Hey, guys! I haven't updated in a few days, but here is chapter seven. C: I'm glad you guys all liked the waiter; I was hoping that wasn't too obnoxious. XD Also, I just realized in my last chapter, I mentioned that Halia didn't like the sloth toy, and accidentally had them buy that one; I meant for them to buy the cat toy, so there'd be a cat and a horse... yeah. xD

Also, I'm going to start putting review replies at the end now, just to make it cleaner-looking. C: Oh, and I apologize that this chapter is really short, but it's more of a transition chapter; big things are yet to come. C:

On a somewhat-unrelated topic... I'M PROBABLY GOING TO PSEO IN PSYCHOLOGY NEXT YEAR. My school is finally letting us online PSEO with a local private college, and intro to psychology was on the list. :D My schedule will be jam-packed, but hopefully I don't die! ^_^ xD

ANYWAYS... Thanks to everyone for their reviews, and enjoy this chapter!


Chapter Seven - New Information

Mal and I quickly packed up the stroller, situated Halia in her car seat, and drove over to the precinct. Upon arrival, Mal carried Halia up the steps, pausing to let me open the door before proceeding in. We were immediately greeted by the uneasy faces of Jeremy and Blaise. The other officers in the precinct exchanged nervous chatter, every head turning to look at us as we walked in. We walked up to Jeremy and Blaise, questioning looks on our faces.

"What's up with everyone?" Mal asked quietly, glancing around at the room full of officers. Blaise opened her mouth to speak, but Jeremy stopped her.

"You should just go see Amy and Kai," Jeremy suggested gently. "They're down in the lab."

"We can take Halia for a minute," Blaise added. I nodded and Mal gently handed her to Blaise, tensely thanking them before turning and heading towards the lab, Mal at my side. We walked down the stairs to the lab, meeting an anxious-looking Amy and a for-once-in-his-life silent Kai. Amy sat in front of a computer monitor with Kai reading over her shoulder. Both of their head's immediately snapped up when Mal and I entered.

"Hi, guys," Amy greeted solemnly. Kai simply nodded at us, oddly silent.

"Hey Amy, Kai; what's up?" I asked. Amy and Kai exchanged apprehensive glances before Amy stood, walking over to us as Kai followed. Wordlessly, Amy motioned us over to where her and Kai sat.

I exchanged a quick questioning glance with Mal before we obeyed, walking over to the monitor and leaning over it. Amy rapidly keyed some form of a code into a password bar. A screen with a mugshot of a tall, athletic-looking man. The name 'Craig Daxell' was in boldface font at the top of the page. Amy scrolled down, highlighting a chunk of text with the computer's mouse. I quickly read it, and my heart nearly stopped. I read it again in disbelief, then looked up at Mal. His face had drained of color, and he stared back at me in astonishment. I suddenly felt like I was going to fall over, so I quickly grabbed the back of Amy's chair. She glanced up at us, worry clear in her eyes. Kai avoided our gazes, awkwardly examining a pen he was holding.

Highlighted on the screen was a chunk of text including two familiar school names: Sunrise Elementary and North Beach Highschool.

Stuttering, I tried to make sense of it all. "I... are you... oh my God. Oh my God. This is..."

"... The same guy," Mal finished, locking his horrified gaze with mine.

That was the same man responsible for the Sunrise Elementary shootings. That was the same man who murdered my daughter.

"Damn," was all Mal could mutter. I staggered over to a chair next to Amy, shakily running a hand through my hair.

"How?" I finally managed. "How the hell... oh my God." It was apparent that I could not form a coherent sentence any longer.

"There were two of them at the Sunrise shooting: Craig and his twin brother, Jack Daxell. We caught Jack the first time around, but nobody ever suspected that there was two of them. Craig resumed a normal life, as nobody had any reason to suspect him of anything; guilt by association isn't logical, after all, and we would have no evidence to charge him, anyways. Why Craig did it again, I'm not sure; but we know for sure it was just him this time, and he's behind bars, serving thirty-five-to-life." Mal and I said nothing, and the room dropped into a tense, paralyzed silence.

"I know it was your guys' day off," Amy began, "And I'm so sorry I had to rain on the parade, but-"

"It's okay, Amy," I said quickly. "Don't worry about it; we would've had to know at some point." Amy nodded and looked away.

"You two should go home for the night," Amy suggested gently. Mal and I nodded.

"I think we will," Mal sighed.

"Thanks for the info, Amy and Kai," I added. They both nodded and forced small smiles.

"No problem," Amy said, waving as we turned and left the room. We slowly walked back up the stairs, greeted by a quiet precinct. Most of the officers avoided our gaze as we walked past. Blaise silently handed Halia back to Mal, and I forced a 'thank you' smile in return.

"Mal and I are going home for the night," I said to Blaise and Jeremy. "Mal should be in tomorrow." We said quick goodbyes before heading back to Mal's car. Abandoning plans for further errands, Mal drove home in tense silence. Halia fell asleep in the car, so we put her in her crib for a nap. Emerging from her bedroom, Mal and I collapsed on the couch.

"Wanna talk about it?" he asked tiredly.

"Not right now," I sighed.

He nodded knowingly and heaved a sigh of relief. "Good, 'cause neither do I." I laughed lightly in response, and Mal idly flipped on the TV. He flipped past news reports of the North Beach shooting, finally leaving it on some horrible sitcom. Mal fell asleep within minutes, and I only half-watched, beginning to feel my eyelids wanting to close. Eventually I gave in, and fell asleep leaning on Mal.


Review replies:

The Beautiful Filth - Thank you! I'm glad you found that amusing. XD

NiekaWow - Thank you so much! Yes, so did I... perhaps because Mario is Italian. XD Thanks again, Nieka!

DizzyRedhead - Interesting theory, Hazel. XD Thank you, though! My dad actually gave a one-cent tip to a horrible waiter one time... XD

Long Live Oblivion - Hahaha, thank you so much! I know I've said this before, but I'll say it again: Your reviews always make my day! I'm really glad you liked it! Regarding reviews, I love them! Yours definitely aren't too long. (: Better go do your school work! (; Thanks again, Kizzy!

mozzi-girl- Thanks for the review, Molly! Hope you like this chapter. C:

HopelessRomantic1994 - Thank you, Jade! Glad you're liking it so far! :D