From New York to Boston: A Special Victim's Homicide Case

Chapter 2

Disclaimer: I don't own Rizzoli and Isles or SVU or the characters associated with either show.

"Anything?" Jane walked without her usual swagger into the autopsy room where Maura had been working on their victim since leaving the scene. She had worked into the early hours of the morning and Jane couldn't help but notice the pure exhaustion that plagued Maura's stance at the table.

"I expected I'd see you earlier." Maura ignored Jane's question which by doing so gave Jane her answer.

"I wanted to go over the scene a second and third time." Jane let her head roll from left to right hoping to work the kinks out. "No such thing as a perfect crime."

"I can tell you the scalpel used to cut the victim was not the same as the one stuck into the floor." Maura prepared to show Jane her finding, surprised when there was no response to such important information. "Jane?"

"Huh? Yeah. So the murder weapon is not the same used to hold the note to the floor. You're sure about that?" Jane knew Maura wouldn't announce a determination without being able to prove her theory; therefore suddenly feeling guilty for even questioning her.

"Neither is the murder weapon; I'm listing the official cause of death as strangulation. The cut wasn't deep enough to cause her to bleed out. In fact, I doubt she would've needed more than a few stitches." Maura knew Jane was hearing her, but she also knew her thoughts were elsewhere as well. "The cut was done post mortem."

"Done as part of his message." Jane mumbled her words but what she said was loud and clear to the both of them. Jane moved closer to the body allowing her eyes to take in how young and beautiful the victim was. "Marie Westover, a sophomore at BCU."

Maura took a few steps closer to Jane. It always helped to be able to name the dead, personalized who it was they were fighting for. Jane knew this and knew it helped Maura as well. "Jane, you cannot take this personally."

Jane walked away as if she were leaving only to return to address Maura's comment. "It doesn't get much more personal than this, Maura. Hoyt has trained yet another apprentice and he has chosen now to come for me."

"Jane, what I meant is you are not responsible for Marie's death. You know that." Maura wanted to reach out and touch Jane but knew Jane needed space right now.

"She's dead because of Hoyt. How am I not responsible for that?" Jane's voice trailed off as she finished her statement. She looked up at Maura then suddenly realizing how she was forcing Maura to field her fear. "You look exhausted. How about coming with me, we'll go get some sleep."

Maura looked down at Marie knowing she could use at least a few hours and Jane's offer was so very inviting. "Let me finish up a few things and I'll be right up."

Maura watched as Jane lightly placed her hand on Marie's forehead before turning to leave. She would carry Marie with her while she suffered through this case. Maura knew how personal this was to Jane and how the innocent would travel with her in her heart, in her mind and on her conscious.

Maura wanted to smile as she opened her eyes just in time to see Jane reach for her ringing cell phone without looking. It was truly impossible for Jane to ignore that phone as much as she may have wanted to. Maura knew how dedicated Jane was to what she did and the fact that even pure exhaustion wouldn't deter her from her responsibility made Maura proud to be such an important part of Jane's life. She wanted to smile as she watched Jane, but knew whoever was calling Jane at such an early hour couldn't possibly have good news.

"Let's go, Maur." Jane was pulling herself from the bed as she spoke. Her no-nonsense tone was more than enough to get Maura moving as she knew they were heading to another homicide scene. Jane wouldn't speak again until they were dressed and in the car. Jane drove, Maura knew she needed to.

It was morning, the sun not having yet risen, as Jane walked up to the front door of the small duplex just south of the college campus. She refused to duck under the crime scene tape, instead reaching for it to raise it above her head. Frost came up behind her, having ducked under the tape after showing his I.D. "Who called it in?"

"Roommate. This whole block is college housing, roommate just got home from a late night." Frost couldn't hide the concern in his voice as he believed Hoyt was responsible as well, even from the grave. "Korsak's already here, seems he never went home last night."

Jane's heart twisted just a little as she knew Korsak carried a lot of guilt when it came to Hoyt and the horror he subjected them all to, especially her. Jane gave her partner a knowing look before opening the door and walking into Charles Hoyt's carefully planned out world.

Jane's attention was immediately pulled to the traumatized young women being consoled by a couple of uniforms not far from where the body was. "Get her out of here!" Jane's authority caused the officers to immediately comply, escorting the crying girl from the house. She then turned only to be instantly blocked by Korsak as he guided her away from the body as well.

"There's no need, Jane. Same M.O., same guy."

"Different victim. Korsak, let me do my job." Jane's eyes pleaded with Korsak causing him to reluctantly step aside. Jane's hesitation to approach confirmed Korsak's belief that this was all going to be too much for his former partner who hadn't fully recovered from her last encounter with her own personal boogy man.

Jane bent down, focusing on the perfectly placed cut on the victim's neck, taking in the bruising around her throat. "Korsak, send Maura in." Jane had chosen to initially ignore the note that was carefully pinned to the ground with yet another scalpel. Jane scanned the immediate area surrounding the body, hoping but not expecting to find a mistake; something, anything the killer may have left behind.

Jane tried not to think of the fear that undoubtedly consumed this young woman as her last minutes were in the hands of this monster they were nowhere close to finding at this point. She knew of this fear, the exact way your voice vanishes and your breathing burns your own throat. She remembered feeling fear as it traveled the length of her body, until the pain gave in to complete surrender. She was not afforded a loss of conscious, not at Hoyt's hands. She remembered watching the stakes as they were driven through the center of each one of her hands, staking her to the floor of that cold, damp basement.

Her fear prevented her from realizing the pain that would later consume her entire being. She focused on Hoyt's eyes as they came closer and closer to her own, refusing to look away at the scalpel he held just out of her line of sight. She tried to plead with him, but her voice refused her and the violent shaking caused the stakes to pull at her skin. She cringed at the way Hoyt smiled at her as she was well aware of the fact he was enjoying the feel of her shaking underneath him as he positioned himself over the top of her. She held her breath, praying she would pass out before his steady hand holding the shiny scalpel pressed against her neck. Jane remembered turning her head into his hand in a futile attempt to conceal her carotid artery only to have him place his fingers gently on her jaw, turning her head away. He was enjoying the way she begged him with her eyes, the way she accepted her fate with her breathing and the way she cried without a sound. She felt the scalpel as it penetrated her skin; he was in no hurry and she prayed for a quick death as she could hear him laugh when she finally closed her eyes.

"Jane." Maura kept her voice as soft and smooth as possible, recognizing the fact that Jane had gone there, back to the place she dreamed about, fought against and prayed about. She wanted to touch her, again knowing that was the last thing Jane wanted or needed just then.

"Maur, everything's the same. Another young girl killed just for affect. Simply to make a statement. Just to torment me." Jane stood then, moving aside so that Maura could get in position to make her assessments and officially pronounce. Jane bent back down picking up the single red rose that was left with the note. Maura pulled the scalpel from the note, carefully placing it into an evidence bag. She held another bag up for Jane to place the rose into.

Jane read over Maura's shoulder as she picked up the small piece of white paper with yet another message. Neither woman spoke the words as they read them but the message was loud and clear.

I wonder what fear smells like.

Maura turned to look over her shoulder, feeling Jane back away suddenly. She knew exactly what Jane would do before she could even suggest she didn't. It was too late as Jane carefully returned the rose to the bag, letting her eyes lock with Maura's.

"Lavender." Jane's voice was deep and rough as she swallowed hard to hide her fear. "This rose smells of lavender...and fear."

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Olivia hurried to the address Nick had rambled off when his call had awaken her. It couldn't have been more than six hours since their victim was identified and next of kin notified. Olivia could only shake her head at the senseless loss of a young life. A transfer student from BCU to Columbia University with a promising future in front of her, simply gone because of a monster they just could not find. Olivia smiled at how excited she must have been to be able to come to New York to study at Columbia. Her smile fading when she recalled giving the direction to notify her parents in Boston.

"It's Mann, isn't it." Olivia knew it was given the tone of Nick's voice when he called. She didn't wait for him to answer, pushing past him into the alley that was blocked off by patrol cars on both ends.

"Liv, wait." Nick grabbed her arm tightly to stop her, only to loosen his grip at the fire in her eyes when she turned. "You don't have to do this."

Olivia looked away, forcing herself to breathe, not trusting her voice to speak right away. Nick watched as the lights reflected off her eyes when she returned her gaze to him. "I do have to do this. He's taunting me, Nick. He's toying with the NYPD as a whole, but he knows I would be involved. He wants me involved and he's got me."

Nick let Olivia pull her arm from his hand, refusing to let her approach the victim without him by her side. He still wished Cragen would pull her from the case, it was obvious that she was struggling with the idea of Patrick Mann being back. He also was learning his partner and he doubted she would stand down even if ordered.

He watched as Olivia slipped on gloves, beginning her investigation into the rape/murder of yet another college student. She held her breath as she pulled the young woman's college identification from her front pants pocket. "Shouldn't be hard to I D this one."

Nick bagged the card as well as the scalpel Olivia pulled from the ground releasing the note that nearly blew away if not for her quick reflexes. Olivia stood, only glancing at the note before handing it to Nick as well. "He's asking for me specifically. I have to do this."

Nick waited until Olivia had walked away from him before letting his eyes fall to the small wording on the note. Call police or Olivia Benson.

Nick filed in behind his partner as they began taking witness statements. He knew they were headed to the college next and was glad to see the sun rising over the east river. He took a deep breath as Olivia took a moment to recognize the sunrise as well, her whole posture straightening as the world lit up just a bit with each person she talked to.

The steps proved challenging for Olivia as she thought about avoiding them once they finished at the college. The two detectives stood at the top, taking in the view of the city below them, neither one seeing the beauty behind the cool New York weather. Her emotions often affected her physical tolerance as she knew that to be her worst handicap.

Nick guided her over to a bench just far away from the daily hustle and bustle of college life. "I'll go get us coffee. You look like you could use one."

Olivia watched as her partner took the steps two at a time, as if he knew exactly where he would find the best coffee in the city. He probably did and Olivia appreciated the gesture and the way he quickly filled the void left by Elliot. She often wondered if she would be able to trust anybody the way she trusted Elliot. Nick was a good solid detective with incredible instincts and he cared about her and their partnership. What more could she ask for? Except for maybe, Elliot.

The campus was busy and Olivia couldn't help but watch the young girls as they made their way to and from the classes. She wondered if these girls would be targeted by Mann, if he was going to pull from the school as their victim yesterday was also a student here at Columbia. His past victims varied from young girls to older professional women. There was no found pattern in his selection, only that they were all raped and murdered.

The sun was warm yet the air cool and Olivia felt her body relax into the hard wood of the bench. She could feel the wood give a bit against her back unlike the hard floor of the basement where she had tracked Mann to. Elliot was close, she was sure he was as they often went in different directions. Back up was on the way, but they both knew Patrick Mann was well within their grasp. He had made a mistake that would cost him his freedom. Olivia could almost smell the sweet smell of victory as she listened carefully to dripping water from leaking pipes as it kept time with the pounding of her heart. She heard her partner holler for her only to turn into the firm grasp of Patrick Mann, his weight driving her hard into the cold, damp basement floor. Her breath escaped her with the impact and her vision clouded under his weight, yet still she fought him with the strength she pulled from deep within. She could hear Elliot screaming for her and she struggled as his voice faded with each breath she was allowed to take. She could feel her shoulder dislocate as Mann work his body position against hers, his intent very clear. He was preparing to rape her and she knew it would be hard and fast, death being the final result. She tried to call out, his weight suffocating her every attempt. Fear swam through her veins as she no longer could hear Elliot or her own breathing as total blackness tempted and teased. She could feel Mann's hands as they worked her clothing, each attempt to move met with excruciating pain. She fought against losing consciousness as he positioned himself directly above her, smiling as her fearful eyes met his determined ones.

"Olivia?" Nick was crouched down in front of her, the coffee sitting off to the side. "Okay?"

Olivia's breathing was shallow and the sweat was beginning to make it's way down the sides of her face. It took a few moments to return to the now, but she worked to quickly compose herself. She didn't answer Nick and he made it clear he wouldn't push, instead offering her one of the coffees he had fetched.

"Let's get back to the house. Pull up Patrick Mann's case from before and begin comparing. He's a creature of habit, even if his M O varies." Olivia offered a small smile before taking the steps two at a time as she had watched her partner do a while earlier.

Olivia took no time setting up the board with each one of Mann's victims. Fin was quick to fill in the missing information, knowing the case just as well as anyone that was at the one-six during that time. Cragen stood in front of his detectives, knowing the toll this case had taken on his detectives then and most likely would now. Olivia chanced a glance up at her captain praying he wouldn't pull her. There was no doubt she was the focal point and the innocent girls that were raped and murdered at the hands of Patrick Mann were just that. Innocent. Unfortunate. A handicap Mann was forcing Olivia to carry as he played with her once again.

Cragen nodded to Olivia, giving her the go ahead to lead the briefing. Nobody knew Patrick Mann the way Olivia did, except for maybe Elliot. Olivia started with the first victim, quickly moving to the next, not wanting to spend too much time with the damage he created within her soul with each girl and woman he killed.

Nick excused himself as he was being summoned from a young man in the hall. Olivia kept one eye on her partner as he returned to the bullpen carrying flowers. His eyes were on her and the look on his face answered the question her eyes asked him. Yes, they were for her and yes, they were from Patrick Mann.

Olivia took the card, handing it to Fin to follow up on the purchase. Every detective present knew that there would be no trail to follow from the floral purchase. He just didn't make mistakes like that, yet still Fin headed out. The flowers would be checked for anything that would give them any clue as to where Patrick Mann was.

Olivia proceeded with her presentation knowing it was a long shot finding this man. Their best shot would be when he came for her and the knot in Olivia's stomach told her that he would indeed do just that. Nick approached Olivia, getting her permission to whisper in her ear. The information shared was enough for Olivia to finish up short and meet with Cragen and her partner separately.

"Why eleven red roses?" Nick's question was on all of their minds. Flowers were not part of Mann's operation before.

"Let's hope it doesn't mean eleven more victims." Olivia came off distracted as her focus wandered.

"Well then he'd be off. Should only be ten roses." Nick hoped to be able to squash the half offered theory Olivia offered. He could tell by her tone that she didn't believe what she suggested. He could tell she had no idea why the flowers.