The Longest night

冬至 [6] / [16]

Alexander was skeptical. No matter how many hundreds of times police gather to meet and discuss tactics, instances of crime increase rather than diminish.

These cases disgusted Alexander to his core and there were many others: rape, murder, drugs and sex abuse in the poorest of communities. In more affluent locales, corruption, theft and greed- the worst though involved the theft of innocence and predation of the most vulnerable in society.

He got to know Violet while investigating those cases. She was from Harlem and was a victim of child abuse. Violet knew first hand what that can do to someone, how trauma can break you. But she refused to be defined by her past. Alexander was fascinated by her character even though she was a victim.

Eventually the reason why he endured her so long despite of all this fruitless work was that he believed it was her past trauma which made her behave and act in this way; meaning, so to speak, her coming back to Alexander as if nothing had happened after having relationships with other men - not the true nature of her heart. But Violet trampled all over him, and it was exhausting.

Cynthia’s voice was barely audible to him.

“. . . It is quite probable since this case was reported right away, unlike the other cases. We should do everything we can do. There should be no more vacations or time-off until we solve these cases.”

Alexander had his suspicions and he swore that he wouldn't let it get to him, but what he saw made his blood boil- their bodies intertwined, the rhythmic breathing and the smell of the place . . . How could he not let it affect him, even if they were over.

His unpleasant thoughts about Violet and her men scattered like ash at once with Cynthia’s husky but shrill voice.

“Oi, Gresham, we`re all discussing the special investigative task force`s game plan to solve the cases. Did you note the details of it?”

Alexander stared at her blankly for a second. It was likely that the effects the alcohol had on him were belated. He wiped his sleep-worn eyes with his right thumb and forefinger and replied without thinking.

“Right, I`m grabbing a coffee, you want anything, sweetheart?”