LOGAN
I've been a homicide detective for five years, but I'm not sure I've ever seen anything like this. Who would fire so many bullets just to kill one person?Who can even do that? To deliberately miss so many running targets (yeah, the kids started running when the shooting began), how many years of training did that take?
Or maybe the killer was aware of their own lack of skill, and so fired a lot, hoping that one or two will hit. Maybe the killer missed because they weren't skilled enough.
We all sat in our office, staring at a picture of Barbara Jones, which Lieutenant Farmer had just pinned on the board.
"Listen up, y'all"he said"no one is getting any rest until we get this little kid the justice she deserves".
We all nodded. We all thought the same.
"Detective Quinn, head to the hospital".
"Yes,sir"Annabelle replied.
"Sergeant Blake, you're with her".
"Yes, sir"Neil said.
"Sergeant Catchings,go with Detective Roberts to the kid's home".
"Roger"Tasha saluted.
She and I headed out immediately. Annabelle and Neil are already gone.
*
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KEITH
I don't know how long I spent kneeling beside Barbie in a pool of her blood, feeling the numb, sinking feeling in my chest. All I know is that I was suddenly sitting alone on a cold white floor, clutching at my hair and trembling. I keep seeing blood. It won't stop spreading. It's taking Barbie... I can see mum... and dad... and uncle...
What's that? Someone is whimpering. Who is it? Me? It's... me. I can't stop it. Why can't I stop trembling? My head hurts. My chest hurts. It's excruciating. I can't breathe... what are those gasping sounds...
My eyes are burning... someone... help...
"Keith".
Who's that? Who's calling?Am I dreaming? I'm slipping away...
"Keith, wake up. It's me. Look at me".
I felt firm hands take hold of my cheeks, tilting my face upwards. I shut my eyes tightly. They hurt like hell. I opened them.
"Percy?"I whispered.
"He's awake"someone exclaimed.
I looked towards the door. A nurse stood at the door, regarding me with compassionate eyes. What does she mean "awake"? Was I asleep? My eyes still hurt. There's a steady pain throbbing in my head. My chest still aches, but I can breathe now.
"That was terrifying,"the nurse was saying to Percy"well, I suppose this is proof that you are his guardian".
"I will be taking him now"Percy said, helping me to my feet.
I swayed a little, still a bit dazed.
"But..."the nurse got ready to protest.
"I'll have my doctor take a look at him"Percy cut in,a note of finality in his voice.
The nurse wisely held her tongue.
*
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ANNABELLE
Neil and I stood over the body on the metal slab. Although pale from being dead for hours, Barbara Jones was still so lovely to behold. A young man in a long white lab coat rolled her onto her side to show us the hole the bullet had made in the right side of her neck. Another bullet had grazed her upper arm. He also brushed aside some of her soft hair to reveal an ugly gash. A bullet had gone all the way into her skull.
"I believe she died on impact"he said.
"I hope she did"I replied quietly.
I'm supposed to be used to sights like this by now, but I can feel tears burning the back of my eyes.
"Our guy is one helluva shooter"Neil remarked.
"You think so too?"I muttered, staring at the scar on Barbara Jones' arm.
"Who wouldn't?".
"When can we get the autopsy results?"I asked the young man.
"Three days from now,at most".
"Three days it is,then"I said, already on my way out.
*
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*
TASHA
"Wow"I breathed as we stood before Mariella Jones' residence"fancy shimancy. I've always wanted to meet the ageless model".
"This isn't a casual visit, Tasha"Logan said.
"Yeah, I know"I snapped.
I hate the way he treats me. Like some amateur.
Logan rang the doorbell, and we waited. No one came to the door, so he rang it again. And again. Still, no one came.
Finally, he resorted to knocking.
"Ms Jones?"he called"open the door. It's the police".
We waited a little,then we heard the click-click-click of glass heels on the tiled floor. Mariella Jones sure was taking her time.
At long last, she unlocked the door and opened it.
"May I help you?"she asked, leaning on the doorframe.
Her voice was hoarse, no doubt from crying. She was still in the pink silk skirt suit I had seen her wearing in the coffee shop this morning, with the matching silver shoes and silver jewelry. Mascara smudges stained her cheeks. Her eyes were red and puffy, and she was still sniffling.
"We've come to get answers that might help us apprehend your daughter's murderer"Neil said as we flashed our ID cards.
She stepped aside silently. As soon as we stepped in, she closed and locked the door.
Wow, I thought. This place is...bitchin'.
A golden chandelier,a hot pink plushy rug,a massive all-glass TV (wait, does that even exist?), pink flowery satin curtains...
"How may I help you?"Mariella Jones' voice cut into my thoughts.
"You should sit down, Ms Jones"Logan said politely.
She sat down, right there on the floor, and leaned on the door.
Man, I want to laugh. But Logan will surely disapprove, so I did my best to imitate his startled slash concerned expression.
"Let's begin"he said, regaining his composure"Ms Jones, do you know anyone who has a grudge against you?".
"No. No one,"she replied"I mean, it's not like everyone likes me, but I don't know anyone in particular who would do... this".
"What kind of a child was Barbara?".
"A good kid. Honest. Polite. Generally cute. She was...a big love".
Her voice cracked, and I sensed that tears were on the way.
Uh-uh.
"Ms Jones,"I spoke immediately"so, I assume that means you're certain your daughter was not involved with gangs or any shady groups".
"I'm certain. I knew Barbie well. There were no secrets between us".
That's what all mothers claim.
"She had a boyfriend, yes?".
"Yes, she did. But he wasn't a shady type either".
"What's his name?"Logan asked.
I rolled my eyes. Now is he going to suspect a middle school kid?