Chapter 8: Clues or Well, That's Interesting
I would like to say this, I give full credit to the genius of the writers and actors of CSI. I had just finished the CSI Season 1 episode "Blood Drops", the one where the boy kills the girl's entire family except the little girl who was really her daughter by her father because her dad had been raping her and the girl got her boyfriend to kill her family because he was coming onto her daughter. OMG, that was BLOODY AMAZING!!! I blame my sister for getting me addicted to CSI. I love the original and New York, Miami is shit. OMG, Grissim(?, god, I can't spell!) left!! Did anyone else feel like having a crying jag? I was SOOO pissed after I that episode. Whoa, major off topic!!
Anyway, Bitchy Phoenix was modeled after Lieutenant Eve Dallas from the J. D. Robb "In Death" books(One of the best series EVER!!!! Roarke=DROOL!! I want one!) and Surreal from the Black Jewels Books(Another BLOODY AMAZING SERIES!!!! Daemon=UBER DROOL!!!!!!!) Pukey Phoenix is courtesy of my sister when she was pregnant. :D
Kiss kiss,
Annie
Disclaimer: I own only what Rowling doesn't. :P
Songs:
Smooth(featuring Rob Thomas) by Santana-For the Hell of it
Saturday, October 15, 2011, 2940 38th St. Apartment 202, NYC, NY, America
"What are we doing?!" Phoenix snarled, pacing the floor of her apartment. Ian watched as she started muttering to herself, growling as she glared at the crime scene photos. "We have no leads, no suspects. It's almost as if the murderer is made of smoke. It can't be a wizard, we would have found more magical residue. The magical couple next door can account for every trace we found. But, come on! It shouldn't be this hard!" She paused and Ian sat up straight as a by now familiar expression of nausea passed over her face.
"Babe, you okay?" he asked, going to her side and rubbing her back. Phoenix nodded.
"I'm fine. I took a potion earlier, I've never been able to keep it down without a struggle."
"What potion?" he asked warily.
"A calming potion, for my stomach. Merlin, whatever bug this is, it's really annoying!"
"Phoenix...I think you should go see a healer. You've been sick for two weeks. I'm worried about you. I'm not violating the rules!" he said quickly before she got upset. That was one of the conditions of their relationship. He didn't stick his nose in anything that didn't have to do with him, she didn't object when another girl tried to flirt with him and both were able to use the other for wild, crazy intense sex.
"I'm fine, Ian," she assured him. "I sometimes catch these viruses, I just need to take a few potions and I'll be good as new."
"Okay, if you say so." He kissed her nose and picked up his jacket. "I need to run a few errands. Need anything?"
"Nope. See ya later." She blew him a kiss and waved goodbye. As soon as she heard the 'vette roared out of the parking lot, she hurried into the bathroom, locking the door and lifted the concealing charm on the boxes she had bought yesterday. Pregnancy Test. She carefully read the instructions and followed them to the letter. As she sat on the floor waiting for the timer to go off, she tried to organize her thoughts.
If, on the very slim chance she was pregnant, how would Ian react? She didn't want to raise a child by herself, but at the same time, she didn't want to burden Ian with having to pay child support for a child he didn't want. But, it wasn't likely she was pregnant, the only time they had never used protection and contraceptive potions was their first time. She smiled and rubbed the gold bracelet on her right wrist. It was simple, plain gold with a single diamond, small and tastefully, dangling from the chain. Her name was etched on the inside with her birthday. Ian had given it to her as the sun was coming up the day after her birthday. She smiled when she remembered the lieutenant's face when they had come in that morning, hung over and sated.
Bring, bring, bring!!
The alarm startled her out of her musings. Gathering her courage, she picked up the stick. A blue dot stared up at her, mocking her. She dropped it and put her head in her hands. Damn, damn, DAMN!
***
Saturday, October 15, 2011, Tiffany's, NYC, NY America
Ian smiled at the girl who come to greet him, inside grinding his teeth in fury.
"Why Jade, I didn't know you worked here," he drawled, keeping his eyes on her's, his casual posture and words warring with the stern look in his eyes. She smiled back, a dazzling smile that had charmed America but hid an ugly soul.
"Ian, darling," she cooed, holding out her hands to take his, pouting when he didn't take them. "What are you here for?"
"A ring," he said, knowing that news of his purchase would be in the 7 o'clock news. After all, how many British millionares who work NYPD murder squad are there in New York? He was known as a bit of a party boy, not so much since Phoenix became his partner, but any gossip on him was welcome in the trash magazines.
Jade's dazzling smile didn't fade, but her summer blue eyes sharpened. "A ring, Ian? Don't be so vague, dearling, please elaborate. What kind of ring?"
"An engagement ring," he said smoothly, turning to examine a case of jewelry nearby. "Simple, elegant, something that won't get in the way during a hard day's work, but will suit a millionare's wife."
"I see." She tapped her lips with a red lacquered nail, tossing her jet black hair over her shoulder. "I think I can find something like that. Come with me."
She lead him to a case full of rings. Most, Ian immediately dismissed as to gaudy, big or to small. He pointed to four. "Show me those."
"Of course." She pulled out the rings, letting him examine them. Two were solitaries, one in platinum and one white gold. The other two held three gems, both one-carret diamonds, a yellow gold flanked by peridots and another platinum flanked with rubies. He examined the three gems, debating.
He put on a charming smile and turned to an old lady who was examining brooches nearby.
"Excuse me," he said, bowing slightly. "Could you help me?"
"Of course, young man," she said, smiling at him. "What can I do for you?"
"I am looking for a ring for my girlfriend," he said, leading her over to the counter where Jade was standing, a fake smile frozen in place. "I think all of them are beautiful, but I need an unbiased eye. Can you help?"
"Well, let me see." She examined all four rings, taking her time. Ian waited patiently while Jade fidgited occasionally. Finally she looked up.
"I agree, they are all beautiful. Tell me, is she light skinned?"
"Yes, skin like porcelian with hair like a dying fire and eyes like amber," Ian told her, his smile softening as he described Phoenix. The lady smiled.
"Ah, new love is a beautiful thing," she said happily. "I remember it. Now, another question, what does she do? Does she work at a desk, or does she use her hands?"
"We are both police officers," he said, eyes lightening up. "We work homicide and she has solved more cases then the lieutenant knows what to do with."
"I see. Well, since you will get a matching band and with your complexion, silver would be better, the white gold. But, maybe one with other stones in addition to the diamond?"
"We have one like that," Jade piped up, feeling like she should take command of the situation. "It just came in. White gold, diamond and emerald. One-caret and quarter-carets."
"Can we see it?" Ian asked. Jade nodded and disappeared her for a moment then came back with a tray of rings.
"Here it is." She picked up a sparkling diamond and emerald ring. Ian nodded.
"It's perfect."
The old lady smiled. "The love feels wonderful now, young man, but keep a sharp eye out. Things come in life that will test it and push you to the edge. Cling fast to the one you love and you will get through it, I promise." Before he could say anything, she turned and walked out.
Ian stared after her before turning back to Jade. "I'll take it."
***A/N: Might I add that Draco has WAY better taste than Colin? I mean, Colin gave her silver and diamonds, DRACO is giving her white gold, diamonds and EMERALDS. Take that, Colin!!***
***
Friday, October 21, NYPD Homicide HQ
"Well, what do you have for me?" Lieutenant Secora asked when Ian and Phoenix reported to him.
"Nothing. This bloody man is better than anyone I've every researched," Phoenix grumbled, rolling her eyes. "Sergeant Malfoy and I are working on it. I am persuing a new angle and need some more time to figure it out before I present it."
"Alright. Next report due next week. Dismissed."
"So, what's this new angle?" Ian asked when they were safely inside their cubicle. Since his accident, they had combined their cubicles to one big space, first to Ian could manuever more easily then they had just kept it like the because it was easier.
"I think I know what is going on," she said. She made sure that no one was nearby then waved her wand at her corkboard, which was overflowing with notes from the case. They rearranged themselves into a more coherent design, most of the notes disappeared leaving an organized collage of photos. The photos of the victims were lined up in a specific order. The top left photo was of the first murder, the little girl with the label two years old. Underneath was the boy from the first murder, labelled four years old. The mother and father were under their children, with twenty-seven years old and twenty-eight years old respectively. The next column was the second family. The girl in this picture was three years old, the boy five and the parents 28 and 29. The third family were aged 4, 6, 29 and 30. The fourth were each a year older, 5, 7, 30 and 31. "Look. What do you see?"
"I see a bunch of pictures with the ages of the victims at the time of death. What are you trying to show me?"
"Okay, let me show you something else." She pulled out a notepad and scribbled down a few names and number before turning it over to him.
Lily Potter, age 1 DOD. Age today if alive: 5
James Potter, age 3 DOD. Age today if alive: 7
Blanche Potter, age 26 DOD. Age today if alive: 30
Harry Potter, age 27 DOD. Age today if alive: 31
Young female victims: ages 2, 3, 4, 5.
Young male victims: ages 4, 5, 6, 7.
Female victims: ages 27, 28, 29, 30.
Male victims: ages 28, 29, 30, 31
"Do you see it?" she asked. Ian looked up at her, trying to find a way to tell her it might just be circumstance. "I know, it's far fetched, but I think I'm right. I have this feeling, in my gut, that I am. I think, who ever killed Harry and his family, is killing them over and over again, each a year older."
"But, Gallagher...after so long? Do you really think that is going to hold up in front of Secora?"
"I still have friends in the MoM," she argued. "I bet I could get the records from the Potter's murder. If I can prove that, then I bet I could narrow down the pool! Come on, Ian, think about it!"
He was silent for several minutes. weighing the odds. Finally, he sighed and nodded.
"Alright, but if it doesn't hold up...we will start using my methods, okay?"
She smiled and nodded. "Deal."
*********************
A/U: Hey, any ideas for the kids name? I am still leaning towards Eiren for a girl and Cade for a boy. Let me know!
Kiss kiss,
Annie
