A/N: How's 2013 treating y'all so far? And I must say, it seems that everyone prefers Williams over Clayton. Guess you guys like the chirpy one, eh?


October 14 2013, Friday. 2.48 pm.

Boston Police Department.

"What the Hell is wrong with you, Burton? I've told you very clearly to bring us whatever mail you receive. But why didn't you? "

"I- I'm sorry! I just... I just panicked..." He said, flustered, handcuffs restricting the movements of his shackled hands. They rattled nonstop. "But you have to help me, sir, you have to get me out of here! Malcolm could die any minute! I need to save my son!"

"You should've thought about this before you got arrested with over 500 grams of heroin on you, Andrei," I said, sighing. "Where did you stash the rest of the Origami figures?"

"I rented a room at the motel around Johnson Avenue. They're in a shoebox in the closet," he said dryly.

"I'll go talk to a few people, see what I can do. Meanwhile, you stay here and do some thinking, Andrei."

The man raised his hands again, the handcuffs rattling once more. "I'm not going anywhere."

I left the interrogation room and headed to Charles' desk, where he and Williams were seated.

"How'd it go?" Charles asked.

"Burton's stashed the instructions at the motel near Johnson Avenue. Charles, I need you to go get them for me."

"Sure thing," he said, immediately taking his keys and rushing off.

Williams arched an eyebrow. "And what are we going to do?"

"We are going to have a little chat with Payne, get him to release Burton."

She smiled, amused. We started walking towards the captain's office. "You're going to need a lot of convincing and diplomacy, Lieutenant. No offense, but I don't really think that's up your alley."

"And why do you think I let you stick around, Williams?" I said, smirking.

"Ah... Well played, Lieutenant."

We were now just outside of Payne's office.

"Work your magic, Madam Diplomat."


The conversation so far turned out to be less than pleasant.

"Andrei Burton made a mistake, he broke the law and became a criminal. Criminals belong in jail. Period."

"He committed the act under duress, sir," Williams said.. "He was trying to save his son."

"With all due respect, Captain, Andrei Burton was set up and you know it!" I declared angrily. I was running out of patience. "The killer sent those drugs to Burton, told him to strap them on and go to Jefferson Alley, then tipped off Vice that a drug deal was going on at Burton's location."

His tone turned low. "What are you trying to say, Lieutenant? That I'm actually helping the Origami Killer?"

"No, I'm saying that you're punishing a father for trying to save his son!"

"Lieutenant," Williams warned. "I apologise for Lieutenant Grant, Captain Payne. We have all been a little stressed out trying to close the case. However... it would be disastrous should the media know of your decision to stop Andrei Burton from saving his son..."

"Is that a threat, Agent Williams? " he hissed.

"Of course not, Captain, I will never do that," she said in a perfectly innocent tone. I couldn't help but smile a little. "But it is quite obvious that the killer wants Burton to prove his love for his son through his arrest."

"Explain."

"Simple, the plan was to have Burton arrested. If Burton truly loved his son, he would resist arrest or possibly even find a way to escape custody. If he fails, Malcolm dies. Now imagine the uproar that would happen should this information get leaked out to the public, Captain..." she said suggestively.

"Then what do you suggest, Williams?" the captain asked, through gritted teeth.

"Broadcast Burton's arrest. Make it high profile, as big as it can get. We wait for a couple of hours, then announce that he's escaped the station."

"Meanwhile, we'll use that time to go through all the killer's clues and work out of a plan with Burton," I added.

He glared at me. I smiled.

Scumbag.

After a few minutes of pregnant silence, he said, "I'll do what I have to, and you two do yours. But I'm warning you, Lieutenant, you tread a thin line. Any slip-ups and you're turning in your gun and badge. Am I clear?"

"Crystal."

"Now excuse yourselves, I have duties to fulfill."

Williams and I existed the room without a word.

She heaved a sigh of relief as we worked our way towards the interrogation room. "You nearly got us killed in there, Lieutenant."

"Hey, what'd you expect?" I said a little defensively. "I wasn't going just run around in circles with some pencil-pusher while a kid was drowning in rainwater."

"Can we please not use the past tense? Malcolm Burton is still alive."

"Fine. But I'm telling you Williams, Payne's got so much red tape up his ass, he's forgotten what a cop should do."

She thought for awhile. "I don't know if I would've done it differently..."

I stopped in my tracks. "Are you seriously saying that?"

"He's not just an ordinary cop anymore, you have to understand that," she explained. "Your job is to catch crooks. His job is to keep the media's attention on him so that you guys can perform your tasks more efficiently."

We'd reached the room, but stopped short at the door.

"Gee. Remind me to buy him flowers later," I said, resuming our journey to the interrogation room.

"You really should try to be nice, Lieutenant."

"Says that person that threatened the Captain just now." She punched me in the arm. "But still... nice work in there, Williams. Couldn't have done it without you."

"Thanks, Lieutenant," she said, mildly surprised. "That's the nicest thing you've ever said to me so far."

"I didn't mean it."

"Oh, you did, Lieutenant, yes you did."

"You'd wish.''

We laughed. I opened the door. My smile vanished, but for another reason as I took in the view of the room. I stood rooted at the doorway.

"Shit."

"What?"

"Burton's gone."


A/N: Uh oh, where did Andy go? :P