Elisa stood by the head of the table with Matt. Many of the SVU were eyeballing them skeptically. Detective Ray Lett in particular was openly hostile in his regard.
Elisa ignored him and continued speaking with Matt. "It's actually not that far off, the only problem is that they're attributing it to a human, and that's why they can't find the next potential hit. I'm glad Vivienne is available for consultation; I already see a water theme here. Do Patrick and Michaela have the list of detainees?"
"Yeah, they're already working on delegating the footwork and phone calls." He looked down at paperwork from the case. Interesting. He looked back up at Elisa"Martin's coming. Talk about cranky and working on your day off! I'm gonna owe him big time for this, but he'll be here in a half hour. He's already working on them, so hopefully we can expect to get some compliance soon. You'd think being former FBI and proven right about my "hair-brained" theories would mean something. I guess it's good just to have my old partner working the case with us though."
"Yeah" Elisa smiled.
"Alright, let's settle in everyone!" Detective Fernando Vasquez waved everyone into their seats. His face was stiff and lined with worry. Vasquez was six feet tall, and fit, but his clothes looked slept in and his tie was a little loose. His black hair was trimmed tight against his scalp. Elisa noticed pale scarring on the left side of his scalp. His anxious brown eyes looked down at Elisa like he hoped she packed a wallop.
"Good Morning" Elisa began. "I'm Detective Elisa Maza and this is my partner Matt Bluestone. I recognize a lot of you from the GTF and a few other incidents-" laughter circled the room quietly. "To date, we've got eight murders and a killer out there planning the next crime.
Matt chimed in, "The first order of business is to go back and see what was missed and what kind of leads we can pull-"
"We didn't miss anything!" Lett interrupted "We know our job Bluestone-"
"No, you don't." Elisa leaned forward in her chair. "Something out there is killing people. It's not human and you're not going to capture it with a conventional investigation. The PMC is staffed by experienced detectives who can help. If we can all work together, we can make a difference today and we can lay the foundation to make a difference in the future.
She glanced around the room. Lett crossed his arms and looked on skeptically. Matt nodded his head almost imperceptibly.
Elisa continued "This is the first time something of this nature has come to the attention of the NYPD. It defies known precedent: a paranormal serial killer is hunting the public. We're all that stands between them and slaughter. It's out there and we're going to find it and stop it. This may be the first time we come together, but you can be sure it's not going to be the last. Times are changing and we have to change with them."
"Detective Maza?"
A slim brunette at the opposite end of the room became the focus of attention. Elisa nodded at her.
"Christina Zapf," she continued, "I'm an analyst from the CSU. We've never seen…I don't believe our 'inconclusive results' accurately describe the evidence we're having trouble with. We've been having a lot of trouble processing suspect and defensive evidence… have you developed any paranormal CSU procedures?"
"We have. Toby-" Elisa gestured and a thin sandy-haired tech stood and waved at Christina, "-is heading our CSU. He's already planned a series of new tests, I'd like you to confer and bring each other up to speed. That goes for everyone here." Elisa eased back and looked at all the anxious faces. They looked like they wanted to believe. A pair of FBI agents stood to the side, coolly observing the meeting. Yeah, keep standing there. We don't have time for a damn turf war! Elisa pressed her impatience to the background. They want to know what we can do. What's so damn special about us, right?
"We have experienced detectives and access to consultants from mages to psychologists that are immersed in the paranormal world. Several informants in our network are well-placed in the magical world and we are more than capable of addressing the case and moving forward."
Vasquez raised his finger to signal a question. "We've all been working our asses off trying to put the pieces together. You guys have handled Gargoyles and some of those fae, but even if there is a paranormal origin-
Elisa interjected, "the world seems like it's changing and becoming overrun with magical activity. The truth is, it's always been a part of our world, but we're coming late to the game and have to play catch-up. PMC has been rushing to get us all up to speed."
"Vasquez, I'm assigning you to Matt, you'll be coordinating the department collaboration. Lett, we'll be working together on the evidence. I reviewed what we received last night and have some directives. Several witnesses and detainees offered a unique insight and I'd like to review some of the physical evidence and crime scenes."
Lett blinked. With one move, Elisa had offered the carrot and the stick. It effectively helped to both split the threat to the PMC's collaboration as well as spur the collaborative towards their goal. Elisa had just positioned the biggest ego close to the killers trail and under her eye. His instincts and persistence were strong assets, but he tended to get in his own way sometimes. Lett could try to buck the system and sabotage the case, but he couldn't do it without destroying his career… Or he could cooperate and be an integral part to solving his biggest case. Lett sat up straighter.
"You heard the detective," he looked around, "let's get started!"
"Well," Matt whispered to her, "that went well"
"Kids are dying." Elisa paused to look at the photos in front of her. "If I did my part sooner, we might've had the killer off the street and the kids safe at home." Kenny…
"Detective-" Lett interrupted.
"Call me Elisa."
"Elisa… please…call me Ray. About the consultants?" he paused, trying to put it into words, "Who or what is consulting on this?"
"Our first stop is Columbia, a professor there is… well acquainted with water related mythology."
"Hey, before I get caught up" Matt started "we're settling with detainees and Patrick and Michaela are already combing through the leads. They've got a few things you and Lett will want to go over, might add a few interviews on the list." He nodded towards the knot of chattering officers around the two young detectives.
"Alright, Ray, let's get movin'. The bad guy is about to find out it's a small world and there's nowhere left to hide."
Elisa and Ray had chatted away the morning. At first, Ray had been awkward. As they shared more info, he grew more confident in Elisa's handling of the case.
"Elisa, if I didn't know better now, I'd almost think we were wasting our time. Myths?"
"Trust me, we need to go to the college and interview the prof. We don't have time to crack the books on this info. In a way, mythology is a way of preserving and reporting on the paranormal activities of the past, if you look at it from an investigative level. So a little lecture on myth should provide some interesting insights."
Elisa paused to take in the productive surroundings.
"You guys actually did a great job, a lot of the clues and information are proving helpful."
"Thanks, I just wish we'd come to you for help sooner." Ray offered.
"A lot of good detective work is going to make it easier to pull it together now." Elisa took out the stack of pictures she'd reviewed. She laid them out. "What do you see by all the bodies?"
"Blood, clothing, garbage… I've seen them. Other than the bodies, the crime scenes look pretty calm. Not a lot to go on…" Ray's eyes wandered across the familiar photos spread before him. "Wait." he snatched a photo and examined it closely. "Of course!" he rubbed at the back of his neck. "Water?"
"If you look at each body, there are puddles by their body. You can see bodies of water in the area, or map them nearby the scenes."
"There's always water around: fire hydrants and pipes everywhere." Ray replied with frustration.
"That's just it. Water is an element. It's considered a form of transportation. If bodies kept turning up near bus stops, or near a bus stop route in particular, you'd get suspicious, right?"
Ray felt goosebumps rise on his scalp. "Oh shit…" he rubbed his face. In the back of his mind, he'd kept thinking about the pools of water. "They hadn't had any tracks or prints…but there wouldn't be, would there?" he licked his lips.
"It's a good lead, but that's all it is. Let's keep combing through it. We can leave in an hour and head over to Columbia.
"Detective Maza" the professor nodded as she opened the office door.
"This is detective Ray Lett" Elisa gestured between them, "Ray, this is professor Vivienne Lake". Elisa smirked.
The professor raised her brow in amusement. Garbed in a cream blouse and black pencil skirt that emphasized her hourglass figure, she stuck her pen into the back of her French twist and shook hands with the detectives. Tendrils of platinum hair framed her delicate face, but a set of piercing sky blue eyes assessed them.
"Come, sit. It is good to finally meet you Elisa. Arthur has said such good things about you." Vivienne settled into her chair as the detectives seated themselves across from her. "What brings you?" she prompted.
"I have a killer on the loose and think he may be a water related being or user of water magics. How common is water transport?"
Vivienne sighed. "Well, it is an age old method, one used since the first days of creation. There are several types of magical creatures that are naturally capable, but as you know with your adventures on the skiff-"
Ray furrowed his brow in wonder.
"-spells and enchanted items make it an accessible method to humans. As well ask how common bikes are: though it is not commonplace as a majority mode of transportation, it is more than a rarity. 'Rivers are roads which move, and which carry us whither we desire to go'...Blaise Pascal. He was as brilliant in his mortal perceptions of water, both scientifically and philosophically, but I digress."
Elisa sighed.
Vivienne waited. Ray watched them both.
Elisa reached into her case and pulled out a file. She slid it across the desk. Vivienne flicked through the photos, pausing on one in particular.
"We had thought this one banished…" she whispered.
"Who?" Ray asked.
"We do not know." She intoned. Strands of Vivienne's hair fluttered across her face. Her breath came fast. Vivienne stared at the photos for a while before speaking again.
"I first came here in the 20's. It wasn't called the roaring twenties for nothing…" Vivienne smiled softly in memory. "But as the decade came to a close with the crash of the stock market, a series of violent murders swept through. It was attributed to the stress of the times; people were doing rash, horrible things to each other just to survive. The bodies then, they were found like the ones in these photos."
"What did this?" Elisa urged.
"I don't know, but I feared it greatly." she sighed. "It seems fitting that you should bring this to me. Would that I wish I'd not have to dwell on this again, but I have seen such before. In fact, I have encountered the thing." Vivienne replied.
"What happened? What does it look like?" Elisa demanded eagerly.
"I know not its true form, as it is a changeling thing of sorts. It- -it had accosted me in my glass isle. I had thought it was Arthur…he looked like Arthur when I approached." Vivienne's face twisted in pain. "It is powerful. When I penetrated its guise and discovered it was not Arthur, I sought to send it far from me. As I began to wrap it into my power-" Vivienne licked her lips "as I melded with it, it turned my own power back onto me. It seemed to…" Vivienne sighed. "I fought, but after a while, I could not resist…I awoke weeks later…I had spent many days trying to compose myself to take shape, but the memories caused me to falter and lose shape. For weeks I merely lay inert, suspended in the water as if I did not exist other than to be one with the water. I was afraid if I used my power, it would manifest and hurt me again."
"I'm sorry." Elisa said.
"No, do not be sorry. It was a mistake…mortals will blame themselves for such things. I see now why, but I have had many years to think on it. I believe that it fed from my terror. Were I mortal, I believe I would have ended like these poor creatures" she gestured at the photos.
"What can you tell us about it?" Ray asked stiffly, offended at the thought of some male or any creature ravishing the woman before him. He had been entranced by her ethereal beauty, but a quiet rage began to smolder in his chest. This thing, if it is the creature that attacked her…
"It had mimicked Arthur's shape, but its weapons did not work outside of its field of influence, which is approximately…hmm, I'd say twenty to thirty feet. It can change shape, but has no…well for you it might be scent or traces of evidence. For me, it has no taste."
"Why did it stop killing? Did something bring it to a stop?" Ray asked.
"I do not know why it stopped killing."
"Vivienne," Elisa began, "there's been too many deaths. This time, we need to find a way to find this thing and stop it."
"Let me confer with my colleagues. And too, perhaps my mothers would help. I am certain it would best me again in single combat. I will do my best to offer what aid can be found." Vivienne stood up. Elisa and Ray took it as a dismissal and said their goodbyes.
"Her mothers?" Ray asked when they were back in the Fairlane.
"The Weird Sisters. Actually, just the silver-haired one, but what belongs to one of them, they feel belongs to all of them. In effect, they're all her mother. Here." Elisa reached over and tapped the power button on her console. "Part of the PMC upgrades include dossiers and a database of paranormal and magic info, accessible on the go. Type in Luna and Weird."
Ray complied and reviewed the info. He whistled to himself.
"That's a pretty powerful ally, or allies, but they could be trouble too, sounds like." Ray wondered aloud.
"I know, but for Viv, I think Luna would help. The children of Avalon are not overly mortal in their expression of love, but I believe that Vivienne could get through to them."
Ray mulled over the day's info. So much to learn...
"What is she? Is she a goddess or fairy?" he asked.
"Vivienne is part mortal and partly descended from Oberon through her mother. She's best known in legend as the Lady of the Lake. Her 'isle of glass' is over in the park there."
"What's to keep him from slaughtering us if we come after him?"
"I don't know yet, but I have an idea. I'll need to get a message to some friends, but it will take some time to get word to their island."
"Elisa, an island?" he asked incredulously.
She smiled and changed lanes, zipping through the early evening traffic.
"I'll catch you in the morning detective. For now, I'm long overdue some shut eye and can't wait to hit the sack." she finished as she pulled up to the curb of Ray's precinct.
"Give Matt and your Fernando a hello for me"
"Will do boss lady" he said as he climbed out of the car.
Elisa watched him head up the stairs to the front entrance. Her smile cracked and she lost her composure. All day, Elisa had been waiting for the chance to be alone. She felt a tightening in her chest, but chose to ignore it as she sped off towards her apartment building.