2 Chapter Two
The stream of cool air from the air-conditioning did nothing to cool the embers of rage which threathened to consume Jessica Briggs.
In retrospect, sleeping with Nic had been a mistake.
The logical part of her brain that made all her decisions for her had been switched off. She needed to forget & he made the perfect eraser.
Despite the act, their coupling wasnt born from lust, but profound loneliness. In the end, the huge void inside her did what all black holes do. Devour.
A frustrated groan escaped her lips as her phone buzzed again for the umpteenth.
She didnt have to glance at the screen. He'd been calling her nonstop since she kicked him out & she was less inclined to deal with his temper tantrums at the moment.
Slipping her phone into the breast pocket of her white blouse, Jess refocused on the folder & skimmed through the information with a critical eye.
This case was one of few which managed to catch her immediate attention & her mind was already actively piecing the puzzles together as she reviewed the pictures.
Subconsciously, she recalled her sister's disapperance. The police never did manage to find the killer. The mere fact that such a scumbag was still walking around freely reignited the flames of anger that had been partially entinguished.
She supposed this was the driving force which propelled her to become an investigator in the first place. Life as she knew it had never been the same since that dreadful day.
A slight rap at the door whipped everyone's head around. The room was immediately plunged into silence. Ainzley's powerful aura commanded everyone's attention, an effect that seemed to exert its influence wherever he went.
On his left, his secretary, Gayle Boyce bid everyone a good day, then shuffled over to the corner of the room where she usually took notes.
"Let's get started!" He said urgently.
Images of a naked body lying facedown in a dark alley were being projected onto the screen behind him as he addressed every investigator seated around the table.
"The victim is Sarah Daniels. College student from Orlando. Twenty one years old. Eye witnesses state Miss Daniels was last seen leaving Club Equinox on May 3rd at 10.05pm. Her roomate says Sarah never made it home that night."
Ainsley turned to Jess, a stern look in his eyes. "Briggs, I want you to head over to the club. Browse through security footage from the night in question, then report back to me immediately."
Jess sent up a silent prayer of thanks. The untimely death of her partner left her bitter & more than a bit shrewd. Mentally, she wasnt prepared to work with someone new as yet, if ever. Blake was the only guy besides Ainsley who treated her like an equal & when cancer took his life, a part of her had died as well.
His green eyes shifted to the other side of the room. "West & Smith, go down to the forensic. See what the coroner reveals about the cause of death."
"Boone, Montag. Ask around campus. A girl as beautiful as her may have had a lover or two. Find out everything you can!"
The officers filed out of the room, dispersing into their assigned pairs ready to make good on the Chief's orders. Jess' stellar reputation for closing every case that was dropped into her lap did warrant a few disapproving glances & derogatory remarks, none of which affected her in the slightest.
In this line of work envy was the best encouragement & in the S.I department there was tons of it. She wouldnt allow the frail minds & wounded pride of her male colleagues affect her job ethic.
She didnt come so far by playing nice, kissing ass or stroking ego's. She distinguished herself by putting in sweat & blood to earn acknowledgment & respect from the higher ups.
She didnt do this for fame or camera time. Sentencing serial killers & psychopaths to the electric chair was better than any award granted by the bureau.
