Epilogue

A newscaster sits at her desk, in front of a camera. "Our top story tonight. A large scale drug lab was discovered at New Horizons Medical Centre, yesterday. This is considered one of the largest drug production operations in the city's history. Thanks to a joint effort from the NYPD and the F.B.I, the center has been shut down and it's patients have been moved to different rehab centers, where hopefully,

they finally get the help they need. Police commissioner Chuck Campbell, had this to say."

The news transitions to a press conference, outside of city hall. There is a large crowd of reporters and citizens, all standing by, waiting for the commissioner to speak. The commissioner walks up to a podium. Sitting behind him, is Captain Gage and the rest of the SCD, as well as Daniel and his boss from the F.B.I. "Thank you everyone for coming out today. We are here to give thanks to Captain Gage and the NYPD's Special Cases Division for uncovering one of the city's largest drug operations and putting a stop to it, as well as apprehending all those responsible. I'd also like to give thanks to our brothers and sisters in the F.B.I. for assisting in the case. This is a huge win for the city and more proof that the Special Cases Division is a massive success. Congratulations to

everyone involved." The commissioner claps and everyone else does the same.

The news transitions back to the woman sitting at her desk. "In other news, the escaped criminal, Gregory Orson, aka The Magpie, has been found and returned to prison. This, too, was thanks to the hard work from the NYPD and its Special Cases Division."

6 months later.

Everyone is gathered in the precinct to celebrate Mark's retirement.

"Congratulations, Mark." Sophie cheers, lifting her drink.

Everyone celebrates Mark's retirement.

The party goes on for a while and everyone enjoys themselves. Captain Gage then makes a toast. "To Mark. For all your hard work and dedication to the NYPD. You will be missed, my friend."

"Thank you, captain." Mark says. He has a smile on his face as if a huge burden had been lifted off his shoulders. He truly deserves it.

"I'd also like to make an announcement." Captain Gage continues. "With two people now gone from the SCD, we need new blood to fill the positions. One request has already been made and I am happy to say that Holly Evans has now been transferred from nights to the SCD. Congratulations, Holly"

"Thank you, captain. I promise I won't let you down."

"You better not, I'll be keeping a very close eye on the SCD in the future. Even more so than I did before, because the commissioner has made a surprising decision to let a rookie cop take the other position. He wants you, Sophie, to choose the new recruit."

"Very well, captain."

"I'd also like to make an announcement, if that's OK?" Tiffany asks, to everyone's surprise.

"Go ahead, Tiffany." Captain Gage says.

"Six months ago, you almost died, Mandy. I was so worried. What if something happened to you? What do I do if I do lose you? So I've decided I'm going to get my own private investigators license."

Everyone cheers and gives their full support to Tiffany. "I'm proud of you, Tiff. You'll be a better P.I. than I am." I say as I hug Tiffany.

"That won't be difficult." Emily jokes and everyone laughs.

"Oh, thanks everyone." I say sarcastically.

The night gets late and we are all sitting in the meeting room, sharing stories and talking about anything.

"So, Mandy. We all know where everyone is going. What about you? What are your plans for the future, now the magpie case is finished?" Sophie asks.

Everyone suddenly looks in my direction. "Well. Funny you should mention that. The commissioner called me a few months ago. He knows about my involvement in the case and wanted to thank me. Unofficially, of course. For legal reasons, he couldn't thank me publicly. He was even kind enough to give me visitation rights, so I can see my dad one hour a week. It's not much, but I'm happy to have any. He also said that I could be reinstated as an official NYPD detective."

"What? What did you say?" Sophie asks, completely surprised.

"I said no. I love having my own business. Plus I get to work with Tiff." Tiffany blushes as I say that.

"I respect your decision, Mandy. But it's not like you're rolling in cash. Your business doesn't get much attention. How do you

plan on staying active?"

"Wow, Sophie. Have a little faith in me."

"She's not wrong. What are you going to do? What's your plan?" Emily asks.

"As it just so happens, an anonymous donor has given me more than enough money to, not only carry on indefinitely, but also to buy a new office and a place for me and Tiffany to live separately."

"Anonymous donor, huh? Sounds like you've got one serious guardian angel. It wouldn't happen to be a certain ex thief now, would it?" Captain Gage implies.

"Sorry, cap. No idea what you're talking about."

"You're a terrible liar, Mandy." Emily says.

"It's a shame the case is over. I kinda liked having you back. Just, not all the time."

"Ha. Jokes on you, Sophie. The commissioner gave me one last reward. M.O. Investigations is now an official liaison with the NYPD's Special Cases Division. You're stuck with me."

"Fuck. I divorced you and I still can't get rid of you. What did I do to deserve this?" Sophie covers her face with her hands and everyone else laughs.

With the party over and everyone heading home, I return to my apartment. I kick off my shoes, take my jacket off and head to bed. But before I do, I open a drawer in my desk and pull out some postcards.

All have different images but they all say 'wish you were here'. No other writing on them, but I know who they are from. "I wish you were here too, sis." I put the postcards back in the drawer and go to bed.

Months later, in a small town in Maine, an elderly lady is in her house, talking with her husband. "She's been gone for days. I'm really starting to worry." She says, clearly upset about something.

"Her sister did the same thing. She'll be fine." Her husband says, casually.

"Her sister. Great idea. I'll call her. She'll be able to help."

"Don't bother her, Janet. Please."

It's too late. The woman is already on the phone. "Hello. Is this Amanda Orson? It's Janet Pine. I'm calling about your sister..."

A new story unfolds. A special case takes Amanda out of the city and back to a town full of secrets that she never thought she'd return to. Old friends and new enemies await.

Coming soon

Homecoming

An M.O. Investigation