Chapter 7: Possibly…
Tifa and Vincent were back at the apartment looking over the files she now had access to. They didn't seem too out of the ordinary, until Tifa clicked on a link 'Unsolved Murder Case 304-2279'.
An old newspaper clipping and some other info came up, Tifa read them out loud.
Tifa] Hmm, Mr. James Henderson and his son Tom were found murdered July 16th 1990. The father seemed to have had small but numerous wounds all over the body, the son had a hatchet stuck in his back.
Wow look at this: Mother of stepson was found dead 2 months prior to murder, but she was a suicide…
Vincent] Amazing… could the stepson be our murderer?
Tifa] It is possible, but it says here he disappeared one day, and presumed dead. The neighbors when questioned said: We just heard birds chirping, loud, long…
Vincent] God… Any info on the stepson?
Tifa] Lets see… Well here is something: He was a very bright boy, graduated top of his class all the way up to grade 12… but then he disappeared. He took place in no sports, we gentle to animals and people. Loved his mother a lot, and took care of her when his real father was killed in a bar fight.
Vincent] Hmm, so what happened?
Tifa] IT doesn't say, he just disappeared when all the killing started.
Vincent] Hmm… I think we found our killer Tifa.
Tifa] I'm not exactly sure, it seems too easy…
Vincent] Who else would it be Tifa?
Tifa] Well, it says his birthday was in November correct? Yet the killer keeps speaking of a Sapphire…
Vincent] You think the Sapphire is a clue to his true identity?
Tifa] Exactly, I say we look up the people born on September.
Vincent] I'll get on it right now.
He runs to the files and skims through those born in September.
Vincent] Bingo, here we go! Only one guy born in September, George Parkins.
Tifa] Alright partner, lets get the SWAT team on it.
Later Tifa, Vincent and the SWAT were surrounded a small house in the suburbs. Shotguns, rifles, and pistols all aimed and ready for the killer to step out. Vincent took the loud speaker and spoke:
Vincent] Alright, we know you're in there. Come out with your hands in the air, NOW!
No answer. He took the speaker away.
Vincent] Alright, shoot it up with the gas and move in.
The men nodded and did so. The gas flooded the house and SWAT officers with guns and masks ready busted through the door.
A moment later the gas cleared and they gave the ok to come in. Tifa and Vincent entered, pistols ready.
Officer] Well, there isn't a soul home. In fact this house hasn't been lived in for some time now. If I remember correctly, it was a popular make out spot hehe.
Tifa] Anything useful?
Officer] Oh yeah, right over here. It's a message, to Sapphire, whoever the hell that is.
Vincent and Tifa exchanged glances.
Tifa] Hmm lets see…
Dear Sapphire,
It appears you have tried to find me again, unfortunately your partner was right, so a present for you will come pretty soon…
PG
Tifa] Dammit…
Vincent] WATCH OUT!!!
He got down with Tifa as a rifle shot hit the officer. He fell as the gaping hole in his head bleed black blood and brain tissue.
Tifa] AH!!!
Another bullet hit a SWAT member has he got ready to fire in the direction of the flash.
Suddenly the shots stopped, and everyone stood slowly, guns ready.
Tifa] Was he aiming for me?
Vincent] I don't know, but I thought it best to get you down first.
Tifa] Thanks, partner…
Back at the apartment, Tifa felt like a moron. It wasn't him, he tricked her somehow… but if that was the case what was with the sapphire business?
Tifa] Damn him, God I hate that guy a lot… how did he manage to do it?
Vincent] I don't know, but he did, and it's not your fault.
Tifa] You were right, this psycho is the son… and two officers lost their lives because of it… because of me.
Vincent placed a hand on her arm.
Vincent] It's ok Tifa, trust me, we all make mistakes.
Tifa] I should have known better, I should have been a better cop Vincent.
Tears began to flood her eyes, not just because of this, but because of everything. For once in her life, she was afraid.
Vincent pulled her to him and put his arms around her, he began to rock her and said 'It's alright, I'm here.' For some reason she felt safe and settled down, she looks up at him.
Tifa] Vincent I…
He smiled.
Vincent] I know Tifa, I know…