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Frustrations “Malinowski! McKenzie! In my office!”
Jasmine winced as the captain slammed the door behind him. “What the hell did you guys do?” “Beats me,” Jonathan said, rising from his chair. “Ricco, come on. We’d better not keep the man waiting.” Ricco promptly shoved his last bite of doughnut in his mouth. He was trying to straighten his tie, but as usual, it was a lost cause. Jonathan didn’t even bother to tell him. “Take a seat,” the captain ordered as they entered his office. “Want to tell me how we missed this?” Ricco grabbed the newspaper as it hit his chest. He read the main headlines before passing it off. “They were different jurisdictions.” “But you two were assigned to two of the cases, while Rawlings and Johnson had a third one. What? You guys don’t talk to each other anymore?” “There wasn’t enough to think there was a pattern,” Jonathan said, tossing the paper back on the desk. “Eddie and Jasmine’s case was down in the old harbor, while our cases were in Cobble Hill and Adleton. Different geographic locations. We even arrested the mother’s boyfriend on the Stevens case, and we haven’t heard from the lab on this last one.” “All the victims had the same physical build and were about the same age,” the captain countered. “They were all attacked at night with a weapon with a dull blade. Seems to be all of similarities to me.” “Well, hindsight’s 20/20, sir.” “I’m going to forget you said that, McKenzie. Now, where are you two on the latest attack?” “Like Mac said, we haven’t heard back from the lab. We do have a witness, but she doesn’t remember much other than a tall figure and a lot of blood.” “Interview her again. And don’t give up on Michaels. Maybe he’s come down enough to actually be useful. “Now I’m going to call the lab and have the case given priority. For now, all I want you two to work on is this. The mayor’s bearing down on the commissioner, who’s making my life hell. Catching my drift here, gentlemen?” Jonathan and Ricco both nodded. “Good. So, why am I still looking at you? Get back to work.” They had opened the office door as the captain bellowed, “Callum! Johnson! Your turn!” * * * * * The remote dropped from Celeste’s suddenly boneless hand. It hit the coffee table before landing on the carpet. Celeste was unaware of the noise or her gasp as she fell back on her couch, her eyes glued to the television. “Celeste?” Selene called, leaving the bedroom. “Is everything okay?” “Well, Christine,” the news reporter said, “as of now, both the mayor’s office and the city police department have not issued any comments on this story. However, as we have shown, there is a pattern to these killings. “Is there a serial killer lurking in our city? We definitely hope not. Yet, in light of these facts, we must urge citizens to be extra careful.” Selene stepped on the remote, turning the TV off. “Celeste?” “How could I be so stupid!” She turned her eyes from the blank screen to the cat. “He’s not looking for an object, Selene. All this time, he’s looking for a person.” “We don’t know that for certain.” “They all had the same physical description. They were all about the same age.” “They were killed by different methods,” Selene countered, “and some of the cases go too far back. Not everything that happens in the night falls under your domain, Sol.” The woman said nothing. She stood up and walked to her balcony doors. The curtains were drawn back, allowing her a view of the city. There were times that she hated this city. It held so many bad memories for her. However, deep down, she knew that it was unfair to blame the city for it. It was her fate as Sol. It would follow her wherever, whenever she went. “Celeste?” With a sigh, she closed the curtain. “You’re right, Selene. Not everything is my fault. But enough of it is.” * * * * * “Good morning, Ian,” Jonathan greeted, placing a cup of black coffee in front of the other man. “Enjoying your stay?” “You guys can’t keep me here forever. I know my rights!” He reached for the cup with shaking hands. “I didn’t do nothing!” “Sounds like you’ve got a guilty conscience there, Ian,” Ricco remarked. “They say that confession is good for the soul.” “I’ve already told you that I didn’t hurt that girl. You can’t pin this on me!” Jonathan sat down on a corner of the table. “Well, tell us who did hurt her.” “I’ve told you who hurt her!” Ricco snorted. “You want us to believe that a monster, complete with black fur and claws, attacked the girl and that the other woman shows up with a stick and starts attacking this creature.” “It wasn’t a stick. It was a staff with a sun-like thing on the end,” Ian grumbled. “Ian, man, when are you going to get tiring of telling us this bullshit and tell us what actually happen?” The junkie glared at Jonathan. “I’ve been telling you what actually happened!” The door to the interrogation room opened and the captain popped his head in, giving his detectives a pointed look. Jonathan stood up and left. Ricco followed his partner out of the room, closing the door. “All right,” the captain said, “turn him loose. He’s not going to be helpful.” “Could have told you that, Cap,” Ricco muttered. “Ole Ian must have been pretty fried last night. You heard him rambling about a monsters and a woman with a stick.” “A staff, Ricco,” Jonathan corrected with a smile. “You two are hilarious. Get him out of here and go reinterview our other witness. I’ll be waiting for a report.” The partners watched the captain storm back towards his office. Jonathan opened the interrogation room door and ordered Ian out. The junkie shuffled out, muttering about police harassment. “Well, Mac, we better get moving.” Ricco sighed. “At least we’ll be seeing your girlfriend again.” “Ha ha. Very funny, Ricco.” Yet, as he went to get his jacket, Jonathan couldn’t stop a smile. |
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