Chapter Two The First Case

Upon arriving at the house the first thing i notice is the yellow police tape. Behind it is a old blue painted cottage tucked tightly inbetween its neighbors. It wasn't in the best neighborhood but it wasn't known for a lot of violence. At least it hadn't been until the twenty-three year old girl was found murdered.

"Who found her?" I asked, suddenly realizing the missing knowlege.

"The little old lady next store saw her through her window."

I nodded, took a deep breath and exited the car. The warm summer air swallowed me in it's uncomfortable grip. It wasn't bad as some of the other places I used to visit in the summer but it was enough to remove the jacket of my suit.

I tossed it in Andrews car before closing the door.

"Dakota?" Andrew called across the car causing me to catch his attention. He lightly tossed me gloves from over the car.

I caught them without problem and slipped on the uncomfortable blue latex. "I would assume fingerprints were already dusted and the body already examined."

"No fingerprints but hers have been found yet, and her only injury was her slit throat."

"He either cleaned up or was prepared," I sighed.

"There was no evidence of anyone cleaning but her." He opened the front door and led me to the kitchen. "She had been cleaning the dishes during her attack."

"Do you think she saw him?" I stared at the blood stain.

"Unlikely," he fiddled with his tie, "there as no fight."

"Yet," I said glancing around quickly, "there is no signs of anyone breaking in. She must of let them in, or had known them."

"She just moved here," he sounded shocked, "how could she meet someone she trusts enough to let in."

"Probably someone who didn't look like a threat," I moved out to the living room.

She had almost no furniture, but a couch was there. Only two things sat on the couch, a blanket and a laptop.

I opened the silver laptop and was greeted by a picture of Rose with her arm drapped across an older looking version of herself. I frowned having hoped there wasn't a password.

"Do you have anyone who could hack into this?"

"Our best bet would be Elbert Stillmen, he is the nerd of our force." He pulls out his phone, "I can ask him to meet us here."

"Thanks," I head up some stairs in hopes to find her room. I find it littered in clothes, all formal and sexy.

"Andrew?" I call loudly so that he can hear me.

"One second!" He shouts back before I hear his footsteps on the stairs. When he arrives he says into his phone, "thanks man."

"Look at the clothes," I say when I have his full attention.

"She was planning to go on a date?" He looked confused.

"Didn't you guys check the entire house last night?"

"I didn't get the chance with all those people here. This house is a little small to have a lot of people in."

I nod just as a voice calls up to us. We head down to be greeted by a tall man. He lacked any muscle and was thin, but not unhealthly so. He had blond hair that was a little shaggy. His eyes were a bright gray tucked behind black glasses. He wore a blue and green flannel shirt under a black blazer. He had black slacks, with a black belt, and black formal shoes. He was extreamly handsome with his nerdy look perfected.

"Elbert," Andrew greeted him warmly, "good to see you. This is Detective West, she is my new partner."

He flashed me a extreamly charming smile and offered me his hand. "You can call me Bert, I am the tech guy."

"You can call me Dakota," I shake his hand.

"So," he said glancing around, "what have you got for me Drew?"

"Drew?" I turn toward my partner and tic my tounge. "How come I have to call you Andrew if you go by Drew?"

"I just met you this morning," he says defensively.

I roll my eyes before motioning for Bert to follow me. I showed him the computer and watched him put on his own gloves.

He tried the basic password checks that people always seemed to use. "Looks like i'll have to actually hack it," he sighed. "Can you guys give me a few days?" He pulls out a large evidence bag.

"Sure," Drew says as he stares out at the setting sun. "I got a call from Rose's parents earlier, by the way. They asked to wait to talk to us tomorrow. Her mother was having a hard time after seeing their daughter. I think it's best if we all get some rest."

I nodded my head, and turned my attention back to Bert. "It was wonderful meeting you," I offered a soft smile.

"May I see your phone?" He stands before me.

I hand him my phone and watch as he enters his number.

"Really, Bert?" Drew scoffs and shakes his head before leaving the house.

"I promise it's not like that," he lets me know. "Though you're really pretty, and I wouldn't mind getting to know you better."

"Thanks," I say with a widdening smile, "you're not so bad yourself."

We said our goodbyes, and I went to meet Andrew by his car. "You done flirting with my Tech guy?" He glares.

"He flirted with me first," I pointed out with a cocky smile. I removed my gloves before getting in his car.

He followed me in and threw me a quick look. "Do you want me to take you to your car?"

"My apartments closer," I rattle off my adress as I check my phone.

I have three missed calls from my mother and a couple of texts. I sigh heavily before hitting my speed dial and was instantly greeted by my mothers warm voice.

"Hi, baby," she said with an overbearing enthusiasm, "How was your first day?"