Thread: Farewell, My Lovely (Quix & Xana) - Completed Story

RE Farewell, My Lovely Quix Xana Tom wondered for what seemed to be the millionth time why Dectives were required to dress like wall-street bankers or stock analysts. At least that was the expectation in public, however the moment he had the office to himself, he unknotted his tie, slipped off the linen suit jacket, and undid the top button of his shirt, then sat back in his chair, raised his eyes to the ceiling, and tapped the tip of a ballpoint pen against his teeth. That was Tom's usual mode of concentration and contemplation, and so intent was the man's focus on the new case that all else slipped from his mind, even the recollection that he'd texted his wife. Therefore, the sudden familiar sound of her voice, accompanied by the enticing aroma of barbecue, startled him, and he immediately shot upright. The sight of Lila elicited a smile that only widened with the greeting and kiss. Sorry baby. He was aware that he wasn't the most romantic man on the Planet, and that Lila accepted it, which was one of the reasons he loved her more than he'd ever loved any other woman. The Detective was too practical, and dealing with death and grief all day made flirtation and romance even more difficult. However, he did try, and occasionally even succeeded. Next time I summons you in the middle of the day, I promise, it will be for no other purpose than to cuff you to the desk, and fuck you silly. Exactly what I intend to do tonight. A teasing expression momentarily lit up his features before his demeanour and tone became serious. Thanks for the food, I haven't had time to worry about eating. Tom helped himself from the cartons, and appraised Lila. The concerns from earlier lingered in the back of his mind, but Jarrod's words had put him mostly at ease, and he decided not to mention the victims uncanny resemblance to her. His colleague wasn't acquainted with Tom's wife, and it was possible it had only been a projection of the Senior Detective's own insecurities and fears. Instead, Tom speared a piece of chicken with a fork, and answered her question. Three victims, all early to mid-thirties, attractive, black hair, green eyes, single, lived alone. The Detective spoke in short-hand as was his custom when outlining cases, and to Lila in her guise as a professional forensic psychologist, rather than as his spouse. The connection only came to light today. I caught the latest, ran the details through the database, and visited the previous scenes. Too many similarities not to be the same guy. He likes to play games, and I don't see him as a pure rapist. They were all stalked for months. Phone calls, letters, petty thefts, Email accounts and computers hacked, explicit images stolen, and each complained to friends at some stage about being sexually harassed by a stranger. Nothing major, groped on a train, inside a club, everyday incidents, but there could be more we're not aware of. Once he's bored with terrorising them, he enters their homes, rapes them as savagely as I've ever seen a woman be raped, and throttles them to death. What do you think? Tom tossed the photograph's he'd placed in a brown envelope across to Lila's side of the desk, then added vegetables to the chicken, and forked both into his mouth.