The Rose and The Wheelchair

Chapter 1:The Bloody Rose

*brrrrng brrrng* Jessica slowly opened her heavy eyes to see her cellphone had been buzzing. She groaned as she picked up her phone she realized it was 3: 44 am and the call was from her boss Sargent Ben Clayton. *Why would he want me at this hour?* Jessica thought to herself. "Good morning, Sargent Clayton." Jessica said trying to sound professional and not at all tired. "Ah, Detective Cartwright. There is been an 'accident' down in Aldercombe road. I need you and  Detective Stanley as well as police officers to look into it." "How serious is this 'accident' that you needed to give us both an early wakeup call?" Jessica asked in her usual cynical tone that was familiar to everyone including her boss. "Very serious Detective Cartwright. We maybe even looking at a possible murder case here. Get over here right away!" "Yes, boss" Jessica replied. "Good, now are you sure your alright to go out in your...condition?" Sargent Clayton asked concerned. Jessica rolled her eyes knowing what he meant by 'condition' "Of course boss, I'll head over right now." Sargent said his farewell as he hung up the phone.

Jessica leaned over to reach for her wheelchair. Yes, wheelchair.  Jessica has a condition called cerebral palsy which made her unable to walk. It also made other things harder such as dressing herself and writing down on paper. Not that it stops her from being a competent detective. She has stunned many people who doubted her ability and argued that she choose an "easier" job to handle. Jessica laughed as she aced all her exams at university and solved a few local crimes by herself. It was not until a few robberies and a couple of murders solved earned her the respected of her fellow colleagues and even her boss who stopped questioning her ability to do her job afterward. But, that didn't stop them from seeing her as a patronizing "inspiration" to them or a pity case or even doubt her abilities from time to time. This all annoyed Jessica to no end but she was used to it as it was a common occurrence throughout her whole life.

Once Jessica got in her wheelchair she struggled a bit to put on her shirt and pants but had managed. She then to quite a struggle to but on her socks and boots. Jessica would normally have her roommates Stephanie and Jasmine to help her dress but they were out that evening partying to celebrate their new job at the hospital as they both studied hard to be nurses. Jessica was very grateful to both Stephanie and Jasmine as they both took a lot of unneeded stress away from Jessica's hard life. Jessica also helped them out too by paying for their meals and rent while they studied. The three considered each other the best of friends. The two invited Jessica to come to the party with them. But Jessica refused as she needed to finished of paperwork for her job. Jessica regretted not going with them now.

When Jessica finally finished putting on her socks and boots. She put on a brown trench coat to complete her 'stereotypical' detective look. Jessica then styled her short dark brown hair with a comb. Jessica kept it short as it was practical for her as Jessica had difficultly tying up and looking after long hair. Jessica also wore glasses for slight short-farsightedness but nothing too major. Jessica then put on warm dark brown gloves to protect her hands from the cold, her wheelchair and her job. Finally she grabbed her bag full of detective gear, such as writing pads, pens, flashlight, fingerprint brush and all sorts of gear you would see in movies along  with cigarettes...In Jessica's job you see...a lot and a good cigarette takes away the stress from the job.

Jessica then went into her "special" van that could be opened from the back and that had no front seat so Jessica could put her wheelchair in and just drive to where ever she needed to go. Jessica then drove her van to Aldercombe road like her boss said. When Jessica got there she saw a bunch of people lined up with camera's and their cellphones taking photo's of something on the ground. Jessica found it very difficult to get past all the cars parked in the way. Jessica then saw her colleague Patrick Stanley her fellow detective that worked with her in many cases. Patrick was a tall man (but then again everyone is tall when you're sitting down) of Indian descent, he was an attractive and smart man. He did alright and got the job done. He was also very kind and willing to help Jessica whenever she needed it. Jessica appreciated it but was also annoyed as his lack of seriousness sometimes with his job and his constant attempts at dry and dark humour which rubbed Jessica the wrong way.

Jessica then got out of her van and met up with Patrick. "Ah, Detective Stanley it's seems like we have quite the case today." Patrick chuckled nervously "Indeed, Detective Cartwright. The person who was the victim of this terrible 'accident' was quite the celebrity in this city." "Well, lets hope we can get pass this crowd of 'fans." Jessica said worriedly. "Don't worry I have got you're back." Patrick winked as he pushed his wheelchair through the crowd. He then slowly proceeded to lift the yellow tape to let her through the crime scene. 

Jessica duck her head through the yellow crime type as she came across the body of a female in her 30's. She was beautiful with long red hair, same as her elegant red dress, she was dressed in such finery, pearls and gold, her makeup must of been precisely put on before it became smuggled and smeared with blood and dirt. Her black heels were tossed from one side to the other . Her stockings with tattered with purple bruises shown on her leg. Her arm was twisted to the other side of her body. Jessica felt like she was going to be sick same with Patrick. And it wasn't just because of the  horrific injuries on the poor victim no. This innocent delicate face of beauty brang back memories to Jessica. *No oh god, why no! No! NO!* 

"Detective Cartwright, Detective Stanley this is the body of Rose Turnbull..." Sargent Clayton said approaching both Jessica and Patrick. When Jessica heard that name her blood ran cold...