The Murder Show

CHAPTER 23

"I want all results of searches, CCTV summaries and ANYTHING we have on possible whereabouts or leads." Maya shouts out into the room for what is probably the 20th time in the last few hours. She runs a shaky hand through her dishevelled hair.

"Hey, Maya. You think you should go home? Or at least try and get some sleep in the break room?" Andy asks.

Maya glares at her, distress and fatigue showing on her face. "Sleep?!" She asks incredulously. "You seriously think I can sleep when that psycho has Carina? Are you out of your mind?!" She snaps.

Andy looks around the busy room noting thankfully no one is paying them any attention, she drags Maya out of the room. "Ok you need to get it together Bishop. I know you are scared - hell I am, I like Carina too. But Maya, this is not doing you OR the investigation any good." She takes a breath, voice softening slightly.

"She has been gone for 10 hours already. What if..." She chokes on the words. "What if he's already..." She trails off, unable to say the words.

"Hey, no. You can NOT think that. Ok, you can't, you will drive yourself over the edge." Andy says. Maya doesn't offer a verbal response instead staring at the floor, trying desperately to stop herself falling apart.

"Maya, you are putting everyone on edge, stomping around sitting on people's shoulders. I know you are desperate for a lead, to get her back, but this isn't the way to do it. Now I can't force you to sleep but I can force you to take a break. So go. Get some fresh air, food, a shower maybe? Freshen up and come back with your head on right." Andy tells her tone leaving no room for argument.

Maya sighs, nodding and without further comment turns and walks down the hallway. "Oh and Maya?" Andy calls after her, waiting for her to turn.

"Yeah?" She asks weakly.

"We are and will continue to do EVERYTHING and anything we can to find her. To bring her back." She says gently, both of them knowing she omitted the end of the sentence that Maya really wants to hear, that they will bring her back to Maya.

Maya nods in acknowledgment before making her way to the locker room, she turns on one of the showers, not bothering to remove her now almost 2 day old clothes, sliding down the wall letting the water wash over her as sobs overtake her. Glancing down at her shirt as it soaks through, she recalls how Carina told her the blue shirt looked good on her yesterday morning when she dressed and they ate breakfast together.

She angrily rips her clothes off, throwing them out of the cubicle as she stands, tilting her face up to the warm stream of water, closing her eyes tightly as she lets the water wash over her. Before she can even register what is happening, sobs again overtake her as the tears from her eyes mix with the water, all collecting in the drain and washing away. If only her pain could be so easily washed away she thinks, though laboured breaths.

It takes 20 minutes, but eventually the tears slow, as Maya reaches out to turn off the shower, grabbing her towel. She wraps the towel around her as she takes a few deep breaths, before going over to the sink, looking at herself in the mirror. Eyes red and puffy, face drawn and tired.

She turns away sighing before pulling her spare clothes out of her locker - a more dressed down sweater and jeans. She quickly towel dries her hair, before heading to the kitchenette and making a smoothie and grabbing a coffee. Sitting in the kitchen alone with her thoughts she manages less than half of the smoothie before her stomach protests at being filled, the nausea creeping back in, she checks her watch.

"Ok that's long enough." She mutters, dumping the smoothie in the sink and taking the coffee with her and walking back down the quieter than usual halls given that it's just past 3am.