Closer Than You Think

Let The Games Begin

Poppop's POV

We've been here for 10 hours.  That might seem like alot of time, but trust me, for a cop....

it still is.

We've poured over every unsolved murder from the past 40 years, trying to figure out the passcode.  And there are a LOT.  Either this sickos been around awhile, or we haven't always been good at doing our jobs.  

Finally, after three hours, we had been able to make a pile (a BIG pile) of cases that all seem to be linked together.  Some were very obvious (Go To Sleep, is written in blood somewhere, just like on the letter) and some were just stab wounds.  First, we entered the birthdate of every 'obvious' person.

No dice.

Then we entered the birthdate of all the not so obviouse ones.

Nadda.

Then we looked for victims with stab wounds in the quadruple digits.  There were none. After that we tried death dates.

Nothing! 

Finally, Mullen, suggested we try and figure out who 'Jeff' was.  After 5 minutes of insults from Perry, we sent McAllen on a quest to find a 'Jeff' in the local area who was insane. 

He then got us a list of all the people in the state, in a mental institution, who were named Jeff. We told him that maybe he should've checked for Jeff's that weren't there anymore.  We found two, but one was dead and the other was in jail. 

Then, for the hell and desperation of it, we tried all those Jeff's birthdays (including the insane asylum's).

Zilch.

Finally, I snapped.

"THAT'S IT!" I yelled, causing everyone to jump, "I quit!  This bastard wants to play and I don't feel like fucking around!  Call me when we get actual concrete evidence, until then I suggest we all wait for someone to go missing!"

"You can't do that!" Yelled Perry, red faced.

"Like hell I can't!"

"Please!" Pleaded Mullen, fluttering her eyelashes, "Think of the consequences!  This is someone's LIFE we're talking about!"

"It might not be!" They all stilled, "Maybe this whole thing's a fluke!  Think about it, what do we have to go on? Nothing!  The person who wrote that  letter didn't even seem crazy!  It wasn't written in blood, they seemed to know how to spell, and I think we'd be able to smell if there was a body part in that box.  Maybe it's all one big sick fucking joke planted by some stupid kid!"

All of a sudden they looked doubtful, as if they had been played.

"Goodbye, chief.  Hope it goes well."

Noel's POV

I walked home whistling.  What was their to whistle about?  Nothing!  Sometimes you just do things!

Today hadn't been the worst, Jacky had a funny story to tell, I winded up partners with Dennis in gym, and Britney, the head cheerleader, was sick today, so no hate mail in MY locker today. 

If you're wondering why I'm walking, it's because Jacky decided to borrow my car without telling me.

Okay, once again I haven't been completely honest.  Jacky IS my best friend, but that's because she's my ONLY friend.  And I'm pretty sure we're friends because I do her homework.   Yeah, sucks right?  But what can you do.  She's like my opoosite.  I have glasses, she has those weird shaded sunglasses on all the time.  I have wavy black hair, she's got straight black hair.  I'm calm and laid back, she's a party animal. 

Okay not TOTAL opposites, but you know, different!  And she IS nice to me!  I'm walking home at 7:30 after a movie marathon at her house, but I wasn't worried.  This happens alot.

You know, her stealing my car. 

The sky was a beautiful blue black, the stars were out, the moon was at half, and everything was quiet.  A lovely walk home.  I pulled out my key and was soon enough in my living room.  I stopped whistling the moment I saw Poppop.

"What's got you done, chum?" Yeah, we say that alot to eachother.

"...work...."

"Uh, oh, another dead hooker?"

"No, just some stuff." He looks up, "I didn't hear the car.  Did you walk home?"

"Yeah.  No big deal."

"Don't do that from now on."  I frown but nod.  Someone's panties are in a twist. 

He gives me a half smile, "So, anything I need to see from the school?"

I nod, "Yup, field trip info. Health stuff. You know the drill."

I reach into my backpack and pull out my orange folder plopping it down next to Grandpa.  I walk up the stairs.

"Goin' to take a shower!"

Poppop's POV

I chuckle.  I watch as she walks up the steps. 

"Goin' to take a shower!"  She had mercifully left off the 'old man' part.

I sighed and opened the folder, that school always wanted money for something.

My heart froze.

Stapled to some random piece of paper in Noel's folder was a note.  Most definetly not from a teacher.

'Oh, giving up so soon Henry?  I thought you were better than that.  Nobody likes a quitter, and I'm just getting warmed up. 

So I'm not psychopathic enough for ya huh?  So you'd like something sicker do you?  Well how's this?

Not only have I taken time out of my busy schedule (gotta plan your next move's right?) to write this note, but since you wanted this 'sicko' to be a bit more authentic, I've taken the time to write this in blood, and include the finger of a pretty young thing. 

So watch it Henry.  You might not want to be out of the game so soon..  Rethink that passcode Henry.

Go To Sleep,

Jeff The Killer'

Quickly I dropped the note, hands trembling.  I stood up quickly.

"NOEL! DON'T TAKE A SHOWER JUST YET! Honey, I'm goin' out for a bit, and you're comin' with me!"

She walked downstairs, "Why?"

"I have some more stuff to do out by the department.  Grab whatever, you need let's go."

She sighed but obeyed.  I tried to calm myself down.  I picked up the note and froze again.

The note mentioned a finger.  Where was the finger?!?  My eyes immediately went to the school bag.  I dumped everything out and searched.  Finally, I found it in her lunchbox.  Shivering, I shoved the note in as well and grabbed the box.

"Heeeyyyy!" I turned to see Noel staring at me, "Why'd you do that?"

"Not now! Let's go!" We left the house, making sure to lock all the doors and windows and drove back to the police station.