Black Rose Revenge

Chapter 3

SIERRA POV

It was too nice of a day to be at such a grotesque crime scene. As Mack and I made our way through the crowd of looky-loos, I noticed that there were multiple areas that were taped off. We were halted before we reached the tape by a rookie cop.

“I need to see ID’s before either of you can cross into the scene.”

I rolled my eyes. “Right, I am Detective Sierra Ryans and this is my partner, Detective Mack Stone.” We flashed the cop our badges and he allowed us to pass, while issuing a warning.

“Beware it is a doozie.”

I just looked at Mack. “Let’s go see what the coroner has to say.” We made our way to the far end of the scene where the coroner was elbow deep in a hole. When we came within a few feet of the hole we were assaulted by the foul stench of half burned flesh. “Oh, WOW! What is that smell?!”

The doc looked up long enough to see who he was giving information to. “It seems that the victim isn’t alone there are at least 4 partial bodies here, 3 have been burned and the other has been skillfully dissected. I won’t know the definite cause of death until I do a thorough autopsy.”

“Can you guess at a COD, at least?” Mack was highly agitated.

“Detective, if I had a clue as to what the COD might be I would have informed you already! Now if you are done insulting my way of doing things then I must get back to the morgue to begin my work.” The coroner’s assistant, a shorty stubby man, helped the doc out of the hole and began putting body parts in body bags and readying them for transport.

“What the hell is your problem, Mack? You were fine in the car, what changed?” I was losing my patience with the way he handled things lately.

He just looked at me then turned to walk away. “I don’t know what is wrong with me.”

I quickly followed my partner. “Have you seen the therapist?”

“I don’t want to talk about it. Let’s just get back to work.” Mack was on his way to interview some witnesses. “So far we don’t’ have any identities so I will take half of the list while you take the other half.” He handed me a list of potential witnesses.

“After we are done lets meet back up and head to the station to brainstorm.” I took off in the opposite direction to give him some space. I was so busy taking statements that I didn’t realize what time it was until my phone rang. I flipped open the receiver and headed in Mack’s direction. “Hey sweetie! How are you doing?”

“Mommy?! I’m scared; some men came and took Daddy away.” Chancey was hysterical.

My blood ran cold when her words registered. “Hold on baby, mommy will be home in a few minutes. Go hide in our secret place until I tell you come out!” I put the phone in my pocket and sprinted to my partner. “Mack we have to go, NOW! My daughter is alone at the house and something has happened to my husband and my child is alone at home!” Mack could see the fear etched onto my face and offered no argument.

We raced to my house and I could see that every light was off and the door was ajar. She motioned to Mack and he saw what I was seeing, they both readied their weapons and checked the perimeter.

“You go around back and I will cover the front.” I wasn’t even thinking at this point, I was too scared to. As I reached the front door, I could see that the door was forced open. I slowly pushed the door open wider and saw that my house was trashed! I entered the house and cleared the front rooms as Mack cleared the back rooms. When I was absolutely sure that the perpetrator was no longer in the house, I rushed to the hiding spot. “Chancey, honey, mommy is home it is safe now.” I was holding my breath until I heard a soft rustling and then saw my baby’s beautiful face. The look on her face nearly broke me! “It’s okay honey, come to mommy, that’s my brave girl.” I broke into tears when I finally had her in my arms. I vowed to myself in this moment, that I would never let her go again.

“Where’s daddy?” Her voice was just a little more audible than a squeak.

“I don’t know, baby, but I will find out that I promise you.” I met Mack in the living room. “Xavier is missing.”

“You two aren’t staying herw tonight. You are both coming to my place. Go grab some things and I’ll call the chief and inform him on what’s happening.”