Holding On To You

Chapter (4)

The next day I report to duty with a warrant to search the deceased Ryan Hurley's flat. Isaac walked with me up the steps of the complex jabbering about a new restaurant. I can tell that the direction of this conversation is leading to Isaac asking me to dinner. He danced around the idea trying to get a bite from me. I so far has dodge any and all advances.

"A friend of mine took his girlfriend there last week and they said it's the best seafood they've ever had."

I pressed the call button for the elevator.

"That's nice."

"I also read that it has a great wine selection," Isaac continued looking over at me standing beside him.

"Really?" I perked up and Isaac smiled. "I'll have tell my mom about it."

Isaac frowned when the elevator dinged the doors glide open and we both entered. He hid his disappointment reaching over to press the button to Mr. Hurley's floor. A moment later we stepped out heading down the corridor stopping in front of Ryan Hurley's apartment.

I placed the key we received from the landlord into the doorknob turning it just as the door is pulled open from the other side. Both the Isaac and myself are taken by surprise staring back at a young, petite red headed girl. She's dressed casually clutching a cell phone in one hand. Dark spots were gathered under tired eyes, stray hairs flared out from a messy bun on top her head. This girl is shorter than me by a few inches in her mid twenties I would guess.

"Um-

"Are you the police?" The young girl quickly asked with urgency cutting off Isaac.

"Yes, I'm detective Tanner and this is detective Lewis." We flashed our badges, the young girl glanced at us nervously. "Do you live here?"

"Well, I stay here once in a while with Ryan, I'm his girlfriend, but I haven't seen or heard from him in four days. Is he okay?"

I shared a look with my partner hating the next part of my job. Neither one of us wanted to break the news to her.

"May we come in?" I asked.

Ryan's girlfriend opened the door wider allowing the two of us to walk inside, "Yes of course. Please, have a seat."

We stepped into to the open flat as Mr. Hurley's girlfriend closed the door. Isaac hung back by the door with his hands in his pockets leaving me with the responsibility of breaking the news. I glanced around the kitchen and living room that's neat and tidy. I walked over to the living area standing beside the couch looking back over at the young woman.

"I think you should take a seat miss-

"Claire, Claire Baldwin." She filled in her name taking a seat on a armchair adjacent to the couch.

I sat down leaning forward with my elbows resting on the tops of my knees licking, I hated telling people that their loved ones are dead. To see the earth shattering expression of despair on their faces caused an ache in my chest.

"I'm sorry to inform you Ms. Baldwin that your boyfriend Ryan was killed four days ago."

Shock appeared on Claire's face as expected, then anguish and sadness watered her hazel eyes. Tears broke free running down her flushed cheeks. She finally set down her phone on the coffee table grabbing the tissue box.

My heart ached at the sobs I heard, I briefly closed my eyes momentarily before looking at Ms. Baldwin. Finally, when her cries settled, temporarily to dull whimpers, she looked up at the me through her tear filled eyes.

"How-how did he die?" The girl's voice wavered slightly.

"Well, my superiors aren't releasing information about Ryan's death because of the strangeness of his cause of death." I looked over at Isaac walking up next to me. "I know right now may not be appropriate but can I ask you a few questions?"