《Bitter Sweet Love》


 Unfolding Of The Start

    "Chief, I think you need to see this."


    In came a panicked looking Tony desperate for his boss''s attention. His boss questioned him silently asking him to give a clearer picture of the situation at hand.


    "The...the missing women, they''ve been found but..." He trailed off, his face turning paler.


    It took exactly two minutes for them to get on the road to their destination. The missing women''s list has been growing ever since last month. Never have Chief Monroe felt like a failure in her 5 years of service. Feeling the immense determination growing just like the old times, she prepared herself to find the person behind all this.


    Getting out of the car, she took a second to soak in her surroundings. It was a busy street, so the kidnapper is bold to bring in the women in this studio building. A swarm of people was being held back by few police officers. Slowly a rotting smell invaded her nose while a stomach dropping realization hit her.


    A young officer ran out from the building, catching her attention, to the side of the car where he emptied his stomach contents followed by two officers with horror stricken face.


    Wasting no more time, with a nod, they went inside.


    Now there was no doubt the smell was of decaying bodies and blood. She was hoping to find them alive but that hope vanished completely by now.


    "What the..." was all that came out as she took in the scene in front of her.


    Women. 7 pregnant women. The pictures she had in hand was of beautiful women smiling and just full of life. But the women in front of her were unidentifiable. All the women were 8 months pregnant, the only thing they had in common. Their lower abdomen was slashed open and their lower body covered in dried blood. What made Quinn''s blood boil was the infant premature babies kept neatly on their mothers arms with a tiny crown of white flowers on their head. Quinn closed her eyes silently praying that they reach heaven and rest in peace. Opening her eyes slowly, she looked everywhere but the bodies. She made the mistake of looking at the corpse again which made her loose her temper.


    A long list of cuss words began spiraling out of her mouth shocking everyone present who worked with her. Quinn Monroe was known for her calm demeanor even during the most intense cases. All of them went back to their work silently understanding how ghastly the bodies were displayed and it could anger anyone.This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    Closing her eyes shut, she struggled to maintain her posture. With her jaws ticking, she forced herself to get into work and put the guy behind bars as soon as she could. On second thought, she decided to seriously damage his face, break a couple of bones and destroy his family jewels before officially signing him in.


    "Photographeverything. I want every corner dusted for finger prints, DNA, just anything relevant or not. A full report of the autopsy should be on my table by tomorrow. Nobody is going home until I get something on this guy." With a straight face, Quinn turned on her heels and exited the building.


    Walking up to the Tech officers, she asked their progress until now. Quinn understood about their zero progress when they avoided eye contact with her. Sighing deeply to calm herself down, she looked around for any CCTV cameras.


    "There" she pointed at the opposite building with a shop that seems to be breaking apart slowly, "have you checked the footage?"


    "It has been installed for about 20 years ago. Apparently they forgot to update it for the past 15 years. No luck, Chief." The nerdier one in the group said trying his best not to squirm under the eyes of his boss.


    "Are there not any other cameras which must''ve caught our guy? Or do I need to go there myself and check it all out?" Quinn''s calm voice startled the Tech officers forcing them to get to work immediately.


    Shaking her head, she walked to Tony who handed her the files.


    The ride back to the office was eerily apprehensive. Knowing a guy who is capable of murdering innocent pregnant women was tying a knot in her stomach. Until and unless she caught him with her own hands, she won''t be able to sleep. It is a quite dangerous habit of Quinn Monroe. She could never sleep properly if a case given to her is unsolved. In the last 2 weeks, she had a total of 10 hours of sleep which sadly was with some help of sleeping pills. She knew it wasn''t healthy but this was also something which drove her to solving every single case she got.


    Sitting in her chair, she thought of the case. Maybe she should go home but that thought quickly left just as it came.


    She created a white board in her mind, a special ability she had since she was little, and started posting important points. The women didn''t have any connection with each other, meaning the only connection they all had was the unsub. But there could be a possibility that the women were strangers to him. The slashing of the women showed violence whereas the babies were handled with care and...love? He definitely must be not a fan of these women but why? Did these women do something to him?


    Closing her eyes she thought all of the reasons that could possibly lead to the actual reason for the unsub to do something this cruel. The possibilities were endless.

 Letter To Love

    Quinn woke up startled by the sound with her hand on the gun. She looked around to see herself on the ground while one of her leg was up on the table. Sighing, she got up stretching her muscles until it started protesting to tear apart. The clock read 4:00. 2 hours of sleep. She was impressed at the same time angry for wasting such valuable time.


    Getting up, she took the biggest cup and filled it with dark coffee. Gulping down the bitter liquid, the caffeine started taking effect immediately, making her wide awake. Her brain started turning and focused on the sounds of footsteps, pages turning and frustrated sighs of her subordinates.


    Getting back to work, she opened her mail to see the footage acquired by the Tech officers. Looking through it, her lips formed a thin line. The Unsub knew every camera on the street judging by the way he has successfully avoided showing his face. The way he walked oozed confidence. And seeing some impressed ladies looking back at him the second time proved him to be very handsome. So he is definitely someone who never will be suspected for wrong doings. The more she knew, the more complicated it became.


    With the new almost useless information, she walked out the building for some fresh air. It was getting very busy by now, which was her favorite time. The loud noises helped her think.


    "Hey! Watch out." Her head whipped up to see a guy probably in his mid-thirties. He smiled a contagious smile but Quinn was unaffected by it.


    "What?" It came out rather rudely.


    "Three guys been following you for some time now and I don''t think it''s because they want to talk. Probably because of that now that I notice it." He points his index finger all over the place after the last sentence.


    Quinn knew about the guys behind her but she didn''t feel like confronting them at the moment.


    "So they''ve been following me for some time you say. Meaning that you were too tagging along with them. And because of what?"


    The guy knew what she was getting at. But instead smiled awkwardly trying to think of the right words to explain.


    "Your...um your buttons." With this the black haired guy turned red.This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.


    Blinking twice, Quinn struggled for the first time to come up with a reply. Looking down, she saw one of her shirt button came undone. Quickly fixing it, she mumbled a thanks and started walking.


    "Hold up! I''ll walk with you until I know you are safe."


    Quinn resisted her urge to roll her eyes due to his pathetic attempt at flirting. Instead of snapping at him, she ignored him and walked ahead.


    "My name is Alexander but you can call me Alex." Alex waited for the pretty lady to answer.


    "So what is your name?" Alex tried again.


    But Quinn was already in her stance thinking about the next step. Confrontation of the victims'' families. If there was anything she hated, it was seeing ones family crying and refusing to believe what just clearly happened. Having grown up with no family, Quinn was a person with little emotions. Not knowing how to comfort, she often stood awkwardly to the side wishing to get out of there as soon as possible.


    The classic ringtone of her Samsung blazed out right before Quinn halted to a stop followed by Alex.


    "Hello?"


    "Chief, there''s a letter in your name that has just arrived."


    "How is that important?"


    "The letter came with a white lily crown, mam. Seeing that the details of the murders haven''t gone out and it''s the very same we found in the infants head, I don''t know mam."


    "Who is it from?"


    "It says ''Reprisalx''." The curiosity and the hunch of it being the unsub made Quinn to break into a sprint back towards the office leaving Alex''s voice shouting out to her slowing fading.


    Dashing into the room, she found Tony with a letter. Grabbing it from him, she tore it open carefully. The letter reeked of perfume making her head spin.


    "My Dear Quinn,


    Your beauty. How mesmerizing. I can''t take my eyes of you. I already have imagined our lives together. But...you''ll never love me, will you? All of you are looking for me. But I only want YOU to catch me. Anything to make you happy, my darling.


    I''m not a bad person, I assure you that. I wasn''t born with the devil inside me. I was introduced to him. Those women were a disgrace to the world. They deserve to die. Though the poor innocent souls did nothing but trust me, I did them a favor. They asked for forgiveness when I told them the reason for their immediate return to hell. But once you do it, you have done it, there''s no going back.


    Acts all pure and innocent when they are rotten to the core.


    I saw you, my love. I always see you. I never thought I''ll fall in love but I did.


    Until next time, Rest in peace Love.


    Yours wickedly, Reprisalx."

 Report Of Hell

    Slowing setting the letter down, Quinn asked for other reports on the case. She is angry. Very pissed off even. But she hid it very well from the naked eyes. She cannot afford to throw a tantrum while there is important matters at hand.


    "The autopsy reports are in." Tony informed handing over the thick file.


    "And there''s a substantial problem, Chief." Tony said waiting for his boss''s reaction. Seeing it was blank as always, he continued, "The medical department mixed up the mothers and children. And they are having a trouble to match them. We are not..."


    The new young intern interrupted Tony by entering the room. Quinn didn''t fail to notice their eyes dilating when they looked at each other. This made her wonder if she would be able to fine someone who''ll look at her like that. Shaking her head mentally as if to erase her secret desire, she asked.


    "Yes?"


    "The victims'' families are here. They aren''t looking that great. You should come right away, mam."


    Leaving the two blooming lovers, she exited the room keeping the file on the table. The faster she addresses them, the faster she could get out of there. She paused at the door, mentally preparing the meaningless words of grief. Tony was at her side by now making her turn to him,


    "Get the DNA samples of the father''s hair and match them. This will be quicker." With a nod Tony went off to get some medical officers to get the job done.


    Opening the door, she tried to put up a sad face but failed miserably. Sticking to her straight face she greeted them.


    Her eyes widened at the slightest fraction when she took in the victims'' husbands faces. Most of them had their beards grown out. Very visible baggy eyes. Most of them didn''t even bother to wear something else than their pajamas. Bloodshot eyes and very messy hair. They really must have loved their wives so much. Too bad they are dead now.


    "Who did it?"


    One of the husband, who''ve been sitting on the chair with no life asked what everyone in the room wanted to ask. All eyes turned towards Quinn.


    "We are working on it, sir. We have gotten the security footage and I believe we are very close to bringing him to the light." Quinn was cringing hard as she said this lie. They were nowhere close to finding him.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    "Can I just take them home for a proper burial now?" Another one asked, his voice exhausted.


    "I''m afraid we can''t let the bodies go. We are running few tests and there may be very crucial evidence in or on the bodies."


    A bulky looking guy got up in an instant, his eyes furious.


    "HAVEN''T YOU FINISHED BUTCHERING THEM UP FOR CHRIST''S SAKE! I WANT MY WIFE AND I WANT HER NOW!" Breaking up the chair by throwing it on the floor, he calmed down a bit.


    "I''m sorry, sir. I''m sorry. The loss you all had is nothing one can possibly imagine. But in order to bring justice we need to know what happened to them. A lot could be known from their body alone. Please cooperate." Her words yet again lacked any emotion but she was the only one who noticed it.


    Tony came in with some rookies to take the hair samples. Explaining how it''s for matching the babies, they agreed.


    With a surrounding glance at the distressed faces, she headed back to her office room.


    Opening up the Autopsy report, she found it hard to focus. Snippets of a certain black haired guy graced her mind. Clenching her teeth, she ordered her mind to focus. The frustration grew to the point where she was about to throw the file across the room when a knock on her door made her sit straighter.


    "Come in."


    A blond man with a frown came in, sitting in the chair directly opposite mine.


    "Peter Frazier."


    "Chief Quinn Monroe."


    "I know. I just wanted to tell something regarding the DNA test. It''s not going to match."


    "What do you mean, Mr. Frazier?" Quinn asked already figuring out the answer.


    "Our second child isn''t mine. Our marriage was falling apart and she found someone. We were going to file for a divorce before...this happened."


    Family drama, Quinn thought. One won''t be a match, she mentally posted to her board. At least this will reduce the havoc that would have followed the DNA match being negative.


    "I appreciate you informing about this. Do you in any way, suspect your wife''s lover to be the one behind this?"


    "No I don''t. He is such a wimp. He wouldn''t even be able to hurt an inanimate object." His attempt at a joke remained an attempt.


    Nodding slowly, she thought if Peter could be the one. But his faced screamed he had no clue how to turn on a stove and yet to commit murder. Exchanging goodbyes, peter left.


    Opening the report, Quinn read it, her body started shaking with anger as each line passed.


    <u>FINAL DIAGNOSIS</u>


    1) Blunt Force Trauma


    2) Cranial Cerebral Injuries


    3) Abrasions on the face


    4) Intensive Cut on the Lower Abdomen


    SUMMARY


    The patients were women between the ages of 25-30. No terminal diseases in the past or present. All dead for approximately 37 hours before the discovery. All injuries inflicted while subjects were alive. No traces of semen. No traces of drugs in the blood.


    The cause of death concluded to be severe blood loss and lack of immediate medical attention. Multiple blunt force on the rear side of the head. Spinal injuries. Wounds on face salted. Impressive cesarean operative procedure with clean cuts.

 Unmatched From Above

    "What else do we have?" Quinn inquired, wanting to visit the crime scene immediately after watching the only footage they had of the unsub for the 57th time.


    "This is all for now. The DNA test will be in shortly." Tony said gearing up to accompany his boss.


    A pretty and brunette intern came in with a paper clutched tightly. Looking up, the young intern handed over the paper and stood still.


    Feeling the sexual tension in the room, she asked Tony not to come. She might not have emotions but she was not cruel to take away the chance of getting laid and possibly a successful relationship from her trusty assistant and the intern.


    Taking the keys, a small smirk playing on her face, she started driving towards the building.


    Parking the car a little farther from her destination, she walked thinking about her days at the orphanage. It wasn''t really a pleasant place to grow up. You always had to guard yourself from every angle. The food was never enough to feed the hungry kids. She often slept starving. But Quinn''s way of caring for others is strange. She''ll give her share of food to the kids who aren''t satisfied with one bread. She always kept one eye on the weaker kids so that they don''t be the next victim of the bullies. It was never easy to live the way Quinn did. And it gets harder when you don''t have anyone to share it too. The only person who actually cared was the warden, who pulled some strings to get her to the best academy for Field Training Police Acadamy. From there she never stopped working and just kept reaching higher places.


    She saw a young family laughing out loud as they passed her. Her heart tightened at that sight. She didn''t hate families, but the thought of her not being a part of it someday is what she hates. Looking down she walked straight. It was a moment late when she sensed a figure in her path.


    Colliding with the person, she waited to hit the ground. But instead was surprised to see two hands holding her steadily.


    "You!" the voice exclaimed. Quinn groaned internally when she recognized it. Maybe out of a little bit of excitement.


    "We meet again! This is definitely the work of Eros...or Aphrodite." Alex said his smile growing by the minute.Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.


    "Who''s that? Your friends?" Quinn asked not wanting him to know that she understood.


    "No. They are the God and Goddess of lov...um can we get a cup of coffee or something?" Alex didn''t want to sound like a creep so he refrained himself from saying that they are the Gods of Love.


    Quinn stood still pretending to think and smiled.


    Alex saw it. And his mouth parted open in awe. The earth stopped rotating, the time still, goosebumps surfacing, eyes dilating, heart racing, mind fumbling and he forgot how to breathe.


    "No." She said and walked past him, confused to see him look at her in a weird way.


    It took Alex some time to regain his senses. Running behind her, he peaked at her face to see if he could still see that breathtaking smile. Seeing that her soft lips were in a thin line, he continued,


    "Why not? It''s just a coffee. Oh. Is it because you don''t like coffee? I mean we could order something else you like..."


    "You talk too much."


    "Uh? I do?"


    Quinn just looked at him blankly. Alex mouthed a sorry and walked quietly beside her. Upon reaching the crime scene, she was held back while she was about to go pass the tapes. She jerked her hands from his rudely. The skin where Alex''s hands were a second ago still tingled making Quinn''s face scrunch up in pure confusion.


    "You can''t go in there! See the tapes around it? It means only the police can go in. And I know you seem like an adventurous person but I won''t let you go there because you''ll get arrested. Now..."


    "What is your problem? You just keep following me and I''m not liking it. Mind your own business and quit being a lost dog just annoying me. Just stop it al..."


    "What is happening here?" A police officer guarding the building stood in front of them inquired upon hearing the commotion.


    Quinn didn''t fail to notice the hurt that passed through his eyes, yet he still tried to smile like her words didn''t make him sad.


    "It''s nothing, sir. We were just passing by." Alex still trying to not get them to trouble like he thought they were in, made Quinn feel like a complete jerk.


    Flashing her badge from her pocket, the police officer exclaimed,


    "Chief Quinn! Come on in, Mam."


    Alex stood there shocked. Guiltily Quinn turned around to Alex and opened her mouth to explain when her phone rang.


    "Chief Monroe."


    "Chief! It''s Tony. There is an urgent news! The DNA test isn''t a match!"


    Quinn remembered Peter''s words.


    "Yes, one won''t be a match. Peter Frazier have told me already."


    "Um Mam?"


    "Yes Tony?"


    "None of the DNA test is a match. The babies aren''t related to the fathers. Mam, I think all these women were having an affair and that...that could be the motive for the unsub to do this."