Dr. Richard Hellbent pushed the huge glass doors of the hospital and emerged into the fading light of the setting sun. It had been a hard long Monday, and his body was still weary from the long trip a few days ago from St. Barts.
Suddenly what felt like a thump to his chest was followed by another to his stomach. It was as if the wind was knocked from his lungs. The impact hit before the thought could ---his eyes flared, disbelieving. He touched his chest and then gazed at his fingers; they were stained crimson.
His mind reeled as his knees buckled beneath him, and the handsome young doctor crumpled like a sack of potatoes. Ten minutes later the entrance was cordoned off by the dreaded yellow tape, while Stephanie Hellbent stood teary eyed staring intently at the spot where her husband's life was snuffed out. Her college friend stood beside her giving her support. The man who had run to Europe to save his life was back in Jamaica for good or was it for evil. Stephanie Lisa was right where she should have been all along he thought.
Jaden McNamara dried Stephanie's tears and held her tight as her body trembled against his. It brought back memories of Paris, having her, and feeling her fingernails sinking into his back while her lungs struggled to find air, but that moment felt like an eternity ago. It was indeed a sad day, because he loved Richard, but he wondered who would have wanted such a nice guy killed.
A few hours later in the basement of the Public General Hospital
Marcus looked at Stephanie with sad eyes. "I'm sorry Stephanie for your loss, Richard was a nice guy. Word has started to spread like wildfire in the law enforcement circles. I'm afraid the Chinese telephone is taking its effect about the unfortunate incident, because I heard that a senior cop shot and killed her spouse as he left work." Marcus said softly.
"Yes Marcus I know the narrative has to be controlled and automatically I will be the prime suspect by the detectives from CIB. I don't have anything to hide Marcus Dean. Don't do anything stupid Marcus." Stephanie replied.
"I'm not going to do anything stupid Stephanie, the medical examiner is an old friend of mine. I just want to be a little step or two ahead of our detective friends. Within a few hours you will be sent on administrative leave and the house will be crawling with cops and press. I am sure Internal Affairs will be up your ass." Marcus patted Stephanie on her shoulder before walking away down the long, sterile corridor that was dimly lit.
Shortly after leaving her, Marcus pushed the stiff glass doors and groaned. The Chief Examiner office was adjacent the morgue and despite being far away from it Marcus could still smell death nearby. His heart pounded in his chest, a part of him hoping he was dreaming and that it wasn't Richard lying on the cold metal table a few feet away.
"Marcus, get a grip. This isn't your first rodeo; you have put a few people on that table and Richard is just another case." Marcus mumbled to himself.
Dr. Max Grippen stood up from behind the huge mahoga-ny desk that was covered with files and loose paper.
"Marcus Dean, it's been a long while. I'm sorry we have to meet under these circumstances. Are you leading the investigation?"
As Marcus hugged the huge girth of the Indian doctor, a whiff of a mixture of Popeyes chicken and fries emanated from Max's hair.
Marcus stood back and chuckled. "Doc I see you are still addicted to fried foods and you have not gone on a diet since I last saw you four years ago. How is your lovely wife and your family?" Marcus asked, deliberately avoiding Max's questions.
Marcus watched as Max searched his desk and then a smile broke out on the doctor's podgy face.
His stubby finger slid over the face of the iPhone and then proceeded to show Marcus pictures of his family including his young wife that was half his age.
"Rock on doc. I don't know how you keep up with her, she is half your age and weight." Marcus whispered.
Max laughed heartily. You know I don't have the time ACP Dean. Between your colleagues and the criminals, you keep my tables busy. I don't have time for my wife." Max griped.
Marcus chuckled, "Thank goodness for battery toys Doc."
"Get out of here, Marcus, I am a stud in the bedroom." The once handsome Doctor waved his hand over his voluminous body covered by the white coat that had Pepsi stains on the pockets.
Marcus tried to block the image that tried to invade his mind.
"What's up Doc?" Marcus asked.
"Wounds are consistent with a 556-caliber bullet, but there are no exit wounds and there are no bullet fragments. Hey, should you be leading this investigation Marcus based on your closeness with Stephanie?" Grippen asked with a frown on his face.
Grippen watched while Marcus had a puzzled look on his face.
"In all my years examining victims of shootings there is always fragment or a casing. Nobody witnessed the shooting, there was no brass left behind, and it was as if the bullets just melted away."
"Would you like to see him Marcus?"
It was then it hit Marcus like a freight train. The shooter in St Barts had used ice bullets, "Shhheeet." Marcus breathed.
Max had turned and was walking towards the glass door when Marcus glimpsed what he thought was a red-haired woman that was just beyond the glass door.
Max, I didn't know you had an assistant? Marcus asked pointing to the woman.
"Marcus! you and I are the only living souls here. I don't have an assistant." Max replied.
Marcus pushed past Max.
He could have sworn that he had seen someone, but as he entered the room there was no one but a body on the steel table covered with a grey sheet. Within a few seconds Marcus turned as he heard the thud of the closure of one of the freezer drawers.
"What the hell?" Marcus asked.
He could not bring himself to look at Richard.
"Hey, Max, I must go. I need to go back to the scene."
"Why do you look as if you have seen a ghost, Marcus?
"Hey dude, this case is personal, and the stress seems to be taking a toll on me." Marcus replied matter-of- factly.
"Hey, I might also be tired. Thanks Max, the information you gave me is a treasure trove." Marcus replied, while hastily walking out of the morgue and office.
Five minutes later he found Stephanie and hugged her, a tear rolled down Marcus's cheek.
Stephanie pushed him off, "Marcus, are you crying?" Stephanie asked.
Marcus hissed his teeth. "Have you ever heard or seen me shed tears all these years Stephanie?" Marcus asked.
Something might have flown in my eye just as I was about to hug you.
Stephanie chuckled.
"Hey, I spoke with Max and I think we are fucked."
"Did you see a woman with red hair anywhere?"
Marcus watched as Stephanie frowned. "No dude, are you still hunting victims dude?" Stephanie asked, her voice filled with annoyance.
"Hello, I have started to write my memoires at the town house the other day and swore I saw a red haired woman walk right past the window and she winked, she was attractively dressed, sexy even. I tried to continue writing but the imagery distracted me and it seemed to pique my curiosity. Despite resisting the urge to leave the laptop I continued to write.
"What does that have to do with anything with the current situation Marcus. I thought you had put a certain life style behind you, even burying your little red book? But the flash of red hair has triggered you on sight over thought?" Stephanie raised her eyebrows while asking him.
"I swore I saw her in the morgue earlier Stephanie."
Marcus stopped talking abruptly. He wanted to run from the thoughts that began to crowd his once focused mind, but something was telling him otherwise.
"I think the cases are connected Stephanie." Marcus blurted out.
He wasn't about to burn the five years of being sober from chasing the yellowish hue of pale brown skin, but the red head made him think hard. Marcus shook his head trying his best not to get distracted, but it was too late
"What the hell are you talking about, Marcus?"
"I thought I had left this life behind me Stephanie, but I am getting pulled back into the life that I thought I had left behind. The man I killed in St Barts used ice bullets, but what does the red head have to do with the case?"
Marcus Dean you believe that the urge to satisfy your curiosities about life and women may be coming back to haunt you. Is this red head even real or pertinent to the case?"
"I don't know Stephanie. I am just telling you what has been happening to me. I am not thinking about burying my problems by seeking the loyalty of my female friends by slipping between their thighs. Stephanie, I have one job at this point and it is to keep you safe." Marcus answered.
All kind of thoughts began or tried to crowd his mind; Molly, Stephanie, Imona, Sasha and Bridgette had all been characters in his life. However, were the chickens of his past coming home to roost? The angst and potential stress of being on the frontline again seemingly was already taking its toll.
Marcus stepped back and was looking around for the red haired browning, but she was nowhere in sight. Marcus rubbed his eyes and then his temples wondering if his mind was playing tricks on him again.
"What did Max tell you Marcus that makes you think the cases are connected?" Stephanie asked.
"Stephanie we need to be ahead of the detectives on this one, but even though the investigations were in its infancy, the Medical Examiner has turned my expectations upside down. Call Antonio, Jaden and Nautilus. It could be a coincidence but something in my gut is asking what if the truth was revealed?"