Academy Murders: Mind Glide

The locks clicked. Brenda walked through Kim’s hotel room.

“Love what—” Brenna started.

Kim waved a finger. “No.”

“Okay let’s get to the thick of this. You’re going to continue the investigation for a few more weeks. The judge will let you be the one who will evaluate evidence and hunt for clues like you’ve been doing. But after that, you’ll be able to do nothing but watch me defend you.”

“I could see that happening.”

“You’re going to have to view it. This is going to happen. You could plead guilty to second degree manslaughter and get three to six.”

“You said I’ll never see the inside of another prison,” Kim reminded.

“I don’t think you will. You won’t if you don’t take the plea deal.”

“I’m not doing that.”

“C’mon. Do you remember six years ago? It flew by didn’t it?”

“That’s not the point and you know it.”

“Alright, you’ll be in a federal resort. You keep your nose clean, you'll probably be out in two. Given your record, the judge will be lenient on you and probably expunge your record.”

“That’s two too many probablies,” Kim mentioned.

Brenna sighed. “Look, my first mind is telling me that you should skate from all charges. If you solve the case yourself, you will give yourself enough room to say that the whole thing will be wrapped up.”

Vapor emitted from Kim’s mouth. Her hand curled around her forehead and brushed away some hair from her brow. She crossed her legs.

“And this?” She indicated the jewelry around her ankle.

“That’s supposed to remain until the end of the investigation. Hey, I get it. With you tracking down that superfan you were in good standing. They should have cut it off after that but again, the judge's favor.”

When Brenna said this it seemed as if Kim straightened even more than she had previously sat.

“So, we go along with this case. When I prove my innocence, I’m going to make sure you get two Gouldings.”

“You’re moving faster than the latest coupe here,” Brenna replied.

“I just need to let that jury know I’m not guilty. I already know what it’s like to be under pressure. I’m a cop. But I just need to find my center. That entails that I work alongside two agents.”

“St. Kitts and Darby?”

Kim nodded.

“That would be interesting if you actually did team up with them again. I can put that in my notes.”

“For the reason that you wish to see yourself enmeshed in the reality of this case, I can definitely empathize with you. What do you want to do?” Brenna sounded sincere and slight lines in her forehead appeared.

Kim exhaled the vapor once again. She let the coils rise to the ceiling. As she looked at the rings, she laughed. It was a hearty, soul-stirring laugh of immense joy.

“What are you laughing at?”

“Nevermind. You wouldn’t understand,” Kim answered.

“Try me.”

“Okay, the extraordinary irony of someone investigating their own investigation is one thing. Being cleared of a murder charge in the same time period just amazes me.”

“Ha….” Brenna offered. “You have to get ready. This investigation is your only way to avoid being found guilty by a jury. Sure they might be willing to say not guilty based on the fact that she confessed to the charges. You’ll have enough power to run through the system and still come up smelling like daisies. Once we knock out this little dilemma then you can laugh. How are you with that videographer?”

The thought of her friend made her mind glide.