Killing Roses

9__Rose as red as blood

Friday, 22/08/2019

08:15 am

"I put out that BOLO last night. For cars fitting the description Miss Quinn gave," said Daniel Stark.

Roman nodded, holding the phone between his ear and shoulder as he finished buttoning up his shirt and grabbed his car key. "Good. And?"

"Nothing so far," said Stark with a sigh. "I don't get how nobody at all could've seen that van, it's the type that should stand out."

Roman sighed, rubbing his forehead. "Hasn't even been twelve hours, Stark. Gotta be patient. Listen, I'm gonna head to KC's in a bit, then I'll sort out the safety situation at Val... at Miss Quinn's. Kingston spent the night, right?"

"Yup. Refused to check out in the early morning, said he'd stay for the whole shift. Don't know where he gets the endurance from."

"We're all running on caffeine here," Roman said as he locked his front door and headed down the stairs.

"Get some sleep, Detective."

"Caught two hours this morning when I got back from the station 'round five am. Shower, coffee, I'm good."

Stark sighed. "Yup, I know how you are. I look like shit."

Roman unlocked his car. "You'll pull through." He pulled the phone away from his ear and hung up, tossing it onto the passenger seat.

Sitting in the car, he glared out the windshield.

"What the f**k's wrong with me?" he whispered, frowning.

There was a killer out there. One who Roman was responsible for catching and all he had on his mind was Valerie Quinn. Valerie Quinn and her curves, her damned smile and her big bloody honey pool brown eyes.

Roman scowled darkly. She probably slept like a baby after filling his mouth with her addictive taste and his lungs with her goddamn seductive scent.

He'd hardly been able to keep his head on the case last night and worse was that his colleagues noticed. There was never anything that managed to distract Roman from his work and he was embarrassed to constantly apologize and pretend to be listening to whatever Davis was saying.

"Get out of my head," Roman murmured, pushing the start button and pulling his car away from the curb.

Suddenly, the sound of his ringing phone filled the car and he pressed a button on the steering wheel. "Parker."

"It's Davis," came the reply.

"Mornin', Lieutenant."

"Mornin', Parker. Listen, come by the station for a minute, will ya?"

Roman frowned. Davis knew he needed to go to the morgue and see KC for the autopsy results.

"Will in an hour do? Heading to the morgue, Chief."

Davis made a dismissive sound. "Cooper's gone. He'll fill you in."

Roman frowned. "Cooper's done what? Without telling me?"

"Were you about to invite him along to accompany you?" Roman stayed stubbornly silent and Davis huffed. "Didn't think so, son. He went there to meet you, but since he's there, come check in for a minute."

Roman bit his tongue, refusing to let his temper get the better of him.

Davis sighed. "It's about Liam."

That got his attention. Roman swallowed his anger. "I'm on my way."

************************

09:05

Valerie and Michael were a picture. Standing on the pavement in their matching sweatpants and unmatched jerseys their hairs a mess, they stared at Valerie's car where it was parked before them.

"I've gotten this car cleaned a few times since," Val murmured. "It's probably gone."

Michael's heart ached at the thought. He rubbed his jaw. "Nah, it has to be there. Has to."

"Valerie?"

Val spun around, Michael with her.

Before her apartment entrance, stood Valentina with two Starbucks drinks in her hand.

The look on her face told Val that she was wondering what the hell Valerie was doing.

"Tina," she greeted with a happy grin. "You good?"

Her friend walked over with an uncertain smile. "Yeah, but... are you?" She glanced at Michael, who studied her with interest. "Who's this? I didn't know you have siblings..."

Valerie hummed, pulling a latte out of Tina's hand. "Well, now you know," she stated with a smile. Michael glanced at her but quickly looked away.

Valentina studied Michael from head to toe. "You look nothing alike, though. He has grey eyes.  How nice."

Valerie saw Michael's gaze drop to his shoes and she poked Tina. "Stop. You're making him shy." She turned to Michael. "This is Valentina Gomez, my friend and colleague. Tina, this is Michael."

Valentina smiled. "Call me Tina. I'll call you Michael. We are now acquainted, yes? Good, this means you trust me. Enough to tell me how you and Val are related? She's not your sister, is she? Are you her toy boy?"

Michael coughed, choking on nothing at all.

"Seriously, Tina," Valerie groaned. She glanced back and unlocked her car. "Please ignore her, Michael, she tends to forget her manners in various places."

Tina scoffed. "Don't have any and I'm not ashamed."

"You should be," commented Valerie.

"So should you," said Tina.

Valerie made a face. "Mannerless twit." She glanced at Michael. "I've unlocked the car, go ahead and search as much as you need to."

He took a deep breath. "Kay. Thanks, Miss Val."

Valentina watched the young man begin his search of Valerie's car with raised eyebrows.

"Your sibling called you 'Miss Val'. Teenagers sure are polite these days."

Val rolled her eyes at the sarcasm and led Tina towards the building entrance.

"How're you holding up?" she asked.

Tina came to a stop and lifted her beautiful, tanned face to the early autumn sun. It was slightly chilly, but the sun still shone.

She sighed. "Doin' alright." She glanced back at Valerie. "The funeral's in a week."

Val nodded, giving Tina a sad smile "Okay. We'll go together."

Tina nodded. "Yeah." Releasing a huge breath, she fanned the tears out of her eyes and gave Valerie a smile. "So? What are you up to this weekend?"

Valerie scoffed. "Staying hidden."

Valentina looked confused. "What? Why? Your dad looking for you?"

Val shook her head as she pulled Tina down to sit on a step. "Nope." She looked at Tina. "Killer."

Valentina blinked. "You just call me a killer?"

Valerie shook her head. "God. No, Tina. There might be a killer looking for me."

Total silence followed her words as Valentina stared at Valerie with a paling face.

"Val, what are you talking about?" she whispered.

Valerie shrugged, feeling a sudden burn of tears clog her throat. Struggling to keep her voice steady, Valerie told Tina everything that happened since Tuesday night, up till last night.

Valentina had eyes wide in fear by the time Valerie was through.

"So, yeah," Val shrugged. "He could really have been trying to get me... and Jenny ended up..."

Swallowing, she shook the tears away. 

Valentina was horrified. "What the hell, Val?" She whispered. She glanced around. "Oh, my God, you shouldn't even be here!" Her hand wrapped around Val's wrist. "Let's go to my place, you can hide there!"

Valerie gently pulled her hand away. "There is no way I'd put you in danger like that, babe."

"Where's that UFC fighter cop then?"

Val grinned. "Officer Kingston. I encouraged him to take a shower so Michael and I could sneak out for a bit."

"Why would you do that?!" Tina demanded. "Val, the guy is meant to be protecting you! Why would you ditch him and come outside by yourself?"

Valerie sighed. "I know what it's like to have a bodyguard, Tina. It's suffocating and I don't miss it. I'll get a safer place soon. Roman's gonna take care of it."

Tina's brows rose. "Roman? Who's that?"

"Oh, uhm... Detective Parker."

"Oh. He's supposed to protect you from this crazy bastard right? Is he good at his job?"

Val nodded. "Yeah, guess he is."

Tina sighed sadly. "Valerie..."

Shaking her head, Val patted her friend's knee. "Girl, don't stress about it. It's not even that serious, it's just some prankster i***t. The cops will catch him. I'm not even scared."

"You're just good at hiding your fears."

"True, but... just don't stress. Let's stop talking about it. Cheer me up."

Tina's eyes lit up. "Okay. About the Detective. His name's Roman? That's like so sexy. You want him?"

Val gasped. "Tina!"

"What? You called him 'Roman' like you know him already. I know you, it takes you weeks to call someone by their name even if they invite you to do so. And by the way, you keep mentioning him like he's Captain America, I can tell you're attracted to him."

Closing her mouth, Valerie looked away. What was this? Was she in denial? She did want him, didn't she? He was such a good kisser. Val frowned. Okay, pause. No, good kisser or not, he was nosy and rude! Plus, he didn't like Michael! No, she wasn't attracted to him. But... he was still a good kisser.

She turned back to Valentina.

"Well?" said Tina. "You wanna get him in your knickers or no?"

Val pursed her lips and inched closer on the stoop. Tina sipped on her drink with eyes glowing in interest.

"Look, it's not like I like him or anything-"

Tina gasped. "What happened?!"

Valerie took in a deep breath, giving her friend that girl gossip look. "Last night," she started. Tina nodded encouragingly, trying not to burst from inquisitiveness. "When... the cops came. Roman came upstairs to check on me. He's confusing. First, he's sweet then he's sour... Ug. We argued a little. He dragged me to the stairwell to practically tell me I'm crazy for wanting to adopt Michael—"

"You're wanting to do what?!" Tina asked with wide eyes. "You're adopting?! That gorgeous melanin child?"

Valerie cringed. Tina would definitely call her crazy. "Girl, that's another story. I'll tell you about that later. Anyway... we argued a little, me and him. Then..."

Tina stared at her, a mischievous smile curving the corners of her mouth. "Then?"

Val bit the side of her cheek. "We kissed."

"Hah!" Tina yelled, clapping her hands and laughing. Valerie jumped, trying to put her hand over Tina's mouth. People passing by gave Tina the stink eye, but she ignored them.

"Geez, keep it down!" Valerie hissed.

Tina had a hand over her mouth, laughing. "Sorry. It's just..." She sighed, her nearly black eyes twinkling like she had stars in them. "I can't believe you did the nasty in a stairwell."

Val gasped. "It wasn't the nasty! We just kissed! A lot."

Tina laughed again. "Girl, you're naughtier than I thought! But, this is for the best."

Val made a face. "Why? It was crazy, I've never done s**t like that before."

Tina nodded. "Exactly. But now, since he even saw your naughty porno stash, maybe he can be your naughty fantasy fulfilled."

Valerie made a sick face. "Ugh! Oh, my God. Why are you so twisted?"

Tina grinned. "Think about it. He's a cop, he comes with the handcuffs."

Valerie groaned and got up, heading into the apartment building. A laughing Tina followed. "Say I'm right!"

Val scoffed as she came to a stop by the mailboxes. "Hell no, it was a one-time thing. He's annoying as hell, okay. This city isn't big enough for both of us."

Tina rolled her eyes. "Yeah right."

Val put her key into the keyhole of her box and turned. It didn't open.

She frowned.

"Did they change the locks?" Tina asked as she sipped on her drink.

Val shook her head and reached back to hand Valentina her drink. "No, they wouldn't. I own my apartment, they have no right to change this lock. Please hold."

Removing the key, she refitted it and tried to unlock the box once more.

"I need my damn mail."

"Maybe it isn't locked," said Tina. "Try pulling."

Valerie felt her temper trigger. "Why wouldn't it be locked when I locked it? No one else has the key."

Annoyed, she gave a light tug on the wooden mailbox door and was stunned when it shifted a little toward her.

"It's... it's actually open."

Tina nodded. "Mm. You must've left it open last—"

"I locked it, Tina."

When her friend said nothing, Val turned back to the mailbox and tugged it open.

Her heart stopped.

Valerie heard Tina gasp behind her.

"Is that.... a rose?" Valentina whispered.

With a shaking hand, Valerie reached into the box and picked up the single long-stemmed rose. She stared at it with wide eyes. Its thorns were thick and long and Val had to maneuver her fingers between them to avoid getting poked.

"Miss Quinn!"

Valerie spun around, coming face to face with a red-faced Officer Kingston.

Visibly holding back his scolding, his eyes lowered to the rose in her hand. Valerie was staring curiously at it, but the cop saw it in a totally different light.

A white corner caught his eye and he stepped forward. Val and Tina watched as Officer Kingston slowly pushed the mailbox door all the way open, revealing the white paper plastered to the inside.

"For a Rose, a Rose as red as blood"

The words were created by magazine cut out letters. Valerie stared.

"Oh, my God," whispered Valentina. "Oh, my God, Val. What the f**k is this?"

"Miss Quinn, you and the boy, go inside. Now!" Officer Kingston was ushering her towards the elevator.

Michael appeared at the entrance, his mouth curved in a smile until he saw the commotion.

He flinched away when the big cop came at him like a quarterback. "What's going on?"

"Can't explain, son." Michael felt the cop's hand grasp him tightly and steer him toward the elevator where Tina was tugging a reluctant Valerie.

"No, I mean, it could just be a prank!" Val was saying.

"Girl, do not take any chances," Tina said, pressing the elevator button.

Valerie watched as Officer Kingston got on the phone, speaking to God knew who. Michael looked confused out of his mind.

"Miss Val, what's going on?"

The elevator opened and Tina pulled both of them inside.

"What's going on, kid," she explained as she pressed the button for Valerie's floor. "Is that there's somebody crazy out there. Somebody who's out of their f*****g mind." Tina looked up into Michael's grey eyes. "And that person is after Valerie."

Val snorted, fisting her hands to ignore the trembling. "We don't even know if it was him-"

"He left a note that said 'For a Rose, a Rose as red as blood'," said Tina, turning to Valerie. "What does that mean?"

Val huffed and shoved her hands into her pockets. "Nothing. It means nothing. We shouldn't worry."

The elevator doors opened and they got out, hurrying toward Valerie's apartment.

"Wait, so that creep from last night came back?" asked Michael.

Tina turned to look at him. "You were here last night? Doing what?"

Val pushed open her door with a groan. "Tina, please."

"Girl, he's not really your toy boy, is he?"

Val turned on her. "No! He's not. I told you..." Sighing, Val shook her head waved it away.

When she dropped onto the couch and leaned forward on her knees, Tina saw that her friend's hands were shaking. She quickly got down on the carpet before Valerie.

"Listen, come to my place, Val. Okay? You're scared, I can see it. 

Val shook her head at her friend. "And then what? Lead him to you so someone else dies cause of me? If I'll do anything, I'll at least protect you, Tina."

Before Valentina could argue, Val looked over at Michael who was skulking about in the hallway.

"What are you having? A photoshoot?" She asked.

The boy froze. "Huh?"

Val sighed and gave him the look she reserved for mistrustful children. By the expression on his face, this one thought she was about to cut him loose and send him out. "What are you thinking of? Scared?" Valerie eyed him. "Think this guy's gonna come after you too because you're with me?"

Like a reflex, Michael's chest shot out. "No, Miss Val!" He made a face that Valerie assumed was to be considered tough. "I ain't scared of that. I'll stick with you, no matter what. Got your back."

Despite her trembling hands, Valerie managed a smile. "Good. I was worried you were thinking of abandoning me already."

Their conversation was cut off as the front door swung open and someone strode in.

When the man appeared, Valerie could have sworn she heard Tina purr as she slowly rose from her kneeling position.

"Miss Quinn?"

Val stood up and nodded at the stunning, blue-eyed specimen. Knowing exactly what followed, she ducked to avoid a smack in the face from Tina's thick hair when she flipped it back.

The cop flipped open his badge. "I'm Officer Daniel Stark."

Val reached a hand forward when a shove from Tina's round butt had her sitting on the couch.

She watched on in exasperation as Valentina curled her hand around the handsome cop's like the seasoned seductress she was.

"Miss Quinn is rather traumatized at the moment," said Tina. Val gaped. "I'm her best friend. Valentina Gomez."

Val sighed. It was going to be such a long day.