Coldest Degree
Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to Red Eye or CSI: Miami!
Chapter Two
"What do we know, Alexx?" Horatio Caine asked from beside the coroner. Alexx Woods had just completed the autopsy of Jane Doe from the swampy pond.
"Baby put up one hell of a fight. She's got wounds of every size, shape, and color."
His gaze fell towards the young woman's face for the very first time. She was rather pretty, even with her eyes closed and her skin battered. She looked, peaceful, for lack of a better word. As peaceful as any murder victim could appear that is.
"How many wounds?"
"There's about twenty scratches on the backs on her legs, the long 'J' on her forearm, and about thirty various cuts of different lengths and depths on her chest, arms, neck, and even her stomach," Alexx said, pointing out the wounds as she spoke.
"Any others?"
"She had one scar that was about four years old judging by the healed skin. Plus she was pretty bruised up. The majority of the bruises were concentrated on her throat, wrists, and arms. Someone was trying to restrain her and hold her still while they killed her."
"Wolfe is trying to come up with an id on our Jane Doe. Hopefully, that will lead us to the killer."
"Whoever he is, he's good with a blade—strong too."
"What makes you say that?"
"The stab wounds and bruises indicate that whoever attacked her was physically stronger. He was able to hold her down despite her struggling and systemically butcher her. Some of her wounds are defensive and she was trying to protect someone."
"Who, Alexx?"
The African-American woman smiled at him. "Baby was pregnant and she knew it. That son of a bitch killed a mother with child."
"Don't worry, we'll get him."
"I know. That's what I told her."
Horatio took another look at the young woman. She had a long life ahead of her and much to live for. Whoever had killed her was particularly cold and cruel. The autopsy had confirmed his suspicion about her murder being cold-bloodedly planned and executed. Her killer had no attachment to her. Whoever he was, had not cared about the young woman or her child.
Her reddish-brown hair shone slightly under the powerful lamps. She did not deserve to be lying here with Alexx attending to her. She belonged outside in the Miami sunshine, smiling and happy.
He would hunt down and punish whoever was responsible. No one deserved this kind of death, least of all a mother with child.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
"What have you got for me, Mister Wolfe?" Horatio asked as he entered the quiet room. All that was in the darkened room was Ryan Wolfe and a computer that he was currently hunched over.
"Well, I spent the past five hours pouring over the missing persons reports…"
"And?"
"I think I've got her."
"Okay, what did you get?"
"A Lisa Rippner. She was reported missing about a week ago by her husband. Get this, H—her husband's name is Jackson."
Horatio took the report from Ryan's hands. A beautiful young woman, full of life and with her green eyes sparkling, was smiling at the camera in the attached photo.
"Our mysterious 'J'," he muttered. "Send a squad car to this address. I think it's time to have a chat with Mr. Rippner."
Author's Notes:
Just a short chapter. I'm still trying to work out the specifics. Having them go after Jackson is a big part of the story. More analysis of her murder will be revealed soon—I'm not skipping over it, I promise. Enjoy and thanks for all the reviews!