Profiler

7

Keenan

Parking the suv across the street from the Downy house, I sat there for a few minutes not exactly sure what to do. Glancing down on the envelope, I slid in into my back pocket for me to open up later. Climbing out of the suv, I glanced around at the neighboring houses seeing it was more light out then the time we left the crime scene.

Lights were on in almost all the houses, giving me a sign that neighbors were now awake. Checking the time to see it was a little after 7, I let out a soft sigh. Choosing a random house, I walked up the steps to their front door, my footsteps being heard all among the silence.

Knocking on the door, I tried to keep it as soft as possible but loud enough that someone downstairs would hear. Waiting patiently a step away from the door, I was met with a woman clad in a pajama and robe. "Hi, sorry to interrupt you so early in the morning. I'm Keenan Reid, I work with the Chicago Police Department, is it ok if I ask you a few questions...."

For the next 30 minutes or so, I asked the surrounding the same thing, questions about Nick and Brianna Downy's life, any routines that they knew of, if they saw anything suspicious in the past coming days. Most of the time I got the same answers being that the Downy's were a sweet family, the man being a widower taking care of his daughter the best he could.

As it came to the house with trees in the backyard, I did ask the odd question to take a look at the tall plant. Giving me their permission, I expertly climbed the trees, checking to see if my suspicions were correct about the angle. Wrapping my arm around one of the thick branches to not fall off, I was shocked at the perfect view I had at the Downy house, while having complete coverage if someone looked towards where I was.

Jumping down from the tree, I bid my goodbyes and thanking them again for approving my odd requesting, I shuffled across the street to the mourning family. With a deep breath I knocked on the door which to my surprise was opened quite quickly by Mr. Downy. "Agent Reid, what are you doing here". His voice very dull and weak which matched the red blotchy face from crying the past few hours, which no one can blame him for.

"We thought it would be a good idea that someone stays with you, to give you information, answer some questions when we have some.". Sliding out of the way to let me inside, I couldn't help but feel that someone was watching the two of us interact. Stepping into the home, I couldn't help but smile at how homely it felt, hand drawn and painted pictures hung on the wall who were done by Brianna were front and center. Little knick knacks all over the house that marked Brianna's territory, saying she was the Queen of the house.

"Sorry for the mess".

Shaking my head lightly, I sent him a smile. "I don't mind, it shows you were a really good dad. Besides it adds a little flare to the house". The man couldn't help but chuckle a little. Controlling 6-7 year olds is not easy, and they leave their stuff everyone.

Spotting a picture of Brianna and Nick, he looked at her so proudly as she held up an award she got at school. Sitting down at the table, the two of us starting making casual conversation, the man talking all about the life of parenthood, and how it was something he wouldn't change for the world. All the adventures, all the challenges that he faced being a single parent, but he took it all with stride wanting the best life for his daughter.

Hearing my phone buzz from time to time, I would see Hailey or Jay texting me some of the important information they found as they went. Most of it proving that Nick Downy would literally do anything for the young girl, even when money was a little short due to some cut backs at his job.

Asking my own questions from time to time, trying to figure out any enemies that the two may have had, an old co-worker, an angry client at the security company he used to work at before he transferred to one closer to home. He was able to name a few due to the files he kept his office about old incidents, I sent a quick text to Hailey to check the names.