“…The flowers died on Monday.”
That was the last thing she had written in her statement. Two days later, she appeared on the news.
Headline: 20-YEAR-OLD PREGNANT ANNA DICKSON VICTIM OF AN UNKNOWN SERIAL KILLER.
Detective Duke’s brows creased as he stared at the statement on his desk. Anna had come to him three days earlier to report that she was being stalked and that her stalker had killed her flowers, which grew just by her room’s window. She stated clearly that she knew the act wasn’t just to spook her but to send a message: she was an easy target, and she was next.
Her statement also noted that the only person she had argued with recently was her ex-boyfriend, who had told her he was in love with someone else - right after she informed him of the baby they were expecting. He had been livid and asked her to terminate the pregnancy, but she refused. She swore to keep the baby. And although Danny had been angry, she didn’t believe he was capable of taking her life.
“Then who is the killer?” the detective grunted.
A dispatch call soon came through on his radio. He took it.
“Anything new?”
“No, sir. The killer is probably skilled at destroying evidence.”
Duke sighed. “Thanks, Cole. I’ll visit the house again later today.”
Hours Later
“Hey there. I’m Detective Duke,” he said, flashing his badge the moment the door swung open.
The girl at the door looked around, then back at him, her eyes narrowing. She was about Anna’s age if not younger. Caramel skinned with brown curly hair and chestnut eyes.
“What in the devil are you doing here?” she snapped, her face flushed with contempt.
“I believe this is Danny Fletcher’s residence. Do you mind getting him for a few questions?” Duke said, his expression stern.
“Oh, you think my boyfriend killed that bitch? Oh, come on. You can just drop the f—”
“What’s wrong, babe?” Danny interrupted, stepping into view.
“Oh, um, the detective is here to see you,” she groaned and walked back inside, leaving them alone.
“May I?”
“Sure, you may come in,” Danny said, pushing the door open wide enough for him to enter.
“Please sit,” Danny offered, gesturing toward one of the sofas, but Duke ignored the gesture and walked slowly around the living room, taking in the interior.
It was luxurious yet minimalistic: a sleek leather sofa, a polished glass coffee table, and subtle LED lighting set against creamy white tones. Two artworks hung on one side of the wall - one of the blue sea, and the other, a vague image of a young woman sitting on a shore, lost in thought.
On another side of the wall was a portrait of Danny as a baby in his mother’s arms. Duke stared at it for a moment before turning to Danny, who sat shirtless and visibly uneasy.
To be continued