Stephanie Milano, a well known, well respected detective working with the NYPD on another murder case.  Time is 10:50 P.M.  Lieutenant Timbers is a well known jack-ass in the department, but is Steph’s new partner and trainer. 

Can't wait to get started ran through her head as they headed back towards the car.

“What do you think, Detective?” His deep voice rang through the voices of passer bys and seemed to match his height, weight and the muscle underneath his fair skin.  If she didn't know him, she would called him handsome.  But, she did know him, even if it was for only a few hours, she's gotten to know he's nothing but a horse's rear end. 

“She’s young, naïve.  Could’ve been a jealous boyfriend, or revengeful boyfriend.”

“Possibly, but not likely.” He fixed his black hair that seemed to clash with his hazel nut eyes.

“Why the hell not?  Just because we have to wait to see if there is fluids, doesn’t mean he had to have sex before or after death.  It doesn’t always have to be about sex.”

“No need to get offensive.  I’m just stating my opinion, which is protected by the first amendment, might I add.”

“No you may not add that because I took history in high school and college thank you.  I know what the Bill of Rights and the Constitution states; I know my rights.”

“Well, most men do have sex with their victims after death or they rape them.”

"Who said it's always a man?"

"Women don't kill."

"You don't read much do you?" Stephanie knew this would happen.  Some how, some way she always ended up arguing with people.  In interrogations it would be fine, but this isn't an interrogation.  It's her first time on the job, and her first case, and she didn't even have the urge to throw up when she saw the girl lying there, strangled and half beaten to death. To most men that would impressive, but not to this one who stands next to her on this damp, July night.

"Don't have to read to know it's true." He took out a cigarette, lit it. "You don't see women on the news confessing that they killed someone."

Watching him puff made her want to vomit.

"What'd you do to her, Gary?  She looks like she just got off a rollercoaster or somethin'" Steve Hogan, the coroner joked as he was headed back to the truck, assisstant close behind with the gurney and dead body. Though he joked, his chocolate brown eyes told her he was concerned.

"She's just sick from the sight back there." Gary exhaled; smoke whooshing out of his mouth and nostrils.

"Yeah right.  Looked fine when we were discussin' the case."

"You had her distracted." Stephanie watched his eyes when he puffed again and noticed each time he took a puff, more creases seemed to be added to the collection he already had around them.  Those were probably from stress and lack of sleep, for the job can be detesting and tiring.

"She hasn't even said a word." Steve said again, letting a small amount of distress seep into his voice, mixing with the souther draul.

"I'm fine, Steve.  Really."

As Gary took yet another puff she snapped. "Will you put that damn thing out before you kill yourself?"

"So you're worried about my health while we have a dead corpse on that gurney behind the doc?" Timbers mocked, but did as she wished.

"When can you have the autopsy done, Steve?" She let herself focus on the case now. There wasn't time to let her partner antagonize her, but she swears she'll get the time to kick his ass by the time they have their perp behind bars for life.

"That all depends, Detective.  I'll let you know when we have COD."

"Thanks, Doctor."

"Uh, no problem.... Whiley, are you comin' or shall I let you walk home?"

"I'm coming Doctor."

"That boy may be young, but I swear it, he acts like he's three times his age, or at least he moves like it.  Take care of yourself, Detective." As he looked over his shoulder and saw Timbers trying to help Whiley carry the gurney he added, "And keep Lieutenant Timbers in line.  He can be quite a handful." With that he left her, a smile on his wrinkling face.

"Do you have any other information you want to share at this time, Detective?" Timbers slid through the oak wood barracade and slunk into an office chair that was stationed next to her.

"No mom on record, may have died, or was adopted."

"Is that what her birth certificate shows?" There's that mocking tone again.

"No, but the father could've changed that, illegally of course, but it can still be done."

"Fine, fine.  You have a point." He paused, thought and picked up where he left off. "Who's the father?"

She pulled her hair back before she answered.