Chapter Ten – Has The Last Victim Been Claimed?

When Steve topped the steps to the upper level he was greeted by the sound of voices coming from the kitchen.  Who could be here this early? he asked himself.  He sauntered, into the room, and quirked a smile at the scene that greeted him.  Mark was busy preparing breakfast, with an autopsy report propped up to the side of the stove.  Jesse and Amanda were re-enacting one of the murders based on Mark's instructions.

"Oh, hey, Steve," Jesse greeted.  "Amanda is just displaying her abilities with an ink pen."

Amanda stood directly behind Jesse with pen poised at the base of Jesse's neck.  "Good morning, Steve."

"When did the two of you get here?" Steve asked.

"About an hour ago," Jesse responded.  "Your dad bribed us with breakfast, not that it was necessary."

Steve moved his gaze to his father who stood looking at him with blue eyes twinkling.  "I wanted to work on the case before we went to work."

Steve dropped his eyes slightly humbled by the sacrifices that he knew had been made.  Mark had been up late reading files, yet he had found the time to make arrangements with Jesse and Amanda.  Jesse had worked a double shift late into the night, but as always, was ready to help.  Amanda was taking time away from CJ and Dion to be here.  "Thanks, I really appreciate it."

"You're welcome, and now that you are up, we can eat," Jesse said with a gleam in his eyes.  "I wanted to wake you up an hour ago, but Amanda wouldn't let me."

Steve smiled.  "I'll set the table."

………………..

Steve walked into the precinct unaware of the smiles that were hidden behind the hands of his co-workers.  As he got closer to his desk he noticed a leggy blonde draped rather decorously in the chair beside his desk.  Her dress was cut so low in the top and the front slit was so high that they almost met in the middle.  He had never seen that much body visible except in a bathing suit.  "Close your mouth, your tongue is dragging on the floor," Steve whispered to Aaron Dunbar as he walked by.

Aaron Dunbar snapped his mouth shut and offered a lopsided smile.  "Well, you have to admit, it's certainly a nice way to start your day."

Steve grinned and proceeded on to his desk.  "May I help you?"

Green eyes that were slightly slanted in the corners appraised the individual in front of her.  "The paper doesn't do you justice."

"Excuse me?" Steve responded.

"I said, the paper doesn't do you justice, you're much better looking in person."

Steve tried to ignore the snickers that he heard behind him.  "I'm sorry, things are pretty hectic around here, what did you need?"

The look in her eyes told Steve that he had asked the wrong question.  She lazily uncrossed her legs and glided out of the chair.  As she stood up she brushed against the entire length of his body and stopped with her hands resting on his chest.  She leaned in close to his ear and purred.  "I don't think you want me to answer that here, maybe we should talk in private," she responded with a suggestive wink.

Steve stepped back a couple of steps.  "Ma'am, did you have some official police business you needed to discuss?"

"Why, yes I do, I work at the coffee shop by the gym and I knew all three of the victims."

Steve looked at her intently.  "What's your name?"

"Sara Meeker."

Steve had to stifle the smile that threatened to engulf his lips, never had a last name been so far off the mark.  "Ms Meeker, if you would be so kind to join me in an interview room?" Steve asked as he motioned towards the closest available room. 

As she turned away, she once again moved in closely to Steve and brushed against him then walked across the room with a sway to her hips that seemed to shake the entire room.

Steve was pulled from his trance by a voice close to his ear.  "Now whose tongue is on the floor?" asked Aaron Dunbar.

Steve self consciously reached towards his mouth as if he really wondered if his tongue had been hanging out.  He looked towards the door to find Sara Meeker framed by the opening.   Her posture was one of invitation.  "Coming?" she asked.

The snickers were back but Steve ignored them.  "Detective Dunbar, would you like to join me in the interview room?"

"Coward," Aaron Dunbar said as he walked by.

"No, careful," Steve responded as he fell into step beside him.

………………..

"How did you know the victims, Ms Meeker?" Steve asked.

With a smile meant to dazzle, Sara Meeker looked at the two men in the room.  "Cliff and Jake were regulars, Brent had just started stopping in."

"What can you tell us about them?" Aaron asked.

"Cliff and Jake were big flirts, but they were harmless.  I hadn't really gotten a chance to know Brent.  He seemed like a sweet guy."

"Did you ever see any of them involved in any kind of altercation?" Steve inquired.

"No, they came in, got their coffee, chatted for a bit, and then left."

"Could you provide us with the names of any other regulars?" Steve requested.

"Only first names, we aren't real big on last names.  Most of them come in every morning."

The conversation had continued is much the same manner until Steve realized that were starting to repeat themselves.  "Ms Meeker, we appreciate you coming in, and I think that's all for now.  Either myself or Detective Dunbar will be by to talk with some of the other regulars."

"I'll be glad to introduce you to them, Lieutenant; I do think I should give you some background information on each of them though, how about over dinner?"

Steve forced a smile.  "I don't think that will be necessary, Detective Dunbar will be at the shop in the morning to talk with the individuals you identify, again thanks for coming by."  As Steve turned to leave the room he found Aaron Dunbar mouthing the word coward.  He grinned, gave a slight nod and continued on.

………………..

Steve turned from retrieving an order from the kitchen to find Alex watching him intently.

"Hi, Steve."

"Alex, did you want to place an order?"

"No, do you have a minute?"

Steve gestured down the counter at all the full stools and then out towards the main dining area that was at capacity.  "Alex, I'm a little busy right now."

"Can I wait till you close?"

Steve glanced at his watch.  "That's going to be another couple of hours."

"That's fine, I think I will place an order," she stated as she slid onto a stool that had just become vacant.

The rest of the evening progressed quickly and Steve was aware of Alex watching him the entire evening.  For, Steve, being at Bob's was relaxing.  Though his cop instincts were never far away he was much more at ease while working at the restaurant. 

Alex had gone to Bob's to eat before, but she had never had the opportunity to see Steve work.  He was a different person.  He normally came off as somewhat stiff and serious, but here his smile came free and easy.  He more resembled the carefree surfer, than the tough hardened cop.  The transformation was incredible and made him even more attractive.  She had watched him cater to the elderly, talk sports and slap backs with the men, and openly flirt with the women.  The repercussions for her actions had been further driven home as she had watched him and fallen a little more in love.

"Alex?"

She jumped as she heard Steve's voice.  "I'm sorry, I must have zoned out for a minute."  As she raised her eyes to look at him she was surprised to see a gentle smile on his lips.

"What did you want?"

"I wanted to talk about…well you know."

The smile disappeared and Steve stood silently watching her.  He shoved his hands in his pockets and leaned against the counter.  "Forgive me I've had a long day so I'm probably easily confused.  From looking at you it almost appears that you regret betraying me."

Alex looked down at her clasped hands.  When she looked back up her expression was one of hopefulness.  'Steve, I am sorry.  It was stupid, irresponsible, and any other words you want to fill in."

"I have a couple, but this is all pointless.  I need some time.  Alex, I let you get close and it was a mistake.  I'll get over it, but it's not going to happen tonight.   Can you back off, please?"  Steve asked.

Alex had been startled by the transformation, the relaxed man that she had observed all night was gone, in his place was the hardened homicide detective.

"Sure, I deserve your anger, but please remember I am genuinely sorry.  I guess I'll go now."  She then slid off the stool and left Steve still leaning against the counter with a frown marring his features.

………………..

The figure had been standing in the shadows for some time now. As the woman left it was obvious that she was crying, anger flared within and was directed to the man left alone inside the restaurant. Aren't very chivalrous are you, Lieutenant Sloan, making a beautiful lady cry? You really shouldn't work alone at night, bad things can happen. Since you are my last I have special plans for you. The thoughts were interrupted by the decision to move toward the back of the restaurant and wait for Steve to walk out the back door to the dumpster with the evening's garbage. The homework had been worthwhile, the cop's routine, although delayed by the lovely lady was now back on schedule and taking up a position in a corner, not far from the dumpster, the shadowy figure fingered the weapon that wouldn't have to wait long to be used.

Steve exited the restaurant and stopped in front of the dumpster.  As he raised the lid up and flipped it over the bang as it collided with the back coincided with a sting along his right side.  His first thought was that he had pulled a muscle.  The sting increased to an ache which was quickly replaced by a knee weakening pain.  He reached a hand to his side and felt a wetness then brought it back up in front of his face.  Blood?  The weak knees buckled and he fell forward towards the dumpster.