The Mallorca Files - Back in the days

The bodies

Miranda was sitting on a bench enjoying the sun. The day could not have been more beautiful. It was really warm and she wore short white trousers and a white shirt. Her sunglasses were hiding her eyes but you could see that her lips were smiling. She was, indeed, happy today, though she would never have admitted the reason to anyone. Well, there was a person she would have admitted the reason to but that was long ago and she did not want to think about it. The reason, however, was that Max had invited her to dinner and swimming in the afternoon and she was really looking forward to it. She probably would not swim, did not like it much anymore, but she would get to spend time with Max. And he was so funny and dorky that it would be a very good time, as always. She was distracted by her thoughts when her phone suddenly rang. It was Max.

"Hi Miranda. We found two bodies on the beach, you coming?

- I'll be right there Max, she answered, already making her way towards the car."

Miranda arrived at the crime scene at 6pm. The beach of Palma. There was a small group of tourists waiting anxiously at the side, police officers calmly talking to them, standing in front the crime scene to hide it. "Ma'am, no access", one offficer said to her. There was something about her that made people immediately assume she was British. "DC Miranda Blake" she said. He let her pass without waiting for confirmation, he knew the name and face now.

Max was looking at the bodies. The woman, nearly still a girl, had light golden hair the colour of wheat. It was really long and fell down to her hips. Her wide open eyes, they had not been closed yet, were an intriguing greyish purple, a colour that was rare. They were enormous, so big that they made the whole scene even scarier to look at. She was not exactly someone you would have immediately called beautiful, but rather unique. Her skin was golden, nearly the same colour as her hair, it probably would have been if she had not been dead for several hours, as estimated and her face was freckled around the nose. She had long, thin hands like a pianist and a slim hourglass figure. She wore a light green dress, really simple, no jewelry. But the most intriging were her eyes. Their size made you feel like she was observing you,taking every part of you in even though she was definitely dead.

The man was well-muscled and older than the girl, though still what one would call a young man. He had the same hair, the colour of wheat and the same golden skin. His hair was long, ending at the shoulders and he had a broad face and high, defined cheekbones. His eyes were a sea blue and his lips were heart- shaped. He was only wearing green knee-lenght trousers. The girl had been raped for approximatively four to five hours and then strangled. It must have been horrible. He had been stabbed in the back multiple times after being knocked down first. It was clear that otherwise this tall, strong man would have defended himself effectively. Max saw Miranda making her way towards the crime scene and met her halfway.

"Hey, Miranda, female 18 to 25 years old, raped and then brutally strangled. She has injuries from trying to defend herself. Male, 28 to 33 years old, knocked down and then stabbed in the back multiple times. He has a head injury. Both were apparently brought here after being murdered. Nothing else for the moment.

-Well, let's see Miranda said. This is never easy, she sighed.

When Miranda took a look at the bodies, her face darkened and then Max was not quite sure what happened. She started shaking violently and then she turned and took a few unsure steps before collapsing on the ground and vomiting. Max was shocked. He had never seen her like this. She was always very closed and rarely emotionally involved. He ran after her. She did not seem to care about what others would think. Everybody was looking at her but she sat there on the sand, her whole body shaking constantly and cried. Yes, she was crying and sobbing loudly, something that was not at all like her. 

"Miranda? Max asked, not quite sure how to react. He knew she did not like physical contact but she did not answer nor did she seem to notice him at all, so he started rubbing her back and knelt down beside her.

- Schatz, what's wrong with you? Tell me? Miranda?

There was no reaction. She seemed completely oblivious to his presence, but he noticed she was working herself up more and more, gasping for air and seemingly unable to find any. He had witnessed her having some kind of light panic attack due to claustrophobia when they had investigated a tunnel during a case but that was different. She was getting out of control , breathing hard and fast and sobbing, while somehow also screaming. He had to calm her down or they would have to sedate her so he risked it and hugged her tightly from behind applying constant pressure on her back. He hoped that would lead to complains, bringing her back to the real world that way but it did not work. She said nothing, just continued to scream and scream without breathing properly, her heart beating so loudly that he could hear it as if it were outside her chest. 

- Blake y Winter? he heard the commanding voice of Inés behind him. Seconds later he could hear her approaching. Now that was perfect, Miranda in his arms having an out of control panic attack she would certainly soon pass out from and now Inés ready to yell at both of them. He was deeply worried about Miranda, she had to calm down. To his surprise Inés did not yell. She started with a "What is that supposed to...?" but then cut it as she saw and heard Miranda. With a concerned look on her face she knelt down in front of the trembling detective and took her hands. Miranda did not fight it.

"Detective Blake!" it was not mean, just a way to get attention. It only worked for a moment, before Miranda started hyperventilating again.

- Miranda, querida, what's wrong, she then said in a softer tone. She started stroking Miranda's face. Max was very surprised at her acting so motherly. 

- Respira... Everything's fine, we're all here, we all care about you, just breathe, nice and easy. It was endearing, it would have been brilliant if it would have worked. Max thought it had when she suddenly stopped trembling and shaking but he soon realized it was because she had passed out. 

- We need medical attention for detective Blake! He called, the paramedics ariving quickly. Inés calmly stroke Miranda's face. Whatever had caused that now. She was brought to the hospital, Max insisting on driving with her.