By Lantern Light [Wattys 2016]

The First Match

The flashlight was heavy in his hands. The stiff plastic gave no comfort from the sweltering heat as he stood with the gathered. Fireflies danced sluggishly in the midnight sky as men milled about despite the muggy evening. It looked as though it would be a long night. The siren lights flashed, illuminating the park with reds and blues. Yellow Police tape stood out in the night, blocking the bystanders from approaching. He placed a hand on the haphazard barrier, peering into the dark as sweat dripped down the back of his neck. Tarps were set up on the other-side, just passed the cops where they stood, grim in the darkness and flashing colors. One man, in a suit rather than a uniform was shaking his head while talking to a similarly dressed woman.

"Uncle Ryan!" He called out, too loudly given the obvious situation. The suit clad man turned, a scowl coming to his face.

"Shawn..." The man, Ryan, came forward. His female partner trailed behind with a small smile.

"Evening Shawn." The woman spoke softly.

"Evening Miss Stone, long night?" Shawn took in her frizzy brown hair coming out of a french braid. She graced him with a tired smile.

"You shouldn't be here, Shawn." Ryan, a tall, broad, dark skinned man glared at him with crossed arms.

"You know that isn't true Uncle." He leveled his relative with a steady gaze, calm despite the sweat he could feel on his brow.

"And you know that if you want to make a formal inquiry, you'll have to call the station." Shawn shook his head, reaching into his back pocket to pull his wallet.

"Not when it might involve one of my cases." Shawn held up his Social Services license. "I just need to know if the victim is Martin Hernandez."

"A case? Why would social services be concerned about a...body." Ryan clearly stopped himself from saying something, Shawn noted.

"I'm working on the Mia Hernandez case from last month. A little girl is permanently scarred, uncle. I need to know if this is the body of her father. I heard the call come in while I was finishing up some paperwork at the station. The descriptions match. I just need confirmation." Shawn's voice was steady even as he thought over the details of his case.

"...Alright, alright... Enough with the guilt trip. We all know Mia. Hell, I've been looking for her father longer than you have, Shawn. What he did to that kid..." The older man trailed off, grimacing.

"Is it him?" Shawn asked one more time.

"Yes. It's him. We found the ID on the body. You can't tell anyone yet though. The Media can't get a hold of this information, do you understand?" Shawn nodded slowly. Ryan gave a gruff nod, turning away. The older Detective was obviously done with the conversation. Shawn wasn't though.

"One more thing, uncle!" Shawn called out, stoping the man in his tracks.

"Make it quick."

"Was it a murder?"

Detective Ryan Canty paused, face closed off and lips pinched. Even Detective Maria Stone became tense at the question, despite her normally calm disposition. They stared at each other for a moment. Shawn Canty was tense as he met his uncle's eyes steadily. Sweat rolled down the small of his back,the linen button down constricting in the terrible heat. Flashing lights cast his uncle's expression in shadow. He knew the answer before it left his Uncle's lips. Had felt it in his bones before he even got to the scene after hearing the call come in.

"Yes."