The sprawling canvas of the stars glistened above Marissa Townhouse. The door behind him closed with a gentle push. That was unexpected especially with her peculiar behavior. He took a moment and inhaled the crisp night air.
"Ah, the stars are guiding me to my destiny," he mumbled, his gaze tilted upward. "Everything is shifting in my favor."
There was pep in step and Riley strolled towards his motorcycle. His hands were tucked deep in his pockets shielding them from the breeze. "The young maiden," he mused aloud, "a former lover of our troubled subject, Derek. Marissa, as the documents say. Beneath her cool and cautious exterior lies a woman trying to protect someone she still cares for."
Stopping by his motorcycle, Riley leaned against it and glanced back toward Marissa's house. Rhythmically his finger tapped on the leather seat, possibilities churning through his mind. Something is amiss. "More evidence is needed, and without a warrant that's a dead end. More information and deductions are needed. There is a game being played and I won't get left behind."
Pulling out his phone Riley swiped through the holographic case files. Derek.
"Derek," Riley hissed, his tongue stayed on the k letting it linger. "His purpose is to stay hidden but yet he seeks to find his truth. He will make himself known once again. Yet... he is a loner. As a drifter, unsure of who is that isolation could create chaos in his life. Anyone could exploit that, but who?"
His eyes thoughtfully studied Derek's figure on the hologram, combing through Derek's file until a name caught his attention. Ken!
"Ah," Riley exclaimed, the pieces are making sense. "The best friend. How could have I missed this!?"
He quickly combed through Ken's profile, flicking through public records and old photos. Quite the story. They have known each other since grade school. Basketball, soccer, and other sports. It would appear that Ken is more focused, and Derek is a bit of a rebel. That is a dangerous combo. Though Derek seems like more of a side kick.
Riley's voice slowed as he more focused on the finer details about Ken's life. "Ken appears to be a stand-up citizen. Church, volunteering, working abroad to lend a hand to others, and he maintained a life of balance in our city. He would do well on the police force."
He leaned back against his motorcycle, folding his arms as his gaze turned upward once more. "The bonds of brotherhood," he murmured. "Fifteen, maybe twenty years of friendship." Their bonds are deep and shaken by failure or laziness. If I follow Ken then I will find Derek not to far behind.
Riley clasped both his hand together, pushing them towards the heavens. "Our sacred metropolis," he proclaimed, theatrical reverence carrying through his tone, "Keep watch, as your servant who remains humble elevates our law enforcement to heights never conceived. My beloved, Matilda do are your eyes upon me?"
Straightening, Riley pulled his helmet off the handlebars and slid it over his head. The holographic display from his phone synced seamlessly to his motorcycle, projecting directions to Ken's residence.
"Time waits for no man," Riley declared, revving the engine and gripping the handlebars.
The engine beneath him roared as the brisk night air whipped past his helmet. Both the disappearance of his wife and Derek absence flooded his mind. No, something deeper created a black hole in his mind. Taking him to time in the recent past. A time where he wasn't navigating the chaos of life alone.
Matilda...?
Three years earlier...
Riley lay motionless, glaring at the ceiling. The streetlamp filtered through the curtains with a soft glow. Faint shadows came and went as he turned to his left. His mind raced as thoughts raced through his mind. The pale light illuminated Matilda's soft features as she stirred slowly.
"My dear," she whispered, her voice comforting but groggy. "What is on your mind?"
Riley yawned, his heart slowing as he took in her face. Matilda, with her petite frame, blue radiant eyes, and golden hair that trailed loosely over her shoulders, brought a calming presence to Riley's life.
"Here let me ground you." Matilda rubbed her hand on his chest. What's going on in there? She said with a gentle whisper a smile gracing her frame.
Riley slowly exhaled. "That case the one I closed tonight is bothering me," he admitted.
Matilda chucked, leaning in to plant a kiss on his cheek. "You beat the odds and won, though," she exclaimed warmly. "That is what matters."
Riley let go a fleeting smile feeling the warmth of her touch, but only for a moment. He stared into the distance, his thoughts swirling in a canvas of madness. "Thank you dear. One of the men said something that bothered me."
Matilda shifted closer, propping herself up on her elbow. "What did he say?" she asked, a playful chuckle escaping her as she tickled his nose with hers, trying to lighten the mood.
Riley managed a soft laugh, catching her hand and holding it gently. But his expression turned serious again as he looked into her eyes. "In all seriousness," he began, "he looked at me in court straight in the eye and said, 'You will know pain.'"
Matilda her smile faltering blinked twice as she took in the weight of his words. Breathing gently she traced the idle circles on his chest. "When people are going through last resorts they try to say anything to get a reaction, she leaned in closer nibbling his ear. "You outsmarted him and that didn't set well with that guys ego."
"Perhaps," Riley replied, his voice strained and quiet. "Man the way he said it... it felt like a threat.. There was something... prophetic about it, almost resolute."
Matilda shifted her head, and bit of blonde hair brushing against his shoulder. "Riley," she whispered gently, "you are a great man and he was made because he got caught. You won that twisted game."
Riley felt her words and they grounded him as usual. Her words felt like a blanket comforting him in times of doubt. His gaze shifting to her he drunk in the quiet strength that lay between them.
"You're probably right," Riley placed his hands on hers giving it a gentle squeeze. "I concede even though something larger seems to be at work. I'm just tired."
Matilda's brows knit together lost in thought, but stayed silent. Shifting closer she rested her head on his shoulder. "No matter what it is," she affirmed, her breath warming his neck, "we will face it. You won't be alone."
Back in the present, Riley's tightened his grip on the handlebars as the memory of his wife faded.. The ache in his heart was haunting, bittersweet, and familiar. You always believed in me love. No matter what you always had faith in me and in us to navigate the darkness that came our way.
"Matilda..." he hissed under his breath, the name slipping from him lips with malice. The steady hum of his motorcycle was his only companion. The stars seem distant, cold, and a bit dimmer as the night went on.
Smacking his face, Riley collected his thoughts and refocused. The case is coming together but more answers need to be found. I can allow my judgement to be clouded while focusing on the past. How can I find the strength to make it through?
The growl of the motorcycle echoed through the subdivision as he pulled the handlebars in a circular motion. "I'm going to find out what those words meant," Riley muttered to himself, recalling threat haunting him from three years ago, "I'll face the future. I always do."
Riley turned right out of the subdivision exited into the smooth flow of late-night traffic. The cool blanket of the city painting the city in an odd sincerity. Coming to a corner Riley noticed a police cruiser with it lights off casting him a wave. Riley politely nodded, a faint smirk dancing on the edge at his lips.
If I let loose right now, they wouldn't care. I could speed down the street and push all of this stress out of me Being their golden boy has its perks. "But alas, decorum is key," he mused to himself. A young man backed into a corner, drowning in a storm he barely understood.
"What's the angle here?" Riley muttered under his breath. "A girlfriend. A best friend. Two people tied to Derek, but what about the connective tissue between them? What else am I missing?"
Minutes later, Riley pulled into the lot of a sleek, modern apartment complex. The design was trendy, with clean glass facades, three stories of neatly arranged units, and a central courtyard featuring a fireplace that flickered invitingly. Riley's eyes lingered on the fire for a moment.
"Wouldn't be the worst thing to stop for a warm-up," he mused. "My legs have been going nonstop." But he shook his head, refocusing. "No time. Priorities, Riley. Priorities."
Dismounting his motorcycle, Riley slipped his helmet onto the handlebars and ascended the exterior staircase with a jaunty stride. Scanning the numbers on the doors he landed on the name plate labeled "Ken" in cursive writing. Underneath that was a & showing Derek beside it.
"What a unique signature?" Riley remarked, a bit of edge to his voice. "Rarely do you see such unique writing in an apartment complex. He must be doing well. Wonder if Derek's name is there out of nostalgia or generosity."
He pressed the doorbell, its illuminated button glowing faintly in the moonlight. A chime echoed from within the apartment, but no response came. Riley frowned and pressed it again. This time, a holographic screen flickered to life on the door.
The screen flickered as Ken's face manifested from the hologram near the door bell. "Hello there, I am not home right but Derek probably is. Any who leave a message and I will get back with you in due time. Have a great day!"
The hologram dimmed, leaving Riley with his arms cross in the quiet hallway of the apartment complex.
"Intriguing," he muttered.
Riley pulled a small device that looked like a laser pointer from his coat pocket. Lifting the device toward the door frame he pressed the green button sticking out the side. A hum faintly emanated as the device turned red and blinked off. "That could take care of any alarms Riley proclaimed. He quickly slipped the device back in his pocket.
Putting his hand around the handle he turned it ever so slightly. "No surprise that didn't work. There is more than one way to find my answers." Riley retrieved another device, a compact electric screwdriver, and went to work on the handle's mechanism. Within moments, the lock clicked, and the door swung open. Riley caught the handle before it could slam against the frame.
"Eureka," he whispered with a mischievous grin.
Riley gently pressed the door shut and turned the lock. The apartment is a bit too neat like they don't even live here. Other than that blanket put over the sofa in a lazy manner Ken is probably the one with the meticulous style. A pair of gold and blue high chars set at the kitchen island accompanied by a glass topped table.
"I do like a spotless apartment," Riley muttered, his eyes surveying the room. "Perhaps a bit too spotless, maybe. They could be hiding something."
He moved strategically, his eyes scanning for clues. Anything behind TV? Nothing at all. What about the rug? Heavens! Rifling through the kitchen drawers, he put his hand around each corner feeling for hidden compartments. "Nothing but soy sauce…and its expired to."
"Ummm," Riley hissed, a frown covering his face. What about the fridge? Opening the door he noticed the typical eggs, milk, and some water. "Nothing out of the ordinary. Everything in the freezer is organized neatly as well. Perhaps Ken and I could be friends," Riley let out a chuckle.
Rounding the corner Riley went into the bedroom turning on one of the lights. One bedroom meticulously organized, with hung shirts and neatly folded clothes. The other was chaos, with a laundry backet half full and clothes thrown asunder.
"It's clear, Ken keeps things tidy," Riley affirmed, studying the closets if they were two different worlds. "And Derek… ummm, he's a lost cause."
Returning to the living room, Riely scanned the area with renewed focus. Putting his elbows on the counter, he intertwined his fingers and cracked his knuckles. Exhaling a deep sigh came out his lungs. "What am I missing?"
Leaning back his nose caught a scent…something distant. Sugar! He quickly turned towards the trash can. Tugging at the lid, he found the trash can nearly empty, except for a wrinkled wrapper.
Riley delicately grabbed the wrapper, pulling it close to his eyes. A cupcake wrapper! This has to be something. I could get some DNA from this!
"Aha," Riley exclaimed, shifting it up toward to the ceiling light. "This will tell me everything I need to know. Or I hope. This is all I got. Time to start praying for a miracle!"
He slipped the wrapper into a small evidence bag, sealing it carefully before tucking it into his coat pocket.
"Alright, Ken," Riley said to himself, straightening up. "Let's see if your tidy little life has any more secrets to spill."
He gave the apartment one last sweep before slipping out as quietly as he had entered. Mounting his motorcycle, he revved the engine and took off into the night, his mind buzzing with questions and the faint, sugary scent of a cupcake lingering in his memory.