Chapter Seven

Marcia wakes and it is as it has been for days, no light do to the covering over her eyes. She starts to struggle with the bindings, Karen can hear her, and both women try in a vain effort to move their heads and extremities. Muffled screams are heard as each woman hears the door open. He's coming back, they think and they try to scream the word, NO! However, once again it is futile. The footsteps on the stairs, footsteps, more than one set, once again muffled screams. The only light in the room is switched on, Marcia's blindfold is removed, and she sees before her a woman with short dark blonde hair and a sweet caring smile, "Marcia Hirsch," Marcia only nods, "I'm Alex."

Karen's blindfold is removed and she sees a tall man, yes but with dark hair and warm brown eyes, she smiles under the tape that is across her mouth. "Karen McDonnell," he removes the tape.

"Thank God." she says with a raspy voice.

"No, I'm Bobby," her eyes light up as she smiles and he smiles in return.

Later that Day

Press Conference

Captain Deakins stands to the left and Captain Cragen to the right of the police commissioner, "We have apprehended the man who abducted Marcia Hirsch and Karen McDonnell," the commissioner says, with a twinge of excitement in his voice. "He is also responsible for the horrific beatings of Claire Olsen, Alessa Ippolito and Savannah Torres. His name," he pauses as flashes from cameras are pointing at his face. "Todd Christopher Schroeder, he is 40 years old. He was born in Brooklyn and lives there still. Detectives from the Major Case Squad and Special Victims worked many, many long hours to discover the identity of this culprit."

1PP

Holding Cell

"We found them Todd and they are going to be fine, physically anyway," Bobby says as he walks up to the cell where Todd has spent the last few hours. "They are a little malnourished and will be in need of a fantastic therapist because of you." Bobby stares at the still form on the cot, "Did you hear what I said, you selfish son of a bitch."

"Don't you want to know why?" Todd asks as he removes his tired body from the cot.

"I know why Todd and believe it or not I understand, you were weak."

"You know what, Bobby? I don't care anymore, no one ever gave a fuck about me, why should I…."

Bobby bangs on the cell door, causing Todd to take a step back, "Cut the crap, don't give me that poor abused kid shit, a lot of kids are abused, physically," he pauses to take a long cleansing breath, "As well as emotionally."

Todd puffs out his chest as he stands, most of the time when he does he towers over people, but not this time, his chest quickly deflates. "You're mom ever stick your arm on the stove, or use you to get extra money because her boyfriend wanted a little more excitement."

"No, I said I understood Todd that's all." Bobby leans his shoulder against the door, "My ole man was a great magician."

"What?"

"He had a great way of making me disappear."

Todd turns his back and places it against the bars, "Never knew my father, I'll bet Lois didn't know who he was either."

"You had choices to make Todd and you fucked up."

"I know, I….they made me so angry, their voices the way they talked down to people, I lost it."

"I'm not the one to talk to about an insanity defense."

"I didn't," Todd turns to face Bobby who has his back turned against the bars, "I'm not saying that, I just want people to know why, all I could think about when I was with them was, it's my turn to finally get what I want." Todd once again turns his back to the bars and slides down, slowly. He sits on the floor, and then pulls his legs up to his chest, "You're right Bobby, I am selfish and weak."

"They will be coming soon to take you to Rikers."

Todd hears footsteps walking away from him, "Will you visit me?" Todd asks as he turns his head to face, his long ago roommate.

Bobby nods his head as he slips his hands into his pockets, "Sure," he reaches for the door knob, "Watch your back Todd."

Alex begins a search of her missing partner; Deakins notices this and inquires, "Alex, have you lost something?"

"Yes Captain, my partner."

"Did he say anything about Todd to you?"

"No," she shakes her head, "Not yet."

Deakins and Alex scan the large room and their eyes focus on the missing man, he is in the visitors office, turning a paper cup filled with coffee in his hands. He never raises his head when he hears the door open, "What are you doing in here?" No answer from him, Alex takes a few steps closer. Deakins is on her heels, "Bobby," she places her hand on his arm, nudging him gently, "Are, are you alright?"

He can feel their stare, they don't ask the question but he knows they want to. He smiles into the cup then lifts it to his lips, taking one quick sip from the lukewarm beverage. "He was seven and I was nine, we spent seven days together in a hospital room." He says in a monotone voice, trying to distance himself from the event. "Todd was there because of the burns on his arm." He sits up and slowly slides the cup across the table. "My parents were having a fight and Mom picked up a glass ashtray to throw at my Dad," he shrugs his shoulders, "Well it missed him and hit me in the head and I fell back into the kitchen counter. When I woke up in the hospital the kid next to me was Todd." He looks up at the faces of two people who usually don't have a problem expressing what they are thinking, "Freaky, huh?"

Alex pulls out one of the four chairs in the room and sits down next to Bobby, "Definitely."

"He remembered you," Deakins say as he too mimics Alex's previous movements, "He might not have confessed to anything if it wasn't for you."

"I don't know about that," Bobby sits back in the chair stretching his legs under the table, "But I know one thing for sure, he wasn't going to stop until someone stopped him."

A comforting silence fills the room if only for a minute. "They sent him home to his mother?" Alex asks as her voice cracks.

"Yes, my mother was mentally ill and his was," he uses his fingers to make quote slashes, "Normal and look how he turned out." Bobby scrubs his face with his hands, "He whimpered."

"What?" Alex and Deakins say simultaneously.

Bobby continues, "He would whimper, no." Bobby slaps the table with his, "He would cry in his sleep every night."

The ringing cell phone startles the trio, "Damn," Deakins says. He stands as he flips open the phone, "Excuse me," he says. Bobby and Alex nod. Opening the door, he answers his call, "Deakins," the door closes softly behind him.

"I did too a few times and this nurse, she always seemed to show up when one of us started. She would gently wake us and say no one is going to hurt us here that we were safe, it was as if she was there for the sole purpose of comforting us." He shakes his head, "Never saw her in the day time, only when it got dark and scary."

"That is so sweet she must have been a remarkable women."

"Yeah," he smiles not only remembering his recent dreams about her but for her gentle touch and sweet voice, he whispers, "Pleasant dreams Bobby." He clears his throat fully aware that Alex heard the words, "I did, every night after she came into the room." Bobby picks up the empty cup of coffee and tosses it into the trash. "Alex?"

"Yes Bobby."

"Ever know of a nurse who works six nights in a row at a hospital?"

"No," she leans forward. "Who was she?"

"I'm not sure, you know," he crosses his arm across his chest. "I can remember all that she did," he sits back in the chair. "But I can't, when Todd said that he couldn't remember what she looked like I have been trying all day to recall her face, I can't."

Alex's phone rings, she hesitates before opening it. Bobby smiles as he uncrosses his arms, "Go ahead, maybe it's your niece," he leans forward "Reminding you that it is her birthday tomorrow."

Alex frowns, "How did you know that?"

"I heard you talking to her yesterday."

She pats his arm as she stands, "Thanks, you're sweet." Alex answers the call and it is her niece, "Hi honey," she reaches for the doorknob. Alex leaves the room closing the door softly behind her.

Bobby laughs aloud as he feels a presence in the room, "Hey Earl."

.That is all for now….