Chapter 1

Chapter 1

            Jack’s words lingered in Eric’s mind as he started a fresh pot of coffee. Yes, but you aren’t going to like this one. He had been solving all kinds of grisly murders, and he was racking his brain trying to think of one that had truly unsettled him. None came to mind as he rubbed a hand over the stubble on his face due to long work hours. Eric was annoyed waiting for his coffee; he was never one for idle hands, so he headed back to his bedroom. His roommate, Leon Diaz was sleeping soundly in the next room. Leon was a rising football star who had attended the same prestigious school as Eric in high school which is where the two met. He had been one of the football coaches during Eric’s sophomore year. He had taken a liking to him, and their paths had crossed once again.

            Eric enjoyed living with Leon. His different lifestyle was a great comfort. It was the calm before the storm, and he always appreciated coming home to someone who wasn’t scarred by scenes of death. Relieved that his phone hadn’t woken up his friend, Eric went to his closet to get a metal box from the top shelf. The only content were two packs of ammo and a .45 service pistol with the same four-leaf clover as the gun on his night table. Tyler Gordon had given it to him for his 18^th birthday, and it was his preferred gun to carry on the job. The other one was more of safety insurance as well as a memory Eric couldn’t forget.

            He slipped the gun into his holster and headed back to the kitchen for his black fuel. His college girlfriend, Riley, had got him hooked on it during their four years studying Forensics and Criminal Justice and ever since then it became an essential part of his day. Unlike most people though he tended to make the coffee strong enough to wake the dead. Pressed for time, he quickly grabbed a thermos from a cabinet and poured as much coffee as he could into it. Creamer was a luxury for Eric, one he didn’t care to stop for today seeing as how Jack was already waiting at the crime scene for him. As much as he dreaded to see what case could upset him, he was eager to begin work.

~~~

            Jack was standing on the side of his black Chevy Camaro with his arms folded across his chest when Eric pulled up next to him with his truck. The beads of sweat on Jack’s hands told Eric he was nervous and a little anxious.

“Is the scene secure?” Eric asked as he approached Jack.

Jack was much taller than Eric and wore glasses that masked his distinct hazel green, eyes. Like Eric, he too had tattoos but to a much lesser degree. Eric had more stories to tell after all.

“We’re just waiting for the coroner to show up to move the body,” Jack answered as he played with his chestnut colored hair. Jack also sported a bread and goatee, except his was more groomed than the scruff that his partner wore.

            Jack and Eric stood there in silence. Eric was surveying the surrounding area with trained eyes while Jack allowed him a moment to himself.

“Is everything alright?” Jack asked. The silence was something he couldn’t stand as much as his friend. Eric heard his partner but wasn’t in the mood to go into the nitty-gritty details of what had kept him awake. The dream made him feel like a broken record, broken, something Eric didn’t think should be used to describe him. Jack sighed, not out of annoyance but concern. He was one of the three friends who had been with Eric the night his parents had died. He was always worried about Eric, but he knew better than push him into to reliving the nightmare. If he were to open up, it would be Jack, but he didn’t want to bother him especially now that they had just gotten a case. Aside from that, he wasn’t much for talking about himself. He wasn’t an open book, and he knew Jack respected that. He would talk when he wanted.

“Did O’Brian give you any details before sending you out here Tex?” Eric asked quickly averting attention away from him. Jack couldn’t help but smile at his childhood nickname.

“You know the captain. He didn’t offer much, but I’ve seen it.” Jack added the last part with a bit of distress in his tone.  

“Witnesses?” Eric asked although he didn’t see why anyone would be at a closed coffee shop at this hour.

“The responding officer has one guy detained. He claims he knows the owner of the coffee shop, but if you ask me, it sounds a little shady.” Jack rolled his eyes.

“I want to get a lay of the scene before questioning him. Are you coming?” Eric asked. Jack nodded despite the uneasy feeling he felt in his stomach. The nausea was more for Eric than himself.

            The crime scene was in a dark alleyway behind a coffee shop called Monte’s which was frequented by the local college kids. Across the street was a law office, Riley’s older brother in fact. The sign “Law Offices of Sean O’Conner and Associates” offered the only light on the otherwise dark street. A rookie police officer, Aaron Ryman, was waiting for the detectives at the scene.  Aarons was visibly anxious as he rocked back and forth on the heels of his feet. The flashlight in his hand was off, and for the best seeing as how he didn’t have a steady hand. Eric felt a sense of empathy for the kid. Looking at him made him remember his first case and the jitters he had being inches away from a dead human. A human who had dreams and life just like he had.

            “Officer Ryman, what can you tell me about the case?” Eric asked as he held out his hand for the young officer fresh out of the academy. He was but a year younger than Eric and had a strong resemblance to his older brother and captain of the police force, Wayne. The relationship between them made many of the senior officers resent him, which probably only added to his deep fear. Eric was giving him a clean slate; a chance discover the real Aaron and not the one at the water cooler.

            “Officer Lee and I got the call around twenty minutes ago, and Detective Hicks joined us shortly after. The witness, he’s with Lee, called in a disturbance, but uh it was more than that.” Aaron spoke without making eye contact with either detective. Eric didn’t need to ask what he meant by that. Had it just been a ‘disturbance’ Jack wouldn’t have been called.

“Eric I think you should talk to the guy first,” Jack said. Eric was a little bothered by Jack calling the shots; he was the leading detective in their partnership.

“Why is that?”

            “Just trust me okay? You’ll have a clearer mind. I’ll meet you back there.” Jack was already crossing the yellow tape before Eric could complain. Eric was just about to find the unnamed witness when he noticed Aaron was practically sweating through his uniform now.

“First big case huh? I mean aside from cleaning up vomit from the back of your cruiser and dealing with wild frat parties. That’s not the glamorous side of police work though.” Eric said. Aaron still didn’t’ look at him. Instead, he just nodded shyly.

“I think I’d rather take the drunks. Seeing the girl laying like that, it was just, well it took me someplace else. I can’t say I enjoyed being there either.” Aaron had suddenly taken great interest in his polished black, boots.

            “Hey, you don’t have to tell me. I spent four years in college learning about crime scenes, serial killers and how to handle them, but none of that prepared me for the real thing.” Eric said offering the rookie an encouraging smile.

            Aaron nervously began to chuckle. “I doubt the legendary Detective McEvoy almost threw up at his first crime scene. I probably embarrassed Edward.” Aaron sighed as he threw his head up in the air. Eric couldn’t help but let out a smile. Nobody in the department had called Eddie Edward in a long time. It just furthered revealed how fresh Aaron was in the world of criminal justice.

            “Eddie is just finding out your skill set. That’s the beauty of having not just a partner, but a good one. I can’t tell you how many times I was ‘busy’ during a toxicology case. I’ve seen you at the academy, and I could tell you’re a smart lad. Maybe you won’t handle seeing bodies for a while, but no rule says when you should be ready. You don’t have to be good at everything to be a good cop. Remember the victim, learn as much as you can, and bring their families peace. You do that and who cares if you throw up a little at a scene? Oh and keep that smile of yours, you’ll want some light during this dark path.” Eric smiled.

            “Thank you, Detective McEvoy,” Aaron said, his shoulders a little less tense than before. Hearing himself being called “Detective McEvoy” was always a struggle. It was indeed his title, but it was also Richard’s his father, a legend within the department even if his case was stored away in the cold case office.

“Just Eric is fine,” Eric said hoping his voice didn’t sound as harsh as it sounded in his head.

“I’ll remember that.” Aaron smiled. Eric forced one back as he patted the officer on the back before heading for the witness who was sitting on the steps of the coffee shop. He might not have had anything to do with the crime that had just occurred, but he looked guilty of something. He kept fidgeting and was suddenly more interested in tasting his nails over his fancy looking brewed coffee.

            The witness was a young male, early twenties. He fit the bill of coffee shop goer, black-rimmed glasses, messy hair-do, with a nice pair of jeans with a buttoned-up white shirt with a black jacket. The boots he had on probably cost more than Eric’s entire outfit, gun included. Slung over his shoulder was a dark book bag with some distorted patch on it.

“You’re the one who called in the murder?” Eric was pulling out moleskin, notebook, the same his father would have used had it been his case. The witness was hardly paying attention.

“Yes, that’s me. What took you so long to get here? Aren’t cops supposed to be fast?” Eric sighed. A witness with an attitude, great.

            The witness was trying to sneak a peek at the crime scene that was being blocked by Jack and now Edward, who had just left his post at babysitting the witness. Eric wasn’t surprised it was human nature to be nosy.

“Look this isn’t a cop show. We get here when we get here, now do you have a name?” Eric was losing patience with this kid.

“Robert Montelongo. I work right across the street.” Robert answered. His tone of voice quickly turned less sour, and maybe he was just nervous. Eric recognized the name though, Montelongo. Two prominent teachers at his art school, Liberty High, were Montelongo’s, musicians. They were active members of the community and always helped out people like Eric, the good guys. The owner of the café was also a Montelongo, and the kid did claim to know the owner, but then again he claimed to work across the street.

            “So college boy I’m guessing you’re out here at this lesser coffee shop because the locals at the bar wouldn’t treat someone as well off as you with open arms? I guess that’s lucky for me because the lack of business at the coffee shop allowed you to hear some scuffle and you called us but of course not until you tried to sneak a peek of the body first. You’re going to make a great lawyer kid.” Eric said.

            Robert was stunned at how Eric had read him like an open book. His ego was a little insulted at the bar comment, but it passed.

“Nice work officer, more observant than the guy in uniform. Anything else you’d like to ask me or will you just keep interpreting? Because I’m not a lawyer yet Detective.” Robert asked. Eric was no longer looking at Robert; there was no need.

“You got a number we can call you on?”

            Robert quickly turned away from the crime scene. “Whatever for I had nothing to do with this crime? My dad, Alex, I’m sure you know him can verify this. His buddy’s the one that owns this shop. Besides I’m a criminal justice major, I wouldn’t dare ruin my shot at making it big. Law school, remember?” Robert was sweating as Eric’s blue eyes stared at him coldly.

“Criminal Justice, so I was right? A lawyer or not, I bet this is like a field trip for you isn’t it?” Eric’s expressionless face curled into a small grin. Robert shook his head at the annoyance of being read so easily.

“I can provide you my number, but I don’t know anything. I told you my dad’s buddy owns the shop and I used to work there to pay off loans. Artsy parents might help their community, but god forbid they help their son get into school. I was working tonight anyway if you want my boss’ information as well.” Robert was rolling his eyes at Eric as if he was the one stopping his education.

            “So the owner isn’t around, dad’s buddy?” Eric asked. Robert was growing impatient; he would probably make a great defense lawyer, Eric thought.  The thought had only made the corners of Eric’s mouth curl even wider as he thought about the irony of a detective questioning a mini-defense lawyer. Robert was bothered by Eric’s lack of interest in his tale and began speaking in huffs.

“He’s apparently some musician and is out of town most of the time. I come here sometimes to study at night when it’s closed for some peace, but that doesn’t make me a murder. Besides I already told you I was working.”

“Innocent until proven guilty Monte. Tell me what made you call the police then?” Eric asked.

            Robert, future lawyer, defense or otherwise, suddenly turned very pale. The story he was about to tell wasn’t a glamorous one. Eric picked up on Robert’s discomfort instantly and did his best not to push him further.

“I ran out there because I thought maybe I could catch the guy. I just thought it was some street thug beating on someone.” Robert closed his eyes and shook his head as if he could shake off the images in his head.

“Did you see anyone?” 

Robert hadn’t opened his eyes. “Not a single soul. There wasn’t even a car. All that was there was her.” He made a gulping sound that made Eric feel uneasy. Picking up vomit was more of a beat cop job than a seasoned detective.

            “O’Conner had me helping him with some pretty awful cases but seeing them in person is something else. All that blood, I didn’t even think a person could bleed that much. And the message, that was the worst. Whoever did that was sick and fast. I was out there almost seconds after the noises I heard.”

Eric allowed Robert a moment to gather himself before pressing him any further. “Did you notice anything else?” 

            Robert was still a bit shaken up but was gaining composure again. After taking in a long breath of fresh California air, he opened his eyes and stared into Eric’s icy gaze.

“Not at the scene but now that you mention it I did see someone across the street. The guy was carrying something. I didn’t get a good look; I was more focused on the poor girl in the alley. But he didn’t look like he was from here, California I mean. You think I stood out; you should have seen him.”

Eric took a moment to digest the information before thanking Robert and sending him to Officer Ryman for a formal statement.

            Eric headed to the crime scene slipping on a pair of gloves as he crossed the yellow tape. “Anything good from our wit?” Jack asked.

“Anything helps Tex. He’s a criminal justice major, so we should be glad he was nosy enough to check out the noise. Is the medical examiner on the way?” Eric asked wasting no time. After all, every minute mattered during a homicide investigation.

Jack nodded. “Lee called it a while back, but taking a glance, I’d say an hour max. Rigor mortis hasn’t even reached its peak. What did the junior detective have to say?”

            Eric hadn’t met eyes with Jack. He was shaking his head at the inconsistency of Jack’s prediction and Robert’s story. He knew Jack was probably more accurate, but that didn’t make sense. Robert didn’t look like a liar.

“TOD doesn’t add up to his story,” Eric said.

“You think he tampered with the scene?”

Eric debated the question for a moment before realizing the kid had implied he worked for Sean O’Conner, best defense lawyer around and a man he knew well both professionally and personally. There was no doubt in his mind that pointed to Robert not messing the scene.

            “Tampering a crime scene goes against everything he learned in school. Dr. Burnette will give us all the details, and we’ll work from there.”

Eric was heading for the crime scene much to Jack’s dismay. Jack knew it was going to happen at one point, but he was hoping to stall as much as possible.

“It’s a bad one McEvoy.” Eddie was standing a few feet from the body hidden between the dumpsters.

“Aren’t they all?”

Jack and Edward exchanged a worried look as Eric stood in front of the victim, a sight all too familiar.

            The victim was a young woman, early thirties with light ginger hair. Her once perfect curls were now just a tangled mess of blood and dirt. A terrified expression was left on her face as her bright green eyes stared up at him, pleading for help. The woman was completely clothed, leaving the trained detective to rule out the sexual angle, but her stab wounds were still noticeable. Pieces of her clothes were left in tatters indicating some blade went through them and into her flesh and bone. A pool of blood surrounded her; some had already begun to congeal. The sight was enough for Eric, but just above the victim’s head was a single letter smeared across the wall in blood.

            “H”

            No message, just a letter. A letter that Eric quickly became intrigued by. Was it a calling card? Possible M.O? A message Robert interrupted? Whatever it was, it was there and hard to ignore. Jack and Edward said nothing as he bent down to at the poor woman’s level. Eagerness caused him to begin his investigation without the medical examiner and the coroner. Even with his latex gloves on, he felt intense cold sensation at the touch of the victim’s body. He ran his glove across the victim’s wrist.

“B*****d kept her captive somewhere like she’s some animal. She’s got ligature marks on both wrists.” Eric wasn’t directing the statement towards anyone in particular. His anger was just getting the best of him.

            “There’s more to it Eric.” Jack’s words hit him hard. The abuse the woman endured before her death was hard enough to imagine, but now he knew it was just the tip of the iceberg. He didn’t need to ask Jack what else there was. He had keen eyes and spotted it even before the markings on her arms. The mouth. It had been sewn shut post mortem based on bleeding patterns. The lacerations on her neck were jagged, rushed. Robert had probably startled the killer. In all the excitement of finding the ligature marks, he had almost missed one important factor in the crime scene.

            Clutched in the woman’s hand was an envelope. The once white surface was stained cherry red. Through the blood stains, Eric spotted a symbol. It was green with tiny bits of gold. A Celtic symbol, he knew them well given his heritage. Jack noticed Eric reaching for the envelope and panic struck him. Neither he nor Edward had opened it. Both had waited for the senior detective, but something about the scene and the note was unsettling for both men. Eric was inches away from prying the note when he heard the wheels of the forensic crime van pull up behind his parked truck. Jack let out a great sigh of relief as Eric stood up to stare at the technicians exiting the van.

            A great sense of sadness crossed his face. Memories of him being in that van came flooding through his mind. Forensics was his first big job with the police department. It what was what his mother had done before her death. Gordon had encouraged him to take that on instead of had following in his father’s footsteps, but Eric wanted something more. Homicide. That was something that had followed and shaped Eric since he was seven-years-old. The answers he craved awaited for him in the same division his father had worked in for almost fifteen years. Forensics was something he was good at, but he felt his father’s watchful eye on him. Solving murders, being out in the field, that’s where he truly belonged.

            Eric was deep in thought when Jack approached him after informing the coroner to remove the body. The forensic team had already bagged the letter that had intrigued him so much. Eddie had gone off to shoo away the onlookers that were now crowding the street. “I know you aren’t going to like this, but I think you should see Dr. Kelleher.”

            Eric hadn’t heard anything else Jack had said earlier, but that name, Kelleher that stood out. Evan Timothy Kelleher, his and Jack’s best friend, but the Kelleher Jack was talking about was the last person Eric cared to talk. “I’d rather suffer an extreme breakdown than talk to Rebekah.” He let out a humorless laugh. Jack sighed, although he wasn’t all that surprised, it was a foolish thing to suggest.

            “I’m just worried about you. You just spaced out. At a crime scene, that’s not like you. I know Becca’s done awful things, but she’s good at what she does.”

“I don’t want to talk to Dr. Hart. I’ll be fine. She’s only good at her job because she skipped out on Timmy for that dope Doctor. I don’t care what she has to say about my mental health. I don’t care if her clinic has the name Kelleher, she’s a Hart and doesn’t deserve that name anymore. But you know what I do care about, the letter. Where is it?” Eric’s patience was running low. The night he had was bad enough, and he wasn’t about to let Jack bring it down any further by talking about a local physiatrist.  Not to mention one who almost drove his best friend into insanity.

            Jack threw his arms up in defeat. “It was just a suggestion. Look if you don’t want to talk to her, could you at least talk to me? Or you know Gordon is always there, and Riley too.”

“Jack you’re one of my best friends, and I love you like a brother, but I’m not doing this okay? The letter?”

            Jack pointed to one of the forensics guys who was just about to close the van and head back to the station. Eric had just enough time to put his arm on the door.

“There was a letter in the woman’s hand. Is it here?” he asked. The tech looked startled but mostly afraid of Eric. Eric wasn’t very muscular, but he was built and had quite the reputation around the LAPD. Fear struck him hard.

“We’re taking them back to the station. It will be in the evidence lockup Detective McEvoy.” The tech spoke as quickly as possible trying to avoid Eric’s sharp blue eyes like they were daggers.

            “If this is about Chain of Custody, I’ll sign for it. I want to see the letter now before you all process it for prints. I’m working a homicide here and every second helps.” Eric’s voice wasn’t forceful. In fact, it was the opposite. The Irish accent from his youth, from his parents, had perfectly mixed with Gordon’s California accent. Every so often the words he spoke came out with a charming Irish accent that usually resulted in people giving in to his commands.

            The tech guy gave out a sigh as he handed Eric a pen and the plastic bag that contained the blood-soaked envelope. He smiled his thanks as he wrote his name and date on the bag to avoid breaking the rules of handling evidence. Still, with gloved hands, he pulled the envelope out. Silence shrouded Eric, Jack and the tech as he held the envelope in his hands. After looking at the envelope for the second time, he noticed new details. The surface had not only the Celtic design but a message written in, what Eric hoped but highly doubted, was red ink.

            “Mommy says hello…”

            Jack felt his heart sink as he read the words over Eric’s shoulders. The tech was shifting his weight around on both legs dying to get back to his van and the station, but the detective was too intrigued.

Who was the letter addressed to? The letter was after all clutched in the dead woman’s hands. He wanted someone to find it. But who? Eric flipped the envelope in his hand. It wasn’t very heavy leading him to assume it was nothing more than a taunting letter from the poor woman’s killer. But what was waiting inside was the last thing he would have expected to find. 

                 

                 

 

Reviews

[A.Tarek]

Though it was long, It kept me attracted to it.. I like your attentiveness to the details
So love your way of ending the chapters, It is intriguing my mind 😶