Detective Carla Spades was well known for playing bad cop. Her hardened glare and intimidating voice left suspect to cower in corners at the sight of her. Her partner, detective James Luther however, was more vulnerable to persuasion. Carla intended to do most of the talking during interrogations knowing that the suspect could slip James some money to let him go. It's not that James was corrupt like the town they're living in. He was just way too nice.
So when Carla was searching through the recent files that were filled out that morning one caught her eye. The files were in alphabetical order and a specific file she found in the the letter G. Emily Greene found dead this morning in an alley. It is believed to be a homicide. It took interest in her because something in her head told her that it may be connected with the other murders of young women.
The file stated Emily was twenty three. The other girls found dead in an alley earlier this month were around the same age. Whoever is doing this, they're pouncing on younger women. Track marks in her arms found indicating she was probably shooting up previously to her death. Overdose? No way considering the acorn sized bullet hole that was launched in her skull.
There were bruises and inflamed areas possible pointing towards a fight back? Or just horrible aggression towards her corpse. Detective Spade wasn't a forensic scientist so she couldn't call shots with her assumptions. She went into work about forty five minutes early so no cases were assigned to her and her partner and he wasn't even there.
Living the detective life had its perks, besides dealing with constant death and madness, the income was great. Carla was never a fan of commitment so instead of going home to an open armed lover, she would be met with the continuous barking of her dog Marlo. The bright side of that was more money for herself.
She stepped outside for a quick smoke before she was burdened with the troubles of the days work. Carla being head detective, the weight of the entire agency was on her shoulders. Spades hair was red like a ruby with green eyes like the forest trees. It looked unnatural, almost. Freckles dotted her cheeks. She'd look like a kid again if it wasn't for the scars throughout her face, the bags under her eyes, and the creases in her forehead.
Quickly she finished her cigarette knowing that when her partner, Luther, showed up and ruined her day. She'd be lying is she said she didn't have a soft spot for James, but hell, he was annoying. Carla couldn't think straight having him around. All he did was ramble and talk. Even being head detective she wasn't commissioner, so she surely wasn't the boss. Not being able to have some control over things drove her out of her mind.
There was a fall breeze blowing through Carla's hair as she made her way to the entrance of the building. It was only a matter of minutes before James and the rest of the crew showed up. She didn't used to be a morning person but ten years of the grind changes you. Well, that's what she told everyone. By this point in time it was about twenty minutes until people were expected to show up. She was outside longer than she thought.
Spades must have gotten lost in her thoughts and coffee because she was snapped out by James playfully waving his hand in her face. Annoyed she rolled her eyes.
"What do you want Luther? I haven't even finished my third cup of coffee yet," spades sighed.
"You know you love me Carla. So what's todays grind?" Luther question eyeing the files piled on her desk.
"Just a couple murders the usual," Carla shrugged.
"You say it so casually," James chuckled obnoxiously tapping his calloused fingers on her desk.
"Give it ten more years new blood. You'll get used to it," she remarked.
At her comeback Luther shrugged his shoulders in a thoughtful manner. With that he pulled of his jacket and started getting prepared for the work ahead.
"So what's the plan?" James questioned.
"Saw a case file looks interesting. Greene, Emily, twenty three, found dead this morning," Spades explained to Luther.
James strolled over to the filing cabinet in search of the file described to him. After five minutes of him looking through the files and listening to Carla grunt impatiently he found Emily Greene's case file.
"This the one boss?" He questioned skimming through it.
"Yeah, what do you say? Wanna take it up?" She asked crossing her arms over her chest and leaning on the desk behind her.
"Whew! If you think you can handle it," Luther joked. This sparked humor in Carla's eyes.
"Worried about me I'm flattered. But, really? I think we should be more worried about you," Spades chucked back.
"Don't worry I can take it," James told her.
Carla let out a small sarcastic laugh. Before going towards the back office to let Commissioner know they were heading out for the Greene case. When she returned moments later she grabbed her uniform jacket and got ready to head out. She always wanted to be the first on the scene. Even though, she couldn't do anything until forensics showed.
Carla being hotheaded and stubborn she wouldn't listen to Luther's protests to wait as she hopped out of the car. She walked up to the officers on guard of the scene flaunting her badge before ducking under the tape. James who sighs in defeat quickly follows her motions. There was blood on the concrete alleyway where he assumed he body once was.
James looked up to notice a flash of sadness wash on Carla's face. He knew she felt sympathetic for the victim but she'd never admit it. Shortly, forensics showed up and Carla was able to snoop some more. She started looking through some garbage in the dumpsters right beside where the body was found.
Carla looked around the pools of blood for hair, possible murder weapons, and any signs. No luck whatsoever. The forensics were examining the pool of blood Luther was questioning bystanders, and Carla was looking in trash bags. I probably look so professional right now. She felt awkward.
That was until she found a bullet in one of the bags.
