Five dead bodies in three days. Not just bodies, cops…officers of the law, NYPD's finest. No chance to defend themselves, no look at their shooter, no moment of realization. Each one brutally murdered one after another. But the fifth body…the fifth was the worst one yet. Half of the body was charred, the upper half, beyond recognition. The smell of burnt flesh fouled the air, compromising every breath taken. Black, red, and ash colored flesh, all descended from the face of the victim. It was apparent he was well aware of being burnt. Her eyes were widen open, with a looked of utter terror.
Lindsay couldn't take her eyes from the body. Her head was buzzing around. She couldn't hear anything from anyone. She just stood there, staring at the dead officer. Finally, her body couldn't take it anymore. Lindsay pivoted on her heels and dropped her case. She moved about four feet before she dropped to her knees and vomited. Her throat burned and she coughed harshly. She inhaled deeply, trying to regain her composure.
She felt a strong hand on her back, "Just breathe Linds. Just breathe."
Lindsay spat and wiped her mouth. She took a deep breath and nodded. "I'm alright."
"You sure?" Flack asked.
Lindsay nodded and looked up at him. "Yeah."
Flack nodded and stood up. Lindsay stood up and followed him back to the crime scene. She noticed Danny's worried look, but Lindsay dismissed it. She knelt down next to her kit and pulled on her gloves. She ignored the urge to vomit again and focused on her job.
"COD's pretty visible. She was burned to death." Hawkes explained.
"Do we have a name?" Lindsay asked.
Flack nodded and pulled out his pad. "Detective Olivia Hunt. On the force for seven years."
"What was she doin' in the alley?" Danny asked.
"Dispatch said she was workin' her own case. And witnesses say she came down here, following some guy. Heard some ruff stuff goin' on down here, then a gunshot. When they looked she was on fire." Flack explained.
Lindsay looked up form the body. "Flack, where are the witnesses?"
Flack nodded down the alley. "Right there."
"Hawkes, do you still have the picture of the car?" Lindsay asked.
"Yeah, it's in the car." Hawkes answered.
Lindsay nodded and stripped her gloves. "I'm going to get it. Maybe they saw the car."
Danny's head shot up. "Lindsay-"
"I'll keep my eyes out for it." Lindsay interrupted. She jobbed down the alley and ducked under the tape. She weaved through the bystanders and jogged to the truck. Lindsay opened the door and pulled out the picture. She walked back to the bystanders. Lindsay approached an elderly woman with a shopping cart in front of her.
"Excuse me, ma'am, did you see this car before or after you saw the detective?" Lindsay asked.
The woman nodded. "Yes. I saw pull away after I heard a gunshot."
"Did you see what the driver looked like, or who the detective was following looked like?" Lindsay asked.
The woman shook her head. "No, I'm sorry."
Lindsay smiled. "Thank you." She ducked under the tape and joined Hawkes and Danny back near the body. The ME's were loading the body onto the gurney.
Hawkes met Lindsay next to the gurney. "What's the verdict?"
"It's definitely the same person." Lindsay explained.
"Did she get a look at the guy?"
Lindsay shook her head, "No. But at least now, we have some place to start. What did you guys find?"
Hawkes shrugged. "Not much."
"Surprise surprise." Lindsay said.
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Lindsay stood on the roof of the crime lab several days later. She wiped her tears from her face in frustration. They weren't any closer to finding the killer at all. Sid's autopsy results of Detective Hunt were just as gruesome as her murder. Beaten before torched, and shot before beaten. The burning had charred the skin so no bruises could be identified. All evidence on Hunt's body had been burned off and there was no bullet to connect with the other murders.
Lindsay had finally had enough of the dead ends and holding back all her feelings. She'd bolted from her office to the elevator, most likely causing most of her colleagues to witness the start of her breaking point. Lindsay had taken it up to the top floor and then used the stairs to access the roof. She then ran near the edge and finally broke down in frustrated tears. She couldn't hold anything back any more. She was upset that five officers had been murdered. She was frustrated that they couldn't find the killer. She was angry that she was useless. She was mad at herself for being weak.
"Lindsay?"
Lindsay winced. "Over hear, Danny."
She heard his footsteps across the roof. She could feel him watching her, even if he said nothing. Lindsay did her best to wipe her tears discretely from her cheeks. She felt his hand on her left shoulder, but she refused to look at him.
"Lindsay." he said.
Lindsay shook her head.
"Talk to me, Linds." Danny pleaded.
"I can't." Lindsay broke down into a fit of tears again. She quickly tried to wipe them aware, unaware that Danny stepped in front of her. He took her into his arms despite her protest. Danny held her tightly, letting Lindsay cry on his shoulder.
Lindsay finally cried her last tear and freed herself from Danny's arms. "Urgh, I hate this case!"
"Can' name many people who'd enjoy this case Lindsay." Danny replied.
Lindsay shook her head. "We're not even making progress anymore. Five NYPD officers have been killed and our shooters still nameless."
"That's not true. Flacks still lookin' for the car titled to Gunn, it'll take some time." Danny said.
"And how many more officers will die in that time frame, Danny? We've already proved they'll shoot us. Any second we'll get another call and have another officer in the morgue." Lindsay explained.
Danny grabbed her arm and pulled her close. "Lindsay, I know this isn't the easiest case, but it's our job…and no matter how long it takes, we're goin' to do it."
Lindsay sighed and nodded her head. "I hate getting worked up."
Danny smiled slightly. "To be honest Linds, you've done what everybody's been dyin' to do since we got this case."
Lindsay laughed darkly. "What, like hurl at a crime scene? Completely lose it in the lab?"
"Like showing how much this case disgusts you. It only shows how badly we need to catch this guy." Danny explained.
Lindsay nodded slowly. "Thanks Danny."
Danny started to say something, but his phone began ringing. He pulled it out and frowned. "We got another victim."
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ok, so i know that was kinda gross, but i felt like someone needed to show a little more emotion.
i own nothing
