Quadruplets Make Six

“The gun shot is the COD, but the others were from strangulation, your guy is changing his deal.” Amy said.

The four of us exchanged looks.

“Then we have our work cut out for us.”

Chapter Four: Alex

I talked at length with the responding officer. Apparently, it was called in by a passerby. After all my years on the field, it was very rare for someone to witness a crime and call it in. Usually, witnesses had to be tracked down and begged for information or to testify if need be, but this time I had the person’s address and phone number. I didn’t want to scare them off by showing up at their house though; it would be better to just have them come into the station.

“What do you guys think?” I went back to Nate and Max, who were still keeping reporters back from the body. Even more had showed up in the past thirty minutes. I could already tell this would be one hell of a media circus.

“I want to say serial. Because of the pattern. We have specialists on it already.” Max had his hands in all the important people’s pockets. I was sure he got them on the phone fast.

“Sounds good. I’m heading back to start the paperwork,” I responded.

“And you wondered why I didn’t take the exam.” Nate shook his head and scoffed. I rolled my eyes, dreading the paperwork and the fact that he was right.

It was hell getting past all the trucks and people crowded around the crime scene. I started thinking about his family. Did he have a wife or kids? Would anyone notice or care that he died? That was the hardest part of the job. I

dentifying the family and such, and having to talk to them if need be. I knew once he got to his autopsy, we would have his prints and be able to ID him.

I wasn’t even back at the precinct before I knew this case would be hell. And it was my first one as detective. Great.

I got to my desk and was already called in by Harold.

“What have we got?” He stood up, coming around his desk. He looked like he had already gone through the day, and it wasn’t even noon yet.

“A shit storm, sir.” I sat down and leaned forward on my knees.

Harold and I had grown comfortable over the years. He gave me my first shot way back when, and I guessed he had kind of been a surrogate role model to me. I want to be where he was one day.

“I guessed it. What do we know so far?” he said with annoyance lacing his voice. I was just as annoyed, but to be honest, he wouldn’t have to do nearly as much work as I would.

“Next to nothing. He had no ID on him. Working class. We won’t know the exact cause of death until the ME does the autopsy, but so far it looks like the third murder like this.”

“So, it is a murder.”

“Yeah. For sure. Definitely not an accident or anything.” I added.

“You start the paperwork?” He almost sneered with the way his smile creeped in.

I shook my head and laughed without humor. He knew exactly what I was in for. I imagined it only gets worse the higher up you get, though.

“About to. Oh, we do have a witness,” I said as I stood up to leave.

“Really?” His brows rose up as he looked shocked. I was surprised by it too. “That fast?”

“Actually, they were the 911 caller. I’m bringing them in shortly.” I answered.

“Good. Maybe this will catch us a break, hopefully they saw more than someone in a navy hoodie.” He scoffed. I nodded in agreement and took my leaving.

Once I finished the damned paperwork and had a slight lunch, I called the witness in. I was surprised it was a woman, and was intrigued from the get-go with how sexy her voice sounded. I immediately dismissed that thought; there was no way I was lucky enough to catch that kind of break.

Chapter Five: Rose

I never thought I would be like the people I saw on television. I hated to think it, but I just felt so important since that 911 call. By the time I got home, the case was already on the news.

I was shocked, to say the least.