FSE

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formerly SoFurry search engine

Chapter One

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Waking up with a start hearing his cell phone go off, fumbling around he grabs it and flips it open. "Detective Herald speaking, this better be good" he says with a groggy tone while he fumbles his alarm clock seeing it was two in the morning.

"Sorry to wake you sir, But we have an incident" the young dispatcher on the other end responds.

"Okay, where is it?"

"Downtown, between twenty ninth and thirtieth street just off Market Road"

"I'm on my way" the ferret says as he closes his phone with a grumble.

Standing up he stretches and hearing a few cracks as his spine realigns, he begins to get dressed. He is a fit looking Ferret standing at five foot eight, slender but well toned body, grabbing his pants he slips them on grumbling. Reaching down he grabs his firearm off the bedside table checking to make sure it's still loaded and puts it into the holster.

He steps into the main area of his apartment and flicks on the light and whines as the bright light temporarily blinds him. Stumbling around he grabs his coat and puts it on, he pats the pockets "God dammit where are my keys" he says out loud to himself.

He spins around trying to remember where he put them, realizing he put them in the place he always does he grabs them from the dish by the door and goes out the door. Locking the door he walks down the rather drab hallway to the exit, he gets outside and shivers as he is greeted by a nasty wind and pouring rain.

"Fuck me running" he mutters as he runs to his car and gets in starting the engine giving it a moment to warm up as he reaches for the CB radio turning it on. He cringes as the radio comes to life with a blast of chatter and he shakes his head turning down the volume, and he sets his vehicle to drive and takes off turning on his lights and activating his siren as he speeds off to the crime scene.

He yawns as he motors down the main road thankful it's devoid of any traffic and wonders what could have happened that required him of all the homicide squad detectives. He speeds past a coffee shop wishing so badly it was open so he could at least be semi conscience when he arrives.

Daniel Herald a detective of the homicide squad twenty four years old and one of the youngest to ever make his rank for his particular career choice, grabbing the CB mike and thumbs the call button but decides he doesn't need to announce he is on his way placing it back on its holder then silences the siren.

The rain lets up a bit as he pulls into the scene four police cars with lights flashing are surrounding the entrance to an alleyway, He pulls up and parks getting out and walks over to the nearest officer. Pulling out his badge showing it.

"Detective Herald, Homicide unit. What is the situation?"

The Rabbit turns and nods a greeting "Well, we have a murder here. One middle aged Elephant male. No wounds minimal signs of a struggle"

"How do we know it's murder and not a suicide?"

"The fact we were called by a person who heard a scream came out noticing this poor guy laying there his eyes and nose emitting smoke" the lapine Sergeant responds.

"Whoa, step back there. Did you say eyes and nose emitting smoke?" The mustelid raises an eyebrow.

"You heard me sir, Smoking from the eyes and nose"

"I guess I best have a look, thank you Sergeant" He nods and steps down towards the scene.

Walking over the distinctive flash of the camera's from the forensics people as they capture every detail of the scene of the crime, Looking over seeing the victim covered with a plastic sheet protecting the body from the elements. Walking over he can smell the burnt flesh as he wrinkles his nose and just uncovers the body revealing the head and he damn near loses his lunch, sure as the nose on his face the eyes look like they had been on fire.

"Jesus" he mutters to himself barely audible with the rain hitting the concrete and metal cans in the alleyway.

"I have seen some things in my time but this one takes the cake" a rather stern voice says from his left.

Turning to see the Raccoon forensics officer with his camera in hand "I believe you" he says with a nod.

Looking around he sees the usual things normally found in an alleyway, trash bins, garbage bags torn open. He gets down and puts on his rubber gloves moving the trunk from the pachyderm and finds his wallet writing down the name of the victim and then bags the wallet for evidence.

Looking down the man's arm he notices a wedding band, sighing knowing what had to happen in the morning.

"So no weapons or anything on the scene? a match maybe?" he asks putting his note pad and pen back into his breast pocket. He covers up the body again and stand ups looking to the Raccoon.

"Nope, not a thing besides the garbage he was laying in. No entry wounds nor signs of struggle on his body" Daniel nods and scribbles it down.

"Well I guess I cannot do much till the autopsy. Be sure to have the coroner contact me as soon as he finishes" he turns to walk towards the main road.

"Sure thing, Detective" the racoon replies as he goes back getting as much evidence as he can.

As Daniel heads back to the main alley he thinks how in the hell this guy died hopefully the coroner has some answers for him in the morning. Heading towards the Rabbit he spoke to earlier. "Sergeant, I am going to need the name of that witness who heard the scream and saw the body"

"Sure thing, She is in that apartment there Suite 107. Goes by the name of Evelyn Trips" he motions to the older building on the corner.

"Thank you" he responds as he walks towards the building.

Pulling the door open he sees two officers standing outside the door of the witness "Any particular reason you two are standing here?" he asks the closest officer.

"Uh, no Detective we were just asked to wait here till you arrived" the equine officer responded.

"Alright you two are relieved" he motions towards the main door and side steps to let them pass.

"Yes, Sir" the both respond and head down the hall.

Shaking his head he gently knocks on the door and waits, the door opens a bit stopped by the door chain "Yes, how my I help you?" a frightened looking older Budgie asks.

Showing his badge " Detective Herald M'am, Are you Evelyn Trips" She nods softly "I need to ask you a few questions" he smiles softly trying to not look so imposing. The elder Avian nods as she closes the door and the sound of the chain sliding and dropping is heard.

The door opens as the smell of flowers and herbs hit his senses, She kindly waves her wing inviting him in. "Thank you for seeing me this late" he says kindly as he steps into the main hall. The apartment looks homey as he looks around noticing an assortment of knick knacks and doilies on almost all the shelves he see's. He steps into the kitchen and is thoroughly impressed to see it spotless as she walks past him her claws gently clicking on the floor.

"What can I do for you Detective?" she asks as a faint whistle emits from her beak sitting at her table where she gently sips the steaming tea waiting for her.

" I was told you were the one who called us after you heard the scream and investigated it" he asks grabbing his notepad once again to write down the statement.

"Indeed I was, I was asleep when I heard the very loud scream woke me with a jolt. I looked out the window to see what it was noticing nothing I figured it was just a cat having a fight with another. But the smell oh lord it was like someone had burned flesh" she says shakily as she sips her tea trying to calm her nerves.

"Then I went outside, of course I had my cane with me just in case I was attacked myself. I may be old but I know how to handle myself"

"I do not doubt that M'am living in this part of the city isn't exactly paradise" Daniel responds as he keeps meticulous notes.

"I have been living here twenty five years and never have I heard or seen anything like that before dear" She quickly responds her beak whistling softly again. He nods slowly "if you could continue"

"Well I followed the smell towards the alley not thinking anything of it till I turned the corner. That poor man was laying there his nose and eyes emitting smoke the smell was worse there" she shudders trying to block the memory of the smell.

"I quickly as I could went back inside and then called the police told them what I saw, and well you know the rest I guess"

Daniel nodding as he finishes his notes "Did you happen to see who may have caused this?"

"As I told your cocky Sergeant outside, No I did not. Only that man was there nothing or no one else" she looks him dead in the eye showing no lie.

"Alright M'am I shall let you be, We'll have a car parked outside just in case for the remainder of the night." he pulls out his card from the notepad cover binding handing it to her "If you recall anything"

She nods taking it "I will give you a call" another whistle emitting.

"Thank you for your time, Please try and rest I know this must not be easy" he makes his way back to the door.

"I hope you catch the person or thing that did this" She calls out.

"We will most certainly try" he responds as he steps out of the suite closing the door quietly. then makes his way to the entrance.

Stepping outside he checks his notes once more before putting it back into his inside jacket pocket and steps down towards the cars parked outside.

"Alright I want a detachment posted outside the apartment for the night just in case" he tells the Lapine Sergeant who nods and gives the orders for one car to stay. "I want 30 min check ins, I don't care if it's the slightest detail I want a check in" the Feline officer nods as he approaches his car to get set for the night.

Daniel then turns back to the Rabbit "So Mrs. Trips says you were cocky" raising an eyebrow.

The Lapine gulps a bit "Yeah sorry, Sir. Just trying to get as much info before you arrived she was stubborn and wouldn't talk unless she had her tea"

Shaking his head and rubbing his eyes with his left paw "Well no shit, the Lady has seen a dead body with smoking eyes, What did you think she would be a song bird?"

Daniel smirked about what he just said ironic Mrs. Trips being a bird anthromorph.

"Well no, But still could have waited hence why I had two guards stationed"

Daniel almost blows his lid at that "She is an old woman Jerry, What did you think she was going to do run away scared!?" waving his arm towards the building in a futile manner.

"Well, No" the Sergeant replied hastily "Just following procedures"

Shaking his head again "Well I just hope the folks down at the freezer can give me some insight to what may have done this, I am going home. See you down at HQ. OH and don't think I won't speak to the Captain about this"

The Rabbit just went wide eyed and nodded "Alright sleep well Daniel, sorry we had to call ya not an easy night for us ya know?"

"Yeah I hear you, Night Jerry"

Daniel made it towards his car and started the engine as he set off back for home. He couldn't help but feel a shiver as he drove around the corner like something or someone was watching him.

It was near 7 o clock in the morning by the time he pulled into the parking lot of his building, turning the engine off he yawns again wishing deeply for a coffee. Stepping out of the vehicle he flips his collar up again with the sun rising the cold morning air sent a shiver down his spine.

He steps into his apartment building and shakes his body a bit getting most of the moisture off his fur as he makes his way up the stairs to his suite. After dropping the keys off in the dish next to the door and removing his coat, he slumps onto his couch and lies his head back groaning deeply as he rubs his temples.

Looking over at the clock he curses knowing he'll have to be head out to work in a couple hours "God Dammit" he curses aloud as he sits up "Well may as well get the day going". Getting up he makes his way into the kitchen and begins brewing a pot of coffee filling the machine and ripping the k-cup out of the box he puts it into the machine and presses the start button the aroma filling his nostrils with that pleasant fresh brewed coffee smell.

His cell vibrates as he looks at it and he smiles as he thumbs a response quickly to the sender and smiles taking a second cup out of the cupboard and placing it on the counter. He hears the tell-a-tale ding from the machine telling him the coffee is ready as he sips it gently "Ahhh, much better" he calmly sighs out and just as he turns to enter the living room a flash enters his mind.

He is in a strange place with a sword in his hand, driven deep into a shadowy figure as it laughs and swipes at him as he comes back to reality. Gripping his head he staggers a second unsure of what he just experienced. Just then a click in the door as it opens and a cheerful "honey, I'm home" fills the air, as his partner walks in carrying a brown bag and drops his keys into the dish by the door.

"You okay babe?"

Daniel shakes his head as he looks to his loving partner "Yeah, I'm fine I think. Was a long night someone was murdered and it wasn't your usual murder"

The tanned otter nods and walks over hugging his mate "Well I brought you that muffin you asked for, so that should make your morning better" he says smiling.

"Thanks sweetie I appreciate it"

He takes the brown bag and his mind returns to that flash that happened, it felt so real like he was holding the sword for real. He dismisses it as a random occurrence and sits at the table pulling out his fruit explosion muffin and rips the top off and puts it aside as he eats the bottom first.

"So how was work?" he asks between bites looking at his Husband hanging up his coat.

"Oh you know, same shit different day" he responds as he heads to the kitchen to make a cup of coffee for himself.

"Yeah I wish I could say the same for me.. Damn two am wake up calls"

"Well they call you, because you're the best" Marty says with a smile looking out the kitchen doorway at him.

Marty the one person who makes all the troubles in the world seem worth it. Tall, not to thin but not too thick either. Has a wicked looking butt to boot, Tan fur that always looks wet but in fact quite the opposite it was dry and soft. They had met in high school their last year it was almost a fairy tale get together Boy meets boy, falls in love and they live happily ever after.

"I'm not the best, Just the most available" he responds as he bites into the muffin top savoring the fruit flavor.

"Oh pfft, You're the youngest detective in your precinct. Modesty is a new virtue for you to suddenly develop" the mustelid says with a smirk.

"You watch it you, or I will show you who's the best at what" Daniel replies.

"Promises, Promises. But last I checked you are the bitch between us" as he sticks out his tongue Marty returns to the kitchen.

Daniel shakes his head, despite the fact that Marty was right "I love you too, babe"

Getting up he goes to grab his coat "Look I may be late coming home, with this new homicide things are gonna be hairy for a bit. I am not looking forward to going to the vics widow" he says with a sunken tone.

"It's okay, Work is work. I knew what I was getting into when I agreed to marry you"

Daniel smiles and stands on the balls of his feet and kisses his partner their lips meeting in a loving embrace, closing his eyes he feels his lovers arms wrap around him and lift him up as they stay lip locked. How he wished he could just stay home and be in this embrace forever but alas he can't, he gently pulls back and smiles as he is set down.

"See you later, Hun. Sleep well and I should hopefully be home before you get up"

"You stay safe out there ya hear me Detective?"

"I promise sweetie to be careful"

"Good because last thing I need is to be woken up and told you been killed"

"I know, I know" he responds before kissing his mate another time this time a quick one "I love you"

"I love you too"

Daniel turns walks to the table quickly downs his leftover coffee, then heads for the door snatching his keys as he heads out to face the day and get this investigation underway. He quickly takes the stairs and almost runs over his neighbour who seems like he just got back from the store.

"Oh shit, sorry Mr. Drevnan. I didn't see you there" He makes sure he didn't hurt the old Badger.

"Oh I am quite alright, I maybe old but I am sturdy. Off to save the world again" the old codger says with a smile.

"Yeah something like that" he replies with a smirk.

"Well don't let me get in the way of Justice. Just be safe out there"

"I will, Marty has already briefed me on that"

The Badger nods and smiles as he begins to climb the stairs once more. Daniel begins to move again as he steps outside his building the streets already teeming with life as cars speed past back and forth heading to their destinations. Getting into his car he thinks about that vision that he had again not quite able to shake it from his mind, he shakes his head again "it wasn't real" he says to himself as he starts the car and begins his journey to the Police station.

Traffic was as it usually is first thing in the morning slow and steady the streets jammed with people trying to hurry themselves to work. He is almost tempted to flick on his siren but decides against it as it would be abusing his power, he just puts up with the slow moving vehicles as he taps his fingers on the wheel.

An hour later he finally pulls into the parking lot, finds his spot and gets out. Rubbing his shoulder a bit he heads in. He opens the door to find the usual people working at their desks and the poor front desk officer dealing with people complaining about tickets they received over the course of the night for illegal parking.

Nodding at her he continues to the back where his desk is taking off his coat he hangs it on the hat rack nearby and makes his way to the Captains office to make his report on what happened. He politely knocks on the side of the door and looks in.

"Morning, Chief. Got a minute?"

The aged Horse looks up from his paper work and smiles "Daniel, Please come in. Heard about that homicide this morning. Fucking creepy shit"

Rubbing the back of his head Daniel nods "Look Harry, I gotta say this one stumped me I have never seen this kind of thing before."

"Neither can I recall ever hearing this happen. But I am sure you'll get the perp" the equine says as he sips his tea.

"Yeah me too, Hey I understand it's procedure and all. But ya wanna let Jerry know he doesn't need to take his job so damn seriously. He badgered a poor old lady, the one who called in the crime. She was not happy and posting two guards outside her door was a bit much"

"Yeah, Jerry is a by the book kinda guy. It's commendable but yeah I will have a chat with him about it"

"Thanks, Harry. I know I shouldn't do this but come on she was so scared all she wanted was some damn tea and he was like nope answer my questions first"

The Equine nodded "Alright I'll deal with it"

Daniel nodded and turned "Excuse me I have to get my notes filed and then go be the bearer of bad news"

"You do that, and Daniel. Thanks for bringing this to my attention"

"Any time"

Returning to his desk and sitting down Daniel fires up his computer. He hears a cup being placed on his desk, he looks seeing a new recruit dropping off a coffee "Black just the way you like it".

"Thanks, Regina I appreciate it"

"Looks like you had a long night"

"mhmm you could be saying that" as he takes the coffee and sips it.

"Well if ya need anything else. Let me know okay?"

"Sure thing, thanks again" he says with a smile.

Regina the newest member of the prescient a poodle, smart girl wouldn't think to look at her she had the makings to be a cop but beneath that soft feminine smile was a tigress who was just waiting for a chance.

Returning to his work he opens a new case file and begins to enter in his data he collected. He would have to wait for the forensics department to email him the photo's to add to it but he figured may as well get this part done.

He stretches about forty five minutes later and cricks his neck he steels himself to be ready for the influx of tears and hysterics as he gets up putting his computer to sleep as he heads out. He walks out the front door and heads back to his car.

"This is not gonna be fun" he mumbles to himself as he begins to make his way to the Victims apartment. He arrives about 35 minutes later to a newer looking building and parks making sure his police stuff was visible so some newbie ticket jockey doesn't slap him with a parking violation. He climbs the stairs to the building and walks in. The place was pristine clean, almost like the floors were just waxed and polished. Figuring his vic must have been an executive with a place like this.

He checks his pad and finds the address he wrote down from the identification he found. Pushes the elevator button and waits. As it opens a male cat steps off the elevator and almost looks down on him like what business did he have there dressed like he was. Scoffing rather rudely he heads out towards the exit as Daniel steps in and presses the desired floor.

"Some people's children I swear" he says as the door closes and the elevator begins its accent upwards. He rolls on back and forth on his feet as he approaches the 9th floor, the door opens with a ding and he steps off looking around for the suite number he checks one hall and see's he need to go the other way as he heads down dreading the impending news he is about to drop on this poor woman.

Upon finding the suite he steels himself again and knocks politely on the door.

"Just a minute" a rather deep woman's voice sounds out behind the door as it opens and the rather large woman looks down at this small ferret who happened to knock.

"Mrs. Rondals?"

"Yes" she answers quizzically

"Detective Heralds from the 5th Prescient, I regret to inform you. Your husband was found murdered last night. About 4 blocks up the road from here"

Just as he predicted she began to cry hysterically "Are you sure it was my husband?"

Daniel nodded and gave the man's name as he braced himself "I am sorry for your loss M'am but I need to ask a few questions if you don't mind"

Through the sobbing she nodded and allowed the Officer to enter her home. Upon closing the door she let him enter the dining area before running for a tissue box as he blew her nose and wiped her eyes.

"Mrs. Rondals, do you know why your husband would have been at that location?"

"I...I... would a...a..assume he was coming home from work" she said as he sniffled and tried to hold her composure as best she could.

He writes down this information "And where did he work?"

"At Smith and associates law firm" She replied as tears streamed down her face as she wiped them.

"Thank you, Would you say your husband had some disgruntled clients? Maybe someone who felt he wasn't represented properly?"

"He didn't share his work details with me, so I am afraid I don't know"

Daniel nods and writes this down.

"Did your husband always work late?"

"No, this past week he was working on a case that required him to stay late. Other than that he was always home around Dinner time, so seven pm"

"Did your husband ever say he had a hard time at work?"

"No, again he never discussed his work with me. There were times he would come home tired and worn out so I would assume he had a hard day. I loved my husband I never wanted to pry into his work life"

"Commendable, I am sorry if it seems like I am prying too much, it's just we found him in an alleyway. Nothing taken from his body not even his wallet. So hence why I am asking if he had any of these things"

She nods slowly still in hysterics but keeping it under control.

"Is there any way I can see my husband?" she asked.

"Unfortunately, we are performing an autopsy due to how he was killed. But I can arrange for when it's complete for you to see him. "

"How did he die?"

"we still don't know, I just know he was found him with his eyes burned out and smoke still emitting from his mouth and nose. So we are assuming he was on fire"

At that moment the look of shock and bewilderment took over before she began crying again. Falling back into her chair. He tried his best to be sympathetic but he had to keep a professional stance.

"I sincerely apologize for your loss, I may have some further questions down the line would you be opposed to me coming back?"

She shook her head and blew into another tissue. He politely thanked her for her time and apologized again as he let himself out. The female pachyderm let out a horrible wail as the door closed. He felt bad to be the bearer of bad news but it came with being a homicide detective. He left for the elevator and made his way down stairs.

Sliding back into his car he placed his head on the wheel, as suddenly yet another flash appeared before his eyes. He saw himself in what appeared to be an old castle main hall surrounded by people dressed in rather old attire. He swore it was like he jumped back 500 years and was in the medieval age. He heard his name called as he turned and saw what looked for a lack of better terms an angel as a white female arctic fox stood there and held out her hand. He reached for it but was sent back into reality.

He shakes his head "What the fuck?" he said aloud as he couldn't figure out why now he was having these flashes. He swears it's because he was tired but he has been tired in the past and never had this sort of thing happen. His cell phone rings and he nearly jumps out of his fur.

Grabbing it he looks at the number and doesn't recognize it and the area code suggested it was all the way on the eastern sea board. He ignores it and lets it go to his answering machine before he starts his car and makes his way back to the office. He arrives and plunks himself at his desk as he is approached by Regina again.

"You look rough, more so than usual"

"Really odd morning and I just dealt with my vic's widow so yeah"

She nods and tells him there is a call on like four, for him as he looks and sees his phone lit up.

"Thanks" he says as he takes his coat off and picks up the receiver and presses the four.

"Detective Herald speaking, how may I help you?"

Dead air is all he hears for a moment before a female voice asks if he was alone. He confirms he is the only one there at the moment.

"I know of that in which you seek" and the phone suddenly goes dead.

He looks completely stunned for the moment before he calls out "Hello? Hello??"

No one responds. He hangs up and picks up again calling the tracing department.

"Yeah, Heralds here. I just got a strange call to my desk would you mind tracing that call find out where it came from? thanks" he says as he hangs up the phone and slouches back. His mind racing from everything that happend.