The Devil Beside You Part I

Chapter One

Rick Grimes opened his truck door and eased out of his SUV. King County was 15 miles away from his new home. He did everything in his power to stay away from this town.

It was bright outside and Rick watched the cafe in front of him with saddened eyes. Carl and Lori, they'd always eat here every Sunday for Brunch.

But today he came to this place with different reasons. He was no longer in his sheriff's uniform. Instead, he wore a long sleeve shirt and jeans.

As he entered the cafe, he still remembered every couple and every child that sat down and enjoyed their brunch.

So it was easy to point out in the crowded cafe, the black woman who sat in a booth alone a pen between her teeth. She was focused on some task in front of her Macbook. She had long twists in her hair that was pulled neatly in a bun high above her head.

She was focused. He knew because she was startled when he approached her.

" Mrs. Wright?"

She reached for his hand and shook it firmly. She grabbed the books on the table and moved it to the side.

"Rick Grimes, nice to finally put a face to that voice." She greeted. It was the truth, he was handsome and the pictures in the article in The King County weekly did not do him justice. He looked much better without the brown police uniform and she wasn't a fan of beards, but the stubble on his chiseled jaw was appealing.

He gave a small smile.

"It's just Michonne. No Mrs on my end." She smiled a bright smile and offered the seat across from her and he sat down leisurely.
"I'm sorry. I noticed the ring on your finger." He explained, she hid her hand under her books.

"I see your sheriff skills are still put to use." Her tone was polite and awkward.
"Once a cop, always a cop." He replied.

Before they could speak any further, the owner of the cafe approached them a notepad and pen in her hand and smile on her face.

Michonne quickly read the name on her handwritten name tag, Olivia.

"Good morning Rick, I never see you 'round here anymore."

He looked to the woman with ease. "Olivia."

Michonne watched the exchange curiously as he quickly ordered a coffee with sugar.

When Olivia walked away Michonne continued.

"Do you miss King County?"

Rick shrugged, "Not particularly." She understood why, who would miss a town with only the remainder of the death of his wife a year ago

"I take it you're not here to talk about being homesick, are you Ms. Wright?"

"Michonne." She quickly corrected, she pulled out her notebook with questions.

He watched her pensive and waiting. He wasn't sure why just a phone call two nights ago brought his attention to the case he thought was buried.

Michonne's voice was hesitant when she called him and after a year of dealing with journalist harassments he thought it was best to avoid her,but she was different. She seemed honest when she spoke with him.

"April 5th, 2007." She stated as Rick sipped his coffee.

"First victim, Jessie Anderson." He quickly replied.

Michonne nodded and pulled out her pen and the recorder out of her bag.

She pressed play and took off her reading glasses.

"Could you walk me through it? What you remember?"
He scowled and looked away.

"We got a call about a scream in a motel room."
"That was-" She looked through her piles of newspapers

"Motel 37 in King County on Chestnut road." She added. Rick confirmed her statement with a nod of his head.

"Motel is closed down now. Too many disturbances." He continued.

"My partner Shane Walsh and I walked into the room around midnight and it looked like there was a fight not too long ago. Sheets and broken glass everywhere, the mirror was broken. I walked into the bathroom and the victim-"
"Jessie Anderson."

"-was hanging on the shower rod by a belt. She had her hands tied behind her back, no was obvious signs of sexual assault."
"Worst case I've seen." He whispered the last part, eyes ghostly and he occupied himself by finishing his coffee.

She finished writing his words and nodded sympathetically.

"Rick, I see you worked as a police officer for twelve years."

"Yes."

"You were raised in King County?"
"That's correct."
"Is this case the worst one you've seen as a police officer? Or as a resident of King County?"
"Both." He whispered, and her brown eyes watched his with carefulness.
"It makes it worse because it's a small town. I don't know anyone from around here who will do something so harmful. So violent."
"You'll be surprised by who you think you know."

It was an honest statement. She had the same amount of years as Rick in the justice system. Not just as a lawyer, but as a journalist for cases that were particularly gruesome. The only difference between she and Rick was that she has met everyone from all walks of life.

They grew quiet and Michonne sipped her cappuccino.
"Tell me about the suspect." Michonne softly inquired.

"You mean the murderer." Rick corrected, with a quirk of her eyebrow Michonne continued.
"Mike Anthony." Michonne signaled for him to continue.

"Mike Anthony at the time was a speech advisor for politician Philip Blake. He was successful ,charismatic. Had a history of violence in high school, but his record was clean when he entered college."
"Do you find it particularly strange that Mike did not have a record of past violence?"
"To be honest, it wasn't something that was on my mind. No."

"But, the signs pointed to Mike. His fingerprints were all over the last victim's, Amy Robert's apartment."

She was thoughtful her eyes moved away from his face to think of her next words.
"Why just Amy's? Why was he suddenly sloppy with her?"

She was questioning him, his work and a part of him knew those questions were coming, but a part of him thought this would be different.
"Well, you figure it out. It's not my case anymore. You're the journalist." He quipped.

Michonne could hear the obvious irritation in Rick's suggestion.
"Correction, Rick I'm not just a journalist. I'm an investigative Journalist with twelve years experience. I handled high profile cases all over the country. Which means, each hole I see in a particular police officer's report with a certain biased towards the suspect. It's my job to point out the truth."

"Biased?"
Michonne was the first to break, but not because of intimidation from his was because she noticed the time on her watch and she had more important things to do besides point out holes in a retired officer's case.

But, she remembered his wife and had to soften her approach.

"Rick."

"I'm here not for the circus you've seen with the paparazzi. I'm here only for the truth and justice in the murders of those women."
She pulled out her card.

"I'll be calling you again. If you need anything or have any questions. My email is on there."

Rick was hesitant but when he saw she wasn't taking no for an answer he grabbed her business card between his index and middle finger and put it in his wallet.

He was still a gentleman. He paid for her coffee and walked her to her car. She drove away, but not before she gave him a short wave and small smile.

So much for making the first impression to get access. Rick was her only chance at getting access to the county.

She used to be good at this before she took a break when devastation entered her home.

Michonne walked into her motel her body against the door.

Mike has been awaiting trial for the past six months. She knew he couldn't have done something like that, he didn't have it in him.

But due to her years experience, she had to keep her biased views to a minimum, and still had questions. Why were his fingerprints in Amy's apartment? What was his connection to those three women?
But, because of the high profile case and his status. Everyone believed the absolute worse, and it was up to her to figure out the truth.

A year ago,he had a great job as a political speech advisor, and they were engaged. They had a beautiful condo in Atlanta. Everything was perfect.

Before Mike started working in King County and a police officer was out for blood.

Thank you for reading. I was inspired by rewatching the episode Arrow on the Doorpost