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Miranda stepped into the partially dark restraunt, making her way towards the bar. “Anthony?” she called, and set the stools up on the counter, upside down. “Anthony?” Glancing about, she made her way toward the back room. “Anthony I- Oh my God.” she whispered hoarsely.
The scream caught in Miranda’s chest before it could even sound. She gripped the doorframe unable to tear her eyes from the gruesome sight before her. Bile rose in the back of Miranda’s throat as her body trembled from shock and fear. Horrified tears stung the backs of her eyes.
One of the figures in the back room of the small restaruant where Miranda worked was Anthony. He stood partially supported by two men on either side on him. Red stains continued to grow across his abdomen and stomach, while the sticky substance began to pool at his feet. A third man stood in front of Anthony, and held a large butcher knife. The kind one could find in the kitchen.
A small gasp, the only noise that Miranda had emitted thus far, filled the silent air. Anthony raised his painfilled eyes to hers, a soft groan slipping from his lips. Sharply withdrawing the knife from Anthony’s body one last time, the third man turned toward Miranda, his weapon extended at her . He glanced at the other two men, who allowed Anthony to slump to the floor as they too, pivoted in Miranda’s direction. Not a soul in the room moved for a moment, until Miranda broke free of her terrified trance, and turned on her heel, propelling forward in a dead run.
Miranda urged her legs to pump harder and faster, feeling the burn of her muscle’s complaints. She did not have to glance over her shoulder to know with certainty that the three men were following her. Silently, she prayed as she dashed out onto the dark street.
Voices sounded in the distance behind her. Miranda kept running. Their footfalls follwed close behind for a while, but soon wore away. Finally, her body became so exhausted, she collapsed to the pavement. Miranda stealed herself for the attack she knew would come. To her surprise, it never did. She had outrun the men. Breathing a sigh of relief, the sobs that Miranda had so carefully concealed, broke free. They racked her body, and she buried her face in her hands. Her boss and friend was dead. A hand on her shoulder startled her, and she scurried away from the touch.
“Excuse me Miss....are you alright?” someone asked. Miranda collected what was left of her bravery, and looked up. A man with a kind face gazed back at her. Miranda’s eyes traveled from his face to his chest. ‘Officer Bale’, the badge read. Miranda fainted.
*****
Miranda awoke on a slightly uncomfortable couch, in an unfamiliar place. She stirred and stretched her arms above her. Her legs ached painfully, bringing back the memories of her escape. And Anthony.
“Glad to see you’re awake. Are you feeling alright Miss?” a voice inquired gently. Miranda bolted upright, and whipped her head from side to side, trying to identify her location. “Take it easy. You’re in the Orlando police station. Now please, are you feeling alright, Miss?” Miranda’s gaze finally settled on a friendly faced woman a little older than herself, kneeling beside the couch. The woman wore a blue uniform.
“Anthony is dead.” Miranda said, finding her voice. The policewoman’s eyes widened. Clearly, this had been the last thing that she expected Miranda to say.
“Why don’t you come with me, and we can talk about this, ok?” she requested. Too weary to argue, and slightly relieved, Miranda accompanied the lady officer to a small conferance room. Soon, two other police men entered the room: the police Cheif Adams and Sergent Bale.
*@*
“Tell us again, why were you down at the restaraunt this time of night?”
Miranda sighed, exasperated. “I TOLD you, I was there to help Anthony lock up. It’s my job as assistant manager. I got worried after a while, because Anthony hadn’t come out of the back room. I went to see what was taking him so long.”
“Alright, alright. I need you to calm down, ok? We’re just trying to put the whole story together, for your benefit and Anthony’s. Because you’re feeling a plethera of emotions right now, you have not been clearly expressing tonight’s events.” Cheif Adams said gently. “Now, take a deep breath. You were there to lock up. When you went to the back room, you saw......”
“Anthony. I saw Anthony and three men. Two were holding him up, and the third was stabbing him with a butcher knife.”
“Then you....”
“I ran. Anthony was already dead, or close to it. The men advanced toward me and I..... ran......I just ran.”
*@*
“Ms. Roberts, we don’t think it would be wise for you to return home this evening. Sergeant Conners has volunteered to let you stay with her.”
“What? I don’t understand. I have a boyfriend, I want to go home to him.”
“I’m sorry, we can’t allow you to do that. I’ll place a call to him, alright?”
“Why can’t I?”
“It’s just not a good idea, I’m sorry.”
“Stop apologizing and let me call him.” Miranda demanded. The chief shook his head.
“No. He lives with you?”
“Yes.”
“Go with Sergeant Conners, Ms. Roberts. We’ll take care of you and straighten all of this out, I promise.”
*****
Miranda hadn’t been home in two days. At night, she had been staying with Sergeant Conners, the lady officer. Everything was all so confusing. They had not allowed her to phone Kevin, saying that they had taken care of it. It was all she could do not to scream in frusteration.
During the day, Miranda was working with the police to identify Anthony’s killers. Miranda had had to identify Anthony’s body, and after doing so, she had embarked upon a plan of action along with Seargeants Bale and Conners, and the Cheif.
First, they had her describe what she could of the three men. Unfortunately, Miranda couldn’t remember anything about the assailants. Cheif Adams decided to have Miranda look through pages and pages of mug shots, hoping one would spur her memory. The day spent doing this activity had been fruitless.
Now, Miranda sat in the conferance room once again. She awaited the arrival of the Cheif and someone whom she was told might be able to help.
The door to the room opened, and Cheif Adams entered, closely followed by a short man with spectacals.
“Good Morning Miranda. How are you feeling today?” the Cheif asked kindly.
“Just ducky.” she replied sarcasticly. “My friend is dead, I’m not allowed in my own home, you won’t let me contact my familiy or boyfriend, and we’re no closer to finding these three thugs than we were two days ago!” she finished with a flourish. Sergeant Conners patted her shoulder reassuringly, while the Cheif and Sergeant Bale exchanged hesitant glances.
“Miranda, this is Mr. Renfro. He’s a hynotist, and has worked closely with the Orlando PD for several years now. Mr. Renfro has agreed to help us.”
“I wish I could say it was nice to meet you Mr. Renfro, but the truth is, I’d rather not have made your aquaintance.” Miranda said coldly.
“I know just how you feel Miranda. I can honestly say that I am of the same thinking.” Mr. Renfro replied.
“It’s time you knew just what’s going on, Miranda.” Sergeant Bale stated, glancing at Cheif Adams.
“Miranda.....we have every reason to believe that those three men who attacked and killed Anthony are part of an extensive drug ring, currently opperating within Orlando and it’s surrounding area. That drug ring is but a smaller faction of the crime ring we know has been functioning here for two years now.” the Cheif paused, letting this information sink in. “Furthermore, the crime ring’s leaders are connected with the Brooklyn mafia. Though we have a positive ID on several of the ring’s leaders, we do not have the proof nessacary to make any arrests at this point. The ID’s we do possess may be of more use to us if left at large, hopefully, to lead us to the higher eschelan.”
Miranda remained silent, digesting all of the information suddenly thrust her way. Cheif Adams took a deep breath. “We believe that if given the chance, the culprits will seek you out....and most likely kill you. That’s the reason we have not let you return to your apartment, call your relatives, or your boyfriend. Understand, Miranda, your safety and wellbeing is foremost on our agenda.”
“This is crazy. Kill me? Why? What does that achieve?” Miranda asked, shellshocked. The deathly silence ensued.
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