Christmas Crimes

Snow fell softly from the sky, coating the world in a blanket of white. We sat before a roaring fire, wrapped in each other's arms. Presents had been exchanged, wine forgotten. You kiss me, deep and long.

Ring...Ring...Ring...

Damn it! The dream was just getting to the good part as it faded away. I always said my partner had horrible timing.

"What the fuck, Cooper? Don't you know what time it is?" I growl into the phone.

"Summers, I don't care what dream I just interrupted. Now get your ass in gear and meet me at 1216 South Street. NOW Summers."

My response, one complete with enough cursing to make a sailor blush, was met with the dial tone. It wasn't even 5 a.m. Christmas day. Kids were still dreaming of the goodies they would find in the morning. I should still have been dreaming too...

I slid my badge into my pocket and strapped on my holster. Fresh snow crinkled under my boots as I stomped to my car. Slamming it into gear, I raced through the empty streets.

For once, there was no need for a map or my GPS. 1216 South was an address I knew well. The old church had been converted into a soup kitchen. Once upon a time, I had helped with its opening. And the owner, well, we had history.

My old partner, Kevin, was injured in the line one night. The guy took a bullet for me. From a crazed fucking meth-head. He got off the job and decided to open the kitchen as his way of continuing to give back to our city. Kevin had been a great partner. A good friend. And (once or twice) a remarkable lover. Okay. Maybe that's not exactly accurate.

Remarkable didn't begin to describe him. And it was far more frequent than once or twice. More like after every big bust to celebrate or a particularly tough day. He wanted to make it more permanent. I freaked out. Stupid move - one I always regretted, especially after he got himself all wifed up. She knew our history and didn't exactly approve of him spending time with me.

I couldn't blame her. I missed Kevin like crazy and, truth be told, I wanted him bad. It had been too long since we saw each other. Kevin and I had a regular meet about once a month, but the job had me canceling the last couple.

Get your mind out of the gutter. It was a strictly clothes on kind of deal. Not that either of us would have minded getting naked for old times sake. That's why our little get togethers never included alcohol. That's how little we trusted ourselves, despite the fact that we couldn't see to stay away from each other.

I felt a pang when I saw the soup kitchen flickering with the lights of at least 10 cruisers and surrounded by crime scene tape. I flashed my badge at the uniform guarding the scene and scrambled under the tape. I looked at the name on the girl's uniform. "Park, report. Where's the owner? Has he been notified?" I demanded.

My relationship with Kevin was no secret on the force. Apparently the newbies had been filled in as well because it was hard to miss the oh shit look on Park's face. "Uh, well, you see," she stuttered, red-faced.

"PARK!" I bellowed. "That is not how they taught you to give a report at the academy. Now stop stammering and give me a proper report!"

Just then the coroner came out of the building. Stan's blue eyes sparkled, as they always did, when he first saw me. Then his expression became crestfallen.

________

Across town, John kicked the snow off his work boots and removed black leather gloves from his hands. A biter smile played on his lips as he stared up at the Christmas tree. Stacks of presents covered the floor.

He wouldn't be able to keep up this charade much longer. Eventually he would have to tell her. She would be furious. No job. No savings. He didn't even want to think about what he had to do in order to afford those presents...

The new year has to bring better times, he thought hopefully. I can't go on like this much longer.

______

Julianne strolled into her penthouse apartment, lights illuminating automatically upon her arrival in each room. Music played softly as she removed her black leather gloves, placing them on the counter and slinging her trench over a chair.

A single tear rolled down her cheek. Holidays were always the hardest. Yet another special occasion spent without him. She thought of the presents she had lovingly selected and wrapped for him. Presents which still lay unopened on the table. The candles had burned out long ago. The meal she had lovingly prepared had gone cold.

A bottle of champagne still sat mostly untouched. She reached for the Dom, running a manicured nail over the label. Then her fingers curled around the neck of the bottle and hurled it against the wall. As the bottle shattered, so did her resolve. Julianne's eyes burned with unshed tears.

Being the other woman could be a real bitch, she thought bitterly.

_________

You didn't need my masters in criminology and 15 years on the job to put the clues together. The vic was Kevin. My Kevin. Fuck.

I should have taken myself off the case. You could say I lacked a certain degree of objectivity here. But my connection to the victim and the scene of the crime would give me the single-minded drive and focus necessary to solve this murder.

When we caught this fucker, I would be the one to get the satisfaction of bringing him down.