After the funeral, Makoto drove back to her apartment. She threw her coat over her chair and pressed the answering machine button.
"Hey Brooks. It's Rivera. I just wanted to check to see if you are okay. Uh, I'll see you tomorrow at work. Okay? Bye."
She sighed and erased the message. Then the phone rang.
"Hello?" she asked.
"Hey Brooks this is Amara Thompson from the crime scene. I work at the Las Vegas Crime Lab and was the coroner-"
"Yes, I remember. What is it?" she interrupted.
"Well. I found something out about the victim. Come to my office tomorrow and you'll see what I mean," Amara said.
"Alright. See you in the morning," Makoto said.
She hung in phone up and went into her bedroom. She rubbed her neck thoughtfully and lay down in her bed trying to sleep her troubles away.
Across town: Midnight...
A large van stopped in front of an abandoned shop. The van turned off and a man got out. Standing there in front of the door was another young man. They shook hands.
"Mark Slovaski."
"Nephrite Silverton."
"You told me you would be here at ten o'clock. It's midnight now," Mark said with a frown.
"Not my fault. You try driving from New Orleans to this place. Anyway is this it?"
"Yes, it is. Later on, you can come back and look at the interior. I have to say, I'm very jealous of you sir. Not many people can get a place this quick in Las Vegas."
He smiled faintly.
"I have two places to be exact. One here and one in Indian Springs."
Mark's eyes grew wide.
"Amazing. You're lucky you weren't here when the murder was committed."
"What murder?"
"Some woman was butchered few nights ago. The detectives and police are asking questions now, but you didn't hear that from me," Mark said.
"Thanks for the tip. Well I'm going now. That drive wore me out. We'll meet around 2 pm.?"
"Yes sir. The one in Indian Springs?" Mark asked.
"Yeah. I want to see that one first. Good night."
"Goodnight sir."
Next morning...
The alarm beeped loudly and Makoto hit the button. She yawned and went to take a shower. When she finished, she walked into her room and looked in her closet. She took out some tight low rider blue jeans, a white tank top, her black leather jacket, and her 'army' black boots. After dressing, she grabbed some coffee and a doughnut out her cupboard. She dialed a number in her phone.
"Rivera."
"Hey. It's me. You at the station yet?" she asked.
"No, I'm about to head that way. Why?" Andrew asked.
"Come over. You're driving today. I don't feel like it."
"Alright. See you in five," he said.
Within five minutes, Rivera was knocking at her door.
"It's open!" she called.
He walked in and sat down on the couch in her living room as she cleaned up around the kitchen. She put her cell phone into her pocket and gun into the holster and walked into the living room. He stood up.
"Ready?"
She nodded her head and she followed him to his car. He drove silently, but watched her in the corner of his eye.
"Sleep well Brooks?"
"Not really, but I'd say it was better than most nights," she said.
"Good."
They reached the police station and parked the car. He turned off the engine and they both got out. Makoto looked at him and smiled slightly.
"Time to play cops and robbers."
She walked in the station and went straight to her desk. Paperwork littered the top layer of her desk. She groaned and pushed it aside. Andrew walked over to her and sat on her desk.
"Yeah?"
"Chief wants to speak to you."
Makoto sighed and walked into his office. He sat there writing in his notebook. When he noticed that she was standing in the doorway, he motioned for her to come in and sit down. He stopped writing and stared at her.
"Feeling better?" he asked.
"Pretty much Helix," she answered.
"Good. That's what I like to hear. Like I said yesterday: you're being assigned to this case with Rivera Remember my warning. Oh, and Amara wants to see you before you leave."
"Thanks chief. See you later,"
Makoto got up from her chair and walked out his office. She and Andrew both left the station and headed to the morgue. Amara opened the door for them. They put on the gloves and face masks.
"Glad you could make it Makoto. After looking at the body, I noticed that the victim's blood alcohol level was three times the normal dosage. She was pretty intoxicated at the time of her death."
"So you're telling me that the killer was inexperienced?" Makoto asked.
"No, I'm not. If you notice, the wounds are placed strategically throughout the body. I'd say the killer knew exactly what they were doing. He wanted to make her suffer," Amara explained.
"So in other words. The killer tortured her before finishing her off?" Andrew said.
"Pretty much. For some odd reason this stab pattern looks very familiar to me. I'll check it out and call you when I find something."
"Thank you Amara. C'mon Rivera. We're going to take a trip to Indian Springs."
Indian Springs...
It was around noon and the sun was high in the sky making the air dry and unbearable. Makoto looked around.
"I know the police questioned most if the locals, but I want to do it our way."
"Couldn't agree more. Let's start at the diner," Andrew said.
They walked into the small diner and sat at the front. An elderly woman walked over to them and gave them menus.
"Hello. How are you two doing today? Passing through?"
Makoto smiled.
"No ma'am. I'm Detective Brooks and this is my partner Detective Rivera. We're here about the murder that happened a week ago."
The woman frowned.
"Oh dear. I remember. That poor woman. Well you ask me anything. I have nothing to hide. Though I'm sure most people around here would mind."
The bell at the front ringed softly. Makoto looked up. The most handsome man she had ever seen was standing there. He looked so out of place. The majority of the room was dressed in jeans and shirts. He wore an expensive Armani black suit and matching shoes. He had long dark brown hair that was tied in a ponytail. His eyes were the same shade of brown as his hair. He looked like a celebrity. The woman, whose name was Maggie smiled at him,
"The usual?"
"Yes Maggie. Also add some of your delicious apple pie."
Makoto's heart fluttered at the sound of his voice. It was deep and very smooth. Andrew got up from his seat.
"Good day. I'm Detective Rivera and this is my partner Detective Brooks."
The two men shook hands. The man looked down at Makoto and she got up. They shook hands, but he didn't let go.
"A pleasure to meet you detective," he said with a smile.
"Thank you-"
"Nephrite Silverton," he said.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Silverton."
"Please call me Nephrite, Detective Brooks."
Makoto smiled back.
"Nothing personal, but I don't believe in being casual while I'm on the clock."
Nephrite's jaw dropped. He was surprised at her response. They stared at each other for the longest time. Makoto raised an eyebrow. (What an asshole.) Rivera cleared his throat.
"Well, we would like to ask you a few questions about the murder that happened here awhile back."
Nephrite still didn't take his eyes off Makoto. She was absolutely gorgeous. He became filled with lust. (I want her.) She was an angel. Grace and beauty both had blessed her. His eyes traveled up and down her hourglass shaped body.
"Sure. I'm an open book. How about we meet at my gallery around 2 pm? I have a meeting, but I'm sure that we can work something out."
Maggie handed him his bag.
"Here you go Mr. Silverton."
"Thank you Maggie. Nice meeting you Detective Brooks"
He gave her a short bow and walked out the diner. Makoto paid for the coffee and put on her jacket. Andrew looked angry. She punched him lightly in the arm as they walked out the diner and into the park.
"Jealous are you?"
"Me? Jealous? I don't think so. There is something I don't like about him. 'I'm an open book'? Please is he serious? You know he was just trying to get a piece of ass."
Makoto's face darkened.
"Not every man is out to get in my pants Andrew. He isn't even my type. We still have a few hours till we go to interview him so let's get some work done."
Two hours later...
They drove to a classy art gallery in the middle of town. Makoto looked around. It was so out of place in this small town. Classic paintings hung on the walls. Marble and crystal sculptures were set on pillars. Soft music played in the gallery. The secretary had them sit outside his office.
"He'll be out shortly."
The detectives nodded and sat down.
"Maggie was right. People don't like to talk to cops."
"What a waste of time." Andrew groaned.
Makoto sighed as they got into his car.
"Everyone's alibis check out. I feel like we are missing something."
"We still got that Silverton guy. Don't worry; your friend didn't die in vain. We'll find the son of a bitch together."
Makoto smiled.
"Thanks Andrew."
Nephrite peeked out the blinds and then opened his door.
"Welcome to my gallery."
Makoto and Andrew turned around. Nephrite was walking toward them.
"Glad you could make it. Sorry for the wait."
"No problem. Now to get down to business." Andrew said.
"Yes. Follow me into my office."
They stepped inside an office similar to the structure of the gallery. The two detectives sat in the chairs that faced the desk that Nephrite sat at. Andrew took out a pad and pen.
"So, tell what about yourself," Andrew said.
Nephrite tapped his pen on the desk.
"Well I'm an artist and an art dealer. I sell the paintings I create. I have two galleries. One here and the other in Las Vegas."
Andrew scribbled something down.
"Alright so tell me any information you have about this murder."
"Well I can't help you with that. I just moved here about three days ago. Sorry, but that's it."
Makoto spoke up.
"Can anyone confirm your story?"
"Yes. Talk to Mark Slovaski .He can vouch for me."
Andrew got up as did Makoto.
"Well thank you Mr. Silverton. We'll be back. Here is my card if you have anything you would like to say."
Nephrite took the card and put it in his pocket.
"Well I will call. I'll walk you to the door."
Rivera went to get the car and Makoto stood in the doorway. Nephrite loosened his tie and leaned casually against the wall.
"So Detective Brooks, how long have you been in homicide?"
She raised an eyebrow.
"I believe I'm the one who is supposed to ask the questions around here Mr. Silverton."
"Oh so now you want to be formal? Okay then I'll play your game," he chuckled.
She turned around and stared into his eyes. They enchanted her.
"I don't play games."
He leaned in to her and whispered in her ear. His voice became husky.
"Really now? I would love to find out what it is you find entertaining."
His voice sent goose bumps up her neck. His breath played with her neck.
"Are you flirting with me?" she questioned.
"What if I said yes?"
"You can't answer a question with a question;" she said and crossed her arms.
"When do you get off of your shift?" he asked.
"This conversation is ending as of now Mr. Silverton. I don't appreciate your advances and I suggest you find yourself something else to do."
Makoto rolled her eyes. Rivera pulled up to the entrance and she opened the car door.
"Good bye," she said coolly.
She got into the car and they drove away. Nephrite stood there and took the card out of his pocket. He looked at the number on it and smiled. He had to make a phone call.
-WooWoo316