With several printouts in hand, Kate Beckett felt like they were making some headway at last.
The coroner's office had concluded that the murder method was nearly identical to that of their previous victims, including the matching ballistics of the gun used. But this time the lab crews had also been able to retrieve a fingerprint off the huge assortment of smeared or otherwise distorted prints that had covered Offc. Reese's patrol uniform and gear.
And just by chance it belonged to a repeat offender with an impressive track record when it came to violence.
Perhaps her hope that their killer was beginning to get sloppy had finally paid off.
With her gaze shifted to the paperwork in her hand, she left the office, narrowly missing the person heading her way, having to step off to the side to avoid a collision.
Beckett's surprise soon turned into undisguised dread, reigniting the disappointment she'd felt about the Chief's decision to bring on a criminal profiler.
"Carley Sheringer. I was told you would show up here sometime today."
"It's nice to see you again too, Captain Beckett. It's been a few years. You've climbed the ladder surprisingly fast around here."
Quite used to the patronizing tone, Beckett hid her misgivings beneath a fake smile, then tried to move past the other woman when she rudely held her back by the elbow.
"I am here to see you, so don't run off please."
Those cold blue eyes bore into her soul and Kate gestured toward the bullpen before ripping herself free from the psychologist's grasp.
"And I will make time for you, Miss Sheringer, but first I need to talk to my men."
"Your men seem quite busy babysitting.", came the counter-remark which she knew was only the warm-up for a person who had made it her life's mission to highlight the benefits of psychology while mocking the police force along the way.
Ignoring the comment altogether, she continued on, her gaze driving to Ryan and Esposito who were having an engaged conversation, while SG inspected her father's desk.
"Hey boys…", she said from a few feet away, hoping to catch their attention, "I need you to bring this guy in. But be careful, he's gonna be trouble."
They waited until she rounded the corners to the inner office, followed by a nosy woman who seemed to take great interest in their teamwork.
Once Beckett arrived at the double desk, she handed them the DMV printouts along with the criminal record of their latest person of interest.
"Here you go. Ruben Oseguiro. The lab found his fingerprint on Reece's uniform. It also shows that Reece brought him in on a misconduct complaint a day before the murder, so there's our connection. This guy has quite the rap sheet and it's not petty stuff, so be careful when you bring him in. If he's our killer…"
She didn't have to finish the sentence. Both detective's faces turned somber as they accepted their assignment, understanding the potential for trouble that came with it.
"We'll bring him in…", Kevin reiterated, his eyes drifting to his daughter for a second in an unspoken plea Beckett had been prepared to handle.
"She can stay in my office while you guys are out and about. I have some crayons and paper in my drawer."
"Thank you so much…", the young detective sighed in relief, his smile fading when Sheringer grunted in dismay.
"It's going to be very hard to discuss this case with you, Captain Beckett, if you are busy entertaining a toddler at work."
"I am capable of multi-tasking, Miss Sheringer…", she countered smugly before reaching for SG's little hand, guiding her toward the office, "Aren't you?"