Disclaimer: I don't own this, clearly, I'm just putting my spin to the story.
She'd received the phone call an hour ago and was only just now walking up to the building. It had been a horrible start to the day, the phone call had come in at 7am; stating the address and that this one was defiantly interesting. That wasn't the bad part, in fact 7 was classified as a sleep-in. Some cases Kate caught had her stumbling around her apartment at 3, in the rush to get ready; after only getting home at 11 the previous night.
No, it was the stomach cramps that tore through her body, causing her to stumble and nearly fall in the rush to have a quick shower, that was the first hint that the day wasn't going to be the best.
It got worse when she realized she didn't have enough of those annoying, much needed products to last her the day. On the way down the street to the store, a man in a rush out of a overpriced cafe, (probably late for work), knocked into her and spilled his coffee all over her new blouse, burning her skin; and without so much as a sorry scrambled off leaving her muttering curses at the world.
So now Kate was walking up the steps of the building trying to hide the damp, coffee stained blouse with a wrinkled jacket, that she had found in the boot of her car; wishing dearly that she could just go home and hide under her covers.
Knowing that it just isn't possible, she looks up at the old, run down double storey building and sees a sign that tells that it is a home for orphans run by a Mrs H. Francis. How this is where orphans are put astounds her. Putting it all aside, she takes a deep breath and steps inside.
Upon seeing only a pair of uniforms at the base of the stairs, she assumes that the body is upstairs. Flashing her badge and receiving the confirmation nod, Kate starts up the stairs, taking note of every single detail. The simple details that are seen before the tarnishing that is the body is so important. It is what gives insight into the atmosphere of the place, because no matter how much the people involved try to hide it, the darkness always comes into the light. A contradiction in its self, but that's always been the way she's seen it.
Photos of those inhabiting the orphanage reside on the wall next to the staircase. It immediately hits her that one is missing; one right in the middle. It's been freshly removed and in a hurry, the photos that would have been it's neighbours are slightly skewed and the nail that was holding it up it just barely in the wall. Making a mental note to inquire about the missing photo she moves on.
Reaching the top, Kate is met with a corridor going perpendicular; hearing noise coming from her left she heads that way but not before she looks back wishfully at the front door.
The door to where the noise is coming from is closed, which hits Kate as slightly weird, but she dismisses it and opens the door. Inside is a large room that is obscured from her view by the forensic team and her own. Confused by their stationary and quiet behaviour she taps Esposito on the shoulder, who jumps, startled by her appearance and turns to face her. As he does she gets a quick glimpse of the room and she understands. Pushing him aside despite his objections, Kate finally sees the room in its entirety. The room must have been used as a study and work room for the kids as desks line the outside, but what grabs her attention is the The door to where the noise is coming from is closed, which hits Kate as slightly weird, but she dismisses it and opens the door. Inside is a large room that is obscured from her view by the forensic team and her own. Confused by their stationary and quiet behaviour she taps Esposito on the shoulder, who jumps, startled by her appearance and turns to face her. As he does she gets a quick glimpse of the room and she understands. Pushing him aside despite his objections, Kate finally sees the room in its entirety. The room must have been used as a study or work room for the kids, as desks line the outside, but what grabs her attention is the line of small bodies lying in a pool of their mingled blood. Nausea rushes up and threatens to over come her when she sees that they have been ordered in what looks like age, holding hands with one another. The girl on the end, which she assumes is the oldest also has her hand out as if someone is missing from the line. Kate quickly brings up the memories of the photos on the wall and works out that for every accounted photo there is a child lying in front of her.
Through all of this she hadn't realized that she had crept forward and was now at the foot of a little boy who was first in the line of ten. Staring at his little face with blond curly hair and wide piercing eyes she wonders how (not for the first time) anyone could be so heartless and remorseless to murder and then arrange anyone, particularly innocent children.
A strangled groan startles her out of her musings and she turns to find Castle staring at the line with tears welling in his eyes. When he notices her looking at him with concern, he points to the fourth in the line, turns and strides out of the room. She knows his struggling to keep his emotions underhand, the stiffness in his shoulders give it away. Wondering what had set him off ( yes child cases are particularly hard but he has dealt with it before) she looks back toward the line, ignoring Esposito's questioning look. What she finds is a girl of about 12 with the exact same hair as Alexis and the same vivid blue eyes. Conflicted over whether to follow or give him space, her decision is taken from her as Lanie walks in. Kate turns into full cop mode and asks where she has been; she's usually halfway through the observation by the time Kate turns up to the scene. Lanie responds with a "Girl, don't even get me started or we will be here all day." And starts forward toward the line. Her face softening as she sees horror in front.
Kate turns her attention to the forensic team who have meanwhile gotten started on the grueling task of documenting the scene. And once she sends Esposito and Ryan to canvassing the area for cameras and witnesses she her self heads downstairs to where Mrs Harriett Francis is waiting to have her statement taken.
