Chapter Twenty-Eight

"Did you sleep here?" Natalie said as she walked into the LPD. John looked exhausted, moving towards the offices.

"I would actually have had to sleep for that to be true," John said. He took a seat at one of the desks. "How about you? How are you holding up?"

She shrugged. "I close my eyes and I see her... lying on that bed. Everyone is... I think it's really hitting now, that Jessica's gone. And Ron... I can't believe it. He lived across from Roxy. We know him, hoe could have gotten any of us. Why did he... kill the girls that he did?"

"We're trying to figure that out." John explained. "We'll get to the bottom of this, Natalie. He's not out there anymore, so you girls can rest easy."

"Jessica's still gone," Natalie said. "Nothing's gonna bring her back."

"I know," John said. "I'm sorry."

"Mom's... setting up a memorial service... with Uncle Bo... I think it's a good idea that all the girls get a service."

John nodded. "Agent McBain?" Daniel said. "A word."

"I'll let you get back to work," Natalie said.

"What's up?" John asked once Natalie had gone.

"How do you stand on this Walsh case?" Daniel asked

"Evidence right now points to him. The lighter, the fact that he had the ability to come in contact with each of the girls. Witnesses can put him with two of the last three victims the night of their murders."

"That's two girls... out of five."

"We're working on it." John said. "I'm going to personally tie this guy to each of these girls."



Marcie was glad enough to get out of the hospital and convince Jen that she was well enough to take off on her own. She had made a phone call to Gabrielle, asking if they could meet for lunch. Gabrielle deserved to know Marcie decided. She had the right to know that her son would have been a father.

Marcie needed some time first. Time to put her thoughts in order, time to maybe get some answers about an alibi for Ron. She made her way over to Foxy Roxy's, entering slowly.

"Hi Roxy," Marcie said as she walked inside.

Roxy stepped out of the backroom. "Marcie..." she said "How's Ronnie? They didn't get him in a cell with a bunk buddy named Bubba, did they?"

"I haven't gone down there yet today," Marcie admitted. "He's gonna be with Miss Williamson and John most of the day."

"Well when you see him, you make sure to tell him that I think he ain't guilty."

Marcie smiled. "I will," she said "Is umm... is Bobby still here?"

"You must have somethin' in that water over there in Ridgeview. Your guys... get my heart all a beatin'."

Marcie giggled. "Roxy?"

"He's up on the roof," She said.

"Thanks" Marcie said. She turned from Roxy, making her way up to the flat topped roof. It was chilly as she pulled up her coat collar. "Bobby?" Marcie called.

Bobby came up behind her. "What are you doing up here?" he asked

Marcie jumped. "Looking for you." she said.

"You found me" Bobby smiled perching himself as he pulled a pack of matches out of his pocket. "Is this about Ron?" Marcie nodded. "They're really putting him away for this?"

"They think he did it," Marcie said as Bobby lit his cigarette. "You know Ron as well as I do. You know he's not capable of murder."

"I know that and you know that. But how do we convince the cops... the FBI..."

"I don't know," Marcie said stepping back slightly as Bobby expelled the smoke from his pursed lips. "I was hoping you remembered something else about the other night. Like... what time Ronnie left or when he came back... Anything. Please Bobby."

"I'm a pretty sound sleeper, Marcie." Bobby said. "An earthquake could hit and I'd sleep through it... sorry."

"Me too..." she said sadly. "Thanks anyway, Bobby."

"I'll do anything I can to help. You know that."

"I know," Marcie said. "I'll let you get back to work so Roxy can put some more holes up in this roof for you for tomorrow."

"I'm gonna be taking lunch in a little while if you wanna join me."

"Oh... I have plans" Marcie said "She's probably already waiting for me. I'll take a raincheck though. I'll talk to you later."

Marcie smiled walking down out of the building. She was on the way to face Gabrielle. She only hoped she could find the right words to tell her what she had to say.