The Deathless (closed for silvertongue217)

[slut_in_white]

Alice Salem has gone through many, many names, and many, many lives. When you have only one life, it's easy to find meaning in anything and everything. Every moment means something. Every breath could be your last, and it gives a richness to life that's indescribable.

When you cannot die, life loses its inherent meaning. But that just means you have to find a meaning for yourself.

Alice looks young - pretty, with pale skin, wide blue eyes, a button nose speckled with freckles and pink, pouty lips. Her brown hair is long, often worn back in a braid with a few whisps of hair gathering at the nape of her neck and around her face as she works. She couldn't be older than 25, to look at her. And yet? Alice Salem has been alive for 334 years.

She was born in Salem, Massachusetts to Rachel Clinton in 1682. When she was ten years old, her mother was tried and then executed for witchcraft as part of the witch trials. She can still remember the day, clear as though it had happened yesterday. The great irony of it was that Rachel really was a witch, and she had blessed her daughter before she was taken, but in the course of the blessing her fear misguided her, and Alice Clinton was afflicted with immortality as a result. Young Alice left her home soon afterwards, but she took the name of her hometown when she left, both to avoid any further witch-hunts after her, and to commemorate the deaths of so many undeserving women.

In recent years, Alice had trained to become a homicide detective. Years and years of experience with other people saw to it that she was almost preternaturally good at recognizing lies in other people, as well as at noticing important details at crime scenes. It was how she found meaning - since she couldn't die herself, she'd use the skills she'd obtained over a long life saving others. She rocketed through the ranks - the only thing that prevented her from becoming a captain was the fact that she had to move so often to avoid people noticing her lack of aging.

Which was how she ended up in New York City.

"Detective Salem! Welcome!" Captain O'Hart was standing at the door of the precinct, waiting for her to arrive. "Listen, I'd normally show you around this morning, but we got a particularly strange case come in this morning, and I'd like you to go take a look. Our forensics expert is already on the scene - normally we wouldn't send him out into the field like this, but it's a weird one, and we though it might be wise to get an extra set of eyes on the case."

Already? Alice raised one eyebrow. "Alright sir. Just gimme the address."

-----------------------

Alice arrived at the crime scene a few minutes later, still pinning her badge to her shirt. She was wearing a well-worn leather jacket and jeans. Maybe not what most people would call professional, but she wasn't the sort of woman to wander around in a skirt and heels when they might interfere with her ability to solve a case or catch a criminal. And anyone who tried to call her out on it was going to get one hell of an earful.

The scene was in a hotel. A body was found in a hotel room, and blood was everywhere. Apparently, the strange thing? The vast majority of the wounds were inflicted post-mortem. Apparently, the murderer wanted to confuse what really happened. That's why the forensic specialist was present: it was going to take a lot of expertise to figure out what was real evidence and what was a red herring.

She wandered into the hotel room, wondering where this forensic expert was supposed to be. She couldn't see him around, but shrugged, figuring he was either getting equipment or following some kind of lead. She'd talk to him when he came back. With that, she got out her camera and started snapping photos of the gruesome crime scene.

 

[silvertongue217]

"I dont want to set the world on fire"

"turn that crap off" The tech groaned glancing over at him "my grandfather likes your taste in music"

"Then your grandfather has good taste" came his reply as Marcus Tiberuis Cole popped his head out of the trunk and pulled his equipment case out "Did you know that back in his day...."

"ugh please" The tech said throwing his hands up. He was a young man 21 no doubt into the latest pop musics and that thing Marcus knew was called rap.

"How can some one only 29 be like a hundred years old" The tech what was his name again? Oh yeah Brian! Said shaking his head.

How indeed

Marcus was actually four hundred years old (though he didnt like to boast). He was old well older than old with a penance for the past rather then the present. It wasn't that he had any great qualms against the present mind you. He did love the technology marveled at it (of course he could still remember when the greatest technology had been the butter churn) but with the technology had come a disconnect a disconnect between most people that he was NOT a fan of.

Take two people sitting on the park bench right outside of the crime scene he was currently walking into. They were both on their phones oblivious to the other as they watched their youtube. Back in his day people talked and looked at one another, now it was done with a video screen more than any thing. Marcus shook his head flashing his badge at the board officer guarding the scene before ducking down and moving past the tape.

"Suppose I shouldn't complain" Marcus reminded himself looking down at his briefcase with a smile "after all technology makes my job easier"

Which job though? He wasn't doing teacher this identity. It was to boring nowadays and most of the ivy leagues had pictures of him still hanging on the wall from past tenures. No this year it was some thing new some thing that would allow him time to look into his.... affliction. He was working science foresensice tech studying death in an attempt to learn why he hadn't died of scarlet fever all those years ago. Also his job would allow him to work with people and get some justice for the dead who have found rest.

Which was some thing he felt strongly about

"good morning Jim" Marcus said his spanish accent coming out. He set his case down shaking hands with the police lead that he primarily worked with. He watched as always as Jim seized him up. Marcus knew he was an intimdating figure burly broad shoulder built more bull than wildcat. With his deep tan dark hair and discolored yes (one voilet one sea green) he looked more like a dashing pirate than a scientist.

"Its good to see you Marcus" Jim said finally relaxing as he lit a cigar "the new detective is in their getting a lay of the land she hasnt touched any thing yet though I been watching her"

"Ah good" Marcus said looking inside "I will see what I can pull" He said nodding his head before stepping in. He paused taking in the air breathing in the crime scene for a few seconds. He had his rituals (after all centuries of life had given him some quirks) and he lightly touch the cross underneath his shirt before he stepped in.

"You must be the new detective" He said spotting some one taking pictures. He eyed her up and down taking note of her features. She was pretty.... prettier than most pretty enough that he would have been tempted if he Was not taking a break from the trappings of finding some one who was going to die before he.

"It is a pleasure to meet you" He said extending his hair "My name is Marcus"

 

[slut_in_white]

Marie startled at the sound of a voice addressing her. Damn, had she gotten that absorbed in her work already?

Looking up from her camera, she found herself face-to-chest with a giant of a man. He was both very tall and very broad, and when she looked up into his eyes, she found the most striking case of heterochromia she'd ever seen. "Oh. Yeah. Hi. I'm Detective Salem. Marie Salem." She took his offered hand and shook it.

Her gaze ran back down his body and she realized that if she were in a bar right now instead of the workplace, she'd probably be trying to get him to come home with her. It had been too long since she'd gotten laid - normally, she wouldn't be checking out her co-workers.

"Ah, so Marcus, I take it you're the forensic expert I'm supposed to be working with on this case?" She motioned around the room. "What do you think? Gimme your first impressions."

 

[silvertongue217]

"That would be me darling" He said unable to hide the flirty grin as she mentioned his title "and I would be more than happy though this is my first time seeing the scene" He warned her before turning and running his eyes over the macrabe before him. It always astounded him how mortals thought of so many interesting ways to kill each other.

"well some one wanted to butcher this body beyond any form" Marcus said kneeling down and examining it "hack wounds knife wounds burns I mean some one went through a lot of trouble to make the actual cause of death as hard as possible most of these wounds are post mortem though there is some rope burns around the neck that could tell the tale" He said lifting the chin and eyeing them.

"However in my expert opinion the only real truth were going to find lies in the autopsy" He said sighing and looking at the body before turning to her "Our dear friend is going to get a chance to tell his story but not until he is back in the lab" He said opulling off his gloves and nodding at the techs to begin bringing the body out.

"Though this is interesting" He said looking over at the blood splatter on the wall there was a vague outline.

"This is more than likely the killer" He said waving his hand at the outline "he was very rushed very sloppy in his work"

 

[slut_in_white]

Marie lifted an eyebrow at the way he was flirting with her. Darling? Really? It was not exactly the most appropriate way to address a new coworker. She smirked. "Do you talk that way to all your new coworkers?" she asked lightly, wondering if he was just a flirt or whether it was specific to her.

Her gaze followed Marcus' pointing toward the outline on the wall. "Well, at least that gives us something to start with. A height and approximate build, anyway." She snapped a photo of the outline. "I'm anxious to hear what you find in the lab, but I should get back to the precinct." She offered him a smile. "I don't even have a desk yet."

 

[silvertongue217]

"Forgive me" he said smirking at her comment and inclining his head "I'm an old fashion southern gentleman my mother raised me as such I !meant no disrespect" he said winking at her.

"Yes though the real answers will come from our man here" he said nodding at the boidy being loaded up "I shall let you know as soon as I know any thing" he said nodding his head and heading to the door before stopping.

"Oh did you need a ride back?" He asked turning and leaning against the door

 

[slut_in_white]

Maria had to smirk at the comment about him being a good southern boy. She had to suspect there was more to it than that - one doesn't work for long in a city like New York without realizing that terms of endearment like that are going to get you some strange looks. So either he was doing it on purpose, or maybe he was as new to town as she... but the second didn't seem that likely.

She didn't need a ride back, but since it seemed like they were going to be working pretty closely on the case together, she figured it would be a good opportunity to get to know him a bit better. "Sure. I'll be down in a sec, alright?" She snapped a few more pictures, then headed down to the street level and joined him outside. "Thanks for the ride, Marcus."

 

[silvertongue217]

"Meet you down" Was his reply as he watched her go back to taking a few more picture. He lingered for a second admiring her back side before he turned and walked out. He nodded at the captain and waved his hand preventing him from talking to him. Marcus knew the captain was a good man but he tended to over talk and Marcus was in no mood to chat with him. He supposed he should have made an attempt but Marcus was having a harder time of it this life time then some of his previous ones. The faces were starting to blur and he was getting deja vu as of late as if he had the conversation before (he supposed he had in most cases).

He shook himself out of his funk and went downstairs and out onto the street. He sighed as he noted the gathering by his car and beeped the alarm to send them scattering. He moved towards his Classic Royles Royce. It was his one weakness the thing he brought with him for the last couple of lifetimes. It was lovingly maintained by a guy who Marcus paid a large amount of money from his stash to keep it maintained and in working condition.

Marcus leaned on it waiting for her to come out. She did moments later thanking him for the ride.

"My pleasure" He said reaching and opening the door for her. He opened it wide for her and then turned going over to his side and sliding into the passenger seat.

 

[slut_in_white]

Maria whistled when she saw the Royce. "Nice car." She had to wonder, how did a forensic expert afford something like this? Sure, they weren't paid terribly, but he was young - shouldn't he be spending more time worrying about student debt than a car like this at his age?

Maybe he came from a monied family. But if that was so, he probably didn't need to work... which meant he was doing this out of a love of the job. That was certainly something she could respect. After all, she was doing the same thing. One couldn't be immortal without gathering up a remarkable amount of money over the years.

"So, how long've you been a forensic scientist?"

 

[silvertongue217]

"Thank you an old family hierloom" He replied his standard excuse for his car (and when you thought about it vaguely the truth). He climbed in and started the car pulling out and joining the standard traffic in NY.

"I dont take her out as much as I like to" he said ignoring her question for now "This town isn't very car friendly" He told her giving her fair warning before he glanced over at her.

"I have been one for about four years now" Marcus replied gunning the engine forward "what about you detective? Word on the street is you came highly recommended from another city"

 

[slut_in_white]

Maria smiled. "Oh, yes. I worked my way up the ranks in Chicago, but I needed a change of scenery. I've been working as a detective for 3 years now, and I was a beat cop before that."

She laughed when the car gunned forward. It reminded her that she hadn't taken her bike out in far too long. The feeling of freedom she had on the open road was intoxicating. Maybe she'd go out for a ride after work.

"So, are you from New York, or did you come here for work? Do you have any family?"

 

[silvertongue217]

"My my my the detective in you is having a field day I can see" Marcus teased shaking his head and snorting. He cocked his head bringing up the details of his life for this life time before carefully reciting them.

"Not from New York no Florida actually small town just outside of Jacksonville I came here to get out of the heat and the small town living I always had a fascination with the dead and came here to pursue and explore it as for family no my mother died years ago and pops walked out when I was a kid" he said lying easily before he glanced over at her.

"what about you? Whats the story detective?"

 

[slut_in_white]

"Orphan," Maria answered shortly. "My mom was a single mother. I never knew my dad. I'm from a pretty conservative town where having a child out of wedlock was something that people really judged. She was killed in a case of misdirected vigilante justice. It's why I became a cop, actually. The ones responsible were never punished."

 

[silvertongue217]

"I see I know how that goes" Marcus said glancing over at her only more intrigued by her past. In his long life he had met plenty of people some memorable... some less than so. The truly unique ones however he always remembered and always kept dear to his heart.

He had a feeling she would be one of those people

He pulled up and parked at the prescient. He turned off his car and gestured for her to wait a moment. He got out closing his door and moving over to hers before opening it and letting her out.

"I guess we shall part ways for now detective" He said bowing and kissing her head "I will come find you when I have some answers from our dear departed friend" He said nodding at her before disappearing inside.

 

[slut_in_white]

Maria blinked at him after he kissed her head. He certainly had strange habits, but somehow, her instincts said he was being genuine, and he simply came from a place where that sort of affection was normal.

She shrugged and headed inside, her thoughts swirling, but always returning to Marcus. The captain gave her a proper tour of the precinct and she got and organized her desk before setting to work on the case, but she kept thinking back to the forensics lab and the man waiting for her inside it. She realized she was anxious for him to call her with information - so much so that she was getting distracted from her work.

Giving up on waiting, she decided she was going to head downstairs to the lab to see whether he had anything yet.

 

[silvertongue217]

MEANWHILE IN THE LAB

Marcus had the place to himself as was his request whenever he did an autopsy. The classical music he loved and coveted played over the speaker soothing him as he tended to his patient.

"Now Mr. Bryant tell me your story" Marcus murmured s his scalpel worked. He kept his marked close by jotting down notes as he went.

Interesting.....

He heard the door open and looked up noting the detective coming in

"Ah detective your early" He said over the music. He pointed to the volume control for his music.

"Interesting find" Marcus said once the music died down. He pulled off his gloves and beckoned her over.

"I think I have determined the cause of death" He said nodding at the neck. The man was hung yet his wounds suggest he was a suicide attempt. It didn't take and that is where our assailant comes in to finish the job there is signs from there the hanging was forced or at least more force was put on it"

 

[slut_in_white]

Maria frowned at Marcus' explanation. "A failed suicide turned murder? Why? What possible reason could the murderer have had for finishing the job?" She walked a circuit around the body, as if the different angles would reveal the mystery. "I suppose someone could have simply wanted our vic dead and happened across him trying to commit suicide, but that's too much of a coincidence for me to believe that's true."

She looked up finally, tilting her head. "What do you think?"

 

[silvertongue217]

"I think our good friend here wanted to die for a reason" Marcus murmured moving him onto his back to show a tatoo "tattoo for the Aryan brother hood" Marcus pointed out before letting him fall back down.

"So our friend here must have done some thing bad some thing that meant death was the preferred outcome to living" Marcus remarked moving away from the body "the height and approximate build however could be a number of Aryan hitmen"

 

[slut_in_white]

"Alright," Marie said, nodding. "He really did want to commit suicide. So the question is, was someone else there to make sure he finished the job? Or was it just chance that our murderer came across him at the time he did?"

She looked at the tattoo again. "Because if he had just finished a hit so horrible he wanted to kill himself over it, surely there'd be someone else in the world who thinks he deserved to die over what he had done. Someone angry enough to hack the body apart after he was dead. So I think our first step is to figure out what job he'd finished. That'll give us a path to the murderer."

 

[silvertongue217]

"We do now some one else was there" Marcus said sitting in his chair and leaning back "Our blood splatter outline confirms it I think like you said the best thing to do would be to figure out what hit he might have completed and go from there"

"However that means that for now the case is out of my hands detective" Marcus said looking over at her "I now leave it in your hands to find me another body or to hear the good news you found the suspect" He said eyeing her up and down.

"though do drop by my den any time usually no one as alluring as you visits me" he said with a sly wink.

 

[slut_in_white]

Marie had to laugh. "Oh, alluring, is it?" she teased, smirking at him. "Good to know you find my company so tempting." She winked at him, adding a little extra swing to her hips as she walked out.

It was another day or so before she managed to pick up another lead. There was evidence that the victim had met with another man in a warehouse only a few hours before his murder. When she arrived, however, she found another crime scene, much the same as the last - a body, brutalized postmortem in an attempt to hide the actual killing blow.

She cursed when she found it and went back outside to call Marcus right away.

"Hey. I've got another body for you to come take a look at."

 

[silvertongue217]

"I am on my way" Marcus said answering the phone call on the first ring. He got the address then hung up and refocused on his task. He carefully withdrew the needle the one full of his blood and carefully set it aside. He undid the tourniquet and labeled his blood before getting it ready to be shipped off for test. In this day and age the secrets behind his immortality might finally be answered. More and more tests were coming out new options for him to compare and contrast. He had to be careful of course moving large sums of money and rerouting for test werent easy.

But he knew it would be worth it in the end

He got up pulling on his leather jacket and going to his car. It only took him a few minutes to reach the latest crime scene a abandoned warehouse currently taped off by the police.

"Criminals always have a knack of finding places off the beaten path" Marcus quipped stepping in and moving to The Detectives side.

"We have to stop meeting like this detective" He said by her ear before stepping towards the body "people are going to talk"

 

[slut_in_white]

Maria couldn't help the little chuckle that escaped her at Marcus' greeting. "Oh yes, all these clandestine meetings at blood warehouses. Given how awfully arousing such locales are, I'm surprise they're not just asking when the wedding will be," she answered, clearly teasing him.

She nudged him and pointed to the body. "So, from what I can tell, this crime scene looks much the same as the last. And it's a bit older. So either they were committed by the same person, or whoever killed vic #1 was trying to imitate this scene for some reason. Thoughts?"

 

[silvertongue217]

"Yes it would seem that way: Marcus murmured stepping forward and sqauting down "Some one is going through a lot of trouble to hide the reason behind the death" He murmured eyeing hte body up and down before frowning.

"This body wasnt killed here" He said rising up "some one dug it up trace ammount of dirt all over his body and if you follow the trail" He said pointing behind her and out the door.

"I would hazard a guess and say this man was killed and buried here so he would not be found the man who killed our perp came here unburied him pulling him out and butchered the body so cause of death and ID was almost impossible"