The New York Crime Lab was able to catch every criminal they were asked to within the State. Mac Taylor still lead a team and he knew that his team was composed of some of the best. One of his newest additions was Rebecca Manx and she was starting young. She had graduated her Forensic Science Program at age 21 and finished her Criminal Justice Program at age 23. She was getting her hours for her Masters degree in both Forensic Science and Criminal Justice while working for the lab. She had applied and within moments of seeing her skills, most of the Lab agreed that she was the right one. She managed to help solve numerous cases, and the thing that Mac's team appreciated? She was willing to learn from them. She didn't have the arrogance that some of the people Mac hired did have.

It was another morning and Mac noticed Rebecca walking by with her tablet in hand and she seemed to be looking at something. "Rebecca," he called and she glanced over to him and he nodded. She wanted always to make sure she actually heard it and as she walked in she waited. "Any progression on a couple cases?" She shrugged and typed a few things. "A shrug doesn't-," he began before she put a finger up.

"We have a progression in the Hicks case. I looked into her medical records as Sid noted that there were marks that indicated self harm," she answered pulling something up and handing her tablet over to him. "She was a patient of Dr Martin Colic," she informed. Mac glanced at the record she had pulled up and then waited a second as he knew what Rebecca was going to do. She allowed him a minute to read the findings and when he glanced up she was ready. "I already have Flack after him. I looked into our Jane Doe and ran her face against the clinic's records and found her. Her name? Tamara Tam and she's 22. She was also seeing Dr Martin Colic. Seems the two victims were both depressed and seeing him to help their conditions. Yet they are dead," she responded.

"Any linkable connections to the victims and Colic? Besides that?" She shook her head and then took her tablet and pulled up the pictures of the victims and looked at them. "What did you get from Tamara Tam's parents? Anything about their daughter?"

"Nada. They were awfully quiet. I thought they'd be relieved that we found her. Granted I'm sure they would have rathered to hear that Tamara was alive and well. Not that she was dead," Rebecca answered and Mac nodded showing the picture of Hicks. "I confronted her parents again and nothing. Said they were given assignments and when asked blushed and said just the routine stuff. I don't think that's the truth. Sid showed me images they took while the bodies were fresh. There's marks indicating spanking being used as a form of something," she responded pulling up the images. "I think there's something really weird going on Mac and I don't like it," she answered.

"Agreed. We need to find a way to get a link established." Rebecca looked at him and she chuckled humorlessly. "Are you jumping to conclusions?" She shrugged and pulled up Colic looking at him. "I can't deny that this man has a connection to them. But we can't prove it."

"We'd need someone to go and do an inside job and if someone knew it was the police or Crime Lab, they'd act innocent," she mused thoughtfully. "By the way, the Chief wants to give a briefing on these suicides. Said he wants Stella or you to give the briefing."

"Why us?"

"You're the faces of the lab. You're our bosses. So that means you guys have it," she answered and Mac looked at her smirking. "Me and my big mouth," she muttered before looking at him. "Besides making more progress, is there anything else?"

"Yes. You're coming with me to the briefing as you'll be delivering it," he informed. She looked at him confused and he chuckled at her smirking. "As you just muttered. You and your big mouth. You shouldn't have reminded yourself of my status over you. Besides you've made the most headway in the case. So you'll be delivering that briefing," he warned. She nodded and followed him down to the police station where Detective Flack and Chief Corden were waiting. "Chief Corden. This is Detective Rebecca Manx," he introduced.

"Ah so this is who Detective Flack's been bragging about is with his friends at the Crime Lab. I've heard a lot about you," he greeted as the two of them shook hands.

"All good things I hope," Rebecca chuckled and Flack snickered at that. "Let's be real Flack we don't exactly act all serious every single day every moment of the shift," she began and he nodded chuckling at that. Flack was the one assigned by her university to give her the hours she needed for the Criminal Justice Masters while Mac was in charge of her Forensic Science Masters.

"Fair enough. So do we have enough to deliver a name?" Rebecca shook her head and Flack looked nervous. "Mac really threw you to the fishes huh? No clear ID of killer and you have to brief the public on what we know about the suicides that are beginning to look more like homicides."

"Welcome to having him as your boss," she muttered and then carefully avoided his head swipe. "Knew that was coming. This time I knew what my big mouth earned me," she warned him before grunting. "Forgot to keep my guard up."

"Exactly," he answered before the press arrived. "Don't let them pressure you. Just say we are making connections but nothing is conclusive yet and anyone that is involved is innocent until proven otherwise," Mac warned her.

"You make it sound like," she began before she zipped her mouth and he smirked. As they walked over and stood formally, they knew the Chief of Police had to make a few introductions before they had to be concerned about what came out of her mouth.

"We can understand the concerns of everyone within New York. This is the second suicide and the second time that something has not been adding up with their suicides. They were beginning as happy individuals who had cases of depression."

"What progress has been made on the case?" A reporter threw the Chief for a run and he looked to Mac who pointed to Rebecca.

"Detective Manx will speak more on that," he answered and both Flack and Mac shoved her forwards and she glared at them quickly before walking over to the podium and taking a calming breath. She was about to say something before reporters began.

"Detective Manx! Is it true that these are really homicides?"

"The investigation is still in it's early stages. As the public is aware, we found a second body and at the preliminary glances suicide seems to be the cause. But when we looked into the families and how they interacted with the victims, there was reason to investigate the bodies farther. The nature of their death is still being investigated and is being left at they passed away, for the moment."

"Can you give us a prime suspect at this time?"

"No. We are still investigating the victims, who's names can not be released as of yet in respect for the families. At the moment we have a connection but it's not solid enough to release to the public. What I can tell you is this. The New York Police Department and New York Crime Lab are working tirelessly over this case to seek closure for the victims, the family of the victims and for the city so they can rest in peace. The only thing I can think of to say that isn't just saying we're working is a piece of advice. At this moment, if you are needing someone to talk to, know you have options. Friends and Family are the biggest connections I can think of. Don't think that suicide is the answer. Because in the end, we all suffer. People are always around that want to help. Thank you," she responded walking away and following Mac and Flack down to the cars. "Never do that to me again."

"You didn't even mention depression," Flack noted and she shook her head. "Wouldn't depression and suicide go hand in hand?"

"Sometimes they do, but sometimes they don't. I just wanted the ones who are potentially thinking about suicide to hear me. That way the body count doesn't skyrocket while we're investigating," she responded and Mac nodded at that.

"Experience with suicidal people?"

"Two best friends committed suicide," she answered honestly looking at Flack who was glancing to her through the rearview mirror as he was giving her and Mac a ride back since Stella took the car she used earlier in the morning.

"Then this case has some personal wounds reopening for you," Mac added and she shrugged her shoulders. "If you ever need a minute and need someone to take over, you have my support," he assured. She nodded and as they arrived back, Flack opened Rebecca's door and looked at her.

"Mac was being serious. You need to think about your mental health at some point," he warned and she rolled her eyes walking inside and to the elevator where Mac was waiting. As they rode up, he looked at Rebecca and saw a fire in her eye.

"What is it about these suicides that bothers you?"

"That they appear too well planned. No offence there's usually signs of temporary remorse. Tamara Tam strangled herself so why aren't there any marks on her hands? Isabelle Hicks drowned face first in a pool. Why aren't there head bash marks to say she either came up or accidently hit it on her way back down to black herself out?" He looked at Rebecca who looked determined. "There's something wrong with these suicides. I just didn't want the public hearing the word murder until we have enough proof to tell the killer we're onto them." As she walked back to her section of the lab, Stella saw Mac looking baffled.

"We all saw Rebecca's address and all couldn't be more proud of her. She handled that challenge really well," she began. Mac nodded and then motioned for Stella to follow him. "What is it? You seem concerned and I know it's about Rebecca."

"She's too fired up. She found a link. They both saw Dr Colic. A psychiatrist. Both our victims had depression according to the families. I'm starting to wonder if we need to take a more proactive approach to finding the link. If she's right, her link might be useable."

"But they need to have a psychiatric disorder to see him," Stella began and Mac looked at her. "You better warn her."

"I will. Once she blows off her steam. Is Jo in the lab?" Stella nodded knowing why he was asking. "I have a feeling that we'll need her help to tell Rebecca. Now help me make a fake ID and get things in order," he decided.

"For who?" Stella wanted to hear what Mac had planned. They had been together for almost 2 years now and were planning to marry, but wanted to wait until this case was over as it was clear even when Rebecca was told she'd be working it that she was deeply affected. The two of them looked at her like a daughter they never had.

"For Rebecca Claire Conrad-Taylor."

"Your ex-wife's name is in there," she began and Mac nodded at that. "You really are willing to do this?"

"She's the baby, experience wise and in age, of the team and has already been in close contact with killers. They've almost taken her life twice based on how she fought though she was protected luckily by knowledge and Flack. She wants to prove she's an expert in the field by learning but it doesn't mean that I don't worry about the new blood entering the game. Especially blood that has had nobody in the police force to know the dangers," he answered.

"She's young but she's very intelligent," Stella admitted. "She's helped a lot of people on these floors clear up their cases. Sid has even taken a liking to her. She's well educated, a quick study and willing to accept that she doesn't know everything," she continued.

"Yes but she's also rash, impulsive, bratty to suspects when she feels the need."

"I'll look into her family," Stella answered knowing the unspoken request and he nodded at her. When he walked out to the lab, he saw Jo and Rebecca working. Jo glanced over to see Mac and smiled. Mac gave a small smile and walked over to see Rebecca glancing at something and he realized it was the noose.

"Looking for blood or signs of epithelial cells flaking somewhere," she responded. Mac looked at her as he walked around to face her. "I'm verifying this isn't a suicide of remorse. It's what happens 99.9% of the time when it comes to suicide." Jo and Mac looked to each other and smirked.

"So suicide of remorse?" Jo looked at her curious. "That's a term that sounds a little too extreme for a suicide."

"Basically they want to die, but at the last second they begin to have second thoughts and try to stop it," she answered looking at Jo and then grabbed her flashlight. "I don't see anything. Which tells me they were 100% certain about it."

"But it's not homicide."

"Not physically. Up here," she began pointing to her head. "It is. These patients of Dr Colic's died. Why didn't they get better?" Mac looked at her. "I know you say to not use personal things in reference, but I've seen both. The remorse suicide and then full blown intent."

"The two friends?" Mac remembered her mentioning it back in the car.

"I want to catch that man. They're linked via him." Mac looked at her and she glanced at Mac. "I'd rather prove him innocent but right now, he's the only connection we have." Mac then nodded to Jo and she smiled squeezing Rebecca's shoulder. As Mac saw the door close he walked over to Rebecca.

"I want to catch whoever is driving them to suicide. I have an idea, but it's going to take a lot of acting." She looked at him confused and he handed her an ID wallet. She opened it and read the identification to see her name but it was changed. "If you went undercover, we could catch him. I had Lindsay look at the ages and they are the same. Between ages 20-25. You're 23 which could put him on the radar with you if you appeared to need a shrink."

"Better have a good story," she warned and Stella walked in and handed Rebecca a file and she opened it and smirked. "One problem. The story might stick but how do you explain Rebecca Conrad-Taylor's MIA status for a few years?"

"Institutionalized," Hawkes answered revealing a folder. "Since 2001, when you were with your aunt. You were only 7 so hearing that your mother was killed caused you to snap. Fearing for your own safety, your grandmother had a friend of mine put you into a psychiatric ward. You and Mac kept in contact via letters," Hawkes began revealing pieces of paper that were shredded. "You in hatred for Mac not coming back for you, shredded them. By age 10 it was decided you would never be able to live alone and when you turned 18 would be deemed incompetent. Mac finally gets a hold of your case worker and convinces him that he can take care of you. Protect you. You and Stella will have a pretty rocky relationship based on the fact that you're still holding onto Claire."

"Workable," she answered.

"Being deemed incompetent means you can't do really anything. Just to keep cover. You get basic rights but you don't get to drink, go out on your own, don't have a car," he warned. She nodded and then looked outside the city. "I think you were right. If we want to clear Colic we have to get under the radar and investigate. Only way to do that is have him take on a patient and someone your age might be the best chance."

"Hawkes? Keep people out of my locker eh?" He nodded knowing why she was saying that and he waited for her to hand over her badge and gun. As he took them he walked with her to the locker room and she opened it taking anything personal.

"I'll be by tomorrow to help you prep for the things." She nodded and he looked at her. "Be warned I can easily get access to your files. Is there anything I might find for while me and my friend are making something for this Colic guy?"

"Not that I can think of," she answered, though internally she was aware what he might find.

"Then we can discuss this further tomorrow," he answered as he watched Flack walk over and take Rebecca by the shoulder to the elevators.