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Printed from https://www.writing.com/main/campfires/item_id/1325096-Mystery-Theater-Presents-The-Derby-Hat
Rated: 13+ · Campfire Creative · Fiction · Mystery · #1325096
Some one has taken murder old school. Solve the case
[Introduction]
Choose a character to play, either a detective, a civilian, reporter, anyone that will be relevant to the case.

"AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!" The horrifying scream rang through the streets of of the city late in the night. Someone had just been murdered. Even though it was a normal occurance in that part of town, this murder held the feeling of something eerie and different. One of those cases that only comes around once in blue moon.........................
The crime scene was just 7 hours old, and cops were everywhere, along with the detectives, ambulance, and late night bystanders attracted by the commotion down the Alley off of 5th street.
Police Chief John Sanderson stood with his seasoned Detective Nick Thorton, as they kneeled over the dead woman examining the area covered in police tape.

"This Vic looks like she was in her mid 30's, she is dressed like she was going to a formal. And look at this here, theres a rose and a hat lying on her chest, an old Derby hat by the looks of it. Odd." Said the Police Chief.

"Cause of Death?" Asked Det. Thorton. Sanderson lifted the dark brown velvet derby hat slowly revealing a bloody hole in the victims dress.

"Stab wound to the chest. Nasty one too."

"The ways she's sprawled out says she might have struggled, but not too much with the killer. The derby hat and rose are very weird, it's like out of a Sherlock Holmes novel or something!" Said Thorton. Detectives stood everywhere taking notes, taking pictures and questioning anyone who may have seen anything, but noone had. Then the CSI unit came and shooed everyone off the crime scene, angry that they may have trampled on anything in the area that may have been used as evidence. As they walked to their cars parked along 5th street they talked.

"This one feels like it's going to be interesting. Let's rest on it and see what CSI has to say in the morning Nick. Thanks for coming out so late." Said Chief Sanderson.......
"Let me through here. I have access to any crime scene." A english reporter said with a firm voice. She was trying to pass by one of the officers. Chief Sanderson, and Det. Thorton was looking in that direction. They both rolled there eyes.

"Should I handle it or should you?" Chief asked Det. Thorton. Det. Thorton waved his hand. "Goodnight Chief." He said. He walked over to the reporter causing chaos.

"It's alright officer she can pass. You don't want to make this reporter angry." Det Thorton letting her pass.

"Thank You NIck. How are you?" Shooing him off, and heading to the crime scene. He just rolled his eyes.

"You know Samantha, its late, and..... are you still in your nightgown?" Nick Thorton said while looking at her brown coat with a silky gown underneath with fury high heels. "Well you know Nick, good reporters can not sleep with a juicy story in the area. By the way, I have told you to call me Ace." Samantha said while taking pics of the carass of the woman. Samantha looked harder at this woman. Nick can see her eye's.

"You know this woman?" In a suspicious tone. Samantha looked at him.

"It's Shella Conners. One of the richest wives in this city. I met her once at a formal party they planned for her." Samantha looked for any clues. Nick came beside her. "What do you think of the hat, and rose?"

"Well it looks like the killer left his signature." Nick nodded his head. "You should get to bed now. Don't you have to report the news soon?" Nick shoving her out.

"What? I did not finish taking pictures Nick." Samantha said. Nick closed the door. "Good Night Ace." Samantha glared. She looked in front of the the apartmant, and found the window open. She was about to climb in when Nick stuck his head out. "Good Night, Ace." With annoyance in his voice. Samantha glared at him, and walked back to her apartmant not far from here. Nick just shook his head.
Nick turned to go back to his investigating, when all of a sudden, out of nowhere, a woman shrieking horror came running up to the scene. She was screaming in horrendous horror as she stepped through the tape. Nick recognized her, but couldn't place the face. He looked down at the victim and suddenly he saw the same face! It was her twin standing there next to him. He couldn't believe his eyes, they were completely identical in every way. Even as the police sirens and flashing lights caused her face to glow every other second, things began to get real, when he realized that this victim was someone's loved one. This person had a story and a name and a home and family and people who loved her. The very fact that her sister was standing here in shock, horror was proof enough.
She was being pushed out, but forced her way back in and sobbed over his sister's body. The police were there physically holding her arms back, from tampering with any evidence. She begged the officer to have a minute with her sister alone. And so she was granted.
"You knew your killer would do this to you. Why did you make it happen to you! You had the power to stop it, and you did nothing to prevent yourself from being killed. I only envy you, sis. Because you don't feel the pain I feel right now."
She cried and ran back home, with her face in her hands...
Tracy watched carefully as the victims twin dissapeared out of sight...
"It seems that she knows a little more than we do about the circumstances, at least we're now aware that this girl isn't a Jane Doe", she stated plainly.
"Um and who might you be?", Nick Thorton asked in a cocky tone.
Tracy was already irritated that she was notified about the situation late, and now this egotistical cop was giving her an attitude. This was officially the first crime scene she would be working on and wanted respect from the other detectives. She decided to be civil with him and hold back her sarcasm.
"I'm Detective Tracy Parker, I'll be assisting with the investigation. If you could update me as to what you have found out, that would be just terrific!" A little sarcasm slipped, as she rolled her eyes.
"Oh so your the new kid in school! Don't worry we won't give you more than you can handle. Why don't you go talk to the Chief, and see what you can find out. We've got it taken care of sweety", he said with a grin on his face.
Tracy stormed off towards the chief, ready to hurt somebody...
Thorton shook his head at the new detective, they always had to have a little fun with them on their first case. He then got in his car and drove home to sleep.
Bright and early the next morning Nick got a phone call from the chief of police.

"Did you meet your new partner yet Thorton?"

"Um no sir, I didn't know you were assigning me another partner, I mean it's only been two months since.....You know." Said Thorton a little troubled.

"It's time to move on Nick, when things happen you just have to pick yourself up and run with whatevers thrown at ya. Now your partner is a young woman fresh out of college, so it's your job to show her the ropes and train her. And always keep her informed of what's happening too!" Answered the chief in his gruff voice.

"Wait! You don't mean that chick that was there at the scene last night do you? Tracy Parker?" Said Thorton with a tinge of annoyance in his voice.

"Ahhh yes Detective Tracy Parker, thats her, so you met her. Well she is your new partner. Oh and by the way you are late to meet her at the crime scene this morning, so GET GOING!" Snapped the chief and then he hung up. Nick sighed in frustration. "Great! I have some hardheaded youngster tagging along behind me getting in my way! Just what I needed!" He got ready and drove to the crime scene to meet with his new partner and talk to witnesses............
Nick arrived at the scene once more. The police were everywhere, scraping, searching data, the works. Nick can see no reporters were around. He was alittle shocked. As he walked through the door someone hit his shoulder. "Watch it." Tracy said. Nick rolled his eyes.

"Well since your here. You must know that...," Tracy interrupted him, "that were partners." Tracy rolling her eyes. Nick came close to her, within a whisper. "Listen rooky, you are on my turf now. You follow my rules. If you expect to learn something, I suggest you don't give me any problems." Nick backed up. Tracy straightened up, and nodded her head with respect for now. Nick went over to see if anyone has analyzed the Derby Hat. "Anything boys?" Nick said. "Nothing Boss. No hair traces, skin, blood, nonething." NIck shook his head in disappointment. "Alright, Tracy can you take these 2 with you, and see if you can dig up anything upstairs." Tracy looked him up, and down, and nodded her head. The boys came to Nick while she headed upstairs. "A rooky?" the boys whispered. "Yup." NIck said. The 2 men looked at eachother, and laughed while heading upstairs. Nick looked up and gave a heavy sigh. But his eye's didn't move, there was something on the ceiling. It seemed like a drop of some kind of liquid. He looked real hard, then was startled by a voice. "I saw it too. Last night I took a sample of it, and checked it out." A voice said. Nick looked down. He saw a brown eye girl looking up at him. "Hello Ace." he said. "Hello Boss. What special news do you have for me?" Nick walked back to a kit, and grabbed a pair of clear gloves. "Nothing yet, have you reported the ususal?" Nick trying to reach the spot on the ceiling. Ace sat on a stool. "Yes, of course. Boring stuff. I have a dead woman, and no killer." Ace taking a small water from her bag. Nick stopped trying since his arm was getting tired. "So last night, you came back here when I told not too. Then took a sample from that spot on the ceiling, and found out what it was. And decided to hold it against police business?" Nick questioning her. Ace smiled a wicked smile. "What are you going to do, arrest me?" Nick came over to Ace. "I will if you dont tell me what that spot is." Ace gave him a questionable look then got up, put the stool back to its place. She went to her bag, and took out a piece of tissue, and hand it to Nick. "It's some kind of chemical that holds basic iron together." Nick was taken back. "What would that be doing on the ceiling?" Ace found some candy in a bowl. "I don't know, your the Boss." Nick smirked. He can hear footsteps coming from the stairs. "Here comes my partner, a real sweetheart." Nick being sarcastic. Ace looked up at him. "She pretty?" Ace curious. Nick kept on watching the stairs. "Yea pretty, but who really knows what goes on in there." Nick pointing to Ace's head. Ace shook her head. Tracy came downstairs, and straight to Nick. "Nothing, everything is clean." Tracy turned to Ace, and was taken back. "Ace?" Tracy surprised. "Trace?" Ace surprised as well. They both hugged eachother dearly. Tracy was so happy to see a familiar face. Nick stratched the back of his head. He was worried. "You 2 umm know eachother?" Ace spoke up. "This is my little sister you would say. She always wanted to be a detective. She is brilliant." Tracy's cheeks beginning to blush. "You should have been the detective. You were always getting into trouble, and trying to solve any little thing." Nick was worried of what he told Ace. Ace gave Tracy her number, and her address to come over later, and catch up. Ace took some more pics, and asked Nick to walk her out. Ace turned to NIck. "She can be stubborn, and bratty. But she is really good in solving any kind of problem. Give her a chance." Ace was about to leave, when she came, and turned back to Nick. "You know, no one can ever take your partners place. NO one." She smiled at Nick, and walked down the stairs out the front door. Nick thought for a moment. Then needed a question answered. "Ace!? Where are the other reporters?" Ace gave another wicked smile. "I told them there was a body in St. Clouds River, and they caught the killer." Ace turned, and walked away.
Tracy looked at Nick. "She hasn't changed one bit. She wants this case for herself and I guess, who could blame her for being the best reporter?"
Nick agreed to that. Hearing footsteps down the hall, Police chief escorted Barbara Conners in the room. "Morning." He said. They both looked up at the voice, but kept their eyes on the new girl. "This is Barbara Conners, AKA Bobbie, victim's sister. She wanted to get her things back that she lent her sister a while ago. She knows the code. Nothing, absolutely nothing is to be removed without it being investigated first, no exceptions. Not like our last "family" that tried to screw us over."
Chief turned to Bobbie, "I understand you are in a lot of turmoil about your sister. All of us are very sorry, but you must understand that you will have eyes watching you at all times. You're going to have to put on the police mentality and mind our medling questions. We need to know all the who's and what's and why's of all of your actions. Nothing against you. That's the way it rolls kid." Bobbie acknowledged him and smiled.
"Thank you, Chief."

Chief called Nick over to take a walk with him outside the room. Nick snapped the gloves off and lowered his stance. Chief's voice went low and said, "Thorton, I don't care if you have been drugged, beaten or killed, you will not let that woman, any under circumstances, take anything from that house until she has been given authorization. If she says she needs it now, then now will just have to come later. If there's a date on it, mark it down. If there's a barcode, scan it. If there's a model number, check it. Until you receive your investigation clearance on the objects that she wants to take, you will not...you cannot release them. Not only because it goes against the code agreement in section 4.2b of this years priority agreement, but because I don't trust her. I have my reasons for not trusting her, which I will disclose later, provided my theories are correct. If they aren't we'll have a shred party and all of this will be history. Until then, you are the filter for this investigation. Nothing will go unnoticed and I'm trusting you to carry this out to its completion, Thorton."

"Have I ever let you down before?" Nick stated.

"I know, you're the best my team has had. I just can't risk anything. I have to say these things."

"Don't worry about a thing, Chief." Nick said, excusing himself back into the room. Sanderson went back to the station.

Nick walked over to Tracy who was wrapping her hair up with a pen she found on the kitchen counter. She was looking through the victim's desk. "Nick," She waved him over. He nonchalantly came over to her, putting on another pair of gloves. He noticed she wasn't wearing gloves. Tracy whispered, so not to let Bobbie hear, "Nick, this Shella Conners woman is filthy rich. This house is kept up to perfection. In this drawer I found her check book with the entire book made out to someone named Cherry Stevens for a bi-weekly check of $1,000. Must be the house keeper or someone, but I haven't seen a house keeper here at all since we've started. There's no way for this woman to keep this entire house this clean all the time without some additional help, like a house keeper. If I was a maid, I would have known about this check book and kept all the checks. Another thing..."

"Where are your gloves?" Nick candidly cut her off. "You took a pen that could have been used for evidence and put it in your hair. How do I know you aren't trying to hide something from me? How do I know your name is even Tracy?"

"How Dare You! How dare you question my credit here! I haven't gone to school for nothing. I have not busted my butt to have some over powering, micro-managing, tactless, self-assuming nitwit question my every move. If you think that you intimidate me in the slightest, well then you are mournfully mistaken. Keep it up and we'll see who will finish this investigation." Tracy's temper hit the roof.

Nick cracked a smile. "Why is it only with me that you grace me with your kind words?" Nick asked, sarcastically.

"Kind? How silly of me, I meant to disrespectfully rebuke you." She smoothed out the folds in her skirt and marched away, like nothing was happened.
Although Tracy disliked Nick's attitude, she had respect for his quick witted responses. Maybe he would actually be able to keep up with her sarcasm. She hoped in time that they would be able to work as a team, for the investigations sake.
Already Tracy had begun to stress about the investigation. It seemed they were wasting a lot of time on the vic's sister, and not investigating other avenues that lead to Shella Conners death. She decided to go solo to the crime lab.
Upon leaving the crime lab, she had found out nothing more than she had known previously from her briefing of the case. They still had no fingerprints from the scene, or strange fibers. She started out to the parking lot in annoyance, feeling she had wasted more precious time.

"Tracy!", Tyler Cawley shouted.

Tracy spun around not expecting the excitement in his voice. He was an old boyfriend of hers, that still worked at the crime lab. It was odd seeing him here, it had been quite a while. She tried holding together her composure.

"Well what is it?, I have a lot of things to look over." She stated in an impatient tone while tapping her foot for emphasis.

"And 'Hi' to you too! Anyways, I may have found something, it seems that there was a drop of blood found on Shella's silver heels that does not match up with her own. There's no skin under her fingernails so I'm sure that it wasn't from her fighting back. I think that whoevers it is, most likely wasn't the attacker..."

Tracy planned on throughly following whatever leads she had. She immediately headed off to Bobbie Conners house. Luckily when she arrived Thorton and the team had went else where. She finally had some time to really talk to Bobbie. Just as she was about to lay her first firm knock on the door, Bobbie swung it open angrily.

"Haven't you guys gotten enough information out of me?!, I need some time to myself to accept what has happened!", she pleaded in an exasperated tone.

Tracy suddenly felt bad for not considering Bobbie's condition only hours after her sisters death.

"I'm so sorry to have to bother you again Bobbie, I just received more information on the case and wanted to follow it up as soon as possible to find whoever would do such a thing to your sister.", Tracy said very warmly. Bobbie invited her in and offered Tracy some coffee.

"That would be wonderful!", Tracy hadn't realized that she had missed her afternoon cup through all the comotion. It was certainly starting to catch up with her. As they lulled over the boring details that she had previously sat in on before she noticed a small, but deep cut in Bobbie's left arm. Tracy cut Bobbie off.

"Oh wow what happened there? Did you take care of that cut properly? It could get infected...",Tracy asked out of true concern.

"Oh it's nothing, I uh, I just was cooking and the knife slipped out of my hands...", Bobbie's face turned bright red as she continued with her hard to believe story. "You know it's really sharp, I just bought it from Pampered Chef and I guess I just don't know how to use it yet!", she added for reassurance. Tracy looked at her sideways and slowly shook her head.

"Oh ok, well I hope it doesn't turn into anything serious..You wouldn't mind giving a sample of your blood to elimnate yourself as a suspect right? It's just procedure.", Tracy quickly added.

"Oh my goodness! They think that I could have killed my own sister cold bloodedly?!", Bobbie asked through tears. She couldn't believe how these cops could be. "Shouldn't you 'cops' be out finding the real killer instead of wasting time accusing innocent relatives?", she began getting angry very quickly.

"I'm so sorry Bobbie, I'm just trying to eliminate you as a suspect so we can move forward with the case, I know how hard this is for you. I just need you to trust me.", Tracy apologized trying to prevent from losing Bobbie's full trust. Bobbie slowly gave into giving a blood sample, with worry in her eyes...
Bobbie and Tracy finished up at the lab getting the samples finished. Tracy was escorting her out of the lab to take her home when her cell phone rang.
When she answered it Nick was on the other line.

"Detective Parker, glad i got you," He paused and she answered back quickly. "How'd you get my number anyways Thorton?"

"Your my partner now, I needed to get ahold of you and since you never gave me your number, I improvised."

"And that means?" Asked Tracy sarcastically.

"You can find anything on Google these days. Anyways that's not the point of my call Detective, our case has gotten a little more hairy. We have another murder, very similar to our first case. Meet me at Alver's Park, off of 1st street, pronto." With that the conversation ended. Tracy looked over at Bobbie.

"Seems this case isn't even close to wrapped up yet. Let's bring you home and let you rest Ms. Conners." They left the police station and Tracy drove her home, not much conversation happened during the trip.
Soon Tracy was pulling into the parking lot of Alver's Park, a pretty, scenic park in the middle of Downtown. It had a walkway that led to gravel trails going deep into the park through the dark green trees, along a river and down to a waterfall that cascaded down from the top, where a bridge leading back to the main park and Gazebo area crossed the river from the top.
Nick was down the wooded trail, off the path a little ways in the woods. The scene was taped off and it was swarming with cops, just like the last one. But this time the female victim was in blue jogging pants and a pink tank top, complete with running shoes. Tracy could see Nick looked puzzled by this new murder.

"So the grand master of Detectives is stumped I see. What do we have on this Vic?" Joked Parker.

"This makes no sense, these two killings seem random, cept the hat. This is shaping up to be quite the mystery. Your bein baptised by fire I'd say Dectective. Let's go see what CSI has dragged up." Said Thorton pulling for ideas on what to do with the case.......
Tracy went under the police tape, and studied the victim. "She was strangled poor girl." Tracy with her clear gloves studying the neck. Det. Thorton grabbed the Derby Hat with this clear gloves. Det. Thorton inspected the hat. He examined the Hat, inspecting every inch. He glanced at Tracy watching her examining the victim. Anything she could find to give her a lead. As they both were deep in thought a rustling in the bushes startled them. Tracy quickly stood up. Det. Thorton reached for his gun, and pulled it out. He was ready for what or who would come out. Was the killer watching? Was he waiting for his next victim? Questions that pondered his mind. He reached for the bushes, and slid the branches to the right. Suddenly a masked person slipped out. "Freeze!" Det. Thorton yelled. The person was dressed in black with a black ski mask. Tracy pulled her gun out while. Det. Thorton put this gun back. He grabbed the suspicious person pulling him or her up. "Who are you?" Det. Thorton firmly said. He pulled the ski mask off. "Hello Nick." Finding a brown eye, light brown curly hair woman, smiling at him. NIck rolled his eye's. "Ace!" Nick yelled. Tracy snickered while putting her gun away. Ace brushed herself from any leaves, or dirt. "What are you doing here Ace?" Annoyed by this situation. Ace came around to Nick. "Do you really think you can pull this over on me Nick?" Ace said while grabbing something out from under her black sweater. She pushed the papers to his chest. Nick looked over it. It was the email he sent to Ace to lead her off this trail. He put the papers into a garbage can. He looked over finding Ace taking pic's of the victim, and the Hat. Ace stopped. She let go of her camera to hang about around her neck. "Emma." Ace whispered. Nick came over to Ace, and so did Tracy. "Who?" Both Nick, and Tracy said. Ace went under the police tape. Nick, and Tracy ganged up in front of her. Making sure she didn't escape from telling them who this woman was. "Ace who is she?" Tracy whispering to Ace. Ace cleared her throat, and stood up straight. "Emma Daniels. She owns Vova Industries, the best perfume for woman. She makes millions each year." Nick rubbed his chin in his thinking position. He came over to Ace. "How do you know these women so well?" Nick in suspicious tone. Ace came over to the victim. "These women were all at the Famous Hall Ball. Men, and women who are very successful, and wealthy. I interveiwed both of them." Tracy came over to Ace. "So that is what these women have in common. They both were at the same ball?" Nick brushed the idea from his head. "No no no, there has to be another reason. Something else they must have in common."

Ace continued,"Well, they're both filthy rich, that's why they were at that snob party. It was put on for a congratulatory for bringing in the highest sales of thier fortune 1000 companies. I forget now what the Connors woman's business was, but she was rich enough to get an invite to the ball."
Nick and Tracy didn't see how this ball had anything to do with the murders, but they didn't want to dismiss it either. Nick asked Ace, "You have any more details about that Famous Hall Ball?"
Ace snickered, "Wouldn't you like to know!" She was waving her own invitation in front of his face. Nick grew impatient and snatched it out of her hands. "Thank you."

He unwrapped the elegant envelope and took out the beautiful paper, looking it over and then handing it to Tracy. She bit her lip and then eyed Ace. "How'd you get one?"

"I'm a reporter! Of course I'd get one." Ace laughed. Tracy turned the envelope around and read the name Barbara Conners on the envelope. She looked up at Ace, with confused eyes.

"Okay fine! It's not mine. I got it from the first vic's sister's house. What's her name, "Bobbie"" Ace said, with quotation fingers.

Nick looked at Ace for a long time and then shifted his squinty eyes to Tracy. Tracy corrected her posture up straight and raised her eyebrow, nodding her head to him in a slow, muted way, for Ace not to notice. They were on the same train of thought. Nick didn't want Ace to follow them this time, with her nosey questions. "Ace, you stay here and get all of your pictures you need. In fact, stay here all day if you want. Chief should be here soon to take over, but you know how he likes his reporters, ya know...off of the crime scene. It might smooth over better with him if you have coffee waiting for him." Ace just threw her hands up at Nick.
Nick and Tracy beat it out of there and were on their way back to this woman "Bobbie Conners" house again. They smelled a rat this time for sure.
On the way there, Tracy had a worried look to her but stayed collected. 'Nick," she said staring out the window at the broken yellow lines of the road. "Do you find it a little odd that our investigations keep coming back to this same woman, Barbara Conners?"

"Quit stealin' my thoughts kid. Men only have so many." Silence between them until he shot a happy expression to her. She smiled back, relieved that they were finally agreeing on the same things.

"I already took a blood sample from her Nick, and I don't care if she's not the one we want, if it comes back positive I want her arrested."

"We should get chief on speaker phone when we get there. I'll keep the phone in my pocket and..."

"Nick, that's illegal and you know it."

"Recording without consent is illegal. This isn't recording, it's just leaking...live."

"Nick, I think that we should talk with her and bring some affitdavids with us for her to sign stating that what she's saying is the truth. She knows the legal stuff already. If she finds out that Chief was listening, she won't trust us, and won't cooperate in the future." Tracy stated plainly. Nick saw she was right.
"Look in the glove compartment and get those forms out of the black portfolio." He said. Tracy got them as they parked and walked quickly to Barbara's house.
Just then Tracy received an alert on her radio. "Hey Tracy it's Tyler. I was just letting you know that it's a go. The blood sample is positive."

Tracy and Nick quickened their pace up to Bobbie's house. Tracy quickly rapped on the door taking lead in the situation. She swung it open only to find Bobbie missing. The house was torn to shreds, nothing was left untouched. Nick phoned into the police department and had them come out to check for any fresh fingerprints. Sadly, they came up with nothing. "Whoever this killer is knows exactly what they're doing. Bobbie knows something,and they are trying to keep it from leaking out to us."

"Tracy you better get some sleep. Your not going to be much just living off of caffine", Nick said in a caring tone.

"There's no time to sleep. We've gotta find this guy before he finishes off yet another victim." Out of the corner of her eye she saw Ace taking pictures from across the street. Tracy had no patience for reporters at this time. She knew it was Ace's job but this was the last straw......
Tracy stormed out of Barbara's house and across the street, coming to a stop in front of Ace's camera lense.

"Look Ace, i know your just doing your job, but we are in the middle of a serial murder investigation, and you posting every update on the news is ruining any chance to get this guy! He knows every move we make because you are telling them! So just, back off for a little bit will ya!? And Stop following us!!" Ace could feel Parker's hate for reporters.
"Sure thing Detective, right after I'm done here I'll, try to stay outta your way!" Said Ace as she smiled sweetly. Then she stepped to the side of Tracy and snapped another pic of the crime scene. Tracy, breathed deep, turned around and walked away from Ace without another word, she kept her cool knowing that further argument would lead to more unwanted publicity to what was already being pegged a High profile case.
When Tracy got back into the house and found Nick, he was kneeling in the living room near Barbara's coffee table. He wore latex gloves and he scanned everything in the room from where he knelt.

"Find anything Thorton?" Asked Tracy. Nick didn't say anything right away, but just kept scanning. He started to stand, as he did he swiped his index finger along the edge of the table. He answered with his back still turned to her.

"Nothing so far. This place is clean. To me it's too clean. It almost doesn't feel, I dunno, lived in. To me that shouts a covering of tracks. Either that or she has a bad case of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder with cleaning. Let's check the upstairs bedroom and bath. You take the bedroom, I'll take a look at the bathroom," they both started for the stairs as he added, "Oh and Trace, the way this case has been going so far, I'd be ready for anything!"
They both kept their hands close to their weapons as they climbed the wide victorian style spiral staircase to the upstairs of Barbera Conner's sprawling downtown condo. As they reached the corridor at the top of the flight of stairs, it looked completely different from the perfectly clean crime scene it was on the bottom level. pictures on the walls were knocked crooked, or completely off the wall. A hallway table that once stood near the end of the stairwell was knocked over and the legs were broken, the beautiful chinease vase that used to sit upon it was shattered on the ground, potting soil and flowers littered the mohagany wood flooring. Both detectives drew their weapons and scanned the top floor, guns at the ready.
Nick lead the way, Tracy followed close behind. He came to the first room, it's door was partly closed. Nick motioned her to the other side of the doorway, and then he carefully knocked the door open, and quickly stepped into the room with his gun and his eyes sweeping the destroyed room.

"The rest of the are pretty mush unharmed excepting the drawers of the dresser being tossed about, but this room is completly trashed! I'd say this is Barbara's room." Said Tracy.

"I'd have to agree. From the looks of things whoever did this didn't have a chance to clean up, up here like they did downstairs. I think we may have came while they were still here." Answered Nick.

"Looks like your right, They got out through her bedroom window here. We must have really spooked them, and they rushed out in a hurry." Tracy stooped down by the bedroom window that faced the back of the house, towards a dark alleyway. "They left a souvenier for us in the process!" Said Tracy excitedly. She took out a pair of latex gloves, put them on and picked up a ripped piece of cloth sticking out from a part of the windowsill that was splintered. She turned and held it up for Nick to see, with a smile that bragged about being first to find evidence.

"Ahhh nice work kid, let me take a look at that." Tracy moved her hand away as Nick tried to grab for it.

"Ahh Ahh not so fast there, wouldn't want you taking credit for my find! Why don't we wait till were back at the precinct, let's look for any more evidence of why this person was here, and what went on." Thorton shrugged and went back to investigating the top floor...................
Ace ignored Tracy. Even though Tracy was her long time best friend, she has her passion for her work. Tracy was angry, and not thinking about the facts when she basically yelled at Ace.
Ace reports the new founding evidence after the fact. The murderer can't possibly do anything. Ace just smiled at the idea of Tracy being angry with her. Ace put on her last earing in her left ear. She stepped out of the car, and enter into the Manison.

THE FAME BALL AWARDS

She stepped onto the red carpet into the White Manison. Ace was wearing a halter top silk red dress with glitter, and red pumps with her hair in a stylish bun. With her small camera, and her small tape recorder she kept. For a few hours she did some interviews with the stars, and millionares, business owners, and such. As she went to get some punch, and hand touched her naked shoulder.

"Excuse me, I couldn't help to notice you." His deep, and soothing voice stated.

"Alright pal. Hands off." Ace firmly said. She turned around, and saw the most beautiful face she has ever seen. "I'm sorry. I thought you were someone else." Said Ace, blushing.

The gentleman just smirked. "Naturally. I'm Brian Tendmens." Putting his hand for a shake. Ace gently puts her hand in his, and he gently squeezes.

"How did you get an invite to this party?" Ace asked. He smiles. "I'm in life insurance, for hundreds of stars you see tonight. I'm here with a client, many in fact." He grabs some punch. "How about you?"

Ace's shyness was creeping up. "I'm Samantha, also known as Ace the Reporter. I'm just here to interview." Brian shook his head gently, he took her by the arm, and guided her to his table were they could chat.

Tracy was helped into her seat by Chief Sanderson in his black and white tuxedo, complete with red bowtie. "John," she said to him, "pleasure to see you here."
"And to you Tracy. You look smashing." He said in the same monotone voice he always had. Chief looked behind him and paused, then cracked a smile as he turned back around and said, "I need to steal you for a quick dance, before I head out."
"John, you're too kind but I was in the middle of something there. I need to get back to investigating this place." Tracy whispered with a mock happy grin on her face.
"What I have to say is far more important Tracy."
"Oh yea? What could possibly..."
"Barbara Conners. She's standing at your 4 O'clock. Don't look at her." Chief stated.
"I didn't even see her!" Tracy whispered loudly.
"Now, I have a sixth sense about people like her. Obviously she's no visual threat, but Bobby Darin once sang "That shark has pretty teeth.""
"Huh?" She said back to him, confused.
"I don't know what's going to go down here, but it may be ugly...or it may not. That "Bobbie" woman can leave a deadly trail wherever she goes. So..." Cheif turned Tracy under his arm and whipped her back into his arms. "I have some things you need to keep with you while you're here, besides the usual pepper spray and gun. At your table, Nick put a pair of spectacles that I'm sure will be comfortable on you for the rest of the evening. One lens is magnified, the other is a camera. When you want to take a picture, act like you're adjusting your glasses. There is a micro-pod in your purse, as of right now, the pictures you take will be downloaded onto it."
Tracy bit her lip. "Nick went into my purse?"
Chief cleared his throat and finished, "There is a white limousine outside, it is the fourth one in a long row starting from the front door. The Conners girl has the one before you. When you see her looking like she's had enough from this party, head for the door with Ace. Ace will have a camera ready and rolling to innocently capture the beauty and essence of this wonderful ball, and of course if anything happens to go wrong on account of this Conners woman, it too will be in the film. We of course, can't be sued for accidental recording."
Tracy turned white with excitement. Finally she could do her work without this Nick guy rubbing in all her mistakes...wait..'what mistakes?' She thought to herself.
"Nick and I have meeting to be at in 15 minutes. You can handle all of this right?"
"You don't have to even ask Chief." Tracy said.
"Well, then, I take my las back my last quetsion." He said with a smile as the song ended, and he escorted Tracy back to her seat.
As Tracy waited for Barbara to make her move she reflected back on what they had so far with the case. When Bobbie made her big departure from the crime scene it was as if she had a look of knowing this would all happen...'But how?', she wondered. Tracy thought back to the way the two vic's were killed. If these two cases were indeed tied by the same killer, then why did he use different methods? She was so puzzled by it all. Tracy couldn't help but to ponder the cut on Bobbie's arm. It looked as if it could have been by the same knife that was used to kill her sister. That was just her jumping to conclusions anyway...

Tracy 'adjusted her glasses' as Barbara moved quickly through the ball headed towards the door. Barbara was stopped by a rather tall man was a familiar face. She recognized him as the man who was talking to Ace earlier. She wondered what connection he had to Bobbie. She studied them as they talked for a while. She nonchelantly took a few pictures just in case he was of importance as well.

Tracy jumped when someone behind grabbed her arm. She whirled around to find Ace trying to lead her towards the exit. "Wait, Barbara hasn't left yet!" Tracy said in an exasparated tone held back from a shout. "Well there is something out here I think you'd want to be the first to see..." Ace trailed off, and her face was white.-
Ace had a death grip on Tracy's arm as she led her out the back exit of the Ballroom doors. The night was cool and clammy, erie almost. The moon shone high in the sky, it was late fall and it was a harvest moon so it cast bright light onto the ground. Ahead of them on the path was a beautifully sculpted hedge with a maze garden with oldtime redbrick pathway leading off into the darkness.
"I was exploring, just a lil ya know. That's how I work, and I took a walk through the maze, just to see what they've got in this place..." Tracy could hear the shakiness in Ace's voice as they walked along the brick pathway deeper into the maze.
"So I walked to the middle of this garden, there's a huge victorian fountain in the center....and...someone else has been murdered!" Ace stopped walking as they came to the center, where a huge water fountain spewed water into it's basin, but lying on the edge was a man in an expensive black tuxedo half in, half out of the now rosey colored water that mixed with his blood. Another brown felt derby hat lay at his side and this time instead of the rose, a neatly written note was pinned to the hat. Tracy slowly walked up to the body and picked up the hat. She examined the note, she could feel goosbumps on her body at the chilling note.
Tracy called Nick on his cell phone. He answered gruffly. "COuldn't handle this one night without me could you youngin? What's the problem, Trace?".........



Are you alone?

Haven't found the right person yet?

Are you sick of the dating chat rooms, and blind dates?

Are you looking for a person who can see you for who you are?

Well I have news to share with you for all those who have no one!!!

Too bad those people don't exist!!!!!

This has been a Stephanie Molina commerical, and I approve this message.
Thank you Stephanie Molina productions for.....that...We now return to our program:


As Tracy was about to answer him with more than just a good come back, she looked up and noticed one limousine missing...."Ace," she said, as she hung up the phone quickly.
"Wha.." Ace started, as she turned around and saw the same thing. They looked at eachother and quickly walked back into the ball hoping and praying that Bobbie Conners was still in the room. They couldn't tell, too many people at one time. There was only one way to be sure. Ace took an extra invitation and scribbled something on the back of the beautiful paper and stuffed it back into the envelope. She ran over to a man standing near the stage in a black and white tuxedo. As the man made his way up the stage, Ace ran back to where Tracy was and waited with her.
"What was that all about Ace?"
"You'll see in a minute." Ace half-whispered. Tracy was still confused. The handsome man on stage turned on the microphone. The lights went dim in the room and the drumroll from the nearby band started out loud and went down to a constant quiet roll. The spotlight shone down on the man who then announced exactly what he read on the paper:

Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is my grand privilege to announce this year's Hall of Fame Award goes to...(drumroll)... Barbara Conners! The crowd cheered and waited for her to come to the stage.

Ace and Tracy knew better. She wasn't there. Tracy almost got sick to her stomach as she knew she had to call Chief and explain what even she didn't know just happened. This night couldn't get worse.

© Copyright 2007 L.Petersen, Captain Stevie, Britt, C.J. Fox, (known as GROUP).
All rights reserved.
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