Protective Arms (Completed)

5. New Case

Brit and I are going over the case that has a string of carjackings within the county. A few of the suspects that were on the list is not there anymore, for having alibias each time it happened.

"Gatlin. My office." Chief calls out.

"Good luck on this case man." I pat Brit's back, knowing that Chief is pulling me.

"I wouldn't be this far if not for your help." Brit nods.

"Anytime." I walk to Chief's office.

I walk into his office and the same Officer from last night is sitting in the chair opposite of Chief's desk.

"Ready for a new case that will be a challenge?"

"Always, Chief." I nod once.

I take a chair next to Officer Gaperal.

"Yesterday there was a report filed for harrassment and threatening. As Officer Gaperal looked through the case he opened, a connection came up."

"What type of connection?" My interest peak.

"A cold case from about seven years ago. This person will send a string of messages or calls, always using burn phones. They start harmless and then become threatening. The words from this new case is the same from seven years ago. Now that doesn't mean it is the same person as we have to think of possible copycats if anyone knew of the work the perp was doing."

"That seems unlikely to have a copycat." I suggest.

"That may be true but we don't know what happened to the first perp. Right when we got close to the perp, it was as if he just disappeared and the lady he was doing it to moved away."

I remember that case, it was one of the first ones that happened I heard about gone cold just as I got the job here as a cop. The day still haunts me when the Detectives before me couldn't figure it out because the perp was that good.

"We have a alarm system sending in a dispatch notice." Winda announces over the intercoms with the address. For being front desk, she stays on top of her job and good at it.

Officer Gaperal goes to stand but his phone starts ringing. He answers it and I hear him ask if it is the same place.

He hangs up the phone. "That is Ms. Greg's shop. We have to go."

I am quick to jump up and follow him to his cruiser and get in. He flips the sirens on and we take off for the shop.

"Ms. Greg is the lady that came in to file the report. Just yesterday the messages starting to become threatening which is why she came in. Last night, I kept coming up with the burn numbers and something clicked from seven years ago. So, I pulled it up right after you left. I really have you to thank for getting my mind to stop and think."

"No you don't. This was your finding and connecting the cases. I just hope it is not the same perp."

"You and me both." He whispers as we get out of the car, making it to the shop.

We slowly work through the crowd that has gathered, as other Officers try to push them back.

Why does Hair Expressions seem so familiar? I look around as Gaperal speaks up. As I move next him I look in the direction he is and ask if everyone is okay. My question gets out thankfully, because now I am speechless.

A beautiful woman walks up to us. She makes it seem like I am seeing the sun for the very first time.

"Zack?" My attention goes to the others off to the side.

"Chasity?" I look at my sister. Of course! This is the shop she works at.

"What did they call you here for, bubby?" Chasity moves over to us too.

"Brother?" The beautiful lady speaks up.

"Athena, this is my brother. Detective Zack Gatlin." Chasity says then looks to me.

"I am helping work the case with Officer Gaperal." Is all I give because right now I don't want to alarm anyone.

"Does this have to do with the report I made yesterday?" Athena asks.

"It is a possibility. Does these cameras work?"

"Yes they do. I can get the recording from them if you need them."

"That would be the best if you could. We will go over them and see if it shows anything from the outside of the shop." With that I watch as Officer Gaperal goes with Athena to the back. All I want to do is walk back there with her.

What is wrong with me? I have never been like this, especially if there is a case being worked.

I shake my head and Chasity looks at me with a smirk. "Not here." I whisper.

"No, but I will call you tonight." She smiles.

I walk over and look at how the glass lays on the floor. In the middle of the floor is a rock. I pull a glove from my pocket and pick it up, as another Officer walks up with a evidence bag.

Gaperal and Athena walk out of the back and he holds the card with the recording on it.

"Have you received anything today in the form of threats before this?" I ask walking over to them.

"I have been busy today with clients, so I haven't checked my phone." She pulls it out of her pocket and goes through it.

"No. Nothing for today." She shakes her head.

"Do you think anyone knew that she went in yesterday?" Another lady asks.

"That would be hard to say. There is no way of the person knowing you even filed a report and not tending to some other business at the station." I answer with Gaperal nodding.

"May I start cleaning this now?" Athena asks, looking at the floor.

"Yes that will be okay to do now. Another Officer took pictures of it all while you was getting the footage for me." Gaperal answers this time.

We stay around as the other Officers left. Between Gaperal and I, we took all six statements down. The entire time since seeing Athena, I am fascinated by her.

One thing I can't do is fall for her. Not while I am working on the case involving her. That is one thing I can't do because it could mess everything up or someone get hurt.

Athena though seems to be twisted through me already.

A/N---
Hey Hey Guys!!!

Seems as though someone here fell literally head over heels?

Zack may be over his head but he should listen to the pull to Athena right?

Zack seems to be a nice guy with how he doesn't want to take credit and just helping.