The Seven Deadly Sins: Demon of Pride

Reaching the home of Brenda and Jim Louis was like going back in time. Evangeline could remember the countless Halloween and Christmas parties held there like it was almost yesterday. Sighing, she parked the car in a spot designated for police vehicles and got out. Andy did his best to catch up with the young woman lost in the fog of confusion.
"Eva, wait up please," his husky voice sounded winded.
The flustered girl turned and blushed as she realized that even Andy's gazelle legs could barely keep up with her.
"I'm sorry, I am just focused," she stopped.
"And worried?"
"Yea, that too."
Entering the lobby, police officers and forensics units were scattered around, questioning people and employees. Eva sighed heavily as she nodded at each officer and made her way to the elevator.
"You going to be okay?" Andy looked at her seriously and put a hand on her shoulder, squeezing sympathetically.
"I think so," she shoved her hands in her jacket pockets, "It just breaks my heart; those kids and her parents didn't deserve this shit."
Stopping on the correct floor, the pair got out and made their way to apartment number 223-C. Eva stopped dead in her tracks as she rounded the corner to the condo.
"Oh my god," she whispered, shaky and scared like.
Andy turned his eyes to a gurney rolling out of the room, Leslie on top of it. Eva collapsed against the wall, stomach churning.
"Stay here, E."
Andy rushes to the men rolling her out, flashing his badge. The two of them stop and allow him to make the proper phone calls. While on the phone, the flustered detective hands the two men the address to the morgue at the office and nodded. Walking back to Eva, Jinxx's ringtone went off on Eva's phone.
"He-he-hello?"
"Eva, CC is on his way to relieve you."
"But I want to -"
"Evangeline, I know you want to be there for the family but you are too shaken up. Leslie's body is on its way here; you can help me with it if you would like. But please, let the guys do what they need to do, which is to help you. Now, go hug the Louis' and check on the kids but come back here please. I have wine and pizza waiting for you."
"Thanks, Jeremy," she smiled meekly, "You know, I don't have brothers, but you are the closest to one."
Hanging up, the almost teary eyed woman gazed over at her younger partner. Eyes full of worry, she put his arm around her shoulder and lead her to the room.
"This condo is a disaster," she exclaimed as she looked around, stepping over the broken coffee table.
"Tell me about it," Andy looked at the holes in the walls and the candle stick buried into the plasma television on the wall.
"Evangeline," a tiny voice screamed at her.
The small girl ran to her and was instantly scooped up, older brother and grandfather in tow.
"Oh Eva," Jim gasped and surrounded the woman holding his granddaughter with a warm hug, "I'm so sorry that this had to be our next meeting. Look at you, all grown up." Jim's eyes glistened with tears as he looked down the hall towards Suzannah's room.
Putting Suzie down, she nodded towards the room, taking Andy with her for support. Hearing CC just outside asking questions, a sense of relief fell over the tired and now seriously sad detective. Leslie and Ty were her friends, Ty before Leslie but both in childhood. She couldn't believe both were gone. Gasping out loud as she entered the bedroom, a hand flew over her gaping mouth. Blood spatter danced along the walls as the area rug in the center was soaked in blood, tissue, and grey matter. Tears began to roll down her face as CC raced into the room.
"Eva, come on. Andy can you give us a moment; I will be back."
The sun-kissed man dragged Eva out of the room and, after letting her hug Jim, Alex, and Suzie goodbye, led her out into the hallway.
"You need to give yourself some rest, babe," CC said calmly as he wrapped a muscular arm around his friend's shoulder, "You are killing yourself with this case."
"Yea, I know you and Jinxx are right but," she reached into her pocket for a tissue she had snagged on the way out, "This... this just hits home."
"I'm going to walk you to the elevator. Go back to the office; Jinxx is waiting. We love you Eva; we're here for you."
Giving the god-send of a friend one last hug, Eva loaded herself into the elevator and made her way back to the office.
Heading back into the condo, a cold shiver traveled down CC's body. It was 12:30 at night, and these kids; damn, these kids didn't have a mother.
"When did this happen?" CC asked out loud, staring down at the blood soaked fabric.
"I asked Mr. Louis what his agenda was this evening," Andy spoke solemnly as he looked as the cloth bag in the corner curiously, "He and the kids were with Brenda at Alex's basketball game until 10. They found her here after that; when they got home."
"But who was she with?" CC couldn't wrap his head around who did this.
"She had been staying with them for a few days, instead of listening to the protection agency. She wanted to see her kids."
"I'm going to talk to the front desk," Andy said as his phone went off with Ashley's ring tone, "I bet they might have camera footage."
With the phone attached to his ear, the young detective went towards the elevator and headed towards the ground floor, leaving CC to ponder the crime scene.
"Eva, you can come in now."
The stressed out woman had been sitting in a chair outside of Jinxx's autopsy room for what seemed to be forever. She had changed into a more comfortable outfit and her hair was pulled up and out of her reddened face. It had been a few hours since she had left the crime seat, and the experienced detective was feeling the pain and torment; in any case, it was a little to close to home.
Walking into the autopsy room, Jinxx held out his hand for Eva to take. Grabbing it, a stray tear dropped from her cheek.
"It's going to be okay, E," Jinxx reassured his friend, "This is going to be easier than at the condo. I just want to show you some things, and not around a bunch of people."
Stopping Eva by the autopsy table, he went over to the sink to wash his hands and grab a new set of gloves. Glancing over at the shaking girl, he sighed; he felt terrible for her. This was once a friend to her.
"Ok, so while I was cleaning her wounds, I noticed something," he looked at Eva while she nodded to lift the sheet back, "There is a signet burnt into her neck."
He removed the sheet and moved the frozen woman's hair to the side, revealing a symbol.
"Oh god," she cocked her head to the side and looked back at Jinxx, eyes wide, "That is the Greek symbol for death. Did Ty have that on him, too?"
Jinxx went back through his notes; it didn't look like it.
"No, not that I had found. But, then again, instead of one person doing these killings, it could very well be a group or sect."
Walking over to the evidence, he retrieved a hair and some skin that was found under her nails and on her person.
"I wanted you here with me when I find this bit of information out; this is the biggest lead we have had yet."
Suddenly excited, Eva waited for Jinxx to test the hair and the skin for DNA. By the time he had an answer for the woman, she had been pacing the room and talking to the cadaver.
"Not to be funny, but they are great listeners aren't they?"
Finally cracking a smile, Eva shoved the smirking medical examiner. Jinxx laughed loudly for a moment, only to finally contain himself when she read the verdict.
"Oh wow, this is serious Jinxx," she pointed to the screen.
There, on the screen, was none other than Los Angeles City's own Mayor, Randall H. Graham.
"Shit, E," he picked up the phone, "You want to call the guys? Or do you want me to?"
Taking the phone from the man who was seated, she dialed Andy's number knowing CC was still with him.
Just leaving the crime scene, CC and Andy were tired. Not much was left minus the blood which was obviously hers, and the front desk hadn't been much help either. Shoving his hands in his pockets only to pull out his pack of smokes and a lighter, Andy sighed and lit the Marlboro Light swiftly. Exhaling, his phone went off.
"Hey, babe,"
"Hey, I need you and CC to get back here now."
"What, we were just -"
"We have a real lead."
"On our way."
CC looked confused which made Andy chuckle slightly.
"Eva and Jinxx found a lead."

Notes

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