I sat down with my hot chocolate and some cookies. I switched my computer to and saw someone watching from the corner of my eyes. I simply changed the password and inserted a flashdrive. This is a secret program that will alert my phone if anyone tries to access my laptop. There was one officer who was yelling at the tech for being slow. I quietly walked over and reminded him politely that there is a line of people and the machine can only go fast. He gave me a once over and I recalled the day when one other officer said the same. He decided it was his duty to speed things up so he tinkered with the machine. It blew up and the FBI came to make sure it wasn't a terrorist attack. The officers nearby concurred and he apologized before he stormed off. Van Pelt came over and gave me a hug as she took a cookie. She was red faced and her brother was teasing the heck out of her. I reminded him that it is office hours so he had better button it or the captain will reprimand him. He gave me a pat on the head. Then I saw someone from the serial killer taskforce hand over a document. Van Pelt snuck out to eavesdrop. She came to tell me that these guys had my blown up car swabbed top to bottom. The only thing they found was medication for cystic fibrosis. Which my first born babies had. So square one again. I heard chairs flying as swearing rose to an all time high. Tanya was laughing. I was washing my face as Cleo came and warned me they are getting a subpoena for my phone to track my whereabouts. I walked over to the captain and lodged a complaint. The taskforce was summoned and I allowed them to look at the locations I have been to. Morning routine jogging in Central Park for an hour. Then going to the café nearby for hot chocolate and a sandwich. Then straight to work. Then home till sunset. The only changes were a few charity events and stopping by pop-ups. I was squeaky clean. The more they searched the more frustrated they were. I asked the tech department to check for any bugs. They double checked and I got my phone back. They had to apologize after the entire building showed them how good I was.
After the day was done I was by the locker changing my outfit when I heard a gasp. I turned to see Alison from the taskforce, Van Pelt and Cleo staring. I asked Alison if she was auditioning to be a goldfish. Cleo and Van Pelt laughed. I adjusted my outfit as I walked out. I walked to the elevator and the others followed. They wanted answers. Specifically about the scars. I ignored them as a rule as I walked towards my car. Cleo hopped in with me. Alison tried to get in but I drove a two seater so she couldn't get in. Cleo asked me how I sustained these injuries. I made it to the first traffic light before I answered, "My used to get drunk and hit us. He would tie our hand and dangle before he would belt us. The other is when I rescued a bunch of kids from a burning building. The next is when I helped my uncle's victims escape their restraints. The last one is one I have already told you about." She smiled sadly. Alison whistled lowly and I realized my partner had put me on speakerphone. Cleo made it clear, "You heard her. So stop your crusade and leave my friend alone." She apologized and hung up. Cleo asked me if I was alright. I nod absentmindedly. I got a red notice and turned the car in the direction instructed. Alison's car wasn't far behind. So we pretended this was a scene in a movie.
I got out and the lovely lady mentioned that she had seen a bad man enter the building with a screaming teenager. I pulled out my gun and so did Cleo. Alison came pretending to be backup. She saw the auction of teenage girls and the one orchestrating it. She fell to her knees. She helped me arrest them and walked out of the taskforce. The others were surprised. They looked up to this person. The captain made it abundantly clear that they had better not squander the tax payer's money going on a wild goose chase. Alison barged into interrogation wanting to know where her sister was. The woman smirked, "Your sister got me a hefty sum. I am not telling you anything. I can't divulge sensitive information. It is bad for business." A few minutes later she walked out with her team of lawyers. I smiled, "I am sorry but you are going the wrong way." The lawyers told me to prove it. So I showed the footage from my spy pen. The atmosphere soured immediately but she was taken to a holding cell. She refused to say a word. Her lawyers tried to get an injunction but it didn't stick. I made sure that her treachery was exposed to the entire city. Reporters flooded as she was escorted to await her trail. I sat down with a glass of chocolate milk. Alison asked me if I know someone who can find her sister. I grinned, "I usually talk to my friend in interpol. He usually finds the girls and brings them home." Cleo reminded her that she thinks of me as a criminal so it is best if she tries her luck elsewhere. I explained that misunderstanding should not be answered with retaliation. I made the call, "Hello Xander can you help me find a missing girl. I am texting you the details. Let me know what you find out. Thanks I owe you." I gave her a thumbs up and she walked away appreciatively. Cleo smiled, "You are made of confectioner's sugar." I winked as I finished the report and walked to go home. Cleo came too.
We made it halfway when I got the actual red notice. I drove to the address where a red box waited for me. I put on gloves and opened it. Inside was a single bullet and a photograph. The address on the back was an address not far from here. So I walked on foot. I made it to the address where the receptionist gave me a golf bag. She wished me luck as I was directed to the elevator. I reached the floor and the janitor ushered me to the empty room. I aimed and shot him down in one round and disassembled my weapon. I was escorted out where the golf bag was given to an elderly couple. I walked till I reached my car and drove off. I gave Tanya my phone so it will only show me entering the support group. I was leading the group when the super cop came. He saw his sister and he asked her if I was here the entire time. She slapped him as she showed him a video where I was cooking dinner. Some of the girls have developed a displeasure for eating so I cooked food that we all eat afterwards to extend the safe zone. He was told to get a life or grow a brain or she will finish him herself. He demanded to see my phone all her got was his sister's shoe. A few smacks later he was escorted out. She wanted to know why he was chasing. I explained how my ex-husband had gone on a trauma induced rage and killed several people. Her brother was sure I was the killer even after forensics proved I was innocent. To his psychology analysis I fit the profile of a serial killer.
She blinked several times and started laughing and so did everyone else. She promised me that I am the last person anyone would claim to be a serial killer. I have fought to detain them. Patrol the city once the announcement came. So no one here believes I am capable of killing. They gave me a hug as we sat down to eat. I fermented my own beverages so they were interested in the recipe. I told them to learn how to care for a ginger bug and then they are set for life. One was curious as she asked me to explain a ginger bug. I detailed, "Ginger bug is when you chopped ginger, sugar and water and ferment it for four days. Then this is used to make soda. It is gut healthy." The others wanted information about super cop's allegations. I smiled, "An old friend who was secretly an angel of death hoping to get leniency tried to trade my dead husband. But the information was misinterpreted and I was made the suspect. He explained that he was going to show them Gus's stash after he got his deal. He was summoned from jail for verification. But still the lovely police officer thinks I am guilty. I am hopeful that he will see sense soon. Like I said I have nothing to hide and nothing to lose. I lost everything already I am holding on to sanity by a thread." The nearest grabbed my hand and squeezed it. We ate and cleaned up before we left the room.
The next day the officer deleted all pertinent information in the presence of the captain. They had to search elsewhere. Tanya redirected them to Norma. A serial killer who has been posting his kills on the dark web. He would be wearing a carnival mask and an elegant outfit as he explained in a distorted voice about his victims profile. Then what he planned to kill them. The chat room decided how the victim would look in the end. He would have women who were wearing nurse's uniform help him do it. Then the bidding war starts as the body is auctioned off to the highest bidder. He likes to call himself as the artist. The location pinged all over but it went dead before they found him. The official hunt for him began. The others were stoked. The hunt began. The public was informed and the reporters reminded them that they did talk about another serial killer but refrained from explaining. The chief took over and mentioned the killer had died so the cases are closed. They are focusing on killers who are in the land of the living. The reporters wanted details and the Feds came forth with some silly story. The reporters interrupted them on every single statement. This infuriated them but said nothing further. The press conference ended and the reporters dispersed except one. Mindy Turner. She is an investigative journalist. She followed them hoping for an answer and got none. She saw me and asked about the details. I told her that I am not part of the taskforce before my family history. She sympathized as she pressed forward. I told her the serial killer whose case was closed was my deceased husband. He died here in the precinct saving my life after my ex-husband had a violent outburst. She was surprised to hear it. She promised to keep me anonymous as she asked who the current serial killer is. I smiled, "I only heard what they said on the coffee table. Some guy in the dark web doing macabre sculptures with people and selling them online. They are calling him The Artist. No one knows what he looks like because he covers his face." She gave me a smile and thanked me. I held her hand and she promised to keep me anonymous. I told her to be careful since M was still out there trying to hurt her. She shivered with terror as she promised to investigate with a familiar company to be safe. I wished her well as she walked off to find her cameraman. Tanya reminded me that I am M. I smiled, "What she doesn't know won't kill her."