Bloody Bracelet

Part 4

"Still sleeping like shit, Tom?"

Chief doesn't look all that rested today.

"Your wife made you aleep on the couch again, Chief?"

That cold, scoulding look gave me yes.

"What did you this time, forget her birthday?"

Another cold, scoulding look.

"Jesus Chief, it's the only day in the whole year you have to remember."

"And don't forget Valentine's day, and anniversary, and her mother's birthday, and the day you bought her tickets to a show that had meaning somehow that one fucking time.", said Dany.

Detective Daniel Lincolm was a respected detective around the department, same as me. Dany was one of the few guys around here who I didn't think was a complete asshole. It's just weird how his nickname is Dany and not Danny? First thing I asked him when we met was 'You probably like danishes, right?'

"Yeah, and let's not forget the day you two first had sex, right Chief?"

Chief didn't really appreciate the wink I gave him.

"Don't you two have work to do?", the irritated Chief said.

"Yeah, we do.", Dany said as he turned and walked away.

"Now, you still having trouble sleeping?"

"Why do you always keep asking that?"

"Because you look like shit, Tom. My cat brought in a dead mouse the other day that looked better than you."

"That's bullshit. My suit is always pressed and neat, and I'm always clean shaven."

"You know that's not what I mean."

Here we go again. This shit.

"I know. Look, Chief, I told you a hundred times over I'm fine. Quit asking."

"You got a lot of baggage, kid. Which is fully understandable. You know, I know this guy-"

"Fuck Chief, if you mention your pherapist again, I swear to God I will throw this desk out of the 4th story window."

"That's exactly what I'm afraid of, Tom. I'm afraid that one day you'll just lose your shit and pistol whip a guy to a bloody pulp."

"I hear you, and I promise I'm fine. Just long overdue a fishing trip and a cigaret."

I really did want a fishing trip and a cigaret. I needed it.

"Alright, rockhead. Just don't start smoking again. Seeing you stand alone on the roof every two hours breaks my heart."

I couldn't hold back the quick chuckle.

"Alright you got it, boss."

"Yeah, listen, Doc called. He's finished with the autopsy. He wants to see us, ASAP."

"Got it."

"Also, I got a positive ID back from the girl."

"Let me guess, her name is something country-like, like Mary-Lou, or Mindy?"

"Nope, actually her name is Ashley Rebecca Stone. Born in Boston, is a kindergarden teacher. No kids, no spouse. The parents have also been notified."

"Ashley Rebecca? That's weird. Why would she have a bracelet on her then with a 'M' engraved on it?"

"Could be a lover perhaps. It might support the crime of love MO."

"Could be. I'll check in with parents when I can, see what I can find out. Let's head over to Doc."

Huh. Who would thought that the big, blue eyed murder victim would be named Ashley Rebecca Stone. The drive to Doc has always been a long one. Seeing a dead body twice isn't much fun. Doc was always as clean as whistle. Well, he had to be obviousy, but EVERYTHING about him was clean. Even his language. I have never heard the man curse. I don't even think he curses in his thoughts.

"How you doin', Doc?"

Ah, yes. Those cloudy grey, wisdom filled eyes of his. He really does look like a nice guy.

"Chief O'Malley, Detective Westly, welcome.", said the good Doc.

"What's the report, Doc?", Chief spoke.

"Well, except for me kicking your behind on the golf course, we have a deceised female among us."

The Chief and Doc are old golfing buddies. No one really knows how they became friends.

"Well, look at you all strong and high-arsed. You just got payback from the time I made you eat shit at our game on New Year's.", Chief smiled.

"Yes, well, quite. You know what they say, old friend. Lady Luck sits on everyone's l-l-l-l-l-l-lap."

Everytime. Everytime I end up in Doc's office, I forget he has a stutter and it surprises me every-damn-time. Good, ol' Doc.

"Well, back to business. As you probably already know, the victim's name is Ashley Rebecca Stone. She is 23 years old and cause of death is a gaping slit to the throat."

No shit, Doc.

"Yeah, we figured that out already, Doc. Thanks."

"Ah! Yes, well, very good. Toxicity report shows traces of Chloroform inside her mouth. Which is the cause of no s-s-s-s-struggle marks. Any leads on the murder weapon?"

"No, the place was searched clean. No murder weapon, no footprint tracks, nothing. This guy was slick.", said Chief, looking embarrased admitting that he has no lead.

I had no lead.

"Yes, well, quite.", said Doc.

"Hey Doc, you have any luck in finding some of the perp's skin cells in the vic's vagina? That could be our best lead."

"Well, actually about that, I discovered something odd. She's a virgin."

What?

"Wait, what do you mean she's a virgin?", Chief said.

Do I look as confused as the Chief right now?

"I mean, as she has never experienced sexual contact in her life."

This makes no sense. Why would someone drug this girl, strip her naked, murder her, then take her and pose her up in an alley? This shit's wrong.

"Well, take strikes out the robbery gone sexual part, Chief."

"This is goes a lot deeper. We'll meet up with-", Chief was interupted by his cellphone. "Excuse me.", he turned away. "This is O'Malley.", Chief answered into his handset.

"What do you make of all this, Doc?"

"Well, it's not my devision, but looks to me like the perpatrator knew what he was doing, and how he wants it done."

True words, Doc. Too true.

"Oh, and another thing. I found this in the victim's mouth, on one of her teeth."

He handed me an A5 printed photo of a tooth, but that can't be what I think it is. It just can't.

"What?", Chief said from the corner. "When did this happen?"

What the hell is going on now?

"We'll be right there.", Chief said right before he silenced his phone.

"We gotta go.", Chief ordered.

"What happened?"

"Tom, we gotta go. Now."

The look in Chief's eyes were wrong. Somewhere, shit just went down.

And I get the feeling I'm not gonna like it.