Her Dark Protector (Private Skyes: Book One)

chapter one

ONE

Chelsea Matthews: (POV)
Delta City
Present Day

It has been a long time coming. The Delta City Killer has been raping, torturing, and killing women for over three years and we have yet to find any leads.

The Delta City Killer is one of the most dangerous serial killers in Delta City history. In his three year span of killing he has 32 victims, that we know of. The oldest victim being 40 years old the youngest being 16. I've been on his trial since I started working as the Assistant District Attorney 2 years ago, waiting for a liable lead or arrest.

And now it's finally here. I'm at home 10 o'clock at night, drinking a cup of herbal tea and meditating when my phone rings

"This is Matthews." I answer.

"Hey Chelsea, it's Shaw."

Detective Derick Shaw is the lead detective on the Delta City Killer case and a close friend and being as late at night as it is I know he has something good.

"What you got Shaw?" I ask, fully alert.

"We got him?"

With the excitement in his voice I don't have to ask who he's talking about and my heart starts to pound with excitement of my own.

"I'll be there in 20 minutes!" I respond, my excitement, I'm sure, coming out over the phone.

"Take your time," Shaw remarks, somberly, "he's lawyering up."

"What do we have on him?" I question. "Anything liable."

"We have a witness, sort of." Shaw answers. "I'll fill you in once you get here."

"So who is he?" I ask.

"Someone everyone in Delta City has at least heard." Shaw responds, matter-of-factly.

"Who?"

My interest is definitely peaked.

"None other than Donovan Miller."

"Are you serious?" I ask catching my breath.

Shaw is right, anyone who is anyone knows the name Donovan Miller. Not only is he the son of the richest billionaire tycoon in Delta City, Christian Miller, but he is also Delta City's most eligible bachelor.

To be honest the few times I'd met him at city functions, although very attractive and very stylish, he has something about him that scares me. Now I know what it is, he is a psychopathic serial killer.

Luring his victims would've been easy with his model good looks and money. Most women would give anything to be with the 22 year old playboy. Now I know of at least 30 who truly gave everything for a moment to be with him. I can't wait to make him pay.

"I'm on my way!"

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Approximately 30 minutes later I arrive at the DCPD headquarters and after checking in at the front desk I head straight for Shaw's desk.

At the desk is Detective Derick Shaw, 30 years old, handsome, well built and well dressed in a black suit, with dark kind brown eyes and a full head of thick brown hair to match and with him a young girl who looks no older than 19 or 20 years old.

She is very beautiful with long dark brown hair and bright green eyes that have recently been full of tears. She is wearing a classy emerald green spaghetti strapped dress. Obviously not a trashy individual looking to be raped and murdered. I can't wait to get her statement and hopefully get enough to tie Donovan Miller to the Delta City Killer murders and put a needle in his arm.

As I approach Shaw's desk he smiles and slowly stands up.

"You got here quick." Shaw greets me with a big grin.

"I'm ready to put this guy away." I reply, trying not to show my excitement.

Slowly he takes the young girl's hand helping her to her feet ready to introduce her.

"Chelsea Matthews this is Emily Darwin." He starts as we face each other. "Emily, Chelsea is the ADA on this case. She's here to hear what you have to say."

"Hello Emily." I greet her warmly, taking her hand. "You have no idea how happy I am to meet you."

"I want to stop him before he can hurt anyone else." Emily sighs nervously.

"Are you referring to Donovan Miller?" I ask anxiously.

"Yes." She implies, looking around the fully staffed office space that was full of cops and perps everywhere. "But I can't talk out here in the open like this. I don't feel safe."

"Shaw is there an interrogation room open for us three to have a conversation?"

"You better believe it." Shaw smiles as he starts walking away from his desk. "Follow me. I promise this conversation will only be between us."

"Unless we have to take him to court." I add. "If we need you can you testify for the prosecution.

"If it gets him off the streets I'll do anything." Emily acknowledges full of courage.

"Then let's do this." I respond as we follow Shaw to the back of the precinct building towards the interrogation rooms."

------

"I went to a charity gala earlier this evening with a friend of mine." Emily begins. "I'd never be able to afford it myself. I mean I'm a barista at Rise and Shine. It's a coffee shop in City Plaza, right off of Walker."

"Then how did you get into a $2000 plate dinner?" I ask. I was not accusing her of anything. I just needed to know the facts.

The fact is Delta City is full of supernatural beings and people with just supernatural abilities. I'd never consider myself a supernatural being but I do have a gift for detecting lies. I've been able to sense when people lied all my life.

It's made life hard and made building relationships even harder. But at this moment I want to hear what Emily has to say and see if I can use her eye witness account to build a strong case against Miller.

It is totally possible she is lying because she doesn't like Miller for some reason, but the way she starts talking about him makes her sound less angry and more afraid than anything else.

"It was delivered to my front door by messenger." Emily answers her voice shaky. "But it wasn't just one invitation but two and it was sent anonymously."

Truth. Who would send a random girl two invitations to a $2000 charity gala. It doesn't make sense.

"I must say Emily that's quite a nice dress for a barista." I imply. "No offense."

"Oh no none taken." Emily smiles. "I couldn't afford a dress like this even with two paychecks. It was delivered by another messenger an hour later and again anonymously."

"You didn't question it?" I ask. Personally extravagant gifts like the ones she received, especially anonymously would've put up giant stop signs for me.

But I'm about 10 years older than Emily. If I was her age I would've probably been excited too.

"I called my best friend Tammy when I got the invitations and the dress." Emily acknowledges. "She thought it was a secret admirer and that I'd be dumb not to pursue it."

"So your friend Tammy, I am assuming she was your plus one?" Shaw asks.

"I don't really know many people here in the city," Emily frowns, "so she was my only choice."

"So you two went to the 'Ball' together."

"Correct." Emily nods. "We were even picked up by a limo."

"Anonymously, I presume." I stipulate.

"Exactly." Emily sighs, as her hands start to visibly shake. "It seemed kind of like a fairy tale at the beginning."

"But?" Shaw asks grabbing her hands trying to calm her trembling hands.

"Once we got to the gala," Emily begins, as tears start to run down her face, "the fairy tale ended and the nightmare began."