Case File #2

After a 23-hour shift at the hospital, doctor Johnny went back home to his girlfriend Sharna. He opened the door and went into their small cozy apartment which smelled like homemade food for the first time in a very long time.

"Mmm delicious," he said going into the kitchen then he walked over to her and planted a kiss on her cheek. "I haven't seen you cook in a very long time. Is it safe to eat?" he laughed

"Don't make fun of my cooking, I can't be good at everything" she joked "help me set the table please, I have big news"

"Can't wait." He said as he grabbed the plates.

Dinner was ready, a Spaghetti Meatball pie. Sharna and Johnny sat opposite from each other eating until Sharna decided to break the silence with her big news.

"I quit my job"

"What? Are you kidding? You loved your job"

"I did not. I've always wanted to be a detective, yes, but my job was gonna lead me nowhere, so my big news is that I'm gonna be a private detective"

"I'm not sure you thought that through, that's not gonna pay anything"

"It will, eventually."She paused "Was I supposed to stay stuck forever in a job that I hate just for the money? That's awful"

"Wasn't our plan to save for our future, together?"

"I do want to save for our future, but we don't have to get a fancy wedding and a honeymoon all over Europe, simplicity is key. Johnny, this is something that I've wanted for so long and I was never brave enough to pursue, all I'm asking for is some support"

"I want to support you, but it feels a little bit selfish. I've been taking long shifts, working days and nights at the hospital saving for our future and you're not doing the same here. It feels like I always put our relationship first but for you, it's not the same"

"Johnny you know that I love you, but you also know from the first day you met me how much I care about this and how much I want it, it's my dream"

"I thought we were, but good to know" his voice was breaking because he knew what that moment meant "I'm not hungry anymore, I'm gonna go to bed." He said as he got out of his seat.

"The first time we met I told you that the 'perfect family' fantasy is not my thing. I told you that the happy couple with regular jobs, 2 children, a boy and a girl, in a warm lovely home is not the future I want"

"I thought you changed your mind. Why be with me then?"

"Because I love you? But I can't change who I am either"

They were both silent for the rest of the night, Johnny stayed to eat the rest of his food and so did Sharna then they both went to bed without saying a word.

The next morning, the two of them were pretending as if nothing happened, they both wanted to deny it. They ate their breakfast and made coffee.

"I'm going to Emily's today to ask her to do my ad"

"Good luck, she's a great graphic designer. Do you want milk with your coffee or just black"

"Maybe a little milk. Thanks. So how long is your shift today?"

"A shorter one"

"Good luck to you too"

They both knew things were awkward, but none of them wanted to reopen yesterday's fight, it was their first big fight and they didn't know what it meant.

"I'm gonna go get dressed. See you tonight?" Sharna asked

"Yeah, I need to get going too. See you then."

Sharna got dressed and went over to Emily's. Emily and Sharna have been friends since middle school and even for a while Emily dated Sharna's brother, Wyatt, but they decided to be just friends and now she's engaged to Tyler a mechanical engineer in the same company that she works in.

"You quit your job! That's great, you finally got out of that place, so what are you up to" Emily said enthusiastically

"Finally some support. Well, that's why I'm here today. I want you to make me an ad in the paper"

"What ad?"

"An ad for a private detective"

"Sure, that sounds great, but why don't you look excited"

"Em, Johnny and I had a huge fight yesterday and I think we're over"

Sharna started telling Emily all about her fight and then she asked her "Do you think I'm selfish?"

"I don't think doing things for yourself is selfish. I think that you've been miserable in your job for 2 whole years and now you're finally ready to start a new chapter and if John is not willing to accept that then he's the selfish one, he wants you to live the way he planned, but you do have the right to plan the future you want"

"But you didn't see how awkward it was this morning, I didn't know what to say to him or how to act and I can't take back what I said"

"You shouldn't you were honest with him because you care and you didn't want him to live in a fantasy and now it's up to him to accept you the way you are or walk away."

"We've been together for 3 and a half years, I can't imagine living without him"

"You're just used to it, but you definitely can and if your job is your number 1 priority then that is what you should put your focus on. I know it's hard, but there's something good coming out of it, you'll finally be a detective!"

"I can't believe this, it's all I've ever wanted ever since.. you know, my dad"

"I'm really proud of you and I'm sure one day you'll figure out who killed you dad"

"Lets' hope so" Sharna smiled.

Time passed by fast, they agreed on the ad and soon Sharna left Emily's and started walking to her house, but she decided to go somewhere else first, she went to a small coffee shop by the end of the street where she lives trying to escape a hard conversation with Johnny. She walked into the coffee shop ordered a Caramel Latte then walked over to her regular booth, only to find Johnny already seated there.

She laughed "Crazy, isn't it?"

"We're both trying to escape each other, but ended up coming to the exact same place. Call it fate?"

"Not really, I mean we had our first date here. Do you remember?" She said as she sat down.

"Of course I do."

After a short while of awkward silence, the waiter came with her order, she took a sip and started talking "I think if there's any fate, it's pushing us now to talk. Don't you think?"

"I didn't mean it when I said you're selfish and I'm sorry for that"

"You were true though. If I'm being 100% honest here, I'm gonna always choose my career first and so, even though I love you, I think we should part our ways here"

"I just hoped we could get through this"

"We both want different things Johnny. I believe that for every person there's this one thing that they're ready to lose everything for and, for me, it's my career" she paused "But I really hope you find the right girl who's gonna want the same exact future as you and I'm pretty sure you'll make the prettiest babies"

He smiled "Well, good luck to you too, detective Sharna"

"Thank you. By the way, Emily said she can post my ad in a couple of days"

"I'm really happy for you despite everything. I just want you to know and I'll pack my stuff and be gone by tomorrow"

"No, you don't have to do this, it was originally your place. I'm gonna pack and stay with Em for a few days till I get a new place."

This was a goodbye for a huge part of her life, her police career, her ex boyfriend and her old house , but it meant a new start for a new chapter in her life, a chapter she has dreamt of ever since she was young and promised to find her dad's murderer.

Hey! Thanks for reading, I hope I'm not taking too long in the background and intro phase, but I wanted you guys to get to know Sharna because she's gonna be the main character through out all the crimes. Here's a sneak peek the first crime will be in the next chapter and things are gonna start becoming more intense. Hope u're enjoying it and please let me know ur thoughts in the comments :)