by N. M. Brown
“You said he. You think it’s a male too.”
“No.” Echo spat but recalled back. She grew angry as she realised the truth. “Well it doesn’t matter what I said. I still think it’s a woman. You police men; you’re trapped in the nineteenth century where women are docile and faint at dead butterflies.” Echo snorted. “You don’t think we’re capable of such atrocities.”
McQueen just smiled taking in her pouting lips and angry posture. She’d crossed her arms in a huff and regarded him with distain. “Would I ever think you of such delicacies? No. You are a hurricane in a thimble and as dark as the storm. However,” McQueen continued as she perked up, the lighting quick flash of lust darting through her eyes, “As I said, from the crime scenes we can tell the killer must be strong. Strong enough to lift multiple bodies off the ground with speed. They also had to control the dogs that would be savage and insane due to starvation. Let us not forget that Liam Night was also found stuff in a locker which would have taken more strength than you’d expect.”
Echo’s mouth was already open ready to argue back, but a soft, horrified voice perked up from the other side of the desk it made the two of them startle. “Someone was shoved into a locker?”
“Nurse Will- I mean Sage!” McQueen rattled out rising to his feet like an awkward young teen. All of a sudden, he became very aware of how close he and Echo had been sat. How their chairs had been pushed together and bodies had moved to the edge of their seats. It was made even clearer when Echo sat back regarding Sage with malice and annoyance. McQueen had the sudden urge to move Sage far, far away from the black hearted woman. “What are you still doing here?” He stupidly asked, his voice coming out squeaky and embarrassed. Her shift had ended hours ago. He admittedly hadn’t thought much about it and once he’d begun debating with Echo… “Sorry,” he quickly recovered. “I didn’t mean-… I mean, hi.” He smiled, but saw her wince and he kicked himself mentally for being harsh.
“I only had a few hours before my next shift started. I slept here rather than going home.” She explained, eyes flicking between him and Echo. “I start again soon. I was just going to check on Lizzy and… well I thought you would have been long gone.” Sage’s eyes darted to Echo, “Both of you.”
McQueen wanted to explain but Echo beat him too it. “Well what can we say, gumdrop. Time flies when you’re having the best of fun.” Sage stiffened but didn’t retort.
“I was using some of Echo’s knowledge to help with some of the different aspects of the case.” McQueen quickly explained. He stepped around the desk, so he was stood with Sage in the open. “It’s been… enlightening.” McQueen ignored Echo snort.
“Oh.” Sage smiled. She seemed happier with all his attention now. She even tilted her body in a way to exclude Echo from their little triangle, making it clear she didn’t want her there. “Well I’m glad you’ve got someone to work through the problem with.” She gently placed a hand on his arm which had been resting on the high desk top. “I would love to pick your brains about it too. Understanding people and their psychology would be fascinating.” She blushed, talking in a lower tone, “We could discuss itover coffee some time?” McQueen remembered how she’d expressed her interest with the state of Lizzy’s mind and soul. It made his heart soften.
He blushed, finding himself forced not to look towards Echo as he stammered out a reply. “I, ah...I. can’t be um-… committed… to anyone….” He cringed as his voice broke half way through. “It would just have to be as friends.” He lamely finished.
A flush crept onto Sages cheeks. She took a sudden step back as her eyes flickered to Echo. “Oh, I see, well sure. That would be lovely.” She curtly answered.
“I-… uh,” McQueen also looked too Echo. She was picking her nails, but she had a smile on her lips like she was just about to laugh. “No, what I meant was…” But it was too late.
“I will look forward to that coffee meeting Detective McQueen.” Sage said curtly before quickly wandering off down the corridor. McQueen watched her, his stomach dropping as she sped away.
“Well strike me down, man above.” Echo’s droning, teasing voice sounded from behind him. “In the middle of a brutal investigation, grabbing a date Queenie? I’d say it would be very unprofessional, but oh, no wait. You lost it.” Echo let out a harsh laugh. “What is your problem with women anyway? Ooo,” Echo winked at him as he turned around. “Or are we a closet case Queenie? Do you prefer a different kind of play? There’s nothing wrong with that you know. God himself has fucked enough people in the ass.”
“Shut it.” McQueen growled, but it held no heat. He liked Sage. Damn it, she was sweet and kind and had a gentle heart. All she wanted to do was help people. His insight into crime and murderers would have given her a boost when applying to physiological courses. Sitting back down he rubbed his face hard.
“Don’t worry. I’ll keep your secret a secret.” Echo chuckled, either ignoring his pain or really not caring. “You know, I could help you explore all that. I can show you a new side to life.” She whispered seductively, trailing her nails up his arm. McQueen shivered.
“No. It’s not-,” He protested but sighed as he gave up. She wouldn’t understand. He’d clearly forgotten who he was talking to. “If you don’t have anything more constructive to add to the case I need to be getting back to the station.” He said as he stood. Echo puckered her lips in thought while swinging side to side on the wheelie chair. If she wasn’t so broken and damage, she’d be cute.
Grabbing his jacket McQueen slipped it on and straightened his tie. He made it about four steps before the harsh stomp of boots sounded as she caught him up.
“Do you know what ‘doxy’ means?” She asked matching his steps with her own. Her long shirt flowed out behind her like a cape. “It means lover or mistress.” She went on to say. “I speculated back at the morgue that the killer was staging the bodies with purpose: sex is dirty, wrong and damning.” McQueen saw the ‘I-told-you-so’ smile and the extra skip in her step. “If Lizzy and Dwight were prostitutes and where fucking married spouses and the killer are using archaic language that’s a few more dots you can add to your pile to try and connect.”
McQueen huffed out a growl. “Well thank you very much for that insight.” But she wasn’t wrong. More little pieces, more tiny clues. But still the killer eluded them. “Though there are prostitutes in both deaths, there is also a mistress.” McQueen pondered as they walked the halls. He spoke more to himself. As far as he was aware, they were parting ways as soon as they hit the door. “The killer hates cheaters.” He progressed. “He hates cheaters, mistresses and sadly, in the fall out of their career choice, Street walkers.” Echo didn’t say anything. “He has links to Ancient Indian in his death ritual and links to the House where he hunts. Perhaps we will have some luck staking out the House tonight.” McQueen mused out loud.
“Or you could come early?”
McQueen looked to Echo in surprise. “What?” They were at the lobby now, having taken the elevator this time. “Why would we go early? That would stand out. If the killer goes regularly they notice.”
“You don’t think the killer has already noticed the cops sat outside yet?” Echo snorted. People were mulling around; coughing with snotty noses or wailing children. McQueen felt uncomfortable. He never liked hospitals especially after what had happened to his sister. “The killer already knows. And besides, your cops are stupidly searching for a man and we know it’s a woman.”
“This again?” McQueen frowned. “It’s not a woman. We would have spotted someone matching the physical strength if it was a woman. It’s too uncommon, whereas a man capable of such strength is more likely.”
“More likely. More possible. But not improbable.” Echo tilted her head to the side and smiled cunningly. “Want to make a wager dear Queenie?”
McQueen felt stunned. “A wager, on an open investigation? Are you crazy? That’s… that’s despicable.” He felt his blood heat. Shaking his head, he quickly wal
ked away and out the front doors. The sun was still high in the sky and there was an ambulance pulling into the bay, sirens wailing. McQueen stepped out of the way before making his way back to his car. Yet before he could reach for the handle, a slim black clad body slipped between him and the door.
“It’s not despicable.” Echo smiled. She gripped either side of his coat and gave it a sharp tug, straightening it to be presentable. “Its life. It’s what keeps people living; the intrigue, the day to day game. You can’t stay in the gloom your entire career Queenie. Besides, you don’t want to be on the outs with your fellow officers, do you?” McQueen felt his hands tighten around his keys.
“Where are you going with this?” McQueen asked through gritted teeth.
“Your office pals made bets on who was the murderer; between me, the charming hit man you had next door, and Liam Knight: though his pool was short and sweet.”
“Betting on who is the murderer is, despite being practised by my fellow officers, is something highly frowned upon and I will not take part. I don’t participate in gambling with money of any kind.” McQueen spoke defiantly.
Echo pouted fluttering her eyelashes. McQueen had feeling she was yet to be defeated. “Who said anything about money Queenie?” Echo rolled her eyes. “Money is child’s play. I play for much more meaningful steaks.”
McQueen regretted his words as so as he said them. “What stakes?”
“The only thing that matters.” Echo purred watching McQueen’s face. Dragging her eyes up and down his body, fully examining and enjoying the view. McQueen raised an eye brow. If it was sex she wanted, she already knew she was wasting her time. But, she smiled softly and whispered so only he could hear. “Favours.”
“Favours?”
“U-hu.” Echo lent back on the car door which arched her back pushing her breasts closer. He didn’t mean to look. McQueen chastised himself; that’s what all the men say. Licking her lips, Echo smiled, pulling at her bottom lip. “If you win and the killer is a male you can ask me for a favour. One, single I.O.U that you desire.” McQueen must have looked sceptical because she sweetened the pot, “Even goodie-goodie favours to lighten my dark soul.” She mocked. “And if I win, I can have a favour from you? As wicked or as eccentric as I so choose.” Echo dragged her finger down her chest.
McQueen tilted his head, telling himself it was just curiosity. “What are the limits?”
“No limits.” Echo answered her voice a breath, pushing herself closer to him. He lent back but his feet didn’t move so there was little result. “Scared Detective?”
“No.” But even as he said it his imagination fired up. She could ask anything of him and what he had seen so far of her lifestyle, he didn’t know if he could risk it. But if he was right - if he took the bet, - he could help her. One favour could go far. Like go to church every week. She would despise it and cause more mayhem then good, but she would be there. God would see that; he would forgive her and reward her for her effort, however reluctant. ‘Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter’. His Grandmother had taught him that one.
“Alright.” He said, nodding his head. “One favour. Male vs. Female.”
Echo’s eyes glowed. “May the better species win?”
XXX
Echo bounced off the car door, pushing her whole-body length into McQueen’s before she stepped away, “Then we should get going.” Echo walked around the car and slipped into the passenger seat before McQueen could utter a word. By the time he slipped into the driver’s seat Echo was already trying to fiddle with the radio.
“Get going? Going where? I’m going back to the station. Get out” McQueen protested.
“No. we’re going to the club remember.” Echo reached over and switched on the ignition, so the radio would work causing McQueen to flinch as she got close. Pathetic she thought with an eye roll. But then she remembered they had a deal. Soon enough he’d be in her pocket. Instead she smiled up at him, her mouth precariously close to his lap. “Don’t worry Queenie, I don’t bite.” She sat back slowly making sure to keep eye contact the entire time, “Much.”
McQueen cleared his throat. “I can drop you at the House if you need a ride.” He pulled out of the parking spot and started to drive keeping both hands on the wheel. Echo almost told him he could relax, but she liked how wound up he got around her. For now, she didn’t plan to jump his bones, but she did examine the Jeep roof and admired the head space.
“Well that’s the right direction, but you’re not dropping me off.” McQueen threw her a questioning glance. She sighed. “Look, you’ve raised the stakes. There’s something in it for me now. The prospect of you owing me a favour darling can really get a girl’s heart pumping. Just thinking about it makes my skin tingle.” Echo wound a piece of hair around her finger, “Now I’m as invested in finding the killer as you.” She passed him a wink. “I have some key suggestions that I think we should discuss in great, great detail.”
It didn’t cause the desired effect. Instead of being affected at all, McQueen frowned. He was doing that too much. Echo liked it when he blushed. “That all it takes for you to be invested in someone’s death? You… you have to get something in return?”
“Don’t look down on me.” Echo retorted. “Do you think you’re any better?” Echo shifted in her seat, so she was looking right at the Detective. “You get a pay check each month telling you you’re doing a good job in the field. Your government spends money on security cameras all over the city, so people feel ‘safe’, when all they use it for is to spy. The average stranger will stand and gawk at danger or a crime being committed, rather than call for help. People are less likely to help than you give them credit for.”
“That doesn’t apply to every citizen everywhere.” McQueen shot back desperately trying to keep his eyes on the road. “And if any normal person were asked to help in an investigation, they would. You turned it down flat because it was of no gain to you.”
“You’re right. I did. But you know where you’re wrong? People say they will help in an investigation but it’s not out of the goodness of their heart. It’s because they want that story to impress their friends at a dinner date. They want to feel that thrill of being close to death and danger, while not being in any line of fire. Its pride that has them going to you. Not any sense of being a good-Samaritan.”
McQueen said nothing. Echo was almost pleased but after a minute or two of silence she wanted him to fight back. She wanted him to argue. She wanted to knock him down again, to see him get back up. But as the minutes continued to pass she grew more and more sullen as he held his tongue. What a good little Sunday-boy.
“I can’t argue that you’re wrong.” A low voice spoke. Echo stopped watching the sluggish traffic and watched him instead. He’d not removed his eyes from the road and his fingers were curling and uncurling around the steering wheel as he struggled with his words. “People don’t always have the right intentions…” He took a breath, like it was difficult for him to say. “But they do what they can, when they can and hope that it makes a difference. You can’t change everyone for the better at once. You have to give them time, but everyone can get there. God guides us all and sometimes we stray but-,”
“Oh, don’t give me the holy-rights act. I don’t need to hear about the grand Lordy above.” Echo sneered with a laugh. “He can kiss my ass as I fall to Hell, thank you.” Echo continued to watch the traffic, “You can’t change those who don’t want to Queenie. You can’t save those who don’t want to be saved. And even better, most people don’t even think they need saving. Well here’s a tip from me to you; it’s a Hell of a lot more fun down here in the gutter and the reason: no one ever realizes they’re already here.”
“You really do only see the darkness of the world. You don’t see any good, and if you do you sneer at it?” McQueen looked shocked with disbelief.
“It’s how the world is Queenie. People just hide from the truth they
can’t stand to see.” Echo trailed her fingers down the condensated window, water droplets racing ahead until they crashed at the bottom. “People live in a fucked-up world where everyone does fucked up things but they are so worried about what everyone else will think or say, they hide behind masks. Everyone has an agenda, whether it is: buying a coffee every morning, spending money they don’t have just too get that cute barista’s number. Or perhaps they lie to a friend about how ‘no they don’t need to lose weight’, just so they remain the hot-one. Or maybe they succeed off of someone’s back, just to get ahead. Everyone lies everyday just hoping to make it through until evening. Then they’ll wake up and do it all again with a new agenda, or a new goal. Succeed, fail. Grow, die. Up and then down.” Echo laughed. “I call it the sad Carousel of Life.”
McQueen once again stayed quiet and again Echo wished he would argue. Placid McQueen was as bad as saintly McQueen. When he did break the silence, they had parked outside of the House and he’d turned the engine off. “So why are we here before the killer can even arrive?” Clearly, he was done with their previous conversation.
“Samantha.” Echo answered looking up at the rusty red building. She wondered if everyone was home now.