“It’s the biggest cache ever caught.”
“No way! You think we could swipe some in our pockets? Just a week’s worth?”
“Policing is a pain in the ass. We need to destress don’t we?”
Sniggering, the two probationers climbed the flight of stairs to the top floor. Impatient, curious and careless their careers lacked experience like their black shoes lacked shine.
They were about to barge in through the open door when an arm fell in their way, like a toll booth barrier.
“Sarge. The Narcs….” Shocked, the first probationer stuttered.
“Shhhhh…” Jacob touched his finger to his lips. He rolled his eyes across the length of the opulent room.
Sam’s back was framed in an open window. Her hair obeyed the grim flurry of air. On the floor was a man, dressed sharp and well-groomed. But the dirt of death was visible on his face. Eyes rolled up, heart bled out. Quick death.
Sam walked to the bed’s edge and sat down. Eyes shut, boots on the floor and her butt on the white squishiness. The probationers had always heard about the legend. Finally they were about to witness her.
“Sarge, the Narcs are downstairs. The forensics will be here in 5,” whispered the second probationer. But their eyes never left Sam whose lips read “Cinq, Six, Sept, Huit…”
***
“We have to follow that car. Sam signalled Jacob, standing on the other side of the gathering.
Bernard seemed strangely reluctant. “I don’t think he’s significant,” he said.
“Oh yes she is. You don’t need to come. We’ll take it from here.”
Bernard didn’t move his head away from the grave till Sam’s car disappeared. Knowing that a disappointed Sam would be looking at him. The minute he was sure they were gone, Bernard bolted to his car.
“Why? Why Linda why?” He spat in sharp exhales and jumped into his cruiser.
“There you are.” He spotted Sam’s car. Now stalking.
“Damn you Sam. Don’t do anything crazy.” Bernard grunted on the steering wheel when he saw Sam and Jacob, half-bent, approaching the mansion’s side wall. They jumped inside.
Bernard was still planning his next move when a gunshot boomed in the vast emptiness. Bernard’s face turned pale. His eyebrows curled, his lips trembled. Before his tears could come out, a tallish woman in black fitted dress came out of the top floor window. Sitting on the frame she discarded her heels and jumped on the slanting roof. A few red tiles loosened and shattered when she landed. Bernard’s heart skipped a beat. He stretched his armed out. Waving frantically at Linda. She saw him. She gleamed and tip toed towards the edge. Linda hung from the roof and vanished till her head appeared on top of the wall.
Dress torn at various places, she mounted and jumped. The kiss when she entered the car was short-lived but so intense that Bernard was left breathless. “Go,” she said. Bernard stepped hard on the accelerator and Sam’s eyes opened inside the room.
“Linda didn’t kill Bancroft. She had help.” she said
“Who?” asked Jacob.
“I think our Berny and his squeeze are into some organic farming.” Sam winked at Jacob. “You two…” She snapped her fingers at the probationers. Take charge.”
“Jacob. Let’s get them.”