Page 39 of Lovely Violent Things

A sharp cry cracks against the walls of the ravine, slicing into the moment and turning all attention toward the other side of the gorge.

Riddick curses. “What is he doing here?” Without further explanation, he rushes to where a group is quickly forming.

“Oh, god. I think Detective Emmons just fell down the ravine.” Halen starts in that direction.

There’s a flurry of chaos as people crowd around to offer aid to the injured detective. Alister orders an ambulance to the nearest marsh entrance, then commands one of the local unis to wrap a ligature around his thigh. Riddick lifts Emmons’ head to brace it on his leg, placing the wide detective’s hat on his head.

Blood wells bright red from a gash above the detective’s kneecap. Emmons hollers in pain at the pressure, and I get a strong whiff of alcohol fuming off him.

“Christ, Emmons.” Riddick hands Emmons off to Devyn and snatches one of the First Aid kits from the supply setup. “Everyone, stand back. You can cancel the ambulance, Agent Alister. It’s just a flesh wound.”

I hang back near Halen as Devyn assists Riddick in handing him the necessary materials to disinfect and suture Emmons’ wound.

As the urgency of the situation diminishes and the site clears, Halen remains, her focus centered on Riddick. “You’re really good at that,” she says, watching him insert the needle and stitch with perfect precision.

When Emmons tries to bat him away, Devyn takes hold of his hand. “Luckily, he’s too drunk to feel much.”

“He feels plenty,” Halen mutters too low for anyone else to hear.

Riddick glances up at Halen. “I was a paramedic at one point. You learn to do a lot under pressure and in unfavorable conditions.”

Devyn releases a noticeable sigh. “Jake’s funeral was today,” she says, referring to Emmons’ brother. “He’s in bad shape.”

Halen caps the camera lens, then lowers her voice to speak to Devyn. “The body was released for burial?”

Devyn shakes her head. “No, but the family held a service anyway.” Her frown is tight. “They didn’t want to prolong it…any longer.”

Halen nods her understanding, then focuses once again on Riddick stitching the wound. “Why would Detective Emmons come here?”

The detective groans. “I’m right here dammit,” he says, speech slightly slurred. “And I’m not leaving.”

Devyn consoles him. “I would try to work the case,” she responds, a defensive edge to her words. “If it was my brother’s funeral.”

A dark cloud rolls across the sky to blot the meager rays of light, warning of a bad storm hovering on the horizon.

After Detective Emmons is pronounced intoxicated but in stable condition, Halen starts the climb to the top of the ravine. I trail behind her, reaching the barren grove as raindrops start to fall and lightly patter her equipment.

She checks her phone briefly before she begins packing away her tripod and gear.

I hand her the case, holding on to one end so she’s forced to look at me. “Did you know there are three species of the death’s-head hawkmoth.”

“Agent Hernandez is waiting at the entrance.” She yanks the tripod case from my hand. “I’m not getting caught in the downpour again.”

She goes to shrug the bag onto her shoulder, and I claim the strap to carry the gear for her.

As we start out of the muggy marsh, she says, “You leapt to the Harbinger because of the hemlock grove. Because Alister wants to link a connection there.”

“Yes.”

“It’s terrifying that I’m starting to understand your train of thought.” She peeks over at me with an arched eyebrow. “There was never any correlation determined amid the species, or the victims, for that matter.”

“Maybe not when you keep the case isolated,” I say, earning a glare from her. “Atropos, Lachesis, and Styx.” I recite the species as I wade through the marsh water beside her. “All from the Greek mythos. All associated with death.”

“No,” she says adamantly. “I’m not discussing the details of the Harbinger killer with you, Kallum.”

“Why? Is there something else you’d rather us do for the next twenty minutes.” I wade closer to her. “I’m always open to suggestions.”

Halen turns her gaze ahead.

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