Most towns carry secrets, including fishing towns. Some secrets are lost at sea or in the Great Lakes as many ships wrecked in the treacherous waters. Those secrets stay buried in a watery graveyard. Unfortunately, small-town secrets don't stay buried.
Malia
I lifted the lid on the storage box. Dust flew everywhere as I rifled through the folders and paperwork.
"Which cold case are we working on now?" Damon asked me.
I pulled out a manilla folder and flipped through it. "Most of the cases are petty thefts. I'm searching for a clue to the person who attacked me." I replaced the file and put the lid on the box.
"I figured you would want a break from violence."
I glanced at Damon. He smirked. I shook my head. The irony in his comment was ridiculous.
I carried the box back to the metal rack and read descriptions until my eyes landed on one in particular. I pulled the box and brought it to the table, then set it down. After removing the lid, I pulled out a file and opened it.
"Let me guess. Another petty theft case."
"No." I read through the reports. "It's about the Lakewood Serial Killer."
Damon's brows raised. "I forgot about that case. It had so many twists and turns."
My brows knitted as I read through the reports. Dad was meticulous with this case. He detailed every fact down to the clothing and victims. Then something caught my eye.
"Damon, do you remember the phrase curiosity killed the cat?"
"Yeah, people would say it to keep people from snooping. Why?"
"No reason." I shook my head.
I've been trying to figure out why the person who attacked me had said that phrase. It had bothered me since that night.
It's not like my life has made sense for the past ten years. After graduating from the police academy, I threw myself into my work, leaving little time to date. I had no interest in dating anyone since Luka.
I sat down in a chair and removed the contents out of the box, then read through the paperwork. I wasn't aware that this information would lead me to an actual case and an encounter with The Lakewood Serial Killer.
******
Luka
The drive took me ten hours from Chicago to Lakewood with the time change. I pulled into the driveway, got out of my car, and stared at my parents' house. Ten years change so much but nothing at all.
The front door opened as I grabbed a bag out of the backseat and walked towards my mom.
She stepped out onto the porch. "Luka." A smile curled upon her lips.
"Hey, Mom."
We hugged.
She pulled back and looked at me. "It's been a while."
"It hasn't been that long. You, Dad, and Niko had visited me in Chicago."
"But not often since you were always working." Mom raised her brow.
I rolled my eyes. "Chicago has more homicides than Lakewood. The last homicide Lakewood had was ten years ago."
Mom sighed. "It was a rough year."
I nodded, then hugged her again. We entered the house so that I could get settled before Dad came home.
People thought I left because of my past, but that wasn't the truth. I had an opportunity to make a difference after what happened. I met so many people who lost love ones because someone murdered them. The sorrow and anguish they felt were the same when Dad discovered my birth mother was a serial killer. How does one become a serial killer? It was a question that lingered with me.
Mom helped me bring in my boxes and suitcases. We set the items down in my old room.
"How long are you staying here?"
"I have a few places to check out after I meet with the Chief."
"Does Malia know you're back?"
I glanced at Mom as she gave me a knowing look.
"I haven't spoken to Malia since I left. I doubt she would care."
"How do you know if you haven't spoken to her?"
"What would I say? Hey, Malia. Remember me? Sorry that I broke your heart. Oh, hey, I see you moved on with someone else. I'm happy for you."
"Luka."
I shook my head. "It's my fault for staying in Chicago and not calling. I wouldn't blame Malia for moving on with someone."
"You can't live in the past. It's not healthy."
I knitted my brows. Mom wasn't referring to Malia but discovering the twisted secrets we encountered. The Lakewood Serial killer shook Lakewood to its core and revealed hidden secrets and corruption in the fishing town. All small towns carry secrets, even Lakewood.
*****
Malia
After several hours of scouring through reports and pictures, I sighed.
"I don't know what you're looking for, but your dad closed this case ten years ago."
I glanced at Damon. "I know that Dad closed the case years ago, but something is nagging at me." I rubbed my face in frustration. Cold cases were always a hit and miss here. Thanks to the deputy and sheriff, many cases went unsolved and buried.
After Dad, Charlie, and Joe took over the sheriff's office, Lakewood became a sleepy fishing town again. Crime went down, and the residents could leave their doors unlocked. I glanced at my Apple Watch and noticed the time.
"We might as well pack up since nothing is standing out to me."
"Yeah, good idea. Niko wants to discuss his latest idea for a novel." Damon groaned.
I snickered. "Oh, Niko is enthusiastic. Plus, I love reading his novels."
"Detroit, you love anything that deals with murder and mayhem."
I chuckled at the nickname Damon had given me when we met. We placed the files back into the storage box, and I replaced the lid. I would worry about the nagging thought later.
As we were leaving the sheriff's office, Dad stopped us.
"A new officer is arriving in a few days having transferred from another precinct," Dad said.
"Why?" Damon asked.
"Because we need the help."
Damon and I glanced at each other.
"What help? Besides, Dad, Joe, and you, there isn't much crime happening in Lakewood. There's no crime happening. Malia and I are working cold cases."
I giggled.
Dad rolled his eyes. "Listen, smartass. With the festival happening in the next two weeks, we need more staffing. More tourists will be staying in Lakewood. I don't need crime escalating with innocent bystanders."
"Have you met the tourists? Do they seem like they're angels?"
Dad arched his brow as I tried not to laugh. Ever since Dad assigned Damon and me to cold cases, Damon gives Dad a hard time. At least, we had entertainment.
We walked out of the station.
"Why can't the chief assign us to a case? I'm sick and tired of digging through cold cases."
"It's not like there's much crime happening in Lakewood. Petty thieves don't count."
Damon rolled his eyes.
"Who knows? We might catch a break. Plus, we're getting a new officer." Yeah, I was trying to be optimistic, but even I had my doubts. Damon was right.
"Purse thieves don't count."
I laughed. Damon said bye then strolled to his car. I shook my head and headed to my car but felt like someone was watching me. I glanced around the parking lot but didn't see anything. I shrugged and got into my vehicle. Paranoia was getting the best of me since my attack. I had to remember what they taught us at the academy. Fear will hinder your ability to do your job. I needed to keep a clear head.
I pulled out of the parking lot and went to meet Abby. My mind drifted to the new officer who was joining us. I hope that he's not incompetent. Time will tell.