R. Edinger: Night Kill

“So tell me Mister Knight, where were you when the Higgins family was attacked?” Talia began her unexpected interrogation.

“What!?” Andrew was taken aback.

“You’re trained in martial arts; you’re efficient with all types of weapons. One of the types used was throwing stars. And according to my information throwing stars is sometimes your weapon of choice,” Talia started ticking off each item she listed on her fingers. “Did someone hire you to eliminate the Higgins family?”

“I’m not going to dignify that with an answer,” Andrew growled back.

“I’ll be honest with you Mister Knight,” Talia said leaning forward, placing her folded arms on the desk. “I have never liked private investigators. I feel you and your fellow colleagues tarnish the work we law enforcement professionals do.” She unfolded her arms and pointed a warning finger at Andrew, “If you go anywhere near the crime scene I will have you arrested for obstruction, tainting an ongoing crime scene, and any other charge I can come up with! Do I make myself clear?”

“Perfectly,” Andrew said as he rose from the chair. Andrew walked up to the door, opened it, and before leaving, said, “I thought you would be professional enough to work together on this case. But apparently I was wrong.”

“Good day, Mister Knight,” Talia’s voice was icy towards him.

“Good day, Sheriff.” Andrew answered and slammed the door shut.

As soon as Andrew left, Sheriff Delsmann got on the phone and placed a call, “This is Sheriff Delsmann. I want you to double up the security at the Higgins house.” She paused as the person on the other end must have questioned her decision. Talia continued, “Because I believe that a private investigator by the name of Andrew Knight will try and get a look at the crime scene. If the deputies see any sign him, Knight is to be arrested immediately.” Talia hung up the phone. She was very upset and slammed her fists on the desk. Talia had a feeling that Andrew Knight was going to be a problem.

Andrew walked briskly to the elevators. He was not in a very good mood. Andrew pressed the button for the elevator. With each passing second he had to wait, Andrew was becoming more pissed off. He was not use to this kind of treatment from the authorities. For some reason Sheriff Delsmann had it in for him even before he could make a good impression. The other thing that really pissed him off was that she had the guts to accuse him of murdering the Higgins family!

When the elevator finally arrived, Andrew stepped inside and waited for the doors to close. He was about to press the lobby button, but stopped and glanced down at his visitor pass. Andrew smirked and instead pressed the basement button. The reason he did, was that all the files from every case the department worked on or currently was working on, were stored down there.

The elevator doors had barely opened, when Andrew jumped out and hastily walked to the records department. When he opened the door, Andrew saw a friend of his sitting at the main desk.

Darcy looked up when the door opened. It was Andrew Knight. Darcy had always had a crush on him since the first day she met him. She straightened her uniform top and smiled as Andrew approached.

“Hey Darcy,” Andrew smiled sitting down on the edge of her desk.

“Hi Andrew,” Darcy answered. “So what can I do for you?”

“Listen Darcy,” Andrew leaned closer. Darcy thought he had the nicest looking green eyes. “I’m working on a case and I need to get a look at the information from the Higgins investigation.”

“I’m sorry Andrew,” Darcy pulled back. “We have orders from the Sheriff not to share any of that information with you.” Andrew walked around to Darcy’s side of the desk. He pulled her and the chair away from the desk and swung Darcy to face him. Andrew got down on one knee and leaned in closer. Darcy’s face flushed and her heart started beating a bit faster.

“The woman I’m working for asked me to find her son,” Andrew explained and peered directly into Darcy’s blue eyes. “I need those reports to help me understand what happened at the Higgins house and provide me with a start on this case.” Andrew drew his face and body even closer to Darcy. He knew she had a crush on him and he was going to use every tool available to him to get the job done. Even if that meant he had to flirt with Darcy to get his way.

“But,” Darcy protested.

“Please,” Andrew begged with sad eyes.

“Alright,” Darcy finally gave in. She surprised them both when she gave Andrew a sudden kiss on the lips. Darcy’s face turned red again, and she pushed her chair away and back to the desk. Andrew rose to his feet, his face was red too. Darcy logged into the file with the information from the Higgins investigation. Soon she had the files up and pressed the key to send them to the printer.

Sheriff Delsmann had just finished logging off her computer. When she stood up to leave, Sheriff Delsmann saw that Andrew’s car was still there.

“Damn it,” Talia cursed. She went to her desk and picked up the phone. “This is Sheriff Delsmann,” Talia said. “I want you to get down to the records department immediately.” She stopped to listen to the person on the other end. She continued, “Andrew Knight is still in the building and I think he is down there trying to get information on the Higgins case. Stop him at all costs. He is not to leave the building!” Talia slammed down the receiver. She knew Andrew was going to be a thorn in her side, just like all the other private investigators she had dealt with before. No regards to the law. Talia opened the right bottom desk drawer and took out her clip on holster with service weapon. She clipped it to her belt and rushed out the door. Talia wanted to be the one to see the surprised look on Andrew’s face when he was arrested for tampering with an ongoing investigation.

Darcy went to the printer and gathered all of the papers she had printed for Andrew. She returned to her desk and put them in a large manila envelope. Andrew thanked Darcy with a hug. Darcy held onto him a bit longer, drinking in his scent. She let go. Andrew opened the outer door and was just about to step into the hallway when he saw the elevator doors open. It was Sheriff Delsmann and several deputies. Fortunately, he ducked back in the records room before they saw him.

“We have company,” Andrew looked at Darcy.

“I’ll get fired,” Darcy complained.

“Don’t worry,” Andrew reassured.

“There is a fire exit,” Darcy suggested.

“You have a key, don’t you?” Andrew asked.

“Yes,” Darcy remembered. “I can unlock this door.”

Darcy used a key to unlock the door and then opened it. Andrew peered inside the unlit stairwell.

Sheriff Delsmann and the deputies with her, burst into the room. The deputies immediately secured the room while at the same time, Talia walked up to Darcy, whom was sitting at her station.

“Where is he?” Talia barked accusingly at Darcy.

“What are you talking about?” Darcy replied when she looked up calmly from her computer screen. “I’m alone.” Talia wasn’t convinced.

“If we find Andrew Knight anywhere in here,” Talia said sternly. “You will be fired.”

Talia surveyed the room. The only way out was the emergency door, but the alarm hadn’t sounded. “Did you unlock the door for him?” Talia further accused.

“Like I said Sheriff,” Darcy answered. “I am alone.”

Talia walked over and used her key to turn off the alarm and open the door. She looked over to the two deputies. “Watch her.”

Talia left the door open to provide enough light to see by as she started up the stairs. But the further she ascended, the less the light helped. Talia used the handrail as her guide in the total darkness. Eventually, Talia got to the door. With both hands, she opened it.