The Cold Case That Never Let Go
A detective with the NYPD’s Cold Case Unit remained haunted by the brutal slaying of his wife and infant daughter. The incident, which had occurred three years prior, had transformed him into a man consumed by grief and driven by the singular purpose of identifying their killer. Colleagues had grown distant, unable to relate to his relentless obsession. The detective worked in isolation, disregarding his own safety and pushing aside all else in pursuit of answers.
During a late-night visit to a club, the detective encountered a woman with ties to one of his informants. Though their conversation was brief, it was enough to set off a deadly chain of events. The woman, later identified as Natasha Sax, was discovered dead in an alley a few hours after their meeting. His wallet, which had been taken from him earlier in the night, was recovered at the scene, implicating him in her murder. The Internal Affairs Division responded by launching an inquiry led by Lieutenant Jim Bravura, who was tasked with bringing the detective in for questioning.
The investigation took a darker turn when the detective’s former partner, Alex Balder, made contact with new information. He believed there was a link between Natasha’s death and the earlier murders of the detective’s family. However, before the two could meet, Balder was found dead in his own home, further intensifying the scrutiny surrounding the detective. Now a suspect in multiple homicides, he was forced to flee from the authorities while continuing to pursue the truth alone.
Uncovering the Network
In the search for answers, the detective was joined by Mona Sax, Natasha’s sister and an independent operator with her own reasons for seeking justice. Their efforts led them to a tattoo studio, where they learned the meaning behind a symbol that had been found on Natasha’s body. The design was linked to Norse mythology—specifically to Valkyries, mythic beings said to choose the fate of warriors. This symbolic connection suggested something far more elaborate and ominous than a random killing.
Digging further, the detective reviewed items left behind by his wife, Michelle. He noticed that certain files related to her work at the Aesir Corporation were missing. Suspicious of corporate involvement, he located Jason Colvin, a former supervisor at Aesir. Colvin admitted that Michelle had played a role in developing a military-grade substance called Valkyr. The drug, intended to improve combat performance, had instead produced extreme psychological side effects, leading to hallucinations and mental collapse in most test subjects. One of the few exceptions was Jack Lupino, a former Marine who became increasingly unstable.
Colvin expressed a willingness to expose Aesir’s actions but was prevented from doing so. A paramilitary group posing as a tactical team stormed his office before he could come forward. He was killed during the incident, while the detective barely escaped. In the aftermath, a video file was secured, providing damning footage of Lupino praising the effects of Valkyr and revealing his central role in the drug’s illegal distribution.
Betrayal and Reprisal
Following the lead, the detective located Lupino’s warehouse—a drug hub for Valkyr distribution. A violent confrontation ensued. Despite the detective’s training, Lupino’s heightened aggression and enhanced state proved overwhelming. Intervention came unexpectedly in the form of B.B., head of security at Aesir and a man the detective once trusted. B.B. killed Lupino and offered assistance, only to betray the detective moments later. Rendered unconscious, he was taken to the city docks.
There, B.B. confessed to orchestrating the murder of the detective’s family. Michelle had uncovered evidence that threatened to expose the Valkyr operation. To protect his interests, B.B. ordered her death. He attempted to kill the detective as well, staging it as a suicide by drowning. The attempt failed. The detective broke free and, near death, resorted to using the drug he had sought to eliminate. The effects were immediate and jarring. Hallucinations took hold, but so did increased strength and stamina, granting him the physical ability to continue the pursuit.
The Final Confrontation
Revitalized, he returned to Aesir’s headquarters with Mona’s assistance. Together, they navigated the heavily guarded building, engaging in an intense firefight that culminated in a rooftop encounter. There, the detective faced B.B. one final time. The confrontation ended in B.B.’s death. Exhausted, the detective collapsed, expecting the end. Instead, he awoke to find a SWAT team on the scene. He had survived, and the evidence he gathered began to circulate.
In the days that followed, the truth about the Valkyr program and the role of Aesir Corporation came to light. The detective was cleared of all charges. Mona remained an ally, having played a crucial role in the dismantling of the operation. Their shared loss and pursuit of justice had forged a strong connection.
In the closing moments, the detective met with Mona at a quiet bar. A newspaper headline featuring Aesir’s CEO hinted at further unresolved matters. Without speaking, they shared a knowing glance. The struggle was not over, but they were ready to face what came next.