by Lucas Coon
“Willdo.”Igrabbedawhitemugfrom thecabinetandsatit downonthecounter,thengrabbedtheglasscontainerfilledwith it’saromaticelegance.CoffeewasoneofthosethingsthatIwas, inallhonesty,addictedto.Ineverfeltlikeitreallywokemeup, butthewarmthandthe‘promise’ofaspikeinenergywasenough todraw mein.Thesteam filledtheairwiththeinvigoratingscent asIfilledmymugtothetop.Ipulledthecuptowardmymouth andtookasip.Bitterwithasideofscorchingpain;absolute perfection.“ThatisthedumbestthingIhaveeverthought.I shouldorderitlikethatfrom now on.”ThehumorlingeredasI continuedintothelivingroom andsituatedcomfortablyonthe hideouscouch;Iwasneveroneforsubtlefurniture.Comfort,to me,waswaymoreimportantthanappearance.Iplacedthecup onthesmalltableandpressedthepowerbuttonontheremote.
“...LisaSimmonshasthelatest.Lisa.”Thedisembodiedvoice informedmethatLisawouldbetakingoverthescreenastheshot wasnothingmorethananeagerlookingwomanstandingina parkinglot.IassumedthiswasLisa.
“Thankyou,Natalie.I'm standinghereinfrontoftheSun-Up Innofffifty-firstandCharterAvenue,wherepolicearesayingthat anelderlywomanwasfounddeadintheparkinglot.Policearen't releasingmuchinwayofdetails,butonelocalresidentbelievesit wasahomicide.”Thesoundpausedforamomentasthevisual changedtoavisiblyshakenoverweightmanwithglasses.
“Oh,ohyeah.I'm absolutelyconvincedsomeonemurdered her.”Hepausedandlookedaroundforamomentbefore continuing.“Theymaynottellyouthatitwas,butI'm sureofit. WhenIcameouthere,therewasbloodeverywhereand--”His mouthkeptmovingbutthesoundcutoffasthevideomoved backtoLisa.
“Now,asstated,thepoliceofficersonthescenearen'tgiving usmuchinformation,butwedoknow thattheyhaven'truledout thepossibilityofahomicide.Wewillkeepyouup-to-dateasthe storyunfolds.Reportinglivefrom theSun-UpInn,I'm Lisa Simmons.Backtoyou,Natalie.”Lisasignedoffandthevisual wentbacktothemainnewsroom.Ipressedthemutebutton beforeNataliecouldstarttalking;IhatedNatalieasmuchasI hatedAndy.
“Ireallywishtheywouldreportsomethinghappierforonce,I havetodealwithmorbidrealityeverdayatwork...”Itookanother deepdrinkofmycoffee.“Dotheyhavetostarteverydayoffby tellinguswhowasshotormaimedonwhatstreetinwherever city?”IlamentedasIshovedmyheadbackandclosedmyeyes.I attemptedtofightayawnasIvented.“Cantheyreporton somethingelselike,Idon'tknow,apuppyinvasion,or something?”Ilettheyawnpassandshookmyhead.Igrabbed thecupofcoffeeanddranktheremainingcontentsinanattempt toshakemyselffrom thesleepystateIwasin.Myeyecaughtmy watchjustintimetorealizethatIneededtoleave.Iplacedthe cupbackdownandsteppedrhythmicallytowardthebathroom door.“Hey,Lilly!”
“Yeah?”Sheshoutedbackatmefrom behindthecurtain. “I'm abouttoleave.”Myvolumeraisedtomatchhers.Idon't know why,butIfeltlikeIneededtoyellbackinresponse.“You toldmetoletyouknow.”
“Oh,soyoudecidednottostayhome?Areyousure,Imean,it isyourbirthdayafterall!”Pure,unfiltered,sarcasm;thatwas Lilly.
“Yeah,well;theworlddoesn'tstopjustbecauseit'smy birthday.”
“Gee,thatsoundsawfullyfam--”LillyjumpedasIswiftly yankedthecurtainopen.“Holy...Dammit,Leonard!”
“Youcanconsiderthatpaybackforthecoldhandsonmy spinethingyoudid.”Igrinnedmaliciously.“CanIgetakiss beforeIgo,love?”
“Oh,Iam socertainyouopenedthecurtaintogetakiss...” Sheleaneddownwardandtappedherlipstomine.Shestaredat meforafew silentsecondsbeforeshefelttheneedtopushme along.“Youcangonow,Igaveyouyourkiss.”
“Oh,fine.”Ipulledthecurtainclosedandturnedtoexit.“I loveyou!Trytobesomewhatproductivetoday,ifyouwould.” “Iwill.IthinkI’m goingtotackleunpackingthegarage.”She laughedquietly.“Imean,we’vebeenherefortwomonthsand haven’ttouchedhalfthestuffinthere.”
“Therearethingsintherethatwearenevergoingtotouch again,Icanguaranteeit.”ImademycommentasIpulledthe doorclosed.Iwalkedbackintotheentrywayandshuffled throughmyregularroutine;shoesonfeetandtied,walletinright pocket,cellphoneinleftpocket,keyshookedtomybelt. Everythingwasaseasyatshould'vebeenthatearlyinthe morning.AsIsteppedthroughandshutthefrontdoor,Iwas caughtwithanunexpectedgustofcoldwind.
“Abitchillythingmorning,isn'tit,Leo?”Aman'svoiceshotat mefrom thehousenextdoor,hisslightnorthernaccentmade eventhemostpointlesswordssoundfriendly.“Heardit's supposedtohitthemid-sixtiestoday.That’dbeanicechange from this,huh?”
“Goodmorning,uh...”Isteppedtowardwherethemanwas standing.AsIgottotheunmarkeddividebetweenthetwoyards,I stoppedandgavein.“I'm reallysorry.I'velivednexttoyoufortwo monthsnow,andIstillcan'trememberyourname.Iwanttosay Edw--”
“Elliot.ElliotWaller.”Herepliedwithasmirk,atleasthe wasn’toffended.Hewastallandsomewhatlanky;Ifiguredhe wasatleastsixandahalffeet.Whilehisheightwasintimidating, itwouldn'thavehurthim tospendsometimeatthegym.His armswerelong,butlackedanyrealmuscle.Therewereacouple oftattoosthatpeekedoutfrom underthesleevesofhist-shirt, buttheyallstoppedabovehiselbows.Hiseyeswerethesame colorasmine,buthehadlighterandlongerhairthanIdid.I hadn’taskedhim how oldhewas,butpartofmeassumedhewas abouttwenty-six,giveortakeayear.Overall,helookednormal. Hewasn’tthemostattractivemaninthecity,buthehadhis redeemingqualities.“It'salright.We'veonlyrunintoeachother, what,fourtimes?”
“Istillfeelbad.”Igrinnedbackathim.“Icanrememberthat you'reaparamedic,butI'llbedamnedifIcanrememberthat yournameisElliot.”Ishookmyhead.“Iwon'tforgetthistime though.Ipromise.”
“It'sallgood,Leo.YouandLillyaretheonlytwopeopleI've reallytalkedtosinceI'vemovedin.Soit'snotlikeI'vehadmany namestomemorize.”Helaughed.“But,now you'regoingtohave toremindmewhatyoudo.”
“Idoinvestigativeworkforthelocalpolice;mostlyprofiling andotherforensics.”Myanswerwasbland,butIworeitproudly. “Iguessyouhaven’tbeenheremuchlongerthanwehave.You’re from furtherupnorththough,right?”
“IwasactuallybornhereinRawlins.Myparentsmovedoutto northernMontana,justbelow theborder,whenIwasfour.Idon't remembermuchaboutlivinghere,butIknew Iwantedtomove back.Iwasn’tabigfanofMontana.”Heshiftedtowatchacar driveby,thenturnedbackandyawned.“Man,itwasalong night.”
“Areyoujustgettinghome?”Iputmyhandinmypocketand wrappedmyhandaroundmykeys.“Ithoughtyouweresecond shift.See,thatIremember!”
“Yeah,Iam.Iworkedatwelveyesterday.Iwasontheclock from sixyesterdayafternoonuntilsixthismorning.,thenIhadto dopaperwork.AtleastIbeatthetraffictoday...”Heshookhis headagainasreleasedasecondyawn;itwasprettyobviousthat thenightwasjustcatchinguptohim.“Theydon'ttreatuscounty employeesrightinthiscity,Leo.We'reworthalotmorethanthey payusandtheydon'tseem tounderstandwhatpersonaltimeis.” Helaughedashefinishedhisstatement.“Goodmorning,Lilly.” Heliftedhishandandwavedpastme.Iturnedtoseemywife exitingthefrontdoor.
“Hey,Elliot”Shewavedbackandhandedmemycomputer case.“I'm gladyouhadn'tleftyet.IthoughtIwasgoingtohaveto drivedowntothestationagain.”
“Ineedtoquitforgettingthisdamnthing.It’sahassletohave torememberiteveryday.”Igrabbedthecase’shandleandheldit atmywaist.“Alright,Ineedtogetgoing.”IlookedbackatElliot. “Haveagreatday,Elliot.Trytogetsomesleep,man.”
“Yeah,I'm tiredashell.”Hereachedout.Igrabbedhishand andgaveitafriendlyshake.“Leo,goodluckcatchingthosebad guysand,Lilly,youtakecare.I'llseeyoubotharound.”
“Youtoo.”Iwavednoddedinhisdirectionashewalkedaway. “Bye,Elliot.”Lillywavedandturnedbacktowardme.“Well then...”Sheflashedhercutesmileinmydirection.“IthinkI'lllet yougetgoingtoo.”Herarmswrappedaroundmetightlyandheld theirplaceforseveralseconds.Despitehersarcasticbehavior,she wasaverysentimentalperson.“Youhaveagoodday,Leo.”
“Iwill.”Ipulledbackandkissedherforehead.“I'llseeyou tonight,love.”Shesteppedbackandsmiledatmeasshewalked backintothehouse.IkeptmygrinasIgrabbedthehandleofmy cardoor.Ipulleditandpaused;myeyesmetasmallinsectthat hadfounditsrestingplaceontheroofofmycar.“Hellothere, littleguy.”Ileanedforward.Myeyessteadiedonhis,heshifted hisheadandstaredbackatme.“Let'ssee...”Inotedthedetailof mynew friend.“Blackwithyellow spots,darkwingswithayellow outline,andlargegreeneyes.”Ismiledaswesharedaconnected moment.“Youarealovelysand-dragon.You'realittlefarfrom homethough,aren'tyou?”Istaredhim down,heglaredatme andstartedtomovehismouth.Dragonflieswereoneofmyfew interestsintheinsectworld;theyalwayslookedsoneattome.
Afterafew momentsofthis,hehadmadeadecisionthathis timewasbestspentelsewhereandflew away.Iagreedwithhis sentiment,slidintothedriverseatofmycarandstartedthe
vehicle.Thewheelsstarteddriftingbackandontotheroadwhen Ifeltavibrationinmypocket.Ipulledmyphoneoutandstared atthescreen.“Dammit...”Afterthefourthbuzz,Ipressedthe buttonandmovedthephonetomyear.“CaptainFaulkner.How canIhelpyouonthisfinemorning,sir?”
“Well,youcouldstartbygettinghere.”Hisvoicewassharp;it wasimpossibletoknow ifhewasactuallyangry.I’veneverbeen abletoreadpeoplewithamonotonevoice.“Yourealizeyou'relate, right?”
“Yes,sir.Myapologies.”Ilookedaroundatthepassing structuresinanattempttothinkofanyexcuse,anysimple reasonIcouldgiveforwhyIwaslate.Myeyesmetthebagsitting onmypassengerseat.“Igotmostofthewaythere,thenhadto turnaroundbecauseIforgotmyabag.Itwasanabsent-minded mistake,sir,andIfeelreallystupidforit.Iassureyou,itwillnot happenagain.”
“Well,ifitdoes,justcallmeandletmeknow.Youneedto makesureyoutellmeifyou’renotgoingtomakeitinontime. YourpartnerandIhavebeenwaitingforyousowecouldget downtobusiness.”Iheardthemanhewasreferringtochucklein thebackground.Hemadeacommentthatwasinaudibleoverthe phone.“Gethereassoonasyoucan.YouandBirdaregoingtobe lookingintothehomicidefrom thismorningattheSun-Up.”The Captain'svoicesoundedsincere,atleastassincereasitcould get.“Seeyouwhenyougethere.”
“Yes,sir.Thankyou.”Ipulledthephoneawayfrom myface andhungup.Idroppedmyphoneintotheemptycupholderand shookmyhead.Myrecordwasperfect,albeitforonlyacouple months.Thisoneinstanceofbeinglatedestroyedthat,itwas ruinedforever.Therewasnowaytogobacktohavingtheperfect record.Myeyesdrifteddownattheilluminatednumbersonthe clock.Nineteenminutes.Iwasnineteenminuteslatealready.I onceagainshookmyheadindisappointmentasIlookedbackup. Myeyesweremetwithsomethingdirectlyinfrontofme,which ledtoaninvoluntaryreactionofmyfootslammingdownonthe brakepedal.Thecar'stiresscreechedagainsttheasphaltasthe entireframejerkedforwardinanattempttocontinueit'soriginal momentum.
Asmymindcaughtuptothesituationandmyheartfinally slowedtoanon-fatalpace,Istaredatthescaredanimalthatwas standinginfrontofmybumperdown.ThedeerandIshared severalsecondsofawkwardandconfusedglancesbeforeIpressed thehorn.Afterthethirdtime,hedecidedthathewasgoingto trot,slowly,acrosstheroad.Somethingaboutthenonchalant behaviorofthedeertoldmethathewasn’tawarehow closeto deathhewas.MymouthfelttightasIstaredattheroad.Myfoot easedoffthebrakeandpressedslowlyontotheaccelerator.The wheelsturnedlikenormalandthecarreturnedtoit'sforward speed;myfocusstayedonthepavementinfronttherestofthe way.
“Leo!Wherethehellhaveyoubeen?It’salmostseven-thirty andyou’rejustnow pullingup?”Theannoyingvoiceyelledinmy directionasIpushedmycardooropen.Itwasoneofthosevoices thathadasenseofauthority,despitethefactthatthecurlyhairedmanwiththebeautifullyfullbeardhadnone.Itwas almosteasytosaythatheletpeoplewalkalloverhim;hisreality wascompletelyoppositehisappearance.Wasthatintentional? Obviouslyhecouldn’tcontrolhow hisvoicesounded;butthe medium-lengthcurlyhair,thewell-trimmedbeard,andtheway hisclothesfithim justwellenoughtohidehisrecentweightgain reflectedamanwithsomesortofpushintheworld.Istoodafew inchestallerthanhedid,butIdidn’tlookasthreatening.“You can’tstartshowinguplatelikethis,man.You’restillajunior aroundhereand,ifyoustartdownthispath,you’llnevermove uptheranks.”Heputhishandsinhispockets.“Andtobe honest,Idon’twanttotrainanotherdamnnewbietoreplaceyou.”
“Yeah,Iknow.Sorry,Oscar.”Iremovedmycasefrom the passengerseatandshutthedoor.Thecarmadeit’sbeepingnoise asIpressedthelockbuttononmykey.“It’sbeenoneofthose morningswhereeverythingwantstogetinmyway.”
“Hey,Iunderstandthat.”Oscarputhishandonmyshoulder. Whileitwaslikelyjustafriendlygesture,itseemedlikehedid thistomakehimselflookincontrol.“Just,ifyou’regoingtobe late,evenifyouhavetheslightestthoughtthatyou’regoingtobe morethanfiveminuteslate,callHarold.Iknow heseemslikea hardass,buthe’sreallyoldfashionedwhenitcomestohis teams.Hecaresmoreaboutknowingwhereweare,andthat we’resafe,thanaboutusactuallybeinghere.”Oscarmotioned towardthedoor.“Infact,thegoodol’captainwouldliketoseeus aboutacase.”
“Yeah,hetoldmewhenhecalled.We’resupposedtogocheck outthesceneattheSun-Up.Seemslikeafairlysimplecaseto me.I’m guessingit’sahomicide.”Istartedtowardthedoor.“Do youknow anythingaboutityet?”
“Anelderlywomanwasfounddeadintheparkinglotofa motel.That’sprettymuchallI’veheard.”Oscarfollowedclosely behind.“Streetofficersownthescenerightnow,butwe’regoing toinherititafterthebriefing.”
“Itdoesn’tsoundlikethemostexcitingcase.Itwasprobably justsomedruggedoutidiottryingtogetabuckortwo.”Igotto thetopofthestairsanddroppedmycaseinmychairbefore continuingtowardthecaptain’soffice.“I’m justhopingtodaygoes quick.”Iknockedonthefoggedglasspane.
“Comein!”Thecaptain’sboldvoiceshoutedoutatus.I openedthedoorandwewalkedintothedecoratedroom. “Grayson!Finallydecidedtoshow up?”
“Myapologies,sir.”Isatinthechairdeemedthe
‘uncomfortableone’asOscarparkedhimselfinthebetterofthe two.“It’sjustbeenonofthosedays.”
“It’salright,son.Justbesuretoletmeknow ifthisisgoingto happenagain.Ifyouaren’thereandhaven’tcalled,I’m goingto assumeyou’redeadandsendateam downtoyourhouse.” CaptainFaulknerlaughedathisowncomment.Themanbehind thedeskhadhairthatwasthinandwhite;mostofhisscalphad retiredtoabaldstatus,butthesideswerecovered.Hisdarkskin pushedthroughthetuftsofwhitehair.“Bird;you’resupposedto keepbettertabsonyourpartner.He’sstillakid;anything happenstohim andit’sonyourshoulders.”
“Iunderstand,sir.Iwasliteralminutesawayfrom headinghis directionwhenyoucalledmein.”Oscarsmirked.“IputtheGPS trackeronhiscar,butIthinkitmaybemalfunctioning.Istill havethereceipt,soI’llgoswapitoutoverlunch.”
“GPSTracker,huh?”IlaughedatOscar’scomment.Mylaugh slowedwhenInoticedthecaptain’sdeadpanlook.“Wait,what?” “Standardissuefornew detectives.We’llremoveitinayear.” FaulknerstaredmedownuntilIwasnolongerfeelingcomfortable withthepossibilities.
“Oh,uh...”Isquirmed.“Ok,Iguess.”
“Seriously,Leo?”Oscarmockedmyacceptance.“Youaretoo easy,pal.” “Younewbiesaresomuchfuntomesswith.”TheCaptain lookedupatOscarandgrinned,thenlookedbackatme.“You needtoloosenup,Grayson.Nooneistrackingyouorwatching you.Nooneinthisdepartmentanyway.”Myembarrassment lastedtheseveralmomentsasthetwoothermenlaughedatme.I didneedtoloosenupsome,thatwasanobvioustruth.
“Alright,that’senoughpickingonLeoforonemorning.Idon’t thinkhecouldtakeanymore.”Oscarleanedforwardinhischair. “Whatcanyoutellusaboutthecase,sir.”
“Oh,right;thereasonIcalledyoutwoinhere.”Theolderman situatedhimselfandpulledafolderfrom thesideofthedesk. “Youaregoingtobelookingintothemurderofanelderly woman.”Heplacedthefolderinfrontofme.“Wehonestlydon’t havemuchmoreinformationthanwhat’sinthere,butit’s something.”
“RosaMartinez...”Ipickedupthefolderandlookedatthe paper.“...agedsixty-eight.Hadthreesons,allofwhicharein prisonandhadnoknowntiestoanycriminalactivitybeyond that.Shehadacleanrecordandtherewasbasicallynothing extraordinaryabouther.”Iplacedthefolderbackonthedesk. “LikeIsaidtoOscarbeforewewalkedinhere;thislookslikea fairlycommoncaseofarobberygonewrong.I’dsaysomejunky atthemotelwaslookingtogetsomecashandRosawasn’thaving anyofit.”
“Goodguess,butcompletelywrong.”Thecaptainmovedthe folderovertoOscar.“Giventhelocation,Iwouldnormallyagree withthatassessment.However,whentheofficersgottothe scene,herwalletwasfullofcash,shestillhadhersixcredit cardsandallherjewelry.Therewereanumberofthingsthatthe murderercouldhavetaken,butdidn’t.”Hislookshiftedtooneof concern.“That’swhyIwantyoutwoonthis.Herthreeboys weren’texactlymodelcitizens;theywerepartofadrugringthat wetookdownseveralyearsago.Wehadaninsidertipusoffon whowewerelookingfor,wheretheywere;basicallytheirentire scheduledowntowhentheywokeupandwenttobed.Wewere abletothrow allthreeofherson’sinjailbecauseofthat information.”
“Areyouthinkinganew groupcouldbesendingamessageto anyremaindersoftheoldring?”Oscarflippedthroughthepages. Hisvoicehadahintofskepticism.“Iagreethatthislooks personal,butit’soddthattheywouldwaitthislongtosenda message.Usually,iftheywanttomakeanexampleofsomeone, theydon’twaityearstodoso.”
“Youhaveapoint.”theCaptainshiftedhisfocustome.“Do youhaveanythoughtsonthat,Grayson?”Istareddownatphoto ofthenow deceasedwoman.
Rosa’seyesstaredbackatmefrom theemotionlesspicture,it lookedalmostlikeafriendlymugshot.Herglarehadatingeof ashasIst
udiedherface.I’dneverseenher,nevermether,had noideawhoshewasasaperson;otherthanthefactthather childrenwerecriminals.Shelookedsoplaininthephotograph; herhairwasfadingfrom itsnaturalblackcolor,herskinhad wrinkled,hermouthhadfallenintoanalmostpermanentfrown. Shelookeddefeated.Shelookedlikeshewantedtobeanything otherthanthemotherofthreecriminals.Shelookedlikeshe would’vegivenanythingtogetawayfrom herlife-
“Wait,Captain.”Istoppedmythoughtsonthatidea.“Whydo wehaveamugshotofherifshedidn’thaveacriminalrecord?” “Verygoodcatch,Grayson.”TheCaptainleanedback.“I’m actuallydisappointedthatyoudidn’taskthat,Bird”
“Yeah,well...”OscarGrinned.“...Ithoughtit!” “I’m sureyoudid.”TheCaptaingrinnedasheleanedbackover thefolder.“Backtoyourquestion;wehavehermugshotbecause weweresupposedtobeprotectingher.RosaMartinezthere, priortothearrestofhersons,wasknownasElizabethMoreira. Wetookherunderprotection,wentthroughalltheworkto changeheridentityandgotherinaniceplace,shefounda decentdayjobandherlifewentbacktonormal.”TheCaptains voicehadaheavyfeeltoit.“Shetrustedus.Shewasour informant;shewalkedinthedoorofourstationandaskedusto protectherinexchangeforinformation.Wethoughtwe’ddone enoughbut,well,hereweare.”
“So,shesoldherownsonstothepolicetogetawayfrom their criminalactivity.”Irubbedmyhandonmychin.“That’smotive, forsure,butitstilldoesn’thelpuswithwhoitwas.Itcouldbea new group;itcouldbetheoldgroupattemptingtoreform.Either way,it’sreallyoddbehavior.Drugrunnersaregreatatlogistics; theyplaneverythinginthebestwaytoavoidbeingnoticed.One thingtheydon’tdoiscommitacrime,muchlessmurder someone,thisclosetoarivalgroup.Nottomentionthefactthat theykilledherandjustlefteverythingonherperson.Sinceshe wasaninformantatonetime,andthefactthatshewasunder protection,goingasfaraschanginghername,couldpossibly suggestaninsider...”MywordsfelloutofmymouthbeforeIcould considerwhatIwassaying.
“That’swhythisisgoingtobeaverysensitivecase.Ifthisis aninsider,thenyouguysneedtofindtheevidencesowecantake them down.”CaptainFaulknerstoodup.“However,asfaras everyoneelseisconcerned,thisisjustroutinehomicide.The possibilityofsomeoneinourrankshandingoutinformationon someoneinprotectionisonethatweneedtobecarefulwith.So,I wantyoutwotogetdownthereandtalkwithdetectiveEvans.See ifshe’sfoundanythingthatmayberelevant.”