BlackWell

Shadow

I knocked on Missouri's door, She opened it leaving the chain on. I could see myself reflected in her glasses. She didn't greet me, just stared, waiting for me to speak. I cleared my throat " Listen, I know you're mad, and I'm sorry about yesterday." She raised an eyebrow at me, resting her hands on her hips. "So, how about I take you dinner." I suggested smiling, and trying to sound casual.

"Do you think I'm dumb." She retorted. "Just take me to the station if you want to ask me more questions."

She began closing the door but I stuck my foot in the doorway. Missouri stepped back, crossed her arms.

" I do have more questions, but I'm also really sorry. I shouldn't have left like that." She stared at me for a beat before unlatching the chain. " You're lucky I'm hungry " she said, stepping into the hallway.

                                                                                                    ***

You could feel the air changing as August bled into September. Especially in the evening with wind coming off the river. Missouri zipped her coat up as the breeze came over us. She walked with long strides, her back straight, thumps tucked into the pockets of her jeans. Her head snapped to look at me, a chill ran up my spine. I never knew where she was looking, and it felt like she was always watching.

smiling awkwardly I opened the door to the diner for her. I could feel her roll her eyes at me. We picked a booth in the far back corner, Missouri stared out the window, watching the cars drive by. Their headlight cast long beams of light across her face. A few specs of rain fell against the window.

The waitress appeared asking about drinks. "Just a coke for me," I said, and Missouri asked for decaf coffee. We were silent and stayed that way until our drinks arrived. Those minutes felt like hours, and my knee shook beneath the table. Finally Missouri sighed and dared to break the silence first. She sipped her coffee, the steam fogging her glasses slightly.

"How come you're in New York?" She wrapped her fingers around her mug. My guts knotted up with her question. " Oh, well after the Marines I decided to go to college here, and the city just grew on me. Then I became a cop, just couldn't stay away from the action." Missouri rested her head in her palm, something told me she knew I was holding back.

" I talked to Marry-Beth today, she seems to really like you." I quickly changed the subject. Missouri stighted up, her shoulders tight. "How is she, has she been assigned to work with another doctor yet." I tried to hide my smile, because I was right. Missouri was different that was certain, but not that different. "She's not working with Phillips if that's what you're curious about." I said sipping my drink.

Missouri's jaw clenched as she drank from her mug. " Mary's bright. She deserves better. I raised my brows at her response, " Is that the only reason Mis,"she went back to looking out the window. She was quiet, lifting her glasses to rub her eyes. Dark bags were starting to form under them. "The man thinks he can treat people however he wants. So I had a conversation with him."

"From what Marry told me it was a loud conversation." I swear for a split second Missouri smiled. " I may have ruined his chances for a promotion, but I don't think he'd murder anyone because of it." She said casually. I rubbed the back of my neck,"About that," I began, before looking around me.

"There's another one isn't there?" She clenched her hands into fists, I nodded.

Missouri leaned back looking up at the ceiling, "What was his name," She asked in a quiet voice. "Deven Wilder," I replied, and her head snapped down. Her glasses slipping down her nose. Her grey eyes wide as she stared behind me. She grabbed my wrist pulling me with her as she scrambled out of the diner. I kept asking her what was wrong, but she wasn't listening. She just ran full speed down the street, finally I stopped causing her to almost fall back.

I steadied her, placing my hands on her shoulders. "Missouri what is going on!" I demanded, She stared off behind me as I spoke. "You, didn't see it?" she said, her voice barely a whisper. She fixed her glasses, taking a step away from me. She crossed her arms, her shoulders tense. "Do you remember That night in Jerome. The night a few days before it happened." She asked me.

All the heat in my body seemed to vanish. I knew exactly what she was talking about.