Hullo there fellow Law & Order: CI aficionados.
I would like to remind you that I (sadly) do not own any part or characther from L&O except those I have created. Also I'd like to add that, please review so as to know if should post later chapters or not. Thank you and enjoy.
Prologue
Jane Malcolm was currently engrossed on the day's morning paper.
She absorbed all the details she could about the fascinating crime about a woman whose dead 32-year-old baby was still inside of her, being the excuse of her boyfriend to kill 9 innocents homeless people. She shook her head in disgust and shock. She ran her gaze to the bottom of the New York Times article and looked for the familiar name.
Assistant District Attorney Carver still retains that this incredible case, couldn't have been solved were it not for the Major Case Squad detective duo; Det. Alex Eames and Det. Robert Goren.
She smiled. There was still, in this corrupt world of theirs, good old-fashion heroes like this Robert Goren and his partner, but without the cape or tights. She had seen a picture of him once on the newspaper some time ago, and had felt a surge of respect for her role model.
The chiming of the grandfather clock in the living room brought her back to reality. She checked her wristwatch. 8 am. She was going to be late for school. She started putting away the newspaper and cleaning her breakfast dishes when it came to her. Where was Rosa? The Puerto Rican house maid was usually up and about at 7:30, helping her dad do his morning exercises. But, where was the happily accented voice exclaiming word of praise to her father? She was too absorbed into the newspaper to notice before, that the large loft was silent. She felt a chill go down her spine. Where was Rosa? Where was Dad?
She dropped her book bag and ran to Rosa's room, fear gripping her throat. She let out a strangled scream at what she saw before her. Rosa's bed's usually white sheets, were now a sickening red, and a horrible coppery smell filled Jane's senses. Blood.
Jane could fill her bagel coming up, but she controlled the urge to throw up. Her father...Her eyes widened in fear. No, not Dad. She flew to her father's large double mahogany doors and tried to open them. She desperately grabbed the knob and tried to open the door.
"Dad!" she sobbed, "Daddy! Open the door!" After three futile tries at the knob, she backed away and with an expert fluid movement kicked open the door. She rushed inside. Relief surge through her at the absence of blood anywhere and at the familiar bump under the bed sheet covers of her dad's body.
"Dad! Oh dad, something horrible has happened to Rosa!" she cried nearing his side.
When he didn't stir, she laid a gentle hand on her father's form and felt softness, to soft for a body. With a desperate movement she whipped the sheet off and gasped in horror. There, on her father's bed, was a dummy with the words DADDY DEAREST with dripping red letters. Covering her mouth, Jane ran out of the room.
CHAPTER ONE
Det. Alex Eames walked up to Det. Robert "Bobby" Goren's desk, new homicide case file in hand and patiently waited for him to finish his call.
"Mom, you haven't answered my question" He intoned firmly and slowly. He noticed Eames and gave her a quick wave to come closer. He heaved a great sigh.
"Mom you- Yes, mom, I've been eating regularly. Look mom- No, I haven't been working too hard. Mother-Yes, I will tell her. Look mom, you have to take your meds? I know you feel better, but you still have to take them. How's the new med working? Good. Look mom, I have to go. Love you too. Bye." Goren put the handset softly on the cradle and put his face in his big hands. After a moment, he raised his gaze and leaned back heavily on his chair. "New case?" he said nodding his head at the file in her hands.
Eames fingered the file and asked carefully "She ok? Your mom?"
He looked at her with a clouded gaze and responded "Not one of her best moments."
She nodded her understanding and handed him the file. "Eccentric millionaire found naked in Central Park. Looks like mob hit".
"Hmm" Goren hummed while scanning the police report.
"You got to let me see him! I've got to talk to him!" a female voice screamed. Both Eames and Goren, and just about all the other detectives in the room, turned to look quizzically towards the front desk.
A murmured response was heard from the receptionist.
"What do you mean I got to file a report!? I've got to talk to HIM!! Get me his partner at least!"
A more firm response from the receptionist this time.
"Don't you get it?! I need to talk to him! And no, I don't want to file a bloody report!"
Out of the corner of her eye, Eames saw Deakins walk purposely towards the reception area. She also noticed Goren slowly rising from his char and ambling towards the same direction. Rolling her eyes and throwing her hands in the air she followed her co-workers. She didn't see the big deal about it. Probably just another loony off her meds.
Surprised would most likely describe the feeling she felt when she saw the screaming figure. The screamer was a girl about 14, with a thin built, peaches and cream complexion with wavy blonde hair to boot. Eames notes the pearl stud earrings
And the 'add-a-pearl' necklace and the private school uniform and realized this wasn't no regular junkie. This was upper class junkie. Goren sidled up next to her and Eames watched his expression go from amusement to intrigue as he studied the young girl. Eames cocked an eyebrow and Goren, ever aware of the people surrounding him, mumbled a "She seems familiar somehow...her accent even..." as a response to Eames un-asked question.
Accent? Alex Eames thought. She turned her attention to listening the girl's speech as she ranted on Deakins.
"I'm telling you, I need to see him! He's the only one who could possibly find my-"
There, the female detective thought, a slight accent. British? Australian?
"Look Miss, if you give me your name and phone number we will get back to you as soon as we can and help you with your...problem. But you just can't come here and start-"
"My house-maid is probably dead, my father is missing and your telling me to wait patiently like some little school girl and to calm down? Do you know who your talking to? I'm Jane Malcolm, daughter of Jack Malcolm, as in Malcolm Industry Towers? And I want to see Robert Goren now!"
Eames felt her partner stiffen at the mention of his name. She couldn't blame him. She turned to face him as he started to approach the hysterical teenager. Their movement must have gotten the young Malcolm's attention, because her head snapped in their direction until her gaze zeroed on Robert Goren. She froze.
"You!" Jane said in a much softer tone. She approached Goren slowly, almost reverently, "Mr. Goren, please," she said pleadingly "I beg of you can you help me? Can you help me find my father?"
She was only a few inches apart from him, and as he gazed down from his 6'4 to the young girls 5'4, Eames saw a flicker of comprehension pass through Goren's features and he shook his head slightly, as if to clear it.
"Step into my office, Ms. Malcolm" Det. Goren intoned, a strange look written all over his features. An look Alex Eames had only seen once, but the woman who had been the cause of that look had drowned (she hoped) 3 weeks earlier.