Chapter 1 (Untitled)
To put it in simple mathematical terms: Police = trouble. It doesn’t matter where you are or what situation you are in, if you can, avoid the police.
Even worse than police? Detectives.
These police brought with them two detectives, it had taken them half an hour to arrive. The more experienced was called Detective Troy; he was in his early thirties, about 6'1" and had dark eyes and cropped hair. His face was lined and seemed to have a permanent scowl; he didn't smile much when he was working. His companion, and assistant, was maybe 25 or 27, built but lean. He was taller than his superior by a two or three inches but his manner was deferring. His dark eyes were bright and clear, square jaw firm. This man's name was Detective Ellison; he smiled as he got out of the car and seemed to stroll over to the police tape. Troy was already speaking with the police officer in charge.
The woman who had been killed had been a small business owner, fresh out of college. Her business had rapidly expanded and she had done well, gotten her own small house and lived in a good and safe neighborhood. Her name was Natalie Banks, no criminal record, no jail time, only a few parking and speeding tickets.
"Who found her?" Troy was still grilling the officer trying to piece everything together.
"That woman over there," he pointed to a young woman sitting on the steps that led to the door. She had a blanket and was slumped over, elbows on knees, with an indiscernible expression. "Her name's Tawnia Henderson. She—"
"Thank you." Troy left the officer and moved toward the stairs. "Miss Henderson, might I ask you a few questions?" Tawnia looked up briefly and nodded. "Tell me what happened, what you were doing here and if you have any connections with Miss Banks." He watched her carefully as she answered looking for the tale-tell signs of a liar or suspect.
With her chin resting in one hand, she replied, "I came to discuss a job offer she had for me. I had never actually seen her face until tonight. I came to her house at about..." She glanced at her phone, "20 to 10. I rang the doorbell, knocked,” she waved a hand dismissively, “no one answered. We had made an appointment so I called her cell phone, thinking I had been early or she was held up somewhere. I heard a phone ring in the alley, so I went to investigate. I found her, called 911, and here you both are." Troy had been joined by Ellison.
Troy didn’t turn to address his partner and continued his inquisition. "You had no other affiliation with Miss Banks?"
Tawnia said very clearly, "No." Troy could tell she was trying to be polite but the stress was wearing at her. "I can, however, tell you why she died and how. I don't know who but I can give you a fairly good description of the kind of person you should be looking for." She said this statement with such clarity and confidence that Troy felt sure she believed she had discovered the truth. He sighed inwardly. People believed that after watching a few Sherlock Holmes videos they could solve anything.
He studied Miss Henderson again. She was average height, taller than she was shorter, maybe 5'7", he couldn't be sure with her sitting. Her hair was dark brown and long tied back simply. She wasn't remarkably beautiful but there was something about the way she held herself. He tried to pin point what it was, but couldn't. She had complete confidence in herself, and her eyes... They say eyes are windows to the soul. He suppressed a shudder.
For a moment he thought maybe just maybe she was telling the truth, but it was more likely that she was connected to the murder herself.
She was still waiting for his response to her declaration. "Miss Henderson, are you feeling alright? You have just seen a murdered victim and you don't seem to think much of it." He raised his eyebrows at her expectantly. At first she had seemed slightly confused, but she was quick and intelligent, he saw that, and she understood what he was implying.
She shifted, trying to find a more comfortable position against the hard ground and sat up against the wall. Almost sighing she answered, "Detective, I'm studying to be a surgeon and have been researching unexplained deaths from the past century. Forgive me if I'm a little insensitive. I can however tell you that this woman's throat was cut with real force. The knife cut through her trachea and both of the arteries on either side. For a wound that deep it would have to have been a young man who is strong and practiced at murder."
Tawnia didn't wait for a reaction or interruption. "Miss Banks also had a tattoo on her shoulder." She rubbed her own shoulder.
Ellison stiffened.
Both Tawnia’s and Troy’s eyes flickered to him, digesting his reaction.
“Ellison?” Troy prompted.
Ellison nodded once and launched into an explanation.
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