Artificial Tears

Chapter 24

Liam is sitting on his desk with his head in his hands, embarrassed still over what had happened before.

But also perplexed, since he was so sure about being down there in the building. With someone he didn't know, someone with bad intentions. Someone who had something to hide.

Was he getting bad at his job? Sick? Mentally unfit for the job? Was this the last straw?

Goddammit!

Was he never going to solve this case?

Murder cases usually take a lot of time, but that is something they don't have. Any moment a new victim could appear.

Was he never going to find his son?

That last thought made the feeling of desperation tighten in his chest.

Suddenly someone places a hand on his shoulder.

It's his partner, detective Reed, he knows her better as Sophia, but at work they usually called each other by their last names.

She holds up her thumb with a concerned look on her face: "You good?"

Liam moves his head, as to be something in between a nod and a shake.

With her colleagues, Reed, is a woman of very few words. Yes, to others she does speak a lot, but at least with her colleagues it's more gestures and if lucky she will say a single word.

No one really knows if there's a reason behind it, so we've just accepted it as something that makes her, her.

The others start to look our way now too, The detective doesn't need to look up to see it, he can feel their eyes upon him.

Grey stands up from his desk and walks our way: "Hey North, it's about this time of year again, isn't it? His birthday will be here soon."

Liam nods, this time more visible, clenching the picture in his hand.

"Look Liam" He is shocked to hear him say his first name: "Get your head back in the case again. If you want to solve it, that is. If not, it's okay to sit this one out."

Liam looks up and the older detective continues: "I know how you will be after not being able to solve a case, but I also know how to get you motivated again. Put the picture in your pocket, don't let it get in the way of your work. I know it's harsh, but really, get your head out of the clouds and if you're lost... Do like always and start from the beginning. I trust that you will get back up again, I trust that you will be able to lead this group again. Everyone does. Always."

I look around the room and meet eyes with the others in the room, making me remember my job. My job as a detective.

I have to solve the cases for the people who lost their family, their friends... and catch this waste of air that is the serial killer.

"So, are you doing better now?" Grey asks as one of my other colleagues comes to give me a cup of coffee.

I look down: "Better now, thanks..."

"Don't look down, look here!" Xanders says while smashing a whole pile of neatly sorted documents about the case.

All the recent and connected murders are documented there.

"Thank you."

I look for a last time at the picture and then hide it quickly in my pocket.

So let's see how it all started...

The first victim was Nicole Peper, a business woman in her forties.