Lex Sims 2

We've got a 187 at Save Mart. Victim is DOA. Respond with lights and sirens

A murder in Graydell was practically unheard of especially for Police Detective Bernie Henderson. Crime in Graydell usually went along the lines of petty theft and domestic disputes but never murder. The information of a murder almost excited Bernie. He responded quickly into his walkie-talkie "10-4".

It was about twelve midnight by the time Bernie arrived. The site was already crowded with police officers, news reporters and EMTs. Bernie took a long swallow of his mildly cold coffee and proceeded to join the other officers.

"What do we got?" he asked assertively to the group. "Homicide, female aged early to mid 30s. Cashiers testify that it sounded like a drive by," Officer Elena Herrera reported.  Officer Tom Fields ran from the crime scene to Bernie, hesitating, "We've identified the victim and Detective Henderson,  um." The officer handed Bernie the murder victim's ID. Thud. His coffee dropped to the ground.

"Deidre."

Deidre was Bernie's ex-wife and mother of their two children. They were married for eight years, together for ten, in love for five. Their relationship was a long one that blossomed in college and then continually withered as they aged. Both of them were too in love with their jobs to love each other. 

Bernie’s passion was crimefighting...

...and Deidre’s passion was obsessively managing others.

Bernie filed for divorce a year ago, something Deidre heavily resented him for. After the divorce finalized, Bernie moved into a tiny little apartment in downtown Graydell while Deidre remained in their big, cozy home in the suburbs. Now he almost resented himself for the divorce, too. This wouldn’t have happened if I was there. 

As much as Bernie wanted to grieve he understood he had a job to finish. He owed it to his late ex-wife and mother of his children to find her murderer. Bernie immediately went into action.

"Fields, get me any security camera footage you can find from inside and outside this grocery store,” he turned to the other officer, “Prescott, check on my kids and make sure they are at Sharon’s.”

“I wanna know anyone and everyone who was here tonight!”

THE NEXT DAY

It was a cold morning in Graydell. The neighborhood was quiet, for now. Eve woke up sore from the cheap spring mattress. Her stomach ached in pain from the practically inedible tv dinner she somehow digested last night. Suddenly, her consciousness rang with faint images of last night

“Deidre.”

“What did she do?” Eve pondered.

Eve had witnessed Deidre’s death. She had several questions about the circumstances surrounding Deidre’s death, the biggest being where are the cops? She knew it was only a matter of time before they showed up to her door to question her and that was the last thing she needed. She sprang up from her bed and nervously looked out the window.

Nothing. 

Eve paced anxiously in the living room. “Get your story straight now or you’re going to be a dead woman,” she paused, “or worse, a jailed one.” Eve had never been questioned by the police before; she was too smart.

For a second she considered running away again but dismissed the thought almost as fast as she thought of it. Running away would only place more suspicion on Eve. She decided to postpone plans for leaving at least until the cops had questioned her.

“What did she do?”

Ding dong

The doorbell startled Eve. Slowly, she approached the door and said politely in a hushed tone, “Who is it?”

“Open the damn door, I have a hot pie in my hand for fucksake.”

Eve rolled her eyes. Another neighbor. She opened the door anyway. 

“May I help you?”

“Yeah you can put some clothes on and take this damn pie out of my hands.” The old woman shoved the hot pie into Eve’s pale arms. “I’m Marion Shooney,” she then pointed to Eve, “Now put that away and come join me for breakfast, it’s Graydell tradition.”

Eve took a second to think about her options as the pie singed her arms. She looked at the fridge and remembered how she failed to buy any groceries last night in her rush to escape Deidre. Her tummy growled loud enough for Marion to disapprovingly hear. More importantly, Eve decided that if the cops were to come to her house for her that she wouldn’t be there giving her a significant amount of time to stall. 

Having free breakfast with a geriatric bitch beats an interrogation any day.

“I’ll get dressed.”

MEANWHILE

Bernie sat in his office buried in a million papers and files, a faint cigarette hanging from his mouth. The smell of smoke mixed in with the aroma of the hot coffee in the distance imprinting its stench on everything in the office. Bernie never smoked until last night. He bought his first pack after he left the crime scene. Now it was ten in the morning and he was filing a police report. He held a tight grip around the pen, pressing hard into the paper he was writing on.

“Detective Henderson.”

“This better be good, Herrera.”

“I’ve got the Save Mart security cam footage.”

Bernie dropped the pen and snatched the CD from her hands, popping it into his computer. Elena hovered over. With a few swift clicks the footage began. At first the tape showed your common late night grocery store occurrences. Employees sleepily trying to close down while more customers came in around. A few minutes later at around ten, Deidre came into frame taking hard strides straight into the alcohol section. Bernie was slightly taken aback by this until he seen her grab a wine bottle (merlot, her favorite) and continue into produce and the other grocery sections. 

Then he zeroed in on something interesting. “Who’s this?” he paused the video and pointed at Eve.

Elena shrugged, “I don’t know, don’t recognize her but she looks worried.”

Click. Deidre leaves the grocery store. Eve hurriedly follows right after. A couple of minutes past and the people in the grocery store react to what Bernie deduces is the gunshot. Bernie continues the video all the way up until the police get there. 

“Herrera, is there footage from the outside of the store?” 

Elena pulls another CD from her pocket, “Here.”

Bernie repeats the process and presses play. Deidre exits and takes a right. Eve follows soon after and looks to her right. He pauses the video briefly. 

Elena crosses her arms satisfied, “We’ve got a witness.” Bernie was less enthusiastic, “Yeah but is she a cooperative witness?” Elena’s confidence waned. 

“Find this woman Herrera, I’ve got a police report to finish and a moving company to call.”

“On it.” 

She grabbed her walkie talkie and bounce-ran to her office.

Bernie sat alone observing the still image of Eve’s worried face on the noisy screen. 

“I’m moving back to Graydell.”

LATER THAT DAY

Somehow, Eve managed to last three hours of complaints, food, and lectures with Marion. She was practically falling asleep in her plate until the sound of a car engine stopping just outside the house woke her up. “Who is that?” she shook. Marion got up slowly, sliding her feet to the door. She looked out, “My son!” Marion’s grumpy demeanor softened to that of a sweet old lady. Eve relaxed but took this as her chance to leave. “I guess I’ll be heading out then.” 

“Oh no, it would be lovely if you met my son,” Marion paused as her familiar, disgusted expression returned to her face, “Except for the fact that you look terrible and have next to no table manners.”

“Open the door, mom!”

Marion opened the door and embraced her son tightly. He looked less than pleased.

Eve’s eyes widened and her jaw dropped when she saw the familiar face. Copperhead. He turned around and Eve quickly dropped the expression. Marion’s son squinted at Eve, “Who is this?” 

“Michael, this is Eve Goodwin, she lives right acr—,”

“Thank you for having me over and making a lovely breakfast for me but I must be going.”

“No please stay, my son Mikey just got here.”

“I’m sorry I must be going.” Michael joined the conversation, “You sound kinda familiar, do I know you?” Eve’s heart froze. “You must have me confused with someone else, sorry. Goodbye.” She sped walk over to her house as Michael Shooney lingered in Marion’s doorway watching her suspiciously. Her heart pounded heavily as if each beat was her last.

 Graydell wasn’t as far as she thought.

"Excuse me, do you need any help?" a woman called from the street. Eve turned around carefully trying not to drop any boxes. As desperate as she wanted to be left alone she knew how important it was to be friendly. "No, no I'm fine I think I can handle it, thanks." "Well, why don't you take a break and join us for brunch?" The blond shouted. Shit.

"No, really I can't there are just so many box—"

"You have time," the brunette subtly demanded.

Eve stood defeated, half-angry half-intrigued by the brunette. She dropped the boxes and walked over to the women, practically forcing herself to make an introduction. This wasn't the "low-profile" she had in mind.

"Welcome to the neighborhood, I'm Deidre Henderson well Simi now," the brunette extended her hand and firmly shook.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Eve."

The blond spoke up cheerily, "I'm Sharon!" and the black-haired woman followed, "Barbara.”

The women walked and talked happily as Eve followed meekly, already nauseated by their cheeriness but the sight of Deidre's house instantly relieved Eve's stomach. The house was easily the biggest on the block if not the entire town. Compared to the worn down, dirty, drug-ridden apartments from the city that Eve were used to, Deidre's house was a mansion. Deidre noticed Eve's gawking and commented, "Like it?" I consider it a consolation prize of sorts from the divorce."

"It's beautiful."

"I hate consolation prizes."

Deidre immediately headed to the kitchen as the other ladies made their way into the living room. Once the ladies settled down Barbara went out of her way to apologize to Eve for Deidre's behavior, "Don't mind her, Deidre's just a take charge, blunt kind of person." Sharon whispered, "The neighborhood calls her 'Ice Queen', Marion just calls her a bitch." Eve shrugged it off with a crooked smile. Deidre was the least of Eve's fears.

Deidre came back with a tray of wine glasses and a bottle of champagne. Eve confused, spoke up, "Wait, I thought we were going to have brunch?" "This is brunch!" said Sharon as an eruption of laughter broke out. Once the women had received their wine glasses Deidre added a little more from the bottle to her own glass and then directed her attention toward Eve.

"So what brings you to Graydell?"

Eve shifted a little bit and took a sip of the rich wine. She thought a little bit, "The city was too loud and crowded, I needed a new...job." Sharon piped in "What did you do?"

"Retail," was the safest answer Eve could come up with. The women noticeably winced. Barbara jokingly said “Well it’s not the worst you could do. You could do Demetri!” The women laughed as Eve sat puzzled, “Who’s Demetri?”

“The town bicycle. He lives next door to me and owns the local bar,” Sharon informed.

Deidre joined the conversation as she poured another glass of wine, “I’ve been trying to get that disgusting place shut down for years. We don’t need drunks in Graydell!” Sharon leaned toward Eve, “One time I swore I saw him and Marion Shooney’s son go in together with what looked like a prostitute!”

Deidre rolled her eyes and once again directed her attention to Eve, “Wait you said something about the city. Which city? Redwood, Hinden Heights?”

Eve knew the truth would warrant suspicion but a lie could cause problems in the future. She took out her phone as a distraction. “Sorry I think I...wow, it’s almost one. Look I really need to finish unpacking so if you don’t mind—”

“You didn’t answer the question.”

“Hinden Heights.” Eve lied. Deidre looked at Eve questionably and then scoffingly replied, “Ooh, rough I’d understand why you would leave. They have so many poor people there. I think Barbara used to live there.” Barbara crossed her arms disapprovingly but remained quiet. “Anyways thank you for inviting me it was nice to meet you all but I have to go,” Eve hurriedly shook hands and made a bee line to the door. Deidre followed her. Eve opened the door and was startled by Deidre when she tried to close it.

“No single woman from Hinden Heights working retail could possibly afford to move into that house,” She continued whispering, “I don’t know where you are from, who you are, or what you’re hiding but I do know—”

“WAIT!” Sharon’s voice yelled from Deidre’s living room. She squeezed past Deidre and fiddled around in her pocket. “I almost forgot, here!” Sharon pulled out a business card and slipped it into Eve’s hands, “I just opened up a new beauty salon and would love it if you stopped by maybe get your hair done or work for me I really need the help.” Eve stared at the business card, “I will.”

I won’t.

Eve waved goodbye and walked back over to the pile of boxes placed haphazardly on her lawn. Sharon returned to the living room but Deidre stayed put.

“Eve!”

“We will meet again.”

LATER THAT DAY

Eve had finally finish unpacking around nine. In her rush to get into the house as soon as possible she forgot to bring groceries. She decided a late night drive to the grocery store would be safe. Besides, Deidre’s car was still in the garage so she doubted they would run into each other.

As Eve drove she thought about what Deidre had said earlier.

“I don’t know where you are from, who you are, or what you’re hiding but I do know—”

“What does she know?” Eve said. She turned the car stereo up to distract her anxious mind.

Eve arrived at the grocery store. It was mostly empty with a few employees and one or two customers. It was perfect. She took her time observing each and every aisle. Fruit, Milk, Eggs, Juice and...

...shit.

Eve spotted Deidre at the cash register and quickly took refuge in the frozen food aisle. How the fuck did she get here? She hid behind the freezer waiting patiently for Deidre to finish her transaction. 

Deidre grabbed her bag and made her way to the door. Eve let out a sigh of relief. She abandoned her cart and grabbed a TV dinner instead. It would have to do for now.

Meanwhile, Deidre was on her way home until...

BANG.