Murder in Red

Chapter 2

*Flashback to two weeks ago*

It was supposed to be her day off, but she and her partner had been called in because apparently, the whole of Ystad needed its cops and detectives today. Her plans of sleeping in and doing absolutely nothing we're dashed when she received a call. Rushing to the car, feeling thrown together and probably looking like a hobo, Maeve opened the door. A piece of paper fell out onto the pavement. 'That's odd,' she thought as she hastily stuffed the paper into her pocket as got in the car and sped off.

The coast came into view. Maeve parked her car and got out. She looked at the sky and water, getting lost in the beauty of the landscape. 'How can anything bad happen here? It's too beautiful to mar with death.' She frowned putting her hands into her jacket pockets to warm them. Her fingers brushed against the paper she had stashed there earlier. Unfolding the paper, Maeve began to read the note.

"My dearest Maeve,

It seems you did not appreciate the other gifts I've left. I hope this one is more to your liking. Enjoy the flowers and the dress, I know tulips are your favorite...and you've always looked wonderful in green. Solve this puzzle before I am forced to act again - I do so hate getting messy. It is a shame that this had to happen, but you are smarter than the rest. You'll figure it out. Follow the clues and they will lead you to me. We will finally be together, my love.

Till then."

Maeve felt sick. These notes always gave her an awful feeling of dread in the pit of her stomach. Something bad was to come. The words always confused her, it was as if the author knew her and for some reason was playing with her.

"What's that supposed to mean?" The redhead asked closing her eyes attempting to focus on what the note meant.

"Planning for a hot date later, M?" Maeve frowned and turned to look at the man next to her. Seeing the look of confusion and fear, an emotion he rarely saw in his partner, Magnus became serious. "Hey, you alright?" He asked concerned at Maeve's state.

Crumpling the piece of paper in her hand and throwing it in her bag, she schooled her face and focused on the reason she was here.

"What do we have, then?"

A young woman - Bridget Murphy - late 20s early 30s. No visible sign of trauma, so maybe she ingested something?

As Magnus caught her up, they made their way to the body. One of the forensics techs removed the sheet covering the young woman.

"Dia ár sábháil!" Maeve gasped slipping into her native tongue.

She froze, taken aback at the scene before her. A crown of lavender colored tulips adorned the victim's auburn hair, which complimented the...forest green dress. A bunch of tulips clutched in her hands. The woman looked so peaceful - hauntingly beautiful...

The young detective felt a wave of nausea hit and her legs felt a bit wobbly. She involuntarily reached out for something to steady her which turned out to be her partner.

"Woah there, Maeve. You okay?" Magnus was worried, he had never seen the redhead so rattled. He holds onto a bit longer.

"I...I'm fine, Mags," Maeve stutters. She gives his arm a squeeze before dropping her hand. "Really," she says before taking a breath. Have we found any evidence?"

*Present day*

Knock, knock!

"Ugh, five more minutes," Maeve groans.