Academy Murders: Bitters

The site where the letter opener punctured her chest felt tender. To touch it still seemed sore and raw. When Kim didn’t realize it, she touched it and she drove her mind while poring over documents related to the case.

Then, she noticed she was stroking it and banished her hand from her chest. She shook her head and continued to plow into the paperwork.

Images of Susan popping up on the radar in her head allowed her to know better the difference between what she had been trained to do and the reality of her situation. No amount of hours in studying and applying herself to be a cop prepared her for this.

The ankle monitor was a reminder of what had transpired in the past weeks. She brought her head up and sniffed intently. She drew the air in through her nose and expelled it through her mouth. She looked at a pack of gum and selected a stick. It made her conscious even more.

As she looked over the notes, Susan’s position on the floor of the cell drew her attention. Kim noticed that Susan had spread eagle on the floor. No way could she have sprawled out and been in that position.

Whoever killed her wanted to display that she could have been murdered and that she had to be killed.

Hours passed. The chewing gum lost its flavor. Lights still illuminated over her head, to the left and right of her. Her smart phone provided a way to lock in notes and take photographs. Next came a knock at the door.

Once she looked through the tiny hole, she grinned broadly.

“Agents St. Kitts and Darby. Why do I have the pleasure of seeing you two gentlemen at this hour?”

“We wanted to congratulate and encourage. You’ve been through hell and you’re still going through it. We brought food,” Darby mentioned.

“And beer. I know you can’t have any given the position you’re in at the moment so we brought ginger beer and bitters,” St. Kitts said.

“Thanks,” she closed the door.

The three of them sat down and ate cheesesteaks from Cypretti’s.

“So, is there enough to crack the case?” Darby asked before taking another bite of the savory wagyu beef.

“I can’t tell yet. I’ve got some hunches. Nothing concrete,” she replied.

Darby swallowed some beer. “You don’t know it yet. What’s the chance of you bringing up another case with that jewelry on your ankle?” he sneered.

Kim was quick. “I’ll have just as much chance as adding to that beer belly you’ve got over there,” she smirked.

“Whoa! I forgot you were a firecracker.”

St. Kitts shook his head. “Seriously though, Kimberle, what do you think is going to happen to you if you win or, this is hard to say, lose the case?”

“I’m not going to lose because I’m not guilty.”

“You’ve got one for the books, that’s sure,” Darby pointed out. “I mean you’ve got to be the….”

“Only one in history investigating a murder that the suspect may or may not have committed. In this case definitely not.”

“Hey, we’re all cops here. Detective agents. Let’s just enjoy this good grub and relax before things get out of control,” St. Kitts cleared the room.

Kim sighed. “Grab me a beer please.”

“But you….” St. Kitts started.

“You violate your terms of being in this hotel room with that monitor and what, you have to call your CO in the morning? Don’t throw that chance away.”

“I meant the ginger beer. Don’t forget the bitters.” Kim just grinned.