For the disclaimer please check the prologue or the first chapter, thank you! Here's the next installment I hope you all enjoy it
~ Chapter 2~
A phone ring jarred Sara out of her reverie. She hurried to reach it. "Hello?" she said a little breathlessly.
"Hey, it's me," her partner's voice greeted her ears, "There's been a murder and the chief wants us to investigate it." Sara listened as he gave her directions then hung up.
She placed the old decoder ring, the Valentine, and the rose back into her oak chest. On an impulse, Sara picked up the miniature statue of the dog and put it in her coat jacket. She grabbed her helmet and keys and headed out the door.
Sara parked her bike next to Jake's car and followed the trail of yellow police tape to the scene of the crime. It was at an expensive condominium where all the local politicians, lawyers, and doctors resided. She caught a glimpse of a familiar blond spiky haired man. Sara walked over to him. "Hey, what do we got?" He stepped away from the body.
Jake handed her a file. "Doctor Laurence Shillinger. Age 89, 6'1", brown hair and eyes. Born and raised here. Never left the country, hell, never even left the state according to his records. Worked on some top secret research project. Something to do with genetics or manipulation of them. The company he worked for even has an office in town. Here's the address," he handed her another slip of paper. "Well, last night around 1 am, one of the neighbors reported hearing strange sounds coming from his condo. The doctor apparently had come home and his attacker got in and stabbed him. There are no signs of break-in though."
"So the doctor might have known the attacker and let him in."
"Him? That's sexist of you, Pez. You're hurting my feelings here."
She rolled her eyes. "Fine. Him or her. Are there any witnesses?"
"Um I'm not sure." Sara stared at him.
"What about the neighbor who called in?"
Jake sighed. "Okay, I'll interview his neighbors see if anyone can i.d. the attacker."
Sara rubbed her wrist with the Witchblade on it. "And I'll check in with some of my sources and try to find out what Shillinger was working on." Jake nodded and headed out of the condo slamming the door on the way out. Sara stared at the door. It slammed. The image played over again in her mind.
****
Sara headed to the park again the next evening. She spotted the strange kid and his dog over by the swings. She glanced around seeing the park was deserted except for them. She slowly made her way to him. He was dressed in the same attire as before and was hesitantly poking the swing closest to him with one hand. The other hand was absently petting the gleaming coat of the dog.
"Nice dog you got there," Sara said quietly crouching beside them. The boy jumped slightly and whirled in her direction. Sara did not look at him, but rather stroked the dog's soft fur. The puppy shoved its head into her lap. Sara giggled, "What's his name?" She watched the boy out of the corner of her eye, struggle with whether to stay or run.
He stayed. "Her name is Serena," he said in a voice barely above a whisper. Sara let him get used to her presence as she continued to pet his dog.
Sensing less tension in him, she suggested playfully, "It usually helps if someone pushes you."
"Wha..what?" he stumbled over the words. "What do you mean?" he asked curiously.
"The swings," she pointed to the one he had been inspecting. "Why don't you sit on it and I'll push you?" The boy hesitated again before reluctantly sitting on the swing. " 'k. Hold on!" Sara pushed the swing. Startled, the boy clung to the chains. As the swing picked up speed and reached up towards the sky, he gradually relaxed and started to enjoy himself.
"Higher!" he exclaimed excitedly, "I'm flying!" His hazel eyes lit up with happiness and a broad grin stretched across his face.
"Maybe if you weren't so heavy," she teased him. Maybe all boys aren't dumb after all, she thought to herself.
The two played on the swings for hours. Sara and her new friend took turns gleefully pushing the other. The dog just lounged in the tree's shade to avoid the heat. Neither said much, but it was all right. There was laughter in the air and all was good.
"Hey! Wanna try the slides?" Sara suggested as she swung up higher.
The boy helped her slow the swing down. "Sure! I'd lo.."
"Ian!" An angry voice shattered their careless play. The boy stepped away from Sara and the swing. All at once, the cheer left him as he became silent and submissive. "Do you have any idea what time it is? Go straight home!" He glared down at Serena, "And take that ugly mutt with you." The tall man had pale blond hair and ice blue eyes. His strict business suit matched the hard look in his eyes.
The boy, no Ian, Sara reminded herself, picked up the dog and ran as fast as his legs could out of the park. She glanced up at the scary blond man. He scowled down at her. "Don't you have some dolls to play with or something, little girl?" He didn't know that his remark echoed one previously voiced by a young boy. Sara stiffened in anger. Before she could reply, the man put on a pair of sunglasses and strolled out of the park.