A/N: I have included detective reports filed by De Pina and Thompson at the bottom of the chapter. If you've kept up and have the facts of the cases organized so far, you can skip them. If you want a better, albeit drier, perspective, then go for it.

Chapter Forty Nine:

Sunday, November 2, 1997 – Los Angeles, CA

After arriving at the office earlier that afternoon, Inez pulled E aside while Turk was talking to Thompson about any drug related connection there might be to the trafficking suspects arrested last Wednesday.

"You look a little better, anyway."

"Not quite as scary?"

"You never look scary unless you're trying to," she smiled. "What you look like is someone who needs some sleep."

"All I been doin' the last couple of days is sleepin.' When I get back to my place tonight..."

"You can't go back to your apartment. You're staying with Thompson. He's already said it was okay - volunteered actually."

Enos was puzzled by that but let it go. "Angie said the tech guys released my apartment."

"They did. And you're supposed to still be in the hospital, but here you are. Even if you don't need sleep, I do. Let's just say you're doing it for my peace of mind. You can see your primary tomorrow and then we'll see. Besides, you can't drive. Your wallet and license are still in forensics and your truck is in impound."

Defeated, he said, "But I don't wanna stay with Thompson. Can't I stay with you?"

"Now you're just being whiny. Sound like Aaron when he got the flu last year."

"That bad, huh?"

She crossed her arms and gave him a look.

He'd been meaning to tell Inez how much it annoyed him when she was right and he couldn't figure out a way to make her 'not right.' But she was right and he would comply, if for nothing else than to avoid any situation where he might be banned from the office altogether. Inez would revert to being his TO again if she thought he was being stupid about it, and it appeared she was close to that now. As a training officer, she had been one tough cookie.

So, being technically on medical leave, he was relegated to paperwork and coordinating information in order to free up the other detectives who had their own files, and now most of his, to return to come Monday morning.

Monday, November 3, 1997 – Los Angeles, CA

On Monday morning, Enos and Thompson walked into the office at 6:45 a.m. to a full bullpen. The first thing Inez said to Thompson was that he needed to get as many of his medium or low level files as he felt comfortable with redistributed to Angela Kim. And any higher level cases that needed follow up over the next week needed to go to Espinosa, Morales, or Radakovich. He would be lead detective working on Kate's case - at least until they couldn't afford to dedicate his time to it anymore.

The first order of business for E was to call his provider and obtain his landline phone records.

"The RFI for Kate's landline and mobile phone records has already been prepared and gone to the judge," Inez had said. "That information should be available by early afternoon."

Pulling up preliminaries on both his assault and the investigation into Kate's disappearance, Enos read the initial statements Soonie and Daisy had given again. As much as the weird conundrum of Daisy not only being in L.A., but staying with Soonie, was weighing on him, it was a distraction from what he needed to be doing to find Kate.

The detective reports Thompson and Inez had submitted, or updated, at least put the possible connection into an organized perspective. (1/2)

Thompson, who had not been completely ruled out as a target, had added the notes Enos made while still in the hospital on Sunday to the file. He was frustrated that nothing in his thirty or so pages could either dispute or fill in gaps in the facts.

He had, however, been able to list more possible reasons why Kate would have been assaulted in her apartment before he was assaulted at the mini mart.

The ME's report came in on Enos's attack around nine. Maria had not wanted to rush it. The implications were such that she could not afford to be preliminary – she had to be sure. The Cedars staff had done an excellent job of sample gathering for forensics. She checked the forensic report on the particulate residue of his skin cells from scrapings taken at the time of his admission to the ER/Trauma unit.

When she described the object she thought was used to Inez De Pina, Maria was 98% positive she was right.

"So...Something like a two by four?" Inez asked, making the same connection that Maria had.

"No," Maria told her, "Exactly like a two by four. Patterning, chemical residue, particulates confirmed it. I can even tell you that it was treated, how long ago and the exact mix of chemicals used."

"We need to go back to the Griffith Park…"

"I've already ordered the samples and photos from evidence for comparison."

That's when Enos decided that Daisy had to go home. Now. He made a phone call to Soonie.

Daisy sat up unsteadily in bed, rubbing her eyes, and with a pounding headache. Even though Kay had cut her off after the third glass. The soju had sneaked up on her. But it had also helped to dull the blow that one, Enos needed therapy after he returned to L.A. in April and two, that he sought it in the form of a former prostitute. She finally managed to get out of bed and thought she heard a phone ring, but it sounded like Kay's mobile phone and not the landline. By that time, she just wanted a shower.

Kay had a cup of black coffee, a bottle of acetaminophen, and the morning edition ready for her when she finally emerged around ten. How did the woman look so good after three glasses of that 'shine? Must be used to it.

"They have not put it all together yet, but they will, and likely by Wednesday at the latest," Kay said. "The Times will not sensationalize it or twist it...I do not think. The article mentions her work to raise public awareness of child exploitation and trafficking. But they may still make some connections, and that is all it takes for some people to jump to conclusions. Here in L.A., the gossip magazines are always looking for lurid filler. They will not care that Kate turned her life completely around or that Enos sees more in people than they even see in themselves."

Daisy had some recent up close and personal experience with conclusion-jumping. In the last two and a half days, she'd received a crash course in Enos Strate 401 and today was the test, in more ways than one. Should she be concerned that she was starting to get used to it?

"He only sees what's on the inside," Daisy mused, with a faraway look.

"Daisy?"

"Yeah," Daisy said, returning to the article about Enos, whose name had not been released. Fortunately, Prop.209 took center stage on the front page and the story of Kate's abduction was pushed below the fold. Of course it was all 'alleged' and there was no mention of any connection to the assault on a police officer, which was on the inside page.

"Do the people in Hazzard," Kay hesitated slightly, "read the Times or any of the gossip magazines?"

'That was a good question,' Daisy thought and then sat up straight in spite of the condition of her head. "Rosco!"

Detective Reports:

(1)Los Angeles Police Department

November 2, 1997 6:30 hours

Subject: Missing person - under suspicious circumstances

Primary Scene: 131 North Hamilton, Apt B

Cross reference with Report #11-35148

Preliminary Report of Detective Inez De Pina

Report #11-35160

Missing, possibly injured, Katherine Denine Broussard, age 30, residing at above address, was last seen on Friday, October 31, 1997 by staff of La Café Denine at approximately 6:30 hours. (Subject is owner of restaurant.) Broussard is Caucasian female, 5'9" in height, approximately 145 pounds, with auburn hair (see recent photo attached).

Broussard (reference #11-35148 – incident report on Detective E. Strate) left a message on answer machine at the residence of Detective Strate at 20:56 hours, Friday, October 31, 1997 (transcript attached).

I, Detective De Pina, at approximately 21:35 hours on Saturday, November 1, 1997, in connection with a possible assault on Detective Strate, suspected that Broussard might be involved as an associated or additional victim.

Rationale:

Past and present association between Broussard and Detective Strate

Recent mutual involvement in raid on human traffickers (reference #11-3469) on Wednesday, October 29, 1997

Broussard's involvement in organizations associated with combating human trafficking and exploitation of children

Location of attack on Detective Strate (see crime scene investigation associated with #11-35148) proximal route to residence of Broussard and location where Detective Strate appeared at approximately 3:00 hours on Saturday, November 1, 1997 (residence of Inez De Pina)

Inability to reach Broussard by telephone

I arrived at 131 North Hamilton Street at 10:02 hours, meeting uniformed officers, Carl Franks and Lena Oliver, at the entrance. Access to interior of building from resident in Apartment A, at which time we announced our presence to the occupant of Apartment B with no response. Due to concerns that occupant may be in imminent danger, I authorized forced entry to residence.

There was clear indication that a struggle had taken place with a lamp and a desk chair knocked over, as well as books strewn on floor and blood spatter on the couch (see initial crime scene photos). Nothing else appeared to be disturbed. Analysis of any latent evidence is pending at this time. The core scene was secured with yellow tape, crime scene log initiated and maintained by Detective Gordon Thompson who arrived on the scene at 10:21 hours. Crime scene investigation unit was called and arrived shortly thereafter (see log). A crime scene perimeter to exterior of building was established in two phases, inner to protect any latent evidence surrounding building, and outer to limit access to public.

Preliminary interviews of residents of Apt A and C indicate none of the occupants were aware, at the time of interview, of any activity in Broussard's apartment or in the hallway until the arrival of police. Interviews of public present at time of outer perimeter set up garnered no substantive information. Suggest follow up.

Detective Thompson and I, Detective De Pina, reviewed messages on answer machine: three from myself and two from Detective Strate (see time stamps and transcripts attached).

Statements, phone messages, and interviews suggest that Ms. Broussard was assaulted, and removed by force, in her apartment between 20:56 hours on Friday, October 31, 1997, at which time she left a message on Detective Strate's answer machine, and 0:30 hours on Saturday, November 1, 1997 at which time Detective Strate left the first message on the answer machine at her residence.

Missing person report has been sent to law enforcement and transport services.

Phone records requested for Ms. Broussard and Detective Strate.

Medical examiner report requested for Detective Strate's incident report.

BOLO issued for K. Broussard.

Forensics reports and blood spatter analysis pending

Captain James Mallory, Detective Support Division, notified

Respectfully submitted,

Inez R. De Pina

(2)Los Angeles Police Department

November 2, 1997 7:00 hours

Subject: Injury to a police officer – possible assault by person or persons unknown

Cross reference with Report #11-35160

Follow-up Report of Detective Gordon Thompson

Report #11-35148.1

Evidence suggests that Detective I, B. Enos Strate, was en route to the residence of Katherine Denine Broussard, residing at 131 North Hamilton, Apt B from LAX taking the La Cienega in northerly direction.

Crime scene found (see location and CSI report attached) by grid search of all possible routes to the residence of Detective Inez De Pina (particulars in earlier report).

Detective Strate's wallet, containing cash in the amount of $157.00, several photos, a receipt for an airplane ticket, and a diamond engagement ring, was left at the scene, on the north side of the building in the poorly lit parking lot. Note that the parking area in front of the mini mart was under repair and could not be accessed for parking.

The night employee at the mini mart subsequently identified Detective Strate, as the individual who purchased a pre-paid phone (in-store receipt in report attached) at 0:52 hours on Saturday, November 1, 1997. Phone was not found at scene. Debris was sent to forensics. No phone found in debris. Uniformed patrol currently initiating search of surrounding area.

Note that the individual described by Mun, Kyung-soon in attached statement, was subsequently identified by Detective Strate as a former informant, although he could not recall his name at the time of identification. Warren Underwood, aka Squiggy, was identified, later confirmed by Lieutenant Bertrand Adams, as the person who approached Detective Strate outside his apartment on the night of Friday, October 31, 1997 at approximately 21:45 hours.

Medical examiner report requested for Detective Strate's incident report expected by Monday.

Forensics reports pending on clothing

BOLO issued for Warren Underwood - possible material witness

Captain James Mallory, Detective Support Division, notified

Respectfully submitted,

Gordon T. Thompson