PART 1 | PART 2 | PART 3 | PART 4 | PART 5 | PART 6 | PART 7

Kaidence sat near the window of her favorite restaurant, enjoying a glass of whisky and scrolling through her phone for a destination to visit. After her ordeal, she needed a good getaway. After her unfortunate incident, the company had offered to buy her share of the company. Thanks to the stipulations she set in her agreement, she could live a very comfortable life for the next 75 years. She looked up and stared out the window and couldn’t help but smile. Life was indeed grand.

“Ms. Reece,” Kaidence turned.

“Detective.” She offered him the empty seat across from her.

“Please,” he said as he sat, “call me Mike.”

“Okay,” she smiled, “Mike. So what do I owe this pleasure?”

Detective Brass shifted uncomfortably. He didn’t trust this woman and would not allow himself to be enticed by her charm. “Well,” he started, “Of course you know that you cannot be convicted for the same crime twice. It’s called double jeopardy.”

“I’m familiar with double jeopardy.” She leaned forward, “Now why don’t you tell me why you’re really here.”

He cleared his throat, “The family would like some closure. Tell us where the body is. His wife would like to give him a proper burial.”

She would not admit to anything. They may not convict her of murder but Kaidence was sure they would be able to get her for something if she told them where Bruce was…well, what was left of him.

“I can’t tell you what I don’t know.”

“Please Kaidence,” he motioned for someone to join them. A lovely fair skinned woman approached. Her beautiful faced twisted with grief.

“Hello,” she spoke and Kaidence could detect a faint Creole accent. “Please, ma’am. Tell me where my husband is. His soul cannot rest until his body is taken care of.”

Kaidence rolled her eyes. She reached for her purse, and with a dismissive air, pulled a few dollars out of her wallet for tip. Kaidence stood to leave but the woman blocked her way.

“Please, Mrs.…” Kaidence realized she didn’t even know Bruce’s last name. “Miss, I don’t know anything. I’m sorry Detective Brass misled you. Now if you don’t mind…”

The woman’s expression changed from grief to hatred. It was so intense that Kaidence inadvertently took a step back.

“Pouvez vous souffrez tant que votre victime subi,” The woman spat at Kaidence’s feet before storming off. She glanced at Detective Brass’s shocked expression and was speechless.

“What did she say?”

He stood. “She said ‘May you suffer as your victims have’”

For the first time in a long time, Kaidence Reece was afraid.