What Lies Beneath

They says it’s the quiet one you have to worry about.  They’re the ones who leave everyone in shock when they find out what lies beneath the surface.  I am definitely the quiet one.  I’m a wife, a mom, an office worker, a little on the shy side, and very much an introvert.  Most people who know me have seen the darker side of my personality, but few know how deep it really runs.

I’m fascinated with murder.  Crime.  The FBI tracking down serial killers.  Mysteries.  Forensics.  Police investigations.  I can’t get enough of shows like Criminal Minds.  I watch the Investigation Discovery channel like other women watch soap operas or the Kardashians.  I secretly wish I had the guts (and the stomach) to be a homicide detective or an FBI agent.  But I don’t.

So instead I fill my mind, and my imagination, with books and movies and crime shows.  I write, gradually beginning to piece together the stories of the character who has formed in my mind over the years…a Nashville homicide detective, driven by the still unsolved murder of her best friend, determined to give a voice to the victims who have no voice left and bring justice for them.

It’s a slightly twisted fascination, but there’s no denying it.  It’s part of what makes me who I am.  It’s part of my dream, to write, to tell the stories in my head

Write On Edge: Misinterpretation

Continuing with the same character from my last link up...I love having to chance to explore her personality through these link-ups.

His laugh was short and humorless.  “You’re out of your mind.  There’s no way – “  She held her breath when he paused – had he seen her?  Heard her?  She pressed her back closer against the wall, feeling the brick grabbing the back of her shirt and praying that the shadows were deep enough to keep her hidden.  “No, I can’t get it to you that fast.  Look, it’s imposs – “  He shook his head, glancing around, and lowered his voice when he answered.  “Do not threaten me.  You’ll get what you want, just give me – “  He muttered something under his breath as he slammed the phone closed.

He paused for a moment before flipping it back open and making a call.  “Yeah, it’s me.  Tonight…no, I know, but there’s no choice.  Two hours, like we planned.  Ditch anything that could give us away.”  He started walking further down the alley, a few steps closer to her.  She was sure her pounding heartbeat would give her away.  He was no more than ten feet away now.  He stopped next the dumpster and tossed the phone inside.  She watched him stand silently, tilting his head back toward the sky.  “What am I doing?” he mumbled.  He finally turned and walked slowly down the alley to the street.

She waited five minutes before she dared to step out the darkness and make her way back to her car.  So her suspicions were right – there was a leak in the department, and it was coming from her own team.

***

Two hours.  It wasn’t enough time, but he wasn’t about to let the past five years of work slip away.  He was finally about to bring in one of the city’s biggest drug lords.

Bought

This is my first time to link up...I'm both excited and terrified!  I'm really looking forward to getting back.  This prompt flowed really well with a book idea that I've had tucked away for a long time.

 

"Not everyone can be bought," she said.

He studied her for a long moment before he replied.  When he finally spoke, his voice was soft, but left no doubts to the veiled threat underlying his words.  "Everyone has a price...but it may not have dollar signs in front of it."

A tiny flicker in her eyes, the smallest tightening of her facial muscles - she controlled her emotions well, but he knew he'd made his point.  "So what's your price, Detective?  Your parents still live here.  So does your sister - she's a doctor, isn't she?  At Presbyterian?  How does she like working in the E.R.?"  The flicker in her eyes grew to a glare of pure rage.  He had hit his mark.  "Now let's try this again.  I need your help, and I'm willing to pay a high price for it - or take a higher price if you say no."

She closed her eyes, took a slow, deep breath.  When she opened them, he could see that she was in control again.  He was impressed, he must admit.  He could understand why she was climbing the ranks so quickly as the star homicide detective.  "What do you want?"

He took the envelope from his jacket and tossed it onto the table in front of her.  She glanced at it, then turned to him.  Their eyes locked as they fought a silent battle of wills.  Finally, she gave in, reaching for the envelope.

"You have time to go over the files on your own.  I'll be in touch."  He turned to leave, took a step, spun back.  "By the way, your sister is very photogenic.  I'm sure you'll like the shots I took. They're inside.  Take a look."

She hesitated before slowly reaching inside the manilla envelope.  The papers rustled softly as she flipped through the half dozen shots of her older sister entering and leaving the hospital.  When she finished, she placed them gently on the table and stood, looking him in the eye, unafraid.  "If you touch her - "

"You'll what, Detective?  Come after me?  The FBI has been looking for me for two years.  I admire your loyalty, but don't be stupid.  You'll hear from me soon."

He signed to his bodyguard to escort her out.  As she turned away, he picked up a sack of bills.  "The money is still available."  She never looked back.  "You have 48 hours to get what I want, or I'll pay your sister a visit."  He let the money fall onto the table and walked out.