Diminuendo – Chapter 2: A Prima Vista

Chapter 2: A Prima Vista

“She’s not the killer.” Adriel stood behind the one-way glass with his arms crossed. His eyes didn’t move from the stranger currently sitting tensely in her chair. He was pretty sure they were wearing similar frowns. “She doesn’t have anything to do with the killer either, nothing but an innocent bystander.” 

“Dammit,” Pierce growled before continuing to swear under his breath. The detective was acting like himself again for now. Maria had quickly talked him down from whatever level of anger he was at and he’d offered a stilted apology. One that Adriel accepted just as stiffly before offering a partially genuine apology of his own. 

He wasn’t sorry for standing up to him or helping Noel. But he was sorry that Pierce was repeatedly being played by this killer and empathized with his frustration. This woman was definitely something to the killer. But Adriel knew without a doubt that the killer wasn’t anything to her. He was sure that she hadn’t even seen the killer. Which meant she had nothing to offer them but more complications. Because if Genesis was truly as obsessed with her as he thought, she’d be needing high quality protection. 

“Are you sure?” Pierce pushed, stepping a bit too close. “There has to be a reason why she survived.” Adriel took a deep breath in, shutting his eyes, and prayed for more patience. Pierce was stressed and desperate for information. That was all. He wasn’t purposely being doubtful or condescending. Even if it really was starting to get on his nerves. Adriel let the breath out before looking at Pierce’s face. 

“There are reasons,” he murmured, “they just belong solely to Genesis.” He turned away to look back at the woman. “She doesn’t know anything. She was at the wrong place at the wrong time. A victim of circumstance.” He huffed and shook his head. “You should turn your energies towards finding her a secure location. You won’t get anything from her.” Pierce bit down and chewed on his lip. Then he grunted and shook his head.

“Get in there,” he ordered, waving a hand towards the glass, “Take a closer look and ask some questions of your own.” He let out a sigh and his shoulders slumped. “Just to be sure.” 

It was only the knowledge that they both knew this was pointless that kept Adriel from snapping. Instead, he put on his best blank look, gave a single nod, and did as he was told. Maria spared him the slightest glance when he walked in but easily turned her attention away from him. The stranger struggled to do the same thing. 

She was around his age if he had to guess. Her light brown skin had a gray tinge to it under the room’s harsh lighting. And her brown shoulder length ringlets seemed to shadow her face. Adriel was struck with the memory of picking handfuls of baby’s breath in the open fields of his hometown, gathering them into tight bundles that didn’t even rival the great bushes they came from. She glanced at him with baleful eyes, like chunks of tiger eye. And when she looked at him straight on he noticed the slight crook of her nose. Adriel crossed his arms and focused fully onto the questioning. 

“We’re going to go over everything one more time,” Maria explained, voice soothing and patient, but inviting no argument, “just to make sure we have everything we need.” 

“Then I can go home?” the stranger interrupted. Her own arms were crossed across her stomach, fingers digging into the fabric of her oversized sweatshirt. Sweat dripped at her brow and one of her feet tapped incessantly against the tile. Objectively, he knew she looked suspicious. 

Maria pursed her lips before responding, “not quite, unfortunately your apartment is considered a crime scene, so until everything is wrapped up there and we can assure your safety, you won’t be able to go home.” The stranger immediately stiffened and Maria put a comforting hand on the table. “It won’t be forever and we’re making arrangements so you’ll be as comfortable as you can be until this is resolved.” She withdrew the hand and returned to business. 

“Will you please state your full name for the record?” 

“…Shiloh Miriam Carmane.” Adriel tilted his head and committed the name to his memory. 

“Will you please explain where you were and what you were doing between the hours of 10pm and 1am?” 

“I don’t know,” Shiloh said, exasperated, “I know I was in my apartment but I was doing a bunch of little things. I did some work for my job, I cleaned around the apartment, read for a little bit, relaxed I guess.” She gave a shrug of her shoulders. “I can’t give you a precise timeline.” Maria nodded and continued on. 

Adriel tuned Maria’s words out and focused solely on Shiloh. He watched the way her fingers and eyes twitched. The way she squirmed in the thin plastic chair and continued to bounce her leg. Every minute movement, every inhale and exhale, was being carefully categorized and sorted. All of it reflected in the mirror in his mind. 

“No, I already told you, I didn’t hear anything. I was wearing my sound-proof headphones while I cleaned. Besides, the walls of that place are stupid thick. It’s practically sound proof.” Truth. 

“No, I didn’t notice anyone or anything on my balcony. I live on the third floor. I don’t expect anything but birds and bugs to be out there.” Truth. 

“Yes, I know it’s a weird time to be awake. I have insomnia so I’m usually up and at ’em at weird hours. I can’t do anything about that.” Truth. 

Shiloh continued to answer Maria’s questions one by one, but Adriel’s mind was already made up. As he’d known before he entered the room. Distance had little bearing on his abilities. As long as he could clearly see whoever he was studying, he’d get the same results. But some of her behaviors were interesting to him. And if Pierce was going to make him come in here and waste his time, he could spare some of it to satisfy his own curiosity. 

“You’re worried about something,” he interrupted. Both women fell silent and turned to look at him. “What are you worried about?” Maria shrunk back, letting him take the lead without argument. Though he knew she was more confused than she’d let on. Rarely did he ever talk to suspects himself. He’d usually take a back seat, let everyone else do the talking, and give his findings at the very end. 

Shiloh squeezed her arms even tighter around herself, shoulders squaring and back straightening. Bristling like a particularly offended cat. 

“Excuse me for being worried during my own investigation,” he hissed, glaring at him.

Adriel tilted his head to the side, unmoved by her hostility, “that’s not it.”

“Well, I mean, that’s not all,” he conceded, “you know you’re innocent and I know you’re innocent”—he ignored Maria’s scolding look—“but there’s something else that’s stressing you out.” Shiloh froze at his accusation, turning her eyes away. But the lack of eye contact wouldn’t stop him now. He cleared his mind and focused on all the details and clues he had relating to the woman in front of him. There was a period of long silence. 

“You’re eager to get back to your apartment,” he said eventually. Shiloh became slightly stiffer. But his mind saw a million distinctly different movements and shifts. “There’s something there that’s making you worried.” Maria straightened up, eyes glinting with renewed interest. He turned to her. 

“Nothing relating to the case,” he said quickly, “she has nothing to do with it and is completely clueless.” Shiloh bit down on her lip and flushed. 

“Clueless in this regard, I mean,”  he amended. He turned back to her, watching her silently. Adriel continued to think, watching the mirror and sorting through all the clues. It took only a moment of thinking before he came up with a possible answer, “is it…your lizard?” Shiloh flinched, hands coming out to grip the chair’s arms. He was sure it was the only thing that stopped her from leaping out of her seat.

“How’d you know that!?” she shouted, eyes wide, “are you some sort of mind reader?” Adriel snorted and shook his head. 

“No, I’m not. I’m just very good at reading body language,” he explained with a shrug, “I investigated your apartment before coming here and that seemed to make the most sense.” Shiloh looked at him with narrowed eyes, shoulders coming up to hide from him. Her flush covered her face. 

“Well, you’re right,” she said, “I know it’s silly. I mean everyone got murdered and here I am, worrying about my pet gecko.” Her hand wrapped around the back of her neck, like she could wipe away the blush. “He’s just…very important to me. He was a gift from a friend and I promised to take care of him.” She looked away, shame practically radiating off her. “I know it’s selfish but if I’m stuck here, there’s no one else that can take care of him.” She let out a sigh before looking back up. “I’m sorry, I don’t have anything to tell you.” Adriel nodded, curiosity satisfied. He could read behaviors like a book and could tell the truth from the lies, but he couldn’t read minds. People’s motives and reasons were their own, all he could do was take his best guess like anyone else. 

“I understand,” he said, “but, if it comforts you, one of the last people in your apartment was our coworker, Mica.” When Shiloh looked confused, he explained further. “They’re obsessed with reptiles and the like, and very knowledgeable about them. And one of the most stubborn people I’ve ever known.” He shook his head with a smirk. “If the police or investigators did anything to harm your gecko, they’d throw a fit large enough to take down the whole building.” He met her eyes for a split second before shifting to the crooked bridge of her nose. “I’m sure they’re in the safest hands possible at the moment.” 

Shiloh nodded, fists unclenching and shoulders relaxing. The deep frown on her face changed to something less severe. 

“That…does make me feel a little bit better,” she said. She gave him an acknowledging nod, “thank you.” Adriel nodded in return, the constant weight in his chest briefly lightening at the prospect of helping someone. The woman gave him an up and down before turning her chin up. 

“If you’re going to read my mind, the least you can do is sit at the table,” she muttered. Adriel blinked at her. 

“Pardon?” 

She let out a huff, “you heard me, you should sit down if you’re gonna talk. It’s rude to stand there while we’re sitting down.” For a moment, all Adriel could do is stare and blink. Then, a rush of heat spread from his cheeks, to his ears, and all the way down his neck. He was sure he was a bright red when he finally managed to clear his throat and move. 

“O-Of course,” he stammered. He reached for the nearest chair and sat down as quickly as he could. “You’re right, it was rude of me…” He cleared his throat again, “my apologies.” Shiloh looked at him before letting out a small laugh. 

“It’s alright,” she said, leaning back in her chair, “we’re all prone to a bit of rudeness from time to time.” She shot him a small smile that he couldn’t help returning. 

A little more reassured, she was now much more open and clear with her answers. Maria ran through the rest of her list one more time. Which went much quicker than the first round of questioning due to Shiloh’s compliance. And Adriel shooting down any questions that were particularly nitpicky or repetitive. 

“She’s already answered that and she told the truth, you won’t learn anything from framing it like that.” 

“She doesn’t know anything about that, move on.” 

Maria complied with him every time, knowing that while she may be the one asking the questions, interrogations were his kingdom. It would be her responsibility to build a profile or present his findings in a way the officials could accept. Eventually the interrogation, if it could be called that anymore, was over and Maria quickly ran through what Shiloh should expect from now on. 

“We have reason to believe that your safety is compromised,” she stated, “So, if you consent, we’d like to move you to a more secure location and supply you with your own security team.” Maria folded her hands together. “They wouldn’t invade your privacy, just keep a watch on the general area and be there if you needed help.” Shiloh was starting to pale and look nervous again. 

“Why me?” she asked, “I, I didn’t do anything. I wasn’t even related to any of the previous murders!” Maria hesitated, obviously trying to find a way to explain that wouldn’t get any of them in trouble. But Adriel moved quicker, answering her questions as bluntly as possible. 

“We don’t know,” he said, “but we know that for some reason, reasons only known to Genesis, she’s taken a shine to you. She may try to reach out or she might change her mind. Genesis is unpredictable by nature so any assurance would be a lie.” He felt both Maria’s and Pierce’s glares beaming into his head, but he didn’t look away from Shiloh. “All we can do is our best; put you somewhere safer and hope we may get some good out of this.” 

Shiloh glared at him, letting out a hiss, “good? What kind of good could I get out of this?” Adriel shrugged before raising a hand to list off the reasons. 

“Well, one, she’s never been connected to her victims in any way. She’s killed without rhyme or reason, no profile of any kind. But, now, she’s singled someone out, either unwillingly or willingly allowing us a connection.” He raised a second finger, “two, this gives this an opportunity to catch her. If she tries to contact you, our security team may catch her.” Shiloh looked at him blankly. 

“Like bait,” she asked, though it didn’t sound like a question. 

“If you want to think of it like that,” Adriel grimaced, “but essentially, yes. And three, she may become sloppy. Passion makes fools out of all of us. If she’s high off this particular kill, she might not be as careful as usual and provide us with more clues. Maybe even leave more victims alive.” Shiloh looked down at the table, face blank. 

“That’s a lot of if’s,” she muttered, wrapping her arms around herself. Adriel didn’t respond, knowing she was fully thinking the situation over. Shiloh was intelligent, he knew this from what little conversation he’d shared with her. Emotional, and perhaps a bit reckless, but smart and good-natured the same. A balancing act that made her well rounded and, more importantly, human. He knew what decision she’d make, according to that nature. His intentions wouldn’t shift her either way. 

“So you’re saying,” she started slowly, “if I agree to this, it’ll help with the case?” Her tails tapped against the table, revealing tiny, thin scars across her fingertips. Adriel shrugged. 

“There’s no guarantee, you may be a fluke, or she may lose interest,” he responded honestly. 

“But if I don’t agree, I won’t be able to help and might put myself in more danger,” Shiloh reasoned. Adriel shrugged again. 

“That would be my assumption, but again, she’s unpredictable,” he said, “it’s one hundred percent possible you could leave here and she wouldn’t ever make an attempt to contact you or hurt you.” 

“Possible but unlikely.” 

“From the evidence we’ve gathered, yes, unlikely.” 

Shiloh continued to tap against the table, chewing on her bottom lip in thought. Then, her muscles clenched for a split second and her pupils twitched, her fingers tapping a few more times, quicker and harder than the previous taps. She gave a decisive nod. 

“Alright, I think I’ll take you up on your offer,” Shiloh said, looking up. Adriel nodded and turned to Maria. 

“We’ll have that arranged then,” he said, tone slightly questioning. Maria looked between him and her once before sighing and standing up. 

“Yes, there’s no reason to keep you here longer than necessary,” Maria deferred. She reached a hand out to Shiloh’s, shaking it once she held it out. “Thank you for your cooperation.” Shiloh nodded. 

“O-Of course,” she said, “I don’t want anyone else to get hurt.” Maria gave her a nod and looked at Adriel. It took him a moment to understand the silent cue, but he eventually got it and moved to stand up himself. 

“Thank you,” he repeated, also shaking her hand. Shiloh looked at him, face softening slightly. 

“I feel like I should be thanking you,” she murmured, “for believing me.” Adriel blushed a very light pink. 

“No need for that,” he said quickly, “I knew you were telling the truth, that’s all.” He gave her a slightly awkward smile. She let out a snort and returned it. 

“Yeah, that’s all,” she said, tone slightly sarcastic. He knew that in her eyes, it was a big deal. But with his abilities it was truly the least he could do. He wished that he could make her understand that. In this experience though, he found that most people couldn’t ever fully grasp the way he viewed the world. So he let her hand go and followed Maria out of the room. 

He let Maria and Pierce explain to the police chief what they’d found out and what they had to do next. Only butting in when asked or when he felt something wasn’t being explained right. Eventually they managed to get the severity across to the chief and to prove that there was no reason, legally or logically, to keep Shiloh at the station. When it was all said and done the sun had risen and the rest of the world was active. He cringed at the brightness, one arm coming up to block his face and the other coming up to rub at teary eyes. Pierce came up beside him and gave him a brief squeeze on the shoulder. 

“Thank you for your work today,” he said, voice gravelly, “I’ll take Maria back to her car, you go home and get some rest.” He released him and clapped him on the back. “If anything new comes up, I’ll update you. But for now we’re stuck in a lull.” Adriel looked up at him and watched him silently. Then he gave him a nod. 

“Alright, I’ll do that. Thank you,” he said. Pierce stepped back and went to his car, Maria waiting in the passenger seat. She raised her hand in a wave when she noticed his stare. He nodded back and turned on his heel, heading to his own car. Adriel drove home in silence, mind buzzing with new details and trying to sort through what exactly had happened in the last couple hours. He’d done something strange, he thought, something that prompted Maria and Pierce to have another one of their private conversations. But he couldn’t think of what it possibly could be. He forced himself to set the thought aside to examine later. The answer would come to him eventually, food and sleep would help it come quicker. 

Adriel threw his clothes into a nearby hamper, slipping on a worn oversized t-shirt and heading to his kitchen. There he prepared himself a mug of chamomile tea and opened the tin of biscuits he kept specifically for days like these. He sipped on the tea and forced down a couple of biscuits while thumbing through his old pocket bible. The familiar passages filled him with a sense of comfort that encouraged relaxation to float through him. When he’d finished the mug and felt his eyes drooping, he put the mug in the sink and the book under his arm, and climbed upstairs to the bedroom. He put the bible back on his table and he took a moment to kneel at his bedside. Hands locking together, he began to pray. 

He hadn’t ever grown out of the childish routine, not ever since Father Asaph had introduced it to him when he moved in. From the first night where Father Asaph had encouraged him to kneel, sitting on top of the bed and running his calloused fingers through his hair. One cheek pressed against his outer knee and forehead pressed into the sheets. Where he folded his hands in prayer and pretended, head empty except for the confusion and scorn at the action. Where Father Asaph politely pretended that he didn’t know Adriel was faking. Instead, soothing him with his presence and constant attention, and believing that he would come around. 

His heart ached at the memory, but he pushed down the grief easily with the amount of practice he’d had over the years. He whispered the words he’d been too much of a coward to say before it was too late. 

“Thank you dad, I love you.” 

He swallowed thickly and wiped at the wetness on his cheeks, ending his prayers by thanking the Lord for what time he’d had with his father and asking for both of them to continue watching over him. Only then did he crawl under the covers, shutting his eyes and taking deep breaths. As he fell asleep, his fading thoughts turned to Shiloh. He vaguely wondered if she was doing well, if she was safe, and if he’d see her again. But his thoughts didn’t go beyond that and he fell into a deep, deep sleep.