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“Dead...dead as hell.” She said, The hard patter of rain pelted down on her jacket seemingly to weigh her down. But she liked the rain, so it held no challenge to her. She sported a trench coat and an overhanging hat, shielding her face from the rain. Many that morning ran scurrying from the pellets, must've not checked the weather station. But none of that really mattered to her at this moment right now. All that mattered was what laid before her, spotted in her flashlight. It casted an awkward shadow behind the poor thing, on the wall that was disturbed by the shadow of rain that pelted before it. Sad. She could only shake her head. She’s been around enough to not be surprised any more but still it doesn't stop the inward nag she feels when she's at these scenes. Disgusting. But what could you do? The lucky bastard probably went and pissed some old sort off and now look at him. Nothing left of him but his white outline. But oh well, what could you do? It's already happened, now to go find the killer. The patter of hard bottom shoes blended in with the now hardening rain drops, but she could tell it was the newbie. No one wears those hard things out in the field anymore. She didn't acknowledge him until he stood next to her with his trench coat lugged over his head from the protection of the rain. She side-eyed him letting out a low chuckle.
“Patterson, didn't check the weather today huh?” She still flashed her flashlight illuminating the dead body that was now getting walloped by the rain.
“Uh-uh, yes, I-I mean no, Ms. Korra, I was in the rush this morning.” He stammered. He looked on at the body. Korra reached in her pocket and pulled out a plastic poncho hat. “Ah well it is only your second day out here” she handed it over to him, “Gotta get used to the on-call calls.” She slid her hand back into her pocket. “You ready now, Patterson?” She said walking a bit ahead towards the body.
“Yes!” He quickly replied and walked stride and stride with her to the body. He finally wrapped the poncho around his head. “So how long has he been out here?” He called over the rain.
“Not sure I got the call about an hour ago. An older woman called it in as she was walking by, said she thought it was a pile of clothes. But as for how he’s looking, it probably happened about seven hours ago.”
“You m-mean the -”
“Yes, the killing.” She said pushing up off of her knees. She tilted her head forward to release the rain build up on her hat. As she looked closer to him, she noticed a red mark, it felt familiar to her, not sure why. It was peculiar to her though, the rain had been pouring and he’d been here for over eight hours now and that one red streak seemed waterproof. Smeared a bit of course maybe from the struggle? She wasn't sure what it was but she made a mental note to check on it later.
“Patterson?”
“Yes?” He looked over to her, seeming used to the falling rain now.
“You've got the camera?”
“Yes I have it.” He pulled it out of his coat pocket and looked over at Korra.
“You see that there, the red streak?” She squatted down and pointed to the man's neck and looked at him.
“Yes I do, want me to snap it real quick?” Korra let out a laugh.
“His neck or the picture?” Patterson's face went red as he didn't realize his choice of words.
“Uh, y-yes I meant the picture.” She backed up a bit as he leaned in, to take the picture. She then pointed to various other places to take the pictures and reviewed them when he was done.
“Nicely done.” She complimented him, she heard her name called over the way and looked toward a man lifting up the yellow caution tape.
She walked over to him and greeted him. “Detective Mako”
“Detective Korra.” They both glinted a smile knowing they had to be serious in this situation. Patterson came up next to Korra as he greeted Mako.
“Detective Mako, nice to meet you.”
Mako squinted a bit trying to remember who the rookie was. Korra shook her head. “Hey, don't do my man like that.” She grinned as she clasped Patterson's shoulder.
“Patterson! Yes sorry about that, it was only in passing I saw you.” Mako said, extending his hand. Patterson shook it hard which surprised Mako. A strong grip not matching the small framed man who looked nervous.
Mako smiled at him and let go. “How’s your first day out here? Different from the office huh?”
“Quite different sir.” Patterson responded.
“Ah well you'll get used to it.” Mako said as he walked Korra over to the side. Before she parted from Patterson she let him know to go to the Chief with the pictures. Patterson watched as she walked back to Mako. He turned and found where the chief stood, he began his pace but was cut off by the gurney. The paramedics were finally let through after the crime scene had been looked over. She sidestepped and kept his pace, hard bottoms dancing with the rain. The chief caught sight of him and finished her conversation, she waved Patterson over. “So what do you got for me, rookie?”
“I've got the pictures for you ma’am.” He faced the camera screen to the chief and scrolled through the pictures.
“H-hold on son, go back to that one there.”
“This one here?” Patterson asked
“Yes, there what's that mark?”
“I'm not sure sir, Detective Korra noticed it too, and wanted me to take a picture of it.”
“Well Korra's got a lot of experience with this kind of thing so it's probably important. Go to the Forensic unit and get those printed. We’ll have the Lab Team take a sample of the marking. Nice work son.” The chief clapped his back and walked away.
“T-thanks!” He called out.
He looked over and Korra and Mako were walking back toward him.
“How'd it go?” She said walking up leaning her arm on top of the cruiser.
“Great, I have to submit the photo later when we get back to the station. Chief Lin said that your feeling about the mark may be right.”
Korra smiled, “As always.”
“Ahh now you know why she’s nicknamed the chief’s pet.” Mako said.
“Ah dear Mako, I just have it, you gotta work for it.” She laughed.
“Yeah, whatever.” He grinned as he walked over to the side of his cruiser. “I'll see you guys back at the station.” He tapped the roof before closing the door and pulling off.
“You ready, rook?” Korra asked, walking to her car.
“Yes!” Patterson said, glad to finally be out of the vigorous rain.
LOK
Korra entered the station, sliding out of her coat as she walked to her desk. This was the worst part, making a report. All the clickety-clackety, was a nuisance, she wanted to be out there solving the crime not in here doing a death note (I couldn't resist). She sat down preparing to focus her mind on the useless report. Patterson passed by her on his way to the examination room. As he passed a note slipped out of his pants pocket. She picked it up, “Hey Patterson?” She said as she was looking down at the note. It read “5114” on it. She looked up at him when he turned and faced her. “These numbers mean anything?” She questioned.
“As of right now I'm not sure, just some numbers that might match the shade of the marking on the gentlemen's neck. We were also able to get a name.”
“What's the name?”
“Shoo Lane, 45 years old, killed by high amount of antifreeze.” He finished.
Korra put her finger and thumb to her chin. “So our perp, either knows his way with cars or knew that antifreeze would do the job quick and easy.” She said,
“Well yeah both are plausible. But the Lab is still examining his body, I need to have the photos printed and examined. It seems like it's gonna be a long night. You're gonna be here?” He asked.
“Nah I just gotta fill out my report and then I'm headed home.” She smiled.
“Ah home, I'm missing it right now” He sighed, knowing he'd be there for a few more hours.
She clasped his shoulder, “Got a lucky lady waiting at home for ya?” She teased.
He rubbed the back of his neck, “Actually no, I'm just out of a relationship.” He said awkwardly.
“Ah it's okay mate, you're good lookin and a good person to be around. You'll find somebody.” She reassured.
He smiled meekly. “Well what about you Detective? Someone handsome at home?”
She smirked. “Ah I wouldn't call her handsome…”
He began to fumble his words, “I-I'm sorry to assume, detective, my apologies!” His voice slightly cracked at the end, causing him to become more embarrassed.
“No worries, rook! I didn't tell you so you wouldn't have known.”
Patterson at that moment finally took an actual look at Korra. The last two days he was bogged down with paperwork so he wasn't able to really see her fully, and today that pouring rain seeping into his bones made it no better. But what she sported under her trench coat was an white button up, locked down under her holster and a pair of slacks, he noticed she was built and her posture leaned more over to the masculine side. Even though Korra let his ignorance go he still felt a bit abashed and with every standing moment he felt more awkward. Korra noticed and dismissed him. “Alright Patterson enough diddly-dadlin we gots a murder to solve. I want copies of those on my desk first thing in the morning, now get a move on.” She said moving her hand in a shooing form. Patterson smiled slightly,
“Yes detective!” And went about his previous task. Korra returned to her desk to finish the daunting task.
“Let's see..” She mumbled to herself “where to start, where to start.” She said in her hunched over position, preparing to type any second now. Footsteps approached her, breaking her focus again. When she looked to see who it was, she rolled her eyes and smiled thinly. “Go away Mako.” She couldn't contain her laugh.
He chuckled at what she was trying to do, “Trying to rub those two brain cells together, to get this report done?” He teased.
She let out a deflated sigh not able to lend one brain cell to him for a comeback. “Yes, lend me one of yours so I can finally go home to Asami” she exasperated, flinging her head back.
“Kor it's not that hard, just give your account of what happened, what you arrived, who called it in and your thoughts about the crime scene” He said leaning on her desk.
“Yeah that sounds easier than it is. It's all the requirement it has to be two pages and blah, blah blah. I can finish this in a paragraph.”
Mako thought for a moment, he sighed and began. “Your date with Asami is in a few hours right?”
“Yeah why?” Said looking at him in her hunched over position.
“Look, I'll write your report,
BUT
you have to take my morning shift Wednesday.” Mako finished. Korra’s eyes widened at his proposition.
“For real Mako?”
He sighed “Yes, and don't weasel your way out like last time” He said as she got up sliding back on her trench coat.
“Thank you thank you,” she was halfway out the door before he could realize it.
LOK
It was still pouring by the time Korra got home, luckily she was able to pull into her garage so she wouldn't be a soaking mess in the house. She quickly took her shoes off and hung her jacket as she trotted up the stairs to her shared bedroom. There she met Asami, who was only in her lingerie. Korra's eyes melted as she watched her beauty.
“No, no not yet, I'm just getting dressed, later darling.” Asami said as she gave Korra a kiss on her cheek. Even though Korra had darker skin than Asami the bright red lipstick shone brightly on her cheek,
“Ahh baby I marked you again,” Asami said as she tried to wipe it off but it just smeared on Korra's cheek.
Korra smiled “No worries my love, I've got to shower anyway” Korra kissed Asami slowly and walked toward the bathroom, winking.
“Oh such a tease.” Asami called out.
“You're the one to talk.” Korra called out once in the bathroom. She began undressing and unbuttoning her shirt. She looked in the mirror and flashbacks from the crime scene showed in her mind. The same bright red marking on the dead corpse was the same as the one on her cheek. She was taken aback for a second and then cleared her head.
“Maybe it was just a coincidence. It has been a long day.”
Korra thought. But deep down something stirred within her that didn't feel right, but she'd leave it alone. After a semi-long shower Korra felt rejuvenated. She stepped out the shower body steaming as she wrapped her towel around her. She cleared the fog from the mirror and in the spot she cleared stood Asami. She smiled at Asami, who was already dressed. “Anytime slow poke,” Asami laughed.
“Yeah, yeah just you wait.” Korra said as Asami walked out the bathroom.
“How was your day my love?” Asami asked.
“It- was long, we had murder case today. Old sort was left in an alleyway with nothing but a red mark on his neck”
“Hmm, how sad.” Asami called out sympathetically.
“Yeah I wonder who he pissed off, no matter though we’ll find out soon enough” Korra said, still getting ready. “How was your day my love?” Korra returned the question.
“You know, the usual, I just did a bit of shopping, that's all.” Asami called out.
Korra wasn't fully paying attention because what caught her eye seemed to be unreal. She picked up the tube, with its inside product half smashed and broken. It was strange because it was familiar to the color that she saw earlier. She turned the tub to the back to read the product number. She slowly read it out loud
“5114”
. Her eyes widened a bit and she looked up and Asami was standing in the same fog free part of the mirror.
“You okay?” Asami asked.
Korra eyed her through the mirror. “Yeah babe...I'm good.” She feigned a smile and put the lipstick tube down and went to get dressed.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Korra rolled over from on top of Asami, breathing in Asami’s sweet scent. Thoughts of work and the murder mystery lodge far back in her mind and the incredulous thought that her wife had something to do with it. She breathed in Asami’s hair one more time before pulling her into her embrace, breathing on her neck. “Fuck Kor,” Asami panted, “ How does it get better everytime?” Asami said in disbelief. She took in a breath and relaxed her heart rate sinking into Korra. “I don’t even know, you just get me there my love.” Korra said, smiling at her work. They laid sleeping there till morning, or until Korra's phone rang off. Korra rolled over peering at her phone, “Chief” She groaned before answering the phone. “Yo, Chief, not gonna let me sleep in today huh?” Korra said, squeezing her eyes shut. “Hey there’s been another killing, we need you and Mako down here.” Her eyes jolted open. “Got it Chief.” She quickly hung up. Before she flung the cover from over her she looked back at Asami, seeing how she slept so peacefully, put a smile on her face. She reached over and gave her a longing kiss on the forehead. This action woke Asami. She peered her eyes open in the morning light, giving a soft smile. “I-” Korra smilied.“Work?” Asami asked.“Yeah,” she slightly chuckled, “Can we rain check the plans today?” Korra said, rubbing Asami’s arm. Asami fake pouted, “Ahh if you say so, I'll be here waiting for my lover to return.” Asami feigned sadness. “So understanding, your best quality.” Korra smiled jokingly. Asami tapped her arm and smiled before planting a lasting kiss on Korra’s lips. “Keep that with you today.” Asami said as she rolled back over. “I definitely will.” Korra smirked as she got up to get dressed. After returning from the bathroom, she gave her goodbyes and left. LOK“Well damn.” “I know right.” Korra leaned her head to the side, “Who are these poor fuckers making mad around here.” She said blowing out the cold air she held in. The rain wasn’t so bad today but damn was it cold. She tightened the buttons on her jacket and slid on her leather gloves. “It beats me, but I’d say they had to have really fucked up, huh?” Mako said, looking up at Korra from his squatting position. Korra was going to respond when she heard the familiar pattern of those hard worn shoes. She smirked to herself as she put on her last glove. “Well I'll be, you finally made it huh Patterson?” She said without turning around. He came up next to her. “Yes, I’m here K- wait how did you know it was me?” He asked, shocked. She chuckled, “Mmm I dunno, intuition?” She said, before kicking his shoes. He looked down and nodded his head acknowledging the shoes he still wore. “Yeah I ordered a new pair last night.” He said abashed. “No worries rook, I think we wear the same shoe size, I'll lend you a pair until they come.” Mako said.“Thanks sir.” Patterson said. Mako turned, shaking his head, “ Just Mako.” “Alright let’s get past the formalities.” Korra said, cutting the chat short.“So, He was found about five this morning. Neighbor recalls hearing two shots going off around three-thirty this morning. Said he thought nothing of it until he went for his morning run at five and found this old sort laid out. Called the police and here we are at the ass crack of dawn.” “Great run down Korra.” Mako said, sarcastically. “Thank you.” Patterson readied his camera and leaned over the body, he hesitated before taking the picture. “Patterson?” Korra called out.“I, look there Korra.” He called back. She stepped up next to him, and he pointed towards the neck of the dead man. Red stress markings lined his throat. “What do we have here?” Mako said as he came around to the other side. He slid on his latex glove and moved the collar back from the neck. “So he was killed before he was shot. Who did he piss off this much?” Mako said in disbelief. “Yeah it doesn’t make sense, to shoot him two times after strangling him. This was over kill, and what's with the pattern of leaving them dead in alleyways?” Korra commented. “This is the second killing within a day apart, they could have the same killer, huh?” “Well given the time they could, but what about the red marking on Shoo, would that be their signature or was it left from dropping him off in the alleyway?” Mako asked, releasing the collar and standing back up. “Well once we get him back and do the autopsy and the search we can connect the red marking, but what I want to investigate first is why alleyways? What is specific about that?” Korra said. “Well let's get back to HQ and brainstorm this. Patterson, finish up the pictures and meet us back at our desk once you’re done.” Mako said, giving him orders. “Yes, Si- I mean Mako.” He said correcting himself. Mako patted his shoulder. “You’ll get there.” He said as him and Korra walked away, with the sounds of the camera flicking in the back. LOKKorra and Mako had been sitting around talking over the new case for about 30 minutes before Patterson walked in. He pulled up a chair and sat down, “So the autopsy will be conducted soon, and I just dropped off the pictures to the lab. What’d I miss?” He asked. “What do you think the alleyways mean, Patterson?” Korra asked, leaning in. Patterson paused for a second, “Um maybe, an easy place to dump a body without being seen but an easy way for the body to be seen by morning?” He said giving his best guess. “Possibly,” She started, “ We also know by these two killings the murderer only has a limited window between the hours of midnight and six AM just an hour before the sun comes up. Which means they are only going to move at night as of right now.” She finished. “But what does this have to do with the alleyways?” Mako asked. “Let me finish,” She said, pausing,” So what do we know about Shoo Lane? He’s 45 and was killed in an alley. But I was able to get a hold of his ID and guess where he lived?” She said, waiting for answers. Mako’s eyes widened, “Was it Triad and 3rd? The apartments that sit across from the alleyway?” “Bingo.” She called out, “So if he-” “So if he was found there then that may mean the other body lived in the apartments where the alley way is.” Patterson said, cutting Korra off in the mix of the excitement. “Precisely Patterson.” Korra smirked. “So this means we have three possible patterns, the alleyway, time of killings, and the red mark. All we need now is the autopsy of the other body and I bet your ass the red mark is going to be somewhere on him or the clothes.” “This also opens the mere possibility that there is a location where the killings happen, the red mark suggests signs of struggle, which means either the killer isn't very strong and or they either wear some kind of face paint or lipstick. ” Mako said. Korra wasn't sure why her stomach dropped, when Mako said lipstick, her memory flashed to the night before when she noticed the broken lipstick tube on her bathroom counter.
“No way,” She thought, “It couldn't possibly be As-”
“ Kor?” She was called from her thoughts and brought back to the conversation “Hmm?” Was all she could muster, the pang in her stomach hadn’t faded.“Did you hear what I said?” Mako asked.“N-no I’m sorry could you repeat that?”“I said I’ll work on ID’ing the new body, you look up more information on Shoo Lane and how he could possibly be connected to the other guy? Patterson will work with me and the Lab team on the autopsy and search for any more clues. Got it?” “Yes sir, Detective” She crooned. Mako got up and left with Patterson as Korra tried hard to rid the bad feeling she felt. She started to feel physically sick. “What’s wrong with me? I usually don’t get like this.” She sat there a moment with her head in her hand. She lifted moments later and quickly typed her report. Once she submitted it, Korra quickly grabbed her jacket and walked to the chief’s office. “Chief, I’m taking the day early, I’m going to work from home. Call me if anything new happens. “ She more so let Lin know that she was leaving than asking to leave. She quickly walked towards the door and raised her hand goodbye once she heard the Chief say “Okay.” She burst through the doors into the windy air, “I just have to make sure.”