Central city...
Waller! A pale looking man called out to me.
" Hmmm " I exclaimed.
He ran up to me with smiles beaming on his face.
I was unsure of his expression as he saw me for the first time. " Is there a problem?" I asked in an apathetic way.
" Yes..uhm no, as a matter of fact am here to assist you, or better still give you a warm welcome to New York, being that you were once a cop here." Obviously he was nervous I could tell by the way his voice broke in stutters.
I ignored him looking at the city buildings and a grin spread across my face remembering my time in New York once before as a rookie in the NYPD,I let out a sigh.
" What now, why am I even here?" Looking directly at him.
He let out a smile and replied me smoothly.
" That will be an answer for later."
He picked up my luggage stopping a cab gesturing I get in.
I could tell something was going on but can't really grasp my hand around it, but first I need to know the main reason I'm brought back to this circus called city.
I entered the cab sitting still but not very comfortable with myself. My guide as he claims was looking around like he was searching for someone or something rather.
He soon entered sitting beside me as the cab accelerates deep into the dark city I once left before it drags me down completely.
" Let's get something straight, what's the main reason I'm here?" I asked him with my voice more Stern
He dims his voice and clears his throat before replying.
" Uhm, let's just say ... there's a case that needs...you know your very set of skills "
" Let me guess, someone died?" I asked hypothetically.
" Mr Waller, in this line of work someone always does."
His words said it all, as I could tell something big is going on.
" So what's your name "? For the first time in a long time am asking an officer his God damn name how pathetic of me.
" I never for once thought you are a formal person Mr Waller..."HE CHUCKLED"...my name is David Moore."
" Nice to meet you David Moore."
And that said am going to be in New York for a while.
You lean back into the cab's worn leather, eyes fixed on David. "Alright, David. So, where are we headed?"
David's smile widens, a glimpse of relief flashing across his face. "We're going to meet someone who'll fill you in on the details. Let's just say... it's a bit of a... sensitive situation."
The cab turns a corner, and the city's dark alleys give way to a dimly lit street. The buildings seem to loom closer, like they're watching.
David's eyes flick to yours, a hint of seriousness creeping back in. "Just... be prepared, okay? This one's... not straightforward."
The cab pulls up to a nondescript building, the sign above the door reading "Morgue".
David's voice drops to a murmur. "We're here."
" So someone did die?" I said to David.
He didn't reply for the first time since we've met , I just followed him into this building slowly walking behind him we walked a bit deeper and then he took a left, that was when I started hearing voices, low but angered voices.
We walked into the room and everyone immediately kept quiet not because of David I could tell, but because of my familiar face looking directly at them.
The tension in the room is palpable. Everyone's eyes are on you, and you can feel the weight of their gazes. David's silence is telling, and you're left to fill in the gaps.
As you scan the room, you take in the familiar faces, but one person stands out - a woman with a mix of emotions swirling in her eyes. She's trying to keep a lid on it, but you can see the pain and anger simmering beneath the surface.
Funny, I said in thoughts.
You take a deep breath, surveying the room before speaking up. "Alright, looks like I'm here. Someone care to tell me what's going on?"
Your voice cuts through the tension, and the room's attention focuses on you. The woman's eyes narrow slightly, her gaze intense. She steps forward, her voice low and even. "Waller, it's been a while."
The name hits you like a gut punch. You recognize her voice, her face. It's been years, but you'd know her anywhere. "Sarah?" you ask, your voice barely above a whisper.
The room's silence is oppressive, and you can feel the weight of everyone's gaze on you. Sarah's eyes hold yours, a mix of emotions wirling in their depths. "Hello, Waller," she says, her voice a little softer. "We need your help. My sister's dead."
" A murder or a suicide?" I asked
I could easily tell Mary, Sarah's sister was murdered but in other words am not the type who pushes myself into the picture.
" Obviously, you know it's a murder, not just a murder,a cop found dead in her apartment, so no more dark humor from you." An officer stood tall, his police uniform a sharp contrast to the somber atmosphere. The navy blue fabric was crisp and well-pressed, adorned with badges and insignia that glamed under the fluorescent lights. His hat was tucked neatly under his arm, and his hair was neatly cut in a no-nonsense low fade. The silver badge on his chest caught your eye - Detective Ethan Barnes NYPD. His eyes, a deep brown, were red-rimmed, and his jaw was set in a determined line.
" Do I know you?" I muttered rather mockingly with a dark grin on my face.
The officer, Detective Ethan Barnes, eyes narrowed slightly at your tone, his expression unamused. "You've got a rep, Waller. You're not exactly the kind of guy people forget."
His gaze lingered on you, a mix of curiosity and wariness. "You're here about Detective mary, I presume?"
The name hit like a gut punch, and you knew this was going to get messy.
The room falls silent again, the weight of Detective Lee's name hanging in the air. Detective Lee is...was...Sarah's sister, a fellow cop, and apparently, a victim of murder.
You glance at Sarah, her eyes are fixed on you, a mix of emotions swirling in their depths. She's expecting something from you, but you're not sure what she wants.
David Moore steps forward, his voice low. "Detective Lee was a good cop, Waller. She didn't deserve this. We need your help finding out what happened to her."
A soft sigh, I was feeling resentive but I walked over to the body looking deep into Mary's bloodshot eyes remembering how she looked when alive, happy, flamboyant and accommodating, who the hell would want to kill her.
" This is my first day and I may regret saying this but, do we have any lead?"
You crouch beside the body, taking in the scene. The smell of death lingers, and the silence is oppressive. You glance up at Sarah, her eyes fixed on you, a mix of emotions swirling in their depths.
Detective Barnes steps forward, his voice low. "We found her like this about an hour ago. No signs of forced entry, no witnesses. The killer was careful. But there's one thing..."
He hands you a piece of paper with a single sentence scrabbled on it:
"They're watching."
A chill runs down your spine. What's this mean?
" You crouch beside the body, taking in the scene. The smell of death lingers, and the silence is oppressive. You glance up at Sarah, her eyes fixed on you, a mix of emotions swirling in their depths.
Detective Barnes steps forward, his voice low. "We found her like this about an hour ago. No signs of forced entry, no witnesses. The killer was careful. But there's one thing..."
He hands you a piece of paper with a single sentence scrabbled on it:
"They're watching."
A chill runs down your spine. What's this mean?
" This is one out of many written notes in the last two years." David said
The words hit like a gut punch. "Two years?" You glance at Sarah, her expression grim. "This isn't just about Mary Lee. This is part of something bigger."
David nods, his eyes serious. "We've been getting these notes for two years, all similar - cryptic, taunting. We thought it was a copycat at first, but..."
He glaces at the body on the ground. "This feels like the real deal. And it's escalating."
" Who's on the case?" I asked getting fixed to the case.
" Jason Hitchcock, and he's pissed the boss called you in." Sarah answered.
" Whoever is doing isn't just killing for Fun they've got an alibi,and we need to take this more seriously before it start affecting families."
" That will be too late, Ed's family were found Dead. The headline reads." David said aloud.
The words hang in the air, heavy with foreboding. The darkness is coming, and it's already here. You feel the weight of it settling in, the sense of unease spreading.
You look around the room, the faces of the officers, the detectives, all etched with concern and fear. This is bigger than just one case, it's a war against the shadows.
The phone in your pocket buzzes, a text from an unknown number:
"The darkness is coming for you next."
Your gut twists, and you know this is far from over.