Chapter 6

Lucifer's Pov

The evening was late yet it was still bright in tasty flavor of orange spreading across the sky. After my short visit with Mazikeen, I rushed back the station to see what if the team have found anything else for the detective. My anger for Maze was low but strong for her betrayal, and what's worse, she joined that irritating Cain. It was hard, but I needed to put that anger aside and focus on the detective. Knowing that she could be on a thin balance between life and death, and could happen later, or soon, or now.

Fortunately, Miss Lopez and Detective Espinoza were in the lab and found some more clues. "So, what do you have?" I asked hurriedly.

"We found the tire tracks from the car" Miss Lopez pointed with a hopeful smile.

"And we found the right car" Daniel thankfully added more good news, "Same description. Same tire tracks. They all fit."

I suddenly sensed a 'but' crawling at the end of that sentence, and I was right. Daniel continued, "But, we still don't know who the drivers, I mean the CCTV cameras can't even get their faces."

"Well there must be something!" I raised my voice in annoyance.

"We're doing the best we c... Charlotte!" Daniel was hit with shocked right in his face. I saw the touch of awkwardness on his face as he tried to hide his affects for Charlotte.

Miss Lopez's head and mine were all turned in shock to see Charlotte walking into the lab in a smart, white suit. "Charlotte..." I was startled and speechless, "What are you doing here?"

"Well, I heard the news, so I'm willing to help in any way I can" Charlotte kindly explained.

She was holding two, large files in her hands and laid them in a block on top of the table surface. Charlotte clarified, "Luckily for you, I think I found something."

"Pierce told me about the priest, so I did some digging and found these" Charlotte carefully opened the top file and showed some papers. We all shifted closer to see what the papers as Charlotte started, "Oscar Rivas, he was a drug counselor. The head of a drug gang called the 'Los Xs.' He was in court a few times, for murder."

She handled that file over to us to look at, while Charlotte began stating another person, "Sam Shelwood. Also known as, 'Banger' part of a small gang. He was released from prison recently."

"And, you know what they both have in common?" She questioned us with a sly smile and a questionable gaze like what Dr. Linda does to me when she's trying to get me to figure out something. We all waited for a second and out comes the answer, "They all took part in becoming priests."

That raised our heads and widen our eyes. Miss Lopez rushed to her computer and began taping the names and see of their records and the it recent seen events. "Charlotte, you're a bloody miracle!" Daniel happily cheered.

"Oh, no... I'm not" Charlotte flattered.

"Oh yes, you deserved to be called that" I encouraged, not only saying how supportive she is for helping us, but because this I believed she's becoming more greater than she was become. Than the person who she was that lead her to Hell when she died. What she's doing right her right now, deserve no place in Hell for her to be in, never. Charlotte returned with a small smile, knowing what I meant but I could tell the disagreement in her eyes.

"Guys, look!" Miss Lopez caught our attention as our eyes moved to the screen of her computer. She revealed on screen the face of one of the men Charlotte showed though a CCTV camera, and it was a day before the detective was abducted. And, luckily another camera shot on the other human. They were spotted close by the detective's house, understanding that they were following her. Then, Miss Lopez jumped to another area on screen showing a few CCTV cameras. She pointed to one by the bottom corner, "They were recently seen by the east side of L.A."

"Great. Let's go then!" I ordered.

"I'll find the address and text you" Miss Lopez focus back on her computer.

Daniel and I rushed out of the lab and ran through the station, before Daniel turned and gazed directly at Charlotte, "Thanks again... Charlotte."

"Good luck" she wished back to us.

I rolled my eyes and silently huffed at Daniel's long awkwardly gaze at Charlotte. I rushed back and grabbed his arm and began pulling him along the room, "Come on, Doche. We haven't got all evening."

Finally, we existed out of the police station and headed to Doche's car. For some unexplained reason, Detective Doche didn't want to drive in my car. I had the time to argue as we both wanted to get these criminal priests as fast as we could. The night wasn't as dark as the time was still early, yet I felt so late and drown down in grief and disbelief. Not a word came out of our mouths for over a minute or two. I believe we were think the same thing; not wanting to say the wrong word to unbalance our faith in the detective whether or not she's alive. However, soon I broke the silence.

"What is with you and Charlotte?" I asked unexpectedly for Daniel.

He shocked his head back out of the wordless silence while trying to keep his eyes on the dark road ahead as he drives. He looked at me puzzled, "Sorry, what?"

"Well, you and Mrs. Richards have some... chemistry thing, whatever you humans call" I explained, "Yet you both act like there's nothing more."

"Yeah well... we're just close friends, nothing more" Daniel excused.

"Nonsense. Everyone can see it" I added, "If you weren't so afraid all the bloody time..."

Daniel cut in before I could finish my sentence, "I am not afraid"

"Oh, really?" I chuckled and Daniel rolled his eyes in annoyance. I looked at him and spoke in a way Dr. Linda usually does to me, "You say you're giving Charlotte time and space because it's what she wants. But we both know you're using it as an excuse, to avoid telling her what you want."

"Fine. Okay. Yeah. Maybe I'm not great at admitting what I want" Daniel confessed, but I could sense a pitch of debating in his voice. He faced him a few times then looked back at the road, and used his hand to point out his argue, "But when it comes to understanding people, I'm not taking any pointers from you, man. In fact, I think you're the one who's afraid.

"Excuse me?" I stared back from that shock wave.

"I know the reason why you won't ask Chloe if she prefers Pierce, or perhaps you, is because you think she might into still him" Daniel explained, "And, and that's why you're scared to hear the answer, because you might be the answer."

I chuckled, "That's absurd"

Daniel began unfolding his evidence to me for his point of argument, "No? Then, why are you buying her all of thses nice thing? A drink, lemon bars, a car, even making her dinner. Because let me tell you something pal, these stupid little head games of yours, aren't gonna work. Because, first off, you're only thinking about Chloe as her job. I mean, you don't even call her by her real name. Not "the detective." Chloe, C-H-L-O-E. Chloe..."

"Yes, I know her name and how to spell it" I replied, my voice sounded worthless to listen to Daniel's argument.

"Then, why not use it then?" Daniel questioned.

"Because, it's endearing. She doesn't mind it" I answered.

Daniel commented, "Oh, come on. Chloe is so much more than work, man. She's a friend. She's a devoted parent to Trixie. She's the most amazing human being I've ever meet."

"By the way, did you asked Maze to come back and babysit Trixie?" Daniel asked.

"Yes. Since we're out finding the detective, I thought that the urchin needs be taken care of be someone who is highly skilled" I clarified, "And, who's better than the greater torturer of hell."

"Well... Thanks man. But, I don't think Trixie is going to like it" Daniel pointed.

"And, I couldn't agree more Daniel. I mean I would hate for someone spoiling me a spoiled brat, unless it's one of my siblings than that'll make sense" I replied back, "But, if the detective can be kidnapped then we couldn't risk the child."

"Thanks again, man" Daniel repeated his thanks to me, as much as Detective Doche and I do sometimes despised each other, we do however get closer in a simple police relationship.

"I mean, the detective is sensitive, and good, and... predictable" my mind began thinking back on the detective and when I last saw her. In her apartment, when Pierce proposed to her and she answered no. Yet, I remembered hearing her saying she still wants to work out their relationship. I wondered, "But, how can the detective's actions be so easy to replicate and yet so hard to decipher? I still have absolutely no clue as to why she would even consider giving Pierce another chance."

"Not to point fingers, Daniel, but I do wish you'd tried harder" I excused.

"Harder? For what?" Daniel whirled in confusion.

"Well, you and the detective were losing your marriage, yet you still tried to get holding on to it" I asked, "So, why did the detective wanted to give you a chance?"

"Look man, Chloe and I had some difficulties in our marriage, because of my mistakes and all that. But, Chloe gave me a chance and wanted to make it work. Because that's who she is; she's a giver, a risk-taker, someone who wants to make things right" Daniel explained, "We wanted what's best for us and for Trixie, it wasn't working so we broke up. That's it."

I nodded for his honesty with a small smile, "You clearly explained, Daniel. But, that still doesn't help me."

I turned my gaze at the dark road ahead, while Daniel rolled his eyes and tried to hold his vexed huffed as he wanted to slap his hand over his eyes or forehead. On the spur of the moment, Daniel's phone was ringing and his finger slide across the surface and open call on loud speaker, Daniel called, "Ella?"

"Found something. One of the men, Oscar Rivas, was spotted by the California Donuts cafe" Ella noted.

"Great, thanks" Daniel cheered.

"Right. I'm sending you the address" Miss Lopez alarmed.

The link Miss Lopez send arrived on the phone in a second, and I quickly clicked the link so we could get the directions to our destination on the car's Sat Nav. Opportunity, we were close like minutes away. Our hopes were rapidly raised knowing if I get this lead correctly, we could find the detective faster. Once we arrived at the donut café, we still sat in our car and scanned around outside trying to see ever face our gaze comes in contact. Daniel parked the car on the same side of the roar and entered in the café. Daniel asked the nice-looking female mangers if they recognised Rivas. I looked around the inside café scanning at every face I could see. Until, my eyes spotted through the glass window a tall, tan man with a similar face look of Rivas. And I was right, from walking on the other side of the street while finishing a donut, he was definitely in a priest suit. I warned Daniel by holding on his shoulder and turned him around to get him facing in the same direction. Once, Daniel spotted Rivas walked out of the café while keeping our eyes target on Rivas until Daniel gives the order.

"LAPD! Put your hands in the air!" Daniel shouted.

Rivas spotted us ahead as we walked across the road while Daniel took out his gun and was aiming at Rivas. I could see the tention shivering coldly down Rivas's spine as he didn't know whether to raised up innocently trying to keep his act as a priest, or take a risk and run off. Foolish as humans can get, Rivas began racing off through the street. Daniel and I chased after him while Daniel was shouting, "Freeze!" however Rivas ignored his warning. Rivas dashed in an ally way and threw down some bins in our way, then broke into a door of an old house. We were losing him as Daniel ran up faster than me and chased him through the house. Hearing them chasing up the stairs, I decided to take the easy way. Checked if no one was around and unfolded my long, white wings and flew myself up till I reached to a clear window and climbed through after I quickly folded my wings back. I could hear Rivas rushing up the stairs, getting closer and closer to the same floor level I was standing on. Once, Rivas was on the same level, I reached my hand out and pulled into a spare, empty room and threw him at the wall.

"Hello kidnapper!" a wicked smile grew on my face.

Rivas's hand reached down to the side of his waist, and I knew what he was going for. I reached down and gripped his hand tightly, as Rivas pulled out his black gun in the same hand. I squeezed his hand hard, feeling his bones getting pressured firmly together. Finally, Rivas let the gun go and moaned in pain, as he looked to me in fear and whispered, "Who the hell are you?"

"I'm the one who you'll be answering my questions" I growled in an eerily tone as I gripped on the front sides of Rivas' shirt and slammed him hard against the wall, "Or your answers will be left written on your gravestone."

"Now, tell me. Where is she?" I growled in rage and impatience.

Rivas answered breathlessly, "I was just doing as I was told, man."

"WHERE IS SHE?" I roared my question again, and this time I could the hellfire blazing in my eyes again. Rivas closed his eyes as he could feel the warmth from my roaring breathe like hot smoke burning from fire.

"Lucifer!" Daniel rushed in the room with his gun out aiming at Rivas, "Lucifer, put him down! We need to talk to him!"

My anger coiling in my veins wanted my hand to squeezed his throat tight till Rivas could have one last air to breathe in. However, Daniel's words were sucked in my ears repeating themselves till I follow the orders. I dropped Rivas down on the floor as he tried to calm his breathing.

"Right, let's talk" Daniel gave a serious death stare down to Rivas, well as much as I was staring down at him like I do at the dead souls in hell who I would go and torture myself.

"Oh, God, listen, save whatever threats you guys got" Rivas breathed.

"Oh, he won't be able to save you, I can assure you" I evilly smile.

Daniel took a step closer and asked, "Where is Detective Chloe Decker?"

"I don't know" Rivas quickly spat out a lie through his breathless teeth, and that boiled my anger hotter into a fiery rage.

However, I easy hide my rage and walked closer and kneed down in front of Rivas and revealed the same eerily grin, "Oh, come on Rivas. You obviously know, I mean you risk yourself when yourself to kidnap a cop, and to out-chase one. And, for what?"

"I don't need to answer to you, you freak" Rivas spatted again in that 'don't care' tone.

The ending of his sentence slapped me on the face, at least it wasn't one of the worst names that the humans had given me over the last centuries. However, it clued me that he possibly doesn't know who I truly am was. But if I have to be honest, that still moaned some anxiousness in my gut, because even Rivas doesn't knew, then the other priest Pierce warned me still knows. And, if that priest knows, then they will probably tell the detective the truth. Yet, I didn't react with a vicious stare, I only gazed at in a simple and steady reaction. "Very well. But, let me asked you something Mr. Rivas. What do you get out this? What do you truly desire?"

I held my sinful smile as my dark eyes gazed deeply into Rivas' worthless soul, sensed the crimes he committed for his greed and wrath. My desire mojo has made Rivas stunned and his face looked speechless. His voice was completely speechless as well, but he tried to speak out, "I... I..."

"Yes?" I added to pressure Rivas to pull the truth through his throat and out from the mouth.

"I... I want money" Rivas answered slowly.

"Oh... and how exactly are you going to do that?" I questioned still holding up my sly smile.

Rivas speechless voice revealed the truth, "From you."

My eyes went narrow in confusion, and so did Daniel's. I raised myself up while keeping eyes on Rivas. Daniel took a step closer and interrogated, "What do you mean 'from him?'"

Rivas breathed calmly before answering my question, "I was asked to do a job, and in return he'll pay back, like a lot from."

"What do I have to do with any of this?" I asked.

"He said you were loaded, and when he rids of you he'll pay us with your money" Rivas explained.

"Oh, did he now" I growled with my dark voice.

Daniel interrupted, "Hang on. Who is 'he?' The one who got you out of prison?"

Rivas went silent but Daniel continued questioning in a straight tone, "Who are you working for? What's his name?"

"He's a priest, or father, whatever. Father Kinley, I think. Look, he just gave me a job with big money, that's all."

"And the job was the kidnap Decker" Daniel corrected the equation in this mess Rivas was trapped in.

"Or, to dress like desperate, virgin priest" I sarcastically corrected form the suit Rivas was wearing.

"Look, I know she's not dead okay" Rivas added,

"I'm going to ask you more last time, Mr. Rivas" I whispered down to him as I could hear his small heart beating faster in between his shivering ribs, "Where is the detective?"

"I don't know. I swear" I heard a pitch of fear infecting in Rivas' voice, knowing that's telling the truth, "I just dropped her off by the end of the High Street."

"If they're by the high street, we could get them on the CCTV cameras" Daniel supposed an idea that will further down our lead.

Afterwards, Daniel kneed down and took out his handcuffs to gripped his wrists together and trapped them around a long, metal pip that stands through the floor to the ceiling. Once, Daniel was done with that he alarmed, "The police will be here soon. Send you back to where you belong."

Daniel was walking back towards the door and I followed him from behind before he gazing Mr. Rivas a short death stare. "I see you in hell!" Rivas yelled sarcastically, but soon he wouldn't find it funny.

"Oh, we will Mr. Rivas" I chuckled. When Daniel left the room, I stood by the door entrance and gazed at Rivas with a wicked grin and revealed my red eyes clearly to him, "And, I can assure you, I'll be very excited."

I watched Rivas' mocking face quickly melted away into a shock of terror look. He saw the red hellfire blazing in my eyes and what comes along with it. I noticed his mouth quietly moving, "What the..." Like he read my mind of how he will trap in a cell flooded with his own guilt, for all eternity. And if, I ever go back down to hell again, then I will gladly visit him and give the most painful torture he could ever receive. When I first turned around, my feet stepping out of the room and closing, Rivas began screaming out for help after realising what he has done and what's coming for him. That sneakily widen my grin.

I rushed down the meet Daniel down the stairs, Daniel looked puzzled as he heard Rivas screaming, he wondered, "Why is he screaming?"

"Oh, they all scream at the end, Daniel" I commended and encouraged him to continued walking down the stairs. I looked up and whispered to himself, "They always do."

We finally reached down to the ground, Daniel turned his head around and asked, "How did you do that?"

"Do what?"

"That eye thing you do. How do you do that?" Daniel questioned.

I answered, "Oh, that's just my mojo."

"What, like, you're snaky hypnotist?"

"No, I'm not like Kaa, for crying out loud Daniel" I replied to his joke.

"Hey, I didn't say that" Daniel chuckled while getting out his phone.

"Although, it wasn't bad as a snake" I smirked to myself, thinking back at the old days in the Garden of Eden. Ahh... I missed those days. First time transforming into a snake, actually, but haven't tried it since. it did ached my shoulders for a while.

Daniel got off the phone and faced me, "Right, the police are on their way."

"We need to the high street" he submitted, as we headed back to the car.

We charged back to, because I was still having second thoughts on staying and desperately wanting to punish Rivas. Every step I took makes me regret not doing it right here, right now. I sealed my lips and growled angrily, as I hopped back in Daniel's car. He fit in the car keys and turned on the car, however Daniel and paused and gazed at me. Noticed my eyes were staring through the cool window, Daniel could see in the waspishness darkly poisoning in the centre of my eyes, as well as it was growing in his eyes.

"You okay, man?" his friendly voice welcomed a question to my ears.

"No" that was as honest as I could say, and he understood. Just before Daniel start the car and could drive off, I whispered to myself spilled out the deeper truth, "I'm pissed."