Chapter I
The Crime
Sunday Night May 4
Wainscott Studio
Manhattan
"I am so sorry for the secrecy, Marcus; I wish I could explain, but it's best not to," she said.
"That's ok, the finished product is worth it, but it's a shame, that I can't tell anyone it's you, you're so beautiful," he brushed her cheek with his hand as he said this to her, and she pulled away.
"I appreciate it, but with smoke, mirrors and a dark room, anyone can look great, and remember we did this for a good cause and it's strictly professional," she asserted.
"Well, we will see, are you ready to see the finished product?" he said arrogantly.
"That's what we are here for," she said, trying not to sound sarcastic. Trying to remember what she was taught growing up, try to see the good in all people. She grasped her crucifix and her St. Nicholas medal, which was given to her at age 10.
Marcus unveiled the large photographs he had taken of her; she took a step back, and didn't realize he was standing behind her.
"Oh my, they look beautiful, you're very talented Marcus, the way you have the halo effect, and I almost look like an angel."
He put his arms around her waist "You are just like an angel and I have had many, but never an angel."
"Let go of me, what are you doing?!" she said as she struggled to get away. She scratched the side of his face. But he just laughed.
"Oh, maybe there is a little devil in you too!"
He pushed her up against the wall and started to move his hand up her thigh to lower her panties, and she bit him hard on the shoulder.
Now he was mad, "You Bitch!" he punched her in the face.
Then a sound came from behind. That made Marcus stop and turn around. A man with a handgun pointed at him.
"Sorry, didn't know I would be breaking up a party." The man laughed.
"What the hell you want!" yelled Marcus.
"Oh, thank God, please help me!"cried the woman.
"I heard you keep lots of money around, I was here to get that, but walked in on this instead. So where's the money?" demanded the man.
"Ok, if I give you the money, then you will just leave?"
"Sure."
Marcus walked over to his desk, and unlocked his safe and handed over the 5000 that he kept there.
"Ok, now leave."
"Please, help me, don't leave!" begged the woman.
"Sorry Hun, money is more important," he said as he turned to leave. "But this guy is just an ass and will probably call the cops tomorrow," he shot Marcus in the head...
"Oh thank you so much," said the woman, "He was going to rape me."
"Well Hun, let's see how thankful you are." he answered, as he walked over, and started to finish what Marcus had begun. She began to pray and fight him off. He hit her over the head with his gun and she passed out.
"Now let's get down to business," he laughed, but then, he fell down unconscious, too.
Monday Morning
Major Case Squad Room
One Police Plaza
"Eames, Goren in my Office," called Ross.
"Yes Captain," said Eames.
"I need you two to go to the Wainscott Studio. Marcus Wainscott was found dead last night, the Mayor wants Major Case on this, he is a prominent photographer. Keep me posted on this," said Ross.
"Ok, Captain," said Eames.
Goren and Eames walked out Ross' office and headed to the parking garage.
"Wow, Wainscott shot, wonder if it was one of his model's boyfriends, he has a reputation of sleeping with his models." said Eames.
"His pictures have been posted in a lot of magazines and sell for a lot of money, robbery could be a motive too." said Goren.
"Well, guess we will have to wait and see," said Eames.
Still Monday Morning
Wainscott Studio
Manhattan
Detective Morgan was on-scene.
"Detectives Eames and Goren, Major Case, what do you have?" asked Eames.
"Marcus Wainscott, famous photographer dead from 9mm gunshot wound to the head. Scratches to the face, bite mark to the right shoulder, safe open and empty, his manager says he usually keeps 5000 cash in there. We have a pipe with blood on it, but no signs of the victim being hit with a pipe, also we have blood on the far wall, but his body is on the other side of the room. CSU is taking blood samples from all spots to compare; they might be from the perp. Also, someone slashed these photos; the manager doesn't know who the model was for these photos." Morgan took a deep breath. "And that's what we have so far."
"Very good, Detective Morgan" said Eames.
Eames looked over to get Goren's opinion, but he was looking at the photos of the woman that were slashed.
"Bobby, something wrong?"
But he didn't hear her, he was mesmerized by the eyes in these pictures, they were dark blue, it was like you could see into her soul. He tried to fix one of them, so he could get a better look...
"An Angel," he whispered.
"What Bobby, you ok?"
"Huh? Yeah, something's not right here, I think we're looking at more than one crime, I need to talk to the manager."
Walking over to the manager something caught Goren's eye, a chain, with a crucifix and a medal.
"You find something?" asked Eames
"Yes, a cross and a St. Nicholas Medal, he is the patron saint of Children, probably given to the woman as a child for protection" said Goren
"Well doesn't look like it worked last night" said Eames
"Well her body isn't here, so maybe it did, lets talk to the Manager"
"So you're the office manager?" asked Goren.
"Yes, Bob Turner."
"I don't know who this model was, I just know they were meeting here late nights, and weekends, she was keeping her name secret, she was shy about being photographed. But Marcus said he saw her and he had to have her for his show, she agreed, if her name was kept secret and if any money made from the painting went to her charity."
"Would there be anywhere he would maybe have kept the information that others might not have known about?" asked Eames.
"His safe, but it's empty" said Bob.
"Thanks, Bob, if you think of anything let us know." said Goren as he handed him his card.
"So do you think the secret model might be a logical suspect?" asked Eames.
"Not sure, but someone fought him off. While waiting for DNA and autopsy let's search his apartment," said Goren.
End Chapter 1