I completely forgot to upload this chapter when I finished writing it ages ago. Here you go!


"Detective Grace"

The blonde-haired detective looked up from the file he was reading, smiling warmly at the FBI agent standing next to his desk. "Agent Velasco. What can I do for you?"

"What can you tell me about the Libra killer's latest victim?"

"Jennifer Reynolds, a nurse at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. She was in her mid to late twenties. No priors apart from a couple of parking tickets. She was living with, and engaged to, her colleague Karen Osbourne. And as you know from the searches Ruby flagged, she was helping Jason Gardner, the curator of the Gardner Gallery, to investigate art forgery".

"Any luck tracking down Jason Gardner's supposed source yet?"

"Fletcher Carney? He's homeless, he runs errands or acts as an informant in exchange for food, water, or a place to sleep that isn't an alley. Agent Marshall and I have mapped his known locations from the past two weeks, and I've sent unis to canvas the homeless shelters in that general area. If anyone's seen him recently, we'll find out soon enough".

Agent Velasco nodded. "Good to know. Let us know if you learn anything?"

"Will do. By the way, is there something going on between you and Agent Hayes? I saw the way you looked at her earlier and I couldn't help wondering".

Agent Velasco looked confused. "We work together, Detective. I'm not sure what else you're talking about".

"No harm in being honest with me, Agent. I'm certainly not going to say anything to her, not without your permission, anyway. Do you have a crush on her?" Tobias said simply.

Seeing that he wasn't going to drop the topic, the agent looked around, making sure that her partner was out of earshot, before nodding and sitting down in a chair next to Tobias. "Yes. I have for a while, to be honest".

"You should tell her. Talk to her about how you feel, Agent Velasco".

"But as far as I know, she's straight," the agent said simply.

Tobias glanced towards the conference room window, where the blinds had been raised, meeting the eyes of Agent Hayes who was staring back at them. Her eyes flickered towards Agent Velasco's back, lingering for a few seconds, and Adrian couldn't help noticing the spark of warmth in them as she looked at the other agent. "I still think you should talk to her. You never know, she might feel the same way you do".

The dark-haired woman looked thoughtful. "Thanks, Detective. I think I might take your advice after all".

As she stood to leave and rejoin her colleagues in the conference room, Tobias's phone started to ring quietly in his pocket. He pulled it out and hit the accept button, putting the device to his ear. "Grace."

"Detective. Someone at the Antonio Olivieri Centre recognized our POI, Fletcher Carney. He was there last night until about an hour before our TOD, they said he left clutching a parcel under his arm and looking worried. They said that he came back after 45 minutes, minus the package, and he's been there ever since, presumably asleep".

Recognizing the voice of Officer Ella Phillips, one of the more capable officers who sometimes worked with his team, Tobias nodded gratefully. "Thanks for the tip, Phillips. Text me the address and I'll be there as soon as I can".

"Just did, Detective. You should be getting the text right about… Now".

As if on cue, the detective's phone vibrated, and he pulled it away from his ear just in time to see a text message with an address flash across the screen. "Just got it, we'll be there soon. Thanks again".

"You're welcome. Bye".

There was a soft click from the other end of the line as the officer hung up, and Tobias slipped his phone back into his pocket, giving the FBI agent a satisfied nod. "That was Officer Ella Phillips, one of the unis I have canvasing the homeless shelters. Someone at the Antonio Olivieri Centre near Madison Square Garden recognized Fletcher Carney, says he's there now".

Tobias turned, calling across the bullpen to where Aaron was sitting at his desk, intently studying his computer screen with one hand holding his phone to his ear. "Hey, partner, you coming?"

Tobias's partner glanced up, taking the phone away from his ear briefly. "Can't, sorry. Someone's got to look through this footage Jason Gardner's security guy gave us, and I don't want Ruby to have to do all of it herself".

Tobias nodded in understanding. "Fine. What about you, Agent Velasco? Want to come question a homeless guy about a package?"

"Sure, why not. It's something to do beside watching the profilers work, after all. Always do prefer actually getting out and doing things to standing around in an office or conference room when I can. Give me a minute to brief Agent Chance, then I'll meet you by the elevator" Agent Velasco replied, nodding.

Standing, Tobias nodded as he shrugged on his jacket. I'll meet you there".