One step closer.

Back to reality.

Faith shut her eyes and waited for the train to end her. No way did she want to witness what that train would do to her, so she stood her ground while she was riddle with fear and a bit of anger. Angry that she would never meet those eyes again and angry that her life ended so short, she had so much she had to do. She stood there waiting for what seemed like an eternity until she bravely opened one eye to see what was taking so long. She opened both to see her room. Faith stood in the middle of her room shocked. There was no one here, no screaming passengers, no train and no mystery woman. Just her in her room. She was about to breathe a sigh of relief when her legs gave out and she fell hard on her arse. She embraced the small pain that she felt because she would pick having a sore bum then being a pancake on the side of the tracks any day. Laughing and slightly rubbing her sore butt, she just sat there relieved. It was just a stupid dream. A stupid, stupid dream that literally brought her out of bed and made her stand in the middle of her room like an i***t.

Gathering her thoughts. Faith sat in the middle of her room just reliving her very vivid dream. Well not the whole dream, mostly the set of eyes that were burnt into her memory now. Those earthly brown eyes that had golden stardust sprinkled inside them. Those eyes that lit up every fibre of Faith’s body.

Beep, Beep, Beep.

The loud sound of her alarm woke her from the deep thought. She looked at the time.

7:55am

“s**t” Faith yelped

Faith rushed throughout her bedroom to get ready. She was meant to be at the office at 8 and she was running late and she couldn’t be late to receive her first assignment after her accident. She had no clue what was in play for her today but she was excited. 7 minutes of waiting outside for her taxi and then 20 in the taxi doing her make up and hair on the way to the office. This was her first case since the accident and she was going to make everyone know that she was still up for the job. She had been been in the force for 3 years now and 6 months ago was when she lost her partner in a shoot out. She was checked out by doctors and finally after waiting 6 long months. She was getting back to her old life. She needed to get back to her old life. Death was a strange concept to Faith. She had lost her mother right before graduating the Academy and now her partner that she work with her whole career. One moment they’re here and the next they’re gone. Faith just couldn’t wrap her head around it. But now that she was getting back in work she felt good. She was a bit nervous about today but she felt ready. She was ready.

Faith arrive in front of the office building with her hair neatly in a low bun, light make up and in a navy pants suit that fitted her curves nicely.

Inside Faith was trying to hide her excitement. She had missed the office. The smell of coffee being made for the sleep deprived agents, the sound of keyboard and mouses getting clicked on. Faith sped walked her way to the captain’s door. Ready to get to get to work.

Knock knock

“Enter” boomed a deep voice from the other side.

Faith entered while clearing her throat to utter a greeting but before she could say anything. She was interrupted with a hand help up to her face.

“I don’t care what you have to do, just get it done NOW!” Yelled Captain Daniels into the phone before slamming it on the receiver.

Faith never really feared anything or anyone until she met Captain Daniels. Daniels oozed with power and confidence. She was a beast and a legend among the agents. She had a big reputation for someone who only stood at 5’2. Even though she was short, she had no problem making everyone feel small.

“Kane” The captain directed her anger to Faith now while looking at the clock. “You’re later”

“Yes ma’am, I’m sorry” trying to sound more professional than intimidated.

“There’s not much I can do with sorrys Kane”

“Of course Captain” trying to find the words, Faith stood there awkwardly. “Captain, today I was meant t….”

Cut off again with another hand.

“I know” captain sounding annoyed

Pressing a button on the intercom Captain Daniels spoke.

“Ashley, hon could you please get Evans useless ares in here”

“Of course captain. Anything else?”

“Just a cup of coffee and hold my calls”

“Yes captain”

A confused look plastered itself on Faith’s fen the thought entered her mind, Evans entered the room. A tall blonde well built man, who looked like he belong out on the surf more than he did in his loose fitting suit.

“Evans meet Kane. Kane meet Evans” the captain said in a monotone. “You guys will be partners.”

Confused again, Faith couldn’t help but speak without permission.

“But Captain I was told I would be partnering with…”

Another hand

“Yes I know. You’re meant to be partnered with agent Olson but buddy here messed up bad and needs a babysitter and I picked you. The files are already on your desks. Kane leads.”

“Cap..”

Hand

“Dismissed” Captain Daniels said not bothering to look at the pair again.

Side stepping Ashley as she entered the room a cup of coffee in hand, Faith left and so did her excitement. Faith was excited to work with Agent Olson, she was a badass. Leather jacket, kicking down doors and never missing shots type badass. She wanted to learn to be just like her plus she wanting to know more about her aunty.

Sitting down at her desk Faith let out a big sigh.

“Don’t look too upset. I’m not that bad to work with”

Looking up. Faith saw Evans sitting on the side of her desk playing with her stapler.

“Don’t take it personally. I just wanted to work with Agent Olson”

“I’ll try not to.” Evans said while opening the stapler.

“What did you do anyways for you to need a babysitter” Faith asked curiously.

“Robbed a bank” Evan said while shrugging and hoping off her desk.

“No really. We’re partners now, you have to tell me”

“Nah” Evans winked while shooting a staple at Faith.

Faith turned to the case file trying not to roll her eyes.

“Whatever. We should get started”

This case was a mess. Faith wasn’t expecting to receive an easy one but nothing this full on. The file was only filled with two pieces of paper regarding the case and a couple crime scene photos.

Turning her attention to Evans, Faith spoke.

“All we have is an unknown victim who died by strangulation, multiple partial DNA samples and 6 photos. Where is everything else?”

“Officers usually don’t spend too much time on cases like these. So they get bare minimum, bury the case under other cases and then a few months later they file it as a cold case.”

“And what type is this case is then?”

“Prostitution case. She was found in an alley that is known for having a few hooker. Vic was wearing a skimpy outfit with multiple deposits of semen on it and file say she was pumped up on everything from crack to horse tranquilliser.” Evans had a grim look on his face. “Officers usually don’t care about people like them so case like these are usually thrown into cold cases.”

Faith felt sick. This was a person, someone daughter. Possibly someone mother or sister. How could anyone treat a case like this? like this person didn’t matter.

Frustrated Faith stood up

“Were not doing that. We’re gonna solve this case!”

Evans staring up at her smiling from his desk that faced hers.

“So how do we get the ball rolling? You’re lead.”

Shame washed over Faith. Damn She had no clue. Sitting back down with her arms crossed.

“No missing reports matching her description?”

“Nothing but there’s not much of a description to start with. Her face was bashed in, so I looked for brown hair, early 20s who stood at 5’10 and there’s was no one matching our vic.” Evans was a step ahead but still letting Faith take lead.

With a deep sigh Faith sat in her chair thinking.

“What about dental records?”

“They didn’t bother with dental either”

“Call the morgue, tell them to get it done”

“Yes sir” Evans saluted to Faith behind the computer.

“Once you’re done, we’ll go out and ask some questions.”

It was still early in the day so most of the ladies of the night weren’t out just yet but the cold air was. Wrapping her arms around herself, Faith wished she brought a jacket or at least a scarf. “Stupid winter” she thought to herself. They’ve been at the scene for about three hours now trying to get people to talk to them. They would ask anyone that walked past if they knew anything or saw anything but it’s was hard getting information out of people that didn’t trust them and some just couldn’t even remember that night cause it happened so many months ago. Faith stood at the end of the alley way with her hands on her hips now.

“I need a break. Imma get some coffee. You coming with?” She spoke to Evans who was leaning up against a wall near some trash bags playing with his notepad.

“Yeah this place smells.”

Walking down Faith had felt a chill run down her back.

“Look down” a voice ringed in her head.

Faith darted her eyes down onto the floor, not seeing anything but trash flying around and cement. Feeling stupid Faith continued down the alley way until something sliver near some trash bags caught her eye.

Walking towards it, she couldn’t help but feel a wave of freezing air rush toward her. The sliver thing was surrounded by trash so using her foot Faith freed her treasure.

It was a ring. Grabbing a plastic glove from her pocket, she picked up the ring to look at it. It’s was a simple band sliver with no stone but engraving inside.

“What you got there chief?” Evans saying behind her.

“a ring, could belong to our vic” Faith sounded hopeful

“Here’s to hoping cause we got nada”

“There’s an engraving” scratching the grime from the ring that found itself a home in the letters.

“J.T heart D.C”

“Bag it. Just in case.”

“There’s a couple strands of hair tied to it.”

“You mean wrapped to it?”

“No like someone literally tied it to it, it’s blonde”

“Vic has brown hair. Just throw it”

Something deep in Faith’s bones wouldn’t let her throw the ring away.

“Im going to bag just in case”

“Up to you leader”

“Let’s get this to lab and while we’re there we can check on the dental records”