Halo And Horns

Chapter 03: Cocktail

With a hiss of his breath, smoke spilled out towards the sky, tainting the area around him with its smell. It was another cloudy night; the stars were hiding behind the clouds up above. 24 hours since the dinner with Nick and here Sam was, smoking again, on the porch. He only smoked often when he was stressed and right then, being stressed was an understatement.

It was a long day at work and they had still found no leads on the Joker case. Sam sat on the front porch trying to think of anything other than work. A cigarette placed neatly between his fingers, facing up and staring towards the dimly lit sky. He looked peaceful he knew, but all he could think about was, who's next?

"Evening!" said a voice from before him and he looked down to see his partner, Charles, walking up to him.

He came and sat down beside Sam then reached his hand out. Sam knew exactly what it was for; he took out his pack of smokes and handed one over to him. As he placed the little tube to his lips, Sam lit it with his lighter. After blowing out some smoke, Charles looked up at the sky. "Nice night to not worry about anything isn't it?"

Sam nodded. "Yeah! Great night to have some quiet sex with the wife!" to this they both laughed. Sam then took another whiff of his cigarette and frowned. "But that's not the case is it? I'm so frustrated. We haven't got any leads apart from that one Joker card. And we can't even be sure if both of those murders are connected."

"Or even if the hotel case was a murder at all." Charles sighed. "I'm worried too. Because whenever he appears, there's a specific person who gets targeted, ain't there? Kill everyone they love and they kill themselves; that's how it goes. I'm worried about my family too."

Sam patted Charles on the back comfortingly then leaned back, propping himself on his hands and heaved out a heavy sigh, looking back up at the sky again. "You know... Nick is back. Had dinner with him just last night.!" He said.

Charles looked at him, confused at first then as soon as realization struck him, he widened his eyes and asked, "Nick as in the Nick?" Sam nodded. "The kid you used to hang out with?" Sam nodded again. "The rich kid who left town after their home burnt down?"

With another nod Sam answered, "Yes! That's the one. He's back in town."

"Wow! What a horrible time to be back."

The three of them, being the same age, Charles had also been in the same class as Nick before. Although he didn't know Nick personally, after everything which had happened with his family Charles too, like everyone else, had heard a lot about Nick.

Strange rumors had flown all over the school that year. Kids being kids had told each other their own versions of what had happened. Nick wasn't really a socially active child so that had not been in his favor. Some of the kids were saying that Nick had gone to Italy, for some unknown reason. Some said he was taken by a witch and that the witch was the person who'd killed his family just to take him away. Too many movies, Charles thought now, even though he had been a part of spreading rumors as well. Some kids, and even adults, had accused Nick of starting the fire himself. But that really couldn't have been the case Charles had thought even back then. Whatever, he thought to himself. He was just glad the quiet awkward kid was safe.

"Well... One more thing!" Sam started awkwardly, to which Charles answered with a confused look. "I might have... er... accidentally told him about the Joker--!"

"You what?!" Charles yelled out and Sam gave him an awkward smile then shrugged. "That is supposed to be classified information! We're supposed to keep that part to ourselves. The people will panic!"

"I-I know! I didn't do it on purpose, it just came out!" Sam said. "Besides, I trust him."

"You don't know him. He's been away for ages. He is most definitely not the best friend you once knew. For all we know; he could be the killer!" Charles said. To this, Sam gave him a look. "Look! All I'm saying is that we have to consider all possibilities. But if you trust him, I'm with you, partner!" he added, throwing his hands up.