“Jesus Christ, this one sick son of a bitch.” A cop dry hived at the sight before him. Quickly turning around running out of the alley, dimly lit by the rising morning sun. Getting to the curb, with a hand over a nearby car. Releasing the two donuts, and coffee that made up his breakfast. Nikki and Brian walked by both staring at the doubled over cop then over to the police filled alley. Brian gave off a slight sigh then chuckled. Nikki gave a raised eyebrow look to her older partner.
“What’s so funny?” Brian gave a side eye glance shaking his head.
“Nothing kid, just have a slight feeling I know what we might be seeing here in a few. Well at least to a point to where I won’t be like Jarvis over there.” Ducking under the Police tape, holding it up for the younger woman. “Hope you brought your appetite champ.” Nikki quickly got under and joined by Brian’s side as they both walked. Their collective eyes scanning the scene, taking in everything. Not leaving even the smallest item off their notes. A similar expression being shared among most that they passed. The more senior officers just shook their heads. Then those who were more wet behind the ears doing as Jarvis did. Several cops as well as what looked to be the chief stood in a half circle. “What we got Steve?”
“Oh, Scottson it's your favorite.” The barreled chest, titan of a man they all called chief. Had his arms crossed while looking over his shoulder. “A full course meal of Fucked with a side of up. Cooked to a jumble of God damnit. Just the way I know you like your crime scenes.” A shared chuckle was given by them both. Nikki rolled her eyes, moving past everyone. She slowly moved to a dumpster near where the congregation collected. Peering over the edge, her eyes widened.
“Holy shit...” She backed away covering her mouth.
“Holy Shit is right kid.” The Chief walked past Nikki, patting her shoulder. “Welcome to the real big leagues.” Brian moving next to her, rustling her chocolate locks.
“Told you it wasn’t going to be pretty. Step back and go speak to the owner of that bar over there. See If they might know who these two might be.” Giving a simple nod she swallowed back what had threatened to come out. Brian watched Nikki go off before turning to the metal dump site. Looking over the side, all he could do was sigh. “Well looks like somethings never change.” Laying at the bottom was the naked body of a young women. Every inch of skin below her neck peeled away. Leaving the red strains of muscle and tissue to be remained, placed in a fetal position while on her side. Underneath was a thin bed of roses arranged in a heart. The majority of the peddles soaked in the blood that dripped from an object being held. Looking a bit closer and squinting his good eye. He was able to better see the head of what second victim could only be mentioned when he got the call this morning. “Good to see his sense of romanticism didn’t go anywhere even after all this time.”
“This guy did always give us some interesting and thought-provoking scenes over the years. Though I guess I should say, always gave you interesting scenes.” Brian raised his eyebrow at the old friend. The Chief’s eyes didn’t leave the body. Instead, he just reached into his jacket pocket. Pulling out a folded note. “This was placed in front of the dumpster.” Taking ahold of the piece of paper and unfolded it.
“An eye for an eye, makes you go blind.” Sighing as he folded up the note again. Raising a hand to his milky white eye covering it. The echos of gunshots, and a cry of pain rang through his head. Staring out down the alley before being brought back by the sound of closing in footsteps. Jerking as a hand laid itself onto the distracted detective’s shoulder. Scottson looked down at the hand. Quickly moving his gaze to the owner, Steve. The chief motioned his head behind them. Turning around to meet Nikki looking between them both. “What you got?”
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“Okay so the Jane doe is named Hallow by her friends. Then John doe is called Blade. I have the boys asking around for possible actual names. The Bar owner said they were both present for a metal show last night. Blade’s band played first and got done around Nine PM. At about ten PM, he was seen leaving with Hallow. That was the last anyone had seen or heard from them both. The Music was too loud inside I think for anyone to of heard possible screams or struggling.” Nikki flipped a page in a small notepad she had in her hand. “And unfortunately for us, the street camera on this block isn’t facing anywhere near the alley. Looks like our next step should be figuring out a possible connection between them and a possible perp.”
“Don’t need to bother with that kid. The connection between it all is us. Well more so me in this case.”
“How you figure?” Brian waved Nikki over to the dumpster. She took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. Joining between the two men, looking once again at the bodies. Almost right away noticing who lay at the bottom.
“It’s the two from Monday!" The Chief gave them both a look. Which screamed to be let in on the connection. “After Scottson picked me up from the bookstore I've been undercover at. We were sitting in the cruiser watching Miss Von Rose leave to head home. When we went to go pull out from our spot, these two stepped out in front of us and almost got hit.”
“Which means?” Brian was the one to answer this time.
“Which means the perp was watching us that day. As well as probably watching Von Rose as well.” Nikki gasped eyes widened. The two others looking at her slightly startled by the sudden squeak. “What is it?”
“I was supposed to open the shop today!” Fishing her phone out of her pocket, almost dropping it. Even not undercover, Nikki was the butterfingers of the city police department. Getting ahold of the small flip phone, she started dialing and walking away. The phone rang for a couple before being picked up. Silence played over the speakers before Nikki spoke. “Umm Miss Astrid? You there?” A couple more seconds of silence then some small rustling sounds. “Astrid? ... Astrid!?” Brian and Steve looked at the now yelling woman. “Miss Astrid are you...” Nikki was cut off with a sudden voice.
“Ahh Miss Nikki! My apologies sincerely, it's Michael... Michael Maplewood. Miss Astrid is still sleeping. You See her and I had a wonderful dinner last night. And someone~ doesn’t know when to slow down with the wine~” More rustling could be heard when the male voice was replaced with a familiar female one.
“Hello Nikki? Its Astrid sorry about that!” A sigh of frustration played over the speaker.
“Miss Astrid?” A smile spread across Nikki’s face from ear to ear. Being the shittest of shit eating grins. Astrid could almost feel the question that was about to be asked. “A dinner date with Michael huh?”
“Never mind about that now Nikki. Is everything okay? Did something happen at the shop?!” The concern filled her voice waiting for the possible dreaded answer.
“Oh! No no miss Astrid! I had something come up and won’t be able to make it to the shop to open up. I’m so so sorry Miss Astrid!” a couple paused moment passed along with another sigh.
“Don’t worry about it Nikki. I think I am going to just keep the store closed this weekend.” Nikki giggles and nodded as her “boss” spoke. “And no its not because of my date!” a slight muffled.
“Oh, I thought last night wasn’t a date Mon Cher?~”
“Michael Shut up!... anyway like I said don’t worry about it. Do what you need to do and I'll see you Monday.” Astrid hung up, as Nikki giggled rolling her eyes. Turning back to the fellow law enforcers. They both just raised an eyebrow, being met with a gentle shake of her head.
“Don’t worry about it, its girl stuff. You wouldn’t understand nor probably care.” Agreeing with that statement and having lost interest right away. The three returned to their previous point of interest.
“Well, if you wish to keep having these girl’s talk with Miss Von Rose. Figure out who this Bastard is, bring him in, and stop this fucking nightmare fuel from happening anymore!” Nikki and Brian nodded and both saluted at once.
“On it Chief!”