《Red Shoes of Justice》


 Prologue

    "Is he alive?" Petar''s voice cut through the thick smoke. The stones of the parking lot crunched under his feet as red shadows from the flames flickered across the hotel roof. His heart raced, a wave of chills crawling down his spine.


    The wind carried the stench of burnt wood and plastic. Every breath became an effort. It was as if his lungs were immersed in lead.


    Darko followed him, covering his nose with a handkerchief. The smoke enveloped him like an evil shadow. His eyes suddenly watered. He fought back a cough, his gaze fixed on a red velvet chair in the middle of the parking lot, where a man''s body sat motionless, wrapped tightly in a rough rope.


    His head drooped, as if he were sleeping. His undershirt clung to his chest, dark stains spreading down his clothing, soaking the ground beneath him. Huge bare soles poked out from under the expensive pants. The fire reflected off the shaved head, creating eerie shimmering outlines.


    Darko slowly moved closer, trying to ignore the repulsive smell, despite the handkerchief he held over his nose. He touched his neck; the skin was cold. He checked his pulse and turned to his partner: "As alive as a statue."


    A rolled-up piece of paper stuck out of the dead man''s mouth, like a Cuban cigar. Darko carefully extended his hand and slowly pulled it out. His heart raced as he opened the paper, which revealed a picture of red children''s shoes.


    Petar moved closer, his lips pressed together as he held his breath, avoiding the thick smoke that surrounded them more and more. He leaned forward, peering over Dark''s hand to get a better look at the painting. When his eyes fell on the red shoes, he sighed deeply, feeling the weight of what he saw.


    "What the hell happened here?" - Petar muttered, upset. His eyes opened wide and his jaw tightened. "Who could do something like this?"


    "Obviously there is a waiting list," answered Darko, gritting his teeth. ?To be honest, I''m shocked that this didn''t happen earlier.¡°


    Petar suddenly fell silent at that, with a sickening feeling in his stomach. He was looking at Darko''s serious face, trying to see under the mask. His voice trembled as he wondered, "How can you be so calm?"


    Suddenly, the loud sound of breaking glass brought them back to reality.


    As the fire grew, it threatened to consume everything in its path as it spread to the hotel''s front.


    "Damn it," muttered Darko, looking back at the hotel, his eyes narrowed by the smoke. "The fire is spreading fast. Call for backup and have them send more firefighters. Urgently!"


    "Dispatcher, we have a confirmed case of death at the scene of the accident," Petar said on the police radio. "We are looking for urgent support and additional help in extinguishing the fire. The hotel is completely engulfed."


    Darko knelt next to the chair, his eyes searching the body, analyzing every detail.If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    ¡°He didn¡¯t seem to resist,¡± he murmured, his tone icy and detached. As the smoke thickened, making it hard to breathe, he narrowed his eyes but remained focused on the scene before him.


    "No signs of a struggle," he added, looking down at the lifeless body.


    "Ego cost him his head," Petar added, searching the area around the chair. Thick smoke obscured his vision more and more, increasing his nervousness and uncertainty in this chaos. "He didn''t believe anyone would dare touch him." He nodded his head at the victim, not hiding his disgust. "The big tycoon."


    Before Darko could answer, a terrifying bang echoed from the hotel, followed by a shower of sparks as part of the roof collapsed inwards. He felt the heat on his back as a warning that it was time to escape.


    ¡°Don¡¯t touch anything!¡± Darko shouted. ¡°We need to secure the scene.¡± He turned his attention back to the lifeless tycoon. ¡°We have to collect all the evidence¡ªanything that could help us. This is no ordinary murder.¡±


    They retreated a few steps and fixed their gaze on the hotel in front of them, a scene that felt like the worst nightmare coming to life. Menacing shadows danced as the flames lit up the darkened sky.


    Fear and worry squeezed Petar''s chest, sending shivers down his spine. Amid the turmoil, anger rose up inside him like a scorching wave that threatened to overflow.


    ''We''re far from finished here,'' Petar groaned.


    "True", answered Darko gloomily. ¡°This is just the beginning. This chaos could lead us to some intriguing answers¡ªmaybe even a new client for the morgue.¡±


    They turned to the villa beside the hotel, where the owner''s quarters were. The door swung in the wind, revealing an interior bathed in the flickering blue light of the television. The noise from the device tore through the night like a blade.


    "Be careful," Darko muttered as they slowly approached the entrance, feeling the heat of the burning hotel following them like a shadow. They went inside and the dim light revealed a living room with elegant white furniture. Deep inside, the kitchen was a mess, and the smell of frying oil choked the air, creating discomfort.


    Someone sat on the sofa, their back to them. They looked at each other uneasily, feeling a chill creep through the air.


    "Hello, can you hear me?" In the eerie silence, Darko''s words resounded. "Can you turn the TV down?"


    They took their pistols out of their holsters and walked slowly around to the sofa, each on the opposite side. Both of them relied on instincts refined by years of police service.


    Petar''s voice was anxious. "Darko, be careful," he cautioned.


    They slowly walked around the sofa, simultaneously shivering at the sight before them. In the middle of the sofa sat Anica, the wife of the hotel owner, and her elegant yellow dress was stained with dark drops of blood, creating a terrible contrast to her former beauty.


    Her face was a mask of horror, the liveliness of her once-beauty-queen features completely obliterated. But what took their breath away were her eye sockets ¨C empty and lifeless. Someone dug out her eyes and left them under the TV.


    In a desperate attempt to combat her dread, she held her palms up to her face. The room smelled like death, and the heat from the fire outside made the bloody and hopeless smell even worse. The sound of laughing from the screen filled the room among the devastation, a sinister mockery of the misery all around them.


    Darko stared at the TV as glued with a knot in his stomach.


    "Grainy footage looped of the hotel owner''s son, young Marko, pedaling a small blue bike in the hotel parking lot. Laughter echoed, carefree, as his father''s voice encouraged, ''You got this, son! Keep pedaling!''


    The contrast was unbearable. Darko felt bile rise as the children¡¯s laughter clashed with the grotesque reality. Petar went pale, his voice barely a whisper. ''This is a message...someone wanted them to suffer.''


    The television continuously played cruel images, while children''s laughter echoed in the maddened world. The flames outside danced, casting eerie shadows on the walls, and the darkness pressed around them like a cold, invisible grip. The hunters were turning into the hunted, and the night was just beginning.


    Dark''s jaw clenched tightly, fighting the rising tide of anger and frustration. ¡°More than that. This is revenge.¡±

 Chapter 1: Five Days Earlier - Aurora – 14.25h

    "A chocolate and a strawberry, please," Aurora ordered, playfully moving her long brown hair from her face as she approached the ice cream vendor.


    ¡°I¡¯m buying. What extravagant delight do you desire?¡± She teased Ivana.


    ¡°Wow, is it Christmas already? Hazelnut and vanilla!¡± Ivana grinned, turning to the vendor.


    As if the long, warm summer refused to leave, Zagreb''s streets shimmered under an unrelenting September sun. After school, two best friends, dark-haired Aurora and blonde Ivana, decided to treat themselves to ice cream at their favorite place in the city center.


    Aurora pulled a few crumpled bills from her unicorn wallet. Under her eye, she thought she saw Ivana''s sister Marija walking towards the main square. She shook her head, blinked, and took her ice cream.


    "You gave me too much change," Aurora returned the 20 kuna banknote to the saleswoman.


    The woman answered, "Oh, thanks," with a nervous flicker in her eyes.


    "You are such a fool. We could have used it for milkshakes in the Slatkac Center," muttered Ivana, a teasing smile spreading across her face.


    "It¡¯s not our money," Aurora said, a hint of reproach in her tone.


    Suddenly, like a knife cutting into their moral debate, a loud tram bell rang. Her heart skipped a beat and a slight feeling of discomfort appeared in her stomach. She looked through the window at Ilica Street and saw a young man running in front of the rushing streetcar number twelve.


    "Wait, was this Marko?" Aurora asked.


    "Marko who?", Ivana licked the ice cream.


    "The ex from your sister. With that furious car."


    "I have no idea. I haven''t seen him and I don''t care."


    "Are they back together?"


    "They''re not, I told you. He is so annoying, calls her all the time."


    "But she has a new guy?"


    "Yes, they study together. What would Marko do there?¡± Ivana waved it off.


    They came out on the winding Ilica Street and turned left towards Ban Jelacic Square. The sun was scorching, so they hurried through people waiting for the tram, couples who were enjoying a wonderful day like them.


    "So, how do you feel about the new guy?" Aurora asked cautiously.


    "Tin? He really has a funny accent!" - laughed Ivana.


    "He''s from Germany, so he doesn''t know Croatian well" - Aurora defended him.


    "Come on! You just like his long, blond hair," - Ivana nudged her in the ribs with her elbow.


    "Oh you, you''re always thinking about boys!" - Aurora teased her and bit into the cornet.


    Blonde, outgoing Ivana stood taller beside the withdrawn and quiet Aurora. All the boys at school vied for her attention.


    They turned right onto Praska Street, crossed after a taxi, and headed towards the music pavilion in Zrinjevac Park, enjoying the last moments of Indian summer.Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    "Did you visit Germany over the summer?" As she finished her ice cream, Ivana asked.


    "No. My mom had just moved apartments.¡°


    "So no new phone?"


    "No, not really."


    "Will she visit soon?"


    "I guess for Christmas." Aurora licked a drop of chocolate off her hand and shrugged.


    "Why can''t your dad buy you a new phone?" Ivana continued.


    "No chance! His is like a hundred years old."


    "I don''t get it. Everyone has new phones. Tell him you need it, for school.¡°


    "Sure, I''m calling him right now" - she laughed - "Dad, buy me a new phone". ''Why?'' she imitated her father in a deep voice, ''You''d better read a book or two.''


    Their laughter echoed through the park, as they continued along the pavilion and fountains towards the magnificent HAZU building. Ivana elbowed her in the ribs.


    "Wait, is that my sister?"


    ?Where, in the park?¡°


    "Who is that guy with the hoodie? Is that Marko?!" - said Ivana in surprise. - "What is he doing there?"


    ?It looks like him, I really don''t see.¡°


    "It can''t be. Maria went to the police to report him." ¨C Ivana lowered her voice.


    "Why?" ¨C Aurora raised her eyebrows.


    "Because he keeps calling and following her."


    ?And?¡°


    "And nothing. You know who his dad is. He knows everyone in the city." - Ivana shrugged resignedly. "This summer, we were supposed to go to his villa on the beach. He has a boat and even a jet ski¡ªI¡¯ve never tried one!"


    Aurora raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing at her lips. ¡°Wow. Must be nice,¡± she said, her tone as flat as her interest.


    "How could your sister even be with him?" Her face twisted in disgust. ¡°He¡¯s so slimy.¡±


    Ivana looked down and continued to lick the ice cream.


    "I didn''t like the way he looked at me at the birthday party¡ªor how he looked at you," Aurora shivered.


    Ivana tilted her head, her eyes narrowing as she faced Aurora. ¡°You don¡¯t get it!¡± she exclaimed, her voice rising slightly. ¡°It¡¯s not just about the money; it¡¯s about having fun!¡±


    Aurora shrugged, looking unimpressed. ¡°I don¡¯t get it. He¡¯s just, like, really awkward.¡±


    Ivana shook her head. ¡°You¡¯re missing out! He has the coolest stuff!¡±


    ¡°Never mind,¡± Ivana said, exchanging a glance with Aurora as they crossed the road in silence.


    The tram number 13 sped past, picking up a few early autumn leaves from the ground. At that moment, the tiny phone in Aurora''s pocket rang. "It¡¯s like he heard me¡°, she laughed and showed Ivana the caller ID. ?Now I can ask about that new phone" ¨C she winked and answered the call. ¨C "Hi Dad, how are you?"


    "Hi honey, aren''t you home?" asked a deep voice on the phone.


    "No, I am with Ivana, walking around Zrinjevac Park."


    While she was talking on the phone, she saw a guy (was it Marko?) waving his hands and pointing his finger at Maria''s face.


    Suddenly, the girl shoved him back, grabbed her bag, and turned away. But Marko seized her by the shoulder before she could take a step.


    She screamed, but the deafening roar of the oncoming tram 6 swallowed her words.


    Aurora turned away from them and the streetcar, unable to hear a single word her dad was saying.


    "Wait for me at Mrs. Fleischman''s next door, honey. I''ll be late for lunch. I have a meeting with my new boss." - Dad said.


    "No probl..." The words died in her throat as she saw something long and shining in Marko''s hand vanish entirely into the girl''s abdomen.


    She felt as though she was choking. Words blocked her breathing, trapped in her throat, refusing to come out. Her heart wanted to explode out of her body; she was hypnotized, her eyes fixed on the horror before her.


    The once-gleaming object gets redder and darker with every desperate thrust. As though he had an insane urge to keep the world quiet, he moved his hand in, and out, in, out. His breath came in jagged gasps that mirrored the frantic, relentless pattern of his motions.


    Reality settled into Aurora''s fragile mind. This was no longer just a loud argument between two ex-lovers; it was something nobody should witness.


    Two sudden sounds shook her to the core. A raw scream erupted from Ivana¡¯s mouth, ringing through the park, followed by the dull thud of Ivana¡¯s body hitting the pavement.


    "What the heck? Who screamed? Aurora?¡° His voice rose now to yell. ¡°Aurora! Answer me!¡± His voice trembled, words tumbling out, his heart racing.


    The world around her faded into a faint hum as her phone slipped from her small hand, forgotten. Aurora stood frozen, wide-eyed, fixed on the horrific scene before her. The voice on the line grew frantic. "Aurora, Aurora, can you hear me? Honey, are you okay?" And then the phone smacked the ground and shattered into pieces.


    The noise drew attention from across the street. Marko turned, his eyes wild with frenzy. She wanted to run, but her feet felt glued to the ground. Ivana''s scream still rang in her ears, drowning out everything else.


    He wiped blood from his face with the back of his hand and raised the bloodied knife into the air. His voice cut through the tunnel of her fear¡ªat first, she couldn''t make out the words, but the threat was unmistakable. A hiss through clenched teeth: ''One word, and you''re next.''