Forbidden

Chapter 1

Standing in line I glance anxiously at my watch for the 3rd time in two minutes, trying to keep myself from impatiently tapping my foot when the lady in front of me finally is done ordering.

I move up to the counter and plaster in a rushed smile. "Hi! Can I get just two large caramel cappuccinos?"

"Iced or hot?" The kid taking my order asks from behind the counter.

"Hmm. One hot, one iced."

I pay and go to stand to the side and try not to think about how dangerously close I am to being late for my meet up with Jankins again, knowing how he is about tardiness.

Except I'm usually late with him anyways.

As soon as they set out my drinks I grab them and rush out, ducking around the influx of people as I step onto the busy street and head for the precinct. There's a nice chill to the air that will surely leave as it gets closer to noon, but it still gets me excited for the fall weather that nearing.

As I turn the corner to the parking lot, I see Jankins leaning against his white Nissan. "You're 5 minutes late." He states.

I shove the hot coffee in his hand. "Yeah well it was worth it. Would you rather I be a little late, or not caffeinated throughout the day?"

"You say that everyday."

I take a sip of mine, thankful I got iced this time. "Yeah well..."

He rolls his eyes. "Anyways, did you read the files I sent you?"

"Yeah and I think you guys have the wrong suspect." I state.

He gives me a curious look. "Okay I'll bite, who do you think did it?"

I glance off to the street, watching the people as they rush past to get to their everyday, monotonous jobs. "I honestly don't know. I'm still trying to wrap my head around who could commit a murder like that."

The murder in question is one in a string of others almost identical to it; bodies blown apart after being disfigured in such a way that's not humanly possible for the victims or the suspect, deeming them the Noroi Murders.

Jankins sighs and runs a hand through his short brown hair, the white streaks becoming more apparent everyday.

"You think maybe you're stressing out about it a little too much?" I say as I point to his head. "I mean the next step after gray is... bald."

He annoyingly pushes my hand back. "Shut the hell up L/N, I'm better looking now then I was in my 20s." He grumbles. "Anyways, I'm at a total loss here. The captain is expecting a viable suspect by the end of the day today, but I can't in good faith pin an innocent man for these."

I chuckle that comes out more like a snort. "I'd hardly say this man's innocent..."

"As I was saying," he gives me that pointed-dad look. "The one thing we got is the suspect clear as day on the grocery store's footage."

"But you didn't see him commit the murder. Or the one last week. Or the one two weeks ago. The only evidence pointing to it being him is the prints found on inner forearm and shirt."

He runs his hands down his face before a light clicks. "The DNA, the placement is identical to the other 2 murders now that I think of it..."

We hold each other's stare for a heartbeat before he shook his head. "Don't say it."

"Say what?"

"You know what."

I release a deep breath. "I'm not saying anything, okay? It's just maybe things aren't adding up for a reason."