Sorority Cold Case
Author
Jacquelin Thomas
Reads
17.3K
Chapters
21
An unsolved murder. Two detectives with something to prove… Detective Charlie Tesarkee has never forgotten the case she couldn't solve. It's been eleven years since a college student was murdered, and she's desperate for a second chance to catch the killer. The Cold Case Unit will let her lead the investigation…if she works with Detective Grayson Leigh. A partner is the last thing Grayson and Charlie want. But they'll have to work together to get justice for this victim…and put a murderer behind bars.
One
Every detective has at least one case they can never forget. Charlotte Tesarkee, who preferred to be called Charlie, had been haunted by the death of Melanie Goins for eleven years. She had been obsessed with the case ever since she was the lead investigator and had failed to find the person responsible. Her gut told her that she had possibly been close to solving it, but back then Charlie couldn’t quite put all the pieces together. After eighteen months, she was pulled off the investigation, leaving the case to go cold. However, she refused to give up on finding the college student’s killer. Melanie was the main reason behind Charlie’s request to transfer into the Cold Case Unit—CCU—at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. She’d been there for two months now.
She sat at her desk in the CCU, scrolling through the case file on her computer screen, her eyes scanning over the same details she’s read countless times before. Nineteen-year-old Melanie Goins was found dead in her dorm room. She had been stabbed twenty-two times. Near her body was a pillow with a single blue feather—a symbol of the sorority’s Indigenous heritage—embroidered on it, a wine bottle and a note.
Charlie’s throat tightened as she thought of Melanie’s family, their grief and confusion without any closure. Taking a steadying breath, she determinedly returned her attention to the case file, hoping to uncover enough evidence to bring the criminals to justice.
After a few hours of examining all the little details, Charlie stood up, ready to walk to her supervisor’s office with a plan—she was going to propose the idea of using new technology available to trace DNA ancestry in order to find the culprit responsible for Melanie’s death.
She glanced up at the framed painting hanging near her desk: a deer lying in a grassy field, full of colors woven together in harmony. For a moment, Charlie imagined herself in the forest with the animal, allowing the peacefulness and melodious sound of nature to wash over her before standing up and walking across the hall.
Her mind made up, she knocked on Captain Phillipa Stevenson’s door.
“Come in.”
Charlie stepped inside the midsize office, decorated with four tall bookcases in a rich walnut color against a gray wall. To her right, bright sunlight filtered through the open pale gray blinds which offered teasing views of the uptown Charlotte skyline. Her feet felt the office carpet beneath her, thick and plush, softer than the outside sidewalk with its broken concrete and dirt.
Phillipa sat behind a wooden desk in walnut with an ornate border near the edge. “Good morning, Charlie. What can I do for you?”
She sat down in one of the chairs facing her supervisor. “There’s a case I worked when I was in Homicide. I worked that investigation until every single lead grew cold,” Charlie responded. “In a couple months, the case will be eleven years old. I’d like to revisit it.”
“Summarize the case for me?”
“On September sixth, eleven years ago, the victim and her roommate left their off-campus apartment, heading out to a club. The roommate felt unwell, so she and the victim left the club around two in the morning. The victim went to bed while her roommate left to stay with a friend for the remainder of the night. The roommate returned home the next morning, found the victim’s door open and her body. Evidence found was a note saying, ‘I’m not stupid.’ There was also a wine bottle lying on the floor and a small square pillow stained with the victim’s blood. We know that the victim drank a couple glasses the night she died. The wineglass was on the nightstand. We were able to pull a print off the bottle.”
“Was there a second glass anywhere in the room or was she drinking alone?” Phillipa asked.
“The crime scene pointed to her drinking alone.”
“Do you have any new evidence?”
Charlie shook her head no. “With all the technology we have available to us now—I’d like to submit the prints we found in the apartment for DNA ancestry testing. As you know, DNA fingerprinting doesn’t always turn up viable leads.”
Nodding, Phillipa said, “So you’d like to see if forensic genealogy will generate investigative leads in this specific case. What other evidence do you have?”
“DNA evidence was collected from under the victim’s fingernails.”
“Which case is it?”
“Melanie Goins.”
“I’ll review the file, then make a decision by end of day,” Phillipa said.
“Fair enough,” Charlie responded as she rose to her feet.
“After today, I’ll be out of the office for ten days,” Phillipa announced. “The wedding is this weekend and I still have so much left to do. Kyle and I didn’t want anything huge, but there’s still a lot which goes into the planning.”
“I can imagine,” Charlie replied, but deep down she didn’t understand at all, being more of a justice of the peace kind of girl. She never dreamed of fancy wedding gowns, beautiful and exotic flowers—all the stuff that little girls often dreamed of... Truth be told, Charlie never even fantasized about a husband because she didn’t believe marriage was in her future.
She felt compelled to attend the ceremony and reception because Phillipa and Kyle, who was the unit supervisor of Robbery, had invited both their teams to the wedding. However, Charlie wasn’t thrilled with the idea of getting dressed up, nor was she looking forward to spending off-duty hours with her coworkers. Though Charlie wanted to keep her relationships on a professional level, deep down she yearned for true connection, but nothing could fill the void of her parents’ lack of love and security.
Growing up, Charlie worked hard, trying to make them just notice her; she wanted to make them proud, but then she ended up in foster care. Her heart ached with loneliness, but she was determined to never let anyone get close to her. Life experiences had taught her that trust was hard to come by, and yet she still hoped for someone to prove her wrong.
Grayson Leigh stood outside the police precinct, taking in the calm surroundings. He hesitated for a moment before stepping inside, his mind racing with possibilities. The scent of fresh air filled his nostrils and gave him a sense of clarity.
Six months ago, on his forty-fifth birthday, Grayson left the station and narrowly survived a terrible car accident. The drunk driver who hit him didn’t survive. Before that life-changing moment in time he was arrogant. He’d always thought very highly of himself, even considered himself invincible. Some called him a narcissist. But it didn’t matter how others saw him because Grayson didn’t care.
The horrific accident left Grayson in unimaginable agony: a broken arm and leg, painfully throbbing internal injuries. He was overcome with despair, and there were days when he felt death would be the sweetest relief from his suffering. Yet Grayson refused to give up; he was determined to live. The experience changed him profoundly, reminding him of his vulnerability and mortality as a human being.
After months of healing and rigorous physical therapy, he had become a different man. The pain was unbearable, but Grayson dug deep within himself to muster the strength to keep going. This experience served as an opportunity for him to learn how strong a man he could truly be. Although Grayson remained unbothered by others’ opinions of him, his perspective on life in general had changed. He knew without a doubt that it was God who saved him. The near-fatal accident made him evaluate his life and wonder about God’s purpose.
Grayson stood there, silently willing his body to enter the building. Physically, he was ready to get back to work. He even felt mentally prepared, but Phillipa hadn’t seemed completely convinced when they discussed his return last week.
The doors opened and Jason Langford, a detective, walked outside.
“Detective Leigh, I was beginning to wonder if you were ever coming back,” he said. “Man...it’s great to see you.”
“I’m happy to be seen and not viewed,” Grayson responded.
Jason grinned. “I have to go serve this warrant and pick up this dude, but when I get back—we have to talk. I can’t wait to catch up with you.”
“Sounds good,” he said before walking inside.
Grayson paused a moment as his eyes adjusted to the fluorescent lights illuminating the dull beige walls and floors which carried a year’s worth of blemishes and age worn into them.
He saw cops leaving after roll call and a journalist attempting to cover a story. A couple officers leaned against the front desk, laughing with the receptionist. The clock on the wall ticked the seconds away loudly; each tick was like a century, each bell a millennium.
He took the elevator up to the CCU department.
Grayson locked gazes with Detective Charlie Tesarkee almost immediately. She eyed him with obvious contempt before looking away.
For as long as he’d known her, Charlie kept her silky hair cut short in a pixie style, the black color gleaming like a raven’s plumage. Her high cheekbones looked like a fine chisel had been passed over them to create the shape of her face. The edges of her eyes and nose turned up, the nostrils slightly flared. Her clear, smooth skin was the color of golden honey, her brown eyes matching the color of his own. Only there wasn’t an ounce of warmth in her gaze. She stood almost six feet tall with an athletic build.
When did she transfer to CCU? he wondered. Grayson had worked with her in the Homicide department before he left to join the cold case unit five years ago. During that time, Charlie was abrasive and very defensive. It wasn’t completely directed at him—she was like that with everyone. Although the detectives in the department tried to be inclusive, Charlie refused to allow anyone to get close to her. He was only too happy to leave her behind. Now she was here in CCU and sitting at his old desk.
It doesn’t matter where you sit, he told himself. Just smile and keep it moving.
“Good morning,” Grayson said, pausing briefly at her desk.
“What are you doing here?” Charlie blurted.
“I’m healthy, so I figured it’s time for me to get back to work.”
“Oh.” She returned her attention to her computer.
Biting back a smile, Grayson continued walking briskly toward Phillipa’s office.
“Grayson, it’s so good to see you,” she stated warmly, rising to her feet when he appeared in the doorway.
“I’m ready to get back to work,” he said without preamble. “I need this. I’m not a huge television person or much of a homebody. I need more in my life.”
“I see that your doctor cleared you,” Phillipa responded.
“But you still have some concerns,” Grayson interjected. “There’s nothing to worry about. I’m good. No PTSD from the accident. I sleep fine at night...”
“I just have to be sure. You suffered a terrible accident. From what I understand it was touch and go for a while there. I just want to make sure you’re not rushing things. Grayson, I told you that your job would be here waiting on you. I meant what I said.”
He smiled. “I understand. Just know that you have nothing to worry about. I’m a hundred percent. I’m willing to take a psych eval if necessary.”
“I have to make sure,” Phillipa said hastily, followed by a softer, “I’m glad you’re back, Grayson. There’s a case here I think you’ll be perfect for.” She picked up the receiver and dialed. “Charlie needs to get in here. You two will be working on the Goins case together.”
Grayson felt a jolt of electricity shoot through his veins at the mention of Charlie. “Goins? Isn’t that the college student who was killed near the university?” he asked.
“You’re familiar with the case?”
He nodded. “I also remember that Charlie was the lead detective on that investigation.”
Phillipa leaned forward in her chair, her eyes fixed on Grayson’s face. “She requested that we reopen the case,” she stated, her voice low and intense. “I spoke to Commander Peters a few minutes ago about it—I had to convince him that this wouldn’t be a waste of time and taxpayer dollars. Charlie’s a great detective but I’d like for you to work with her. I think the two of you working together could close the case.”
Grayson paused before responding. He knew instinctively that Charlie would go ballistic when she found out. “Does she know this?”
Phillipa shook her head. “Not yet,” she responded. “She’s about to find out.”
He didn’t know anyone who willingly wanted to partner with her—Charlie didn’t play well with others. The truth was that he wasn’t exactly thrilled with the idea either, but was motivated to prove that he was physically and mentally fit to return to the job. Despite his personal feelings about Charlie, Grayson was going to find a way to get along with her. The Goins investigation depended on them working together.
Charlie stepped into Phillipa’s office, barely acknowledging Grayson with a brief glance as she tried to suppress the dislike she felt for him. She couldn’t imagine why Phillipa requested that she join them.
But as soon as her supervisor began speaking, Charlie dreaded what was sure to come out of her mouth. “I read through the Goins case and I think you should take a shot at finding justice for this victim. Commander Peters had some reservations but I convinced him that this case deserved another look.”
“Thank you,” Charlie responded, relieved that she had another chance to find Melanie’s killer.
“There’s only one stipulation, however...” Phillipa said. “Charlie, I want Grayson to partner with you.”
“I don’t need a partner for this,” she blurted. “I worked this case originally. He doesn’t know a thing about it.”
But Phillipa was adamant. “Grayson will bring fresh eyes and perspective to the investigation,” she said firmly.
Charlie reluctantly acquiesced, though her heart felt heavy with dread. On the outside, she seemed strong and unyielding, but on the inside, emotions from her turbulent childhood threatened to overwhelm her. The last person she wanted to work alongside was Grayson. She truly couldn’t stand the man, especially after the way he’d betrayed her when he was supposed to be mentoring her at the time. She’d looked to him for guidance for her first homicide investigation. The next day, the case was reassigned to Grayson.
Her already thorny exterior was the result of a childhood littered with parental emotional abandonment and alcoholism. Growing up, she had been extremely shy and timid, so she retreated into a fantasy world born out of the many books she read. Once Charlie found her voice, she vowed to never allow anyone to ever silence her again. She had confronted her supervisor and Grayson, and ended up with a suspension and a stern warning.
Charlie knew that her outspoken nature made people think she was aggressive and impulsive, but she couldn’t help it. Standing up for the oppressed and bringing justice to those who had been silenced was deeply important to her, especially when it came to Melanie Goins. Charlie identified with the victim—they were both Indigenous, black and members of the Native American Alpha Pi Omega sorority—so finding the murderer became a personal mission for her.
“If that’s all, I’d like to get started on my investigation,” Charlie stated before leaving the office. She didn’t want a repeat of what happened in Homicide, so she kept her frustration to herself.
She sat down at her desk, taking several cleansing breaths.
How could Phillipa do this to me? Charlie felt as if she’d been stabbed in the back, betrayed yet again.
When Grayson walked out of their supervisor’s office minutes later, he didn’t glance in her direction this time. Glaring at his back, Charlie bristled with white-hot anger.
This was not going to work for her, but there was nothing she could do about it. Complaining to Phillipa might get her taken off the case and Charlie didn’t want to sit on the sidelines while someone else worked the investigation. Eleven years ago, she’d promised Melanie’s mother and uncle that she’d never give up on finding the killer and she intended to keep her word. Besides, Charlie refused to give Grayson the satisfaction of running her off.
Taking another deep breath, she turned away from him. She couldn’t afford to let her emotions get the best of her, not when the investigation was at a critical stage. Melanie’s killer was still out there, and they needed to catch the person responsible this time.
When she was calm, Charlie headed to the break room for coffee. She would find a way to make this work with Grayson, however, she was the lead detective—it was her case.
Her coworker Jen was the only person in there. She was of average height with buttery smooth dark skin and friendly brown eyes, her shoulder-length hair pulled into a low bun. She finished up her pastry, then flicked something off her uniform. “Charlie, I was just thinking about you. We need to plan something nice for your birthday next month.”
“Jen...you know I don’t want anything big. I’m happy with just lunch and a card.” She poured hot coffee into the mug she’d brought with her. Turning forty just wasn’t a big deal for Charlie. Maybe it was because her parents never did anything to celebrate any of her birthdays—to them, it was just another day and a reminder that she was nothing more than an inconvenience. Her foster parents attempted to throw parties for her, but Charlie refused to participate so they eventually gave up.
“That won’t do,” Jen uttered. “We celebrate birthdays...you know that. I don’t know why I have to go through this with you every year.”
Charlie took a sip. “I keep hoping you’ll give up on this idea.”
Jen shook her head. “Not gonna happen.”
“See you later.”
As Charlie approached her workstation, she felt a complicated mix of emotions. On the one hand, she was filled with determination to solve the case and bring Melanie’s killer to justice. But on the other hand, she dreaded the thought of working with Grayson again. Once more, he was standing in the way of her success. But she was not about to back down from her mission. If that meant having to work alongside Grayson, then so be it; she would do whatever it took to achieve justice.
