I just wanted to say a big thank you to everyone who has taken the time to review or add this story to alerts. Also a little shout out to dcj, who has let me bounce some ideas off her.

Here's the next part, have a good day,

Sairs

To protect innocence

Chapter 3: A new start

Wiktoria nervously looked around the small room in which she now found herself. The walls were damp; the wallpaper hanging off in the corners, exposing the dark green mildew that had set up residence. The furniture in the room matched the décor, the rusted metal bed frame had off white linen and a small wooden chair and table sat next to the window; that hardly let in any light as it was covered with planks of wood, blocking up the holes in the glass.

She smiled, relaxing slightly; this was her first real time away from home. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad? She thought as she dropped her small bag onto the bed; it contained all of her worldly belongings. She felt her baby move, automatically resting her hand on her slightly swollen abdomen; she gently rubbed circles on her stomach, the baby responding by stilling to her touch.

"Ssh, little one," she said quietly, "We have a new life now and you will have a bright future," she promised as she continued to look around her new home.

Andy stretched and winced, she wondered why her body ached and then she opened her eyes and remembered. She hadn't made it to bed at all; she had fallen asleep on the sofa, the cushion she had been crying into still gripped between her hands. She glanced at her watch and silently cursed, she'd have to hurry if she wanted to make parade on time. If she'd been in her old apartment she would have had plenty of time, but at Luke's house she had an extra half hour's commute, especially when she couldn't catch a lift with him.

She paused, when had she started thinking of the house as Luke's? True he had taken out the mortgage, but it was supposed to be theirs, she looked around the room uneasily, now that she was analysing things; there really wasn't much of her in the house. Most of her things were still in boxes in the garage, Luke had said that they didn't really fit with the décor and she'd listened to him, as she always did. When had she become a doormat? God, Andy, she admonished herself, you need to dig yourself out of this hole or are you going to wallow in self pity for the rest of your life?

She forced herself to walk to the bathroom, as she walked she tried to push all of the negative thoughts out of her mind. This was a new day and it couldn't be any worse than yesterday, she hoped.

Andy bounded into parade with two minutes to spare, she hurried to the front and took her seat. A few seconds later Best strode into the room, he looked like he was furious about something, he almost slammed his papers down onto the table in front of him before speaking.

Andy glanced nervously at Traci, who met her gaze quickly, her eyebrows raised questioningly before returning their attention to Best, as today definitely wasn't the day to be caught thinking of something else during briefing.

The whole room was filled with tension, something Andy had never felt before during briefing, her stomach churned and she couldn't help think that something bad was on the horizon, especially if Best's current mood was any indication.

"I want everyone to be vigilant today, we've got some very unsavoury characters cleaning house. McNally and Swarek can personally attest to how they certainly didn't leave any loose ends yesterday, I want you all to be on the look out for anything suspicious and be careful… Remember serve, protect and keep the public safe," with that he finished his briefing, or so they thought.

"Swarek, McNally, my office," he demanded before striding out of the room.

Traci looked at Andy; Andy shrugged her shoulders, her stomach plummeting, what had she done wrong now?

She walked quickly out into the corridor, Sam was waiting by the door; she looked at him; "What do you think I've done now?" she asked.

He couldn't help but chuckle at the look of panic on her face, "Guilty conscience, McNally?" he teased, when she glared at him, he decided not to continue tormenting her, "I'm sure you haven't done anything to upset Frank, unless you've done something off duty that I'm not aware of."

She shook her head, "Can't think of anything…" she paused and looked at him, "Have you done something that could cause Frank to be that upset?" she nodded towards Frank's office.

Sam looked at her incredulously, "McNally, how could you suggest such a thing! You know I play by the rules."

She rolled her eyes, "Swarek rules," she pointed out.

"There is nothing wrong with the Swarek style of rule interpretation, it has served us well."

"Yes, but…"

"But nothing," Sam replied.

"Swarek, McNally are you going to spend all morning guessing why I need to speak to you or are you going to shift yourselves and actually make it through the door?" Frank shouted.

They both looked at Frank sheepishly, before hurrying and mumbling, "Sorry," in unison.

Sam held the door open for Andy and she walked into Frank's office and stood to one side, Sam joining her a few moments later.

Frank looked at them with an intense gaze that made Andy fidget guiltily, even though she couldn't think of a reason why she should feel guilty. He gestured for them to sit; they both responded to his gesture and took seats opposite his desk. Frank remained standing, pacing slowly behind his desk as if organising his thoughts. After a few moments he stopped, turned to face them, before sinking into his chair, his hands resting in front of him on his desk.

Andy couldn't help but glance nervously at Sam, Frank's behaviour was certainly out of character and it had her worried, if she'd messed up he would have been in full lecture mode by now and she'd be preparing for her apology.

Sam caught Andy's glance and imperceptibly raised an eyebrow in response, Frank's behaviour had him worried, something was definitely bugging Frank and Sam had a horrible suspicion that when he eventually told them what the problem was, Sam wasn't going to like it.

"Sam, Andy…" Frank began.

Andy's stomach plummeted further; he'd used their Christian names, instead of surnames, that definitely wasn't a good sign.

"What you discovered yesterday," Frank continued, "has allowed people to connect dots."

Andy was completely confused, "Dots?" she asked before she could stop herself.

Frank glared at her, "Yes, McNally dots. The first body you discovered yesterday apparently fitted with a pattern that was being traced by Divisions 55 and 54, over the past six months they've dealt with similar body dumps, five more like your Jane Doe. Your body showed that whoever is making their dumps is venturing out of their safety zone and the fact that they're cleaning up witnesses, means they're nervous and nervous criminals doesn't bode well for the safety of Toronto's citizens."

Andy nodded, not daring to say anything in case she said the wrong thing; it looked like today's curse was going to be a severe case of putting her foot in it.

Fortunately Sam was more confident with where Frank was heading, "So we found the next victim in a string, is it a serial killer?"

Frank shook his head, "Apparently the M.O. isn't consistent with that, the bodies are linked, but it is assumed that by the way the women died that this is a highly organised operation; that wishes to remain under the police radar. In some ways it would be easier if we were dealing with a serial, we'd be able to work on a profile; or something…"

Sam was leaning forward his interest piqued, "So an organised operation is dumping young women, why? It certainly is a big risk dumping bodies, especially within the city limits, although if you don't have any witnesses, there is little chance of being caught."

Frank nodded, "Six bodies, young women, similar age, no , all Jane Does."

"None of them have been identified?" Andy asked incredulously, "Surely someone's missing them?"

"Their bodies were mutilated," Frank began.

Andy closed her eyes, the image of the clear glassy blue eyes invading her mind.

"Their fingertips had had their fingerprints removed; D.N.A hasn't pulled any hits either. The Federal forensics labs have been carrying out detailed analysis on the earlier bodies and most of them have an Eastern European background. They're probably illegal immigrants; or young women new to the country; that are just not in the system."

"So why dump them, what did they have that the organisation wanted?" Andy asked, "Then why suddenly kill them and dump them?"

"That's a very good question, Andy," Frank acknowledged a small smile crossing his lips, "Apparently each one of the young women had recently given birth. According to the preliminary exam of the body you found, your young woman had also recently given birth."

Andy's stomach churned, "So where are the babies?" she almost whispered.

"That's what everyone on the newly assembled task force is going to try and find out." Frank continued to explain.

"Task force?" Sam asked, intrigued.

Frank nodded, "As you both had the privilege of discovering our Jane Doe and are the only people who spoke to a witness, you have been seconded to the Task Force."

Andy felt her jaw open; she hadn't seen that one coming.

Sam grinned, "We have? Who's running it?"

"Detective Jo Rosati is one of the lead investigators along with Detective Jack Henson," Frank stated.

"Rosati?" Sam replied, glancing at Andy to see if the name sounded familiar to her.

She shrugged her shoulders at him when she caught his glance.

"Yep, apparently she and Henson picked up the case when the first body was discovered, they were the original investigators and it made sense they lead the task force."

Sam nodded, "So we're being seconded?"

"Yes, both of you, which means I'm two officers down," Frank's voice was filled with frustration, "but if it means we get them off the street, then it will be a result."

"When do we start?" Sam asked.

"As soon as you can get yourselves over to the 54th Division, that's where they're running the task force from," Frank stood, "I want you to keep me updated on the situation," he looked pointedly at Sam.

Sam nodded, "Wouldn't think of doing anything else."

Frank nodded, "Well go get changed and head over to the 54th."

Andy looked at Frank, "We're not to go in uniform?"

Frank shook his head, "No, they requested you in street clothes, something about not making it obvious you're cops."

Andy's look of puzzlement deepened.

"I don't know why, McNally. I'm just following orders too," Frank replied noticing the look on her face.

"Come on, McNally, stop over thinking it and let's get out of here," Sam replied striding over to the door and holding it open for her.

She stood quickly and walked out of Frank's office, her mind whirring with what she'd been told.

Wiktoria looked at the photograph that she held in her hands, it was a picture of her mother and father and their house in Kalisz. Before she had embarrassed them, she hung her head for a moment thinking of when she'd told them that she was pregnant. Her father had turned his back on her, demanding that she left and didn't return. She had brought shame on their family and they would have nothing more to do with her.

She remembered her mother sobbing at the news, but there was nothing she could do. Wiktoria had gathered a few belongings and placed them in her bag before leaving. Walking away from all she had known, into a future that was uncertain and frightening.

She had headed into the big city, determined to find work and somewhere to live. For days she'd slept on the streets, trying to save as much money as she could from what meagre savings she had.

She didn't think she'd find anywhere or anyone to help her; that was until she met him. She'd been sitting in the park, preparing for another night sleeping under the stars, rubbing her hand gently over the small swell of her stomach, talking to her baby, her only family.

A man came over to her whilst she was sitting…

"Is this seat taken?" he asked, smiling warmly.

Wiktoria shook her head, "No."

He sat down next to her, "It's beautiful here this time of year, isn't it?"

"Yes," she replied, absently rubbing her hand over her abdomen.

He turned to look at her, "I noticed that you seem to be alone, are you new to the city?"

She nodded, thinking that she should feel uncomfortable speaking to this stranger, but he was the first person since she had arrived in the city, who looked at her as if she was a human being rather than something less than human.

"I noticed that you're rubbing your stomach, are you ill?" his voice filled with concern.

She shook her head, "No, I'm pregnant."

She noticed his demeanour change at her announcement; he seemed to lean towards her, "You can't sleep on the streets if you're pregnant, think of the baby." He stated seriously.

"I've tried to find a job and somewhere to live, but it is too expensive. So for now my baby and I are sleeping under the stars."

A small smile crossed his lips, "What about your family?"

She shook her head, "I have none; it is just me and my baby."

"I have friends who can help you, they will help you and your baby start a new life in Canada."

"Canada?"

He nodded, "Yes, they have friends over there who will set you up with somewhere to stay, a job and of course a bright future for you and your baby. What do you have here? Nothing! Let me help you."

She was taken aback by his offer, what did she know about him? "I don't know…" she stated.

"You don't have to answer now, but please don't sleep outside, take this card and head to this address, ask for Oliwia, she will help you out. Talk to her, she has a sister who now works in Canada, she will show you the pictures of her sister with her child, happy and healthy."

"But what do you want in return?" she asked suspiciously.

"Nothing, other than working for my friend's company in Canada."

She took the card that he offered to her, deciding that it was too cold for her and her baby to spend another night sleeping outside. She would go to the address and speak to Oliwia, "Thank you," she said quietly.

"Just think about your little one. It deserves a bright future," he said before standing and walking away.

She had taken the card and visited Oliwia. Oliwia had taken her in and after a couple of weeks she organised for Wiktoria to travel to Canada. Oliwia had sorted out her papers and she'd flown out to Canada, being met by Jakub, who had brought her here. Here to start her new life, she stroked her stomach again, "We are lucky, little one," she said quietly.

I hope you enjoyed ~ Hopefully another update tomorrow.

Sairs