When he entered Kelly’s apartment building, he found himself getting excited to see the redhead. It wasn’t the sexual excitement he used to feel, he only wanted one woman now, but it was a genuine excitement to see how she was doing. Only he wasn’t as excited as Kelly was.  

“OMG! Detective Morg!” The young woman ran and jumped in his arms, wrapping her shapely legs around him. She hugged him so tightly he nearly lost his breath.  

Once Kelly climbed off, he got a good look at her. She wore light brown Capri pants, a pink Gap ribbed turtleneck long-sleeve shirt, and tan loafers. She looked like a regular teenager.  

“Damn that’s a nice tan! Where were you?” Her face scrunched up in concern. “I thought you’d abandoned me.”

“Really? Didn’t I tell you I was getting you a birthday gift?” He tossed her a plastic bag. 

She broke into a big grin when she opened it and pulled out a red Snoopy sweatshirt. “You remembered!”

“You were wearing tiny snoopy earrings the first night we met.” He laughed. “You told me you liked the Peanuts Gang.”

“Seems so long ago, but it really hasn’t been.” She got a far-away look.  

“Anyways, here’s your real present.” Morgan handed Kelly a small wrapped gift. “Don’t open it until the day after tomorrow, on the real date of your birthday.”  

There was a key fob in the box. The dealership would be delivering a brand new Ford Fusion for her down on the street the night before her birthday. She’s going to be so surprised.  

A call to Ted at the college had revealed that Kelly was doing great and had not missed a single class. Morgan thought that earned her the privilege of getting off the buses. 

“Are you kidding me? I really have to wait?” She shook the box with it next to her ear, looking like a kid at Christmas.  

“Promise me, or you’ll ruin the surprise.” He gave her a stern look. 

“Okay. I promise.” She set the box on the table. It’ll sit right here. But the second I wake up on my birthday, I’m tearing it open.”

“Fair enough. So how’s it going?”

“Oh my gosh! Let me show you.” She ran to her bedroom and came back with a paper and handed it to him. She was now wearing the Snoopy sweatshirt he had gotten her and held a hint of pride in her expression. 

It was a progress report from the college with the name Kelly Pierson at the top. It showed her assignments, quizzes, and even a couple of test grades. All were 90% or higher.

“Damn girl. You weren’t joking when you said you were a good student.” Morgan beamed.  

“Fucking right!” She covered her mouth. “Oops. I’m working on that. They still slip out sometimes.”

“If that’s your biggest sin, then you’re ahead of the game.” He chuckled remembering his visit to the church. 

“It is, Morgan.” She raised an eyebrow inquisitively, making her look adorable. “Is that your biggest sin?”  

“If you're asking where my pecker’s been, I’ve been a good boy. At least for the past thirty days.” He smiled with pride at his own success. “But, I am interested in someone.  How about you? Any boyfriends yet?”

Kelly rolled her eyes. “I dated a couple fellas, but I followed your advice and have been wiener free since I moved here. Just wanted to clear my head and not complicate things.  Ya know?”

“I do. Smart girl. So how’d these dates go?”

“Okay. One guy, Billy, was a little too handsy, but I put him in his place. I also went out with a boy named Dave a couple times. We kissed a little, but he was such a bore. Wait . . . why are you grinning like that?”

“It’s just nice to see you being a normal college student.” Why do I feel so proud right now? “Is that it?”

“No.”  

“Do tell.”

“You won’t make fun?”  

“Of course not.”

“Okay, I met this really great guy. His name’s Brock. We’ve only been dating for about two weeks now, but look!” She pointed at a vase full of roses on the table. “He got me flowers. I really like him. He’s so cute and fun.”

Beaming, she pulled up a picture on her cellphone and showed Morgan.  

“He looks athletic. Brock and Kelly. Sounds good.” He laughed.  

“I know, it’s sorta Barbie sounding, but I really like him.”

“Then take your time. If he’s into you, he won’t be going anywhere. You’re worth the wait.”

“Aw, thanks, Morg.” She hugged him again. “You really saved my life. And didn’t ask for anything.”

“Yes I did. Become a nurse. And a damn good one.”

“Well, thanks to you, that’s actually going to happen.” She couldn’t stop smiling because she was so happy to see him. 

“Have you been lying low like I asked?”  

“I’ve only gone to school and then way north into the burbs to shop or go on dates.” She frowned, then bit her lower lip in the cute way that she did. “I did go to my old apartment one time.”

“Oh, why?” He frowned back. 

She held up her wrist, showing a snoopy charm bracelet. “I forgot about this. It was a gift from my sister, Julieta.”

“You have a sister?”

“Not blood. We were together in the foster home. She was younger. I felt bad leaving her with my perv foster dad, but I had to get out of there.” Kelly shrugged her shoulders. “So, I had to go back for it.”

He smiled. “Well, it doesn’t seem like you had any trouble.”

“No.” Darlene told me that Paco and that sleaze Hugo had been there several times looking for me. So I was in and out as quickly as I could to grab my bracelet.”

“You didn’t tell those girls where you’re living did you?”  

“Shit, Morg, I ain’t stupid.” She shook her head. “Of course I didn’t.”

“Good. Smart girl.”  

“So, I want you to meet Brock. Just to check him out and tell me what you think, but . . . “ She hesitated.

“But what?”  

“Well, how do I introduce you? A friend at your age may intimidate Brock. I mean, you’re more like a dad.”

“Okay, that’d be too weird after the things we’ve done.” He shook his head. “How about . . . older brother?”

She thought for a moment. “Still weird, but yeah, I like it. I’ve never had a brother. Not blood, but kinda like Julieta. Can you be that?”

“It’s official, Sis. I’ve been an only child my entire life. Having a younger sister would be awesome. We’ll treat each other as siblings from now on.”

Kelly gave Morgan such a warm loving smile that it felt like his heart would melt. She wiped away a tear, then made him lunch.  

They spent the afternoon laughing and talking like two real siblings would. When it was time to go, Morgan didn’t want to. Kelly was the closest thing to family he had left, besides Tamra and the baby that was growing in her belly.  

The smile on Morgan’s face remained there all the way down to his rented Honda. Next he needed to find Hutch. We have to solve these murders if I’m going to avoid prison.

Character/Suspect List: 

Homicide Detective Morgan Harper - The heavily faulted main character who never recovered from the suicide of his wife.  

Kelly Pierson - a young, new to the game, prostitute who is frequented by Detective Morgan. 

Tamra Burns- a crime scene technician who is Debra's identical twin.

Internal Affairs Officer Brian Anderson - Investigating Morgan Harper.

Homicide Detective Hutch Kelly - Morgan’s partner. 

Captain Howitz - Morgan’s boss who runs the Homicide Unit. 

Ronny Tate - Street cop who can't stand Morgan.

Darrin Belzar - Religious by-the-book street cop. 

Paco Sanchez - A local pimp and street thug.

Hugo Chavez - Paco's thug/bodyguard.

Doctor Millison Parker - Morgan’s psychiatrist.

Mac Yung- Aggressive reporter. 

Ted 'Teddy' Norton - Morgan's old academy training officer. 

Steve Vance - Vicki's husband.

Vicki Vance - An old friend of Morgan and Debra’s. Murdered in her bar by the killer. 

Beth Mackie - A murdered prostitute. 

Jennifer Collins - The first victim prostitute. 

Amy Henderson - The second victim prostitute.

Debra Harper - Morgan’s deceased wife who committed suicide.