Containment Of Secrets

Chapter 1

(Mallory's Point of view) 

                       The piercing sound of the alarm on my phone rings out, as a reminder to get up and start my morning routine. It takes all the strength that I have within me to not tap the 'snooze' option. Instead, I climb out of bed, making my way to the adjoined bathroom for my shower.

            My morning routine passes through a blur as I finish getting ready. While my morning routine went off without a hitch, my daily snooze fest drive to work was giving me a run for my money. Just when I thought traffic could not be slower in the city, I get behind a bus.

               When I finally did get to work, my boss, Griggs, was on his second meltdown about my tardiness. My partner, Braxton, was standing next to Griggs, with his hand on his forehead looking down at the floor. He was trying to ignore the stare Griggs was giving him.

               I ran up to Griggs and my partner just in time. Just before Griggs was on his third meltdown. Braxton takes his hand away from his forehead, raising his head to meet my face with a smirk. 

             "That's the third time this week, Decker. How many more times are you going to arrive late?" Griggs asks. I chew on my bottom lip, contemplating on responding or not. It was a mere trait of nervousness, but somehow, my wit seemed to outshine all the worries within me, "As many times as I can be. Let's face it, Griggs, I'll probably be late to my own funeral and wedding."

          Braxton chuckles, while Griggs narrows his eyes at me, "You better be glad you're one of my best detectives right now, or I would have canned you a long time ago."

          "Why not do it now?" I ask.

          "Don't push it." Griggs warns.

          "So, what's on the agenda today?" I ask, stuffing my hands down in the pockets of my peacoat.  

            "Well, that's why I am here. I wanted to brief you on the two bodies found on the beach last night." Griggs says, handing over the pictures of the victims.

              "We can go talk to the locals. We could ask if they saw anything out of the ordinary last night in the area, or on the beach for that matter." Braxton states.

                 "Well, it's not going to be that easy." Griggs chimes in.

                  "Why do you say that?" I ask him.

                    "You know why. Nothing in this field is easy, but if you two are willing to accept such a task, then have it." Griggs hands over the manila folder and walks off. I look over at Braxton who seems to be in deep thought.

          "What do you think?" I ask him.

      "About what? Griggs tempting us to take this case, or this case in general?"

        "Both."

    "Mallory, we both know he's doing this to make a mockery of us, you especially know. If we are great at what we do, then how come we are assigned to bullshit cases?" He asks.

 "This could be our chance to show him up." I insist.

"Mallory, you said this the last time."

 "I know, but this case-." I pause, pointing to the folder, "This case is the one." Braxton sighs, running a hand through his short hair and replies, "Okay, Mallory, one last time. We can do this case, but if you're wrong this time, this is it."

I give him the most earnest smile before responding, "I won't be wrong this time, I promise."