Bloody Bracelet

Part 8

It was one long ass day. I could see the street lights coming to life from my desk. I sent Ab a message 'Working late. See you later.'

"Alright, thanks again, Leon.", Dany said into his handset before putting it down on the table. He scratched his eyes and let loose a defeated sigh. Never a good sign.

"What's up?"

"Leon can comfirm that the Alverez boys and all their pushers, especially Jimmy, has alibis. He's been keeping tabs on them for weeks now fishing for a shipment movement or some shit. They're clean as a whistle."

Fuck.

"That's not what I wanted to hear, Dany."

Now I'm scratching my eyes.

"Then who the fuck killed Miss Stone?"

"Back two steps, Tom."

"Shiiiit. Alright, there's nothing else we can do at this hour anymore. Let's turn in, tomorrow is another day."

"Amen.", said Dany as he stood up and grabbed his jacket. "See ya."

"Cheers, mate."

The drive home was long as always. I could feel myself dozing behind the wheel. No Johnny Cash tonight, no beer, just bed. Ab left the door open again, what a fucking surprise.

"I'm home!" I pushed through the door and and yanked off my coat. "Is there any leftover meat-"

Why did my coat just fall to the floor? Why was the coathanger lying across the floor? Why the fuck was this house a wreck? I drew my Glock from my side holster.

"Ab!?"

Nothing. I searched the whole goddamn house, only to find more wreckage in the kitchen. It was obviously a struggle. I fished out my cellphone.

"This is Detective Tom Murphy. I'm sending out an ABD on a white elderly woman, named Abigail Murphy, age 74, taken from her home with signs of struggle. Need immidiate assistance."

I silenced my phone and hopped in my car. The tyres screamed as I sped away. I had no idea where to look first. Automatically I tried to call Chief.

"This is Chief O'Malley. Leave me a message", his voicemail spoke into my ear.

"Damnit, Chief. Answer the phone!"

Who and why? Why Ab? Where the hell could she be.

"All units in the area, please respond to a 911 call on Baker street. Elderly body found on sidewalk. I repeat, body found on sidewalk.", the 2 way radio blared.

The radio went silent.

"No."

Please, God, don't let it be Ab. Not Ab.

I almost flip my car when I spun around. I was heading back, towards Baker street.

"No, no, no.."

I drove as if the devil himself was after me. The street lights zoomed over my windshield. The engine roared as I forced the pedal through the floor. I drifted around Baker street corner and at the end of the road were 2 police cars, lights flashing, officers standing outside. They already started blocking the street off and interogating witnesses. Chief's car was parked just beside the squad cars. He was standing with his arms crossed. I brought my car to a harse stop and fled out the door, even left it open. The Chief's face was white as he walk towards me. He extended his arm to my chest to stop me.

"Who is it, Chief?"

"Tom.."

His sentence stopped halfway and kept quiet.

"Chief, no." I could feel my eyes start tearing up. "Get out of my way."

"Tom, walk with me-"

"No! Get the fuck out of my way!"

I shoved my way passed Chief and pushed through the uniforms until-

There she was.

There's Ab.

Lying facedown, naked, with her head bashed in. With a fucking bracelet around her wrist. There was blood everywhere.

I had no control over what happened next. I fell to my knees and sobbed. I think Chief tried to pull me away, but it was too late. That image is now scetched into my memory, like a fucking portrait on a wall. I had no thoughts other than one line that went round and round in my head. 'She is dead'

Ab, is dead.