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All wounds must heal one day...(Tina/Zeo)
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Valentina D'Angeli
Valentina D'Angeli

Sep-1-2009 22:29

That was a sentence Valentina D'Angeli had heard many many times from her mother. She had never believed it much, not until she suffered the deepest wound in her life. The death of Fiorella, her beloved sister, had almost killed her.

Afterwards, she had gotten ill while chasing Domino, the responsible for the murder.

On the good side, she had met Zeo again, and gotten to know Vulkie, a new friend. Those two people helped filling up the void Fiore had left in her life.

It wasn't like she stayed with them all the time. They all had things to do and places to go. Cases to solve, agencies to help, villains to chase... It was almost a miracle when she could stay with any of them for a while. A complete miracle as she had time to be with both.

At the current moment, she had found some time to be with Zeo. It wasn't quiet quality time, though. The 'conversation' they were having resembled a fight.

"DON'T tell me what not to do!", Valentina shrieked, furious. "I AM going after Ladislav Zulfiqar and I AM going to catch him! I don't care what you think!"

She took a deep breath, irritated. Actually, she was like a loaded pistol lately. You never knew when she was going to fire at someone.

All of a sudden, she dropped on a chair and lowered her voice.

"Sorry, Joe. I don't know what's wrong with me. I think the tension of the hunt has finally taken it's toll."

Her eyes were suddenly welling up.

"You're not mad at me, are you, honey?"

Replies

Joseph Zeo
Joseph Zeo
Tale Spinner

Sep-27-2009 23:31

Tina kissed Eric on the cheek. Zeo was burning with jealousy but kept telling himself that there's nothing between them. Did he just notice that the kiss was a bit longer than it should have been normally? Zeo brushed that aside. "Sure Tina. I promise." Keeping his mouth closed was not an issue for Zeo. He liked it that way anyhow. The problem is expressing himself...

The two detectives passed by the mission and found the house where the murder the night before took place. It was an expat family where the lady of the house was a beautiful English lady.... well, not anymore by the time the police arrived. All family member was torn up pretty badly, especially the wife. D'Angeli went to talk to the officer in charge, and found out the man worked for the British embassy here in Delhi. Zeo noted the decorations in the house, including the crucifix and scripture calligraphy that adorned the walls.

Zeo kept his promise and didn't say anything. By the time Tina was done with the officer, Zeo tapped on her shoulder and pointed out all the religious decorations around the house to her.

Valentina D'Angeli
Valentina D'Angeli

Sep-28-2009 21:27

Tina simply nodded as Zeo gave her his word in order to keep his mouth closed. She knew he could do it, and she needed his eyes in order to help her out.

Things in the crime scene were unpleasant as usual. Fighting to keep her breakfast down, the brunette went to the offier in charge and asked him as many questions as she could think of, writing loose words on her note pad.

As she finished talking to the man, she turned to see what Zeo wanted. Without a word, she wandered around the room, looking at the decorations. She took a couple notes and looked around, noticing they were alone. A deep sigh came out of her pale lips. Her face was covered in cold sweat, and she looked like she was going to pass out, but tried to regain her composure.

"Do you have your camera on you?", she asked, weakly.

Joseph Zeo
Joseph Zeo
Tale Spinner

Sep-29-2009 18:40

Zeo shook his head. He was surprised. Tina would know that Zeo doesn't have a camera with him; as usual the detective carried no bag, and those things where too huge to hide inside his thin summer jacket. The police however, did take some photos of the crime scene and the victims, and were willing to share a copy when Tina asked for them.

"There's still one thing that I wish I can have an image of." Tina said to Zeo, pointing at a small patterned porcelain crucifix on the wall. "I can tell this was not made in England or India. I wonder where the family got this from..."

Zeo took out his small note pad and a pencil and sketched the object. Within minutes he drew the crucifix with the precise proportion and all the right patterns. It looked better than a photographed image. Tina looked at the note pad and smiled. She knew Zeo have his 'camera' with him at all times.

"Let's go next door to visit the missionary. He might shed some lights on the case, know what company this family usual keeps, as they are neighbours and this family to seem the religious type. He may even know something about this cross." Tina said, while trying to keep her composure. The horrible deaths and the scent of blood was enough to give terrible headaches to any veteran detective.

Zeo of course, didn't notice the difficulties others were having. He could've eaten a raw steak with corpse surrounding him and wouldn't understand why others would be throwing up around him. Anyhow, he knew that they had done all they can at the crime scene and it was time to move on. Zeo quietly followed Tina to the mission building just down the street.


Valentina D'Angeli
Valentina D'Angeli

Sep-30-2009 12:03

Yes, Tina knew Zeo didn't have an actual camera on him, but she also knew he could sketch anything in sight with the same precision of one, even better sometimes. As he started drawing, the brunette wandered around the house for a quick look. There was nothing interesting in the other rooms, or maybe the crime scene was too much to leave space for other details.

As Joseph finished his sketch, Tina looked at it and nodded approvingly.

"Very good, Zeo. I owe you... whatever you want, later.", she said, as she took one last look around. "Let's go".

As they left the house, Tina took a deep breath and pulled out her handkerchief, drying off some sweat from her forehead.

"Jesus", she murmured softly, "Why can't people kill in a civilized manner?"

She then shook her head.

"Sorry. Can we take a minute before we talk to the missionary? I need to catch my breath. If you don't mind, of course."

She turned away from him, apparently finding the other side of the street too interesting. If he was paying attention, he could hear her trembling voice mumbling something softly.

"Those poor children..."

Joseph Zeo
Joseph Zeo
Tale Spinner

Oct-2-2009 20:37

Did Tina mentioned that she needed to catch her breath? Zeo wasn't paying attention. His mind was focusing on how dangerous this Zulfiqar person was, and that Valentina was in danger simply by chasing this cold blooded murderer. The scene he had left behind said it all. Zeo could still remember fat Domino, who had hurt Tina when Zeo became careless for one moment. He vowed not to let that happen, ever again.

Zeo snuffed out the cigarette he forgot when he had lit it, and hurried Tina along, to the woman's displeasure. At the moment, Zeo's entire being was concentrated on capturing this villain of Tina's, so that she would be safe. Moments later, they were at the front porch of the mission house, a quiet establishment for the soul.

Adri Santhanam was an old friend of Zeo's, who greeted the two with warm welcomes. Zeo proceeded to ask him about the deceased family and if he had heard of the serial killer.

"Ladislav who?" Adri shook his head. "I haven't heard of his name, and the Geslings was a wonderful family. I had no idea why this would happen to them. They came to mass every Sunday, and were friends with many prominent people in this city. I guess working for the British embassy did have that advantage."

"Was there anyone suspicious that the family had been mingling with lately? Anyone new to Delhi that you had seen?"

"Well, there is this new fellow who joined us since two weeks ago; he called himself Liam Sulthum. He said he just got here from New York. A charming fellow. If I didn't know better, I'd stay that he was a bit dizzy with Mrs. Gesling. She was a lovely lady, but of course we all know that people who came to church are all gentle sheep." Adri claimed.

D'Angeli simply smirked.

"I am sure they are," Zeo replied, "do you happen to have this Mr. Sulthum's address?" Adri didn't, but knew that he lived somewhere north of the Bengal flats. Zeo thanked Adri for his information and left with Tina.
(cont'd...)

Joseph Zeo
Joseph Zeo
Tale Spinner

Oct-2-2009 21:13

"A wolf amongst sheep?" Zeo asked as the two headed north.

"More like a tiger finding a sheep family within a pack of wolves."

"The problem is, how are we going to find this tiger, if he was indeed Ladislav Zulfiqar in disguise..." Zeo thought out loud.

"If he was indeed Zulfiqar, then he is a brave one. The area Adri mentioned was filled with detectives." Tina replied.

"Yes, but none were insane enough to go after Zulfiqar, especially the female dets. You know very well what the monster did to the women before he killed them..." Zeo trailed off as he saw the look in Tina's eyes.

The pair proceeded to ask around for this Sulthum fellow. The barber seemed to have met this person before, and have seen him walking to a quiet house down the lane. The two thanked the Barber and headed for the house he described.

Zeo knocked. No answer. They waited for over five minutes when Tina thought she saw a shadow passing by the window on the second floor. She pulled Zeo's arm and pointed up at the window. Zeo saw nothing. "Well I guess we can proceed with the 'standard' procedure..." Zeo mumbled as he took out a thin wire and began to work the keyhole.

Moments later the door popped open. Zeo pushed the door through into an empty living room, which was strangely lit with candles. The two slipped in, Tina having her ruby adorned gun and Zeo his revolver poised. The room had little decorations, except for the scented candles and a porcelain cross on the wall. Zeo took out his note pad to cross check, yes, it was the exact same cross the Geslings family had in their murder house.

The two swept the ground floor, confirming no one was there. As Zeo headed for the stairs, he began to feel weak and dizzy. He looked at Tina, who was holding her head with her hand as well. "What's happening?" D'Angeli whispered.

Zeo looked at the burning candles and realized they were being drugged. The realization came too late. Tina fell onto the ground as everything blacked out around Zeo.

Valentina D'Angeli
Valentina D'Angeli

Oct-3-2009 01:39

Tina was almost started on her way up the stairs when she started feeling strange. She felt dizzy, and her legs weren't holding her weight. She noticed that Zeo was a bit strange as well.

"What's happening?", she murmured. She had the impression that Zeo wanted to say something, but they both passed out before they could speak to each other.

[...]

They woke up what seemed to be years later, but it was actually only 24 hours after they had entered the house. They were in a large room. Zeo was tied to a pretty comfortable chair, as Tina was curled up on a queen sized bed. She wasn't tied.

The look on her eyes was strange, and she was terribly pale. As Zeo's eyes opened, she sat on the bad, wincing a little, and went up to him.

"Joe! Are you okay? Are you hurt? While you were unconscious, he..."

She froze instantly as the door opened, and raced back to the bed, gesturing for Zeo to close his eyes.

Zulfiqar himself entered the room and locked the door. He then walked to the bed and sat next to Tina. His hand was caressing her messy hair.

"There, there, girl. It wasn't that bad, was it? You were the only girl I 'played' with who lived to tell the tale..."

Tina just sobbed in answer.

"You are in pain, aren't you? I'll get you something. Don't go anywhere."

He laughed and went back outside. Tina remained silent, curled on the bed and holding her knees tight.

Joseph Zeo
Joseph Zeo
Tale Spinner

Oct-4-2009 13:21

Anger flared within Zeo. He knew the monster had hurt Tina, and it pained him to no end. The question was, why didn't Zulfiqar finish Zeo off? From the evidence in all the crime scenes, the men were always the first to go… then it dawned on Zeo, why D'Angeli, who was more than capable of defending herself, would let the monster hurt her.

Zeo was the leverage for manipulating the dame, so that Zulfiqar could have his ways.

Tina…

Zeo's eyes shot bright red. When Zulfiqar left the bedroom Zeo pulled at his restrains until his wrists bled red. The man was furious, but at the same time very weak; he must had been continually drugged during Tina's ordeal. Zeo knew that if it wasn't for his inability to sleep at night and his constant use sleep pills (hence weakening the effects of tranquillizers on him) Zeo would still be unconscious. His struggle against the rope was futile. He looked to Tina for help. The dame was in a dazed state, curled on the bed and holding her knees tight.

"Tina!" Joseph called out quietly. The woman did not respond, not willing to face the man she loved after what had just happened. "Tina! Snap out of it! We'll get out of this, I promise. I just need a bit of help here. We don't have much time." Tina remained as she was, dazed, confused and in hopeless despair.

Zeo regretted all the times when he could've professed his feelings to Tina but had pushed her away instead. He was as bad as his own father, no, he was worse. No matter how hard Zeo tried to avoid the fate of his bloodline, he was destined hurt the women he loved.

The hell with it, Zeo decided not to hide his feelings anymore.

Joseph Zeo
Joseph Zeo
Tale Spinner

Oct-4-2009 13:26

"Tina, I'm sorry, for everything I haven't done. No matter what will happen… what HAD happened, I promise I'll always be there for you…" The woman looked up at him. For the first time in his life, Zeo did not withdraw his gaze. "You must know that I love you." he said.

Tina got up from the bed and ran to Zeo, and kissed him passionately on the lips. Just then, they heard footsteps coming up the stairs. Tina hurried to untie Joseph; the knots were fixed very tightly. Tina's hand was shaking. The door was being unlocked. Tina pulled the ropes away from Zeo.

The man dashed behind the door just as it opened. Zulfiqar entered. He was half a head taller and much bigger than the thin detective, but Zeo wouldn't care less. Without his weapon, Zeo had a very slim chance in overbearing the monster, but his anger at the moment could have burn holes through steel.

Zeo leaped onto Zulfiqar from behind. The monster realized what was happening and banged his back against the wall, taking the wind out of Zeo. Zulfiqar turned around and grabbed the thin detective by his hair, and smashed the man's head against a mirror, shattering the glass into a thousand pieces. Bleeding, Zeo grabbed a shard of the broken mirror and went for Zulfiqar's throat. It pierced through the monster's artery and blood was spilling out by the quarts. Zulfiqar didn't stop though, and grabbed Zeo's windpipe with one hand. Suffocating, Zeo continued to stab the big man with the glass shard. He inflicted double the wounds Zulfiqar had ever inflicted on his past victims. The shard ate into his palm, but Zeo did not stop stabbing the monster even after he had lost his grip on his neck; he did not stop when the villain had breathed his last breath.

It wasn't until Tina called out to him did he realized that it was over. Zeo was soaked in blood himself. Tina ran to him and hugged him. Zeo held onto Tina tightly, breathing hard, and stared at the messy corpse on the floor.

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