" No the future doesn't scare me at all, It's more the past."
" "
"Maybe. heh...I dunno. I don't know about anything anymore."
" "
" I wonder...does...does she know how much I miss her?"
Burning light slide in through barely open blinds. Beep, beep, beep, an alarm that never failed as Alfred rose from his bed he threatened to smash his clock before turning it off and settling for actually getting up from bed. " Atleast it seems like a nice day."
His morning ritual begun. First a quick shower, brush his teeth, make himself look beautiful and dashing before going to stuff his face with breakfast. Picking up a hairbrush he talked into it like a phone " Hello? 911, there's a handsome guy in my bathroom. Oh wait it's just me." he winked to himself as he brushed his hair back and put on a serious face. " Jones. Alfred Jones. I prefer my drinks shaken not stirred." as he was about to break out into an awesome rendition of secret agent man his father yelled that breakfast was ready. " We'll met again Mr. Powers." Alfred whispered before finishing up and getting dressed to meet his dad at the table.
"The smell of fresh brewed coffee caught his nose as he stepped into the kitchen. " Morning dad." Alfred was fast to grab a cup of it before sitting down to eat. His dad never made breakfast often anymore imagine his surprise to see some of his favorite foods on his plate. "You didn't have to do this.." Arthur raised his eye brow about to deny it when Alfred cut him short of even a breath "and before you say anything I know this is because of last night. I'm fine pops. I didn't even see the guy or how it happened I walked over to see our witness standing over his friend on the verge of tears and covered in blood. The worst I got last night was the smell of it. Sulfur and blood. It was gross. " He really was a bit shaken up after seeing a dead body for the first real time on duty. It didn't matter anyway since he had a duty to protect and having to comfort Francis made it easy to forget just what he saw. Francis,god he had to put that poor man through a lot today having him tell the story. He wished he could give him more time. Police work wasn't so nice to people though.
"Don't be stupid, you're easier to read then a children's book Alfred. Eat up and feel better. I won't pester you more about it. Just let me know if you do need time." Arthur shook his head with a sigh, /my son is stubborn and WAIT Sulfur? no no i'm just overthinking things it was most likely the weapon that had it on it. Then again the victim had what looked like knife wounds not gun wounds, even then what gun would have that much sulfur to leave a strong smell over the blood. How did Alfred even know what sulfur smelt like? Then again his...no no Alfred was but a boy then! He wouldn't have any memories of his mother that vivid. He probably learned it in training to be able to recognize dangerous smells to prevent possible lethal situations./ A small bit a pride hit him that his son learned a lot before joining his force. It still didn't help still the small worry at the borders of his mind.
Breakfast past soon, both moving along to finish getting ready before heading into the station. Arthur had to be there early each morning, being the boss was stressful, with plenty of paper work each morning and night. Rinse and repeat. Sighing he waved bye to his son then started on his paper work. Meanwhile Alfred had to go set up for his talk with Francis, He also had to start contacting members of the victims family in to give his condolences as well as make sure no one had any reason to hurt the man ruling this a simple mugging and nothing more. He hated this part of the job knowing he'd have to break the bad news. Seriously he thought it'd be a while till something like this happened yet the gods have seen fit to test him. One week working for his dad and boom death case. A knock made him remember what he was suppose to be doing. Putting on a soft smile he opened the door and welcomed Francis inside telling him to take a seat. Alfred sat on the other side getting his own paperwork straightened with a pen ready. " Thanks for coming in so early Mr. Bonnefoy. I know it's hard. Your full cooperation will help us in catching the son of a bitch who did this to your friend. "
Francis leaned forward in his chair " Of course Officer. Please though call me Francis." he had spent most of night using more magic then he should of for this ruse. Something about Alfred drew him in. All night he never rested, not that he slept anyway, he had to take two souls early to keep his strength up from using magic to fix up his new home. Although easy to alter memories and paper, he didn't think that his victim was as loved as he was. He was a stupid bastard who isolated himself from people, it was kind of sad if Francis was honest. Feeling all the emotions of people who personally knew him. Didn't matter now as far as they knew, Francis was the mans best friend, worked together, lived together, were like brothers. He can't believe he's doing so much for one soul; then again as he was in the presence of Alfred and feeling the radiance of it. It seemed all the more worthy to wait for his soul." I will tell you all that I can. It was late, we were celebrating my promotion where we worked. He joked about getting a penthouse. He was drunk the stupid man" He brought out the water works " Moi cannot even remember what was said next thing I knew there was blood everywhere, my friend was.. I'm sorry I do not even have a description to give you. I spent all night trying to think of what he looked like before I gave up to sleep."
Francis was a brilliant actor if he said so himself. His body language the best, he had Alfred eating out of the palm of his hand, already on the other side comforting the devil again his report written yet forgotten. " It's ok buddy. Come on now. Francis we will get the guy. He's sure to mess up again and when he does justice will be served. You've been more then helpful. Here this is my number. Any more information please come contact me. I will be there any time day or night. " The devil smiled softly taking his card and putting it away for later. " Merci Alfred. I do hope I can be more help in the future. Would you see me out? I'm afraid I got lost easily getting in here even with being directed and seeing as I have to go to work soon and break the news to my boss and coworkers I shouldn't waste too much time. I do not know how much longer I can compose myself for them."
" Sure anything." Alfred was really worried about Francis. In his eyes he was just a much a victim as his friend. Francis had seen a horrible crime and hell he might of been dead himself. For some reason Al was more worried about that then anything. He can't believe it, he wouldn't deny the man was attractive and fit every one of his type but he still felt so wrong for having a strong crush on a man he didn't know and was helping in a murder case. /GOD! Alfred pull yourself together. He is a victim he needs your help not your dick...well maybe. no no no stupid/ he blushed at his own thoughts. Focusing on showing Francis the way out of the building when he heard his father again calling his name. As it was later in the day they had to be official. It was still funny to Alfred. " Yes Chief? how may I help you?"
Arthur was glad he stopped Alfred before he left, he knew he had to interview the witness and after that he had to leave to talk to the family of the victim. " Officer Jones there have been two more bodies found this morning. One at a sleazy motel not to far from the park and the other...oh! I am so sorry you must be the victims friend. I am terribly sorry for your loss." He politely shook the mans hand after noticing him. How careless of him not to notice until now.
" We'll talk more in a moment about it dad. I mean Chief. Sorry. Anyway. Yes this is Mr. Bonnefoy. He was very helpful in letting us know all that he can."
Francis himself was stiff the moment he saw this so called chief. Alfred had told him last night it was his father but he could tell two things. One they looked nothing alike and of course the accent gave away they weren't blood. and two..this wasn't a human in front of him. Why would something of his nature act so human? If anything they were just as much beast as his kind. And to have raised a human...how interesting. He shook the others hand and had to be careful one wrong move and his cover would be blown. " It's an honor to meet the Chief of police. I feel more reassured knowing that you have this under control. I will call if I remember any more details please keep me up to speed as well with the chase. It's been a pleasure like always Alfred. I must be off now. Farewell."
" Bye sir have a good day and be safe." Alfred waved bye to him, His father already drawing his attention back to the new developments in the case. "As I was saying lad two more bodies. We have to act fast before any evidence is gone. I'm personally coming with you to the scenes. I'll send someone else to inform the family of the situation at hand. Come now lets go."
" Victim age 18, female. Short red hair, newly graduated college reported missing after a party last night by her friends... her chest tore open, vital organs missing or damaged. Time of death likely 1 or 2 this morning." As they read off all new information to the chief Alfred looked at the scene with an ache in his heart. " God she's just a kid.." he expressed watching his dad examine everything closely. Alfred couldn't believe this was the second dead body, a person robbed of their life!, he has seen and she was a fucking kid. " I need a moment." he didn't even try to hide the fact he needed to expel his guts outside taking in fresh air to let it all sink in. He would be ok with time.
Arthur was concerned for his son yet he had to be professional right now. He took note off every shred of evidence in the room. It reeked of sulfur to him , he knew his crew wouldn't be able to pick up the scent. Twice was just a coincidence he couldn't read to much into it this early. There was still another body to look at before coming to any concrete left him uneasy this entire situation at hand. A new demon on his territory, he hasn't had an incident in over two hundred years since crossing the river and claiming these new world lands. It was much easier back then when he could wave his hand to crush his enemies in one blow. Now was more complicated as the monsters under the bed were real and living among humans. Some better then others. Still it was no excuse for this demon to come in here. Demons had their own domains! They had an entire other dimension to survive in before that damn veal was lifted now the dimensions merged just enough some humans went there and demons found their way here. With one more crime scene to explore to be sure he decided to let Alfred off for today.
Meeting him outside he rubbed his sons back in comfort. " You can have the day off lad I know this is too much too soon. Last night you had someone to protect it kept your mind off it. I should of known better then to bring you here. I'll head to the next scene alone. Go home and relax . " Alfred didn't really say a word just nodding and grabbing the keys to the cruiser as they were offered. " I'll be ok dad. I just might not sleep for a while but ya know. Nature of the job. I'm surprised you can handle this. Remember when luddy brought home that dead bird? I thought you were going to have a heart attack. Mom was furious she loves birds. Poor Ludwig was just like a puppy then. I guess years on the job kind of do that to you though. "
"Yeah I remember. She spent months trying to bring back the bird with that weird voodoo your grandmother always talks about. My heart broke when she couldn't save it." It really hurt to see his wife trying so hard when her powers couldn't help something that had been dead that long. Healing powers only went so far when she was so far from the fae court. If they had been at the tree of many sparks it would of worked. She was visiting there now, she was on break from duty and so weak she couldn't come home til the tree refilled her life. He was glad he wasn't a real fae even if he was once a part of the court. " Go home son. Love you." They hugged their goodbyes " Love you too dad" then Alfred went home to get his mind off what he'd seen. Arthur on the other hand let the crew finish up final pictures and reports of the scene before going to join his other crew at the next location.
Next stop was downtown at the opposite end of the park where the first murder took place. A strip mall filled with tons of shops and restaurants is where the next body was discovered. " Local owner of ' Big Buff pastry puffs' a gym and pastry shop in one. Sounds ridiculous." Arthur groaned as he read the report, it seems like his deputy has finished up everything. He knew hiring Antonio would pay off. He met with his deputy over by the scene as everyone was packing up. " You smell it too?" Arthur could tell by how the vampire was contorting his face that the sulfur was thick in the air even before he entered it's field. " Hello chief. Sí it is everywhere. You asking tells me that the other victim smelt too? We got a demon on our hands boss." Antonio grimaced, he only knew one demon but his friend hasn't contacted him in years. He really hated dealing with other demons.
" Yes I know. I was hoping twice was just a coincidence. No such luck it seems. This is not going to be easy my friend. Certainly going to be harder for them once I get my hands on them. The Kirkland family holds a high status in our secret world, we were the first of our kind and we are the strongest. If this poor fool doesn't know that then he'll get his arse handed to him on a golden platter."
" Whoa there Arthur. You haven't been this blood thirsty since the middle ages, don't get my wrong mi amigo I miss this side of you but wait for a lesser crowd. What brought on this anger any way?" Antonio had to take a step back from Arthur, the fools eyes were glowing luckily most of the other officers were gone or holding back press from coming into the alleyway.
Arthur took a deep breath to calm himself. " Sorry mate, My son adopted human son Alfred saw the first murder. Like an idiot I took him to the second thinking he handled the first one rather well. Then it hit me after he threw up that the first time he had another person there our only witness so far and you know Alfred when he has someone to protect he's ten times stronger. " and he was the younger twin. He remembered when Alfred would protect Matthew at school. It was precious. Of course Matthew didn't need it yet he couldn't stop his brother when he loved all the attention he got from little Alfie. "Lets head back to the station Deputy. We have a lot of work on this case. It might end up in a cold case if we don't plan this right after finding the demon." He couldn't be too careful now a days. Too many unsolved cases reflected badly upon him and while he could easily move on he'd have to keep up some semblance of humanity for Alfred. One day he knew he would have to tell Alfred everything about them with hope that he would still loved them. Although it wasn't time for that yet, as they made their made their way back to the station he couldn't help but feel that, that time might come sooner then he wants.
