Overkill

Eleven

After hours of comparing photo's, logs, reports, notes, and everything in each file, Sarah has complied half of a notebook filled with her own notes.

"Ok. So far, we know the perp has no connection with the victims, they seem to be random people." Scott started.

"Yes, but they are all male." Sarah added.

"Both true, so what is the motive?" Mark asks.

"I think this person is just deranged and just kills when they're bored. Maybe their life is too normal? Boring?" Sarah suggested.

"Maybe, the perp is definitely screwed up," Scott answered.

Mark began adding in his own suggestion when a knock on the door interrupted him. Each of them turned their attention to the door, waiting.

"If they're knocking, they don't have a key," Sarah gestured for Mark to open the door. A tall, slender woman stood, waiting.

"Sir, Detective Grey needs you," she spoke softly to Mark.

"Tell Detective Grey that I'm busy working his case."

"Sir, he told me not to leave until you come with me."

Mark gritted his teeth as he looked back to Sarah and Scott watching the interaction, "Looks like I'm being summoned." he said with aggravation in his voice.

"I'm the one assigned to the case, why are you the one he wants?" Sarah stood, resting the tips of her fingers on the table.

"Actually, Ma'am, if I may?" the girl interjected.

Sarah nodded, allowing her to proceed.

"This is about a different case that they were working earlier, I apologize, but I can't share any other information with you."

Sarah looked at Mark with question. When did he take on another case? It would make sense, now that she thought about it, with how often he gets a call or text and has to leave for a short time.

"Will you two be ok to work on this case? I don't know how long I'll be," Mark asked as he grabbed his suit jacket and slid his arms into it.

"We'll be fine," Sarah answered, "Seriously, focus on what he needs you for, if I need you, I'll call," she smiled.

"I'll make sure I'm back to pick you up."

"It's ok, we both know how cases go, we never know when we'll get out. If you're still working when we call it a night, I'll have Scott take me back. I mean, if that's alright with you, me being at your place alone."

Mark smiled as he fixed his sleeves in the arms of the jacket, "I'll be sure to keep in touch," he stated and disappeared behind the closing door.

"So, he wants you to stay with him, but you can't be there alone?" Scott mindlessly speaks.

"Stop. Would you want someone you barely know alone in your house?"

Scott's eyebrow arched as he straightens in his seat, "I wouldn't ask someone I barely know to stay with me, period."

"Can we just work on the case?"

He didn't respond, he reached for the second stack of papers and began studying them. Sarah picked up her notebook, stood, and turned towards the wall filled with the photographic evidence. She began writing down a few things she overlooked the first few times.

"I saw you," Scott broke the silence causing Sarah to turn around in confusion.

"You saw me where?"

"I saw the two of you this morning,"

Sarah knew he was referring to the kiss. "Scott—"

"—Do you really like him?"

"I don't know. I know he makes me smile and laugh. That's something I've needed during this case." What was she supposed to tell him, that she was desperate to do anything to get over him?

"I don't know much about him, Sare, please be careful," he seemed worried, torn, as if he wanted to say more, but he didn't.

"I am, Scott, but you don't have to worry about me." She pulled her seat out and turned it to face him.

"I'll always worry about you, Sarah. You're my best friend."

She stared at him for a moment trying to swallow the retort she was ready to spit out. If she was his best friend, why did he leave without tell anyone? Without telling her? Why didn't he return her phone calls? If she was his best friend, why did she feel like he threw her away?

"You're looking at me like you don't believe me," he observed.

"Well, do you blame me? You suddenly leave without a word and then never call me. What am I supposed to think, Scott?"

"Sarah..."

"No, let's just work on the case so you can get home to Jenny at a decent time tonight."

"She left," he spoke so quiet, Sarah thought she heard him wrong.

"What?"

"She broke up with me. That's what we were off talking so quietly about earlier."

"Why? When I first met her, she seemed so... I don't know, crazy about you," she rested her elbow on the table and leaned her head on her hand as she stared at him.

"She was. This morning she said she watched my reaction when I saw you and Mark pulling up to the sidewalk,"

"So?"

"So, she made a statement, which I denied. But then I watched you kiss Mark and, well, that's when she broke it off."

"Scott?" she placed her hand on his forearm and turned him towards her. He looked broken. His eyes were sad and his mouth turned down in a frown.

Her heart went out to him, it was breaking for him, he seemed so lost.

"What if you just give her some time? Try talking to her in a few days or so?" she suggested.

He turned to face her completely, his legs spread, one on either side of hers. He leaned forward, resting his hands on her knee's. She looked down at his hands, feeling the heat from them radiating through her pants. Her breath was quickening with how close he was to her.

"The statement she made before I watched you kiss Mark was—"

The door flew open and Mark came flying in, he stopped abruptly upon seeing Scott's hands on her legs. Shaking his head, he looked to Sarah, "There's been another murder."