_ The Underground Truth_

by Arikai Marie

"When the truth is buried underground it grows, it chokes, it gathers such and explosive force that on the day it bursts out, it blows up everything with it..."

• Emile Zola

_ _ ONE: Alexandria, Washington DC October 12th 2:36 am.

Late night on a cool fall evening in a calm area of town, a silhouette appears on the concrete. A woman is walking home from a visit with a new client. As she is walking home she types a text message and proceeds to send it. She walks with a false sense of confidence but slightly satisfied now that she is carrying well over eight-hundred dollars in her purse. Her brown hair with streaks of pink is ruffled, matted, her makeup that brought out her brown eyes was still intact other than her fake lashes that fell off due to her rough actions of the night. She knows this area of town. Most of the men know her by name, or her body that she flaunts around with ease. As she awaits a taxi to take her home, a white sedan pulls up. It's relatively new, its head-lights were lit with LCDS, and the rims so clean that the moonlight reflected off them as it drove by. She sees this as a new opportunity to make some more money. Her stance changes to seem more provocative to catch attention from the high roller. He stops his vehicle on the middle of the quite road. She walks near the vehicle as the passenger side window rolls down. She gives a smile to the man that sat across from her.

"What bring you around here at this time of night darlin-" he spoke with a relaxed and charming voice.

She smiles and bites her lip "Well I guess I was waiting for you. Do you wanna have a little fun tonight, or would you like to give a girl a ride home and go out for a drink tomorrow baby?"

He looks down and opens his wallet, he removes three-hundred dollars. "Why not both, can I get your name darlin-" He unlocks the doors. She sits in the passenger seat admiring the leather interior and wood trimmings. She places one hand on the money. "My name is Zera, but tonight you can call me whatever you like baby" Zera placed her other hand on his lower thigh slowly making her way up to his groin. "And may I ask your name you handsome devil you"

His eyes met hers, as she noticed that his grey eyes pierced through the dark. His Charm had her in his trance of seduction and wonder. "Sean Kramer-" He pulls down her bra strap that was nearest to him and whispers in her ear as he feels up her upper body. He stops, looks at her and gives a devilish grin, that she finds irresistible. He sets the car in drive and takes off down Oak Road.

***

Alexandria, Washington DC October 13th 10:45 am.

Caution tape is being put up, police and CSI teams are coming in to examine the body, that was found on the side of the road near a highway intersection. The Medical Examiner from the Alexandria County Crime Unit and the Sheriff makes their way into the muddy ditch that the body was left in. The Medical Examiners name was Jeffery Michael, relatively fit in his late thirties about thirty-six. his salt and pepper hair grazed his ears as he bent over to examine the victim. His sunglasses lifted as he switched to his prescription lenses, and slips his gloves on. "This Jane Doe is around her mid to late twenties, C.O.D is blood force trauma to the head, torso and possible internal bleeding-" He takes his camera and takes pictures on the bash on this woman's head. "We need to run a rape kit, but I am absolutely positive that it was not rape, with the way that she is dressed and her makeup I am positive she's a prostitute" The Sheriff agreed to the examination "Well Doc, You and your people report to me when you are ready, just try not to waste my time" "Noted" said the MD.

The detectives of the unit arrive; Jeffrey continues with his on-site investigation. Two men enter the scene, the first man Joseph Caraway, young around his mid-twenties, fairly tall, about 6'2, Blond hair, blues eyes, and freckles covering his entire face. The second man was the complete opposite, Mel Falco Much older early forties, 5'6, Brown hair, brown eyes and, a little more on the heavier side, a but still pleasing to a woman's eye to an extent. Mel approaches to the MD "So I'm hearing it's a homicide and a prostitute. Highly normal around these parts" Mel takes out his notebook and begins writing down notes and evidence that he sees around the body.

Joseph looks at the body then around the ditch searching for any belongings that may have belonged to the vic. A purple item catches his eye about 6 feet away. "Mel I think I got something" Joseph walks toward the item notices it's a purse, possibly the Vic's. He takes a picture of the surroundings where the purse was lying. After he places the camera down he bends over to take a look of the purse, he notes it's a knock-off brand of "Coach", he knows because his wife has a lot of that particular brand. He opens the purse and begins to find any form of identification. "Makeup, Allergy medication, Tampons, BINGO, wallet-" he opened the wallet notices there is eleven-hundred dollars. "Well we know she had a good night last night Mel" "I guess so" Mel records the information in the notebook, and continues on to examine the crime scene. Joseph continues to look for some sort of I.D in the purse to try identify the Victim. he looks back at the purse and sees a zipper on the outside and opens it, inside was lots of receipts change and a checkbook. He opens the checkbook and discovers an I.D. "Her name is Zera, Zera Shea. Twenty-six years old... she's so young" Joseph writes down the address on the I.D

"I got the Address, Dr. Michael you think you can take care of the crime scene and taking everything back to the lab. I'm going to contact the family to come down to the station." He started looking at Zeras cold hand about to examine the residue under her fingernails. "Joe, This Victim is not an ordinary one. And if I am correct, inside her Mouth there will be a belonging of the hers that she prized-" He opens her mouth and looks into it with a light "My point exactly, there's a necklace down her throat" Mel looks at the Doctor "Him again... this is his third Vic in 3 months, he plans his kills" The doctor looks at joe and he nods to egknolaged Joseph due to the request he made "Sure thing Joe, just make sure you call this in to the sheriff... give me a couple minutes with the body where it is, I need to do some more examinations to make sure I'm not missing anything, and if you don't mind" The Doctor looks at Joe. "can I talk to the victim's family. I understand that it's not my place, but I feel that it is necessary..."

Mel looks at the MD then back at Joseph. "Well if I may ask Doc, why do you need to, do you know this girl" "Sadly I didn't know Zera... But that last name rang a familiar bell. Its student who is going through the program to become a detective, I spoke to this student a couple months back-" He looks at his notes then places a piece of evidence in an evidence bag, labels it and puts it in his tray. It was a necklace that was found down Sara's throat, that was caught on her lower left molar. "She is a bright girl, her name if I remember it correctly her name is... Kiara. She's 22, and possibly lives at that same address." Joseph and Mel look at each other and back at the MD "Thanks Doc, we will see you back at the station" both men said as they were leaving the scene. Mel looks at his partner and said "Dude, why do you always need to say what I say. It's kind of creepy" "Hey I was going to say it before you anyways stop being a prick about it" Joe Laughs, Mel looks at his partner due to his response "I'm the prick? Then you must be an asshole"

"This is unfortunate..." The Doctor looks up from the victim, then stands. "Looks like he is back" He looks back at the body as a small wind picks up. Strands of Zeras pink hair fall gently on her face. The doctor looks back at Zera and crouches down next to her. "We will find him, don't you worry, and your sister will be just fine." He stands and announces for everyone working on the crime scene to wrap it up, and pack it up. The coroner's transfer her body into a body bag and a stretcher to perform the autopsy.

***

Alexandria, Washington DC October 13 1:08 pm

Back at the station Detective Joe, was sitting with a young girl in the interrogation room, she had black wavy hair almost reaching to her mid back, brown eyes, with a mole sitting under her left eye, she is a little taller than most girls. Just by the way she's sitting in the chair. Doctor Jeffrey Michaels was sitting on the other side of the two-way mirror as Joe told the news to the young girl. The first thing she did was look down, trying to sink in what was just said about her sister Zera. She Calmly said "Is it ok if I can be alone for a minute... if you don't mind" Her voice cracked, as she tried to calmly speak without breaking completely into shambles in front of her future co-workers. Her eyes and cheeks began to get red. "Sure, I'll be right outside Kiara...". She nods, and looks down again as Joe closes the door behind him. Kiara lets out a sigh then begins to cry. She's holding her face with her blue sweater, and hitting the table, but holding back the screams that are sitting in her throat waiting to be unleashed... in the mist of all this she's talking to herself saying "You told me you wouldn't leave me Z... You told me everything was going to be okay..."

On the other side of the mirror Joe, his partner, and the doctor watch Kiara closely. Mel looks at his partner.

"Do you think she'll be fine to start working with us after this."

"Well She has two more months in the program, I think she will be fine." Jeffery looks at both of the detectives then back at Kiara, and taps the two-way mirror lightly.

"She will be motivated by this tragedy, but we can't take advantage of that. She will be a strong one, we just have to be her new family as all".

Mel looks at the doctor with a raised brow. "Sorry Doc by I'm not up for babysitting." The doctor turns his head to him. "You wouldn't have to; she will work her way up just like the rest of us. Just you wait and see."

Joe watches Kiara closely, as she begins to pull herself together and compose herself. She puts her hair up in a ponytail and clears her throat and wipes her face with her sleeves. She stands and looks at the mirror. "I know the three of you are there, I want to see Doctor Jeffrey Michaels...-" She walks to the mirror as if she's looking right at the Doctor himself, "My gut tells me you are there-" "She leans closer to the glass. "Tell me you're there..." She sits in silence for about thirty seconds, getting discouraged she turned around and leaned on the glass with her head against it, the door opens and the doctor enters placing this glasses on his head. "You called for me?" She takes her seat while the doctor sits across from her. "Yes... tell me something doctor, did she suffer. But tell it to me straight..." He looks down at the file and opens it he pulls out Zeras pictures from the crime scene. "I know you can handle this if it was someone else, your trained too... But this is a relative... are you sure you want to see it?"

Kiara looks into the doctor's eyes. He flips over the photographs so she can make her choice... she looks at the pictures unsure whether or not she wants to see them or not. She places her hand on the first photo on the table and slides it toward her... She begins to shake and her face turns red, as tears burn her eyes and roll down her face. she looks back to the doctor. "She had a necklace, like this one-" she pulls out a necklace from behind her sweater and it's identical to the one on her sister's body. "Is it still with her." The doctor pulls an evidence bag from out of his pocket, and sets it on the table. Kiara nods her head and pulls the evidence bag toward her. "It's yours if you'd like it." The doctor stood up and left the room but before leaving he places his hand on her shoulder.

Kiara opens the bag and looks at the gold round necklace, it was the size of a quarter. Engraved on the pendent was "Kiara's Big sister" in purple coloring, she looked at her own that said "Zeras Baby Sister" With blue coloring. She puts she sisters necklace around her neck and stands. She composes herself and walks to the door. She looks at her phone, before exiting the room and pulls up the last message she received... It was from Zera "I just got off work, Be there soon baby girl". She closed the message and opened the door as she took a deep breath and made a vow to herself. She will not rest till her sister's killer is brought to justice... And she will dedicate her career to helping others...

***

Arlington, Washington DC November 2nd 9:10 am

The funeral was bittersweet in a way. Kiara is not really mourning for her sister anymore... She seemed angrier, mainly for the fact the because the man that murdered her sister was not captured... She had three weeks left in the academy, and she has decided that even though she had other priorities in the crime unit, she will never give up a case... especially her sisters. Kiara holds a purple lily in her hand. That was Zeras favorite flower. As everyone payed their respects they left the flower on her casket. Kiara stood in the chilly weather holding the flower tightly on her chest. She waited till everyone slowly made their way out of the cemetery to give her final goodbye. Jeffrey stood a good distance behind her before finding the right time to approach her.

Kiara faces the coffin for the last time. "You don't even know how much I would give to see you again... I promise, I will not stop till I find the man who did this to you and get him off the streets... No one deserves this, easily not you Z" she places the lily on top of the lavender casket. "I will be back soon, I promise" She kisses her hand and placed it on the cold box... Jeffery walks to her slowly. "My dear, how are you holding up?" Kiara turns to him and smiles faintly "I'm ok, I'm just very happy you came." She gave him a warm hug holding him tightly. "You have been nothing but good to me, I finished this program top of the class thanks to you... I couldn't have done it without you." He smiled patting her back "My dear, you did it. I was there only to support you. Your sister would be very proud" She smiled pushing her curls out from her face, the wind was gently blowing. "Dr. would you like to go get some coffee, you look chilled." He looked at his watch. "Well, only if you are buying, this old man if in need of a little cocoa!" Kiara looks back at the burial of her sister and looks down. "Dr-.... We will find him right..." he looks at her and pulls her head up "My dear, I haven't stopped after all these years, what makes you think I will stop now, with you starting Monday, I am damn near sure we will. A fresh pair of eyes will bring new leads... now let's let your sister rest for now, she would want you to smile, cocoa awaits!!" She smiles as the doctor walks up the hill back to the cars. She looks one last time at the casket, and touches both necklaces on her neck. "I'll find him Z, just you wait." She takes a deep breath and the wind picks up slowly, leaves from the trees fall around her and smiles gently. She turns in the direction of the Doctor and makes her way up the hill.

The wind settles. A man walks toward the casket just after Kiara left... He picks up the lily left by Kiara and smells it... "You smell like her sweetheart, I will see you soon" His brown hair brushes on his shoulders, His smile was devilish, and his grey eyes glow bright will the sun. "It was good seeing you Zera, I hope you don't mind, your sister and I will be meeting soon, It's sad you don't get to see it-" He knocks on the Casket "but you already knew that you bitch..." he fixed his scarf covering three scratch marks on his neck. And walks away into the direction where Kiara went up. He threw the flower on the floor stepping on it forceful.

Arlington, Washington D.C, Coffee Shop. 12:13 pm.

Kiara sits in the coffee shop. pondering the fact that her sister was laid to rest without justice served. In the end the world moves on... Jeffery sits across Kiara, he notices that her face has not changed since the funeral. "Darling, do give me a smile. We have gone through this enough already." Kiara looks at him after his plea. "I'm sorry Jeff... Your Right. We need to catch this man." "I agree Kiara, Let's just relax now." Kiara nods lightly