Evidence That Stands Out

MADISON

I feel a bit nervous to ask him this as I am not sure of what he might say or what he might think of me but then I see him sit up straight while leaning forward in anticipation of what I am going to say next.

"My parents are currently touring Europe and they will only come back in a few months or so. I have a garden cottage that they use when they come to visit me from time to time. So, if you want, you can stay here for now. I promise that you will have your privacy...I mean just until you get to know the area a little bit better and get yourself a better place? You can't stay in a drug house or a sleazy motel. That's if you want to...you don't have to...I mean-"

Dammit, I have been babbling again and I am sure that he would not stay just because I babble like a drunken fool. This must be the reason why he stopped me in the middle of my non-stop talking. I almost sound like I am begging him to stay...which isn't the case...or is it?

TOM

"That would be great and thank you. I would not know how to repay you..."

I never thought in a million years that this is what her proposition is. This beautiful woman is asking me to stay on her property. I never thought I would get so lucky. I just wish that my dream would also just come true.

"...maybe I can become your personal exterminator?"

We share a laugh and the awkwardness is immediately broken.

She smiles and says;

"Then it's settled"

She walks over to a drawer and takes out some keys. She hands them to me and your hands touch briefly. Then that current runs through my body again. I can't help as it instantly arouses me.

"Here you go, that's the keys for the cottage and a key to the kitchen. The Garden Cottage doesn't have a kitchen, so you will have to use mine. If you need anything you are welcome to help yourself or ask for help"

"Thank you so much, it really means a lot to me"

She gives me that famous shy smile of her as if she doesn't deserve the compliment and while she turns around, she says;

"I have to get to my training session. I will see you later at the precinct?"

"Yes, of course"

She takes her shake and her keys and walks out. I watch as she walks away and her curves play with my mind. Then I finish my coffee and take out my phone. I want to pay Shelley from Renting Properties a visit regarding the security deposit of my rented drug house.

I walk to my car and enter the address in the GPS. A few minutes later, I stop at the address of Renting Properties. I walk through the doors and the receptionist greets me;

"Good morning, sir. How can I help?"

"I'm looking to speak to Shelley, is she here?"

"Yes, she is. Who might I say is looking for her?

"My name is Tom, she's expecting me"

"Just have a seat for a moment. She will be right with you"

I sit and after a few minutes Shelley walks in, saying;

"I'm not expecting a Tom, who are you?"

"I'm Detective Tom Marks, the guy you rented a drug house to? Remember me now? You passed out in the house when you saw that the house was all shot up? So, here is my suggestion. Without making a scene...you will pay my security deposit back"

I lift my eyebrow making sure she understands the seriousness of this conversation.

"Of course, yes...We will...I didn't know...I am so sorry"

I give her a friendly smile and then turn to walk out the door. I get in my car and drive to the precinct. As I walk in, the hustle and bustle of the officers still amaze me. I walk to my desk and I start going through the case file for Sarah. I just need to check it one more time to make sure we didn't miss anything. Then just as I start, I hear the Captain calling me;

"Detective Marks, my office now!"

I close the file and walk to the Captain's office. Knocking the door, I open it.

"Take a seat, Detective. Now that you have had some time to think over what happened yesterday. What do you have to say about it?"

I look at the Captain with a frown on my face. I tell him;

"I'm not sure what you are talking about, Captain? If it's regarding officer Pierce, I merely reacted to what he did. I defended myself against someone that tried to kill me, sir"

"I understand, but did you have to put him in the hospital? You do know that they want to keep him for a few days?"

"I didn't know that but I couldn't just stand there while he tries to kill me, sir"

I can see that Captain Taylor is not happy at all. He tells me;

"This is that last time you take matters into your own hands. He's a good cop, just under a lot of pressure and you taking his job aren't helping the situation."

"If he has problems or he is put under pressure. It's because of his attitude. He can't go blaming other people for his own problems, especially if he is the reason that he has these problems. He can't bring his shit to work and expect everyone to support him. He has to deal with it outside of the station. He has a few days of rest in the hospital to do some introspection and to get his head screwed on right. "

I stand up and am ready to walk out of his office. It is clear that the Captain only called me in to yell at me some more. I look at him and ask;

"Was that all, sir?"

The Captain just sits there with an angry look on his face. It seems he's trying to find the right words to say, but he knows I'm right. He leans back in his chair and says;

"Sit down, Detective. Now that we've got that covered, where are we with the case?"

I can't help but feel a bit angry and decide to stand. I tell him;

"I was just going through the file. We need to follow up on a few things today but by the end of the day, I would be able to give you much more information on the case."

"Okay, update me through the day...and, Detective Marks...we need this case solved before another victim is found dead. Is that understood?"

"Understood sir. I'll do my best"

I get up and walk out of his office. I feel glad that I stuck up for myself. They can't expect me to say sorry for someone else's behavior. Then I walk to my desk and start going through the evidence. I take out the sketch that the joggers gave to the sketch artist. As I go through everything, I start writing on the whiteboard, all the evidence that stands out:

Victim #2 - Sarah found with K.A.T sorority earrings.

From the date of disappearance till the date of death, 4 days.

The killer kept her isolated for 4 days.

Stabbed and killed her on the 4th day at 3:23.

Somewhere...but where? Coroners report says she had intercourse recently. The stabbing was personal. Did he know her?

I continue writing facts down:

1. Killed and dumped between businesses - she was transported there, with what? The killer must know the area or it has significance to him.

2. CCTV - We saw a vehicle - a pick-up truck leaving the area but couldn't see the plates? Could it have been the killer?

3. Joggers route - Well-known and well-traveled area. The jogging couple gave a sketch of a suspect jogging and leaving the area. Who is he?

4. Crime scene - Close to bushes with a stream. Found tracks that leads to a bridge with graffiti - linking sorority. The bridge also leads to the main road. The killer must be familiar with the area?

5. Sarah disappeared from a sorority's "5-year after party" and she was scared to go into the house - why? The party house is also linked to the sorority.

6. The killer must have known Sarah - he was at the party or knew that she would be there? He either waited outside or he blended into his surroundings.

Then Detective Woodward walks up to me.

"Hey Tom, what are you busy with?"

He interrupts my thinking process and then something clicks. I turn and look at him with surprise written all over my face and say;

"We're looking at this all wrong Woodi"

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