The lights flickered on in the interrogation room. The door opened and a figure walked in. He placed a folder of papers on the table and glass of water in front of the person sitting at the table. The person pushed them away angrily and put their head into their hands.
"You understand why you are here?"
They nodded without speaking.
The man pushed his dark hair off his face.
"I can't help you unless you tell me something, anything to save yourself because once I walk out this door, it's over. You lose everything."
The person remained quiet.
"I want to help you. You have to understand that-"
A voice raspy from lack of sleep and depression finally spoke.
"I do. You don't have to repeat yourself."
"Then you need to explain what and why this happen. The Commissioner wants you off the force."
"Helix, I'll accept the consequences-"
Darien slammed his fist onto the table.
"Damn it Makoto! Just tell me what the fuck happened!"
She lifted her head and stared into his eyes. Dark circles had formed under her eyes. She cleared her throat and brought the cool glass of water to her lips. After taking a welcoming swallow. She wiped her mouth with her sleeve.
"Fine. I hope you can keep up."
…
Five days earlier...
After the doctors checked over Nephrite, he was given his release forms. Besides the 30 stitches on his left side and a few bruises, he felt fine. Makoto watched as he put his shirt on from the corner seat. She hadn't broken the news to him. She didn't know how to tell him. She was scared at what his reaction would be. Once the nurse walked out of the room, Nephrite motioned for her to come over to him. She walked over to him and kissed him lightly on his forehead.
"I'm happy you can go home," she said.
"Who you telling? I can't wait to eat real food again."
She giggled as they cuddled. A knock at the door broke them apart. Andrew limped in with a cane. Makoto jumped up and hugged him.
"You're walking!"
Andrew chuckled.
"I had to prove them wrong Brooks," he nodded towards Nephrite, "Good to see you're doing better."
Nephrite gave him a curt nod.
"Thanks."
Andrew pulled Makoto away out of earshot.
"Can we talk somewhere private?"
Makoto eyes grew concerned. She nodded and began to follow Andrew out the room. She turned to Nephrite.
"Baby, if I'm not back in time, just meet me at the car in the parking garage."
Nephrite nodded and leaned against the pillows on the bed. Makoto followed Andrew out near the nurse's station.
"What's up?"
Andrew handed her a piece of paper.
"That's the DNA results from Nephrite's gallery."
Makoto glanced over it carefully.
"This can't be right. There's four different strands. There should only be three: Nephrite, Mina and myself."
Andrew shook his head.
"There was another body. They uncovered it in bathroom. It appeared to female. The head was missing, but they retrieved it. Amara ran the prints through CODIS (Combined DNA Index System) ans IAFIS (Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System). A match came up from the body. It belonged to Michelle Blue, a prostitute and drug user. She was released from prison a few months ago."
"Why would she be at an art gallery?"
"Maybe she and Mina were in on it together. I looked into her background. Ms. Troy had her share of explicit activities in her younger days," Andrew replied.
A look of confusion came across Makoto's face.
"A few days before her death, she came to speak to me. She mentioned something like this. I didn't listen I just ignored her and pushed it to the back of my mind."
Andrew patted her hand.
"You couldn't have known she was insane Brooks."
"But I could have stopped her from hurting Nephrite," she snapped.
Makoto rubbed her temples.
"I need to go speak with Amara. Somethings not adding up."
She ran to the elevator and pressed the down button.
"I'll meet you at the station," Andrew called as the door closed in front of him.
…
As Nephrite waited for the papers to arrive, a nurse pushed a cart near the station. He looked closely at it. Surgical instruments laid on the table. The male nurse cleared his throat. Hotaru looked up.
"Can you watch this for me? Restroom break."
Hotaru nodded and went back to printing off Nephrite's paperwork. Minutes later she handed it to him.
"Okay Mr. Silverton just sign the highlight areas and you are good to go. I'll send for a volunteer to come get you."
"That's not necessary. I need the exercise."
Nephrite signed the papers and began to walk away when someone called his name.
"Mr. Silverton!"
Nephrite smiled sincerely.
"Hello Maggie."
She walked a little faster up to where he stood. She was pushing a wheelchair.
"I've come to take you to your car."
"Well, well this changes things. I can't turn down an invitation from you Maggie."
She gave him a smile.
"You're too much Mr. Silverton."
Nephrite chuckled and got into the wheelchair.
"Lead the way ma'am."
Hotaru laughed to herself as she watched them leave in the elevator. The male nurse returned and as he went to retrieve his cart, he stopped dead in his tracks.
"Something's missing from the cart."
Hotaru looked at him with a start.
"That's not possible. I've been watching it this entire time. What's missing?"
He looked bewildered.
"The scalpel."
…
"This is unbelievable!"
Makoto paced across the room. Amara stared at her seriously.
"I wouldn't lie about this Makoto. The evidence-"
"-Can be wrong. Did you recheck the data," she interrupted.
Amara huffed angrily.
"I've rechecked more than 50 times. The results are the same."
Makoto shook her head frantically.
"I can't believe this. I can't."
Amara sighed heavily.
"You need to believe it."
A lump grew in her throat.
"Everything I've been told is a lie."
They both stood in silence. Amara looked at her.
"What are you going to do?"
Makoto's eyes became large.
"I need to talk to him."
She ran out the lab without a word to Amara. She grabbed the phone and called Darien.
…
Maggie wheeled Nephrite into the parking garage and over by Makoto's car. Maggie looked around.
"I wonder where Detective Brooks is?"
With some effort, he got out of the wheelchair and leaned against the car.
"She wanted us to meet here. Do you mind waiting with me?"
Maggie smiled.
"I don't mind keeping you company."
He chuckled and blew his bangs out of his face. Maggie's smile deteriorated from her face and the blood drained from her face. Nephrite took a cigarette out of his pocket and lit the end. After inhaling the smoke and blowing it out between his lips he looked at her carefully.
"Something on your mind Maggie? You look like you've seen a ghost."
She shook her head and let out a nervous chuckle.
"I-I'm fine. You just reminded me of someone."
"Is that right?"
Nephrite tapped the ash onto to ground.
"Who do I remind you of, I'm you don't mind me asking."
Maggie coughed and looked down at the ground.
"My only son."
"Really? I could have sworn you had two sons; twins to be exact."
Maggie looked up with a start.
"How would you-"
Nephrite threw the cigarette down and laugh out loud.
"Are you that dense, you old hag?"
Maggie gasped and began to walk backwards. Nephrite caught her forearm very easily and pulled her close.
"You don't even recognize your own fucking son. I guess I wanted to be found."
Maggie shuddered.
"Dorian?"
Nephrite face became darkened with anger.
"Surprise."
…
Makoto pressed the elevator button.
"Open up damn it!" she yelled.
She kicked the doors and ran toward the stairs.
…
She slapped him across his face with her free hand. He rubbed his cheek and chuckled.
"Tsk. Tsk. Hitting your own child mother?"
"You're not my son!" she shouted.
Nephrite slapped her across her face causing her to fall to the ground.
"Watch you filthy mouth, bitch!"
He took the scalpel out from his back pocket.
"I've waited a long time for this mother."
Maggie looked up at him in horror. His face merely inches from her.
"Tell Xavier I said hello."
Maggie screamed as Nephrite grabbed her by her hair and took the scalpel and slit her throat. Blood splattered around them and onto the ground. A noise came from behind him and he turned around with a crazed smile.
…
Makoto pointed her gun at Nephrite's heart. Her body numb. He stepped to her.
"Makoto."
She tightened her grip on the trigger.
"Don't come closer."
Nephrite gave her a smile.
"You won't shoot me."
She gave a warning shot and the bullet whizzed past his head.
"I won't miss next time."
He dropped the scalpel to the ground. The blood made a sickening pattern on his shirt. Makoto stared at him hard.
"All this time you fooled me. The lies! You bastard!"
"Not all of them were lies."
"Shut up," she growled.
"Always trying to be strong. You love me," he replied.
"I don't know who you are. You're a monster," she spat.
"I can't deny that. It's in my nature," he said with a smile.
A noise erupted behind her. In that second Nephrite lunged at her knocking the gun from her hands. He grabbed her waist and kissed her forcibly.
"Until next time my angel of mercy."
He pushed her into the wall knocking her unconscious. Has everything around her began to dim she watched him make a run for. Her body slumped to the side as darkness engulfed her.
…
Makoto finished talking and sat back in her chair. She stared hard at Darien. He ruffled his hair and cleared his throat. He looked up with stern eyes.
"I need your gun and badge."
Makoto slid them across the table and arose from her seat. She walked out the and into the station. She heard whispers as she packed her things.
"Brooks?"
Makoto turned around as Andrew slapped her across the face. Makoto stumbled as a few officers held him back.
"I told you he was evil! You let him get away! You didn't listen! It's your fault for everything! I hope you rot in hell!"
Darien ran out of his office.
"You're out of line Rivera!"
Makoto held her cheek and steadied her balance.
"I deserved it. I'm sorry Andrew."
She grabbed her box and walked out the police station. Tears flowed down her cheeks as she got into her car and drove away.
-WooWoo316