"You know, Detectives, I really don't see why you bothered coming. You know as well as I do that these ridiculous charges will never hold up."
Kay and I exchanged glances before sitting down opposite Walker; he shook his head in amusement, smirking as he continued.
"Besides that," he said, "Do you really think it will matter either way? Baltimore watched you fall the first time…they're probably waiting for it again."
"Shut your mouth." Kay spoke before I could, sounding for all the world as if she were perfectly composed…to the untrained ear, that is. "You're awfully cocky for someone who's sitting in prison, you know that?"
"Detective Howard, it will only be a matter of time before I am cleared of any wrongdoing, and then the two of you will be without a case. There is no physical evidence tying me to any of this." Walker replied, just as evenly.
I really hadn't seen the point of coming here in the first place. In fact, if Kay hadn't threatened to tell my partner the real reason I'd missed the sergeant's exam in '95, I wouldn't have come. As it was, she had, and I'd been forced to come along with her.
"That last note Collins left us as good as nails you to the wall," said Kay, her voice breaking into my line of thought. "He's gonna let you take the fall for this."
"Actually, Detective, I hate to disappoint you, but neither Brandon Collins nor I will be taking the fall for this." said Walker. "That prosecutor you've got on this case looks as if she's hardly out of law school. How long do you think it will take to get her so confused that the judge grants a mistrial when it's asked for?"
"I'll have you know that Casey Novak is one of the best prosecutors I've ever worked with," I said icily, somehow managing to find my voice. "If anyone needs a few years of law school, it's you."
"Ah, he speaks." Walker turned to face me, still smirking. "I must admit, I was rather surprised to see you here, considering."
"Considering what?" Kay demanded, leaning towards him. "I'd watch that mouth if I were you, Walker. You're in enough trouble as it is."
"Might I ask the reason for your visit?" Walker asked, choosing to ignore her comment. His eyes were still on me. I could see Kay watching me out of the corner of her eye, waiting to see what I would do, and for a minute, I considered just reaching forward and hitting Walker, but I didn't.
"We came to see how you like it here," I said finally, acidly. "What's it like, knowing you're never going to know freedom again?"
"I wouldn't be too sure of that if I were you," said Walker. "You're lucky I'm not fighting this any more than I already have. Technically, I shouldn't even be here; Detective Howard is not employed by the NYPD."
He was right, and both of us knew it. We were lucky he hadn't contested the arrest any further. But if he honestly thought that Collins wouldn't let him take the fall alone, he was wrong. The only way we were going to be able to nail Collins this time around was if we got him to turn.
"Fine," said Kay, "We'll give you that. I'm not NYPD. But that still doesn't change the fact that you're an accomplice in twenty murders, not to mention the fact that you were paid to try and murder two cops twenty-four years ago."
"There is a statute of limitations on those types of charges, is there not?" Walker asked, shifting slightly in his seat.
"No," I said, "There's not. Either way you look at it, you're screwed, Walker. The best thing you can do for yourself right now is help us."
"Help you bring me down for murders I didn't commit?" Walker shook his head in disgust. "I think not."
"As far as we're concerned, you did commit these murders," Kay shot back. "Until we find Collins, this is on you."
It amazed me sometimes, the effect that a few words could have on a person. When Walker looked us both in the eye this time, it was almost as if he were seeing us clearly for the first time since this had all begun….like he finally understood that things weren't really as he thought they were. He appeared to be contemplating what he'd just been told, but as always, there wasn't any telling. He was just like Collins, in the way that no one ever knew what he was thinking until he voiced it.
"I no longer care to continue on with this conversation," he said finally, his voice startling me back in to reality. "For the record, this is the only time I will speak to you without an attorney."
Kay rose to her feet and pulled me along with her, casting a contemptuous look in Walker's direction.
"You're digging your own grave, Walker," she told him flatly. "You start taking this route, there isn't any turning back."
"I wasn't expecting a way out, nor do I want one," Walker retorted. "I'll thank the two of you to speak to my attorneys if you have anything else you wish to say to me."
Speaking to him again wasn't likely, at least, as far as I was concerned; Kay could talk to him all she wanted. It still wouldn't get us anywhere. We left the prison and started on our way back to the city in silence. Once we were back in Manhattan, and on the road, Kay glanced over at me as she drove and sighed.
"That went well," she said. Had I not known better, I'd have probably snapped at her for that remark, but I did, and I knew that it was her way of trying to deal with this latest development, so I said nothing and she continued.
"Why do I get the feeling that you're this close to telling me I should've just made Tim come with me?" she asked. I sighed.
"Because I was going to," I admitted. "But then I realized that if I'd sent Tim with you, you'd have probably gotten lost."
"I'm pretty sure I know how to ask directions," Kay said dryly. She trailed off for a moment and shook her head before going on. "It probably would've been easier if I'd made him come with me, though."
I wasn't going to argue with her on that. She knew full well the only reason I'd come was because she'd threatened me with that story, and I could tell she was starting to regret having done that. Then again, I'd done the same thing to her on many occasions, though with different stories, so I figured I'd had it coming in the first place.
"I doubt it," I said finally. "Ever since we got that note tying this round to Adena Watson, he's been kind of…"
"Out there?" said Kay, finishing my sentence. I nodded and went on.
"Yeah," I said. "One can hardly blame him for it, though, considering. I think something like that would have this effect on anyone."
"He's going to have to get over it," said Kay. "He turns this into a personal vendetta, we're screwed."
"I'm pretty sure he knows that," I said. "He's not going to make it personal, and if he does, he's not the only one."
"Well, try not to make it obvious, then." Kay sighed and ran a hand through her hair as we came to a red light before glancing over at me. "That's the surest way to get this messed up."
"I'd like to think that I've been a cop long enough to know how to do my job," I said.
"No one's going to argue with you on that point," Kay remarked, smirking. Silence fell and lingered for a few seconds before she went on. "Walker doesn't want to talk, so we're going to have to find Collins another way."
"Do you have any idea how big this city is?" I asked. "There are five boroughs, Kay. Five. Even if Collins is in this particular borough, it'll take at least a week to find him, and that's if we can get anything to work with."
"We have something to work with," said Kay, choosing to ignore my comments. "All we have to do is trace his next call."
"He's been calling from a pay phone," I pointed out. "Even if we wanted to, we wouldn't be able to figure out exactly which one he'd been using."
But we could narrow it down to an area. Might not tell us where he's been getting his victims from, but at least it'll give us something."
"So we wait." I leaned back in the seat as the light turned green and shook my head. "We could have three, four more victims by the time he calls again."
The month had one more day until it was over. But that didn't mean Collins wouldn't decide to escalate again, and Kay knew it as well as I did, so she said nothing for a while. When she finally spoke again, we had reached a second red light.
"What else can we do?" she asked. "You're the one that said waiting was all we had. Collins knows he's got us in the palm of his hand right now. He's starting to get ahead of himself. He'll slip."
That was what our entire case had been based on, both this time and the first. It hadn't gotten us anywhere twenty-four years ago, and I doubted it was going to get us anywhere now. Then again, maybe it would. Neither of us could see into the future; all we could do was hope. The only problem with that was that hope wasn't exactly the best course of action.
"Collins has reached his 'quota' for the month," Kay said finally, her voice laced with a note of disgust that I didn't miss. "He'll wait. He won't want to risk anything."
We had reached the precinct by this point. I got out of the car and started inside; she followed me, frowning slightly.
"Hold it." She moved in front of the door before I could pull it open and held out her arm. "You're not going in there until you talk to me."
"What is there to talk about?" I asked impatiently. Kay gave me a look.
"Everything," she said. "You've been on pins and needles ever since you sent Rowan to Baltimore about four weeks ago, and I want to know what's going on with you."
She wanted to know what was going on. Figured. Abby had probably mentioned that I hadn't talked to her, and so now Kay was going to keep us both out here in the cold until she got a 'confession' from me. That was one of the things I hated about working with them; they always seemed to know when something was wrong, even when no one around them had ever said anything.
"I don't feel like having this conversation with you," I told her finally. "There is nothing going on with me."
"So you say," Kay retorted. "Don't give me the runaround or I'll beat it out of you."
I had the feeling that she would. But I still didn't want to talk to her. Odds were that if I did, I'd be making things worse than they already were, and if there was anything I didn't want, that was it. If it had been under any other circumstances, I probably would have just told myself that I was being paranoid, but somehow, it didn't feel like that.
"You remember that night about three days ago, when we decided to ask my unit to help us out?" I asked finally and Kay moved slightly away from the doors, nodding slowly.
"Yeah. Collins called in our eighth murder that night," she said. "You went to ask the unit about helping us; Tim and I left, Abby stayed in the interview room. Why?"
"I went up to the precinct rooftop that night," I said. "Started raining…my partner came up after me. We got into a discussion about the first time, then about something else, and then we went inside."
"You're not telling me anything, Munch. Where are you going with this?"
"I'm getting there. After we came inside, I went to get Abby, took her back to the hotel…she made me promise to go home, so I did. Woke up the next morning, the bedroom windows were smashed in and open."
"Someone broke in?"
"Well, I'm assuming that's what happened. No one was in the apartment when I went through it and nothing was missing."
"So if nothing happened, why has it been giving you problems?"
"I think someone's been watching me."
Silence fell after this. Kay looked as if she were this close to laughing at me for saying this, but she didn't. Instead she eyed me for a long moment, as if debating what to say to this, and finally, she came up with something.
"This isn't the first time this has happened, is it?" she asked. I shook my head.
"No," I admitted, "It's not. The first night you saw Walker…I went home and the windows in the living room were open."
"Well, why the hell didn't you say anything before now?" Kay demanded, casting an incredulous look at me. "I saw Walker about a month ago, give or take a week, and you're only just mentioning this?"
"Why do you think I sent Rowan to Baltimore?" I asked in reply. "I didn't do it for my own good. You think I wanted her around here when there could be someone watching?"
"There more than likely is someone watching, and it's more than likely Collins." Kay's voice was suddenly tense, and I could tell she'd just remembered something. "You remember what he said the first time he called, don't you?"
"Another reason why I made Rowan leave," I said. "If he's been watching me, then…"
"Then things just went up another level," said Kay. She turned, pulled the doors open and walked inside; I followed as she continued. "We need to go through your apartment."
That afternoon found the four of us, Elliot, Olivia and Fin standing in the middle of my apartment with technicians from CSU going through everything.
"You're an idiot," Olivia told me as we stood there, "You should have called the police or something about this."
"I am the police," I said dryly. "One of them, anyway." She gave me a look.
"That's beside the point," she said. "Whoever was in here could've killed you. You're lucky you're still here."
As if I needed to feel any guiltier than I already did. This suspicion of being watched had been there ever since I'd first found the windows opened, not to mention the door unlocked. But I hadn't sent Rowan down to Baltimore then. No, I'd waited for another two weeks before doing that. The way things were turning out, I'd be lucky if she were still alive when this all ended.
"She'll be fine." Abby appeared beside me just as this thought crossed my mind, and I turned to look at her, startled.
"How'd you know what I was thinking?" I asked. She smirked, motioning to my hand.
"You were twisting your ring," she said. "But seriously, you have nothing to worry about. If Collins went back to Baltimore, Kai will probably kick his ass if he tries to get to Rowan."
"How long has she been coming to the squad room? And were you planning on telling me about it?"
"Oh, calm down. She hardly ever has time to come by the squad room. Usually the only time we see her is when she's in the Waterfront."
"I hardly think now's the time to worry about that," Tim said dryly, breaking into our conversation. Abby sighed and ran a hand through her hair, turning to face him.
"Good point," she said. "They find anything yet, or are we all just chasing shadows again?"
"Nothing yet, but we've only been through the entryway, living room, and kitchen. They're about to start on the bedrooms." Tim replied.
"If they find something in there, I'm going to be severely disturbed," said Abby.
"You're not the only one," said Fin. One of the CSU techs motioned towards him and he walked over with Olivia; Elliot glanced at his watch before turning towards where Abby and I were.
"Even if they don't find anything, you should probably go somewhere else tonight," Elliot said finally.
"Why would I go somewhere if they don't find anything?" I asked in reply. "What sense does that make?"
"Whoever broke in could do it again," Elliot answered evenly. "You staying here isn't a good idea."
"I'll say," said Abby, breaking into the debate before it went any further. "Don't turn this into an argument, huh? Just come crash at the hotel with me."
"And have to face another interrogation as to whether or not I'm having an affair?" I asked in reply. "I think not."
"Oh, for heaven's sake, John, I hardly think Rowan meant it, and if you're gonna be stubborn about it, I'll just kick your ass and make you come with me."
I heard laughter behind us and turned to find Fin and Olivia standing there, smirking.
"You heard her," said Olivia, "She'll kick your ass if you don't." I cast a look of mock annoyance in her direction and sighed.
"I wouldn't put it past her," I said. "But I'm not having this conversation right now, so we'll worry about it later." Abby snorted.
"Yes, if you can be persuaded to remember it later," she said. "I don't care what you have to say about it, you're not staying here tonight."
"The matter is closed, Abby," I said. "You've already managed to make that quite clear."
Again, there was laughter. At least, until we noticed the CSU tech standing in front of us looking more than slightly bothered.
"You might want to come in here," she said. All seven of us exchanged glances and followed her back into my bedroom. Spread out on the floor was surveillance equipment that definitely wasn't any of theirs.
"I'm assuming this isn't yours," the technician said, turning to face me. I shook my head. If I'd thought I was being paranoid before, this new discovery had definitely just proved me wrong.
"Well, that settles it," Abby said finally. "You are definitely not staying here." She turned to face the technician and sighed. "There any way you can find out how long these have been here, what they've got on them?"
"TARU might be able to," the technician replied, "We'll take it down to their lab, see if they can get anything." She turned to face me. "Your friends are right, Detective. You shouldn't stay here."
As if I needed her to tell me that. If I'd have given Abby any more trouble than I already had, she wouldn't have hesitated to hit me, regardless of whether or not anyone was watching. And as much as I hated to admit it, all of them were right. I couldn't stay here. Not when Collins had been watching for God only knew how long. As if on cue, Abby's cell phone rang, and she reached for it, flipping it open and putting it on a speakerphone setting.
"Hello?"
"ASA Williams. It's nice to hear your voice again. I'm assuming that everyone else is with you." Collins' voice filled the bedroom and all of us jumped; Abby scowled.
"I'm sure you already know the answer to that question," she replied icily. "You do realize that stalking is a crime, right?"
"I haven't been stalking anyone, I've merely been watching." said Collins. "It's hardly my fault if you haven't noticed it by now."
The CSU techs had, thankfully, already gone. The last thing we needed was for any of them to be hearing this. For that matter, the last thing I needed was for the rest of the unit to be hearing this. But they were. And now they were all staring at me, looking as if they were torn between wanting to kill me for not saying anything and going after Collins.
"Well, you know what?" Kay said finally. "The game is up. You've gone too far, Collins, and when we nail you, you're gonna wish you'd never come here."
"I seem to remember hearing the same thing when I was in Baltimore, but I don't wish I'd never gone there; in fact, I'm thinking of returning," came the reply.
"Why did you call?" I asked. "The month's not up; if you've killed another girl that'll make five."
"I'm well aware of that, Detective," Collins told me, "And no, there hasn't been another murder. I am simply calling to inquire as to whether or not Walker has said anything to you."
"You ought to know that already; you've got him wrapped around your little finger as it is," Tim muttered sarcastically. "You're calling from another pay phone, I presume?"
"You would presume correctly, then," said Collins. "Trying to trace me isn't going to do any good."
"Stalking us isn't going to do you any good," Abby retorted. "I'm sure you've realized that there are seven of us, now."
"Ah, yes." Collins' voice took on a smug note as he continued. "The renowned Special Victims Unit. I must say, I'm honored."
"Having us after you isn't exactly something that should make you feel 'honored'," Elliot replied slowly. "What are you playing at?"
"I am playing at nothing, Detective Stabler, nor did I count on dealing with anyone other than those who have handled this type of case before, but since I am, the stakes have risen yet again." said Collins. "If the notes I've left you haven't been helping, then I would assume that maybe the lot of you aren't as good at your jobs as you think you are." A clicking sound told us that he'd hung up. Dead silence lingered over us, broken only by the sounds drifting in from the still-open window.
"How does he know who we are?" Olivia asked finally, motioning to herself and then to Elliot and Fin. "We've never even seen him before."
"That doesn't matter," I said. "We didn't even notice Walker following us until about two weeks, maybe longer, after Kay and Tim got here. He's probably known about the three of you since this began."
It wasn't exactly a comforting thought, considering the fact that Collins was the real driving force behind all of this and Walker wasn't talking, but it was all we had. Abby closed her cell phone and shoved it back into her pocket, shaking her head in disgust. Kay looked at her and then sighed, running a hand through her hair as she spoke.
"He's getting desperate," she said. "You can tell just by listening to him; he thinks we're getting close. That's why he's insulting us…he thinks if he can discourage us enough, we'll let it go."
"Let it go?" Elliot asked. "Eight children are dead because of this man; there's no way we're letting it go."
"I didn't think so," said Abby, "But he's right. The notes he's been leaving aren't doing us any good."
"Neither is his calling from a pay-phone, but if it's the same one every time..." Olivia looked at her watch and sighed. "We should probably get out of here. If he comes back, it'll be because he's expecting you to be here."
She started out of the bedroom and towards the entryway; the rest of us exchanged glances and followed her out. Once we were out of the building we split up; Elliot, Olivia and Fin all headed back towards the precinct; Kay, Tim, Abby and I walked off towards a nearby coffee shop, still somewhat startled by all that we'd found out.
"You can go back for your stuff later, but I don't think it's too good of an idea for you to go back right now," said Abby. I nodded wordlessly as we walked inside and she continued. "You should probably call Rowan sometime today."
My thoughts exactly. I hadn't really had the chance to talk to her since she'd gone and now that all of this had come to light, I wanted to. We slid into one of the booths closest to the door in case we needed to get up and leave again; Abby joined into Kay and Tim's conversation and I ignored them, staring out the window at the people passing us by.
This was definitely a lot worse than it had been before. The first time, Collins hadn't been as adept at this as he was now, and he certainly hadn't been stalking us…at least, not consciously. This time, however…I didn't want to think about it, so I took the mug of coffee Abby shoved at me a few minutes later and looked at her.
"You don't happen to have sleeping pills on you, do you?" I asked, looking at her over my glasses. She rolled her eyes.
"The coffee's fine," she said, "I didn't stick anything in it, so just drink it already." She picked up her own mug and took a sip, frowning slightly as she continued. "You know, I'm kind of worried about this."
"Who isn't?" Tim asked in reply, glancing at her over the rim of his mug. "This isn't exactly something you can just let go of."
"I know that," said Abby. "I just…I get the feeling that something's going to happen and we're not going to be ready for it when it does."
"Something's already happened," Kay pointed out. "This happened. You can't tell me you were ready to see this again."
"That's not what I meant," Abby muttered, but Kay didn't hear her. She had turned and started talking to Tim again. I knew what she meant, though. Even if Walker was now in prison, that didn't mean Collins wouldn't try to pull something, and she was right. We wouldn't be ready for it, and it was only because Collins had so far managed to keep us on our toes as to what he was going to do.
With this in mind, I pulled my cell phone out of my pocket, flipped it open and pushed the first number I had on speed dial before getting up and walking outside.