Mayhem

CH1

"Detective Rose, I'm glad that you can finally join us." Sarcastically called my boss as I entered fifteen minutes late.

"Funny thing is, booking seems to be light staffed today." Commenting back dryly, I glared over at the two missing employees that seemed to find eavesdropping in on our meeting more important than doing their jobs. They were quick to scurry back off to where they belonged, leaving me unimpressed with their work ethic. Turning back to the group, I found that I didn't recognize some of those waiting on me. I liked first impressions of myself to be clean and professional, being late due to those two surely put a dent in my reputation among these men.

I worked for the second top nationally recognized precinct around, working even harder to become the best that they had to offer. I left my past behind me and worked hard to make a name for myself, I strived to be the very best. Standing in the group before me were Chief Inspector Ronald Quick, detectives Seth Mathews and Drew McCombsy, and the two men I didn't recognize. "Let's get this meeting started, shall we? If you all would just step into my office, I believe this should be kept private." Nodding to the group, the chief then walked toward his office quickly. His words confused me, we rarely ever had private meetings held in his office. Every case was meant to be private of course, but a meeting room usually sufficed. This case has to be important if he is going this far to keep things within this group alone.

Looking over at the two detectives I've worked with over the past few years, they too seemed confused by the secrecy. My eyes scanned over the chief once more before focusing on the two men walking along with us. Their suits suggested here for business, but not on the clientele end of the work. As my eyes shifted from the older man to his partner, I found icy brown eyes looking right back into my own. Giving him a hard nod, I kept my embarrassment down at being caught scoping out who we were dealing with. Once in the room, the chief shut the door behind us and gave me a quick grim look before turning his attention to the older man.

It was then that I noticed both men that I did not recognize had been watching me as well, further stirring up my confusion with this case's contents. "I do want to start by thanking you all for helping us with this particular case, it is not very often that we call upon others for help." Began the older man, flicking open the flaps to his suitcase and opening it up to show a thick Manila folder. This big bold letters stamped into the front held my attention as I felt myself zone out. My heart began to pound heavily in my chest as chills ran down my spine. "The Midnight Murderer has risen from whatever hole he crawled himself into." Started the man as he pulled the folder out from the suitcase and slapped it onto the table.

"That's the guess anyway, there've only been three cases so far that match his M.O." Cut in the younger man, he didn't seem to think much of us by the disgusted looks he threw our way.

"There doesn't seem to be any leads on this that could help us, that is why I decided to branch out just across the harbor and find out if there was anyone here with insight on the matter. Luckily, Ronald here said that his detectives would be able to help." After finishing his sentence, the man looked around at us curiously before his eyes landed on me. Still unable to calm myself down, I looked at the chief betrayed. He wasn't just my boss, he was a distant uncle of mine in a sense. He was the only one who knew of my past, other than one other person. The rest of the world was blocked off from any information regarding my history by files hidden away, locked up in hopes of keeping me safe.

"Yes, I have offered up three of my finest detectives to assist in finding any leads or clues as to who this man could be, as well as who his next target could be." Cut in my boss, making sure to connect eyes with myself to get his point across. He hadn't given up my past after all, we were going to hunt this man down once and for all and make sure that he never hurts anyone ever again. Giving him a hard nod of understanding, I tried my best to remain focused for the rest of what needed to be said.