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December 3, 2017
The person next to Fiona was the personification of the Goddess Artemis with the hunting bow and arrows. She had the feeling that Sophie hid behind the same vigorous attitude of never allowing herself to be conquered by love. Yet, all of Sophie’s defenses had been down the night before and she had allowed Fiona to reach deep into her soul and devour her. It was the most exhilarating connection Fiona had experienced in her entire life. Was that possible, or was she blinded? She pulled down the duvet cover to marvel at Sophie, her desire beginning to surface again. She wanted to touch her; her need was unlike anything she had felt before.
“What are you doing?” Sophie’s voice was playful and sweet as she pulled the cover back up.
“I’m looking at the phenomenon in my bed,” she joked. She kissed Sophie’s exposed back while she caressed her breast. She would have dived in again, devouring Sophie’s pleasantries. Her own body was screaming with desire so unbearable and hot. Dejectedly, she grabbed Sophie’s hand and pulled her out of her bed. Their schedule was tight, and death would not wait for their arrival. Sophie lazily rested in the curve of Fiona’s neck before she moved toward the bathroom.
“I guess I’ll get ready.”
“And I’ll have breakfast ready for you. Is cereal okay?”
“Perfect,” she replied without turning her head.
She was grateful they felt no weirdness about their lovemaking the night before. It felt natural, like they belonged together. But here she was once more, making assumptions about her. Fiona unquestionably felt comfortable loving Sophie, and she was expecting the same in return. She wondered if Sophie was as comfortable. She seemed to like being with her. Their lovemaking was explosive, and she blushed at the vivid images that entered her mind. Fiona felt she had seen Sophie’s soul as if it was diaphanous, transparent and vast like the Mediterranean Sea.
She walked to the kitchen, prepared the coffee machine, and placed two bowls on the table along with milk and cereal, waiting for Sophie to get ready. She looked through the glass door of her balcony while standing in front of it. A film of clouds covered the sky, the light and dark grays intermingled in an unlikely union and created a synergy of shapes. The buildings, in co-operation with nature, reflected their dullness and monotony. When Sophie’s hands wrapped around her waist, her feelings became as real as the view before her, ready to infuse her whole being with simple happiness. She saw only harmony unfolding for miles. Was it possible?
“Are you admiring the view or thinking?”
“Thinking about the case,” she lied. “We’ve got to go public. I don’t see any other way. If we’re lucky, someone will come forward.”
“Do you want me to prepare a statement?”
“Yes, release the names of the victims. Perhaps warn the public about the serial killer and at the same time ask for their help,” she paused, still thinking. “Let’s keep the little details we have close to our chest for now. Come on. Let’s have breakfast. It’s getting late.”
They decided to arrive at the precinct separately. Most people already thought there was something going on with the two of them, long before the actual hook up took place. Did their colleagues interpret their sexual tension? Was it that obvious? Fiona didn’t give a fuck if their newly formed relationship was uncovered. Would she jeopardize Sophie’s position and image within the department? Possibly, after the conclusion of the case, they could come out as a couple? What the hell was wrong with her? One hook up and she was ready to commit? Was Sophie’s attraction pulling stronger than anything else she’d experienced thus far? Would it make Fiona forget her notion about staying away from women who worked in the department? She accelerated as soon as Sophie disappeared in her house and forced herself to think about the serial killer again. She hoped Phil had made concrete connections, something they could extricate from the mass of information he was producing.
When she saw Phil, he looked like someone who hadn’t slept all night. Dark circles had begun to form under his eyes, his hair was in a cataclysmic state, and his clothes were indicative of prolonged wear.
“Anything yet?”
He looked up. “Hey, Fiona. Well, yes. Look at this map. These dots represent possible connections to the last victim. I’ve been trying for hours to retrieve the information. It seems to be classified. It’s certain the FDA is involved, and that’s weird.”
“FDA, as in Food and Drug Administration?” She was puzzled too.
“Yes, and the authority to access their database is beyond the police department.”
“Do the dots represent physical locations?”
“The dots represent people and their locations, yes.”
“How many?” she blurted out. There was a pressing issue that was beginning to take shape.
“Twelve locations.”
“Print them now. We have to go.”
She hoped Phil understood what she meant. If there were two more victims out there, then it was possible they were among the twelve dots that appeared on his screen. If this new program was correct, then the connections were real. She grabbed the list while her heart flipped and danced abnormally. Fiona asked Phil to call Sophie, informing her of the new developments while she drove uncharacteristically faster. Phil talked to Sophie and then worked his phone in silence.
“What’s so funny?” Fiona asked, not amused when her peripheral vision caught the grin on Phil’s face.
“Funny?” he questioned, seemingly unaware of it. “Nothing is funny. I’m amazed with this app. I launched a request to all available cruisers to check the locations of interest. It’s astounding how technology has changed in the last few years.”
Fiona knew a lot about technology and enjoyed conversing about it. She opened her mouth, her lips parted a bit, and her thought was tangible and ready to utter. Yet, nothing came out. Another thought crossed her mind: her failure to protect two other possible victims. The first blond victim was killed two days ago. Consequently, she was already too late. The previous three murders were committed the same day, unless the killer changed their MO. She looked at the neighborhood through her window trying to make a connection. The new location was different, and the dwellings were not conforming to similarities. The house that she passed had a golden gate, as though Midas had touched it, and the house next to that had a black iron gate like the darkest night. The location had nothing to do with the murders, so there was another common denominator that she was missing.
“Right there,” Phil pointed to his left.
She pressed on the brake and jumped out with the speed of a devil to follow Phil, who was approaching the front door. Phil knocked and waited, then knocked again. There was no response, which wasn’t a good sign. She thought she was a fool if she hoped to see the person behind the door alive. Fiona was as angry with herself as if it was her doing. Finally, the door opened before the next round of knocking began.
“Ma’am, I’m Detective Shapiro, and you shouldn’t open your door before asking who it is,” she advised.
“This is a safe neighborhood, and besides, you were insistent. You were knocking at my door with urgency.”
“Well, we are responding to a 911 call from this location. Are you okay? Do you need assistance?” Fiona was sincere and hoped that she wouldn’t alarm the woman.
“There was no phone call made from this location. I’m okay.”
“Probably a mistake. Sorry to have bothered you. Have a nice day, Ma’am.”
“You are good. I wasn’t sure what to say.” Phil’s remark made her feel good even for a second.
“You think? Thank you.” Fiona’s relief filled her insides. But before they had both situated themselves back in the car, Phil’s phone buzzed, and her relief turned to something entirely different. Fiona’s inner world shuttered, and she blamed herself for not saving the two victims that had surfaced. For the first time, she considered leaving the police force behind her if she proved to be incapable of catching the killer. She did not want to give up, so she pushed the gloominess away and let hope guide her. She owed that much to the little girl who perished, her innocence lost forever.