Chapter Three – Strength

Late in the afternoon Captain Cragen was reviewing the case with his detectives.

"All right people tell me what you know about our new victim."

Munch started. "Emily Gaston, age thirty four. Resident of Chicago for the past ten years. She worked at The Field Museum in Chicago for the past eight years. She also spent a great deal of time as a freelance appraiser for private clients mostly working on the east coast. Offered a job by Guardian Research to run their New York office when they decided to expand beyond Europe. Moved here three weeks ago."

Tutuola took over. "Her record's clean. No arrests not even a parking ticket."

"Any connection to our other two victims?" Cragen asked.

"Nothing we can find," Munch replied. "The Summers sisters say they've never met either Nickles or Charney."

"The other employees of Guardian say the same thing," Detective Benson joined in. "Weird bunch though."

"What do you mean?" Cragen inquired.

"The guy in charge," she looked at her notes, "a Xander Harris, he has an eye patch, he was waiting for us to arrive. Already had a copy of Gaston's schedule ready and the woman who drove her back to apartment was standing there waiting for us to interview her. Almost like this kind of thing was routine for them."

"Xander, Dawn, Buffy, do any of these people have normal names?" Stabler said.

"That Buffy is definitely not normal," Tutuola said. "That girl is dangerous."

"Come on Fin," Cragen said. "I saw her, she can't weigh much more than a hundred pounds soaking wet."

"He's right Captain," Munch said. "You didn't see her when she walked into Gaston's apartment. She looked ready to take both of us apart. I was backing up."

"Hell," Fin said. "I thought about going for my gun."

"For that girl?" Cragen sounded exasperated. "You two trying to get some time off?"

"I'm telling you Cap, that girl is dangerous. At the ME's she pushed me aside like I weighed nothing. I've never seen anybody move like that."

Munch continued, "I'd say the same thing except I didn't even see her move. It happened too fast."

"Do you think they're involved with these murders?" Stabler asked.

"No," Munch shook his head. "For one, they weren't in town when the first murder occurred and Buffy didn't get into town until yesterday. Airline confirmed that. They kept pressing for information about the other two murders. I'm pretty certain this isn't the first time they've been involved in a murder investigation. They've both seen dead bodies before. And they both looked pretty pissed. They're anger looked genuine to me."

"Ok," Cragen said. "Benson, Stabler, go back to the other families. See if any of them have heard of this Guardian Research or the Summers sisters. Munch, do a background check on the company and its employees. The first murder was over a month ago, the second three nights ago and the third last night. Our perp's accelerating his schedule. I want answers before a forth body turns up."


Late that night the Summers sisters were sitting in their hotel room talking with Giles on the telephone.

"Buffy, I've checked all of our records," Giles voice came over the speaker, "There is no mention of Margaret Charney or Thomas Nickles. I suppose its possible they were mentioned in the old Councils restricted archives but that's unlikely."

"Thanks Giles," Buffy said.

"Buffy, Dawn" Giles continued. "It looks like Ms Gaston was the victim of a random serial killer. This is a matter for the police. Not us."

"The markings on her body looked like some kind of script," Dawn said. "The killer could be following some kind of ritual pattern. We need to keep checking."

"Dawn, this is a matter for the police. We'll forward you the records on Ms Gaston's contracts with Council. Turn them over to the police and then head back here," Giles said.

"Giles, we need to do something. We can't just walk away," Dawn said.

Buffy was studying her sister as Giles continued to speak.

"Dawn, we need you back in London, not chasing after a serial killer in New York. Leave this to the professionals."

"I'm telling you Giles, those markings on her body are important. The police don't have the resources to track that kind of stuff down."

"Dawn, I know your upset but the answer is no."

Buffy was still looking at Dawn when she spoke. "We're staying for a few days Giles."

"Buffy."

"No, Emily was one of ours. And we take care of our own."

Even over the phone Giles recognized Buffy's tone. He didn't hear it as often as he did back in Sunnydale. But it was the tone Buffy used when she had made up her mind and nothing he could say would change it.

"Very well," he said. "But I expect you two to be circumspect about this. We've done a good job with the Cleveland Police Department in matters Demonic. But you're in New York and you're dealing with a human killer."

"I know Giles," Buffy said. "We'll keep it on the QT and no vigilante action. I'll let you get back to your paperwork now. Goodbye."

"Goodbye," Giles clicked off the phone.

Buffy clicked off the speakerphone and turned her attention to Dawn.

"Thanks Buffy," Dawn said.

"Don't thank me yet, "Buffy said. "Tell me what's wrong."

Dawn got up from her chair and crossed over to the bed. She sat down and stared at floor for a few seconds. She then looked up at Buffy.

"It's my fault she's dead Buffy."

"No it's not," Buffy said. "It's the fault of the man that killed her."

"I hired her," Dawn said. "She was happy in Chicago. I talked her into coming to New York."

Buffy got up and crossed over to the bed. She sat down next to Dawn and wrapped her arm around her sister. "Dawn, you had no way to know this was going to happen. You hired her to run an appraisal office. The Council's public face. She didn't have any connection to the demon hunting side of the Council. There was no reason for you or me to think she was in any danger."

"I know that," Dawn said leaning into her sister. "It's just. I'm sorry for not understanding."

"What?"

"I never really understood what you go through until today," Dawn said. "She was one of my people. She worked for me. She was my responsibility. And now she's dead. I've seen death before. Too many times. But this was the first time a person died because of my decisions. My orders."

"Dawn she did not die because of you."

"But she was my responsibility," Dawn said. "You've been making decisions and being responsible for everyone's life since you were fifteen. I didn't really get what that meant until now. How do you deal with it Buffy?"

"In case you forgot, I haven't dealt with it very well over the years."

"But you always came back," Dawn said. "Even when it would have easier to stay away. I don't know if I'm strong enough to do that."

Buffy turned and looked Dawn directly in the eyes. "Believe me Dawn. You're strong enough. I've always known you've been strong enough. I just never wanted you to have to use that strength. I wanted you to stay away from the darkness. I wanted you to have the life I never could. But I guess that's just not possible for us Summers girls."

"I guess not," Dawn replied. "You're right. I don't think I could walk away knowing the things I know and knowing I can help. Does it ever get any easier?"

"No," Buffy said. "To be honest I'm not certain I want it to get easier. That would mean I'm use to people dying. I don't want to be the kind of person who can be cold about death. It needs to hurt. Otherwise we become just like the things we fight."

"When did you get philosophical?"

"I get more free time to think then I use to. And working with all the new Slayers has given me a chance to think about my calling."

"You don't hate it anymore?"

"No."

"That's all you're going to give me."

"I think we've had enough high minded conversation for the day," Buffy said. "We haven't had chance to really catch up on this trip. Tell me, have you played any more practical jokes on Giles?"