Chapter 5

Tyler’s POV

We had just left the crime scene and my whole body was screaming for a shower after seeing that horrendous sight. The poor girl was mangled so bad we had no clue who she was. Aside from her eyes being gouged out, every single one of her teeth was missing. A few years back I had been to a crime scene where the person’s teeth were missing and it was discovered that people who do this do not want you to be able to identify the body in any way possible. It made me cringe just thinking about it. This time on the way out of the state park I was driving and all I could think about was that poorly mangled girl and that I could feel eyes on me the whole entire time. I mean, the game warden and forensic team was staring Emery and I down because they had heard about us before, but this was different. I swear I could feel someone watching me from a distance. I didn’t feel in danger, but I knew I was being watched carefully and that thought freaked me the hell out. Emery was still being quiet and I could feel that he was scared. He was messing with a piece of string on his uniform pants. I reached over and patted his knee. “What’s wrong, man? You have been uncharacteristically quiet since we were sent out here earlier. Is the case getting to you that bad? We can always tell Sergeant Combs that we don’t want to be on it.” He looked over at me and his eyes were watered up, but he didn’t say anything. “Whoa, seriously Emery, what the hell is going on with you?” I put both hands on the wheel and glanced at him from the side. “I think you should be on this case Tyler, not me. This isn’t for me. I have seen so many terrible things and this just pushed me over the edge. I know you want the lead detective spot and I always fuck things up. I want to always be your partner, but I just can’t on this. I’m sorry.” He got quiet again and I could feel the guilt and sorrow plaguing him. I pulled the squad car over on the side of the road and the tires squealed to a halt. “What are you doing, Tyler? Get back on the road.” He sighed heavily and scrubbed his hand over his face. “Look, I get it. The last few years have been hard on you. Sometimes I forget you were over seas for so long and I haven’t seen as much as you have. I totally understand if you don’t wanna do this and I stand behind your decision 100 percent. You gotta know that. I will let Serg know. We are partners, Emery. You think of me and I think of you. Don’t feel guilty at all, I got this and after I make lead detective I will make sure you are my right hand man. Got it?” His crooked smirk came back and I knew he felt better, at least a little bit, “For sure LaFlamme, partners till the bitter end.” He clapped my shoulder and I nodded my head dramatically. His emotions changed immediately and I could feel his tension start to fade, “Atta boy! Now let’s head back to the station and give Combs the low down. I’ll be headed back to the state park after closing and you can stay on the radio if I need you.” With those final words I sped off the side of the road and headed towards the station. When we arrived about 20 minutes later I hopped out and followed Emery through the door. His nervousness was back slightly but he held his head a little higher as we made our way to the Sergeants office. I knocked twice and heard some shuffling, “Come on in, ya’ll!” Combs had one of those voices that just boomed off every wall. He would intimidate you if you didn’t know him. I swung the door open to his office and plopped down in one of the chairs. “Whatcha got for me? Also, patrol has been set up and you guys are good to go for the night.” Sergeant leaned over his desk and offered us both some mints. I shook my head no and Emery took one of course. “So I am ready to go for patrol, but Emery here is stepping down from the case.” The sergeant slowly lowered hisself into his chair taking a big bite into his mint, “okay…” he looked between the two of us curiously then dismissed whatever he was thinking or about to say, “that’s fine. I completely understand Koda. I had a case the first few years I worked here and it fucked with me so bad that I just couldn’t go on with it, but look at me now! The big man on campus. It’ll all work out, Kid.“ I’m going to be completely honest, I thought he was going to be pissed, but he took that really well. I turned and smiled at Emery and could tell he was relieved with what was just said. He smiled brightly back at me. “If that’s all, Emery, you can head back to your station and get ready to stay on radio with Tyler for the night. Tyler I need to have a quick word with you.” Emery stood up and squeezed my shoulder, “I’ll see you later. Thank you Sergeant Combs. I really appreciate your understanding.” With a slight nod shared between the two of them Emery walked out. Sergeant sighed and leaned back in his office chair, “Look, Tyler, with Emery being off the case I’m worried a little bit about you being out in those woods by yourself. I want you to keep radio lines open at all times and if you feel anything off or if you get spooked I want you to get the hell out of there. Got me?” He had a genuine look of concern on his face and I could sense he was nervous for me. I shifted in my seat, “Of course, sir, I will make sure that I’m able to get out of there as soon as possible if anything were to go down. If that will be all I’m gonna head out and run to my house and get on a fresh uniform and head back to the state park.” He smiled sympathetically, which kind of made me feel weird like I wasn’t gonna be the same after being in those woods over night. Maybe I’m just being paranoid, but I could have sworn I felt a hint of fear coming from the bad ass Sergeant. “I’ll be alright Serg. I promise.” He smirked and stood up and walked around his desk and grabbed my shoulder, “In all my forty years of Law Enforcement, I have never seen a deputy quite like you. Gods speed, LaFlamme.” With a final pat on the shoulder I turned and walked out the door and headed towards my squad car. My nerves on edge and a dryness in my mouth. I have done some scary cases, but for some reason this one has everyone riled up. Let’s just hope I can make it to the morning in one piece. Literally.