The smell was unmistakable, metallic. She lifted the crime scene tape. Blood seemed to cover the road like an ominous crimson pond. The blue and red lights on top of the three police cars now spun slowly around, the reflection on the blood pond emphasising the volume in which it lay. Her breath deepened when she looked at the two bodies that lay slain. Two lives snuffed out. Despite the scene before her Sharon noticed the beauty of the night sky above. The stars glistening like a display in a luxurious jewellery store.
Two teenage boys had been murdered, beaten and their throats slit. Brutal and unnecessary, whatever the motive there was rage behind these killings. That was the first obstacle, there was no obvious motive to this crime. The boys weren't affiliated with gangs, came from good families, good students. What had happened here?
In the past couple of months, the team had worked tirelessly and been successful with every case they had encountered. With the new deal making process the killers were put behind bars without trials, saving thousands. Major Crimes accomplishments were not going unnoticed. Sharon was proud of what the team, her team, had achieved. However, this case gave Sharon a dreadful feeling in her stomach. Instinct. This was not going to be straightforward.
One positive was that everyone had now seemed to accept her as their boss, she had earned their respect at last. The issue with Flynn proved to be the last of any backlash and since then they had worked together well. Flynn and herself were closer but she wouldn't call them friends. She was intrigued by him though, the way he worked, his relationships at work, the way he was with her.
It was now six thirty in the morning, they had all been working since the call out came at nine o'clock the night before. Sharon looked out to the murder room, they all looked exhausted. It was no use them working like this, they needed to rest.
'Ok everyone, you have all worked so hard but this case won't get solved if we are all exhausted. Time to go home get refreshed. I will see you all back here at two'. There was almost a hum of relief after the Captain's announcement, they were all indeed exhausted and a few hours rest was required.
Andy watched Sharon go back in to her office, he had been keeping it together around her but the urge to know more about her, spend time with her, was overwhelming. This would as best a time as any he thought. Her office door was open. She had agreed to be friends with him. He walked towards her office.
'Hey Captain'. Andy gave a small smile.'Hello Lieutenant, everything ok?'. Sharon looked up from her desk. 'Well actually, Captain it's not, see I'm very hungry but I don't want to eat breakfast all by myself'. Sharon smiled at his dilemma.'Yes, I could see that is quite the problem Lieutenant'. She was surprised at this sudden attention from him, he had been friendly, quite charming really but he had never attempted to spend any time with her outside work.
'So, want to join me for breakfast? I know a great place around the corner and I could really use some company'. The cheeky tone he started out with had faltered slightly, she could tell his invitation was genuine. 'You know what I think I will join you, I am quite hungry myself'.
The cafe bustled with the liveliness that came with the morning rush, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the small space. There were around eight small wooden tables with no more than two seats at each. There were four booths that ran along either wall, Sharon and Andy had been lucky enough to be seated at one of the booths, it gave them a bit of privacy from the other customers.
Sharon relaxed in to the worn red leather seat, the smell of coffee and the sun shining through the window was already helping her mood. The waitress brought over their coffees and gave them a few more minutes to decide on what they wanted to eat. Sharon scanned the menu not quite sure on what to order.
Andy found himself in the same predicament, he couldn't concentrate on the menu or even the thought of food. He kept stealing glances of her across the table. The early morning sunlight streaming through the window shone on her hair making it glow, he noticed the deep green shade of her eyes as they read the menu. She was biting her lip. Flawless, he thought. He almost groaned.
The waitress was back for their order. Scrambled eggs for Andy, fruit and a bagel for Sharon. As they began to eat Andy was aware that they had barely spoken since they got here, he hoped she wasn't feeling awkward, he was doubting his decision of inviting her. Sharon was first to break the silence.
'What are your thoughts about the case Lieutenant'. Andy studied her, glad of the conversation. 'It's a difficult one, there is nothing obvious as to what happened to these kids, why the ended up where they did'. Andy took a sip of his coffee.
'I have a bad feeling about it, I don't know why I just have this feeling'. Sharon shook her head slightly and then looked out the window, unsure of how to explain her thoughts.
'I get it as well, it's like something's just not right, like we are missing something'. Sharon turned and smiled at him.'Yes! that's exactly it, thank you Andy I'm glad it's not just me that feels this way'. Sharon took a bite of bagel. Wait had she just called him Andy?
They talked more about the case and finished their breakfast. Andy had insisted on paying, he had invited her. They walked towards their cars stopping when they got there. 'Well thank you for breakfast, it was nice of you to invite me'. Sharon didn't know why it surprised her that she enjoyed herself. Andy returned her smile. 'That's what friends are for Sharon, see you back at the office'. Andy then got in his car, put on his sunglasses and drove off with a wave.
Sharon stood watching as he drove off. That feeling of excitement back in her stomach. He had called her Sharon. She had liked it.