Chapter 2
John saw the look on Natalie's face and felt his heart skip a beat. "What is it Natalie?"
She looked at John then back at the bed. "You better come here."
He moved quickly to her side and felt a familiar knot form in his stomach. "Haver."
She nodded and motioned for Steve to come take photos of the small music box that had been placed almost hidden under the bedcovers.
They walked out of the bedroom and out into the yard. John was the first to find his voice. "How could that be? The man is dead."
Natalie shook her head. "I don't know. It seems a bit late in the game for a copycat doesn't it?"
John nodded. "Unless there's been some coverage about the Music Box Killer case lately, I can't believe it's a copycat. Why would he wait this long to start up?"
"Are you ok?"
He looked at his concerned girlfriend and smiled reassuringly. "Yeah I'm ok. You?"
She nodded. "Yeah. Let's just find this bastard ok? Make sure he's either in jail or really dead this time."
He smiled broadly. "That's my girl."
The sharp look on her face made him hold his hands up in defense. "Figure of speech, down tiger."
She smiled and winked as she headed back inside. There might be more evidence that had been overlooked. She knew Haver as well as anyone on the investigative team, maybe better. She might see something that they missed.
Three hours later Natalie, John and the entire investigative team headed to Rodi's for some decompressing before calling it a night. It had been one of the worst scenes that John had seen, even during his time in the FBI.
Mac groaned loudly as they all walked in but smiled as he began pouring beers for the crowd. Natalie and John took their places on either side of "their" pool table. The CSI team made their bets for Natalie with the cops who were sure that this time, John would win.
"So who's gonna break Lieutenant?"
John smiled at her, moving closer as he lowered his voice. "Go for it. No matter who wins, I still get lucky."
She nodded, smiling broadly as she made her way to the end of the table. John noticed that all of the men standing around watched approvingly as Natalie bent forward to line up her shot. Smiling, he thought to himself, look all you want fellas. She's all mine.
"I got solids." She proceeded to run the table. He shook his head. "Ok, I'm breaking next game."
She laughed as she racked the balls for the next game. "Go for it."
He looked at the cops standing around the table. "See what I put up with?"
They laughed as she rolled her eyes. "Are you gonna talk or play?"
He winked playfully. "Careful what you wish for gorgeous."
No one noticed the quiet stranger sitting in the corner watching every move, every look and hearing every word. "It's going to be so much sweeter this time, Johnny boy."
