❧
They all held their breath, their eyes focused on the door. A tiny crack of light illuminated the dark room, all of their bodies hidden in the shadows. Today was the day. This was it. For months they planned and made sure every single detail was correct.
The plan was perfect.
Cordelia could feel her heart skip a beat at the faint echoes of footsteps approached the door. Through what little light they had, she shared a short nod with Danny before she readied herself.
The door let out a long screech as it was pushed open, their target entering. Just as the overhead lights illuminated the room, all of them jumped from their positions, the small poppers of confetti covering Detective Clark and his freshly ironed suit. “Congratulations!” They all shouted in unison.
Cordelia spotted a brief moment of fear and confusion before the normal look of disapproval etched itself onto his features. “I knew it was suspicious when the chief wanted to take a walk with me.”
Danny laughed, his arm swinging around Michael’s broad shoulder. “We could not not do anything for your thirty year celebration in this hell hole.” A small twitch upwards of his lip told Cordelia that he appreciated their efforts.
“Now,” She started, “We were given permission to spend an hour with no worries of what is going on in the outside world so let's take full advantage of that.” The other senior officers around her cheered as they all congratulated the man before her. Doing this job for thirty years was impressive. Everything that he had seen over the years and he was still standing before them…he had guts.
The cake had begun to make it around the room, chatter between those who were present filled her ears. Part of her wondered if she would make it to thirty years on the force.
“He has been at this for a long time, hasn’t he?” Cordelia glanced up at Vincent, his gaze focused on the chatter in front of them.
“Yeah, he has. It is impressive. Especially considering the sacrifices and troubles he has gone through.” There was not much that she knew since Michael was more private than any of her other co-workers, but what she did know made her heart ache. Losing his son in drug violence, his wife divorcing him over their current case, sometimes she wondered if it was worth it when those things happened. He was one to put the happiness of others above his own.
A blessing and a curse.
Thomas soon poked his head into the room, a look of disappointment covering his face. “You guys started without me!”
“It’s not our fault you were late. You knew the time.”
“Cordelia, why are you always so rude to me?” He pouted, his arms wrapping around her left one. She simply shook her head, what was he? Five? “It's not my fault, Lauren was-”
“I was what?”
The two of them jumped as the tall woman appeared. She gave them both the side eye before entering further into the room.
Cordelia pushed Thomas off her arm, punching him in the process. “Now you put me in her crosshairs.”
“Ow.”
“Don’t worry Thomas, abuse is her love language.” Danny chimed in, his mouth full with cake. Cordelia simply rolled her eyes before the three of them broke out in chuckles. Yes, they got on each other’s nerves a lot but they were also close friends.
“The three of you remind me of siblings.” Vincent spoke, his back resting against the wall. That was a comment they got a lot so it wasn’t surprising.
The sudden vibration against her leg turned her attention to her cell phone, her eyes reading over the message. Her heart fluttered with worry as she excused herself from the room. Cordelia took a few deep breaths before answering the call. “I told you, I am not going.”
“Sis, I know how you feel but she is our mom.” Her brother’s voice filled her thoughts as a small shake started to form in her hands. “It is her last request. She deserves-”
“She doesn’t deserve anything. Not from me, not from you. Don’t push this any further.” Without bothering to hear his next words she ended the call, doing her best to fight back her tears.
“Everything alright?” Cordelia whipped her head around, Detective Clark looking at her with concern.
She nodded, somehow keeping her composure. “Yeah, just my brother being himself.” The man simply nodded, knowing that they all had their own troubles and worries. It was something she appreciated and she shared only a little bit a few times before and he never pressed her for more information.
“I am here if you need anything.”
“Thank you.”
Michael waved her back into the room, the two of them being stopped by hearing their names called. Down the hallway came the familiar face of Amanda. She dealt with everything up front and was a woman who could do anything. She had a caring heart but knew how to handle herself around others. “Detective Clark, you have a letter.”
The woman passed it over to him. The obvious look of curiosity covered her features. Cordelia glanced over at the envelope. The only thing written on the front was his name and the address of the precinct. There was no postage or return address. The two shared a brief look as he tore open the envelope, his fingers flinching at the feel of the contents. “Cordelia, get me some gloves.”
The girl wasted no time as she ran over to a nearby room, ripping the latex gloves from their holder, the full box crashing down in the process. She made a mental note to clean that up later. Passing the gloves over, she watched as he slowly took out what was inside.
At first glance it appeared to be paper, but as she looked closer she knew what it was.
Skin.
It had been dried and stretched out much like leather. As it unfurled, the etchings could now be seen.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9aiT7qMzq
Hello Detective,
I truly hope you have enjoyed thirty years on the police force. I know you wish to end your career with my capture, but we both know it will not end the way you desire. You and your team need some life lessons and who better than me to give them? None of you are worthy to capture me, your sins must be exposed before any of you could be considered.
Detective Michael Clark
Detective Daniel Baker
Detective Cordelia Myers
Consultant Vincent Young
Doctor Lauren Johnson
Officer Thomas Conrad
All of you have been fair warned of your days of reckoning.
Be Prepared.
Your one and only,
‘The Vulture’
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9o62pEuDsV
The two of them stood there, their eyes glued to what was before them. Amanda stared at them confused and worried. “Who brought this here?” His words were harsh, demanding and it made both of them flinch.
“T-The mailman brought it in with the other packages.” There was a look that could not be explained on Michael’s face as Cordelia tried to wrap her mind around what they just read. “I will go contact them and see if he knows anything.” With that Amanda ran off towards the front and only the two of them were left.
This had been one of the few contacts they had ever received from their perpetrator. There was a good chance that he had been close by when the letter was given to the postman. A familiar figure approached them, a sigh falling on deaf ears.
“So much for a celebration.” She could hear the disappointment in Danny’s voice. “I’ll let everyone know.”
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWSCSxqyTm
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