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I'm falling, freefalling through the air. I can feel the air rushing past me, I know that I'm going to hit the ground soon. "We need you. It's time to wake up. It's been decided. We need you.'' There's a strange disembodied voice ringing through my ears, then a beeping sound. "Wake up NOW'' It screams. Suddenly I'm sitting up in bed, panting trying to catch my breath, as my alarm is screeching next to my bed. The dream is still clear in my mind as I reach over hitting the off button, climbing out of the warmth of my covers and heading for the shower trying to shake it off.
"But you followed her didn't you Kyle?'' It's late in the afternoon, the dream from the night before is still playing on my mind but I'm more concerned with nailing this guy for rape and murder. "You followed her, pretty girl, short skirt. Thought you stood a chance with her. Fibres from her skirt were caught in you belt buckle.'' I'm pacing the floor on the other side of the table, my tough angry voice filling the room whilst my suspect sits back in the metal chair.
"I told you that I was in the club. I may have knocked into her, no crime in that.'' Kyle Turner just sits there talking with pure boredom in his voice. I hate guys like this, no form of regret, no conscious, lying to my face and acting like a tough guy with big muscles and tattoos.
I push another autopsy photo in his face. "There is a crime in raping and killing a girl though Kyle. See that? That's a bruise from your fist.'' I point out an obvious bruise pattern on the side of the poor girl's face. "And that?'' I slam another photo onto the table, "Is the pattern from your ring, embedded in her skin. Now I know what you're gonna say, plenty of rings like that in New York. Trust me Kyle, only yours tested positive for Lola Penn's blood.''
"You know how it is in a club, people always knocking into you. Maybe I caught her in the face…accidentally.'' He adds, rising an eyebrow in contempt.
I take a seat across from him. "I've got you Kyle. So let's run through my version of what happened. You followed Lola, cornering her in that alley, offering what I'm sure would have been a night of 'passion'.'' I make air quotes and roll my eyes at him mockingly. "But Lola wasn't interested, so what she push you? Or laugh in your face, I'm not sure maybe she did both, how does it feel when that happens huh Kyle? Or did she do it in the club and everyone saw? Wow, that must hurt being blown off in front of your friends, big tough guy like yourself.'' I'm locking eyes with the guy, I can see that I'm touching a nerve with every word I say, anger is rising in his dark eyes.
"She was asking for it,'' he growls. "Dancing like a stripper, then knocking me back in front my hommies, had to teach that bitch some respect.''
"How did that first punch feel? Good release isn't it, like taking some pride back. Only you couldn't stop there. Had to teach her 'respect'.'' More air quotes were made, I sit forward only inches away from his face. "Raping her, bitch never gonna treat you like that again she is? Respect taught, what Kyle Turner wants Kyle Turner gets. But you couldn't just leave it there, you just needed to punch her again, and again and again.'' I lower my voice. "But she was still breathing, how dare she? So you grabbed that chain and twisted it around her neck till she turned blue. Then you finally walked away. How far did you get till you heard her move? If you'd only kept walking Kyle, if only… You went back and put a bullet in her chest didn't you Kyle? That gun I pulled out of your car's gonna match isn't it Kyle?'' I keep rising my voice until I'm practically shouting at the guy.
"No wait, I never shot the girl.'' His eyes look gleeful, like I've just excused him of the crime. "I beat her, and twisted the chain round her neck, but I didn't shot her. She was still alive when I left.''
"That's just the problem Kyle, she wasn't alive. She was dead when you let go of that chain. You choked the life out of her.'' I glare at him, spitting the words out of my mouth.
"You said someone shot her.'' He looks at me disbelievingly, like I've snatched away a lifeline, and technically I have, couldn't have happened to a nicer guy.
"It's amazing really, see detectives can lie in an interview. No one shot her Kyle. You killed her. You just admitted to twisting the chain.'' I begin to gather the photos up off the table. "Don't worry, I'll let her five year old son know that the last thing his mother learnt was respect.''
"You bitch'' He screams flipping the table across the room, trying to make his way over to me. Almost instantly I'm on my feet as two uniforms rush in and flatten him against a wall. "You bitch.'' He screams again.
"That's Detective Bitch to you.'' I say coolly back as he led from the room. I let out a breath that I'm even realising I'm holding, and begin to collect up my photos that are now scattered across the floor from the flipped over table.
"Bet that felt good.'' I hear, I look up to find the body of the voice, only to find the room still empty.
"Bet that felt good.'' I say, leaning against the wall. I'll admit that I like her confidence in interrogation that was a nice catch since she had no evidence that he did twist the chain. I love it when they walk into open traps like that, it's so satisfying. Her head is now looking in my direction, eyes open in bewilderment. Did she hear that? She's searching the room with her eyes, she did. "Can you hear me?'' I ask, but this time I get no reaction as she shakes it off and continues to gather her photos up. I reach down and push one over to her, seeing if I can move it.
That photo just moved, I know it did. I'm now crouched on the floor, staring incessantly at the photo that I know just inched forward towards me. "Good work, Detective Bitch.'' I glance up to find Flack at the doorway. "You having fun down there?'' He asks stepping into the room so that he's staring from the same angle at the photo. "What's so interesting?''
"Erm…nothing.'' I answer, picking it up and standing back up next to him. "It's just been a long shift, think my eyes are tired.''
Damn it Flack, you have the worst timing in the world. I actually moved that photo, and she saw. Piss off so I can try again, I try unsuccessfully to bang on the glass but my hand falls through it silently.
"Aren't you off now?'' He checks his watch, I check mine. Yeah I should have been home an hour ago, but there was no way I was passing this over to someone else. I'd promised her son that I would get the 'bad man' who killed his mother.
"I need to go tell her son that I got him,'' I say tiredly, rubbing my nose subconsciously. For some reason I rub my nose when I'm tired, not my eyes like most normal people, freak that I am.
"I wouldn't tell him about the whole 'respect' thing mind.'' I gave Flack an odd look, what is he going on about? "What Turner said, about teaching her respect?'' He's now looking at me like he's offended me and trying to explain himself.
"How did you know about that?'' I ask, as we exit the room and make our way through the crowded halls.
"I kinda watched,'' He admits looking a bit sheepish. "But it wasn't just me, like everyone did.'' I widen my eyes in horror, everyone was watching me? "We only wanted to see how you are in an interrogation that's all.'' I shake my head in disbelief. "You're kinda good at it.'' He adds quietly.
Flack, we need to discuss your game. It's pathetic.
"Thanks.'' I smile at him; he's so cute when he's flustered. "Maybe I can watch you one day.'' I wink at him.
Oh she did not just fall for that.
"Well maybe I could buy you coffee, we can arrange a time that you can watch me.'' We're both grinning at each other, I'm glad that no one is paying us any attention. "You free now?''
You two deserve each other, that's no way no win over a girl. 'You're good at interrogation', seen better chat up lines on the side of a milk cartoon.
"I've got to go tell her son.'' I explain, "I'm sorry but I promised he'd be the first to know. But I'm free after that, well once I've filled Mac in on the details.''
He checks his watch, "I've only got an hour to spare, it's just the hospital visiting hours you know.'' He looks down, sighing at the final comment.
"No change.'' I ask tentatively, knowing that no one else is prepared to talk about it.
"Not really,'' He shakes his head sadly. "He would have been impressed though, he has a similar style to you with interrogation. I'll have to tell him he has competition.'' He adds with a slight laugh.
No need to tell me mate, I'm right here. I saw. Now piss off because she doesn't notice me when you're around. GO AWAY!
"Maybe next time then?'' I smile, he nods in agreement as we split into different directions at the stairs, me heading towards child services and Flack towards Stella's office.
After about an hour of sitting with Jake Penn, going through the fact that the 'bad man' is now going to prison for a long time and that his Mommy is with the angels, sitting with him as he draws pictures I notice a man through the door staring at me. "You ok Jake?'' I ask, he nods silently as he continues to colour. "I'm just stepping out for a minute I need to talk to this man, just shout if you need me.'' I make my way over to the door. "Are you from child services?'' I ask the tall, sandy haired man in front of me.
She talking to me?
"No,'' he seems a bit dazed as he pushes in glasses further up the ridge of his nose. "You talking to me?''
She can see me? FINALLY!
I look around, the corridor is deserted. "Yes,'' I raise an eyebrow, he seems to be confused. "You ok?''
"I'm not sure,'' He's staring at me, a happy smile playing across his features, he's quite handsome really. "You can see me? Right, hear me?'' I nod, ok this guy has obviously wandered out of some special services unit.
"Yes, now where did you come from? Is someone here with you? Do I need to get someone?'' I ask sweetly, why wouldn't I be able to see him?
"I'm a detective,'' he snorts at the accusation that he needs to be with someone.
Finally, it feels like years since I've had a proper conversation that hasn't been one way. Maybe I can finally sort out what's happening.
I hear Jake call out to me. "Wait here, I'll be right back.'' I tell him, re-entering the room and taking a seat on the couch next to him. "What's up sweetie?''
"Who are you talking too?'' Jake asks me, turning his big brown eyes to mine.
"That man.'' I look back up to the corridor, but no one is there. "You saw the man? Tall, with glasses on?''
Jake shakes his head and turns back to his colouring, "It's ok, I've got an invisible friend too. He's called Franklin. No one can see him either.''
"Excuse me Jake.'' I'm back searching the corridor, this man has completely disappeared, with no trace of him in the corridor. I told him to stay.
I'm still here, you were just talking to me! How can you not see me? Damn that kid! I slam my fist into the wall.
My head turns to another unexplained noise, I'm going mad. Noises do not just happen. Jake must just have not been able to see him from his position. I really need some sleep, I rub my nose again, it's time to say goodbye to Jake, make sure he's ok before dropping him off at child services. Then finish up, head home and sleep.
There is no way I'm letting you out of my sight! I know you know I'm here!