The Devil's Daughter

Distractions

A couple of days went by after seeing Cassie's mom and I have yet to propose. I just feel like there hasn't been a right for me to ask her. I've been busy with a bunch of cases, and I know that Cassie has been busy with things in her life. Besides, I need to find the right time and place.

"What's got you thinking over there?" Adam asked, popping his head in my office.

"Hey, what's up?" I said, taking my eyes away from my computer screen.

"I was just asking you the same." I shook my head.

"Right, sorry." He took a seat in front of my desk.

"What's going on?" I sighed heavily.

"Well, apart from my work life, I'm actually planning on proposing to Cassie." Adam's eyes widened in excitement.

"Hell yeah! Congrats Mike, I'm so happy for you two!" He got up from his seat and came to give me a brotherly hug.

"Thanks man. I'm just racking my brain for how I can properly propose to her in a way that's not overrated or cheesy." I ran my hands over my face.

"That's a tough one." Adam said with a sigh.

"Tell me about it. She's a very unique person and I know the typical proposals that most people do would send her running for the hills. I need something that's going to knock her off of her feet." Adam pondered his thoughts for a moment.

"Yeah, I can imagine how difficult it must be. It's the same with Olivia, I can't propose to her in just any way, it's got to be specific."

"You proposing to Olivia finally?" Adam laughed heartily.

"Yeah, eventually. There's just never a good time, you know?" I nodded my head in understanding.

"That's the predicament that I'm facing currently." He chuckled softly.

"So, now that you're proposing to your girl, does that mean I can meet her finally?"

"I don't know. Now that you've mentioned it, I don't think you're ready." He groaned irritably.

"Come on man, you've been going out with her for a while now. You can't keep her a secret forever." He whined.

"I know. I'm just messing with you. You'll be able to meet her soon, I promise."

We shared a short laugh until Mayfair came through the door, looking frantic.

"Michael, we need to go. We've got a homicide." I stood up just as quickly as Adam did.

"Where?"

"Los Angeles River Basin."

...

We arrived to the scene in less than an hour. Once we arrived, several bystanders stood off to the side to get a glimpse of what was happening, as well as several news crews eager to get a story. Mayfair and I walked past the crowd and ducked underneath the police tape. Jim was photographing the victim as we began asking questions.

"What do we have Jim?" I asked as I put on a pair of gloves before analyzing the victim.

"Jane Doe. Looks to be in her early teens. From what I've gathered so far, the victim must've died early this morning, approximately between four and five."

My eyes glazed over the condition of the body. She seemed to have been beaten to death, considering the profound bruising on her face and body. Dried blood coated her inner legs, giving us the idea that she had been raped prior to her death. I pulled up her shirt to take a look at her other injuries on her abdomen. I immediately took notice of Tobias's brand upon her stomach. Considering the intense redness surrounding the brand, I came to the conclusion that she had just recently been brought into the ring.