1970 - Killer Spouse

Ch 2: Regret

1959

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The sun peeked over the horizon, casting a warm, golden hue across the bustling city streets. It was the kind of morning that promised a beautiful day ahead, but for Emma Stewart, it was just another chaotic start. Her alarm lost her trust just like every important times. She darted through the crowded sidewalk, her detective badge tucked away in her coat pocket, and a half-eaten piece of toast in her mouth.

Emma was perpetually late, and today was no exception. She had overslept, and now she was rushing through the crowded sidewalks, her heart pounding with a mix of excitement and anxiety while she try to comb her hair with her hands while running like a crazy lady. I mean she indeed look like one while running on a bare feet while holding her high heels on her hand. As she maneuvered through the throng of people, barely managing to avoid a collision with a newspaper vendor. "Sorry!" she called out, her words muffled by the toast. The vendor shook his head with a knowing smile; Emma's hurried mornings were a familiar sight.

When she rounded the corner, her mind was preoccupied with the day's tasks ahead. She had recently joined the detective squad, and the pressure to prove herself was immense. Lost in thought, she didn't notice the tall figure coming from the opposite direction until it was too late. The collision was inevitable. Emma slammed into a man carrying a glass pot, the force of the impact sending the pot crashing to the ground. Shards of glass scattered across the sidewalk, sparkling like diamonds in the morning light.

"Oh no! I'm so sorry!" Emma exclaimed, her face flushing with embarrassment. Emma knelt to help him, her fingers brushing against his as they reached for the same piece of glass. A spark seemed to pass between them, causing her to look up and meet his gaze. For a moment, the hustle and bustle of the city around them faded away, leaving just the two of them in their own little world as her hands trembling a bit. "I didn't see you there. I'm really, really sorry."

The man, tall and strikingly handsome, let out a chuckle. His eyes, a deep shade of blue, sparkled with amusement as he watched her flustered attempts to clean up the mess. "It's alright," he said, his voice smooth and reassuring. "No harm done."

Emma glanced up, meeting his gaze for the first time. He was tall, with broad shoulders and dark hair that fell slightly into his eyes. His eyes, a deep shade of blue, sparkled with amusement as he watched her flustered attempts to clean up the mess. Her breath caught in her throat.

There was something about his calm demeanor and the way he smiled that made her heart skip a beat. "Still, I feel terrible," she stammered.

"That was a nice pot." He waved a hand dismissively, a playful grin tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"It was just a pot. I'm Alex, by the way. Alex Harper."

"Emma" she replied, standing up and brushing off her skirt.

"Emma Stewart. And I'm really sorry about the pot. I can pay for it."Alex shook his head, his smile never wavering.

"Don't worry about it, Emma. Accidents happen." He glanced at his watch and then back at her. "Though, if you're in a hurry, I'd hate to keep you any longer."

Emma's eyes widened as she remembered her tardiness. "Oh, right! I'm late for work!" She gave him a quick, apologetic smile before dashing off. "Sorry again, Alex!"

As she started to ran but then alex called her from behind "Hey, Emma!. when will we meet next?" he yells back at her with a cheeky smile.

Emma's eyes widened instantly as her heart made a quick thump, she can't help but to let out a soft chuckle as well as she yells back "The time when i'll break your next pot maybe?". Alex let out a chuckle at her reply and watches her ran.

Emma can't waste time anymore so she dash towards the detective headquarters, her heart pounded not just from the exertion, but from the unexpected encounter. She couldn't shake the image of Alex's kind eyes and charming smile from her mind. It was a fleeting moment, but one that left a lasting impression. Alex watched her go, his smile softening as he turned to continue his own journey. Little did they both know, this chance meeting would be the start of a story that would intertwine their lives in ways they couldn't yet imagine.

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Emma burst into the detective headquarters, her cheeks flushed and her hair slightly disheveled. Her colleagues gave her knowing looks, a mix of amusement and exasperation.

"Late again, Stewart?" one of them teased.

"Just a bit," she replied with a sheepish grin.

"Oh well, but our captain's hella gonna bust into ya," another colleague chimed in, shaking his head.

Emma let out a sigh, knowing what was coming next. She took a moment to adjust her hair neatly and smooth out her skirt before walking towards her captain's office with a nervous expression.

She knocked lightly on the door, and a stern voice from inside called, "Come in." Opening the door, she stepped in to face Captain Reynolds, a grizzled veteran with a no-nonsense demeanor. His sharp eyes narrowed as he looked up from his paperwork.

"Stewart, you're late. Again," he said, his tone leaving no room for excuses.

"I know, sir. I'm really sorry," Emma said, standing at attention.

Captain Reynolds sighed heavily, leaning back in his chair. "This is becoming a habit, Stewart. I need my team to be reliable, especially with the current situation. Get your act together."

"Yes, sir," Emma replied, her voice steady despite her nerves. "Dismissed," he said curtly, turning his attention back to his papers.

Emma walked back to her desk, her cheeks still burning from the reprimand. She sat down, trying to focus on her work, but her thoughts kept drifting back to the handsome young man she had run into earlier. She shook her head, trying to brush off the memory and concentrate.

Just then, Captain Reynolds stepped out of his office and called out to the team. "Everyone, meeting in the conference room. Now."

Emma joined her colleagues as they filed into the room and took their seats around the large table. Captain Reynolds stood at the head, his expression serious. "Alright, listen up," he began. "There's been a string of murders recently, all with the same modus operandi. We believe it's the work of a single perpetrator, and it's our job to catch him before he strikes again."

He laid out several photographs on the table, each depicting a crime scene. The images were gruesome, showing victims with similar wounds and staging. Emma felt a chill run down her spine as she studied the photos.

The killer was meticulous, and the pattern suggested a chilling level of premeditation. "These murders are happening more frequently," Captain Reynolds continued. "We need to work fast and efficiently. I want all of you to dig into every detail, no matter how small. The smallest clue could be what we need to catch this guy."

The room was filled with a tense silence as everyone absorbed the gravity of the situation. Emma's mind raced with questions and possibilities. She knew this case would be challenging, but she was determined to prove herself.

"Stewart," the captain's voice broke through her thoughts. "I want you to take point on this. Coordinate with the team and make sure nothing slips through the cracks."

Emma nodded, feeling a mix of pride and pressure. "Yes, sir. I'll get right on it."

As the meeting concluded, Emma returned to her desk, her mind now fully focused on the task at hand. The handsome stranger from the morning was pushed to the back of her mind as she immersed herself in the case files, determined to find the killer and bring him to justice.

But little did she know, this case would lead her down a path that intertwined her professional life with personal revelations, bringing her closer to the man she had just met in ways she could never have imagined.