POV RILEY:

I got that sick day and did my goddamn cleaning. Chief Dean said we earned it for bringing in the suspect. Even though the case is closed, as a detective, it never feels like a victory. "The dead cannot come back to life", is a saying I've gotten used to. The only reward is knowing we have stopped the man, who has caused pain in the victims' families and friends, who will continue to suffer for their lost.

I learn later that Jenkins and Dick interrogated Jack. They told me the details later when Hal and I returned. Days later, November turned into December and the whole department had to switch to more heavier clothes. My partner insisted on still joining me even though shoving his cast through a thick jacket is going to be impossible.

It's the day after Jack's trial. The guy is sentenced to life in prison for a couple of charges. He isn't going to see the light of day again.

Oddly, Jack wants to talk to me, is what Jenkins said. He "supposedly" holds some important information that he wants to only tell to someone he somewhat trusts. I guess I fit his area of trust.

I drive with Hal to the maximum security prison in Upside; it isn't that far from the station. The building stands three-stories high. We don't have too much incarceration for this prison. Most of our guys are sent to the high security prison which is much closer to the station.

Hal shivers next to me as we head inside the prison. I told him to stay at his place while I was out but he wanted to come. I would tease him for his jumping motion to keep warm but I am also freezing my ass off.

We both let of a breath of relief when the inside shields us from the chilly weather. I rub my hands together for a few seconds then hold on Hal's cold hand. "Maybe the Hangman wants to finish us off with hypothermia," my partner jokes.

I snort, "He'll get you first then." I then blow out warm air on his hand sandwiched between mine. "So you're coming with me to talk to Jack right?"

"Hell yes," my partner nods as I release his hand. "I want to see what he has to say after the chaos he's created." His working arm hooks around my waist. He smirks, "And I can't leave my boyfriend with a serial killer. What kind of lover would I be if I did that?"

I pinch his nose, "One who knows his boyfriend could takedown men twice his size." Hal lets go of me and sulks. He's beginning to have a habit of giving me "puppy eyes". Unfortunately for him, he'll learn later that as the oldest sibling in my family, I am immune to that childish look.

"Come on, we can't keep hold up the warden," I usher him down the hall.

After identity checks, Hal and I walk through the long stretch of hallway. Doors on our right lead to cell clocks barred on the other side. There isn't anyone roaming about so only our footsteps could be heard on the white tile.

We both enter a room divided by a glass partition. No one sits in any of the seats and not a single guard is posted. I take a seat in one of the chairs and Hal decides to stand behind me. After a few minutes of waiting, the door on the other side open.

Jack walks in with two guards. The guy is restrained heavily until one guard locks only the wrist restraints. Jack nods to whatever they tell him. The two men leave him alone in the room; I'm surprised he's allowed to do that.

The chains cause Jack to waddle to the seat across from me. We both pick up the black phone hung on the side of us. I place the receiver over my ear, not shifting my gaze from the expressionless man in front of me.

"Hey..." he says. Jack glances at Hal briefly before turning his attention back to me. He continues, "Why didn't you interrogate me?"

Well, I can't tell him the full truth.

"I got a sick day," I simply respond then change the topic straight to business. "What do you have for me, Jack?"

"Still calling me 'Jack?' huh. Funny... That name is the one I changed to when I moved back to Upside. I guess it stuck with you," Jack smirks.

"Come on," I frown. "I don't have all day."

"Okay. Okay," Jack sighs. "I want you to find the officer that killed my brother."

My body tenses at the request and my fingers grip the phone with a bit more pressure. I narrow my eyes, "It's been ten years, Jack. I don't know if the man still works here. Most likely he isn't because he should have been promoted to detective by now."

"No. I guess I can't say 'officer' if I need your cooperation," mutters the criminal. He shakes his head, "I... I don't think he was 'truly' in law enforcement."

"What?!" I grit my teeth, leaning forward. "But you based your kills on your idea of 'justice!' Because you didn't like the way we worked!"

"I know. But I asked Jenkins about the man who killed Ethan," Jack calmly responds. "He said that there was never a man by that name in the UCPD. He even searched on his own for any relation to the name, as a favor for my short time with you guys."

"What's his name?"

"Dante. I heard it loud and clear during that night."

I settle back in my chair, taking a deep breath; Hal's hand falls onto my shoulder.

I answer questions but only to have more questions piling on to those. It isn't over? The Hangman case is over, that's for sure, but what in hell's name is trying to tell me?

"I'll look into it more, Jack. But I will solve this issue legally," I tell him. The guy nods, hanging up the phone; he only ends he conversation because he feels as if he's done explaining. I wish I could ignore it and mark it off as some grieving man's paranoia. But I can't.

Even though Jack's a criminal, he is sharp. I will not brush off this discovered information, not only because this "officer" should  atone to his wrong call but because my gut is giving me a terrible feeling. This is like revealing the tip of the iceberg that could cause a potential threat to not only our department but a threat in my city. If this man isn't or wasn't an officer, who else could work their way into our ranks unnoticed?

I watch Jack knock on the door he entered previously. The two guards open the metal door, chain up the lone man and escort him out of the room.

I get up from my seat with a heavy sigh. My partner eyes me worryingly. I come closer to him and let my head rest on his shoulder. His hand rests on the small of my back. "What's wrong?" he asks me.

I respond, "This is just the beginning..." I pull away. Hal gives me a puzzled look and I continue, "I'll tell you later..."

My "Black Dog" ringtone emits from my phone, indicating that the call is work related. I take the call and George's voice is on their other end. He speaks up first before I get a peep.

"We're being called for a robbery on 15th street."

"We are on our way," I say before ending the call. Hal's already at the door, holding it out for me. I roll my eyes at his gesture and walk out the door with no intention of slowing down for him. I hear his hurried footsteps behind mine as I traverse through the hallway again.

One case closed but many await around the corner.

END OF CASE ONE

......[(( _ _ ))..zzzZZ(( _ _ ))..zzzZZ]......
Author's Final Note:
Thanks to everyone who stuck to the very end! This is the first time I ever finished a story. I usually have an idea but never finish it because of procrastination and lost of interest.

But these characters stem from my first year of high school. My best friend and I reunited after not seeing each other since first grade. We came up with Riley and Hal because of a hilarious unusual moment in a Sims game. Then everyone else followed after that. We had a whole story laid out for them but we barley wrote it.

I decided to write it out now. I hope she won't be disappointed in the changes I made. I want something proud to show her.

I dedicate this book to her,
Ashley Kennedy
for making high school less lonesome.

Special Thanks:
@DramaQueen798
Rachel
@Edgeofsky
@Keeper_Of_Souls
LGBT Book Club
Everyone who's voted and
supported my first story

[This list will be updated over time]