Several days later...
17th January 2012
Miami Metro Police Department
9:13 AM
As I was busy in the lab going over some test results early in the morning, Debra came in.
Debra: "Dex, in my office, we need to talk."
So that's where we went.
Dexter: "What?"
Debra: "You know that Agent Cophs is out of town, right? That he's gone to DC?"
Dexter: "I didn't know but thanks for telling me."
Debra: "So... does he have anything on you?"
Dexter: "Not that I know of. He obviously suspects something, but as far as I know he's got absolutely nothing to pin it on me."
Debra: "Dex, I can assure you he's still on the case of LaGuerta's murder. If he's gone to DC it almost certainly means he's meeting with his superiors. This could turn ugly."
Dexter: "What do you mean?"
Debra: "I think you know what I mean, Dex. For one thing, he can obtain authorization to expand his investigations using additional resources, he could officially re-open the Bay Harbor Butcher case on a federal level, fuck he could just be travelling from state to state to gather witnesses. Who else knows about this?"
Dexter: "Jonah Mitchell, he lives in Nebraska. It's unlikely he'll talk."
Debra: "Fuck Dex, how much does he know?"
Dexter: "He knows I went under the alias of Kyle Butler and that I killed Trinity. Not much else. Like I said, he could have talked a long time ago if he wanted to."
Debra: "What about that ex-girlfriend of yours?"
Dexter: "Lumen Pierce? There's no way, not a chance in Hell, that Agent Cophs could possibly make the connection. Even if she finds her, he'd need some pretty good evidence to make her talk. I don't think she'd cave in from just the pressure alone. She wanted those men dead as much as I."
Debra: "I hope you're right, for your sake. Oh and Hannah might be getting out soon. I don't want to see her ever again, are we clear?"
Dexter: "Crystal clear."
Meanwhile...
17th January 2012
FBI Headquarters, Washington DC
10:01 AM
Supervisor Grant: "Good to you see again, Agent Cophs" he said as the two men shook hands. "Have a seat please."
Agent Cophs: "Thank you, sir."
Supervisor Grant: "I understand you wanted to see me with regards to your most recent assignment, the murder of Police Captain Maria LaGuerta down in Florida."
Agent Cophs: "That is correct, sir."
Supervisor Grant: "Well, anything to report?"
Agent Cophs: "Yes, there's evidence of a deeper conspiracy at play there. Captain LaGuerta was doing a personal re-investigation of the Bay Harbor Butcher case before she died."
Supervisor Grant: "Now hold on a second, Agent Cophs. The Bay Harbor Butcher, James Doakes, is dead."
Agent Cophs: "During the course of my investigation into LaGuerta's murder I found evidence suggesting that the Bay Harbor Butcher had an accomplice and possibly even more than one accomplice. The disappearances did not stop after Doakes' death."
Supervisor Grant: "Anyone in particular?"
Agent Cophs: "Yes, I actually have a pretty good idea of who it might be."
Supervisor Grant: "So? Bring them in."
Agent Cophs: "I need definitive proof that the crimes where even committed. And this cannot be rushed. Whoever these people are, they have managed to evade justice for at least a decade. If this is rushed, we may fail to obtain a conviction or even place other law enforcement at risk."
Supervisor Grant: "What do you propose Agent Cophs?"
Agent Cophs: "First, I need an official re-opening of the Bay Harbor Butcher investigation. Second, I need authorization to set up a naval task force down in Miami. I've reason to believe that the M.O. hasn't really changed much. If someone continued Doakes' legacy, it's likely we will find another mass graveyard somewhere on that ocean floor. Third, I would like to take over the unsolved Trinity case, I believe it is loosely related."
Supervisor Grant: "Well, normally I wouldn't honor such a request, but you are one of our top men, you have shown time and time again to be an excellent case solver, having one of the highest clearance rate in the bureau. I have complete confidence in you, Agent Cophs so consider it done. A fleet will be assembled as soon as possible."
Agent Cophs: "Thank you sir, you will see the results will be worth it."
Supervisor Grant: "What about that other case, the one in Detroit?"
Agent Cophs: "Yes, that is a more difficult case to crack, but I've managed to keep kwnoledge of it away from most of the general public. So far only the local press has reported on it."
Supervisor Grant: "Yes, good thinking. No use causing mass hysteria in America, son. Are you staying in DC for long?"
Agent Cophs: "No sir, I need to get in contact with some potential witnesses in the LaGuerta case. They are not in DC or Miami."
Supervisor Grant: "Alright, travel safe, Agent Cophs."
Agent Cophs: "Thank you, sir." he said as he walked out of the office.
It did not take long for Agent Cophs to ID the woman in the photo next to Dexter. Lumen Pierce. Next stop, Minneapolis.
20th January 2012
Pierce Residence, Minneapolis, Minnesota
1:10 PM
There was a knock on the door. Lumen looked through the peep hole to see who it was. Ever since her traumatic experience in Miami she had been living alone and was extremely reluctant to allow strangers in. She saw a man in a suit with a federal agent's badge in his hand.
Agent Cophs: "Lumen Pierce, this is Special Agent Pelle Cophs of the FBI, I'd like to have a word with you." he called out.
She panicked for a moment but tried to feign being calm. After all, what could the FBI possibly have on her? Maybe it wasn't even related to the muders in Miami. She decided to open the door. There was no use hiding. He could come back with a warrant if necessary anyway.
Lumen: "Yes?"
Agent Cophs: "May I come in?" he asked. Lumen declined.
Lumen: "No, we can talk outside if you like." she was still suspicious of male strangers.
Agent Cophs: "That's fine with me, Lumen. I'll try to make this quick. What is your association with Dexter Morgan?"
Lumen: "I beg your pardon? I... don't know a Dexter Morgan."
Agent Cophs: "You're lying, Lumen. You know who he is."
Lumen: "Okay, okay, he's an ex-boyfriend from Miami. I just don't like to talk about my personal life."
Agent Cophs: "No, there's more to it than that, you're lying." he said as he showed her a photo. She freaked out. "This is you, with Dexter Morgan, on a boat, dumping garbage bags into the ocean. That alone is a federal offense regardless of the contents of those bags. This doesn't look good for you, Lumen, you lie to me and I cannot help you."
Lumen burst into tears.
Lumen: "It's not what it looks like. Yes that was us, in Miami, but we were out fishing and throwing out excess ice."
Agent Cophs: "You really think I'm going to believe that, Lumen? I think I have a pretty good idea of what happened, of what certain men lead by a certain, now missing, Jordan Chase did to you. Someone offered you an opportunity for personal justice, and you took it. Am I right?"
Lumen: "I'm not saying another word to you..."
Agent Cophs: "You've said enough. Lumen Pierce, I'm placing you under arrest on suspicision of violating the Marine Protection Act. You are coming downtown with me."
Two police officers accompanying Agent Cophs then had Lumen in handcuffs and read her Miranda rights. She did not resist.
20th January 2012
Interrogation Room, Minneapolis Police Department
2:00 PM
Agent Cophs: "Lumen, just tell the truth, make this easy on yourself. You and Dexter Morgan killed Jordan Chase and his close associates and dumped them in the ocean. Because they raped you. Because they were raping and killing other women. Because he's an accomplice of the Bay Harbor Butcher. Confess, give up Dexter Morgan, promise to testify in court against him, and I will make all the charges against you go away. All of them. This is your last chance. Nobody will ever offer you a more generous deal. You could walk out the door this very minute and I would personally have you placed in protective custody for a minimum of three months, no questions asked."
Lumen was crying and refusing to respond.
Agent Cophs: "Time to choose."
Lumen: "Why couldn't you just let it go? These were really bad men, they didn't deserve to live! You should be out there looking for the real killers."
Agent Cophs: "Lumen, open your eyes, innocent people have died." he said as he showed her a photo of Rita Morgan. "Do you know who this is? This is Dexter's deceased wife. She didn't hurt anybody, she just got caught in the crossfire." Next he showed he a photo of Maria LaGuerta. "This is Police Captain Maria LaGuerta. She got too close to the truth and didn't live to tell the tale. She's the main reason I'm even investigating this case. You see now why there's no sanctity in this?"
Lumen: "Okay, everything you said was true. I agree to testify when the time comes."
Agent Cophs: "Wisely done, Miss Pierce. Wisely done indeed."
23th January 2012
North Platte Detention Facility, Nebraska
4:23 PM
Jonah Mitchell was in handcuffs, awaiting a visitor. Not too long ago, guilt-ridden over kiling his own mother and unable to find atonement, he turned himself in. He was now awaiting trial and bail was denied.
Agent Cophs: "Special Agent Pelle Cophs, FBI. I'd like to have a word with you Jonah." he said as he sat down to have a chat with him.
Jonah Mitchell: "What is there to say? I killed my own mother, here I am. Just leave me alone." he said putting both hands over his face. He was clearly full of sorrow.
Agent Cophs: "Oh knock it off. I'm not here to talk about that, Jonah, I'm here to talk about your father, Arthur Mitchell. More specifically, one of Mr. Mitchell's known associates, Kyle Butler. You are going to tell me everything you know about this person. Who is he? Really?"
Jonah Mitchell: "He's... he was just a friend of my dad's. Didn't know much about him, didn't pay attention to his friends."
Agent Cophs: "You're lying, Jonah. And you're terrible at it. Wanna try again?"
Jonah Mitchell: "I really don't..." he said as Agent Cophs cut him off.
Agent Cophs: "I think you know. You know that Kyle Butler is really just an alias. A name used to get close to Arthur. And you're going to finger the man." he said as he took out three photos. The first one he showed was of Doakes.
Agent Cophs: "Is this Kyle Butler?"
Jonah Mitchell: "No." he responded.
Agent Cophs: "True, this is Sergeant James Doakes, or more commonly known in the US as the Bay Harbor Butcher. He's been dead for a while."
Then Agent Cophs showed him another photo.
Agent Cophs: "How about this man? Is he Kyle Butler?"
Jonah Mitchell: "This is a waste of time." he responded.
Agent Cophs: "Well, I guess it would be hard to be him. Supervisor Grant has only been once in Miami for three whole days. And that was 1987."
Agent Cophs showed him the final photo. It was Dexter Morgan. Jonah didn't reply but Cophs could tell just by looking at his sudden change in his facial expression the answer was yes.
Agent Cophs: "Jonah, why can't you just come clean with this. Dexter Morgan is Kyle Butler. Admit it."
Jonah Mitchell: "Alright, so what? So he wanted to get close to him so he could apprehend him, what's the harm in that?"
Agent Cophs: "The harm is that it cost him his wife. And Dexter was never an undercover cop, he did not report any of it, which I'm sure you know. What kind of man does that?"
Jonah Mitchell: "I don't know."
Agent Cophs: "I'd say that's the mark of someone who wants to administer blackmail or... personal justice. My money's on personal justice, kid."
Jonah Mitchell: "What are you saying?"
Agent Cophs: "Jonah, your father is most likely dead. Soon we may be able to get confirmation too. And I think I have a pretty good idea of who killed him."
Jonah Mitchell: "No... My father simply ran away."
Agent Cophs: "Has anyone else ever told you that you are a terrible liar, Jonah? Stop fucking around with me and come clean."
Jonah got angry.
Jonah Mitchell: "How dare you accuse me of lying without any damn evidence? I'm done speaking about the subject to you."
Agent Cophs: "Is that so?"
Jonah Mitchell: "Why do you even care anyway? My father was the most horrible piece of shit of a human being, a mass murderer, and a cruel psychotic wife-beater, you fucking feds should be happy he's burning in Hell, that piece of shit got what he was coming to him." he said on impulse without realizing that he had just slipped up.
Agent Cophs: "So you can confirm that he is dead? Interesting."
Jonah Mitchell: "What? No! I only..."
Agent Cophs: "Spare me the excuses. I am willing to offer you a deal if you are willing to bear witness of Kyle Butler's true identity and his involvement in the murder of Arthur Mitchell."
Jonah Mitchell: "I don't want a deal. I killed my mother. I don't deserve to be a free man."
Agent Cophs: "Very well, if you want to play it the hard way I can have that second degree charge turned into a first. You're going to face the chair, Jonah. Is that what you want?"
Jonah Mitchell didn't reply.
Agent Cophs: "It's time to choose Jonah. Who is Kyle Butler? Say his name. His real name."
Jonah Mitchell: "Fine, it was Dexter Morgan."
Agent Cophs: "Now, answer the next question very carefully. Who killed Arthur Mitchell?"
Jonah Mitchell: "Dexter Morgan."
Agent Cophs: "Very good. My final question is. Are you willing say what you've just said to me now, in a court of law?"
Jonah Mitchell: "Yes."
Agent Cophs: "Good. For now, I want you to keep quiet about it. Just to be safe, I'll arrange for you to be taken into protective custody for the following three months, no questions asked. You only deal directly through me, understand? And in return, I'll make sure your second-degree charge stays second."
Jonah Mitchell: "Yes, I understand."
25th January 2012
Debra's Office, Miami Metro Police Department
9:22 AM
To tell you the truth there was absolutely nothing I could do about Agent Cophs. I couldn't kill him as that would just get more feds on my case. I couldn't follow him around the country working a full time job and I couldn't quit my job either to do it. I couldn't even tell if he knew more than I thought he knew. I'd just have to wait for his next move and react accordingly.
Then Debra filled me in on some details that I wasn't aware about.
Dexter: "You wanted to see me? What's wrong? You sounded quite freaked out on the phone."
Debra: "Holy mother of fuck, Dexter, Cophs is back in Miami and he's assembled a naval task force." That didn't sound good. "He's looking for your mass graveyard. And you know the best bit?"
Dexter: "Not really."
Debra: "All of Miami Metro, including the homicide department has been excluded from the search this time. This is so out of my hands bro, people are going to eventually find out Doakes wasn't BHB. What the fuck are we going to do?"
Dexter: "I'll think of something. That mass graveyard won't be quite as easy to find though, and it's unlikely they will find all the bodies. I've chosen a spot much farther out into the ocean."
Debra: "Well, you better think of something fast, Dex."
Dexter: "In the meantime, I want to show you something."
I gave Deb the newspaper of the day.
Debra: "You gotta be fucking kidding me. Don't even think about it." she said as she tossed it to the ground.
The headline read 'Mark David Chapman Free - John Lennon's Killer Paroled After Serving 32 Years'.