Who Shall Miss Me When Im Gone

[schafferius]

Hey guys….well now that I have completed my first one, I have decided to start on the second. I will be taking this one slower, however, as I read over my last one and it seemed to me to be quite rushed (ahehehe). First chapter is a little short.

RATING: Please note that this story will include info only suitable to older age groups. Don’t know how you guys rate stuff over there. But I would say 18 years and older. Not gonna be too bad though.

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The basement was dark, cold and smelled like dead animals. She was unable to open her eyes. It seemed as though they were covered with some sort of tape. Her wrists and ankles stung with pain as she tried unsuccessfully to move any part of her body. She had been tied to the bed by all four limbs. A rag had been tied around her mouth and duck tape placed over her eyes. Her body ached as though it had been dragged behind a moving car. She could feel a sticky substance, which she assumed to be blood, on her fingers. What happened? she thought. How long had she been passed out? And where the HELL was she?

Distant footsteps on the floorboards above broke her train of thought.

The basement door swung open, followed by a deep and croaky voice.

“Awake now are we darling?’”.

[sonny]

Oooooo great start!!!
Please update real soon, I like your style of writing, it's easy to read. :smile39:

[Disasterfreak]

Oh wow, this is a GREAT start. You actually made my arms tingle. Don't go too fast, Schafferius--but even if you do, don't worry, I'll be sure to catch up this weekend.

[schafferius]

ONE WEEK EARLIER

“Mornin’”, Rush stated as she entered the office.

“Mornin Lil”, Vera and Scotty replied, leaving behind the conversation they had carried out in the break room.

“Give it some thought anyway Valens. Need to know by Friday”, Vera stated as he headed for his desk.

“Give what some thought?”, Rush asked Scotty curiously.

“Ahhh just some stupid football game that’s being organized”, Scotty replied.

“Go on…”

“Looks like the department is organizing some sort of friendly football game within the homicide department.”

“What and no invite for me?”, Rush stated imitating offense.

“Yeah right Lil. You hate football”, Scotty replied.

“No. I hate watching football. There’s a difference”.

“Right. Well why don’t you talk to Vera about joining up”.

“I might just do that Valens”, Rush stated stubbornly.

Lily playing football. Now thats something I gotta see, thought Valens. He walked over to Vera’s desk. “Hey Vera, the minute Lil signs up for this footy game, you can put mine down too”.

Vera gave a laugh that suggested he didn’t think either of them would be involved. “Yeah, yeah Valens”.

Stillman arrived shortly after, looking as though he had had a rough night. “Alright kids, I want you guys in my office in 10. We’ve got a new case I would like to brief you all on”.

Ten minutes later all four detectives were standing there, ready for action. It had been days since they had finished their last case. And they were eagerly anticipating the point at which they would receive another.

[longislanditalian2]

I like it so far , please add more

[schafferius]

I have the day off work tomorrow. So will be writing most of it then. At least another 3000-4000 words anyways. Sorry been a bit slower with this one.

[Disasterfreak]

Clever, beginning with a flash forward. You've got me reeled in pretty good. Good comic relief on the second chapter. I'm no one to wish you'd update faster (I update like once every 2 months), but I'm really looking forward to your next chapter.

[schafferius]

:smile89:
CHAPTER TWO

“Yesterday afternoon after everyone else had left I received a call from an elderly British lady’, Stillman continued, “I’m sure your all aware that another tourist was found murdered the night before last on the outskirts of Philly”.

They nodded.

“Well the lady on the phone, a Mrs Juanita Grayson, lost her daughter 12 months ago off that same highway. Last night was number four.”, pointing to Rush and Valens, he stated “I want you guys to dig up as much info as you can. See if you can find some link between the vic’s”, turning to Vera and Jeffries “I want you two to interview Mrs Grayson. See if we can jog her memory on a few things regarding her daughter’s previous whereabouts and happenings before her murder”.

He continued, pointing to the three boxes in front of him “The files have already been retrieved from the basement. You’ll need to correspond with homicide on this one regarding the most recent murder”.

“Right. No problems”, Scotty stated as his fellow detectives each grabbed a box, heading for their desks.

The day consisted of continuous reading of the victim’s files. Vera and Jeffries had interviewed Mrs Grayson but came up with no new leads. Rush and Valens were trying to establish a link between the two previous and the latest murder.

“Alright guys give me an update”, Stillman motioned towards the white board.

Rush grabbed a marker. “Well so far we know that all were taken off the same highway. From the sounds of it, all were hitchhiking. Heading out of Philly. Every victim was a tourist. First in May 1999, Cara Bligh, 23, an Australian tourist. Second was in Jan 2000, Danielle Bradshaw, 21, a German tourist.”.

Scotty interrupted “Then for 4 or 5 years the murders seemed to stop”.

“Until”, Lily carried on “12 months ago in March 2005, Juanita Grayson, 24, the British tourist was found murdered. Followed recently by number four, Carrie Gordon, a 21 year old Australian”.

“Hmmmm. So maybe he goes for what he thinks will be easy prey. All women. All tourists in a foreign land. All young”, Stillman concluded.

“Any signs of rape?”, he asked.

“Yes. All four had been raped”, Scotty commented reading from the file in his hands “It seems he picked them up and took them somewhere. Only to drop their dead mutilated bodies back on the side of the highway”.

Rush shivered. “Brutal”.

“Yeah, really brutal”, replied Scotty.

“Alright. Well that’s enough for tonight. I want you guys to head home. Get a good night’s sleep. Come back fresh for the case tomorrow”, Stillman stated.

“Glad I’m not a tourist”, Rush stated directing her stare to Scotty and grabbing her coat.

He smiled in return “Me Too”, he thought.

[schafferius]

:smile79:
CHAPTER THREE

Scotty arrived later than usual the following day. The other detectives had already been working on the case for over an hour.

“Mornin’. Sorry I’m late. What I miss?”, he asked Lily.

“Not much. Stillman has arranged for us to meet with Detective Christian Johnson. He is the cop working on the tourist case”, she replied.

“Nice. When’s that?”

“Half an hour”.

Scotty returned to the file he was reading. It was a witness statement regarding the type of car that was seen to pick up the first tourist.

“Hey Scotty”, Vera chimed, interrupting him from his thoughts, “Guess who is playing football tomorrow arvo?”

Valens turned to Rush “You have got to be kidding me Lil”

“Hey I said I would, didn’t I”, she stated with a smirk.

He smiled back, shaking his head. My god she was stubborn. The “I am going to do what ever you think I can’t or wont” sort of attitude. “Alright then, you can count me in too”, Valens replied to Vera, still keeping his gaze on Rush. She gave him a passing glance, still smiling.

“Detective Valens?” a man asked.

“Yeah I’m Detective Valens. Who wants to know?”, he replied.

The man outstretched his arm. “I am Detective Christian Johnson. I am working on the most recent tourist death”.

“Ahhh right. Pleased to meet you”, Valens replied, shaking his hand. “This is my partner Detective Rush”, motioning to his partner.

The Detective slightly looked over his shoulder and replied coldly “Hi”.

“Hmmm…well that was nice”, Rush thought.

“So what can you tell us about vic number four detective”, Scotty asked.

“Well she originates from Australia. Came over on her own for a holiday. Was traveling about the countryside, trying to pick up small jobs that paid in cash.” he continued “ two nights ago, a car broke down off highway 41. Occupants said they saw what they thought to be a roll of carpet, but on closer inspection turned out to be Miss Gordon’s body wrapped inside”.

“We have one lead at the moment,” He stated.

“Go on”, said Rush.

“Well the slices on the body are extremely intricate. He almost makes them into a work of art. His knife skills are phenomenal. Which leads us to believe that he is some sort of chef or cattle boner maybe. We also have a witness description of a car that matches another from the second murder”

“And what about her parents. When was the last time they spoke to her?”, Rush asked.

“Haven’t had the chance to talk to them yet. As soon as they had heard, they headed over here. Should be here sometime today. Will let you sit in on the interview if you like”.

“That would be great”, Scotty said.

With that, the detective left.

“Whats with you and johnson?” asked Scotty.

“I got his job”, Rush replied, walking to the break room. If it bothered her, it didn’t show.

[schafferius]

:smile79:
CHAPTER FOUR

Time was pushing on when Valens received the call from Detective Johnson. “There here at my desk. Level 2. See you shortly”

“Be there in 2 minutes”, Scotty replied, tapping Rush on the arm.

“Carrie Gordon’s parents are down at Johnsons desk, lets go.”

They took the elevator down to the second level and walked to Detective Johnsons desk.

“Mr and Mrs Gordon this is Detective Valens and Rush. They work cold cases.”

“Hi”, they replied.

“If its okay with you two they would like to sit in”, Johnson asked them.

“But our daughter only died two nights ago”, Mr Gordon stated.

Rush took on an apologetic tone “I don’t know if Detective Johnson has told you yet, but it seems that your daughter’s murder is linked to that of a serial killer”.

They looked shocked. Pure disbelief strewn across their faces.

“whhhhaat…..nooooo”, Mrs Gordon sobbed.

Mr Gordon put a comforting arm around his wife “So you mean to tell me he has done this to others”.

“Three to be exact Mr Gordon”, Johnson replied.

“When was the last time you spoke to your daughter?”, asked Valens.

“The day before she died”, replied Mrs Gordon.

“Can you tell us what she had said, anything that might help us to determine how this has happened?” asked Rush.

“She seemed really happy is all. Said she had been partying it up in Philadelphia and was gonna head to the Big Apple in the next coupla days,” Mr Gordon stated.

“Do you know where she was staying while in Philly”, asked Johnson.

“Yeah some backpackers accommodation……I think it was called Eldorado Beach or something.”

Mrs Gordon became hysterical. She would not stop crying. Mr Gordon said “I am sorry detectives. But I gotta take my wife back to the hotel”.

“If you remember anything Mr Gordon, please get in contact. Here is my card”, Johnson handed his card to the man.

Mr Gordon nodded, leaving with his wife in toe.

The two detectives returned to their work stations, looking through the files for any clue they could to help catch the killer.

“These photos make me sick,” Jeffries confided, passing Valens’ desk. “He must be one sick sick man”.

Valens nodded.

Stillman came out from his office. “Look guys I don’t think we are going to find anything else out today. Take the weekend off, try not to think too much about the case. It’s not one that you want to be thinking about on your day off”.

Vera and Jeffries nodded.

“Hey boss,”, Vera asked “You keen for some friendly football?”

“Righto. When is it?”, Stillman asked.

“Tomorrow. 2pm at the Philly Market Gardens”.

[schafferius]

Hey guys - as usual let me know what your thoughts are or any improvements i can make when ya can. Cheers

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Chapter FIVE

Lily awoke at the usual time of 7am. The evening had been filled with rain. It still continued that morning.

“Hmmm…,” she thought, “I might just get out of this game after all.”

The truth was she didn’t really like football. Watching or playing it. But she had felt challenged. “Why hadn’t they at least invited me?” she thought. If they had asked her she was sure she would have said no. But the fact that they didn’t meant that she had to make a pointt of it. Some point, she thought. What the hell had she gotten herself into?

She reached for the phone on the kitchen bench and dialed Vera’s number.

“Hello?”

“Ah Vera. Rush here.”

“Wh..what time is it?”

“Ahh…it’s 7:30. Sorry, didn’t realize it was so early”, she stated apologetically.

“7:30. Jeez Rush, what is it?”

“Umm, just wondering if the game is still on today? It’s raining”.

“Rush, the game is going to be on come rain, hail or shine,” he replied.

“Ah ok. Sorry”

“Good night Rush”, he stated, obviously confused, and hung up the phone.

“Whoops”, she thought to herself.

She headed to the fridge to feed the cats, settling down on her couch afterwards to watch some tv.

By 1pm the rain had only just ceased. Her only pair of gym pants had not had the chance to dry. In fact they were wetter than when they had come out of her washing machine. Searching through her cupboard, the only thing she could find to wear was some gym shorts and a baggy nike t-shirt. “That’ll do”, she said to herself, jumping into the bathroom for a warm shower. By the time she had finished her shower and hair, it was 1:45pm. Throwing her clothes on, she looked in the mirror. The shirt looked way too big for her small frame. The shorts showed exactly how much time she put into her work. They were paler than bed sheets. “Damn that rain”, she said out loud. Wanting to keep her track record of always being on time, she grabbed the car keys, jumped in her car and headed for the park.


CHAPTER SIX

The park was filled with people. It seemed as though most detectives had brought along members of their families. Kids everywhere. As she approached the BBQ area, she spotted her co-workers.

“Here comes Rush”, Jeffries pointed as she approached. The other detectives turned around to look.

Scotty gave a giggle that she immediately took offense to. “And what exactly are you laughing at Valens?”

“Your legs. They’re just so……”

“So what?”, she asked looking displeased with her hands on her waist.

“So white”, he replied, still giggling. Lily shot him an evil look.

“Okay, okay. Enough”, Stillman scolded.

A detective with a microphone quickly drew away there attention. “Okay everyone. Thanks for coming today. Please keep in mind that this is a FRIENDLY game of football. There is no order to the teams. They have been chosen at random. Team A is as follows: Smith, Johnson, Jeffries, Davis, Cook, Downer, Stillman, Valens, Gregory and Matthews. Team B is as follows: Lawton, Peterson, Vera, Coleman, Jones, Kellman, Nicholls, Jules, Rofe and Rush. Please come and grab your team colours from the mc station”.

The detectives began heading over. Valens fell in line behind Lily. He grabbed her shoulder and whispered into her ear teasingly “You know I heard you rang Vera this morning to try and get out of the game today”.

She swung around “I don’t know where you heard that Valens. I merely rang him to find out if the game was still on or not.”

“Right,” he stated, obviously not believing her.

She turned back around to grab her jersey “B team jersey please,” flicking it over her shoulder and brushing Scotty’s face with it.

“See you on the field Valens," she stated, knowing exactly what she had just done.

[TVFan]

I'm completey hooked on this story! I can't wait to find out what happens next! You've done a nice job of developing both the case and this lighter football story. In fact, I can't wait to see how they both develop. Awesome job!

[ruda]

I want more

[longislanditalian2]

me too , I like to see what happens during the football game

[tapageur]

me three, sofar it rocks and it's like nothing I've read before!! :smile49:

[schafferius]

Hey guys....will be posting the next few chapters in a coupla hours. Just a note of warning though. I have no idea of how to play american football so will be basing it on Australian Rugby League. Sorry if this causes confusion.

[longislanditalian2]

It's okay It's nice to hear how other sports are played in different countries.

[schafferius]

Hey ---- I think it might be a little confusing but here goes........................................................................

CHAPTER SEVEN

Lily had been placed on wing. Obviously she was a runner. Not a tackler. She was glad with this decision as it meant she would hardly get the ball. But if given the chance could run to the tri line. Unfortunately so too had Scotty. The young fit detective as he was could also run. Stillman had decided this and thought it would be most amusing to put them against each other.

The whistle started and the game began. It seemed Vera was a closet champion of football. Fifteen minutes into the game he had already scored two tries. A smile beaming from his chubby ace. He was obviously proud. Lily had only received the ball once and with Scotty charging at her she chose to pass it back down the line instead.

“Haha Lil,”, he giggled “Come on”.

Lily shot him an unimpressed glance, panting at the same time.

Vera scored his third tri, five minutes later. It became obvious that the other detectives were becoming restless with him. The score was 18 – 12 to Team B’s favour. Vera called a time out.

“Alright guys. This is the plan. They think were not going to pass to you Rush. When the ball is kicked I want whoever gets it to throw down the line to her. Got it?”

The detectives nodded, returning to the field.

Stillman had possession of the ball, and when the whistle blew he kicked it high, soaring into the arms of Kellman, who began running forward. The opposing team were coming at them when Vera yelled “now”.

Kellman ran several metres further before passing to Rush, who was waiting with open arms two metres to his behind diagonal right.

“Run Rush” Vera yelled as she headed straight for Scotty. She was only three metres away from him before she passed it back to Kellman who was keeping up just behind her. He grabbed the ball and avoided Valens grasp by millimeters. Lily flew past him also, ready to back up Kellman if he needed it.

He did too. Stillman was coming in at full force from center, ready to bowl him over. He looked around for support. “Rush?” he yelled more than asked.

“Right here Kellman,” she panted.

He threw her the ball just before Stillman took him out, tackling him to the ground.

The score line was in sight with no threat of tackles from anyone. She ran as fast as she could, putting the ball over the score line.

“SCORE”, yelled the MC.

The detectives cheered in celebration. Lily was ecstatic. “Thank god,” she thought, looking up to see Valens disappointed face.

“Too fast for you am I Valens”, she laughed grabbing his shoulder for support.

“Yeah yeah Lil,” he replied.

Lily knew she had wounded his pride and felt bloody good about it.

The whistle blew signaling the end of the first half. “Ten minutes people.” The detectives returned to their tables in order to cool down a little, guzzling as much water as they could.

Praise was placed upon Lily by Vera “Champion effort Rush. Didn’t think you had it in you. But good work”.

“Thanks Vera. Did pretty good yourself .”

Vera gave a devious smile that suggested he already knew.

[schafferius]

:smile16:
CHAPTER EIGHT

Lily headed to the tap near the BBQ to refill her water bottle. While bending down she was approached by a young man of about 25 years old.

“Hi,” he stated.

“Hi,”, she replied smiling.

“Silly me. I was under the impression that family were not allowed to play in the match.”

“Ahh.I don’t know. You probably have to check with Detective Vera about that,” she replied.

“Yeah. Already did that. That’s why I’m a little confused as to why someone’s wife is playing”.

“Ha,” she let out an unavoidable laugh, “You serious?”

“Yes. I am.”

It was obvious that he was quite serious. In fact, Lily felt a little uncomfortable at the suggestion. “I am Detective Rush with Philly PD,” she stated holding out her hand.

In the past, most people had been surprised to hear that there was a female detective in Philly. She was used to a reaction matched with such a surprise. However, he just stared at her blankly. “Ha. I see. So your Detective Rush”, he finally replied, turning and leaving.

“What just happened?” she thought walking back to her co-workers. She decided to blow off any more thought on the matter for the time being.

After ten minutes, the whistle was blown signaling the beginning of the second half. The detectives ran onto the field showing signs of recuperation since the initial half.

Vera being the competitive detective he was, was aching for another tri. Johnson on the opposing team had come at him several times with the ball, hoping for a tri himself. This resulted in Vera trying to rake it out of his hands after a tackle, hoping the referee wouldn’t notice. Unfortunately for Vera, he had noticed. Twice to be exact. When it occurred the third time, the ref sent him off the field for 10 minutes, with strong verbal opposition from Vera.

With Vera off the field, the A team made a huge comeback. At half time the score was 24-12. The score had now settled at 24-24 after Johnson had scored two tries.

Vera was now allowed to return to the field, providing some hope to his teammates.

He picked up the football as it was B teams kick-off. It was kicked as hard as possible by Vera, landing in the arms of Scotty, who had already begun sprinting up the wing. Lily could see him coming a mile away. She just stood there with no idea of what to do. Vera noticed his teammate’s confusion.

“Rush, tackle him,” he shouted.

Lilly looked from Vera who had grabbed her attention back to Scotty.

He was within metres when she took a leap of faith and jumped in the direction she thought he would take to avoid her. Fortunately for Vera, but unfortunately for both Scotty and Lily, she had made the right decision. Scotty had collided full pelt with her, both being knocked to the ground.

Scotty stood up immediately placing the ball on the ground and pushing it between his legs to a fellow player. Lilly was a little slower to get up. By the time she managed to get to her feet, the tri had been scored, again by Johnson.

The final whistle was blown signaling the end of the game.

The crowd cheered as did team A who had come out of it as winners. All players shook hands with each other to congratulate on a well played game, returning to their tables afterwards.

It seemed they were starting a BBQ. Although enjoying the company of her co-workers, Lily would rather not be involved in a family gathering sort of occasion.

“Ah well fellas. I am going to head home and have a shower,” Lily stated, brushing the grass off her knees and heading towards her car.

“Hey Rush,” Vera followed after her “A few of us are going to go to the first thursdays bar in a couple of hours if your interested”.

“Yeah okay. What time?”, she asked.

“About 6pm”

“Okay, might see you then”, she replied.

[sonny]

A great story so far! I hope Lilly is gonna kick their a$$e$ at football! The case is real interesting too and I like that you seem to have an equal balance of the personal stuff and the case stuff. Good job and please update real soon. ;D ;D