So this takes place right after 4x01, things will be different from there. It's not a full AU like my other fics.
I always thought of Gail as very loyal and she seemed very observant; with that, it would make more sense to me if she got out of the relationship with nick in another way, not through cheating. And she'd probably notice his crush on Andy sooner or later, so I sped things up.
Happy Reading. Hope you like it.
1. The Lie
"Are you really going to keep ignoring me?" Nick whines once again.
It's a little after 5AM, we're on early morning shift and we've been partnered today and he's been trying to talk to me since he came back from his task force operation with no success.
We're on the road and he seriously decides he wants to talk to me about this while he's driving.
"I thought I made that clear?!" I answer sarcastically.
"How long are you going to keep punishing me for this?" Two weeks ago it was: 'You're punishing me with the silent treatment?' And now he asks this as if he doesn't know that if it's gone this long then it's not a punishment anymore.
"No, the first two weeks were punishment. Now it's just the way things are." I am trying to make it clear that this thing between us is over.
"Come on Gail. You punch me in the face when you see me, you hug me and then you ignore me for three weeks." He sounds like he's still whining but in confusion.
"And?" I ask.
"I'm really sorry I left without telling you. I thought you were going to Europe." He rambles an explanation.
"Yeah, well, we all thought different things." I tend to deflect or sabotage myself, but I've decided to be good to myself and do what's best for me.
"I'm just trying to understand." I know I'm confusing him, but he knows me well enough by now to know that there's a reason.
"Can we just do our job?" I avoid eye contact as I gesture at our whereabouts.
He does the opposite of that by parking on the curb in front of a convenience store. I guess we're doing this.
"We are doing our job. And we can still talk, because you won't talk to me when we're not doing our job." He's being pushy.
"You want to talk? Fine. You didn't come home, not even once. You could've come for a weekend, but you didn't want to. On top of that, not one call or one text to let me know you're alive." I've always been bad at explaining things, especially feelings and I"m only giving half truths right now.
"So you wanted me to come back for two days and then leave again?" He asks in confusion as if I didn't just say that that's what I wanted.
"Yes! But you didn't want that." I add that last part again.
"I couldn't." He defends.
I look at him with a knowing look because we both know he could've.
"Is this about something that happened while I was gone?" He deflates.
"Like what?" I bite back.
"Is there somebody else?" The nerve of that question.
"No Nicholas! There isn't somebody else on my end!" I emphasis the last two words so he can get it.
He looks confused for a few seconds then it hits him.
"On your end?" It clicks. "Gail, I messed up, I know. But me not coming back or calling doesn't mean I don't want to be with you." It didn't click.
He thinks because he didn't call I thought he didn't want to be with me.
"No, it just means you wanted to be with her more." I clarify hoping this time it would click.
"Oh, Gail, nothing happened between me and Andy." He explains.
"I know." It would've been obvious if something did happen because Andy is bad at keeping secrets like this, guilt would kill her. Plus, she's too hung up on Sam to be with someone else right now.
"Then what…" He's still trying to deny what I'm clearly saying so I cut him off.
"Wait, if I'm being honest, which is a rare thing, it's only fair if you're honest as well." My voice gets serious. He doesn't answer to that because he knows I'm right. "The first week I was punishing you, but when you watch someone and not talk to them, you learn things. And you like her. Yes, you probably still want to be with me, but you like her, and us won't work if you like someone else. So can we just save ourselves the heartache that we know will come?" I add.
"Gail…" He doesn't look at me as he says my name then but I know he's about to be honest. "It was just a crush, it'll go away."
"Will it?" We both know it won't.
"I really am sorry." This time he's sorry for everything.
"Yeah, me too." I then unbuckle my seat belt and open the door which confuses him. As if I could leave the car to get away from him? How would I explain that to dispatch? And Frank?
"I'm going to get a chocolate bar and an orange juice, want one?" I offer as I get out of the car. He knows that's my peace offering. We do have to work together.
And I do need a few minutes away from him right now, I thought he could use the same.
"Sure."
With that I go into the store.
.
"We have a 10-44 on 1873 Bloor Street West in need of assistance. Can all three units in the area head there?" Dispatch alerts.
I grab for the radio to answer.
"1505 responding, we're on our way." I say as I put the sirens on and Nick drives towards the destination.
"1507, we're 2 minutes out." Chloe adds.
"This is 1544, we're on our way." Andy also responds.
"Body at the park, that must have been traumatizing for some people." Nick says.
"Yeah." I agree.
It's been a bit awkward since I came back into the car an hour ago and we went back to our patrol, but it's not as bad as I thought it would be.
For once we had an honest conversation even though I didn't really want to have it.
We drive the rest of the way to the scene in silence.
We arrive on scene before Andy and Dov, but Traci was already there, along with Chris and Chloe who were securing the scene. Traci was standing by the car.
So we head towards Traci for more information.
"Hey, you made it here fast." I point out when we reach her.
"I was in the area." She explains.
"what do we have?" I ask.
"Jogger called it in. He drove here since he lives a bit farther but he loves this park. He parked his car next to this one and noticed the body. He says he saw the window open and thought she was sleeping. He tried to wake her since it's a bit cold to sleep in the car with an open widow and she felt cold to the touch so he called it in. Waiting for information on the cars license plate and for forensics to get here to find ID and confirm cause of death." She uses the pen she's taking notes with to point at the jogger's car, then at the victim.
"I'm going to need one of you to take statements and the other to wait for forensics and help them out. I'll have Andy and Dov canvas the area when they get here." She continues but I've droned her orders out because as she pointed at the body before, I took a look at it and I froze.
Apparently Nick did the same.
"Gail?" He says to get my attention but it's still on the body.
"Gail?" He says a bit louder and that works to make me turn to him, but he can tell I've recognized the victim. "Is that…?" He cuts himself off because for some reason he knows saying the name will trigger whatever emotions I'm fighting right now.
Traci has caught on to my frozen state and Nick's worry.
"What's going on?" She asks.
"Traci." I can hear my voice shake as I say her name so I inhale and exhale to calm my voice. "I can't work this case."
"Why?" She continues the questioning.
"Because that's detective Marnie Chase, central division Ottawa. She was my college roommate for 4 years and We're…" I stop to take a breath noticing that I've just said something wrong and I'm fighting tears at this point. "We were…" I correct. "We were still friends. So I'm going to be asked for questioning. Which means Frank won't want me near this since it could compromise the integrity of the investigation."
"Oh my God. Gail…" She reaches out for comfort and I'm too frozen to fight her attempt at comfort, so I let her rub my arm in comfort. "I'm so sorry."
She then looks to Nick. "Can you take her back to the station? I'll inform Frank and head there as soon as everything is done here."
"Yes, of course." He reaches for me to help me move.
"Gail, I'll make sure we get everything right, and we will get whoever did this." She promises, as Nick starts to help me walk away.
I notice I'm not fighting tears anymore, they're already pouring down.
Andy and Dov had just arrived on scene at this point. They're on their way to the scene when they pass us as we're heading to our car.
"Hey, what's wrong?" Andy being herself reaches out for me once she sees the tears and holds me by the arms.
"Gail? What's wrong?" She repeats when I don't answer or give any form of recognition.
"Gail?" Dov adds.
Nick jumps in. "Traci will explain, but we need to go."
Andy gives him a questioning look. They share a silent conversation which leads to her nodding and letting me go.
We then continue towards the car.
Apart from the "Do you need anything?" question, he drives me back in silence.
Frank was waiting for us as we arrive to the station. He allows me to take off the vest and jacket so that I'm more comfortable. Once I emerge from the gear room, he leads me into his office and asks someone to get me some tea. I forgot who, I wasn't focused.
Nick enters the office with us, refusing to leave my side.
"I knew the victim too." He gives as excuse when Frank asks him why he needs to stay. Frank knew it was more for my sake, but he let it slide and allowed Nick inside.
"Peck, are you well enough to answer a few questions?" Frank asks me.
"Yes." I confirm.
"Okay, so forensics have confirmed the identity. They're clearing the scene as we speak." He speaks in a very soft voice. "We've contacted Central Division in Ottawa to let them know. Since this happened in Toronto, they're going to send us her files so we can continue the investigation. They will inform her family since they're in Ottawa. Some of them will probably be on their way here."
Just then Oliver enters the office with a cup of tea that he sets in front of me.
"Chamomile tea, drink darling, it'll help." He comments patting my shoulder gently as he then takes a stand on the side, leaning on the glass.
"I called Callaghan, he'll be here soon. She's one of us, so it's best if we have more people working on this. Unfortunately, right now you're our only connection to her in this city." He keeps talking in that same soft voice.
As much as I don't think my stomach will accept the tea, Oliver is right. It'll help. I'll need to be hydrated and I'll need calm nerves to give them whatever answers they need.
"Nash is on her way back to talk to you, and Callaghan will be here very soon. Until then, anything you need, you got it." He then turns to Oliver. "Get Swarek in here, we're going to need anyone available."
With that Oliver leaves the room.
Frank gives his attention to Nick. "I'm aware you and Gail knew each other before you joined the police. Is that how you knew the victim?"
"Yes sir, Gail and I dated at the time they were roommates." They'll probably ask Nick small questions until the detectives get here so they can all get answers together.
Oliver and Sam enter the office followed by Callaghan.
"Hey." Callaghan greets as he walks in. "We have a homicide of a detective?"
"Yes, Detective Chase from Ottawa. Her division will send us everything we need once they put it all together. For now, Peck's our connection. Nash will brief us more when she gets here." Frank gestures towards an empty chair so he can take a seat. He then starts telling Luke and Sam what he needs to know about the call and my connection to the victim.
Ten minutes or so later, Traci gets there.
"Nash, what have you got so far?" Frank asks her.
"Dr Stewart, the new forensics pathologist, believes she was poisoned, time of death between 1 and 2 AM. She's probably doing the autopsy as we speak. We've searched the car and taken everything into evidence. We've also checked the car for DNA traces. Everything was sent to the Lab to be checked. I sent Chloe and Chris with them to keep us informed with everything that they find. While Andy and Dov are printing everything and getting the parade room ready for briefing." She explains.
"They have the new pathologist on this?" I ask skeptically.
"Don't worry Gail. She's great. The department has been trying to lure her to work for them for months." She assures me.
"Okay so far, Peck you're the only one we have who knew the victim well. Did you know if anyone wanted her dead?" Frank turns the questioning to me. Starting with the most basic question.
"No. I don't think so? Well probably everyone she's put behind bars? I don't know, we haven't spoken in a few weeks." I know how that last part sounds to them.
"Were you fighting?" Traci hesitantly throws that question. Well it's to be expected.
"No. We try to chat once a week, if we're too busy we text to check up on each other, so she called me about five weeks ago to tell me she was going undercover in Toronto, so that I don't worry if I don't hear from her. All I know is she was working a case that clashed with another case that's connected to gang activity here and since she knew the case well and she was experienced she was sent in undercover. She only told me because I needed to know she'd be here in case I ran into her, so that I'd act as if we don't know each other." I say what I can.
"Does she come to Toronto often? Does she know many people here?" Sam continues the questioning. Being questioned by this many people is annoying.
"Not really. She lived here for college but that was years ago. Then moved back to Ottawa. Every few months she either comes for a weekend or I go there for a weekend. I don't think she kept in touch with anyone else from college. Nick was undercover when she told me about her mission and then I didn't know if I could warn him about it." I then remember something. "I did run into her last week at the cafe on King, she was with a tall skinny guy, he had a tattoo on his neck, mostly behind his ear. I pretended that she was a stranger as requested." I make gestures to the area where his tattoo was on my own neck.
"What was the tattoo of?" Luke asks now.
I try to recall the tattoo in detail. "Um, it had eight arrows. I think it was a Celtic symbol. I think the symbol of chaos?"
Luke then turns from me to Frank. "That's Sal Serrano. He's in the Darik gang. We believe they're connected to most of the untraceable weapons in the city along with a lot of the drug activity. They've recently expanded to Ottawa, which explains the cases clashing. Ferguson is lead on the undercover op, I'm going to call him to come in. He probably doesn't know his cop is dead." Having Luke here is great. He's very good at his job and is connected to almost every department.
Frank nods his confirmation for Luke to make the call.
While Luke stands to the side of the office to make his call, Frank's phone rings. So there's two people on the phone. Frank's call was brief however.
"They've just sent us her file and her father is on his way." He then turns to his computer to find the file and print it.
He makes more than one copy and gives them one each to Traci, Sam and Luke.
Just then Officer Price comes to the door with a file in her hand. She doesn't come in, she just waves it in Traci's direction. She transferred to 15 a few days ago.
"Let's move this to the parade room." Frank starts to get up carrying the needed files. "Peck, feel free to stay in my office or head to the break room."
I know I should stay away from the investigation but that would just make it more difficult. I need to be at least witness to it.
"With all due respect sir, I think it'd be better if I was there, just so that I can give my input when needed. That way if you find something that connects to me, I can give my input from there instead of having you guys waste time on finding me and repeating what you found. Plus I think it would help me deal better if I felt somewhat productive in finding whoever did this. I don't have to actively be involved in the investigation, just witness to it." I ramble on in hopes that it works.
"Okay fine, but you sit in the back and if it gets too much, you can leave the room at any time." He keeps his calm understanding voice.
And with that we make our way to the parade room.
Everyone starts laying out information from the scene of the crime.
Chloe puts up the information she got from forensics.
Twenty minutes in and Ferguson walks into the room. He's probably in his mid to late thirties. He's worked with Steve on a few busts, so he's not a stranger to me.
He's greeted by Luke first and then gets briefed on what happened.
"I don't know if I can disclose information from our undercover investigation, it could compromise it." He relents on giving information when Luke asks for help on his end.
Frank however doesn't let him get away with it. "This is a murder investigation now. It's clear your operation is compromised since your undercover cop has been murdered."
Ferguson knows Frank is right and so he talks. "We had an informant in the Ottawa gang set her up with connections so it would be easier for her to infiltrate their operations here in Toronto. She ended up working with Garrison, he does all their money laundering and drug distribution. That meant that she'd know every penny they were making and from selling what and where the drugs were going. I only see her once a week for briefing and last I saw her was five days ago. We met at our usual spot at Swatow Restaurant at around 1 AM, she told me there was a shipment of drugs coming in from Montreal next week along with the location of where they were meeting."
"And you have no idea why she would be at the park at night?" Luke points at the picture of her car that has a view of the park in it.
"No. They have an office, it's set up behind the bar by the Pandemonium record store. We've been collecting information on them to learn who's their leader. Only Serrano has connections with him. We wanted to learn his identity before making any busts." I feel like Ferguson is starting to get defensive.
Luke puts his hands on his waist and gives a superman like stance then. That's his serious pose, the one he uses when he's about to question someone's decisions.
"Okay, tell me this though, why send a detective from Ottawa undercover here in Toronto? She would've been a better asset undercover there." Luke has a point there.
"She was very familiar with the case and had undercover experience." Ferguson explains.
"Yes but so did Officer Stone from 27 division and from what I know, she was meant to be the one sent in." Luke jumps in with another point.
Ferguson sighs in defeat at that. "Look, it wasn't my decision."
"Then whose was it?" Luke lays it out.
"Superintendent Peck."
At that everyone turns to me in question.
"I didn't know anything about this. She never told me." I defend.
"Why would Superintendent Peck make decisions on this case?" Frank gives Luke a break and asks a question instead.
"Because she's the one who green lit the operation two months ago. She had information that Joel Harrison could be behind the gang and so she put the unit together. She worked a case against him years ago and she couldn't stick the charges, she was hoping it would work this time." Ferguson is being defensive now. "So you should ask her."
"We will." Frank walks away to make the call I presume.
Traci turns to me. "Do you know anything at all about this or can you remember anything that connects to this?"
"No. I guess neither my mother or Marnie wanted me to know anything about this case." I hate that I couldn't help them more.
They keep looking through the evidence and talking it out until Frank comes back.
"Superintendent Peck is on her way."
For once that doesn't make me want to run and avoid her.
They all look at me to see my reaction, but being heartbroken about your friend's death really doesn't leave much more emotions to show.
"From what Marnie stated as her connection in Toronto, you two were roommates?" Ferguson asks me and I nod to confirm that. "
"I would like to question Officer Peck if you don't mind." Ferguson surprises everyone with that.
"We've already questioned her." Frank states.
"Yeah, but like you said, this is a murder investigation." Ferguson throws Frank's words back at him.
"I'm sorry, are you implying I'm a suspect?" I couldn't keep that in, because at this point he's probably more of a suspect than I am.
"I'd say anyone who knew she was in Toronto other than the Darik gang is a suspect." He points out. "So, can I borrow an interrogation room?"
"Her friend's dead and she already told us everything…" Luke starts to defend but I can tell this will lead to a lot of arguments.
"It's okay, I can answer whatever questions he has for me." I jump in to diffuse the situation.
"Great." Ferguson seems glad while Luke shakes his head at me. "So Frank? Room?"
"No." Frank still won't relent. "You question her like a fellow cop and you do it here. We'd all like to listen in case it helps with the case."
"Fine by me."
He then drags a chair and turns it around to face me on the other side of the table as he takes a seat.
"When was the last time you had contact with Detective Chase?" He starts with the same type of questions as the others.
"About five weeks ago, when she called to let me know that she's going undercover so she won't be contacting me for a while." I already knew what his next few questions would be so I thought I'd save him some time and throw that information in there. "And before you ask your next question. No she didn't contact me during her undercover time. All I knew about the case was that it clashed with a case she was working on which made her qualified to take it. She didn't say anything else, other than the fact that it would put her in Toronto and she only told me that so I'd know to ignore her if I run into her in Toronto. And I did when I saw her at the cafe last week."
"Which cafe?" I'm hoping that question is relevant.
"The one on King."
"And you didn't talk to her?" He asks as if I didn't already say that I didn't.
"No I did not. I don't know if she saw me. I only went in to get coffee and a snack, I spotted her sitting at a table with a tall guy that Luke said was Serrano, I ignored them and left as soon as I got my order." Is he going to declare he'll want to get footage next?
"Why were you at that cafe?" His questions feel more like an attack at this point.
"I was on patrol with officer Epstein. We wanted coffee and the cafe happened to be the one we were closest to by then. Dov stayed in the car while I went in to get the drinks." As I said that, he turns towards Dov for confirmation.
"Right, it was like 10AM and then 10 minutes later we got called to a domestic 3 blocks away." Dov confirms as he crosses his arms.
"And you didn't see her?" He asks Dov. Really? And this guy is a detective? This questioning is becoming more and more pointless.
"I think it was made clear he was in the car." Luke jumps in. He seems irritated and he's glaring at Ferguson at this point.
"Right. And when was the last time you saw her before that?" He turns back the questioning to me.
"About three months ago. She came to visit. She stayed with me at my parents house." I throw in the parents house knowing he won't question the truth of that answer knowing he'd have to face the scrutiny of my mother if he goes after proof.
"And you two were just friends?" Why is he asking questions that the answers to were made clear?
"Yes? That's pretty clear at this point." I can feel the sass coming out and I'm trying to contain my annoyance at these questions.
"You were never more?" Ah, so that's where he's going with this.
I failed and had to bite back at that.
"What else would we be?" I'm just baiting him at this point.
"You were roommates for years, and she didn't hide that she liked girls." What does any of this have to do with this?
"Tell me detective, are you not a believer in the friendship between straight men and women?" He's the one confused with my question now.
"No, I am."
"Then tell me why is it different when it's women who like women?" I then lean over to face him clearly, with my annoyance at this situation showing. And before he can say anything or continue this pointless questioning I continue. "Is there a point for these questions where answers are obvious? Or are you just hoping that you can trick me into giving you whatever unreal scenario you're hoping for?"
"Gail." I can hear Sam whisper in warning behind me. I'm sure everyone in the room heard that.
"No I'm just making sure you didn't have more reason to keep in contact while she's undercover." He defends his reasons.
"Ah, so you were hoping I'd be to blame for blowing her cover." Now it makes sense, he's trying to pin this on me. "I assure you. I didn't. I am not going to lie when my friend is dead and anything anyone knows can help find whoever did this." I am trying to keep my temper from exploding on him.
"Okay. I believe the questioning is done here." Luke jumps in to save the situation. "Gail why don't I walk you out of this room so you can rest." He reaches to me to help me up and I let him. "At least until your mom gets here." He adds as we start to walk out of the parade room without anyone's protest.
"What was that?" I ask once we're outside the room and out of earshot.
"That was Ferguson trying to throw you under the bus, so he doesn't look bad for getting his cop killed. Though he seems to have forgotten that the one who will have his head for this is your mother. So him going after you was not the smartest move." He explains. "Plus he's a dick."
Well that last statement was obvious at this point.
"Don't worry Gail. We'll figure this out." He assures me as he leads me to a comfy couch in one of the empty break rooms. "Just sit and relax." He goes for the vending machine in the room and gets a bag of candy. "Here, something sugary. I'll let you know when your mom gets here."
He leaves me to go back to the parade room.
I have no doubt that they'll do their best to figure this out and that they'll be there for me with whatever I need.
However, they're only going to end up with false evidence. Because not one of them, not even Nick, suspected that everything I just told them wasn't true.
Everything I said to any of them was a Lie.
Because I know exactly who did this and why
.