Criminal Case: Pacific Bay

Chapter 17: Under the Skin-Part 1

A couple days later after Marie put a stop to Inner Chaos and helped Hannah out with not just her past but her relationship with Heather, she, Scott, Julian, Olivier and their animals moved back home once the anonymous calls have stopped and the feeling of being followed have stopped too. It was then that Marie began to debate in her mind on how to break the news to Frank that their relationship was going to be over. She wanted to break it down to him kindly without sounding too harsh.

Marie knows how sensitive some men can be cause she saw how sensitive Jones, Alex and even Nathan can be when bad news is broken to them. She also remembered that not just those three but Grace and Ramirez were also there on the day that Marie and Jones confronted Chief King who not only admitted to killing Adam Bentley, but he killed himself after the gun went off. That image of her grandfather laying on the floor with a peaceful smile and a tear rolling down his face still stings Marie's heart and soul to this day.

She then let out a sigh and said to herself, "I just have to let the words roll and get it over with, I guess."

As she was thinking about him, Frank appeared before her and he said, "Hey there darlin'. I still can't believe what happened with Hannah. I mean,her shooting Fredo and everything. Pretty crazy, huh?"

Marie nodded in agreement and said, "She was pretty shaken up after that. However, it's been a couple days so I think she's better now."

Frank let out a sigh and said, "I know, but I just hope that the kid will be alright. She's a weird geek and all, but I still kind of like her. But anyway, there's no time to dwell on this. Andrea wants to see us in her office ASAP."

Confused, Marie decided to follow Frank to see what Chief Marquez wanted. In Chief Marquez's office, Frank and Marie were standing before her and she looked at Marie and said, "Marie, as you well know, Inner Chaos has finally been stopped and we can all breathe a little bit easier now. However, sour job in Inner City is not done yet. The tensions between the Chinese and the Russian communities are as high as ever. Which is why I need you today because it's the Chinese festival celebration and I fear the Russians might attack the parade.

"You'll be assigned to the parade's security, so remember to keep your eyes wide open!"

Marie saluted and said, "Yes ma'am!"

Chief Marquez nodded and then turned to Frank and said to him sternly, "And Frank, you better behave this time! Cause I don't want a repeat of your antics during St. Patrick's Day!" And as soon as Frank saluted her and told her that he will, the two officers set out to the Chinese festival.

At the Chinese festival's parade, Frank and Marie were standing on the sidelines with the rest of the crowd keeping a look out for any Russians. As the festival was going on, Frank smiled brightly and said, "Well Marie, I must admit, the Chinese sure know how to party! All the lights, all the sounds!"

Marie just rolled her eyes and said, "Focus Frank! We're here to work!"

Frank nodded and said, "I know! I know! So let's stop yapping and keep our eyes peeled. The first one who sees something suspicious tells the other!"

Marie smirked and said, "Deal!" And soon they went their separate ways to check the perimeter.

A short while later, Marie noticed a glowing dragon float come by when she saw something tied to the end of it. She then went out to the street, told the people operating the float to stop while showing them her badge, which they did, and she went to the front to see what was on it. It was then that Marie's eyes went wide when she saw that it was a dead body and she whistled out to Frank to show him.

As soon as he saw the body with half its skin missing, Frank became green in the face and he said as he felt like he was gonna puke, "Well darlin', I guess you win! A half-skinned corpse strung to the first parade float is definitely what I'd call suspicious!"