Sheriff Randy POV

The fire engulfed the Violance home, the air saturated in dark smoke. Mr. and Mrs. Violance, cradled one another watching in agonizing pain. Not only was there home, ablaze but Rose was missing. I tried to run into the flames, to bring their baby girl, to their arms. But the fire squad forcibly restrained me. Apart from the cries, the only sound echoing in the air was the snaps and crackles. The homes structure slowly crumbling, under the blazing heat. Rose's screams fell silent if she was in the fire.

She was gone.

The brothers stood shocked, watching as their childhood home disappears. Both shocked, and scared, desperate for the sound or sight of their baby sister. As the last firefighters left the flames, they came out empty handed.

The little Rose was gone.

When I hung my head, readying myself to cry for the loss of her. I saw it. A black rose, laying disheveled on the concrete. Barely visible from the flames, eliminating the surrounding area. I picked up the rose, holding it, in my hand, protecting it from the scene, unfolding.

After the house fire, was put out by the fire team. Everyone left, as I escorted the Violance family, to the police station. After arriving, the station was lit with people, all ready to help the family in their time of need. I loved, how this little community pulled together in times of chaos.  Ready to help in any way possible.

I left the grieving family, to the hall of support, eagerly wanting to help. These people could offer more love and support than I ever could. So I left them to head to my office. When I flicked on the light, it's florets flickered, tell them solid light brightened the room. I immediately saw the black rose, sitting on my des top. I took a seat, setting the rose I found at the fire, off to the side.

Laying under the new rose was an envelope, labeled; Sheriff Randy.

I ripped the side of the envelope, opening its width. Shaking the envelope, like a salt shaker, a letter, fell into the palm of my hand. Folded nice and neat, as if the creases were made perfectly. The crisp paper unfolded, the pressure from my fingertips, creased the paper.

Dear, Sheriff Randy

In case you haven't figured out, I will give you a hint. Jack Finley, was the hummingbird killer. Lucuas was his successor, and your Rose is dead.

Tonight was only the beginning.

When you find a body, marked with a black rose. You will know it was me. So Sheriff let's play a game, come find me.

Sincerely,

The Hummingbird Killer.

Ps. Catch me if you can.

As I read the last line, deputy Henson knocked on my door.

"Hey, Randy." He said as if about to give me bad news.

"What's up?" I asked.

"Just got a call, to the Finley, home. Had Jackson, go check it out. He found Lucuas Finley, in the cellar, his throat, cut ear to ear." Damn it, he was our lead to Jack. But a thought occurred to me.

"Was there a black rose, anywhere?"

Henson, eyed me suspiciously, his brows furrowed. "Yeah, on his chest. How did you know?"

The hummingbird killer. That's how.

"Like these?" I asked, gesturing to the two airing on my desk.

"Yeah." He admitted, now curious. "Exactly like those."

I looked at the murder board, seeing, the mystery unfold. Jack started it all, passing on his sick mind to his son, Lucuas. Jack fled when he realized we were closing in on him. Lucuas, killed Sage, in training to take his father's place. The mystery man kills Lucuas, taking the hummingbird title. Rose almost drowns, finding Sages body, James, dies in the woods with Rose. Rose was killed, lost in the fire set by the hummingbird killer.

So who is the mystery man?

More questions filled my brain, I leaped into action, taking the letter placing it in an evidence bag with the envelope. I took another two bags, placing the black roses in them. New evidence to catalog, new leads. Tomorrow I will have these sent out, to collect any DNA. With any luck, maybe we will get lucky.

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"Randy, line one." The receptionist hollered to me.

It's been a week since I sent the new evidence to the lab. I've been waiting for a phone call with the results, impatiently.

"This is Randy." I said, fiddling with some paperwork on my desk.

"Hey Randy." Lucy chimed.

Drawing my full attention to her voice, I was beyond ever to hear what she had to say.

"What do you have for me Lucy!?" I rushed, not wanting to make small talk.

"Jeez, calm down." She sassed. "Ran the black roses, for DNA and came up with smudged prints. So that was a dead end."

I audibly sigh, not liking the bad news. I just needed one break, just something to point me in the right direction.

"However!" She chirped. "The letter, we got quite a bit from."

Yes! This was what I needed!

"What is it Lucy!?" I impatiently muttered.

"The handwriting was that of a lefty, and aside from your fingerprints, Jack Finley's was on the paper. Along with his daughters, Rose. Rose's saliva was also on the adhesive of the envelope. She licked it." Lucy, stayed the facts, proud of her findings. But it only left me with questions.

Rose licked it, and it had her fingerprints.

The fire marshal gave me his report, a few days after their investigation. The fire, of the Violance house, started in Roses room. Her body was never found, her remains could have been cremated, or she wasn't there. Her Jeep was missing, the family reported it stolen, after the fire. It wasn't far fetched, since Rose left her keys in the ignition. Could that have been Rose? But the letter said Rose was dead. Was she missing? Did we need to find her body? Or is the letter miss leading? Could Rose still be alive?

It feels like with every piece of new evidence, more questions arise. Could I have overlooked the killer? This was the beginning of a case that would drive me insane. I had to search for the black rose. I have to bring justice to the Violance family. I needed to bring down the killer, who thought they could play me.

Rose Violance, or should I say Rose Finley. I'm coming for you.

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Here's an update! Thanks to all that have stayed with me this long! Thanks for all the comments and votes! I really appreciate all of you!

If it weren't for you! My book would be nothing! So thank you for the support!!

I'm thinking the epilogue is next! Not sure!

Does anyone have any questions!? Here's your chance to ask them!