Chapter Text
Lucy wasn’t sure how her life had gone this downhill since graduating college. She had started grad school planning on become a psychologist like her parents then she just as quickly dropped out. She sought out the van life which involved 9 months of her showering outdoors and eating roadside burritos taking bets on when she’d get food poisoning next. Somewhere along her travels she met Jake Butler. She wasn’t sure if the dropping out was the catalyst or if this meeting was. Either way her life took a turn.
Jake Butler was a handsome looking guy albeit his slicked back hair. Even his greasiness added to his charm though. He wasn’t the guy Lucy would typically go for but Lucy also typically didn’t drop everything in her life to go on a trip crosscountry with no plan. He showered Lucy in affection. Mostly physical but every now and then he’d get her a sweet gift. Some jewelry she knew he couldn’t afford or new makeup from a fancy Korean skincare line. He also was more than accepting when Lucy brought home 17 year old Tamara who was homeless. Lucy had never been more closely intimate with someone in her life but it felt good. It felt good to be so deeply loved by a man after her parents had practically disowned her for dropping out of school. And damn did Jake Butler love deeply.
Over time Lucy saw the little things he did that teetered the line of legality. She’d feel a tug in her chest and a voice telling her how wrong it was. How she didn’t need a man like that in her life but Jake loved her like no one had before. And sure she maybe helped provide an alibi for him occasionally or picked him up from the scene of a crime but it was truly petty harmless crimes. Or at least she pretended they were. She didn’t know about the drugs until nearly a year and a half into their relationship. His car had been towed and sold at a ceased car auction where the buyer discovered several kilos of cocaine. Soon after Jake was arrested, but how could Lucy leave him? She couldn’t leave the one man who had made her feel wanted and loved. So she didn’t and maybe that was the true catalyst of her life going off the deep end.
“We’re at the state prison waiting for Jake to get released!” Lucy says with a grin at her phone. She has it out and recording where she stands just outside the gates of the prison. The gates were seven feet tall with spikes and she could see multiple guards from where she stood. A few were on the perimeters, some where in the large watch towers, and some were inside the grassy field of the prison.
“He’s getting out on a drug charge and early for good behavior.” Lucy adds flashing her eyes heavy with makeup. “Ooh there he is!” She squeals seeing two guards escorting Jake to the exit of the prison. He was in an old pair of jeans, a random band t shirt, and one of his dark gray flannels. His hair was slicked back like usual and he even looked like he lost some weight in prison.
”Baby!” Jake exclaims rushing over to her once he’s uncuffed and released. Lucy laughs as he wraps his arms around her and lifts her up. He plants a big kiss on her lips and one on her neck before spinning her around and she lets out another girlish giggle.
He sets Lucy down and then immediately nips at her neck. His lips press against the skin with his teeth brushing over it.
“Jake-“ Lucy laughs pushing him slightly, “Let’s go home first baby.”
”Aw.” Jake pouts a bit and pulls her close to him again. Her hips are pushed up against his and her face flushes. “But I was just about to get started. I’ve missed you so much.”
Lucy’s nails rake against his chest before bringing one finger to his lips. “And we will make up for all that lost time once we get home.”
Jake’s hands roam over her body. They press lightly into her hips and then trace the slight curve where they dip inwards. One brushes over her ass.
”You better believe it. I’ve got six months to get in.” He says leaning close to her neck again. His hot breath pricks Lucy’s skin as her hairs raise and he kisses her again slowly. Lucy moans into it.
Somehow they make it into the car, but as he drives he frees one of his hands to touch her thighs and hips the whole time. Lucy bit her lip to prevent any noises from coming out as his hand inches closer to the zipper of her jeans.
”Not yet baby.” She reminds him with a muffled whine at the end, “Wanna do it proper.”
Jake smirks licking his lips. “I’m glad you care that much Lu. Of course we’ll wait. Is Tamara home?”
”She’s at a friends.” Lucy says with a smile, “I sent her out for the night so we got the whole place to ourselves Jake.”
”Good girl.” He hums and Lucy perks at the praise.
Once they were home Lucy quickly unlocked the door to her apartment she shared with Tamara. The homeless girl she took under her wing who was practically her sister now.
Before she could even put her purse down Jake had pushed her against the wall using his foot to kick the door closed. He shimmed his shirt off and pressed his lips against her roughly. He nipped at her neck and sucked until the skin bruised. He’d pull away letting the skin go with a pop each time before moving to the next spot.
“I love you Lu.” Jake murmurs his hot breath steaming across her neck.
“I love you too.” Lucy starts to say and then squeaks when he bits again.
Unfortunately their reunion is short lived when there’s a knock on the door. Jake moves to go open it releasing the pressure of his hands against Lucy’s chest and she pouts.
”Just ignore it.” She pleads.
”Can’t. It’s Lisa.” He responds peering into the peephole. Lucy sighs. Lisa Miller was her closest friend beside Tamara, but she always showed up at the worst moments. And Lucy had told her she really wanted Jake to herself for the first night but as usual, Lisa didn’t listen.
“Jake!” Lisa exclaims cheerfully when the door is opened. She throws her arms around his neck making him stumble back a few steps and Lucy cringes. ”Oh you look great!”
”Hey girl!” Jake greets Lisa accepting her hug. “It’s been a minute.”
”Well yeah,” Lisa rolls her eyes and presses a hand against his chest, “it’s been six months since the cops got you.”
He just grins in response as Lucy tries to step between them but Lisa pulls her back to give her a quick hug instead. Then Lisa steps in front of her to close the distance between her and Jake.
”Well it ain’t happening again. But I’ve got some catching up to do with Lu,” He says wrapping an arm around Lucy’s shoulders, “So I’ll see you later.”
Lucy might have imagined it but she swore she saw a flash of anger on Lisa’s face. Surely she was being dramatic though. Jake was her boyfriend so it made since he’d spend the first night as a free man with her and not Lisa. Didn’t her best friend understand that?
”Yeah sure. See you later I guess.” Lisa says slightly gritting her teeth but Jake doesn’t seem to notice unlike Lucy who narrows her eyes.
Once Lisa is gone and Lucy firmly closes the door behind her Jake pulls her attention back to him. His hands are on her waist and his fingers press into her skin.
”Now where were we?” He asks.
Lucy’s phone had been ringing nonstop since about 8am. It was now 9:31 and she’d tried every trick in the book to ignore it which meant she currently had her head shoved between two pillows. But the phone didn’t stop ringing, so she rolled over with a groan and picked up the phone. Lucy glanced at the screen rapidly blinking her eyes as the sun stings them.
The caller id was unknown and she sighed. Probably just one of Jake’s… associates. They had a habit of involving her whenever he did one of his disappearing antics.
”Lucy Chen.” She replies after clicking accept.
“This is Shaw Memorial Morgue.” A steady and monotone female voice says, “I’m looking for a Lucy Chen?”
“This is her.” Lucy frowns biting her bottom lip. Her eyes scour her room quickly. Why on earth was a morgue calling her? Both her parents were in good health the last time she spoke to them. She knew Tamara was at the local community college right now for class. Jake was at a job. Whatever that job entailed, Lucy had no idea. She preferred to not know the things he got up to because when she was in the know, it didn’t end well. Normally with officers interrogating her but Lucy was smart enough to erase any evidence implicating her in Jake’s dealings.
“Would you be able to come by the morgue today? Mid-Wilshire recovered a body and we need you to identify it.” The morgue lady continues.
This only confuses Lucy further. Who on earth would she be close enough to that she’d have to identify a body?
“Um what? I think you have the wrong person.” Lucy says.
”Well you are Jake Butler’s girlfriend right?”
Lucy’s heart stops. Surely she heard that wrong. Jake hadn’t come home last night but it was because he was working. He’d been picking up new gigs trying to go clean since he got out of prison. He told her he wanted to save up and marry Lucy. Buy a house for the two of them and Tamara to grow old in.
“Ye- yes I am but Jake’s at work.” Lucy denies.
There’s a pause on the other end before the monotone voice speaks up, “I’m sorry honey. But we need you to come identify the body so we know for sure.”
”I can be there in 20 minutes.” Lucy stutters. She had to go there and prove that it wasn’t Jake. Jake would never just die and leave her alone. He wouldn’t. Jake loved her and he had texted her last night. He said good night.
Once she got there a couple of uniformed officers were there along with a woman Lucy assumed was the morgue lady.
“I’m Lucy Chen. Someone said my boyfriend-“ Lucy hesitates choking on her words.
“Yes Miss Chen.” Morgue lady nods, “These officers just need you to identify the body.
”I’m Officer Lopez and this is Officer Janssen.” One of the officers steps forward. She’s a Hispanic woman with an intense look on her face. “Once you identify the body I’ll need a statement from you.”
Lucy bites her lip at that near drawing blood. Not if but when she identifies the body.
”I really don’t think its Jake. I-I mean he texted me last night. He was just at work.” Lucy shakes her head.
Lopez doesn’t seem shaken by that. All three of them looked like they expected the denial in fact.
“And if it’s not we’ll know soon.” Lopez says, “Just come in here.”
Lucy follows the officers and morgue lady into the building. Once they enter the room Lucy shivers from the cold chill that rushes through her bones. It feels wrong and every in here. The place is filled with death.
“This is him.” morgue lady says stopping at a table where the shape of a body is hid by a blanket. She slowly pulls it back and Lucy does a sharp intake.
Nothing could’ve prepared her for the cold, dead stare left on her boyfriend’s face. His eyes slightly sunken in and his skin tinted a sickly grey. He looked awake and asleep all at the same time. His hair was ruffled and messy with a couple strands drooping over his eyes.
”That- Thats-“ Lucy is about to say when she sees something else. Dried red clots on his head with a gaping hole.
”Is that a bullet wound?” Lucy shrieks taking a few steps back.
Nausea overcomes her and she covers her mouth with her hand as if that will keep in the bile. Her stomach feels heavy and there’s a sinking feeling in it. Lopez suddenly has a vomit bag out and Lucy takes it immediately throwing up in it. She wretches and gags intensely aware of the three people staring at her. Like her grief and vomit doesn’t phase them in the least. She figured it shouldn’t even if some part of her was horrified at their lack of emotion. These people worked with dead bodies and victims and their grieving loved ones every day.
Lopez hands her a water bottle once Lucy is done getting sick and she quickly accepts it and downs half the bottle hoping the water will wash away more than the bitter taste of bile. Then she turns back to Jake, her eyes welling up.
”He was found a few hours ago by another officer. His body had been put in a dumpster.” Lopez explains.
”What?” Lucy let out a gasp her hand flying back up to her mouth. “Who does that? Who shoots someone and then stuffs the body in the fucking dumpster?”
“That’s what we’re hoping you’ll know.” Lopez continues.
Lucy shakes her head and she feels a tiny bit of herself pulling for her to tell the truth. She wasn’t aware of most of Jake’s wrongdoings but she knew he was up to something. “No. I don’t know.”
”And for the report…” Lopez hesitates, “You agree that this body is Jake Butler?”
Lucy turns to Jake. His lifeless body lays still in front of her and she reaches a hand out to grip his. His fingers are cold to the touch and they don’t make any movement to squeeze her hand or pull her onto the bed making her giggle to kiss her and tell her it was all a joke.
”Yes.” Lucy says quietly, “This is my boyfriend. Jake Butler.”