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Chapter 10

Abbie stepped out of the steaming hot shower and put on her plush green robe. She desperately needed to unwind from the difficult day at work. At the beginning of her day she responded to the unexplained deaths of four college students. The initial reports indicated that all four students were drowned. After exiting the bathroom Abbie went to the kitchen and made a cup of green tea. Carefully holding on to her cup, Abbie dashed to the living room to answer her loudly ringing cellphone.

"Lieutenant Mills speaking," she answered reluctantly.

"This is Captain Jones. I know that you're at home but I have to call you and Crane back to the station," he said.

Abbie looked down at the green tea, which was starting to get cold. "Did something happen?"

"About 30 minutes ago a man came to the station. He claims he has information regarding the deaths of the four students," the Captain stated.

"Do you think this guy is a witness or maybe had something to do with the deaths," Abbie asked cautiously.

"Honestly I don't know what to make of him. But this looks like something that you and Crane should handle. I've been getting weird vibes from this guy since he arrived. I need you both here by 7:00pm," Captain Jones said.

Abbie agreed reluctantly, hung up the phone, and called Ichabod. As much as Abbie was looking forward to a quiet evening, she understood that this case was important to the entire town. One of the victims was the daughter of a city councilman and another was the son of a prominent New York City businesswoman. Abbie quickly went to her closet, put on clean clothes, and rushed out the front door.

The witnesses entered the police station and were greeting by Captain Jones. "Thank god you two made it on time," he said as he stared at Ichabod. Two days prior Ichabod cut his hair and this was the first time anyone at the station had seen his shorter hair. The burly man led them down the hallway to the interview room. "He's in there. He won't give us his real name. I tried questioning him, but he said he isn't going to speak to anyone but you two."

Ichabod looked down at Abbie and raised his eyebrow. "Leftenant, I have a bad feeling about this."

Abbie laughed and handed Ichabod a pen and notebook. "So do I, but we have to do this Crane. Imagine if we get enough information to make an arrest! Let's talk to this creep and go back home."

The pair slowly entered the small, cold interview room. The bright florescent lights, white walls, and single table gave the room an uncomfortable feeling. "Damn it! Why am I not surprised," Abbie said as soon as she looked at the mysterious informant. Henri sat at the opposite end of the table drinking his overpriced coffee. He was impeccably dressed in a grey Ralf Lauren polo and dark denim jeans.

"Good evening friends. I'm sure you were both at home eating cheesecake and watching reality TV. Abbie please accept my sincerest apologies for ruining your evening," Henri said smugly.

Ichabod and Abbie ignored Henri's failed attempt at kindness and took a seat at the interview table. Ichabod wasted no time getting straight to the point. "Mr. DuPont, we understand that you have pertinent information concerning our case. I do not have time for your games, so speak plainly."

Henri ran his fingers through his strawberry blond hair and smiled at Abbie. Even though she thought Henri was obnoxious, she couldn't deny his attractiveness. "I know that all four victims were drowned."

"That information has been in the news, everyone knows those kids drowned. Tell me something everyone is Sleepy Hollow doesn't know," Abbie said sternly.

Henri stared intensely at Abbie. She always managed to look confident even when she was clearly nervous. He noticed how Abbie touched her hair or looked away when she felt flustered. "Abbie did you do something new to your hair? The color is a little bit lighter than before."

An angry Ichabod slammed his fist on the table. "Stay on topic Henri. If you have nothing to contribute Miss Mills and I will leave."

"Okay, relax. The weird thing about the victims was that they drowned inside a house, nowhere near water. I think it's odd that someone would drown sitting on their couch," Henri said.

The witnesses looked exchanged concerning looks. The only way Henri would know that piece of information would be if he hacked the department's files. Which is completely possible. "This isn't the first time that people have drowned in this house," Henri continued.

"What do you mean this isn't the first time," Abbie asked as she scribbled down notes.

"I knew a victim personally. In 1916 a close acquaintance drowned in his own bed. His death was never explained," Henri said.

"If this has happened before, then you should know how to stop it. Tell us everything that you know about the last victim," Ichabod demanded.

Henri slid back in his chair and rested his feet on the table. "No, I don't think I should say anymore. Besides, how would helping you benefit me?"

Ichabod's face turned red a beet with rage. "Why did you call us here if you didn't intend to be helpful? I do not have time to fulfill your constant need of attention! Leftenant, I'm sorry but I must remove myself from this situation," he shouted as he stormed out the room.

Abbie's attempt to stop her partner from leaving was useless. She knew that when Ichabod was angry he wasn't helpful. "Well thanks for almost nothing. I'm headed home," Abbie said.

"No wait. Please don't go Abbie," Henri pleaded.

His words stopped Abbie from leaving the table and walking towards the door. "Why should I stay," she asked.

"You have to understand, I'm not use to interacting with people. I don't know if it's my personality or my lack of a pulse that makes it so difficult for me to make friends. I'm asking you to be patient with me," Henri begged.

There was no denying it, Henri had a talent for going from arrogant to humble in a matter of seconds. "I've been more than patient Henri. You can't ask me to ignore all your shortcomings. I'm going home, there's nothing you can do for me," Abbie said quietly.

"You need my help with this case. Abbie please don't let your pride get in the way of a good thing. I've never done anything to hurt you and I never will. Remember it was you who tried to kill me!" Henri thought to himself, when all else fails, bring up the past.

"That's because you're a monster," Abbie replied.

"I'm a good man," Henri stated without emotion.

Abbie couldn't help but laugh. She couldn't decide if Henri was joking or if he actually believed his own lie. "The last time Crane saw you, you were about to eat a couple of old people. How is that being a good man?"

Unsure of his next move, Henri slowly moved his hand closer to Abbie's. "I said I'm a good man, not a perfect one. You're not perfect either Abbie."

Not wanting to risk physical contact with Henri, Abbie removed herself from the table and began to pace around the room. "I never said I was."

Like a flash of lightening Henri appeared behind Abbie. She could feel his warm breath on the back of her neck. "Then we can be perfectly flawed together," he purred. Abbie turned around, not sure how to respond. Part of her wanted Henri to kiss her, but a larger part wanted to punch him. Unable to handle the increasingly intense situation, Abbie walked back to her seat.

"What's your endgame Henri? Do you get some sick enjoyment at seducing venerable women," she asked.

"Actually I do. But I do want to help you and Ichabod with this case. Although Ichabod is older than me, I didn't spend the last two centuries in the dirt. I know things, I've seen things. This case means more to me than you know. I'm a part of this now, whether you like it or not," he said.

"Fine, now you're on the team. Do you want a jersey or something," she asked sarcastically as she began to walk to the door.

"Research the name Archibald Griswold of Tarrytown," Henri said cryptically.

Abbie turned back to face Henri. "Thank you," she said as she exited the interview room, leaving Henri alone.

Abbie spotted her partner at the coffee machine, probably drinking his third cup. She walked slowly, trying to think of what to say to Ichabod. She couldn't find the right words to explain to him that she agreed to a partnership with a vampire of questionable intentions. Each scenario ended with Ichabod throwing a tantrum or giving Abbie the silent treatment. After walking at a snail's pace, she finally reached Ichabod. "Was the interview successful or just a waste of time," Ichabod asked.

"Um, I would say successful. We have a name! Oh yea, Henri is going to partner with us for this case," Abbie said quickly as she rushed passed him.

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