This is a HUGE chapter, one that I think you guys really deserve after having waited so long.
.
This is so you'll know the sound
Of someone who loves you from the ground
Tonight you're not alone at all
This is me sending out my satellite call
May was nearly over, and that meant so was school. The burden of school work was finally off her shoulders and with it, more time for cases, and more time to relax. She joined work full time, but it still allowed her a good balance. Life was great. For a while.
Etheldrea didn't work on Friday's or Saturday and when she had been working part time she often had a few times where she was sent home early. So when her phone went off Friday morning, very early Friday morning, to call her in she was worried.
She dressed quickly, pulling on a long sleeved white blouse and jeans. She'd change into her uniform at work like always, although she hoped she'd have the time. As she walked out her door, she grabbed a couple bobby pins and pinned her hair back.
John was just getting up, making tea and rubbing his eyes. The TV played in the background, a crying man and woman.
"Please, if you have her-"
Tuning it out, he watched her dash into the bathroom where she brushed her teeth in record time and then hurried to put on her shoes.
"I've been called in today." She said as he watch her, confused, "I'm not sure why. Robinson said to get there quickly."
John said sleepily, "Alright. Maybe today's your day, a big case. Stay safe. Love you."
She had been at the door when she stopped and turned to him, looking puzzled. He blinked, realized what he said and then shook his head.
"Sorry. That was weird. Wasn't it? That was weird."
She smiled, walked up to him, and kissed his cheek, "I love you too."
Then she was out the door and on her way.
The moment she walked into Scotland Yard, she knew something big was going on. People were rushing everywhere, multiple on phone, others aggressively typing on their computers. As luck would have it, Sally Donovan passed by and saw.
She gestured to follow her and said, "Board room, now."
Etheldrea nodded and walked after her. A few doors down the hall, most of the Investigative teams on the floor were gathered. She saw Lestrade, and Michaels, and then Robinson was pulling her arm over to a group of other constables.
"You're just in time."
"What's going on?" Etheldrea asked.
"There's been a kidnapping. Larson's case, but they've only just found out it's connected to a few others that's happen in the past three months."
"Really? Are we part of the case too?"
"Not really, Collins told me we're supposed to be doing our regular jobs today and that it might take a while. Depending on how the case goes, they might call for us to be at the scene or do damage control."
Etheldrea nodded, "Great. What are we doing here then?"
"They haven't released the girl's information yet, but pay attention, they're about to."
Etheldrea looked to the front of the room where Larson himself was standing and calling for everyone's attention. On a board behind him were pictures of someone's house, and a young girl's school photo. Pale skin with freckles, big brown eyes, and strawberry blonde hair.
He pointed towards that picture, "This is Lauren Delilah, age eleven. She was last seen walking to school when an unlicensed car picked her up. It is believed that she knew this person, or that she believed her family knew this person as video shows she wasn't forced in. All attempts to trace the car are still being looked at, but so far have been inconclusive. The suspect is completely unknown at this point, and while several witnesses have come forward there has been no clear description."
Etheldrea muttered to herself, "So we're basically looking for a ghost."
"In six hours, unless no major developments have happened, I want everyone back here for another meeting. By then we hope to know more about suspect."
Everyone began to clear the room and Etheldrea followed Rachel to the lockers. As she usually did, she ignored the other girls around her and thought about the following day. If she could just get in on the case, she could help find the girl faster.
A locker slammed shut next to her, "Stop it."
She looked up at the speaker, Rachel, who was glaring at her fiercely.
"Sorry?"
"Don't even think about it. You are not getting involved."
"Who said I was?"
"Your face."
"I'm not an open book."
"You really are. Now stop thinking and start working."
Etheldrea shook her head, "I am working. Do you know the statistics? Seventy-four percent of abduction cases have a tragic end. This child's stats are only going up. Average age for girls? Eleven and Twelve. Now if this is the same abductor of those other girls, we're even higher and remember he killed those girls. Ninety-nine percent of abducted children who are killed die within the first twenty four hours, seventy – five in the first three, and forty four in the first hour. That sounds bad, but if we follow the theory of the same abductor, evidence has found that those girls were killed after two days. I could find her, if they just let me-"
"NO!"
Rachel winced and looked around, and then leaned in closer to her. She whispered, "No, absolutely not. That is the worst possible thing you can do and no one would let you to begin with. Can you not comprehend the amount of shit we went through after your father's death? How much we are still going through? Imagine what would happen if this time it was you? You would lose your job, and probably so would everyone on this team and the team that allows you to work on this. We are guards at most today, we will not be doing any investigation what so ever. Do you understand?"
Etheldrea spoke through clenched teeth, "You want me to stand around and wait while an innocent girl is killed?"
"No, I'm saying that this is not your job. You are not part of Larson's team, and you will not be the one to find her. He will. You've been working here both employed and unemployed for years, do you really doubt us that much?"
Etheldrea frowned, thinking. She had been working here nearly five months and had become more social with the other members of the Yard. She remembered the regular officers she had seen when her dad was around, and his influence on her had been none too kind. But after working with them, meeting others and actually trying to work on being a team member, she had learned a few things and grown up a bit more.
She said, "No. Not as much as I used to."
Rachel smiled, a real, honest to god smile that Etheldrea didn't know she was capable of.
"Good. Now let's go, we're taking too much time as it is."
They left the lockers and reported to Sargent Collins who was telling everyone where to go. The two girls were to follow their regular routine, walking around London and stopping fights and helping anyone they needed to. And they were nearly out the door, but then Michaels walked up and stopped them.
"There's been an incident and we need more officers to guard the scene. Robinson, Holmes, you're joining me." He told them.
"What's happened?" Robinson asked.
He leaned in close to them and whispered, "We're not letting this out just yet, we need time to prepare, alright. Lauren's parents have been killed."
Etheldrea tried following Larson onto the scene, but Rachel grabbed her arm and pulled her back.
"We talked about this, remember?" she hissed.
Etheldrea growled back, "Yes, but that doesn't mean I can't help."
"You're helping by keeping civilians away from the scene. Come on."
With a silent groan and last glance towards the front door, she walked with Rachel to the front of the yellow tape. They, along with a couple other officers, pushed people along who tried to stare too long and reporters who tried to get in on the action. That was their job for now, and it went smoothly. Until Etheldrea recognized a face.
A woman and reporter, with short red hair and ice cold eyes. A mole was prominent just near the corner of her mouth. Etheldrea hadn't met her in person, but her father had. She was responsible for the frame work the media had done on Sherlock. Kitty Riley.
Etheldrea walked towards Rachel, keeping her head down.
"The woman with the red hair, get her as far away from here as you can."
"Why?"
"She's the one who began the smear campaign against my dad. If she recognizes me, how do you think this will play out?"
Rachel nodded, "Go talk to Michaels for a bit, she'll be gone in no time."
Etheldrea turned her back and walked towards her boss. He was talking with Larson but as luck would have it, he walked away and back into the scene leaving Michaels alone. He saw her approach and motioned her closer.
"Holmes, walk with me for a moment."
"Sorry to bother you sir-"
"No, you're just the person I needed to see. Is there something you need?"
"Just a moment for Rachel to distract a reporter. It would be best if she didn't see me."
"Alright, good. Stop here."
He stopped her and faced her towards him. They were a few feet from the missing girl's house, just in front of the doorway. Etheldrea almost dared to look behind him, just to see a glimpses of a glance of the scene. But she didn't.
He looked her in the eye, and asked quietly, "What I'm about to do is strictly forbidden, so we best keep this our secret, understood? What do you see?"
She asked, bewildered, "Sir?"
"The scene, the parent's, what do you see? I can't get you in closer, but anything you can tell me would fantastic. I've been talking with Larson, and we're nowhere near catching this bastard. HE knows we're on to him, and Lauren's chances are sliming. Can you tell me anything about this guy?"
Etheldrea looked past him, towards the scene. She could see just past the front door that lead to the living room. There was a body on the ground partially blocked by a wall. There was a dark puddle, blood, surrounding it. IT was the dad, but that was all she could see. She needed to be closer, to examine.
She shook her head, "I'm sorry, I can't."
"What about this. They found the dad just before he died. His last words were 'She doesn't love. You know.' Do you know what he could have meant?"
She shook her head again, "I'm sorry, I don't have enough information."
"I understand. If I could get you in closer I would."
Etheldrea nodded and started to turn back, but then she had an idea. She grabbed Michaels attention again.
"When are they bringing the bodies for a coroner's report?"
"Not for a while."
"Could you get them to a specific mortuary?"
"Perhaps." He crossed his arms, "What are you thinking?"
She smirked, "I have a friend who I think could help. If you can get them to her, leave the rest to me. If I'm caught, you'll have no trouble on your hands, it'll all be on mine."
"I'm not going to let you jeopardize your position, Holmes."
"And I'm not going to let this little girl die. She's lost her parent's, she doesn't need to lose her life."
Michaels sighed, "Who is she?"
"Molly Hooper at St. Bartholomew. She used to help us, a lot."
"I'll see what I can do."
"Thank you, sir."
She was about to go back to her job but another thought flashed through her mind.
"Inspector, why are you doing this? Why do you believe in me?"
He looked around, observing everyone who was working and then turned back to her with a smile.
"More people believe in you than you think, though you might not see it today."
She smiled back, "Thank you, sir."
Etheldrea was standing, watching people go by and officers rush around. They were preparing to bring the bodies away. She glanced towards the house and caught Inspector Michaels eye. He simply nodded and then turned back to his work. Everyone was preparing to head back to the Yard. A recap meeting was going to happen, and then it would be back their regular duties while the search continued.
However Etheldrea wouldn't be doing that. She knew exactly what she was about to do held great consequences, and when she got caught she wore more than likely be fired, jailed, or something else equally terrible. But when she helped catch the criminal, it would be worth it. So she made sure no one was watching her and walked to the main road. If someone saw her, they assumed she was going to help take down road blocks, after all they did just call for some help.
Once she was out of sight, she hailed a cab and rode to St Bart's. As confidently as she could, she walked to the mortuary. She had to seem like she belonged there otherwise someone would question her. She didn't walk in just yet, she could hear other voices inside. There was a plant by the door, perfectly hiding a chair for her to sit.
It wasn't long before she watched a couple officers leave, never noticing her. As soon as they were gone she stood and walked into the morgue, now empty except for Molly. She didn't notice her either and was about to put the bodies away.
"Wait." Etheldrea called, startling her.
Molly turned around, eyes wide and a hand on her heart. She recognized Etheldrea quickly and calmed down.
"What are you doing here?"
"I need to look at the Delilah's."
Molly hesitated, "I'm not sure-"
"I know. But this is important. If I can't figure out why this guy went after the parents. Please Molly, I need your help. A little girl has lost her parents, I can't let her lose her life."
The pathologist looked defeated, having been through this hundreds of times already. She took a step back and gesture towards the bodies, letting her look them over.
Etheldrea smiled, "Thank you. What did you find?"
"The woman died quickly, puncture to the right coronary artery. She was dead before she hit the ground. The man though, he took much longer. He died of blood loss."
Etheldrea hovered over the man, taking note of bruises along the wrists and palms. His fingers were bend at an odd angle. There was also bruising along the throat.
Etheldrea frowned, "He was tortured. No more than a few minutes, but he made sure it hurt. He was in and out before anyone even knew. Why though? He already has their daughter, why would he kill the parents?"
"I don't know, but the dad put up a bit of a fight."
"I can see that. Do you know what type of knife was used?"
She shook her head, "It's too soon. I would need more time to look. It's not a kitchen knife though, and I don't think it's any common household knife."
Etheldrea looked at the wound and nodded, "I'm sure it's a hunter's type. He wanted it to hurt, he went there with the intent, and he had no reason to. Why would he? What does he gain?"
Please, if you have her- She doesn't love. You know.
"He loves with her." Etheldrea realized.
"Who loves who?"
"The killer, he loves her, he loves all of them He thinks he deserves them and he'll stop at nothing to make sure people know that. The Delilah's are the only who made an appeal, but it's only because of the connected cases. Considering the damage he did to the father and not the mother, he felt he was the most threatening. He probably seems himself as a father figure, but if they resist him he kills them. He's impulsive, dangerous, and probably has a criminal record. He's known, that's what the father meant, we know who he is. If I can just narrow it down- Molly you have been an incredible help."
Etheldrea rushed out the door barely hearing Molly's goodbye and hurried to get back to Scotland Yard. With luck on her side, no one notice when she walked in or that she had even been gone. She walked quickly to the records room, passing by Robinson as she did. The older woman saw her and followed after her, shutting the door to the records room closed behind her.
"Where the hell were you? And why the hell is Michaels covering your ass? What the hell did I tell you? Don't get involved! Do you have any idea-"
"I found him." She didn't look at her, already rummaging through files.
"What?"
"Or, I will. I just need to find and narrow down some of the suspects."
"What the hell, what the hell, what the bloody hell! I told you- Do you have any idea, do you know what you have done? We are all screwed, and it's all your fault."
Etheldrea turned to her, a file in her hand, "I found him."
Rachel glared at her, "What?"
"I found him." She held it out to her, "Here, bring this is Michaels. He can give it to Larson, and I won't be involved if it's so important to you."
"How do you know?"
Etheldrea shook her head, "It doesn't matter-"
"How. Do. You. Know?"
Etheldrea huffed, "It's a gift. I know things, I remember things, unimportant things that usually turn out to be important. The man in this file, he's been arrested around each time there's been a kidnapping- he's been making himself known so that we wouldn't suspect him. If we think he's keeping a low profile, why would we even think to look for him? He fits everything so far, character wise, personality wise, everything."
She repeated everything she had learned from the morgue and was surprised to find Rachel looked a bit impressed.
"You remembered him? A constant misdemeanor guy? And you connected him to this?"
"Everything is right here, we have him, now we need to catch him. Give this to Larson or Michaels. Say it was an anonymous tip. Whatever you feel is the right thing to do. Please."
Rachel sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose, "I can't believe this." Then she held out her hand and took the file.
She glanced at it and then at Etheldrea, "You better be right Holmes."
Etheldrea watched her leave the room, and then smiled. A sense of accomplishment burst from her chest, and she felt the frustration of the day and of the past eleven months bubble away. The tiny thoughts that had always tried eating her, telling her she would never be like her dad, the thought that she would never be accepted here like he was, that she would never have anyone believe in her, was gone. And it felt good.
After Rachel delivered the file, Etheldrea had gone to write a report (lying just a bit on the last hour of her time) and tried not to seem so relaxed. A bit later, Michaels had passed by her and offered a small smile, letting her know that her actions was still and would be kept secret.
Then Rachel had come back and motioned her to follow. The break room wasn't filled, but there were still a lot of people there. They sat for a bit in silence, watching as Larson's team ran past, obviously ready to find their guy and the girl. Etheldrea smiled to herself as they did.
"I'm sorry." Rachel said, quietly so no one else would listen in, "For the yelling, and overall bitchy behavior."
"It's fine, I'm used to it."
Rachel rolled her eyes, "I'm serious. I just didn't want to lose my job. This is all I have. I grew up a couple hours from here in the shadiest neighborhood you'd ever seen. I saw a lot happen to people I cared about, friends and family. No one ever did anything about it, and growing up I promised myself and my mom that I would be the one who did. Getting a job here was the best thing that ever happened to me, and if I lost it, I don't know what I would do."
Etheldrea agreed, "Neither do I. I am sorry the mess that was caused, and I'm sorry you almost lost your job. But I'm not sorry that my dad helped on those cases, because that is exactly what he did. He helped. And that's why I'm here now."
Rachel stood up, "Good. But please, the next time you try to do something like this, let everyone be involved. Don't keep this to yourself. We are a team."
Etheldrea nodded, but bit her tongue, and watched Rachel leave. Growing up, she and her dad had always been a team. It had always been just them, before the lies and Moriarty and even John. They were a team when no one else she knew wanted her to be on one. When she had joined the Yard she knew immediately no one wanted her to be on the team, and even when Michaels said she was part of the team it was still them against her. But now, one of the people who had hated her the most was accepting her.
Today was definitely her day.
She waited and worked, and waited and worked some more. John had called her and she happily told him about the day. Lestrade had come down and talked with her for a while, and he had figured out she had something to do with the case. He had always been a bit smarter than her dad gave credit. Then she waited and worked some more.
She wanted to be there when Larson and his team came back, wanted to see to celebrating that would happen, even if she wasn't one for parties. But as the time passed by, no one came back. The afternoon slowly turned to the night, and soon she was one of ten people left on the floor. Even Sargent Collins had left hours ago.
Etheldrea was worried. It should not have taken this much time to find her and bring her back. No way. When she had been kidnapped a few years ago, she was found and brought back to the Yard within an hour, so where the hell was Larson.
When midnight hit, Michaels walked into the room and saw her sitting at a desk, pretending to revise her files for the hundredth time. He called to her and told her to come to his office. The worry that she had been feeling only intensified. In his office she took a seat.
"Did they not find her?" she asked quietly.
He shook his head, "They found her. But, it was too late."
Etheldrea felt everything grow cold. How had this happened? It had been early, she had found the file before anyone else would have even guessed. She had him!
"And the criminal was gone."
This made her heart stop. Gone, no trace? How, how, how? Why? What happened, what changed? Oh god, what if it had been her? What if she had messed up somehow? This was all her fault.
She stood up, "May I leave?"
"Yes. . . Holmes, you didn't do anything wrong."
"Let her be the judge of that."
She turned and walked out. The world seemed to dim, the noise almost none existent. She didn't remember walking to the lockers but here she was, changing out of her uniform and then leaving. Before she got to the doors she heard a muffle sound behind her and then a hand clamp on her shoulder.
"Etheldrea, wait."
She glanced behind her to see Lestrade, but she didn't stop to talk. She just brushed his hand away and continued walking. She intended to keep walking, but a black car pulled up a few blocks down and a door opened for her. She was tempted to just leave it, but her mind was made for her and a man, Lazlo or Patrick or whatever his name was, came and guided her in.
He didn't try to speak to her, didn't offer any message form her Uncle, and she didn't try to figure out if there was one. The outside passed by, the London nightlife was blossoming and drunkards and clubbers walked around having the time of their lives. The sharp contrast made her angry and she wanted to shout at them, scream that while they were happy an entire family had been ripped apart. But she didn't, just stared out the window feeling like all her energy was gone.
The car stopped outside her and John's flat, and she dragged herself to the door. She was about to grab her keys but the door opened for her and John stood there, watching her like a concerned parent. He beckoned her in and to the couch.
"Lestrade called me, he told me what happened. I'm sorry."
She shook her head, "They know who the guy is, and technically she was found."
"Don't. Don't do that. The whole brushing it off like it doesn't affect you-"
"It doesn't."
"It does. You know it does, and I know it. You aren't your dad so please stop trying to be. It's tearing you apart."
Etheldrea didn't look at him, "I can be though, I have to be. If I'm not, then I'm going to lose him and I can't. I don't want- I thought-"
A sob sprung from her throat and she covered her face. John wrapped his arms around her, holding her until she could speak again. When she did, she kept hold on his sweater, feeling like a little kid again.
"I thought I could be like him. I thought I had moved on, I really did, but I also thought if I could handle things like he I could be better. I'm scared, John. I don't want to lose him."
"I know, but you have to let go. It's time. And I'm right here with you, alright? We'll get through this together."
"Don't leave me."
"I won't. Never, not once. I promise."
This one's for the lonely child
Brokenhearted, running wild
This was written for the one to blame
One who believe they are the cause of chaos and everything
You may find yourself in the dead of night
Lost somewhere up in the great big beautiful sky
You were all just perfect little satellites
Spinning round and round this broken earthly life
This is so you'll know the sound
Of someone who loves you from the ground
Tonight you're not alone at all
This is me sending out my satellite call
AN: I'm so, so, so terribly sorry! I thought with earlier class hours I'd have more time to write, but I didn't anticipate how much work my classes would be. I wish I could handle everything better, and I'm sorry that this story has been on hold for so long. I hope you all can forgive me.
