Rose By Another Name

 

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Prologue

     It was December 24, 2 AM, New York City when the police found her body. She was a young foreign girl with no relatives. She went missing on the twenty-second. Her body was found under a thick layer of snow and her time of death was at 12:13 AM. The cause of death was blood loss from a .22 caliber bullet wound. There were no traces of the culprit, but then they found a rose a few feet from her corpse. At that moment, everyone knew who the murderer was. There was only one uncatchable assassin in the city that leaves behind a red rose by the targets. It was the Scarlet Phantom, the dispatcher of the black market. No one knows the identity of the phantom, and only few know where to go if they want a job done.
    Detective Dimitri, the head of the police department, was the one that found the rose. He looked sad and nostalgic when he found the frost covered rose in the blood stained snow. The girl’s corpse was moved as the forensics people started to pack up their equipment. Dimitri placed the rose into his notebook and pocketed it. He went back into his car and they all went home. When he arrived at his complex, there was a letter shoved into the mail slot of his door. He grabbed it and placed it on the kitchen table with no intention of reading it now. It was four in the morning, so there was no point in trying to sleep. He took off his coat and went into the bathroom to wash his face. He wet his thick, black hair and looked at himself in the mirror. Afterwards, he went into the kitchen to grab a cup of coffee. He gave the letter a glance, but retreated into his room. Dimitri sat on his bed, which creaked, and stared at the ground. A familiar voice rang in his ear as the heard the police gave chase outside his window.
“Come on, Dimitri! You can’t give up yet. What happened to the best detective in New York? You can’t let something like this hold you back.” The voice said.
    He drank his coffee, trying to drown the voice out of his head. The voice did not go away. It haunted him. Dimitri looked at the picture in the rose frame by his lamp and a feeling of anguish took over him. He placed the picture face down and put his head in his hands. Then, his phone rang. He picked it up, thinking that it might keep him occupied. The person that called him was a close friend from college who works as a reporter. He called to ask about the case, telling Dimitri that it is going to be featured on the news this evening. After a while, his friend told him that he was acting a little strange for the past few days. Then he asked Dimitri a question that caught him off guard.
“What ever happened to that girl you were going out with? I haven’t seen her for a while.”
“A-Ah! Her. We didn’t work out.” Dimitri replied.
“What? You two looked rather happy to me. Well, don’t worry about it. There are still other girls out there! I gotta get going, laters pal!” He hung up.
    Dimitri put the phone down and lay on the bed, motionless. He looked at the ceiling and sighed. He was pretty contempt with her around. He did not laugh as much when she was not around. Dimitri extended his hand out in front of him, the hand that she held closely to her body whenever they went out. The time they spent together was always short. She was probably the only person that managed to teach him how to live. Dimitri got off the bed and paced around since sulking will not get him anywhere. He saw the letter on the table again and decided to look. He sat down and opened the letter. It had no sender, but he recognized the handwriting when he unfolded it.
“To my dear Dimitri,” It began.

 

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1 - Phantom

March 13th, 11:24 PM, New York City, Rainy
“We have a visual on the target, I repeat, we have a visual.”
    Over a patch of private property, two helicopters hovered over the grass field and police cars surrounded the area. There were officers spread all over the place and a group moved into the building in the center of the property. They were there for one reason, to capture the ghost of the underworld. They managed to find a lead to the murderer’s next victim and set themselves around the premises. The target was a member of the NYC Council. The police had already taken him into protective custody. Detective Dimitri has arrived in person to try capturing the culprit. He has been chasing the infamous perpetrator of New York City for years. The Scarlet Phantom is the name of the most notorious murderer in the city, and no one knows the identity of the phantom. However, Dimitri was certain that the face of the phantom will be revealed tonight.
    The detective cautiously moved into the building with his handgun ready. One group of SWAT members sealed all exits and another was with Dimitri. As they walked along the hallway, lightning illuminated the corridor. The lights were off, so they had to be extra careful. Dimitri sent two to each of the rooms and he went with an officer to the room in the end of the hall. The door was opened slightly, and they entered. The wooden floorboards under them creaked as they advanced around the room. Then, thunder struck and the officer that was with him collapsed. He found himself standing alone facing a figure that loomed over the corpse. Dimitri raised his gun, but it was shot out of his hand by the figure. Then, he heard shrieks from the other members. Those individual cries died out. He looked into the shadows, trying to make out the face.
“You know you’re wasting your time, right?” The figure said.
“Who are you?” He asked, trying to make out the voice through the rain.
“How rude.” It replied, pacing the room.
“Don’t think you’re getting out!” Dimitri said, blocking the door.
“There’s more than one way to get out. I can shoot you now and walk out, but you have people blocking the door. I can just shoot you for fun, too. But my boss gave me a plan, so I have to stick with that.”
    Dimitri was sure now that the voice belonged to a female. His cell phone rang. The stranger in the shadows gestured him to answer it. Terrible news rang in his ear when he picked it up. The head of the council died. He was killed by a sniper not ten minutes ago. They had fallen into a trap. The information was purposely leaked so they would walk into the trap. He flinched when the figure moved. Just then, lightning flashed and thunder roared. He was able to catch a quick glimpse of the female before she turned towards the window. She tossed a rose back at him.
“Now, I bid you adieu.” She said, hoping out the window and disappearing into the rain.
    He raced the window and saw the panic outside. The girl was gone and the police outside were shouting all sorts of commands. Dimitri exited the same way he entered and saw all of the guards that went in with him. They were alive, that much was clear. Most of them were simply caught in a trap of some sort. The team took some traps to examine in case any fingerprints were on them. It took them a full half-hour to get the trapped SWAT members free. Dimitri was driven home by his friend, Tom, a young reporter. When he got home, he knocked out on his bed.

March 14th, 06:00 PM, New York City, Cloudy
    Dimitri was woken up by the sound of his cell ringing. He picked it up and looked at the time, 6 AM. The call was from the executive chief, and he wants Dimitri to come to his office. Dimitri took his car and drove off. The streets were nearly empty, but the late night cafés were still bustling lively. It was a twenty-minute drive and another five-minute from the parking lot to the second floor office. When he entered the dim room scented with the faint smell of cigarette smoke, the chief asked him to take a seat and tossed a file at him. Dimitri took the file, it was light, and he opened it. There was a page of writing and a picture of a young girl.
“This who you looking fo’?” The chief asked, lighting a cigar.
“Like I said, I’m not sure, but she looks similar.” Dimitri answered, examining the file.
“The name’s Rosalie Aurora Fortescue. She’s a twenty-nine year ol’ French. Blonde, five-seven, brown eyes.” He puffed out a cloud of smoke, “I looked through all the files that matched your description. She matched the most. Lives alone in a nearby apartment, part-time waitress, parents died in a plane crash.”
“Are you sure this is the only match? I mean, she looks like she couldn’t hurt a fly.”
“Yea, that what I thought too. But see here, we ain’t got no more info on her than what’s listed.”
“But what’s listed is all the things you just told me.”
“Exactly. Bit suspicious, don’t you think?”
“Well then, I guess I’ll go check out the apartment.” Dimitri said, getting up.
“You do that. By the way, if she does turn out to be our killer, make sure ya don’t let her escape. That pretty face will come back to bite ‘cha. Especially what she’s professin’ in.”
“Of course, sir.”
    He closed the door and headed back to his car. The address was scribbled in on the cover of the file, and it took him no time to find it. It was located two blocks down from the police department. According to the information, the girl lived in apartment nine. Dimitri bought along his pistol, which he placed in his coat pocket. He had another given to him by the department in his holster, but that served more as a decoy. If this girl really was the mysterious phantom, he’ll need it. It was six-fifty in the morning now, and he was standing on the potential doormat of the city’s most dangerous killer. He knocked on the door. There was nothing, so he knocked louder. Inside, he heard a faint rustling. Then, he heard the click of the door being unlocked and the knob turned. The same blonde female from the picture, and possibly the same one he saw in the building, poked her head outside. She was a young, almost childish, girl. Her figure was frail, but somewhat sturdy.
“Who’re you? Don’t you know it’s six in the morning? If you’re selling something then you should pick a different time.” She said, frankly still half asleep.
“I’m a detective.” He started and took out his badge, “Are you Miss Rosalie Fortescue?”
“Yeah, what do you want?”
“I’m doing an investigation,” He paused to see if she was actually listening, “and I would like to search your home.”
“Don’t you need a warrant, cop?” She said with a yawn.
“You are suspected of being associated in a crime, being defensive will only make you more suspicious.”
“Fine, fine. Go right on in.”
    Rosalie moved aside and opened the door completely. Dimitri stepped in cautiously, but the room was rather plain. There was small kitchen with dining table, a couch, a television, and an open door leading to what looked like a bedroom. She strode drowsily to the kitchen to turn on her coffee maker and headed back into her room. She said she was going to wash up and asked him not to break anything. Dimitri examined everything while the splashing of water rang in the room. She returned shortly and had changed out of her pajamas. The girl in front of him now was wearing a t-shirt, obviously too large for her, sweats, and slippers. Her blonde hair was tied up in a neat ponytail. This made her look like a drowsy teenager.
“Were you up late?” He asked her.
“I guess. The neighbors above like to party.” She replied, grabbing the pot of newly made coffee and pouring herself a cup, “You want any?”
“No, thanks.”
“You look like you need it as much as I do.”
    She poured him a cup anyway. She walked it over to him while gesturing him to take a seat. He sat and she placed the cup down. The suspected killer was leaning against the counter that was dividing the kitchen from her living room, calmly sipping her coffee with one hand in her pocket. Dimitri took a sip from his cup.
“So, you finished searching?” She said, placing her cup down.
“Yes, m’am.” He answered.
“Find anything that’ll prove that I’m the Scarlet Phantom, Mister Dimitri?” She asked with a smile.
“Fortunately for you, no.”
    Then, something clicked in his head. He didn’t mention the phantom to her, or his name. He slowly reached for the gun in his holster, but it was empty. The gun was gone. He looked at his coffee and it became clear. She must have taken it out of his holster when he walked past her to sit down. His hand reached carefully for his second pistol inside his pockets. Another click rang, this time it wasn’t in his head. He looked over at the counter. Rosalie was there with his pistol. It was aimed steadily at him, and she was still drinking from her cup.
“I wouldn’t do that. Pulling out a gun now will only get you killed, detective.” She told him, placing her empty cup down.
    Dimitri raised his hands in the air and stood up. Then, she burst out laughing. The gun in her hand lowered. She took out the ammo and dropped it on the ground.
“You should really take a look at yourself in the mirror, you’re all red. Calm down, geez.” Rosalie said with an almost childish voice.
“What?” He asked, confused.
“What do you mean what? Look, mister, I could’ve shot you the moment you entered. Just sit down, finish your coffee, and leave. That scare I gave you was payback for waking me up so early in the morning.”
“Why are you so calm?” Dimitri asked, pulling out his second gun.
“Why wouldn’t I be? No weapons at the table please.”
    Dimitri readied his gun. His mouth opened to say something but was stopped by a red dot on his arm. It was a laser sight from a scope. Another appeared on his leg. Dimitri lowered his pistol and the dots disappeared.
“I told you to relax. I don’t want to clean up after you.” She said softly.
“Who were they?”
“My bodyguards. The one that was aiming at your leg was the one that took out the council head yesterday. They are pretty accurate, so don’t try anything.”
    He placed the gun back in his coat pocket and slumped down with his head in his hands. He didn’t know what to do now. He had found the identity of the phantom, but now he can’t apprehend her. What more, she has him trapped now. There is no way he will die here. He had to find a way out. The bodyguards can only aim through the window. If he can get past that counter, he’ll be safe. Dimitri tried to think of a plan. He could tackle her and he would get past the counter. This way, he can also secure her and leave with her as a hostage. With that plan in mind, he looked up. She was gone. Rosalie Fortescue was on her sofa now, turning on the TV with a remote. Dimitri stood up and walked carefully towards her. Nothing aimed at him yet. Rosalie noticed him and flicked her cellphone open. He paused when he heard the dial tone.
“Arms down guys, it’s good. Go get breakfast for something, and maybe get a life along with that.” She said into it and there was a pause before she spoke again, “I’m kidding. If the boss asks, I’ll take the blame for you.”
    The phone clicked and flipped closed. She lowered the volume of her television, which was playing an early morning news on the recent assassination of the council head. She laid on the sofa, resting the back of her neck on the arm rest, and looked over to Dimitri. He was a foot away, half-scared of the girl in front of him. She is the notorious killer that has successfully escaped the police’s grasp so many times after all.
“What is it, mister?” She asked with a grin.
“Ah, uh. Nothing. I was just thinking that…” He trailed away.
“That I would imprison you, kill you, or something like that?” The girl finished for him.
“Well, yeah. I mean you are the phantom. Aren’t you?”
“Sure am! Impressed you found me. Guess your title as New York’s best detective isn’t for show after all.”
“Then why are you so relax? Are you that confident?”
“Not really. I mean, it’s not like I will get arrested.” She told him with a giggle.
“What do you mean? I can just leave right now. As I said, you are a suspect. We will take all precaution.” He said, stepping closer and raising his voice.
“So? It’s not like you have any other evidence aside from the assumption that I was there last night.”
“But you just proved that you were, and admitted that you are the phantom!”
“Oh please, who’s gonna believe that? It’s innocent until proven guilty. You can’t prove that I said any of that to you to a jury. I’m just a girl who has a peaceful life as a waitress.”
    Dimitri was going to answer, but then realized that she was right. Only he saw her last night, and the chief is still skeptical of his theory. Besides, there was no doubt that she could easily bribe the judge in some way. He stared at the girl who was watching the news in front of him. He hated her for making him feel trapped and vulnerable. The fact that he can just walk away and forget about this agitates him.
“I will find a way to bring you to justice, phantom.” He said with hardness.
“I hope you do.” She replied softly.
    The reply took him by surprise.
“What?” He asked.
    She turned the TV off and turned to face him. Her blue eyes were soft, and he saw the sincerity in them as she spoke.
“I hope you do.” She repeated, “I’m not doing any of this because I want to.”
“You mean you’re being forced into this?”
“That’s right. Trust me, it’s a lot harder on me than it is on anyone else."

    The room was silent again. Dimitri wounded up sitting in a chair beside the sofa, staring at the girl. Justice needs to be brought down upon the evil. This girl has killed fifty-three people during the last six months. Eleven of them were powerful figures as well. But she's being forced to carry out these murders. There must be a way out of this for her. There were bodyguards watching her. No, they were her leash and collar. That was simple-minded of him to think that she could just run away. He let out a frustrated sigh as he ran his hand through his hair. Distracted by his thoughts, Dimitri didn't notice Rosalie move to answer the phone ringing in the kitchen. He only looked up when he heard the bedroom door close with a squeak.  Minutes later, Rosalie returned wearing a light pink blouse with white trims. She was fixing on a white apron over her skirt. Dimitri looked at her, confused as to what she as doing. She grabbed her keys and headed for the door.

“I'm going to work, so, uh, get out of my apartment, please.” She said opening the door.

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