"Cappuccino"

     The Autumn breeze is warm but light, and the only thing I hear is the blissful sound of leaves bristling against one another from the various trees behind the Station. Eyes taking in the breathtaking surroundings this morning, I stand outside in silence - cherishing the peaceful serenity while I can.

I've been standing out here for minutes now before I have to head inside and start my shift.

I need this.

Alone and for a passing moment, I feel something in the air engulf me, it's swift, delicate - almost unexplainable. The feeling is a mix of comfort, warmth, and something genuine. It feels good.

And after only a few seconds, it's then when I think I know what the feeling is. Instinctively, the corner of my lips tug upward. And I then carry my gaze up to the baby blue sky.

"I miss you, Cal." I whisper softly.

The light wind blows against me for another moment, and I refract my gaze down to the cemented ground beneath me. Holding my favorite Cappuccino in my hands, I then take a small sip of the satisfying caffeine.

Yesterday was a hard day. Today will be better. I have to make it a better day for everyone around me - well I really want to.

And today, my boss will be visiting Richmond. Lucky for me, I'm one of the very few that doesn't get nervous around him--the man's got power.

Just a few feet behind me, I soon hear the Station's glass double doors open.

"Hey, C." I turn around at the sound of Vince's deep and smooth voice. I lock onto his light brown eyes that shift to a honey color in the sunlight, watching his gaze skim over my body for a split second while he pokes his head out the door.

"Hey," I start, feeling my heart momentarily skip a beat at the sight of him. I wish I could control it but I can't. I want this to be as casual as possible.

"We both just got assigned to a new case," he informs me, gesturing with his head for me to follow him inside. I deliver a sharp nod in turn before we both hear someone call his name from inside, and he spins around to disappear behind the Station's front. But right before he gets the chance to, I call his name.

He quickly glances back at me again, and I lift up the Cappuccino in my hand. "Thanks for the coffee." I add politely, sending him a small smile before he returns one himself - delivering a sharp nod before inevitably showing his bright white teeth afterwards.

Vince then heads back inside, and just as I'm moving to follow behind, my cell buzzes in my back pocket. I pause in my tracks, taking the phone into my free hand and checking the text I just received.

It's from Rio. He sent me an address. And it doesn't take long for the brief confusion to wither, for I almost immediately take note of what it is.

I remember the last time I saw him, I was surprised that he told me he lived somewhere within Richmond, too, and not just the far away distance of Head Quarters.

He said he would send me his address. The place he rather commonly stays.

And this is it.

Beneath the address sits another message.

Feel free to visit anytime, mama.

Glimpsing down at the text, a grin begins tugging at my lips as I shake my head to myself, choosing to respond to Rio later. Pushing the phone back into my back pocket again, I continue in determined steps to finally hop on the assigned case inside.

Entering the Station with my coffee in hands, I collect the all too familiar sounds of phone lines ringing and officers chattering simultaneously.

One of the first things I notice is how Vince excuses himself from talking with an officer on the left side of the foyer and instantly begins following into step next to me, glimpsing down at a paper in his grip.

"We've got a thirty-six year old Caucasian male, he was found early this morning in his loft just five miles outside of the city." Vince informs strictly, placing the paper on the Help Desk as we walk by it.

My blue green eyes scan across Delilah who sits behind the desk with her forest green specks centered on the computer screen before her. Without halting in my tracks I lean over to whisper good morning, and her widened eyes dart towards me.

Beneath her usually tight, pitch black ponytail, her arched brows perch up instantly. Her bright white teeth showcase between her curving hot pink lips from a sudden smile, "morning!" she delivers in a chiming tone.

Another genuine smile forms on my face and I soon face ahead as my investigation partner remains by my side.

"Cause of death: suicide. Larry Burke was found hanging from a noose in his bedroom, that's all we've got so far." Vince adds on.

I nod in understanding, taking a sip of my Cappuccino next to him.

"Is the team already examining the crime scene?" I question him, skimming my gaze through the policemen and women that seem to be gathering into the Conference room on the other side of the main area - where Vince and I are headed.

"Not exactly. The Chief told everyone to hold off until we get there."

My brows furrow instantly, and I carry my puzzled gaze up to Vince.

"Blake is waiting on us to arrive before examining? Why?"

Still walking alongside Vince's taller frame, I watch him shrug his shoulders, locking onto my eyes a moment.

"No clue." he states before averting his eyes ahead. "But I'm ready whenever you are."

I raise my brows and huff out a breath, going to take another sip of my Cappuccino. Beside me, Vince is quiet for a few seconds--before he slickly claims a hold on my coffee by taking it into his own grip, taking a sip for himself.

I playfully scoff, rolling my eyes, watching Vince swallow down the caffeine in satisfaction before he holds the cup up to vaguely observe it - a small frown beginning to play about on his full lips.

"Why didn't I get myself a coffee?" he questions, clearly wishing he had bought two instead of just one this morning.

I fail at suppressing the provoking curve of my lips when reaching for my cup, "I don't know." I remark, taking it into my hands happily before taking a smooth sip myself again.

Vince and I enter the Conference room to see nearly half a dozen of our staff discussing something. He follows me to the front of the room - I turn to face everyone as the Mission board is behind me.

"Good morning, everyone!" I fold my hands before me, plastering a genuine smile as I gain everyone's attention. In his bright white buttoned down shirt with rolled up sleeves, Vince crosses his muscular arms over his chest next to me.

"Today we are closing the Martinez case, and Chief will be here today so if someone could please get that report from Forensics, it would be much appreciated. I know Chief would want to have a look at it." I gently clasp my hands together, scanning my ocean eyes across a few officers that nod their head in understanding.

"There's an opening case today that might not be unresolved for long, Vince and I are heading right outside the city to take care of it. If you need me, don't hesitate to call."

Everyone sends me a nod in affirmation, I take in a soft breath while turning to face Vince next to me. "Are you ready?"

He meets my gaze and sends me a small grin. "Always am, Costellanos."

He summons a smile from me in return, before we both leave the room to get to our cars.

--

Arriving at the scene, I walk into the bedroom with Vince following behind me. The first thing I notice is members of the team examining the lifeless body that hangs from a noose in the center of the room.

My ocean eyes soon fixate on Chief Blake who stands just a few feet away from the body in a dark suit. The corner of my lips remotely tug upward before I walk over to him.

"Chief Blake, long time no see." I greet, and his dark brown eyes lock on mine before a bright smile showcases. I shake his hand.

"Detective Isabel Costellanos," he starts, "the most skilled detective there is." I smile while our hands part, and I stand next to him as our gazes remain locked.

"How have you been?" I ask him fondly.

Blake takes in a breath, nodding while carrying his gaze out to the surroundings ahead of us. "I've been good. Just working." He sends me a sideways glance, cocking up a brow. "You?"

Tentatively, I quietly sigh as I face ahead, too. "Good."

My eyes skim over Vince across the room, and I watch him make his way to me and the Chief. When his chestnut brown eyes finally meet mine by the time he claims the spot next to me, I look up into his eyes and send him a small smile. He returns the same, before we look away.

I am doing good. I didn't think I would be, but I am.

Soon I spot our Forensic Scientist, Ace, who makes eye contact with me a brief moment before reverting his icy blue eyes to the camera in his hands--snapping a pic of the breathless body as part of his job.

I don't know why, but Ace has always been cold or bitter to everyone on the team. Guess he just keeps to himself, with a strict and solemn demeanor. Like Vince before we dated - times a hundred.

"We've got 36 year old Larry Burke," Ace begins in a crisp white button down shirt, like Vince, but with black suspenders to wrap around his broad shoulders.

"Stated from his ID, anyway," he adds, snapping another picture before a couple officers with gloves on their hands take the body down, carefully laying Larry across the floor.

"And as we know the detectives will be looking further into what we need to know when we get back to the Station." Ace informs everyone, soon placing his camera strap around his neck to proceed observing the room with his own eyes.

Keeping my perceptive gaze focused on Burke, I pin my blonde hair back into a low ponytail a moment, before crossing my arms firmly across my chest afterwards.

Chief Blake begins walking towards the reclined body, his eyes taking in the keen room's surroundings before squatting down next to Burke.

"Suicide," the Chief says quietly, it's almost faint. "Really wished it didn't even exist." he finishes.

I feel a spark of sadness pinch at my heart as I silently agree, keeping my eyes on Larry's pale body, observing.

His skin is shades beneath porcelain, and I bet his flesh is freezing cold. He has a blonde buzz cut with scruffy hair tracing his jawline, and he would be remotely well built without the slight beer belly.

Eyes carefully tracing across him, I notice something that only provokes confusion. "Didn't he hang himself?" I question.

Chief Blake looks at me, nodding.

My brows narrow in his direction, my blue green eyes centering on the body again.

"Well if the rope did the damage it would show a stop in his blood flow." I pause. "Look at his neck."

Every person in the room, at the scene, overhears and follows my gaze - staring at the unmarked skin of Larry's neck.

"There's no bruise." I say.

"And why is that giving me the heebie jeebies..." Vince comments lowly, next to me.

Within silent seconds, the entire team looks at me - confusion and curiosity striking their gazes. So does the Chief.

And not long before the silence is broken, I think aloud.

"He was dead before the rope even touched him..."

"This wasn't suicide." I hear Vince state beside me.

And the realization hits me, as I speak again.

"I think it was murder."

---

HELLO, LOVESSSS!! *exciting news below*

( and lol I didn't know what to name this chapter XD )

I am truly sorry for the long wait, that was the longest span of time between updates in this book - two months! :(

I really wanted to give you a double update but I couldn't wait to publish this one because it's been so long!

I hope everyone is doing amazing, I miss all of you! Comment hi so I can know you're here c:

Or vote ;)

Alsooooo, just to describe Chief Blake a bit - I imagine him as Bob Morley (mostly the way he looks in The 100, but with his hair combed back) lol

* ANNOUNCEMENT: FOR 'DEVOUR YOU' READERS (AKA THE CHAPSTICK GANG)...... THERE WILL BE TWO BONUS CHAPTERS COMING SOON!! ;) RIO & VICTORIA's STORY ISN'T OVER YET! Coming reaaaaal soon! THIS SUMMER! WHO's EXCITED?? ❤️

Okay, I hope you enjoyed and I love you all a bunch!!

Oh! You loves wanna come up with some ship names? Vince & Isabel, Rio & Isabel.... comment ;)

Much love!

xx