"Mandy, turn the volume up! Hurry!" Amanda's attention snapped up away from Channing to her coworker who looked honestly freaked out. Having the important role of being the remote control handler, she raised the volume so it was no longer a murmur. "Although the identity of the victim hasn't been confirmed yet. Thanks to the information of an anonymous source, we know that it had passed almost an hour since the discovery and yet the forensics nor the rest of the police force has failed to arrive the scene. And, as you can see dear watchers the scene hasn't been properly isolated. Are these killings product of a master mind or are they just product of a negligent police work?" She let the question linger in the air for a couple of seconds before continuing. "This and more details will be shared with you in the Evening News with Angie Babineaux. This is Angie Babineaux reporting for Channel 5 News, stay tuned."
Amanda's mouth fell open a little at the live, breaking news, segment on the television. This was impossible, ANOTHER murder? So that's why there had been such an increase in patrol cars heading over in direction of the Mayor's Office? Hands shaking a little she only half-heartedly heard her coworker speak about how this was terrifying and she was worried about her own family's well being. Saying she was going to step out to call her daughter's school, be right back. Amanda barely managed a "Uh huh, sure." dazed. The Mayor's Office, that was less than twenty minutes from here by car. Perhaps thirty to forty minutes walking. This was very close, closer to her than the school's murder with Coach Cole had been.
Amanda's coworker returned, pocketing her phone as she said something about having to call her daughter so the girl wouldn't walk home today, to wait to be picked up for safety's sake. Taking a deep breath she felt a restless energy course through the brunette's body. She was terrified that there was a killer running around so easily, this would be the fifth murder in a month. Just what the hell was going on? Was it someone she knew, or a friend's friend? Did the killer slip up and get caught? Grabbing her purse she looked at Channing, handing the woman her personal business card and asking if she wanted to go with her to the Mayor's Office. "With this happening I cannot focus right now, I need to know if there is more clues available to solve this case. If perhaps they got a glimpse of the person. I need answers... I'm sorry, I have to go." Amanda's coworker was extremely confused but understood Amanda was the type to sometimes be impulsive, even more so since Kiera's death. Getting the green light, the brunette rushed out and hailed a cab.
Amanda did not drive, she had gotten her license suspended for driving under the influence half a year ago. She only had another five-and-a-half months to go before she could get behind the wheel of a car again. Luckily her record was clean and she hadn't been in an accident, so her sentence had been light, though it did create issues for Amanda when it came to transportation. The first thing the driver said to make conversation was, "Can you believe it, another. Sheesh, end of the world it seems. Soon no one will be left, get what I mean little lady?" The man stopped and stared at her a second at the red light when she told him she wanted to go to the crime scene, to drop her off as close as he could get. The man called her insane and then, in a surprising act of kindness, told her to please be safe out there.
Realizing that during her walk to work she had missed the familiar buzz of her phone, she checked the unread message from the photographer Abigail. Typing a hurried reply, she hoped the woman wouldn't be offended by her direct message.
To: Abigail
From: Amanda Dumont
Message: Coffee and interview sounds fine.
Not sure what help I'll be though.
Who is it this time, saw breaking news on tv.
Any suspects, leads, clues?
-Amanda Dumont
Tapping SEND she realized she had been tapping her foot nervously on the floor the whole time. Once out of the cab, giving her thanks and paying for the ride, she hurried over to where the Channel 5 van was. From there it took a small look around to realize the many officers were either keeping watch around the taped off perimeter or were in the middle of an interview. She saw the officers from the headquarters fleetingly, the young one who was scolded by the scary older one. Amanda thought she saw the young woman who had spoken of thinking about a link between cases to said officer, but she wasn't sure. She also noted reporters and off to a side was the woman news report.
Why was there no tent up to protect the area from the rain? It was soon going to be a downpour, already the sprinkling was getting to be a little annoying, and that meant any evidence could get tainted or washed away. However many of the cops seemed to be chilling at their posts or having an interview done. HELLO! They were supposed to focus as a team on the murder, on evidence! Was there even any squad cars on patrol trying to find any suspicious people linked to whoever just got found? Angry she hurried over to where the yellow tape had no police officer stationed, the closest one was looking towards the reporters and journalist as if hoping they wouldn't cause trouble. She hadn't finished ducking under the tape and standing up straight that she heard someone call out loudly to her and the sound of footsteps heading her way. Amanda suspected the officer had spotted her and wanted her out.
"I said stop! That is a restricted area, you are disrupting a crime scene! Freeze or you will be arrested!" Amanda tried to play stupid, not that she got far with it since she hadn't even taken ten or so steps past the tape that a strong hand grasped her wrist tightly. Trying to wrench her hand free she came face to face to the officer who looked none too pleased at her, he didn't loosen his hold as he began to pull her towards the tape. The whole time saying she needed to be on the other side. "Let me go! Get your hand off me, you're hurting me you jerk! If you had been doing your job, you'd have spotted me before I even got close to the tape! ARGH! I said, hands off, you'll make me trip with all your tugging!" she yelled, frustrated and annoyed. Indeed the cop seemed to have been under pressure or on the edges of patience since she felt his grip making her hand tingle a bit from restricted blood flow. That and it was hard to step properly on the ground that was already getting muddy and slippery from the light drizzling rain. If this guy made her slip and fall, or she had a bruise because of him, she wouldn't think twice of slapping him like Abigail had slapped that one officer.
YOU ARE READING
SPLATTER (draft)
Mystery / ThrillerIt's been on National TV. The obsession of the local newspaper. Fear in every resident's heart that compels them to lock their doors at night and to keep the dog loose. To never stay out past eight, or dark. The first body they found was of a you...
