Chapter 33: Scars of the past...

For the next chapter, chapter 34:Revenge...I highly recommend you listen to the song[ Departure -Max Richter: Piano Cover].

...

"Here, take this...this will be your ID on this case with me, don't lose it," Jessica said handing him what seemed to be a temporary PI identification.

How she got this, he didn't know but that didn't matter to him in the first place.

"Alright, let's get to work."

Jessica and Grim entered the building where the latest murder had taken place.

Donning special white gloves, they began to carefully inspect the crime scene. The body had already been removed, but the remnants of the crime lingered.

"As usual, the murder happened at midnight," Jessica explained. "And there's no apparent connection between the victims. It's like they're chosen at random."

Grim nodded, his eyes scanning the room. "Strange pattern. Or lack of one."

As they investigated, Detective Martin, a man with whom Jessica had a history of mutual disdain, walked in. His smirk was condescending.

"Jones, they let you onto a crime scene now? What's next, a drunkard leading the investigation?" he taunted.

Jessica shot him a glare. "Always a pleasure, Martin. How's the desk job treating you?"

Ignoring her jab, Martin continued. "Heard about your ex, Jones. Getting remarried, isn't he? Must sting."

Jessica's expression faltered for a moment before she masked it with indifference. "News to me. But good for him."

Martin chuckled and left the room, but as he descended the stairs, a shadow tendril, unseen by others, tripped him, sending him tumbling down the steps to the amusement of the policemen below.

"Ahhhhhhh, my Kneee!!!!!"

.....

Back at the crime scene, Jessica refocused on her search, trying to push away personal matters.

Grim, sensing her discomfort, decided not to pry and resumed his examination.

Suddenly, Grim caught a peculiar scent. "Do you smell that? It's like… burnt oranges, with a hint of floral and vanilla."

Jessica sniffed the air. "I don't smell anything...Do you have heightened senses or something?"

Grim nodded. "Yes, I do. But I don't think I can track it, the scent's too faint."

Jessica looked intrigued. "Can you do anything else unusual?"

Without a word, Grim summoned Skia, startling Jessica. "Wow!! How long have you been able to do that?"

"Just a few days," Grim replied. He instructed Skia to follow the scent.

Skia soon howled indicating that she locked onto the scent despite having no nose. He pondered how she could smell without a nose.

Jessica was impressed. "Good job. Follow that scent. Report back anything you find. I've got something else to handle."

As they prepared to leave, Grim mentioned Danielle's visit. "Your daughter stopped by earlier. She left this for you."

Jessica took the letter, a frown creasing her forehead. "Thanks," she murmured before heading out.

Grim watched her leave, then slipped into a nearby alley and vanished into the shadows, Skia by his side.

In the alley, Skia led the way, her form shifting and undulating as she tracked the scent.

Grim followed closely, his senses on high alert. The trail was leading them deeper into the city.

.....

Grim, with Skia discreetly nestled within his shadow, found himself at Hell's Kitchen's indoor botanical gardens.

He soon dialled Jessica on the phone she had provided and updated her on his location.

"Check out the flowers while I find out who manages the place," Jessica instructed. "I'm going back to our tech guy to dig into any unusual flower deliveries. Text me what you find."

Nodding to himself, Grim ventured deeper into the gardens. The air was rich with the scent of various flora.

He decided to blend in by joining a tour group led by an enthusiastic guide named Lisa.

"Welcome to our urban oasis," Lisa began, her voice filled with passion for her subject. "Right this way, we have some of the rarest plants from around the world."

Grim found himself genuinely interested as Lisa pointed out exotic plants, each with its unique story of origin.

As they approached a particularly vibrant display, Skia growled softly from within his shadow, signalling they were close to their target.

"And here," Lisa announced, "is our latest addition, the 'Luminiscentia Mirabilis,' a rare gem from Polynesia. Its scent is a delightful mix of floral, citrus, and a hint of vanilla."

Grim discreetly texted the name to Jessica. She then promptly replied praising his work and instructed him to take the rest of the day off.

With his task complete, Grim bid farewell to the tour group. "Thanks, Lisa. This was surprisingly enlightening."

Lisa smiled. "Always happy to share the beauty of nature. Come back anytime!"

.....

Leaving the botanical gardens, Grim was feeling a bit peckish, reminding him it was time to explore the culinary delights of Hell's Kitchen.

He wandered the streets, eventually finding a cosy Chimichanga place. The rich aroma and the sound of sizzling food welcomed him.

It was good, especially the carne inside but it wasn't as good as the chimichangas his friend back in the east made.

After his meal, Grim continued to explore the city. He stumbled upon a street vendor selling a novelty candy known as "Dragon's Breath." Curious, he tried one, and to his surprise, smoke billowed from his mouth.

While eating, a passerby noticed Grim's unusual attire. "Hey, man, are you in a band or something?"

Grim looked down at his clothes, then back at the stranger. "Yeah, we're called 'The Immortals.' We only play once every century."

The passerby looked confused but intrigued. "Cool, man. I'll look you up."

'Ah, that was meant to be a joke, I guess it wasn't very funny...then again if he knew I was immortal maybe the joke would have landed better.'

As the day turned into night, Grim found himself at a small park, enjoying a cup of gourmet ice cream.

He sighed in contentment.

....

After some time Grim finally started making his way back to Jessica's apartment. The city's vibrant nightlife buzzed around him.

As he neared Jessica's apartment, a pungent smell of alcohol hit him like a wave.

It was overpowering, and Grim knew immediately that something was wrong.

Before he could process this further, the ground and walls of the building shook, accompanied by an angry, muffled scream from inside the apartment.

Grim paused for a moment, a sense of something unpleasant building up inside him.

He approached the door, which was ajar, and gently pushed it open.

The scene that greeted him was one of utter devastation. The apartment was in ruins: holes punched in the walls, furniture smashed to pieces, and the floor littered with shattered alcohol bottles.

Every electronic device had been destroyed, their innards strewn across the room.

At the far end of the room sat Jessica, a complete wreck. Her jeans and shirt were torn and dirty with debris from the walls. Her hair was dishevelled her eyes red and puffy from tears.

She was in the process of downing a bottle of 90% alcohol, her eyes were detached, almost lifeless...

As she finished, she hurled the empty bottle in Grim's direction...but he caught it by reflex...

For a moment, there was only silence. Grim just stood there...unsure of what to say or do.

Jessica seemed oblivious to his presence, lost in her own spiralling emotions.