The rain was relentless. My journey back home became a struggle, with the heavens themselves playing the role of my enemy, standing between me and my much-needed rest. Lightning flashes sporadically danced with the city’s neon streetlights, casting shadows that were never alone. Even this rain lacked the strength to cleanse the filth that clung to this city.

While driving back home, I could feel the grip of the lingering smell of stale alcohol, countless cigarettes, and a lifetime of regret still in my car - an old relic gifted by a long-gone friend and work partner. And the echoes of a past unfinished case were still bouncing around in my head, taunting me. An innocent person, left in the cold comfort of a morgue. I swore I’d never let myself get bested like that again.
 
Suddenly, a soft ringing sound broke the rhythm of raindrops assaulting my car’s window. After a moment of focus, I realized it was my phone. I picked it up with a sense of foreboding. Then Alex’s voice came through the speaker.
 
“Frank?” she said, with weariness dripping from her voice, masked by uncertainty. Getting calls after clocking out was anything but ordinary.
 
“Did I forget your goodnight kiss today?” I teased, trying to break the tension. Alex sounded troubled.
 
“Haha. You wish.” I could feel her soft smile under the sigh of relief. "Someone just barged into the station with an insane story. Said they’ll only talk to you.”
 
"Well, isn’t that just perfect?” I sighed. “Do you think they’re legit enough to warrant me going back to the station right now?” I was already turning the car around before she got a chance to answer.
 
“Not particularly, but this shit feels right up your alley. And I know you wouldn’t let me live it down if I didn’t tell you about it right away.” She let out an audible sigh, underscoring how serious she was being. “You made that pretty clear last time, Frank.”
 
“I hear you, Alex. I’m already on my way back, don’t worry. We’ll catch up soon.” I hung up and started speeding back to the station.
 
The downpour felt like an accomplice to this city’s dirty secrets. Streetlights merged into a blur across the wet pavement while I raced back. My thoughts spiralled, trying to uncover the meaning of this meeting. As anxiety slowly filled my head, the sound of raindrops tirelessly assaulting my car perfectly blended in with the static of the radio, helping me to focus.

At first, I could barely hear through the noise. Oddly, I could have sworn I even heard some laughter. But then the voice broke through the static. “...and that's the last of the rough weather, folks. Looks like nothing but blue skies ahead. Let’s enjoy this sunny weekend!” And the forecast ended.

I stared out the window as the storm still raged on. “Yeah, I don’t think so, Mister Weatherman.” My sarcasm was lost to the static. 

A flash of lightning struck as the forecast finished, and I saw a reflection of someone while looking outside the window. Not quite a reflection of myself, but of that long-gone friend. Tommy.

I heard the echo of a familiar voice in my head. “Why are you turning your car around this late, Frankie? Just go home and get some rest, you’ve done enough. You can talk to her tomorrow.” While that felt logical, somehow I knew it wouldn’t be the case, so I stayed on track.
 
Then, I pulled up to the station. The sight of Alex across the curtain of raindrops felt like an angelic being ready to greet someone who didn’t deserve it at the golden gates of heaven. She had an umbrella in one hand and a cup of hot, steaming coffee in the other. Both ready for me. I rushed out of the car and into the rain, heading toward her.
 
“Man, you look like shit. This rain did a number on you,” she remarked while I grabbed the umbrella and coffee from her. We rushed back inside the station.

“More than usual?" I sarcastically replied with a chuckle.
 
“Well, I guess not. Other than the wet clothes and hair.” As we got inside, she grabbed my trench coat and took it off my back. “There, you look less like shit now. Try grabbing a towel when you get the chance.”

“Thanks, Alex.” I nodded. “I guess I might really be in heaven after all.”

“Huh?” Alex tilted her head at my comment, confused.

“Oh, never mind. Just thinking out loud.” Or maybe I’m just too tired.

As we walked through the door into the station, I heard a familiar voice from the receptionist.

“No rest for the wicked, eh, Detective Russo?”

I simply shrugged with a disappointed look on my face, acknowledging their remark, and kept moving.
 
The sound of chatter and keyboards clacking, echoing through the half-empty station, often broken by thunder, felt calming. Relaxing. It felt like home. Alex and I walked to my office and sat down at the table while I sifted through my drawer for paperwork.
 
“So, what am I getting into here?” I took a sip of the coffee. It was scaldingly hot and barely drinkable. I started swirling it around.
 
“A woman came down to the precinct right after you left. She didn’t call you by name, but rather perfectly described you.” Alex stopped, head hanging down, deep in thought.
 
“Go on…” I kept swirling the coffee while watching the steam slowly rise from it.
 
“Then she told us something was about to go down. Not might. Not could. Would. And when I asked her about how she got this information, she looked at me like I was already too late to call you.” She let out a sigh, head still down. “That’s weird, right? I don’t like this, Frank…”
 
I tilted my head, both in surprise and curiosity. “I don’t know about weird, but it’s definitely intriguing. Maybe she’s wrong about the situation or mistook me for someone else. Any guesses?”

“No, Frank, she knows who you are, that much is clear. So I don’t think she’s mistaken about the situation either. Whether or not it’s true, it’s up to you to find out, I guess.”
 
“Are you sure? This does feel a bit unsettling, if that’s the case. I’ll give you that.” I tried taking another sip of the coffee. Still too hot. I kept swirling.
 
“She knew who you were, Frank. Not just your name. You. And since you’re the only one she’ll talk to, you have to go in there and have a chat with her.” Alex nodded towards the locked interrogation room, then closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “But whatever it is, it can’t be good. People don’t just barge into stations in the middle of a storm, Frank.” She slid the keys across the table, punctuating the warning.
 
I put the coffee on the table, got up, and grabbed Alex’s coat. “It’ll be fine. You worry too much, Alex.” I gestured towards the exit while holding her coat open, helping her into it. “Go home, back to your husband, and chill out. I’m sure he misses you. I’ll text you later to keep you up-to-date on this one. And tell the kids I said hello.”
 
“Will do.” She nodded while getting up and putting on the coat. “Oh, and Frank? Jeff asked for his tools back. He mentioned he lent them to you on Monday. He’s been using that as an excuse to delay fixing the damn door, and I’m sick of that squeaky noise.”
 
“I’ll swing by your place tomorrow. Tell him I’ll bring some beer for us to make up for the delay.”
 
“Sure thing. Take care, will you? That woman looks like trouble,” she said, walking down the hallway towards the station’s exit. “I can’t always be around to play babysitter for you, Frank.”
 
I grabbed my coffee and the keys from the table and started heading towards the interrogation room. The flickering lights added an ominous feeling that hung over my anxiety. I didn’t know what I was about to walk into.
 
I could feel my heart beating faster and faster as I hesitantly slid the key into the lock and turned it. I could even feel the tension emanating through the walls. Like something terrible awaited me. 

I shifted my tie and slicked my short, rain-wet hair back. Then, with a push, the door cracked open, and I walked inside, cutting through the tension.
 
“Took you long enough, detective.” A sweet and soothing voice carried across the barely lit room to greet me