Chapter 11

Stepping outside a few days later I felt lighter than air. Jon and I hadn't officially called each other boyfriend and girlfriend yet, but in my eyes it was a matter of time. So today I had picked out something nice to wear, also in the hopes that Aunt Betty would stop bugging me about my mess of clothes I've been wearing. Because obviously wearing long skirts and tank tops just doesn't cut it for my sensible aunt.

Today I was going to meet with Agent Coldwell with Jon. It seems Jon was becoming thick as thieves with the guy. I was glad that Jon had someone he could look up to. Maybe Jon would focus on going to school with a similar job in mind. He was very good at deducing what was happening. Me I felt like I was standing there like an idiot while the two brilliant minds knocked down ideas.

The government car arrived and I could see Jon in the back seat. Sliding in I placed my bookbag on my lap. "You okay?"

Jon did not look okay. His eyes were getting dark circles, and his face was pale. He just shook his head. "It's nothing, long night and I couldn't sleep."

I reached over and touched his hand. It was cold, but he wrapped his fingers over mind. Everything would be alright. That was one thing we had spoken about, in the end we were going to have each other. I was going to write him letters, old school, but it was one way his Grandmother wouldn't be able to deny him a relationship. And once school started he could go to the library and write me e-mails. I was going to send him pictures and maybe write him once to twice a week. Yes this was going to be tough, but I think we can handle it.

The FBI had gotten their base sat up in the police office. The small room was buzzing with activity, there were people on phones, others on computers that they brought in. When we walked in I froze, Jon rushed over to where Morgan was and the two of them started to converse. I on the other hand was petrified. All of these people were on the case, and Jon and I thought we could solve it alone? It made me sick just thinking about it.

Jon looked over at me and waved me over. Pushing my way through I got to a table that had sandwiches stacked high for the agents. Marcus was dishing out food for us and then he brought us over to a new table. Sitting down I noticed how far we were from everything. This could only mean one thing. We were being told things that Morgan wasn't supposed to be telling.

"So," He said picking up his turkey and swiss. "we got a few hits."

"The other girls?" Jon said sitting up straighter. He didn't touch the food. Me on the other hand picked my sandwiched and devoured it before anyone could witness it's existence.

"Yeah," he said taking a bite. "The total of bodies is in the thirties. The degree of time… it's looking like this guy has been doing this for almost ten years, but it's becoming more and more frequent. He's speeding up for some reason."

"Can't get his fix." Jon muttered. "That's the number one reason for killers like this, they have a fantasy and they seek to relive it over and over again. But it's not enough anymore. THe guy isn't happy with three girls a year."

Morgan nodded. "Exactly." He continued to eat looking over at the rest of the groups moving and working on their tasks. "We've located most of the girls. Their families have been told. We do have a commonality between them though."

I looked up my skin prickling.

"All the girls ages are in the 15-21 age. The man is looking for a younger woman. This might be connected to someone he lost or is wishing for in his life. Someone who left him when they were quite young."

Jon leaned back looking at the office. "Young, and he embalms them."

"Yes." Morgan said shifting in his seat. "His skills have grown. the first girl… she looks like she was hacked up before she was buried. There's a lot of scratches on the bones, or well that's what my people told me. But in the last five years our killer has gained skills to keep the girls around longer after he uses them."

"Why take another girl so soon though?" I asked, my voice shook as I said it. "He should know that people are onto him?"

Morgan nodded. "At this time a killer has two plans, they either stop and leave us in the dust, or they continue killing and continue to dodge us. But in both plans there are ways to catch them. Disappearing leaves a lot out in the open. We'll see a change in someone's behavior in town and there we'll be able to capture them before its too late. If they continue they can get sloppy and we'll find them."

"But the girl that was taken?" I started.

"We're doing everything we can to find her, don't worry about that." Morgan then let out a sigh. "I'm worried as well. This man knows the area better than we do. Wherever he's doing this, he knows how to keep his hobbies clear form everyone."

"There was that one strange thing." Jon muttered. "All the girls, they had necklaces with keys."

When did Jon find this out? I looked between them. "Keys? To what?"

Morgan shifted in his seat looking uncomfortable. "We think it's too handcuffs. But we can't be sure."

"They looked like it." Jon muttered. "They have to symbolize something to the killer. Something meaningful is in that key. But what?"

My mind wandered for a moment. Keys, they were a sign of entry? There was also a lot of trust that went into giving someone a key. But what the key was used for, I had a sneaking suspicion.

"The killer gives it as a sign of trust for the girls."

"But he kills them?" Jon said shaking his head. "Some trust."

"No, they don't trust him, but he trusts them. Or that's his fantasy. There's no way to know that the killer didn't give the keys to them until after death. But maybe he fantasizes about trust."

The two of them looked at me and then laughed. "well it's a good idea, and I'll put it down on the list." Morgan said. In translation he really said 'that was the stupidest thing I heard all week, lets toss it and keep thinking.'

I went back for another turkey and swiss and let the two masterminds work things out. So much for my career in law enforcement. Maybe I would be better as a homemaker or something boring…

We got home late. Betty told me that dinner was in the fridge and I ended up heating up some hot dogs and sitting on my roof. Night was coming in and a thick mist was forming on the ground. My little spot on the roof was still warm from the days sun. Scraping my feet on the roof I let out a long held sigh.

"Not a good day?" Came a voice I almost expected to be out here all night. Crow was just climbing up to the roof, his black formless shape drifted in and out of my sight thanks to the lack of light coming from my window.

"I just feel stupid that's all." I said turning away from him. I wasn't going back inside. If Crow got creepy I would, but for now he was being polite and staying outside of my personal bubble.

"Didn't go well with the agent?"

"You saw me leave?" I asked.

"I keep watch." He answered taking a seat farther away. "What did he say?"

I told him everything I had learned, the girls being around my age, that they had all been taken within the last ten years, and it was steadily getting worse. Also I told him that the killer wasn't stopping any time soon. When I was done I felt a huge burden off my chest. I couldn't just rant on and on around Jon. He was brilliant to be next to, but he didn't do well in social situations where people had no point to their rant. Crow nodded and i saw his head turn.

"Then it's far from over."

"Looks like it." I said laying down on the roof. "And the agents can't figure out why the guy would leave the girls a momento. I thought I had a good idea. But obviously the brains know more than me."

"You will be fine." Crow muttered. "You're strong, and you can take your ideas being put down. I don't think Jonny could do that."

"Jonny?"

"He wouldn't like that name?"

"No. He cringes every time my dad calls him Jon." I said laughing. "He wants his name to be in full, and honestly it sounds really good."

"You're dating him aren't you?"

Now when did Crow figure that one out. "Maybe? We haven't officially called each other boyfriend and girlfriend yet, but I mean, it'll have to happen sooner or later."

"You kissed him?"

I was blushing big time now. "So what? Are you jealous or something?"

Crow was quiet after that statement, and for a moment I was frightened. Crow had been creepy, but sencer this whole time. Not once had he tried to pull anything one me. And never did he try to push himself into a situation where he was too close to me. But what if he had affections for me? No, na. I was the kind of girl who got geeky boys like Jon. And I don't think I would want to be a girl who would attract things like Crow.

"Crow." I asked changing subjects. "Where do you go when it rains?"

He didn't respond.

"I mena a few days ago with that major downpour. It was really bad. How did you stay dry?"

Again he was quiet.

I looked out at the scarecrow in the field and I wondered how Jon was doing. Did he have a similar roof he could sit on and look out? I had a feeling he didn't.

"You do like me," I finally ventured. "Or at least my company."

"Lets say you're the first person to speak to me. Jon wishes to ignore me, and it would be best if you didn't tell him you speak to me too, he would be confused. He needs someone to protect him, and I've been working on it… it's not easy."

"Why does he need protection?"

We stayed in science again and I thought to go inside and try to get some sleep. I was about to rise when Crow spoke.

"Next time you hear the goats… follow it. Stop what's happening and help him. He has too many scars for being so young." Crow stood up and turned from me. "Good night Lynn… Please, keep him safe for me too."

I watched Crow climb down the steps with a grace I didn't think the creature could have. I sat on the roof for a moment longer a chill running through me. Jon needed protection, but from what? His grandmother? How bad could she really be?

Author's Notes: Not much is going on here. I have a week till I'm at my convention. That weekend I'll be missing in action. On Sunday if I have time I'll try to post, but we'll see. If anyone is in North Carolina I'll be at Animazment for Thursday through Sunday.