'We usually ignore the little things that matter. The small details that can change a life. Those simple gestures. A simple smile of hope, a simple touch of support, a few words of strength. These small uplifting things can turn a life around.'
|| S...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
"There are no goodbyes for us. Wherever you are, you will always be in my heart." Mahatma Gandhi
###
Laylah was reading as she walked into the office, her head low as she pushed open the front door. She was trying to keep her mind busy on something else other then her mother being sick, but it was a weak attempt that was barely working. She made her way over to the kitchenette, pouring herself a mugful. She easily put her sugar and cream into it, stirring it around before taking a sip; heading over to her desk as she did so.
Everyone could see the bags under her eyes, they could see how tired she was. And Spencer knew exactly how many cups of coffee she'd had since that night; exactly twenty seven and a half. She'd left one in the kitchen one afternoon, which he poured down the sink and claimed her had nothing to do with it. He'd tried talking to her about Grace, but she was doing everything to avoid it out of the fear that had made a home in her stomach.
'Hey, we got a case,' Emily placed a light hand on her back.
She looked up, 'Oh, thanks.'
Laylah stood and followed after the women, her head still stuck in her book. For, even the slightest break, her mind would wander to her mother and lead her down that dark path in her mind again. She set her coffee cup down beside where Spencer sat, sending him a tight smile as she unhooked her bag and lowered it to the floor. She sat down, flipping open the file before her; but, only after she'd tucked her book away.
'The Bergstrom family was killed in their home in Winona, Minnesota, last night,' Penelope's voice sounded behind them as she entered the room, a photo appearing on the screen; 'Mother, Father, and little boy, all shot execution style.'
'Any suspects?' JJ asked.
'Therein lies the mystery. The Bergstrom family was as low-risk as they come.'
'What about murder-suicide?' Spencer suggested,
'That was ruled out. There was no murder weapon found at the scene, and both Bridget and Scott Bergstrom were shot in their bed,' Emily dismissed.
'But there was a survivor. A teenage daughter,' Rossi noted.
'Seventeen year old Amanda. She was out past her curfew at the time of the murders,' Penelope informed them.
'And she's the one that found the bodies,' JJ sighed.
'It almost seems like a hit man scenario,' Laylah muttered.
'Maybe a mafia retaliation kill?' Luke offered; 'But that doesn't seem likely in Winona, Minnesota.'
'But it does seem like a revenge killing,' Emily nodded.
