Night

Claudia Davenport was running from him.

Fear coursed through her. He was going to find her.

Her vision was swimming. Still dizzy from whatever it was he'd injected her eyes with.

Where was she? Blinking at hazy lights she could just make out. Disoriented.

Had to find Andy Sachs.

Claudia stumbled down onto the hard gravel, feeling her knees scrape.

Able to hear him but not see him.

A hand wrenched her up. Clicking his tongue, taking in Claudia's shaking. Soothing and consoling voice making goose bumps rise on Claudia.

''Where are you running off to Claudia. I'm not finished with you yet.''

Morning

Andy Sachs was almost used to this, the first time she'd retched, and this was not yet comfortably numb with death. It still was a life extinguished. Crouched down beside the corpse, her victim was young, didn't even have a chance against the monster that did this.

Inflicted such savage violence on this child. Her gloved hands rummaged through a jacket, seeing a stained crest Dalton.

Dr Maura Isles, The Medical Examiner on loan to Andy's precinct, thoughtfully inspected intricate marks not stab marks. Something wiggled on the cadaver. Maura hoped Dt. Sachs wasn't easily prone to being nauseous as Dt. Frost.

''What are they?''

Dr Isles plucked it with a pair of tweezers. ''Hirudo Medicinalis.'' Detective Sachs looked perplexed at her Latin explanation. '' Leeches.''

Dr Isles informed Sachs. ''Appears to like to bleed them, likes leeching them, curious in Middle Ages, this practise of bloodletting was to drain the body of disease and impurities doing more harm than good. But bloodletting went back as far as 200B.C. It first description was found in Sushruta who… ''

Cut short by Andy's interruption of one question. ''How old was she?''

''Fifteen I would say but Det., I don't guess. By her skeletal structure…'' Maura never hypothesized. Jane always tried to get her to guess.

Took in Dr Isle's unending words, narrowing sadly at the cadaver.

''We'll know more when she's on my table. Detective Sachs.''

Andy Sachs nodded grimly, eyeing the very expensive attire of visiting ME, shaking her head at haute couture and Louboutins to a crime scene. Offered a proffered hand, Andy took it, helping Dr Isles up, taller than the petite ME who had been making the entire precinct scratch their heads with her encyclopaedic knowledge.

''You okay Maur.''

Andy assumed the woman striding up to them, was Dr Isle's significant other since they both seemed very close and had a chemistry Andy saw instantly. Detective Jane Rizzoli came alongside Dt. Sachs, her Italian features scowling.

Rizzoli had a bad feeling it was like Hoyt's work with mistakes, the killer's own signature. Hoyt must have taught someone, Jane swallowed. Hoyt was dead. She'd killed him, herself. A cold chill running down her neck.

A copycat perhaps but the chilling message written in this victim's blood were directed to her and Dr Isles. Just like the last two victims.

''She was really young.''

That she was, Andy agreed.

Andy sized up Detective Rizzoli, a decorated no nonsense Boston cop, had pulled her file. Read about Hoyt a serial killer who left scars on Rizzoli's palms from being impaled by The Surgeon's scalpels.

Both Rizzoli & Isles were in New York on loan because of a message left on Detective Sachs last two victims. Strange quotes for Detective Rizzoli of Boston PD and Dr Maura Isles asking for them. Andy had contacted Boston PD.

Thus both were here at Andy Sachs 125th Street overpass crime scene.

Heard Detective Jane Rizzoli was as unorthodox and as much a pain in the ass as Andy was on the police force. Andy had been measuring her all week, Rizzoli was a solid cop. Hard-nosed and likable.

It was Dr Isles, Andy wasn't too sure about, and Maura as she insisted to be called was like the science geek who sits down next to you in class and they continually stump you. Endearingly goofy though.

Andy had read she was a child genius and The Chief Medical Examiner of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Fifteen. Huh. Cass and Car's age.

If she was fifteen and went to Dalton, her gloved hand traced the Dalton crest. She was probably in Cassidy and Caroline Priestly class. No Sachs hoped she wasn't. Probably older.

Priestly only a name she thought of too many times. With any luck Andy would never have to encounter Miranda Priestly again.

Andy Sachs Precinct

''Vic's name is Claudia Davenport, just turned fifteen two days ago, an honour student at Dalton. Parents are abroad. Apparently supposed to have been staying with a Caroline and Cassidy Priestly for school break. Never showed up at their home last night. Priestly called the police.''

Andy Sachs almost fell out of her desk chair. ''Priestly. Chief.'' Repeating a name she wanted nothing to do with.

Her Superior grumbled. ''Yeah Sachs, Priestly as I know your so up on Who's Who. Daughters' to one Miranda Priestly. An Editor of some beauty magazine. Ex-Wife to DA, you never heard of her Sachs? Geez your country club membership must be limited.'' He chuckled at his own joke. Andy had never told anyone at the precinct she used to work at a fashion magazine.

Andy swallowed hard. '''Of course I have.'' Told what she was dreading. ''Good Sachs, get your ass to Elias Clarke Building, try to be civil and use your sensitivity training.''

Almost snorting, sensitivity training did not prepare anybody for Miranda Priestly. In fact nothing would.

Sitting in the unmarked police vehicle, breathing hard, in a few minutes she'd be facing Miranda again, hadn't seen her former boss in a few years since that little wave across the street had been sort of acknowledged, of course she'd seen La Priestly in magazines and newspapers and once saw Miranda at a Benefit.

Around the time when Andy had given up on journalism, decided she wanted to protect people, earning her badge, swore Miranda felt her that evening.

That same frisson that happened for Andy when close to The Dragon Lady. Didn't see her. Shame Andy loved locking eyes with fiery baby blues.

Glad no longer tangled in Priestly's web. Nope Sachs you freed yourself from being pushed about on Miranda's chessboard of manipulation in Paris and at Runway.

No give her grisly crime scenes, robberies, muggers not a backstabbing Monarch of Fashion.

Rizzoli tapped the dashboard lightly. ''Hey Sachs we're here.''

Andy shook back to present. ''Huh. Sorry just lost in thoughts.'' A small smile spread on Maura's face, she was tagging along. ''Daydreaming is good for our brains, gives oxygen like meditation relaxes our blood flow.'' Rizzoli muttered ''Google mouth.'' almost playful.

Andy just breathe, one step at a time, damn were they already here on the 17th floor, stepping off the elevator entering Miranda Priestly's office more like lair.

Rizzoli thank god took the lead as Andy felt queasy. ''Detective Rizzoli, ME Dr Isles and NYPD Detective Sachs for Ms Priestly.''

Andy didn't recognise Miranda's two assistants. A lot changed in short of four years Sachs, she had.

'' Miranda…Ms Priestly will be right with you.''

Hands perspiring, yup and short of breath, got it bad Sachs. Priestly left one hell of an impression on you Sachs.

Get it together Sachs, it's just Miranda Priestly. You've taken down 218lb perps and survived Narc as a rookie but The Dragon Lady unnerves you.

Andy's warm terrified eyes met Miranda's for a moment, piercing hers. Miranda looked taken aback but then frostily detached.

The interview began quite smoothly considering Andy wanted desperately to jump out of the nearest bay window. Shown in. Offered by lowly second assistant, Andy's job once, tea or coffee. Poor kid Andy pitied her.

Maura confounded the harried girl by asking for a green or mint tea, no changing her mind, earl grey. ''Oh no to Earl grey or do you have Oolong tea.''

Both Rizzoli and Sachs looked at her in disbelief. ''What?'' innocently.

Before Dr Isles could inform everyone about the history of tea, Rizzoli's distinct Bostonian accent queried seated Miranda. ''We need to speak with your daughters Ms Priestly?''

Miranda Priestly's cold sapphire eyes darkened. Why was Andréa here? Did Saffron say Sachs with the NYPD?

''Miranda is my given name, Detective Rizzoli and my answer regarding my children is No.'' Would not look at Andrea once.

For crying out loud, Miranda was still the same stubborn arrogant… Andy firmed her lips. ''This isn't a game Miranda, your daughters last saw my victim, now maybe they saw someone or noticed something but we'll never knew if you hinder this investigation by forbidding us to speak with them.''

Miranda did not meet Andrea's eyes simply tersely answered. ''As I said before. No.''

Exasperated by Miranda's stony silence to her, Priestly was deliberately not looking at her, pursed lips as if she was vile dress collection not worthy of gazing at. ''My lawyers will advise me if this is necessary…''

Cut off by Andy. '' I don't give a crap about your lawyers Miranda, Caroline and Cassidy were the last two people to see Claudia alive, so it's imperative I question them along with Dt. Rizzoli and Dr Isles as soon as possible Miranda, just give in and comply for once.''

Blue eyes sought and now met Andy's brown ones, narrowing on her ex second assistant seated in front of her. Who the hell did Andréa Sachs think she is? Telling her what to do, having the audacity to order her around. After Paris.

How dare Andrea use her twins' names so familiarly? Hell would freeze over before she'd capitulate to Sachs.

''My answer is the same Andrea. No!'' Coldly waspish.

Andy's brows furrowed with fury, good was she nettling Sachs. Had lost a bit of that doe like innocence, her eyes which Miranda tried to avoid were meeting hers now boldly. So angry. What had Andrea seen in four years that gave her this jaded edge.

''Miranda this is homicide of a victim your daughters' age. A friend of the twins. More important could you just give us a break and maybe let us see your daughters, quit jerking us around with your power games …''

Blue eyes blazing. Jerking Sachs around. Shaking her head firmly at Andrea's words.

''No. Now if we're finished here.''

Miranda Priestly was still the most exasperating difficult arrogant Ice Queen bitch Andy remembered. Unbelievable.

Pounding the desk frustrated with an open palm. Flinching at the gesture, Stephen did things like that. Crossing her arms protectively.

''Andrea, you're gauche comportment now is a sight to behold. I marvel at your lack of self-control. The NYPD must have you on suspension more than you can count. Saffron please have Detective Sachs…''

Rizzoli's companion, Maura buffered. ''Perhaps if we begin again.'' Dr Isles took in Dt. Sachs and Ms Priestly almost in each other's faces. Studied micro expressions and oh boy there was heaps of tension between them.

''Detective Sachs you seem to be antagonizing Ms Priestly here, leave.''

Even Jane wondered if she should separate them both from each other, give them a timeout like TJ and when her Ma would break apart her and Frankie.

Andy blinked staring at the Doctor, had she just been dismissed? Told to leave. She did with a look at Maura and Jane that said volumes.

Smiling toothily at Miranda '' I'll leave you to get acquainted.'' she'd read in the good doctor's brief she could outwit killers and rapists she was sure Miranda had just met her match. Google mouth.

Miranda added smugly venomous. ''Do leave Andrea, you're so very good at leaving.''

Andy's mouth dropped open at Miranda's snide words, did so silently, felt like being banished from La Priestly's presence.

Exiled from the Ice Queen. Was she in kindergarten, go to a corner. Unbelievable.

Maura Isles softly smiled as Miranda visibly relaxed, her blood pressure came down a notch. ''Ms Priestly.'' Told to call her Miranda.

''My mother Constance greatly admires your philanthropic work.''

Miranda knew Constance Isles the artist who sat on The Met Board and MOMA as an acquaintance. Her stressed face relaxed, warmly measuring Maura.

''My mother even forgives you for outbidding her for Jeune fille avec des Fleurs painting at Sotheby's spring auction.''

Miranda's eyes lit. ''Perhaps I may rectify myself by inviting Constance to lunch when she's in town.'' Then it started. Maura and Miranda hitting it off.

Jane Rizzoli felt like she wanted to be verbally ejected from this little social gathering of conversation, and join poor Sachs who sat quietly with her badge on her jean hip, fuming like a four year old.

Jane clenched her pearly teeth, Priestly didn't look like the type who would like beer or baseball. Especially the Red Sox.

Groaning inside no doubt brunched and obsessed over the artistry of a designer shoe or a stitch like Maura. Silently groaning save me Sachs.

Miranda's laughter tinkered as they conversed switching from English to french fluently. Rizzoli frowned.

Show offs.

Sachs was busy talking to a flamboyant man in tweed with a turquoise pocket square and bowtie. Runway was not Boston PD.

Turning back to Maura and Ms Priestly who were discussing in detail the merits of a La Rosey or Maura's Swiss boarding school education, Miranda was considering eventually for Cassidy and Caroline.

Maura was talking to Miranda about Paris and how beautiful it is to explore such an amazing city filled with history by foot.

Miranda warmly agreed to let Maura meet and question her twins. With one condition.

Maura nodded agreeing amiably. ''Of course Miranda. What would that be?''

Miranda's lucid blue eyes flickered meanfully at seated Sachs. Dr Isles listened intently to Miranda Priestly's words that Detective Sachs was not to go near Miranda ever.

Andy Sachs was still in shock, all the way down, out of the lobby. Repeated Priestly actually requested that I stay away from her.

Maura nodded sympathetically she couldn't lie to Andy, hives would give her away.

Miranda Priestly was some piece of work, forbidden to be near her. Who the hell did La Priestly think she was?

Andy mood worsened as Dr Isles began praising Miranda's charms. ''Ms Priestly's knowledge of the arts and her generous philanthropy, and a visionary in fashion. She is astounding person.''

Andy grumbled. ''Yeah Miranda Priestly's unique. One of a Kind. You're never the same after encountering her.''

Being near The Dragon Lady again was like dancing the Tango with a keg of lit nitro-glycerine.

Maura alongside her, observed Detective Sachs, who was sleep deprived, perhaps not getting the recommended 7 to 8 hours, or maybe her diet. Have to offer Sachs organic tart cherry juice or kale or try lavender baths.

Andy's facial micro expressions and body language around Miranda intrigued Maura. Read Dt. Sachs was afraid but aroused. Curious.

Told this right to her face, nearly sputtered on her coffee, as Dr Isle's continued out loud her observations. ''Detective Sachs your fossa jugularis sternalis clenches which means vulnerability but it is considered a very erotic part. Yours' clenches with Miranda.''

''My fossa what clenches?'' Maura pointed to where, amused at Sachs covering her suprasternal notch self-consciously.

Dr Isles was on a roll. ''We all send at some point primal indicators, signals to mate but your eyes become larger and aroused and your lips twitch-perhaps unresolved sexual tension with Ms Priestly.''

Andy's jaw dropped as Maura stated seriously. ''Have you encountered Runway's Editor before and been attracted to her, wanted her?''

Dr Isles was looked at like she'd grown two heads. Andy denied this adamantly. ''I do not want to have sex with Miranda ever.''

She could feel cold sweat trickling down her neck, she did not like being profiled by Dr Isles and how had she revealed that much in mere seconds with Miranda? Grumbling ''Save the profiling for the unsubs.''

Maura just humoured Andy Sachs, lightly chuckled at her apparent mortification and discomfort. ''It's subconscious mating behaviour you exhibit. Dt. Sachs.''

Andy felt Miranda Priestly sexually would be compared to the courtship dance of a praying mantis.

''Besides sex is good for our immunities, produces endorphins and wards off colds.''

Andy could picture it. ''Hey Miranda I feel like I've got a cold coming on, let's get laid, she'd be slapped from here to Ohio.''

Rizzoli thankfully distracted Maura by asking Sachs if she got Priestly's home address from Reception. Andy nodded grimly, she had Miranda's townhouse address alright, knew it by heart.

Told that Maura and Jane were having lunch with her tomorrow.

Runway

Nigel still couldn't believe, Six had returned to Runway. Part of the police now, a Detective with the NYPD, sure Nigel had lost track of Andy almost deliberately he'd been scared he'd lose his promotion if he'd remained involved with Andy Sachs. Felt bad he'd lost touch, it had been what three, four years.

The week returning from Paris proved Sachs was a name no one uttered in front of Miranda. Period. Serena absently asked Emily what do with things left in Andy's desk.

Sorting through office supplies and a few personal items, Andy's desk drawers held a few small wrapped items she must have got for the upcoming holidays. Each labelled.

Emily blinked one was to Miranda. What to do? Not one assistant ever gave Miranda a gift. Only Sachs would be the first. Inurbane bumpkin.

Miranda had quietly approached unnoticed by both, Nigel swore Louboutin designed Miranda's heels to not be heard until too late swooped upon by The Dragon Lady.

Nastily suggested they be decontaminated and put in Hazmat bags. Emily declared she'd bin it all, Miranda nodded her approval.

Probing a few items with her detached gaze stopping on one, the wrapped gift with her name on it, fingering it with a prod as if it carried smallpox, at the time Nigel desperately hoped Miranda hadn't destroyed Six's career.

Nigel never knew whether Miranda flung it out her window whatever it was Six gave.

Later shocked and mildly curious hearing Miranda didn't blackball Six but gave a reference, Emily had gabbed gobsmacked about this during lunch with him and how Miranda made her bring The NY Mirror every morning.

Nigel Kipling always liked Six but with the police force now just like Law and Order SVU and Chicago PD but this was real life dangerous. Real bullets. Oh Six.

Knew he was in for one hell of an afternoon with his Editor after Six left the office.

Earlier Emily Charlton had been making a perfect cup of PG tips tea, now working with Nigel as his creative assistant.

Almost dropped her 'Mrs Darcy'' mug. What was Sachs doing here?

Andy had just grinned at her favourite highly strung former colleague, pleased to see her. '' Hi Em.''

''You have to leave.'' Andy smiled despite Emily's lack of welcome. ''You cannot be here, if your seen by her. Miranda will…she'll I don't want to imagine. Don't take offence but I'm calling security.'' Andy indicated her police badge.

Emily mouth hung agape. Sachs was the law. Her face as red as her flaming red hair.

''You look like you dressed in a skip.'' Eyebrow raised as if Andy was a scruffy vagabond.

Andy mumbled. ''Should have seen me undercover.''

Andy saw Emily hadn't lost her edge. ''Gee thanks, Em you still owe me drinks for all that couture I gave you.'' Emily saw Miranda was talking in her office to a golden haired, very well dressed lady conversing in rapid french. Good she wouldn't hear them.

''Fine Sachs. Drinks I suppose I owe you. Here's my number.'' Pressed into Andy's palm.

Emily left Andy Sachs hiding how pleased she was to see her. Runway hadn't been the same since she'd left.

Saffron Whitford Franks knew many things like incompetence, moving at a glacial pace, not wearing designer heels, having the flu and sneezing, lukewarm coffee pushed her boss Miranda Priestly's buttons but this person did so just by breathing. Andy Sachs, a police officer.

Miranda Priestly watched the back of Andrea Sachs leaving. Pinching her nose bridge between her long fingers. Seeing her former second assistant had merely upset her day. Not her.

A cop Andrea really.

Part of her vindictively could phone David and have Sachs working as a Mall Cop by morning. For Paris. For walking away from her duties to Runway and to her, most of walking away from her. For slapping the hand of her Reference to that mediocre newspaper.

No. Firming her lips wouldn't do so.

Simply assumed Andrea Sachs had been fired from The NY Mirror. Promptly told Emily to cancel her subscription, no longer held any interest for her.

Leaning into her black leather chair, swivelling trying to forget how much Andrea and her eyes affected her, haunted her.

Lunch

Jane's olive skin set off her new designer shirt Maura had bought yesterday for her to wear to Miranda Priestly's townhouse for lunch. Poor Sachs deemed uninvitable. Pulling on the softest jacket she'd ever worn. Jane looked in the mirror seeing the tag on her cuff.

Zoinks. ''Maur tell me you didn't pay this much for my shirt…and this jacket'' Jane yanking off the price tags her jaw dropping. It was more than 3 months of pay checks. Making a face as she strapped on her gun, who cares if it changed the look of the outfit. A wrinkle here are there didn't matter. Half listening to M.

'' Hmmm yes it's lovely isn't it Jane? The jacket is beautifully cut, made of vicuna and cashmere. ''

This shirt and jacket Jane wore, could put a kid through their first year of college.

Watching Maura fretting as she was zipped into the last choice she'd just bought last night at Saks. Not that Maur hadn't packed a gazillion wardrobe choices her luggage at Logan had weighed enough. Jane had playfully griped. ''What no furniture Maur.''

Jane stated. ''I don't know what all the fuss is about Miranda Priestly. She's just a normal person who brushes her teeth…''

Scolded with scandalised hazel eyes. ''This is Miranda Priestly she's a legend, Jane.''

Jane Rizzoli knew nothing about fashion but she loved Maura Isles and all her idiosyncrasies. Even if she'd been stressing since 6am what to wear for Runway's Editor.

Rolling her eyes at Maura's instructions to her. ''If we're served Vichyssoise don't slurp Jane, please just follow my example, and don't make jokes about fashion, Ms Priestly doesn't seem like the jesting type and her daughters are twins…''

Felt like retorting back to Maur, she wasn't accompanying a Neanderthal though Jane hoped Priestly didn't serve fish that when stabbed squirted like at The Fairfield's.

Stepping up to Miranda's townhouse on East 72nd Street, Jane pressed the doorbell.

Both were unaware of being watched and photographed.