Dark Love: The Strangler (Book 1)

Chapter Two (a)

Thursday
10:47 a.m.

Grace placed a trembling hand over her mouth as she choke back sobs. They burned the inside of her throat with each swallow. A soft whimper escaped her as she tried frustratingly to comprehend what the detective was saying.

"The police found her body in the bayou on the outskirts of town. Do you have any idea what she was doing there? Who she was with?"

She swallowed with great difficulty, getting up ungracefully from her seat and approached the huge window. She stared outside at the trees and the flowers that grew around them. She watched as the grass danced to the song of the breeze and as the butterflies flew curiously about, dipping and swaying with each other.
"I dont- , I wouldn't know", she replied softly almost inaudible.

Taking a deep breathe she turned from the window. The sun glittered it's rays on her sliver blonde hair, strikingly similar to that of her sister's. Eyes of the deepest green shone like diamonds with un-shed tears gaze towards the detective. Silas breathe caught at his throat and his eyes roamed her face taking in every line, every detail. The look she had on her face showed one of grief, confusion - regret? Whatever it was showed her beauty to a fault. She tried to speak again but Silas beat her to it.

"I'm sorry for your lost Ms Simmons, but your statement would really help in this investigation".

"Investigation?", she mumbled. "You say it as if it's just another murder another job. Well it's not, she was my sister. I was to t-", she stopped and turned her sad eyes to the floor.

A sniffle was heard and Silas knew she was now crying. Her shoulders trembled as her chest movements became rapid. She opened and closed her hands at her side as they formed a fist, knuckles ashen white by balling her fingers too hard. Silas sighed, he was not a grief counsellor and so he pushed.

"Yes I understand that bu-", he was cut off. She was pissed. She snapped her head up and gave him a dangerous look.

"NO! It's seems you don't. You have no sympathy. My sister was murdered and her killer is still out there and you're here questioning ME!"

He sighed and flipped closed his notepad and gave her a levelled look.

"Ms Simmons I'm sorry if my approach to the decease's case, ahh I mean your sister's case is unsubtle but I cannot let emotions get the best of me. At least not in this line of work. Now I know you may not like it but I have to do my job and ask such questions. Neither can I be impartial."

His response seemed to temper her down a bit, but anger still lined the fine interiors of her beautiful face. She scoffed and said
"Maybe that's just what is needed - a little emotion. God knows the person who killed my sister surely needed a lot of it".
Grace's shoulders drooped as if all the fight had suddenly gone from her. She walked back to the couch and sat down. She smooth her palms over her jeans before she lifted her face and look the detective directly in his face.

"Forgive me, I-I was upset and I shouldn't have shouted at you, an-and..."

"It's ok Ms Simmons, I understand. Here is my card, just give me a call when you remember anything that might help us". He handed her the card as he walked to the front door fully expecting her to refuse it but instead she took the card gratefully and stared at it keenly, "Detective Silas Burke" she paused and then continued, "Thank you".