Shield of Art

Chapter One

CHAPTER ONE

“Well I think that the mind of a serial killer and the mind of the detectives represent the duality we face as people.”

- Paul Guilfoyle (A Great Actor)

Agent Shield entered the building, flashing the appropriate credentials in order to bypass security. Striding through the station and into complete chaos, Shield sighed deeply. They always send Shield in when there was an issue within the workings of a station, especially when it involved a high profile serial case, now that The Artist had taken his second known victim and the media were running wild with it, normal policies didn’t apply. Normally it required three acts to confirm a serial case and to involve the HDD, Head Detective Department. But this wasn’t normal. And with the latest victim being Gracie Carmicle, a detective in this department’s daughter, the situation needed to be contained.

“FUCK YOU! FUCK YOU ALL! Don’t touch me Markin, or I’ll fucking end you!” Shield laid eyes on the distraught man, with his back to a wall and circled by his comrades. He held a gun in each hand, his eyes bloodshot and the smell of alcohol filled the air. One of the men in the room, a large African American with sad eyes and a greying beard, stepped forward.

“You know you can’t be on the case Carmicle, it’s too personal. I will have to suspend you and keep an officer on you so you don’t do anything stupid… at least anything else stupid. Now put the damn guns down.” His voice was deep and soft, trying to sooth Carmicle. But it wouldn’t work. Richard Carmicle was a 50 year old detective who had lost everything but his job and his children –a son and a daughter- until two days ago when he lost his daughter as well. And he didn’t need sympathy, he didn’t need calm, he needed action.

“I am staying on this case! FUCKING BACK OFF GRANDER OR I’LL SHOOT YOU IN THE FUCKING HEAD!” Grander was the chief and he wasn’t doing any good. That’s it, Shield couldn’t stand by any longer, striding forward right up to the circle of men and pushing through to stand beside the Chief, Shield drew all of their attention.

“Who the hell are you? Get back!” Grander tried to push Shield back, side stepping, Shield looked him in the eyes and threw him the same credentials used to get threw security. He nodded and stepped back, apprehensive and unsure, just like everyone else when they first met Shield.

“Detective Carmicle, I am the HDD agent sent in for The Artist case. I suggest you put down the guns and do what’s best for the case and not yourself.” Shield hated being so blunt and cold to the grieving man, but it had to be done. He needed orders, information and action, not promises and walls. 

“You’re a fucking woman who can’t be more than 25, how the fuck are you a fucking HDD agent! Fuck off!” Yes, she was a woman and anyone male who was older than her tended to judge her on sight. Used to the judgement, she stepped forward and grabbed Carmicle’s right hand, spun him around and slammed him into the wall, pinning his left hand in front of him. Twisting his wrist just enough to loosen his grip on the first gun, she grabbed the gun from his grip, flicked safety on and slid it across the floor as she grabbed his left hand and repeated the process, all the time he struggled to get free or get a shot at her. The whole room was silent as the second gun followed the first across the floor. She then let him go and took 3 quick steps back as Carmicle spun around and threw a fist at her face, just missing her thanks to the quick steps she had taken.

“I suggest you calm down Carmicle, I am here to catch the sick bastard that did this, not coddle you and hold your hand. Grieve all you want but DO NOT jeopardize this case.” Her voice was low, straight to the point with not a single falter. Carmicle looked as if he wanted to kill her, then he crumpled and fell to his knees.

“I have nothing left. I have nothing. My baby Gracie, oh god little Graice.” He began to cry and all of the men who had stood in harm’s way to stop Carmicle from doing anything stupid, shifted uncomfortably.

Trust men to screw up when it comes to the emotion side. Shield thought to herself.

Stepping up to Carmicle and crouching down in front of him, she met his eyes and her face softened.

“Detective Carmicle, Instead of fighting against me, fight with me. I will catch this psychopath and I would like you to help. I know I am younger than most HDD agents but I am the best at what I do, trust in me. Have you called your son yet?” Carmicle shook his head slightly, looking so lost and full of sorrow.

“I.. I haven’t had the… the h-heart. T-they were s-so close. He w-will be d-d-devastated.” Shield could see his heart shattering with every thought of telling his son. “I c-cant do it… I was meant to retire a week ago but had t-to tie up my last c-case an-nd we were m-meant to all b-be going t-to h-head to the h-holiday h-house. If I’d retired w-when I-I was s-supposed t-to...” He lost it then. His shoulders shuddered with his sobs. He gasped for air and Shield’s heart broke for him. She leant in slightly and placed her hand on his shoulder.

“Would you prefer it if one of your fellow detectives told him? We can organize it all for you or support you no matter what you choose.” Shield stood up slowly and helped the shaking man to his feet. His whole world had crashed around him and he was lost in his grief. His poor son would probably follow. She knew everything about the family, it was all in the files she was handed before getting on the plane. Gracie Carmicle was 22, her 32 year old brother was Niklaus Carmicle. Their mother was killed in a car accident when they were only children. No other family but themselves and their father… now it was just father and son.

“How old are you agent Shield?” The low voice of Richard Carmicle pulled her from her thoughts.

“I am 30 sir. I know it’s still young in your books but I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t good enough.” Although her voice was soft, it was also direct. She wouldn’t let them try to derail her based on age and sex.

“I’m not judging you. I’m sorry about before… I… I’m not like that normally.” He looked down at his feet, still unsteady. She gently took his hand and shook it.

“I’m agent Ariya Shield.” She smiled softly and he gave her a grateful look before introducing himself “Richard Carmicle.” It was like a fresh start. She nodded at two officers who hovered apprehensively, signalling them to help him go and lie down in the rest room. As they walked away, Carmicle turned back to her.

“Could you go see and tell my son? He needs to know but I c-can’t do it.” He held her gaze until she nodded her agreement, then he turned and walked away, the other agents supporting him.

“You did good with him Shield. He would have shot someone if not for you.” The low rumble of Police chief Grander’s voice pulled her attention away from the hunched form of Carmicle. She met his eyes and thought for a moment before replying.

“Doesn’t matter how good I did, it won’t count until I catch the sick bastard. Fill me in on whatever is not in those files.”

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