The rookies came with their prizes and I silently dialed Tanya and pretended it was mom. I walked to my desk and stared at the elevator. We both agreed if I leave the room people will get suspicious. This was not part of the original plan but it was a necessary evil. The main jerk in question was not even in New York. So for now we bagged the idiots that are within arms reach. As soon as the men were brought into our floor for interrogation I said the code word 'happy birthday'. Tanya connected me to the sniper and I gave him an estimated distance and I even looked up the weather on my phone. The moment they came within view of the window the guy opened fire and I dove to the floor. The men were all killed. I only hung up after Tanya assured me that forensics will attest that the number I called was my mom's. I got up and was hit too. I got a round in the chest just below my shoulder blade. Van Pelt screamed as I fell to the floor. When the firing stopped people came to my rescue. An ambulance came and people were all over the place. To be fair nobody in their right mind would suspect me.
I woke up from surgery and there were a few from internal affairs wanting answers. I grinned, "What did you think I did this time? Or this revenge for that wife beater cop buddy of yours?" Jacobs face turned red as the chief told him to get out as he and I have a history. He isn't known to keep a level head when it's personal. The head of internal affairs was told that he had better be careful since many have tried to smear me with defamation but everyone has to apologize in the end. The man had one question. Who was on the other end of the phone call. I grimaced as I adjusted, "I called mom. Yesterday was her birthday. I forgot to wish her. I knew that if I didn't wish her soon enough I was screwed." The guy was about to say something when forensics called the chief. The man on the other end of the line made it clear that the only call I made was to my mom. So I was cleared and the bald man in the police uniform gave me a polite apology as he headed out to find Jacobs. The chief said, "I want you to take a break and recover from your injury. And when you are able I want you to help me find the one responsible for my brother's demise." I was grinning on the outside but on the inside I said with sarcasm, "Sure thing. Oh wait! The person you are looking for is me. Why don't we just eighty six this investigation and slap the cuffs on me now."
DD, the ward and Henry came in. All perplexed and wanting answers. I waited before making them swear not to spread this to anyone since this is an ongoing investigation. The trio sweared to take this to their grave. I took a breath as I told that this was about a group of men who had kidnapped and abused a bunch of women for entertainment. The men were brought in for questioning and an unknown assailant opened fire. The rapists were all killed and I was amongst the collateral damage. A few others who were injured had flesh wounds while there are others who are fatally wounded than me. Henry gave me a once over. The expression clearly states that he wants to say that it is the understatement of the century. DD was white as a sheet. Cheryl was trembling and Henry started pacing back and forth. Henry cracked his knuckles as he imagined ripping these men apart. Cheryl said that they deserve what they got and DD concurred. I wasn't happy about the arrangement but went along because the first victim was my boss's brother. DD noticed and asked me. I replied, "What if there's more of these people. If we had a chance to interrogate these crooks maybe we would get our hands on the rest of them. Think of how many women we would save. Think of how many sickos we will remove from the streets. The only reason we found out was because of a video leaked on the dark web. The chief's own brother was amongst the abusers. The running theory is that one of the women that he has abused has come forth for revenge. Obviously your guess is as good as mine till we find the killer"
The guys were trying to figure out what we will next a nurse walked in and escorted everyone out and gave me painkillers. I passed out. I woke up to see Henry and DD were by the door talking to the doctor. They heard me moan and ran to assist me. DD pat me on the head and Henry was amused. Van Pelt walked in and gave me a teddy bear. I asked her what I had done. She said that I had pushed her brother out of the way. That bullet was meant for him. I took it instead. Van Pelt called her brother and he came with a bag loaded with lunch. He brought my favorite. Chicken fried rice, fluffy Thai omelette and chicken and mushroom soup. The doctor said I had to wait another ten minutes before enjoying my lunch. The doctor did a cursory exam and told me to take it easy. Van Pelt's brother whom I like to call Grumpy was looking at me with stupidity. Brody walked in and he was looking perplexed. Cheeky blushed red as she was rendered mute as her brother Grumpy looked like he was getting the best entertainment of his life. DD gave me lunch and I ate it slowly. I had a bad feeling about Brody.
I waited until everyone was away and I hopped on a wheelchair. I quietly follow Brody. I felt a bad feeling down my spine and usually my gut is right. He pulled a syringe from a crash cart and loaded the syringe with something and went upstairs. I can tell he was by himself inside the elevator because there is somebody he will strike up a conversation with the person. I waited by the elevator till it showed me which he went to. It went two floors up. I believe it is where the cancer patients are. I pushed a button and went up too. I slowly rolled forward and eventually found him. He was chatting with a particular patient in severe pain. He explained the extent of damage to his organs and how he was about to put an end to his misery. The guy injected the stuff into his IV and wished him a safe journey. I realized why he was pissed off that I killed someone. He is an angel of death. This is his turf and he doesn't like it when others meddle. He patted the guy on the head and walked out. I quietly rolled out and made my way back to bed. As I was hopping on my bed. My husband came with a change of clothes and my sketch set. A charcoal pencil and an A4 size note pad filled with coarse papers made specifically for drawing.
I drew a well lit room with all sorts of toys and delights. The catch was the door. It was slightly open and a black mass was trying to get in. The door is blocked with all sorts of stuff but the tiny bit allowed tendrils of smoky darkness to swirl their way in. I used an eraser to make the swirls more prominent. I wish I could have my oil paints. I could make this sketch more iridescent. But right now I will work with what I've got. DD gave the sketch a once over and chuckled, "Your monster is retreating. Usually I would see half the room intact while the other half is demolished. I see that you are doing better." DD gave me a kiss and his phone rang and he stepped out to answer. At that moment Tanya called to let me know that the police are going on a wild goose chase. I told her to remove her mom from this hospital because she is not doing so well. I told her that Brody is an Angel of death. He is more likely to kill her so if she values her life then she had better move her out. Tanya thanked me as she went to work immediately. I saw Brody as he walked past my room joking with his coworkers. I can't believe that I never or that he never bothered to tell me. He is scared that I would kill him or arrest him. I remember that he has enough incriminating evidence to give me a quadruple life sentence in prison. I suppose this is a mystery for tomorrow. Right now my priority is healing.