"Victim's name Jack Raynor, he was 39 years old and his job...is still unknown"

Robert said by finishing his report to us. Today was like any other day as an officer currently located at a region between two opposite gangs.

"Hey... Heather, may i have a moment with you? "

Robert said silently so he could speak privately with her, away from the crowd.

"Look, i know that we by all means need to state the truth in our reports, but... I intentionally didn't mention the victum's job. I mean... the age and all, matches the profile we already have, so some may have already noticed..."

Heather interrupted him because they had been missing for quite some time, only making them look suspicious.

"Come on, Robert! We don't have the time of the world. If it's something important, you have to at least tell me"

He took a moment to speak. Making sure no one could see or hear them since he did lie.

Taking a breath, he admitted

"He is the leader of the infamous gang the Lions, the one who murdered hundreds during the conflict between the two gangs 9 years ago."

Heather was socked. They had been chasing that very leader only for him to be found dead in front of them. Something wasn't right.

"How did a powerful person like him end up dead?" She muttered, confused to herself.

"Ok Robert, good job. I will be taking up from here. If someone asks you anything, you simply won't know, you have pretty much finished your part here by stating your report."

The officers at the scene started leaving after the corpse was taken at the station for further examination.

They had to leave before anyone started questioning their leaving, especially since they were together.

As Robert was about to leave, he felt Heather's hand on his back. He knew she was about to do something but didn't know what.

He stopped there nervously since officers could spot them. He turned his head slowly only to see Heather moving in front of him.

"Heather, what do you think you are -"

He didn't even have the chance to finish.

"Good job, Officer Robert. You can now return back to the station and complete your report."

She loudly said, wanting to attract the attention of others. Heather couldn't risk being seen or not, so she took matters in her own hands by causing a tiny ruckus.

And it worked...

"There you are guys, we have been looking for you. Were you discussing about the case. Looks like a tough one... Anyway, Robert, i think you are pretty much dismissed by Heather. Keep up the good work."

That was exactly how Heather wanted things to turn out. Not looking suspicious since they were secretly talking about the case and Robert making an excellent report.

After a while, everyone left, including Robert, leaving Heather behind with the excuse of checking the crime scene for one last time.

Now that she was alone, she could finally check the scene herself.

Meanwhile

A motorcycle parked far enough from Heather, so it wouldn't be found out . The person there didn't seem dangerous. They were just looking at Heather...

Heather was confused...

"It must have been a pro. Since the newbies at the gangs don't even dare to lock eyes with the leaders."

She looked around one more time.

"Hmmm... We found the gun, but we are not sure if it's the actual murder weapon. Why would anyone leave it behind?"

Lost in her thoughts, time flew by, and it was getting dark outside. She snapped out of it by a call. She picked up seeing Robert's name on it, thinking it was important.

"Hey Robert, what's u -"

"Heather, where are you right now? Don't you dare say at the crime scene. Have you checked the time?! What if the killer comes back and attacks you? WHAT IF-"

"Robber, have you forgotten who you are talking to?"

Heather managed to interrupt his non-stopping worries with a way she hates. Mentioning their ranks.

"H-ha ha, of course not, you are my superior, Miss Heather."

Even though Heather didn't like mentioning their ranks, Robert, on the other hand, never minded, in fact... it was kinda fun?

"Oh please don't call me miss, we are the same age, and i mention the rank only for you to stop yelling. What am I, a baby? I will take some photos and leave"

Robert and Heather have been good friend since their high school years. They managed to get in the same university and police academy.

Unfortunately, their "luck" ran out when they entered the academy. Robert didn't manage to pass a test, making him an officer below her.

Although Heather felt guilt since it was their dream to climb to the top, Robert stayed behind. He didn't mind at all, and because he didn't, their friendship wasn't ruined.

They still joked around and hung around as they did back in the days.

"Ok ok just be safe. You know im being sincere, Miss -"

She hung up the phone since she knew what he would say.

"Pftt... Same old Robbert"

After the phone call, she took another cell phone out of her pocket. It looked like a secret one, and indeed it was.

She uses that phone for cases she takes up after the "usual" examination of the police.

Murders between gang members always look like normal ones and end up almost impossible for the police to find the culprit.

It took quite some time and a few murders for Heather to catch up with the pattern.

4 years ago

It was when their police station transferred Robert and her at this location saying they needed all the help they could have.

It was weird for two newbies to move on so quickly, but no one said something since it was a request that came from the Chief.

About the murders. It wasn't always the same pattern. One time, it would be a dead woman and the other a man. It was a short person and then a tall one.

With that information, they couldn't match the murders to any serial killer.

One thing was the same, though. Male or female they had a one-letter tattoo if not a normal one, and that was how Heather had a theory.

All the dead people weren't just some random victims. They were opposite gang members. She couldn't prove it since it was like asking for a death wish if someone broke the rules between certain gangs. Of course, she also doubted anyone would believe a newbie like her.

Then she turned to the one person who would believe anything she would say. Robert.

"Meet me at the usual place. - H"

Robert got the message and immediately went there.

After a couple of minutes, footsteps could be heard. There would be only one person who would go at that time and place there.

"Psst… Robert, I'm here. "

Heather whispered so he could spot her.

"Hey, what's up? Are you ok, I got your message"

Robert seemed anxious due to the fact that this was the first time that they had a late night meeting.

"I.... Actually, I found something about the murders around this area, but the information could be useless since we can't even connect them. Look, you can even ignore what im about to say im just -"

Robert was standing there looking her in the eyes, waiting for her to stop talking nonsense.

" Aren't I your friend? Why wouldn't I believe you. What do you take me for? Come on speak up now, i wanna hear all about i."

Heather felt.... Satisfaction and joy. She knew that he was her best friend but you never know when a person could change.

She was glad that he hadn't one bit.

Heather explained everything about her tattoo theory and waited for a reaction.

Robert sat there frozen, only for him to take out his phone.

"You finally managed to catch up. I also wanted to meet you for the same reason. I actually took a picture in secret of a message that was sent to one of the"victum's" phones.

It had codes, coordinates, and even some profiles of certain people inside the gang. Though it was useless since they found them dead.

"Well, you don't think...."

Heather was surprised and almost shocked for even thinking about it.

" Yes, i do. Firstly, you are right. Gangs have been fighting each other. Someone must have broken the rules, and all this bloodshed has started."

Robert stopped talking because the last thing he wanted to say hopped it wasn't true either.

" Also.... There is definitely a corrupted officer. Not a single one mentioned this message, and it was Rick that found the phone first. Heather, i don't think they sent us here because they needed help."

They both finished what they wanted to talk about and agreed on one thing. They needed to find the truth about the conflict between the gangs, the corrupted officer, and even.... Their sudden transfer in this location.

"We will not trust anyone, but we need to act as we did before. We will still be sharing information about the things we only see in front of us. Robert, I know it's risky, but we will have to act on our own if you want to back down I-"

Robert had a grin on his face.

"Silly, what would you do without your best friend and ahem obviously the brain of this mission."

"Robert, i think you are overreacting. Let me remind you are ranks..."

"Jeez can't even let me enjoy this, alright Miss Heather, I will gladly join."

This is how everything started, Heather would always stay behind while Robert would report the information he would "see." Their mission wasn't found out, and so they continue carefully.

Back to the present

Heather took the photos she needed and left the crime scene. She walked a few blocks down from there, where she parked her motorcycle and left.

A while after she left, so did the other person with their motorcycle. No plates could be seen. They didn't follow Heather they just went back to their house.