looking around, it’s not like I was hiding a dead body in my closet or something. I put out two mugs and took out the creamer from my fridge. “Coffee will be done in a few minutes, and do you mind if I change out my work uniform real quick.” My uniform reminded a lot of people of a maid outfit, and earn the café the nickname Maid Café. It was a bit embarrassing to serve my guest coffee in my apartment in a maid like outfit. “Go right ahead Miss Heart.” He replied to my question, probably knowing what was on my mind. I walked into my bedroom and quickly changed into a pair of thin black sweat pants and a navy blue baggy pull over sweat shirt, my usual comfortable clothing. I walked out and spied Mr. Vincent sitting at the kitchen table. I hurried over to the coffee maker turning it off. Habit from the Café, which I am sure the all-knowing eyes picked up my habit as I prepare the coffee and served it to him, “I hope you enjoy the coffee.” I said sitting down. He picked up the cup and sniffed it, then took a sip. One of his habits maybe, or just careful not knowing who the killer is. “I think the killer is pure evil, but also very clever. She is very skilled and as I do root for the safe return for the victim, I lose hope after day one.” I finally replied to his question he asked me in the elevator. He only nodded in reply then began a long session of questions. An hour later, he left my apartment while I was cleaning the coffee mugs. Turning off the lights and finally crawling lazily into my bed to get a good nights rest from a long day.