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Pandora's Children - Part 1

The lead detective approached the car but it was empty. He gestured for us to fan out and search the area but I thought I knew better. I touched the hood, still #warm. They hadn't been gone long. On a hunch I checked the trunk and found the suspect's body, without a head.

***

While we waited for the ME to arrive, the CSI assigned to the case began taking pictures, collecting evidence from the car, and asking questions.

"He was your suspect? Who was he supposed to have killed?"

"Didja hear 'bout the dead football player, a Baltimore #Raven?"

***

The CSI's eyes went wide. Everyone had heard of the footballer's death. The problem was the number of suspects. Tyrrell Marcus had made a lot of enemies and was known to have a short #fuse.

Now their best suspect was dead.

They had two bodies and there were no answers.

***

"Detective. There's a bag in here, partially covered by the body," the CSI called out.

"I have a list of what was stolen," I said as the CSI managed to open the bag without disturbing the body.

"Not a killer but perhaps a thief," I added, seeing a pair of #cuff links.

***

"Got something!" a patrolman called out.

"Go check it out," the lead detective ordered.

"Wha'ja find?" I asked.

"There aren't any other tire tracks nearby so they didn't escape by car. I was looking around and found this."

A hidden sewer #grate. Their escape route.

***

We called in reinforcements. The Lt. put me in charge of the search. I sent a group to the river and led another into the sewer.

Half a mile in, it got really hot so I stripped off my blouse and tied it to my waist. I always wore a #crop top over my bra, just in case.

***

We eventually came to a sewer junction. I couldn't hear any evidence of human activity save our own. A green sulphurous #haze emanated from every exit except ours.

"Back to sunlight, people. We'll never find them in here. Hopefully the CSI or ME has something we can use.

***

When we got back to the crime scene, the ME had arrived and already removed the body from the car. The suspect-turned-victim was Marcus's manager, a #trim, athletic man and a former player himself.

Why had he stolen from his employer?

And was that why he'd been killed?

***

"I need that report yesterday," the Lt. said to the ME. "Everyone's breathing down my neck to solve it quickly."

She scowled and walked off.

"Sir, you should #tread lightly with her. She already has it in for you and she has friends in high places."

He sighed. "And?"

***

"She'll #crush you like she did her predecessor," I told him. "He had a nervous breakdown, lest you forget."

He waved a hand at me. "Whatever. Did you find anything in the sewer?"

"No. It's a maze. They could have gone anywhere."

"Start checking exit points...Go!"

***

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