Chapter -I-
As I am writing the papers on a homicide of a 19 years old boy, a memory floods unexpectedly back in my mind.
“Can I help too?” the girl said bravely to a cop.
“You are too young to even be here. Go to your parents! A murder scene is not something a 13 years old girl should witness!” the cop responded harshly, returning his attention to the body soaked in a pool of blood.
This made me remember why I was so determined to become an FBI agent. And now here I am. Sitting in my office, with a cup of hot chocolate and two piles of papers that are waiting to be filled with the informations of the case I solved yesterday. The only thing I didn’t knew would come with the thrill of solving cases is the paperwork.
As soon as I start to dig in the second pile, a soft knock interrupts me, leaving me with my pen in mid-air.
“Come in.” I reply shortly, leaning in my brown leather chair, taking a sip of my hot drink.
“Sorry to disturb you, miss Ross.” A boy pokes his head shyly in the big room.
“Did something happen?” A worried expression comes upon my face as I lift from my chair.
“No ,no! It’s just that...The director. He told me to give you this new case” , he says as he hands me the folder with a broad smile.
He is staring to a spot behind me and after what seems like a minute I poke my fingers in front of his face a little bit annoyed. “Anything else?” He suddenly realises he blacked out and quickly composes himself.
“No, uh...Bye!” He hurries to the door.
“Bye!” And with that he closes the door , his strangely familiar blue eyes still lingering in my mind.
Then, the reality strikes. I need to solve another case while I do the papers of the previous one. Perfect! Just perfect! I toss the folder on the corner of my big desk and I fill papers for what seems like ages before I stand up and stretch a little. I take a sip of my chocolate and I realize that it tastes awful because it got cold. I sigh and look at my watch.
“I suppose it’s a good time to take my ‘coffee’ break.” As I walk tired to the door , a voice behind it stops me in my tracks.
“Miss Ross? Could you please open the door for me? My hands are full.” After I realize that it’s the boy that visited me in the morning I open the door with a fake smile. My attention is suddenly robbed by the cups of coffee and especially, by a bag of donuts placed in his hands . Such a perfect timing. He hands me the donuts and a cup of coffee with a smile , feeling my hands slowly warming up.
“I brought you lunch, Miss Ross. I figured you are too busy to go out and eat.” he says
“Thank you.” I motion behind me and we sit on the brown leather couch.
“Have you read the folder I brought you?” he asks, looking in my dark eyes.
“No. I didn’t have time. I still haven’t finished the files of the previous one.” I say as a wry smile appears on my face.
“Oh. That’s fine. I’ll fill you in.”
I open the bag that he brought and take a donut. The soft dough is slowly melting in my mouth. “Thank you.” I say as I take another bite. This donut is incredible. I don’t usually eat sweets, but these donuts will go in the top of my exceptions list.
“So, firstly, I am Liam. I am a new agent and I just moved to Philadelphia from New Jersey. I’m glad to be here and meet such a legend as yourself.” Admiration fills his eyes as he maintains eye-contact with me.
“Nice to meet you , but you are over-exaggerating. I’m not anything close to a legend.Just a normal FBI agent.” I smile awkwardly, looking away from his insistently gaze.
“Are you kidding me?! You are the best agent FBI has! You solved every case that has been given to you! You got the award for the best FBI agent of the year! And you are the most friendly person I met since I moved here. I am sure that’s more than enough to call you a legend.” He says excited.
“Thanks.” I give him a shy smile. If only you’d know...
“OK, so moving back to the case.” He clears his throat. “Our victim is Kayla Brown, 17 years old girl. She was gonna have a sleepover at her best friend’s house. The next morning, her mother called her, but her phone was closed. She called her friend’s mother but they told her that they didn’t see Kayla, claiming that they didn’t have any sleepover plans. That’s when she alerted the cops.”
He takes a gulp of coffee. “After 2 weeks, her body has been found on a field. She has been stabbed 14 times and there was no sign of a sexual assault. However, they have found a trace of DNA under her fingernails. A man’s DNA.” He frowns a little bit.
It seems that the girl fought for her life...“The case has been initially given to 2 other agents one month ago.”
“Did they make tests on her relatives and the people she was close to?” I ask, sensing that this will be an interesting case.
“Yes. But they didn’t find any match.” He sighs.
“What about her phone? Did they found anything useful?“He shakes his head.
“That’s why they called us instead. They don’t have any leads or suspects. No witness. Nothing!” He says flustered, running a hand through his chestnut hair.
“Except the DNA...” I look at him. “That’s a good start.”
“But how could we work just with the DNA. It can be literally anyone! This is impossible.” He says exasperated.
“Nothing is impossible in crime and war. ” I say straightening a little as I finish another donut. “Or was it love and war?” I ask slowly rubbing my chin. “I don’t remember.” I playfully shrug my shoulders and his lips curve slowly into a smile. He gets up, heading for the door.
I follow his gesture and raise from my comfy couch, finishing the last donut. “I think I should finish these so I can start working on the case.” I motion to my desk. “Thank you for the lunch.” I walk lazily to my desk as he tosses the empty can and bag in my bin .“You’re welcome! See you later, partner!” And he closes the door with a thud while I stand frozen in my spot, still processing what he just told me.
Wait! Partner..? I quickly get out of my office. I try to spot him, but he’s nowhere to be seen. I enter the office and look at the folder he gave me in the morning. I take it and read the first page: “Case Assigned to Agent Alma Ross and Agent Liam Brown.”
