Crimson Kiss
by: raileht
Summary: A descent into madness leaves more questions and little answers.
Disclaimer: The ones you don't know are mine, the ones you do aren't.
Rating: T, to be safe
Spoilers/Timeline: nothing specific.
Warning: Disturbing themes. Violence, blood and graphic details. Possible character death.
Note: Just something I dreamt about. I make no promises.
-o0oo0oo0o-
FOUR
The morning had come all too quickly for him.
Waking up with the sun filtering through the windows of his hotel room, he found himself blinking awake for no reason at all other than his body noticing it was the next day already. He laid there on the strange bed, staring up at the ceiling and trying to find some reserve of strength to get up and begin his day. A part of him told his body to get up, but it seemed his body wasn't up to listening because the more he tried, the more he just lay there, unmoving and staring at nothing except the drab pale cream colored ceiling.
God knows how many strangers have been in that room, but he couldn't imagine anyone else feeling what he was feeling at that moment which was nothing. It was as if everything had been sucked into this black hole that just kept taking everything in, leaving everything else nothing but hollowed shells and that was exactly what he was at that moment.
He felt empty, drained.
And the more he tried to move, the more he tried to make himself shake off the darkness that kept pulling him under, he couldn't. It was like a futile fight in a battle he knew he had no chance of winning and it just made the depressing weight settling on him feel even heavier, almost crushing him into the nothingness.
He stared, blinking once then twice and tried to swallow but couldn't. He couldn't be sure the last time he'd drank anything, not sure when he did anything actually. For the most part, all he could remember from the night before was being deposited into a car and being driven to a hotel. Someone had been kind enough to get his bag of extra clothes from his car, which he'd left behind when he got into the ambulance, so he had clothes to wear that day. Not that it really mattered, of course.
Vaguely he could remember someone talking to him softly while walking almost robotically to the hotel room that had been rented for him, being taken into the room then left there. He's not even sure how he found the bed, but apparently he had. The more he tried to remember, the less he could. He wasn't sure what that meant, but he didn't care at the moment. Who gave a damn about anything right now? He sure couldn't.
Turning on his side and blinking against the sunlight coming through the windows, he flinched, wishing someone could turn the light off. He didn't like light very much at the moment, it hurt his eyes and made his head throb like he was suffering a hangover that wasn't. He turned again, this time to the other side, only to find himself face to face with a close door and his watch on the nightstand next to the phone.
He grabbed the timepiece, slipping it around his wrist and felt the weight settle. It was the first feeling of the day he could actually distinguish and somehow, he felt a comfort in that. It had been a gift from her, one of the oddities that he'd later discovered about her. She liked buying things, like most women, but somehow, when it came to him, she liked buying things just because.
The first time she had done it, it was that watch and she bought because it reminded her of him. He thought it was sweet and cute so naturally, he teased her about it. He had laughed and asked if she was trying to make him stay by giving him gifts and she had taken offense in that and sulked away from him though she had masked that with anger and calling him ungrateful. He'd been sorry, had made up for teasing her like that and took her out to dinner and got her something nice as well. Since then, it had become something he chalked up to just her being herself.
She was sweet and thoughtful, a part of her she liked to hide behind the armor she wore in front of people. She had gradually learned to reveal that side of her to him and he had reveled in it, glad that there was a part of her only he was allowed to see. She was so guarded, so good at putting up walls, to be allowed access to such a secret part of her was a gift more valuable than anything she could ever buy him.
Looking at the gift now, he wondered if he ever told her that or if she ever knew. He was sorry now, for being unsure if he actually took the time to tell her. God knew there was so much he could have said to her, so much he needed for her to know and he hated himself for not seizing the opportunities that came when they did. She revealed herself to him, more than she had with anyone and that should have compelled him enough to tell her everything.
She gave herself to him, something she had been quite obviously been afraid to do, but she had done it anyway. Him, though? He'd taken his time, he had waited though he didn't know why anymore. He'd been a coward for so many times and somehow, he felt he deserved what was happening to him, for not quite appreciating her as he should have, for holding back.
This was punishment for disregarding time, for foolishly thinking they had all the time in the world.
Letting his arm drop back onto the bed, his hand flew to cover his eyes, forcing out the light and throwing himself into some form of darkness, knowing it was the only way he could find it at the moment. Thoughts raced through his tired mind, moments he missed, moments when he had let chances slip between his fingers. He couldn't understand why he had hesitated, not now. He should have done so many things, before this happened.
She'd given him time and what he'd done with it was simply lose it.
And that was enough to make this grown man weep in silence.
-o0o-
"Good afternoon, Mr. Schering."
Patrick Schering gave her a friendly smile as he stood up, extending his hand towards her across the table, "Good afternoon, Mrs. Florrick. It's nice to meet you, although I'm sorry it's under these circumstances."
Alicia nodded and shook his hand before motioning for him to take a seat. Will sat next to her, having just come in to hear his friend's words and nodded at him before taking the seat next to her.
"So, Mr. Schering," Alicia began and flipped her notes open, having had the chance to gather the copies from Diane's assistant, Annie, who'd thankfully managed to make them from the previous day. "I've been briefed on your case. An Alexis Tomlin is accusing you of assaulting her."
Patrick nodded, nodding his full head of dark brown hair and a disturbed frown set on his handsome features. He looked about the same age as Will and was dressed similarly in a suit although his style was more East Coast with the darker black suit and the solid colored tie that complimented him well.
"She claims I, erm," he shifted uneasily in his chair, clearly uncomfortable with what he was about to say, "Raped her the night of the party, but…honestly, I've tried to remember her, but I couldn't. I know I drank most of the night, but I've never been violent or anything like that under the influence…I don't even drink that much usually, but it was a party and we had a lot to celebrate."
Alicia nodded, "You don't remember seeing her at all? We will be speaking to witnesses, but from her statement, she claims she was with everyone at some point. Miss Tomlin doesn't deny she mingled with everyone, you included."
"It was a party," Patrick said, shrugging a little, his right hand reaching for his left cuff, adjusting it though it was mostly to keep his fingers busy, "If I mingled with her, it must have been in passing because I remember I was drinking and the music was loud…if anything, it just reminded me of days back when we were in college." He turned to Will, "Remember those? You were a pre-law, but that didn't stop us from getting drunk every night."
Will chuckled and nodded, "The SigEp always knew how to throw a party." Then glanced at Alicia who was listening with a neutral expression on her face, "But really, Rick, are you sure you don't remember the girl? I mean, not even a glance or, you know, if she flirted?"
"I've seen a picture of the girl," Patrick said, "And I'm sure you have too, Will, if she flirted with me, I would have remembered."
Alicia nodded, pulling out a picture of the striking brunette with her big doe eyes, full lips and young face. She was twenty-four and beautiful, she could understand how it would be hard to forget her, even while under the influence of alcohol.
"At the moment, they don't have any evidence from that night," Will said, taking over as he leant forward folding his hands in front of him, "She has nothing except her word and we're pretty confident we can get this one clean without any hassles in the public."
"That's good to know," Patrick nodded, "I really am looking forward to starting a branch here in Chicago…if this gets out even before I even start my plans, I'm pretty sure I'll be screwed." He sighed, "And really…I can't have this. I mean, I'm not this kind of guy…I mean, I hate those kind of guys, to end up looking like one of them…" A desperate look appeared on his face as he looked from Will to Alicia, "I don't want that."
Will nodded, "We'll do everything we can, Patrick, you have the firm's support."
Alicia nodded as well, "You're in good hands, Mr. Schering."
Patrick nodded, "Thank you."
"Now, we're going to have to talk to people," Will said, "Your friend…the one who hosted the party…?"
"Steven," he answered, "Steven Phelps, an old friend."
Will looked at Alicia, a small frown creasing his features before he turned to Patrick again, "We will be contacting him too if he's willing to testify."
"He is," Patrick nodded, "He was pretty worried about this too, kept apologizing. He wanted to welcome me to Chicago properly and it's ending up in court."
Will shook his head, "We're not there yet, Rick, don't worry. We're going to be checking this out with our investigator and see if anyone knows anything. The way this looks, we won't even end in court if we find a way to nip this in the bud."
Patrick nodded, taking a deep breath then let it out slowly, "Thanks…this was beginning to be a nightmare I can't wait to get out of, god."
Alicia nodded, "We understand how you're feeling."
Patrick looked at him, "Speaking of nightmares…I heard about Diane. I'm sorry." He made a motion with his hand, "She was great yesterday and it was nice meeting her. She was a lovely woman…I can't believe what happened."
Alicia glanced at Will as eyes fell to his lap before he nodded, adjusting his suit absently before nodding, "Yeah, same here."
"If there's anything I can do, Will…"
"No, it's fine," he shook his head, "Concentrate on your case, if you remember anything or think of anyone who can help you, let us know. We'll be working on this, don't worry."
Patrick nodded, "Of course."
Will smiled, "We'll keep in touch…if we find anything, we'll let you know."
"Of course," Patrick nodded then turned to Alicia, "Thank you, Mrs. Florrick. It really was nice to meet you. I met your husband Peter a few years ago. Great guy, I'm glad his troubles have passed."
Alicia managed a polite smile, "We're glad too."
"He's one reason to actually like Chicago," he shrugged, "I'm not a lawyer, but I heard he was a good State's Attorney and the way things look, he's making a good comeback. If he remembers me, please let him know I send my best."
"I will," she nodded.
Patrick turned to Will, "I've got something lined up, need to check with a few contractors…walk me out?"
Will turned to Alicia who nodded at him as they all stood up, "Of course."
The three of them shook hands and as they headed out and went their separate ways, Alicia went back to her office, more than glad she had work to focus on for the day. She checked her notes, making a list of people to contact and people she would be asking Kalinda to check out. She was out on a case and Alicia could easily guess it would have something to do with Diane, but she was sure she wouldn't mind the work, considering it seemed it would be considerably lighter.
As far as she could tell, Alexis Tomlin's case wouldn't be holding much water, considering her recent meeting and the basics on the case. The evidence was nonexistent and it was basically 'he said, she said' and from experience and logic, she could tell this could easily go in their favor. Plus, it helped that their client seemed genuine enough.
Basing on what she'd seen, Alicia had a good feeling about Patrick Schering.
-o0o-
"Damn, yeah, yeah…I heard you. Good, thanks."
De Luca looked at Kalinda, giving her a dirty look as she stood on the other side of the precinct, her phone in hand as she gave him a look of her own. She was a piece of work that one, managing to look cocky and neutral at the same time with just the faintest shift in her expression. The girl had a hell of a poker face, he was sure if he tried playing poker with her he'd wound up suffering a heart attack before the first hand was even over.
He motioned her over and waited until she arrived, "I'm not even going to ask how you know, I don't wanna know which idiot just gave you the news I got. It's a goddamned leak, but knowing you and your…ability to inspire an interesting sort of loyalty, I'm sure I won't even get close to finding your guy."
"Okay," she said simply, the corner of her lips curling up for what seemed like a nanosecond then it was gone.
"I'm sure you know what they found at the house?"
She nodded, "A disturbance, in the living room. They found it while searching the rest of the house?"
"Yeah, a disturbance on the rug," he nodded, "Discarded slippers and a tipped over vase of flowers found under one of the chairs."
"Like it rolled there when it fell," Kalinda nodded, "Then the water dried up, the rug was light…easy to miss."
"But lucky they didn't," he mumbled, "So this could mean there was something that happened…maybe prior to what happened or directly linked to it."
"Yes," she nodded then raised an eyebrow at him, "Your phone."
"What?"
"It's about to ring," as soon as she'd said it, his phone did just that, chirping to life in his hand and he gave her a glare before answering. She waited, checking her own phone while a few messages arrived as he spoke into his, firing rapid replies and finishing just as he hung up.
"Would it be wasting my breath if I tried to ask?" he grumbled, giving her a dirty look.
"Pretty much," she said, "That was the hospital?"
"Yeah, like you didn't know," he rolled his eyes, "So it wasn't a suicide. They found bruises on the chest, pressure points and the best guess they have is someone pushed heavily down on her lungs—positional asphyxia."
"There were bruises on her forearms too," Kalinda added, "Someone pinned her, if your theory is right, then whoever did it, put pressure on them, most likely with their legs."
De Luca nodded, "You rolling with me today, kid. Looks like we're chasing the same ghost and the way it looks, we pretty much have what the other has."
Kalinda couldn't help but smirk, "Sure about that?"
"Would you just get moving?" he growled, pointing to the door. "Get your car started, girly. I'm gonna let the kid partner wait out the lab results, they got the robe there…god knows what they'll get or d'you have the answers for that one too, oh wise and all knowing one?"
She smirked, heading out the door and out of the precinct.
-o0o-
"Here's another batch of files from Miss Lockhart's office."
Will's assistant, Kate, entered his office, placing a stack of folders onto his desk, next to the previous pile she'd already taken in. After sending off their latest client, Patrick Schering, Will had come to her desk, asking to contact Annie about a few case files from Diane's office. She wasn't sure what he was looking for but from the piles of folders he was searching through, he was pretty intent on finding something.
"Thanks," Will replied, distracted as he placed a folder aside and reached for another, "Tell Annie said thanks…and to please let me know if she finds out anything. Oh, and to let me know if she's reached Kurt McVeigh…"
Kate nodded, "She saw him last night and booked him in a hotel, as per your instruction. She hasn't heard from him yet, but she's on her way to check on him."
"Good, good," Will nodded, "He's not doing well right now, I want to make sure…" he stopped, then sighed, looking up at her with a tired look on his face. "Let me know?"
Kate nodded, "I will, but are you sure you don't need help? I can look, if you'd like…"
Will nodded, "Sure. There was a name Patrick mentioned in the meeting, a Steven Phelps…sounded familiar but I wasn't sure where I'd heard it before then I remembered Diane had a client named Phelps a few years ago."
She looked at the dates on the files, "That's a long time…more than ten years. Are you sure you're remembering this right?"
"Yeah," Will nodded, "Stern pawned it off on her and she handled it. I remember she was pissed about it, but I think she won." He rubbed the back of his neck, "I think it was assault."
Kate nodded then sat down on the visitor's chair across from him, "Okay, so Steven Phelps."
"Yeah," Will mumbled, "I'm not even sure if this is relevant, but we might end up using him as witness…if he was a client then we're going to need to make sure we get our facts straight."
"Avoiding conflict and shooting yourself in the foot," Kate nodded.
"Yeah," Will nodded as he went on looking. "Kalinda's out and we're getting her on Schering too, but I don't want her backlogged right now. Phelps should be here somewhere, I'll have to find it myself."
Kate nodded, "Annie's pretty organized. She took care of the filing of the old cases a while back so it should be here. If not, I'm sure I can check on the firm's archives."
Will nodded absently, "Thanks."
-o0o-
She was getting nowhere.
At least, in terms of the neighbors which really didn't surprise the private investigator all that much and as far as she knew, Kurt was lucky enough that someone could even verify his presence the night before. Posh as the neighborhood was, people were extremely private and partially paranoid too. Still, a part of her banked on someone being obsessive enough to set up cameras somewhere though from the way it looked, she was getting nowhere on that theory too.
Taking a step back on to the sidewalk, Kalinda looked around, eyeing Diane's house and as well as the one across from it and the ones next to hers. Those three would have at least gotten a good vantage point of anyone leaving the place, including whoever was responsible for attacking Diane if they had been there to see, but of course, they hadn't. It had been one of those quiet nights when everyone was either out already or was still on the way back and so far, she had nothing.
She had separated from De Luca when he'd gotten a call about his investigation. Last she'd seen him, the detective had been peeved but she couldn't blame him. People were leaning heavily on this case, having already attracted the news desks as well as the papers. By tomorrow, Diane's name would be on the papers and the stories would be coming out. She was actually surprised it had taken them this long, but she could credit that on discretion too as well as the current political hype surrounding the coming election for the State's Attorney's office.
Following the wake of Glenn Childs' dropping out of the race, people were pretty tuned in on the election. She was sure that should Diane's name come out in the papers, Alicia's would follow as well, if only for the association through the firm. Shaking her head at the vultures, she headed on out to her car, slipping in and sitting behind the wheel. She looked around the neighborhood again, surveying the windows.
She'd just been reaching to slip her key in the ignition before something caught her eye on the house next to the one right across from Diane's place. Her dark eyes squinted as she bent her head forward, looking closer until she realized just what exactly she was seeing.
The windows were lined with curtains, but from her vantage point, she could see a distinct small face peeking through the break in the fabric on the middle window on the second floor of the brownstone. She saw a glimpse of what could have been a toothy smile and the curtains fluttered again before the face disappeared.
Pulling her key back and slipping it into her jacket pocket, she got out of her car again, grabbing her small notebook and locking her doors. Making sure to check the roads before crossing, she hurried to the house across the street, intent on getting to the bottom of what she'd seen.
If what she was thinking was exactly what that was, she was sure she might have just stumbled on to something.
Kalinda could not help the ghostly smile that appeared on her features just as she reached the steps leading up to the doorstep of the house.
She knocked and waited.
-o0o-
Annie Clawson entered the room as quietly as she could.
The first thing she noticed was that the living area was as pristine as she had left it the night before. Immediately, she took that as a sign that the occupier of the room had not ventured into it. Adjusting her bag that was hanging on her shoulder, the petite brunette ventured further into the room, room key in hand. She glanced at the kitchen area and found it empty as well.
"Mr. McVeigh?" she called out, venturing into the hotel room further and heading for the bedroom. She had left the man there that night and from the way it looked, he managed to find the bedroom himself where she'd left his bag. She was glad, she'd been worried. He'd been a little out of it the night before to actually say much.
Coming to the door of the bedroom, she knocked three times, calling his name again only to find no answer. Nervous now and a little afraid, she knocked again only to receive silence once more. She took a deep breath before deciding to come in and reached for the handle.
And that exact same moment, the door swung open, taking her by surprise enough to make her let out a small scream, one hand pressed to her chest while the other over her mouth. With wide eyes, she stared at Kurt McVeigh, no longer dressed in scrubs but rather in the clothes he'd had in his bag. He stood there, clean shaven and put together and if she hadn't known him, she wouldn't have known something was wrong.
But she knew the man, not too well, but well enough to know he wasn't completely himself at the moment.
There was a certain dullness to his eyes and even as he stood properly, she could detect a slight drop in his shoulders and the stony set of his features. He was composed, but incredibly so in a way that he seemed almost like a statue and she couldn't blame him and was not surprised.
He was looking a lot more polished than the night before, but she could see the brittleness about him. It was an unusual look for the somewhat soft-spoken and reserved man and to Annie, it was like looking at an altogether different person.
"Mr. McVeigh," she breathed, smiling shakily. "I'm sorry to bother you, but Mr. Gardner said I should check on you and I wanted to make sure that you're okay too."
"I'm fine," he nodded, "Sorry for scaring you."
"You-you didn't," she said, "I was just…surprised."
He shrugged wordlessly and walked passed her, his bag in hand. Annie followed, glancing inside the room and finding it as clean as the night before, as if it hadn't been used. She glanced at the man, swallowing slightly before taking off after him.
"Uhm, Mr. McVeigh?" she called, following him as he kept on walking. "Are you checking out? Because this room was booked for at least three days and—"
"It's fine," he said, sounding almost hollow, "I'm going home. Thank you for…helping last night."
"What?" she echoed, catching him just as he reached the door, "I mean, you can stay, in fact, you should stay—please, the arrangements have been made and-and—"
"I have to go," he said simply, pulling the door open with barely a glance in her direction.
"Mr. McVeigh, please—"
He stopped, breathing in once before turning to face her, "I'm sorry, Miss Clawson, but I can't stay here…I'm going home, grabbing a few things and finding a place to stay somewhere else."
"But—"
"This isn't the best place," he said quietly, "Believe me, I'll be fine."
Annie watched him go, closing the door behind her, wondering what was going on. She sighed then followed, dialing for the number of her boss' usual driver under the firm's payroll. She followed him right into the elevator, thanking him when he held the doors for her and stood beside him, feeling awkward and confused. He didn't offer any further explanations and instead, continued standing in silence until they reached the ground floor. Ever the gentleman, he let her step off first before following and they both headed to the counter.
She processed the rest, insisting that she should because it was her job and he nodded, stepping back and waiting while she did, all the while wondering. She offered they wait for the car that would take him to where his was and they waited together. His silence continued while Annie did her work, what little of it there was at the moment, as discreetly as she could, making specific arrangements and checking for more places in the city.
When the car arrived, he slid in the back and she took the front, directing the driver where to go and watched as he sat behind her. He was a quiet man, she knew that, but she noticed the heaviness that pervaded him too. Everything was weighing down on him and Annie could not help but feel sorry for him, realizing just what he was going through, the grief and the pain this was all bringing him. She knew he cared deeply for her boss.
Glancing behind her and the hotel they were leaving behind, Annie looked up once more just in time to catch a glimpse of the logo at the top of the building.
Visible among the sky scrapers, the name Westin Hotel was visible even in the distance, the silver lettering glimmering in the afternoon sun.
Annie was good, especially concerning her work, but as she sat and watched the city go by, she had no idea just exactly why the man seemed intent on leaving the place. She chalked it up to grief and didn't dwell on the subject, as far as she knew, she was there to make this as easy for him as possible, knowing he was going through enough.
Behind her, she was oblivious to the memories running continuously in the older man's mind, memories of what had happened in that particular place. His face had grown even stonier as he sat still, one hand curled into a tight knuckle while the other held on to his phone.
Annie looked away, thinking she would never really know.