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Chapter Eleven

"I didn't even know you played chess," Munch said bitterly, as Fin proclaimed checkmate for the third time in a row.

"There is a lot you don't know about me," Fin said looking intensely at Munch before he broke into a grin. Anyway, you're just mad because I have been kicking your ass for the past couple of hours.

"That's because I was assessing your strategy," Munch replied acerbically.

"Yeah, whatever. Are you up for another game?"

"I think you're a bit of a sadist. No I think I'll take a break for now. I feel like having some minestrone soup from Kapela's. Would you like for me to order you some of their potato soup that you seem to love even though it's cloggin' the hell out of your arteries," Munch asked.

"Sure." "And no worries about these arteries. I work out," Fin said cheekily.

Just as Munch was about to reach for the phone it started ringing. He grimaced for a second then picked the phone up.

"Hello."

"Detective Munch, this is Dr. Huang."

"Hello Doctor," Munch said turning his back on Fin, who had stopped putting away the chessboard.

"Munch, I just wanted to pass a long some information that Peter Hoffman formally known as David Stein has briefly popped back on our radar in Pennsylvania. We are keeping an eye out for him but it looks like he is heading back to the city. Are you alone right now? Do you need me to come over?"

"No on both accounts Doctor, thanks for your concern. I'll be fine. I'm not going to crack because one more psychopath is coming back to the city. I'll talk to your later doctor I have to go."

"What's going on," Fin asked once Munch had hung up the phone.

"Turns out that Peter Hoffman, formally known as David Stein, sadist extraordinaire has popped up on the FBI's radar in and it looks as if he is heading this way."

"John,.."

"I think I'm going to go take a shower, okay?"

"I'll be here when you get out, Fin said softly as he watched Munch walk away."

SVU Squad Room

Manhattan

Munch had been back at work fully for only two weeks but he could feel eyes on him everywhere he went and he knew it was more then his tendencies toward paranoia.

Munch walked into Cragen's office. "Does everyone know about me, captain?" Munch finally asked after catching another unie staring at him for a too long period of time.

"Don't worry Munch we are taking every measure to keep as tight a lid as possible," Cragen said. "The only people below me that know about the real reason you where out for the past few months is Fin, Benson, and Stabler."

"Okay Captain, it's probably just me being paranoid."

"You, paranoid, no," Cragen said sarcastically.

"Detective Munch you have a phone call on line seven," the officer who had been giving Munch the stare all day said.

"Thanks," Munch replied.

Munch walked out to his desk to answer the phone.

"Hello, this is Detective Munch."

"John Boy," said a silkly cultured voice on the other end of the line, "You're a detective now. How proud of you I am."

Munch froze for a minute.

"John Boy, are you still there."

"I'm here," Munch finally gritted out. "What do you want David," this name caused Fin who was sitting down at his desk doing paperwork to immediately look up.

"Oh, nothing really, I just wanted to catch up for old time's sake. I here you and your friends at the FBI have been looking for me."

Fin immediately got up and went to go get a trace put on the line.

"Have you been a naughty boy again and told on me? You know it displeases me when you do such things, John."

Munch swallowed but did not respond.

"Enough chit-chat now. John I want to meet with you again."

"I'm not coming anywhere near you."

"Oh you will come, who knows what fate, little Christopher Munch might meet if you don't."

"You Bastard," Munch hissed. "You Bastard." "Now, now, Munch didn't I teach you better then that only the uneducated use profane language. Meet me at Madison and 120th street in half an hour or your brother will be able to arrange his own son's funeral. Oh and I know you will come alone." The line went dead.

"Damn," Fin said. "He was using an untraceable cell phone."

Munch stood up immediately and quickly left the squad room.

"Hold up, Munch." Fin walked after him. Benson and Stabler in pursuit.

"Where are you going we have to contact the FBI."

"No time. That bastard has my nephew and god knows what he could have done to him already."

"How do you know he even has him, he could be bluffing. Don't you think you would have heard something from your brother by now."

"David does not bluff."

"Munch I'm coming with you," Fin said.

"So are we," responded Benson.

"He said come alone."

"We know how to keep a low profile," Fin said.

"Fine whatever, I'm driving," Munch said shortly.

Warehouse

Madison and 120th

Madison and 120th turned out to be some dive warehouse. "Aren't they always," Munch said to himself.

Munch approached the building alone. Fin, Benson, and Stabler were completely out of sight and the FBI was there but Munch could not spot them.

Munch walked into the warehouse and immediately pulled out his flash light and glock. It was black at as pitch inside the warehouse. Munch was deep into the warehouse before he heard something. A muffled voice called for help. He ran towards the sound all the time cautiously keeping an eye out. He felt like it was a trap but he didn't care at this point, if there was remote chance he could save Christopher. Amazingly when Munch found the source of the sound it was Christopher bound and gagged. Munch immediately bent down and begain to untie him. When he was a loose, Munch instructed him to take his spare flash light and get out of the building as quickly as he could. Munch then stood up and began his search for David.

"Where are you, you sick bastard," Munch whispered to himself.

"Hello John," Stein whispered against Munch's neck.

Munch whipped around pointing his gun at the dark figure.

"Now, now John. I wouldn't harm you. You were my first. The ultimate living trophy. Put the gun away."

"I don't think so," Munch said tightening his grip on the gun. "What makes you think I won't shoot you right here where you stand."

"Tsk, tsk. John temper temper. Oh I don't think you will be able to shoot an unarmed suspect and get away with it."

"Maybe, I don't know. They will probably make a special allowance when considering scum like you."

"Oh I don't know John you got away with it once but twice. Tsk. That might be pushing it."

"What are you talking about," Munch questioned

"Oh you remember Baltimore, John. How you shot that guy in cold blood."

"You don't know what you're talking about," Munch replied.

"Oh, I know. I've always kept an eye you. You and all your failed marriages. Did It ever occur to you that maybe the reason why all your marriages resulted in failure was because you were meant for me."

"You bastard," Munch replied and leveled his gun so that it was aimed directly at the center of Stein's forehead.

"Munch no," Fin called out as he entered the room. He rushed up to Munch and knocked his hand away just as Munch fired. The bullet nicked Stein on the shoulder. Out of no where Elliot was instantly there to cuff Stein. He turned to Munch and Fin to find Munch slumped on the floor sobbing and Fin cradling him.

"Get him out of here Elliot," Fin said and turned back to place his chin on top of Munch's head and begin to rock him back and forth.

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