When You Want to Love Me Again, I Don't Need it Anymore

When I saw Ralph, his face weary, disregarding rest as he summoned the team into the meeting room, my heart ached incessantly.

I wanted to touch his face, but my hand passed through his cheek.

Taking a deep breath, he stood at the lectern, switching on the projector.

My autopsy report appeared on the big screen, the processed image less ghastly than when first discovered, yet still eliciting gasps.

"Damn, this killer left no stone unturned, what grudge led to such torment? The motive for revenge is too blatant," remarked a young detective, a new face to me.

Gary shot him a look. "More than just revenge, it's a blatant challenge, dumping the body at our own tower."

The young detective clenched his fist. "Damn, daring us? Sir, we got to show them who's boss."

Ralph glanced at the pair, ignoring them, delving into the case analysis.

"Just heard what they said. Firstly, this case is classified as a revenge killing, yet the victim's identity remains unknown. Concealing the head might pass, but hiding the right leg indicates crucial identifying features.

"Secondly, the body dump as a provocation. I want all cases of this nature flagged for investigation. Any potentially related cases could be our breakthrough."

With a swift turn of the video, a close-up of my hand appeared.

Ralph tapped the screen twice, continuing, "According to the forensic report, postmortem forced finger fractures suggest..."

"Something important was forcibly taken from the victim's hand postmortem," Gary interjected loudly.

Ralph nodded in agreement.

Gary added, "Could it be evidence in the hand?"

"Hard to say, but it's a lead."

I couldn't help but lower my gaze to my right hand, recalling the two things I held tightly before death, my engagement ring with Ralph and my police badge.

I swore never to lose these two items, even in death.

Yet, she took them from me.

"Gary, any recent missing persons reports?"

Ralph's voice snapped me back, his gaze piercing through me to Gary.

Gary jolted. "Ralph, I've been on it. No missing persons reports these days; I suspect the victim might have lived alone."

Ralph and I gave him an exasperated glance, feeling speechless.

"Even if alone, no contact in four days; wouldn't family or friends report it?" Ralph questioned.

Ralph's words stung, memories flooding back.

My father, a narcotics officer, died in action. Retaliation targeted my family, but they fought to protect me.

Ralph's father, a friend of my father, took me in.

Growing up, we both joined the police academy.

He excelled in the detective unit while I gained renown in forensics.

We were known as the ultimate duo, a perfect match.

All my friends and family were here, yet now, none would think of me.

Rubbing his brow, Ralph continued, "Stay in close contact with the department, monitor missing persons and suspected crime cases closely."

"Yes."

Listening to Ralph's solemn words, I couldn't help but stand with my colleagues, hands together, echoing a solemn reply.

It seemed that I was still alive, still working on cases with them.