Chapter 2

Meanwhile up in Canada everything went according to plan. Maggie gave birth to a healthy baby girl. Ben could not have been more proud of his sister. And of how brave and strong she was during her labour.

Maggie lay holding her new born daughter. Looking up at Ben, "Thank you Ben. I couldn't have done it without you".

Ben sat next to Maggie, "No thank you Maggie. You amazed me. She is beautiful Maggie. Do you have a name yet"?

Maggie's voice was low, "Ben would you mind if I called her Julia"?

Ben took the baby girl in his arms, "Not at all Maggie. Not at all". And he kissed her cheek.

Back in Chicago before Frannie could get all the related files together. Ray stood over yet another victim and her husband. All with the same markings and shot in the same place. Victim number nine was also one day from her due date.

Ray paced rubbing his hands through his hair, "This case makes no sense. These people never did noting to no one".

Ray finally had all the files in front of him. Looking through and pining up the photos on the board. With the numbers on their arms showing. And listing where and when each one happened.

Ray stood in front of the board and it looked off somehow. Their was nine victims and only eight on the board. So Ray shouted for Frannie. "Frannie where is the file for victim seven"?

Frannie frowned at him, "There wasn't any I checked everywhere. And none was found. Maybe she is missing or he just never did a number seven and went onto to number eight or maybe he couldn't count"?

Ray let out a long sigh, "Great a missing victim. Thanks Frannie".

Ray was at the end of his patience. Another day another victim. Victim ten. But it was victim number seven that was bothering him. Who was she and where was she. Ray was thankful that Ben would be back to work today.

They had spoken of course while they were apart. But when they married they agreed no work talk outside of work. It worked for them. It gave them normal outside work.

Ben walked into the 27th looking forward to seeing Ray. This was the longest they'd been apart since they got married.

The board was set up in one of the unused interview rooms. As Ray led Ben in there after a nice to see you kiss in the toilets. As they stood in front of the board Ray sprouted off what they knew so far. Which was noting?

Ben stood frozen not hearing a word that Ray was saying to him. When Ray touched his elbow, "Ben you ok. I know it's". That's when Ben bolted out of the room knocking Detective Huey over on his way.

Ray didn't know what was happing and bolted after him. Huey followed, "What's going on Ray. What's wrong with Fraser"?

Looking worried, "I've no idea. We were just looking at the board with the photos. And I was talking to him about what we know so far. But I don't think Ben was listening. Then he just ran"?

They found Ben in the toilets locked in one of the cubicles getting sick. Knocking on the cubicle door, "Ben, Ben you ok. Ben, Ben open up your scaring me. What's wrong"?

Ray and Huey managed to get Ben to open the door. What they saw shocked them. A very pale and shaken looking Ben appeared. Eyes red from crying and his body shaking so much they had to hold him up. It was then Lt Welsh came in to see what was going on. He ordered them to take him to his office.

Once in the office they sat Ben on the couch. Ray sat in front of him holding his hands. "Ben what's wrong. What happened in there"?

Then Ray had a sickening thought Maggie. "Oh god Ben it's not Maggie is it. Did something happen to Maggie"?

Silence went on for such a long time before Ben raised his eyes to meet Ray's. "No Ray Maggie is fine. The baby is fine".

Ray breathed a sigh of relief "Ok so Maggie is fine and the baby is fine. Thank god. So please Ben tell us what's wrong. Because you're really freaking us out here"?

Welsh handed him a glass of water, "Constable tell us at our pace. You're with friends here and if something is wrong and we can help we will"?

Ben took a sip of the water and nodded. His voice was low "How many victims are there on the board"?

Ray looked to Welsh and Huey, "There is nine n the board. One through six and eight through ten victims seven is missing".

Ray though it possible he saw Ben grow even more pale and shaken looking.

Not meeting anyone's eyes, "I guess I should tell you. And Ray I'm sorry I haven't told you this sooner. To be honest I've blocked it out for so long. It's only come back to me fully when I saw the photos. I hope you can forgive me. You had a right to know this before we got married. I'll understand if you want to leave"?

Now Ray was really worried and nervous, "Come on Ben. I love you noting will make me leave you".

Ben gave a disbelieving smile. And Welsh and Huey sat nervously.

Ben started in a low sad voice that was filled with pain, "It happened about three years before my father was murdered. We were only married a year. Her name was Kate. We were expecting our first child. Kate was independent she wanted a home birth. So Kate been Kate sent me out for last minute supplies even though we already had a cabin full. I was barely gone an hour. When I got back to the cabin I had a bad feeling. Something seemed off. I thought maybe Kate had gone into labour early. As I walked through the door something hit me from behind and knocked me out. And when I-when I came too I found I was handcuffed to something".

Ben paused shaking himself, "It's then I saw him. This man held a gun to my Kate. He kept taunting her. She was terrified and kept pleading for our baby's life. I couldn't get free. I was afraid if I did he would kill her. I don't remember what he said to her but I do remember the sound of the gun when it went off. I can still see the look of terror in Kate's eyes and I can see her put her hands over her stomach. She knew they were going to die. And there was noting I could do. My wife and child I couldn't save them"?

Tears flowed, "He let her fall to the ground hard and she was dying slowly. Then he came and shot me in the leg and side. I think he thought he hit his target. But I was wearing a vest. Even though I wasn't working Kate made me. She said trouble follows me and wanted me safe for our baby. The only words I remember him saying to me was enjoy the show and then he left".

Ray held his hands tighter while everyone held their breath. They knew to stay quite till he finished.

Still talking, "I knew if I could get free I could at least save our babies life. But I couldn't. My dad arrived just as Kate took her last breath. Then I remember noting just black. Noting until just now when I saw the photos. I don't even remember their funeral or if her murder was investigated. I'm sure it was my dad would have handled it since he was senior officer in the area. But since was out of favour with the RCMP that is maybe why I heard noting"?

Ray knew Ben had finished, "Jesus Ben. Why didn't you. Oh Ben". Ray pulled him into a strong hug. Not caring who was there.

Welsh came around his desk, "Fraser if noting was done then. You have my word something will be done now. I will do everything in my power to have her death resolved"?

Wiping his eyes, "Thank you sir. And Ray I'm so sorry. I never told you. I- I'm sorry".

Rubbing the backs of Ben's hands with his thumps, "Ben its ok. I love you and I told you noting will make me leave you".

Ben smiled, "I love you to. It was a girl you know. Our baby. We were going to call her Julia".

It was then Ray realised that Maggie called her daughter that and now he knew why she was worried about it.

Welsh put his hand on Ray's shoulder, "Ray take him home. Fraser you don't have to take part in this case. I can give it to someone else"?

Shaking his head, "No I want to. I'll stay away from Kate's part but I'm your only living witness. And I don't think he knows that I survived. I know what he looks like. Well how he looked then he wore a disguise".