“What does a break-in have to do with the FBI?” Now I’m really confused.
The local PD handles those unless there’re dead bodies.
“I believe it has to do with your case. The place was trashed and the resident is nowhere to be found, leaving a child at the apartment. I need you to look into it as she may be our next victim,” he answers, now peaking my interest.
“We’ll be there shortly.” Hanging up the phone, I rush to my room to quickly get dressed.
Emerging from my room, I roll up my sleeves as I make my way past the kitchen to the living room and pull down a book from my built-in shelf. The shelf clicks allowing me to open it up to my secret safe and punch in my code to retrieve my badge and gun. I keep my personal gun under my pillow and the one I have from work in the safe.
“What’s going on? You hung up the phone and rushed out without an explanation.” Monroe places a hand on her hip as Beckett leans against the front of the entry way.
This sudden mood change of hers is really getting on my nerves. Friends or not, the last time I checked, I’m her superior. She needs to remember that.
“We’re needed at a scene, a possible new suspect. The address should have been sent to my phone by now. Are you riding with me?” I close the safe and lock the shelf in place.
“I call shotgun.” Beckett jumps from his position hustling out the door.
Arriving at the scene, we see police vehicles parked around the front of the complex along with an ambulance and a fire truck. We rush out of the car, heading towards the front. This place isn’t in one of the nicest neighborhoods and the building looks like it's falling apart and out of code. Outside the office, I notice a man speaking with the police,who I assume is the manager of this shit hole. He’s in a stained shirt with his stomach hanging out at the bottom, shorts, and has a balding head.
Another officer notices our arrival and signals us over to follow him. Taking the steps two at a time, we arrive at the top heading down the back until we come to a busted-in door.
“We got a call from one of the neighbors alerting us to screams and crashing noises coming from next door. They advised that their neighbor is quiet and never causes any commotion and she has a little girl. By the time the noise died down, they went outside and found the place trashed and empty. The tenant's name is Samantha, twenty-two years old, single mother and she works for a night club. Her daughter’s name is Gabby, four years old, and was found in a closet,” the officer reports to us.
“Did they see anyone unusual come or go from the apartment?” I take a step inside, looking around.
Glass is scattered across the floor, bookcases tipped over and there are droplets of blood.
“No, the only people they mentioned are the ones who arrived shortly after looking for the girl and had gone into the apartment in a hurry, coming out carrying the little girl. They are right downstairs getting the little girl checked by the paramedics," he verifies the additional information.
This area is known for the high rate of crimes and break-ins but this seems different. The time frame seems too coincidental, considering we have a missing body. Is this the next victim of our unsub?
“Beckett, search the place for any leads. Make sure to take photos of everything as well as those blood stains. Monroe, you’re with me. Let’s see who these people are and how they’re involved.” Beckett nods and gets right to work as we head out back down the stairs.
Moving between the police cruisers, we approach the side of the ambulance. I hear a familiar voice talking sweetly to someone as if trying to keep them calm. As we move to the other side of the open doors, the woman looks up and locks eyes with me.
“What the fuck is she doing here?” Monroe blurts out.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CELESTE
"All warfare is based on deception." - Sun Tzu, The Art of War
Getting the call about Samantha makes my heart drop. My mind instantly goes straight to the worst case possible. The Jawbreaker. He finally paid a visit to one of my girls, but one who’s a single mom. I pray to whatever god there is, that isn’t the case. I think back to Gabby, the sweetest four-year-old who loves her mama so much. They have to be okay.
We come to a screeching halt in front of the disgusting building she calls home. I understand she’s trying to make ends meet, and when I found out Mike was taking money from the girls, I made sure they got every single penny back and then some. I even gave them more of the cut to help them move into a better place to live and more food in their fridges. I know Samantha was actually supposed to move into her new place next week in a better part of the city. If only I could have stepped in sooner and moved them quicker.
I race up the steps meeting Melodie at the top whose eyes are blood shot and her body is trembling.I place a hand on her shoulder, reassuring her that she’s safe and nothing would happen to her. Peering into the apartment, shelves are knocked over, glass is everywhere, and blood is on the floor.
Reaching underneath my suit jacket, I pull out a gun and point it in front of me. I slowly make my way through the living room and kitchen clearing the area. Crunching glass is heard from behind me but I don’t look back as I know Antonio or Larson are following close. I peer into the bathroom, around the shower curtain making sure no one pops out, then move on down the hall into the bedroom in the back. There’s only one room in here that the two had shared. The room is empty but I hear crying from the closet.
I look back at the boys and gesture for them to get behind me to watch my back and also cover me as I open the door. Sliding the door open, I’m met with clothes and tiny Gabby curled in a ball crying, holding her stuffed rabbit. I quickly holster my gun so I don’t startle her and bend down to be eye level with her.
“Hi Gabby, it’s CC. You’re okay, you’re safe.” I open my arms wide for her, reassuring her that everything is okay.
The poor girl's eyes are red rimmed and her body is trembling. Something inside me breaks. The feeling of losing my mother at such a young age was terrifying and I need to protect this little girl's heart as much as possible. She won’t know that pain if I have any say in it.
“Where’s mama?” She hiccups as tears roll down her face.
