an open grave

Living in a town full of crime was never supposed to be easy. 

You grow up side to side with criminals who won't spare anyone. Men, women, children. Even animals… cruel world we live in. Where someone who is supposed to be human… acts most inhumane. 

The smell of medical alcohol, bandages squeezing into skin making it more sore and the sting of fresh stitches; Emanuel cracked his eyes open only to be met with the harsh glow right into his eyes… Was this heaven? Did he finally get away from those miserable responsibilities of real life? Oh.. no, it was just the hospital light. Emanuel groaned as his head spun from the memories of the car crash… the loud screeching of the car, ambulance sirens and blood dripping down his head right before he passed out.

“You’re lucky to be alive,” The nurse said after entering the room.

Emanuel didn't answer; he was remembering fragments of the crash, the voices of people he didn't recognize, the leaking fuel and the sudden fire erupting from it…a car can technically burn under the rain… but the statistics were low of such a thing happening on its own.

“What day is it, when did I…”

“October 23rd” The nurse answered without batting an eyelash.

The crash happened on October 22nd; yesterday evening… he was blacked out.. Emanuel reached his hand and touched his skin, a significantly big stitched scar painted his forehead. 

“Great," he groaned under his breath and let his head fall back on the pillow.

The nurse finally looked at him, she approached closer to his cot and examined the stitches herself.

“You should be happy; your friend paid for your stay and an isolated cot,”

Emanuel almost raised an eyebrow. Friends? He didn't have friends. He had acquaintances but certainly not friends; but then the gears finally moved in his head.

“Spencer.”

What could be worse than owing money to your Captain? Worse was when your Captain was Spencer.

When the nurse left after giving him painkillers to somehow maintain the burning scars, Emanuel looked around the hospital room; it was too light for comfort. And even if he wanted to rest he couldn't. The memories kept coming back, he hated resting; hated being in this vulnerable position. Emanuel sat up after he saw the fresh newspaper on the bedside table. He quickly grabbed it to see what had changed during his blackout. He flipped the first sheet and read the words which made him freeze; the words made the hair on the back of his neck stand.

With big, bold font the print said-

“MAN ARRESTED AND FOUND GUILTY FOR BRUTAL SLAYING”

Oh?

So his case was solved while he was unconscious… and the detective behind the case was mentioned… to be him?

___

“So.. you solved the case while being in a coma?”

Marcus snorted, after weeks of laying in the hospital and finally getting out with a few prescribed painkillers; the first thing Emanuel did was go and get drunk. Also speak to Marcus about the absurdity of the incident. Marcus listened to him like a therapist would, while also cleaning his station with a damp rag. The bar was slow today. Good; more time for him to exploit Markus not only as a bartender but also a therapist.

“I didn't even question the witnesses. Hell, I didn't even collect a folder for the case.”

“Well whatever you did… or didn't do. You solved it; at least that's what is said on the paper”

Marcus replied as he put the damp rag away and took out a few ingredients for Emanuel's drink, 

“Spencer was behind the arrest, but he also mentioned me. As a ‘favor’ favor my ass… you know the connections he has… probably begged them to include my name in the news.”

Marcus smirked as he slid a dry martini toward Emanuel, he knew Emanuel hated being coddled, or worse praised for the things he hadn't actually done. Emanuel sighed on the verge of a mental breakdown. Not really. He was just tired of stupid people surrounding him.

But he also had his suspicions about the case, he; a detective. Couldn't complete it through weeks… and just when he got into a car crash and went through recovery… the killer was suddenly found and arrested? That was either a lucky coincidence… or something out of his control and it couldn't help but nag his overthinking brain. Emanuel scratched the light stubble on his jaw and took a slow sip from his dry martini. Scowling at the bitter taste.

“Forgot how much I hate these.”

“Oh well excuse me for not remembering.” Marcus spoke with that same cocky grin and got to serve other customers who just came into the bar.

Emanuel rolled his eyes at the bartender's cocky reply. He quietly continued drinking the bitter cocktail while in his hands he held his police badge, thumb brushing against the metal… the case he thought was hard… got dealt with in a day. Without his help or work done. 

—

Back at his office, he got on a train. After the car crash and the accusation of drunk driving, his crashed car was under investigation and his license was ‘temporarily’ taken. He couldn't drive yet so getting on the Rheingold express he sighed and sat at the furthest seat. Near the window to block his stitched and bruised face from civilians. Who would probably be scared to even glance at him. Emanuel finally got his peace when he entered his messy, unchanging office. He threw his trench coat and suitcase away, and flopped down on his chair; leaning back as he stretched his arms upwards.

“Finally some peace and quiet.”

The universe as always disagreed; as a sharp knock banged against his office door.

Emanuel frowned and cursed under his breath. 

“Go away.”

Again, the universe laughed in his face as the door opened and Captain Spencer walked in. A thick folder rested in his hands as he flopped it down on Emanuel's desk.

“You.. look like shit.” Spencer said.

“Thanks.. That's the nicest thing I heard from you. Like ever.”

Spencer couldn't hold back the chuckle that escaped his mouth. He genuinely missed Emanuel's presence in the office.

“You should have stayed in the hospital… maybe regain some strength and energy for what I'm about to give you.”

“Another empty folder, with another car crash on the side?”

Spencer shook his head, sometimes he didn't miss Emanuel's presence. He wanted to take his words back. 

“No time for jokes Emanuel.. I’m here for business.”

Emanuel narrowed his eyes and sat back, looking down at the folder that Spencer laid on his messy desk.

“What business?”

“The ‘Poli’ case.”

“I thought it was over.”

“So did I.”

Spencer hummed as he fixed his belt and pointed to the folder with that look in his eyes. The folder was significantly thick; Emanuel's jaw tightened, he opened the folder with a tired sigh. Just when he thought the universe would be on his side.

“So the killer went to the local police station… and confessed?”

“Yes, he confessed. The court found him guilty, and he's serving his time in jail now.”

“In just one day? All that happened in one day?”

Spencer's smile faltered a bit, but he quickly regained it under the impression of being cocky.

“Are you questioning how I do my work? Y’know I don't come here criticizing your work.”

Emanuel almost resisted the urge to scoff, and shook his head.

“No sir.”

“Good, now check the folder.”

Emanuel did as told, he flipped through pages of evidence, and suddenly his eyes widened at a new crime scene photo.

“Yeah, we lost another loud voice.”

Spencer said, shaking his head as if mourning the amount of people they lost.

“But the killer turned himself in…”

“Exactly.”

“So there's another one?”

“Why are you asking me? I'm not a detective. You are.”

Spencer grabbed his car keys and fidgeted with them in his left, gloved hand.

Emanuel felt.. Confusion. But also something new sparking in his chest. He could still work on this case… and prove his name honestly.

“I want to question the killer.”

Spencer froze. Like actually froze, and his eyes widened in disbelief. Emanuel's tone was… alive. More than alive; it was burning with passion.

“You what?”

“You heard me,” Emanuel said with that dead-pan facial expression. But his tone was full of energy. He got up from his seat and grabbed his trench coat, but Spencer stopped him shortly.

“Not the victim's family… or witnesses. But the already arrested killer? Are you going crazy? I think you hit your head too hard during the car crash.”

“Exactly.”

Maybe the killer wasn't just on his own… maybe he had other people mixed in this triangle of crime.

Emanuel looked down at Spencer's car keys. “You're driving,” he said with a pointed look. Spencer sighed, leading the way out of his office.

“Come on detective.. Lets go see the lad who's supposed to be in fault for this”.

…