Ch 15: Night sins

Disclaimer: Dun own PR!

Sky Tate—the best criminal profiler at S.P.D had always created the mental picture of those killers, people who analyze and dissect the intricate motives that fuel these frighteningly intelligent stalkers.

So right now, a pile of Dr. Barkley's data sat in front of him and Sky was trying to put into picture of how this seemingly harmless old man could be of any threat to Sydney.

He was ruffling his hair with his hand when a C squad cadet stepped into the room.

"Sir, this is important." The cadet reported grimly, "There's been a series of death cases all over and recently one of the girls died in New Tech City. It was rated an unnatural death."

Sky placed a hand to the back of his neck and massaged it. Great, so his workload just doubled. "Any clues or evidences or a list of prime suspects from the P.D.?" It was going to be a long day ahead.

"Yes, Sir. There is a document on it." The cadet handed Sky a thick envelope with 'Confidential' scrawled across.

"Send our surveillance expert here." Sky answered tiredly, lifting the thick folder out from the envelope. Another unsolved case for us, so we have demoted to ordinary police for child play crimes like since when? It's been a long time since we sent our S.W.A.T. flyers out.

The C squad cadet scuttled out.

"Sky?" Sydney's head darted in the room and called out before knocking the ajar door. "I heard you were looking for me." She explained with a guarded look written all over her weary face.

Sky looked up from the thick document and gazed at the figure standing at the door. His worn out expression turned into a surprise look. Sky had been too busy he hadforgotten who their surveillance expert was.

"Come on in, Syd. Here's our latest case." Sky handed her the thick document and was glad to be relieved of reading that file. He was never thrilled to be cracking civilian's crime case.

She flicked open the page with her thumb and was shocked to see seven previous cases of teenage girls' death, including one in New Tech City. She read on and turned to the last page for a list of suspects. She scanned through the list of names and gasped out loud at the sight of a particular name.

"What?" Sky asked, turning from Dr. Barkley's notes.

"No, no, it was nothing. Just shocked by the long list of prime suspects." Sydney answered quickly.

Sky nodded and returned his attention to Dr. Barkley's file. "By the way Syd, I'm putting you in-charge of this case. After all, you're our best surveillance experts."

Sydney returned her gaze to Sky. "Me?"

Sky nodded again. "Z's our negotiator and Bridge our mechanic—what do they know about this?"

Oh god, Sydney groaned. The name was giving her the creeps already but she was more determined than ever to see him behind bars, under the close scrutiny of the laws.

Putting that at the back of her mind, she pushed her seat closer to Sky.

"Sky, we need to talk about us."

Sky shifted his gaze uneasily. "Another time, Syd. We have a lot to do in our hands now. No time for our private lives."

A momentary silence passed through them. Realized she had been dismissed intentionally, Sydney stood up at the next instance.

"I see. Fine, Sir," Sydney said, "I shall take my leave and read through the file carefully." Her voice flat and icy like a frozen lake.

Sky watched her stormed off. Sorry Syd, I don't have the courage to discuss about us now.

XXX

"Hello Sky, is this seat taken?" Dr. Barkley carried his dinner tray, standing in front of Sky.

"Hey. No."

"How come you are dining alone, Sky? Where's Syd?" The doctor asked.

"I guessed she had something on." Sky shrugged, twirling his fork with the spaghetti. Sky noticed that the doctor was quite popular around here. Everyone seemed to smile or wave as Dr. Barkley passed by.

"I see." He nodded. "She's a busy lady, since young."

Sky looked at the doctor. He had certainly had some questions in mind.

"From what I gathered, you were a family doctor to the Drew's family and a psychiatrist as well. How come it wasn't mentioned then?"

Dr. Barkley had introduced to S.P.D. as Sydney's family doctor but nothing more than that. Sky had to find out the psychiatrist part out from the data he received.

Dr. Barkley smiled. "Yes, I definitely am one but I figured there was nothing aspiring about that. My patients come from all over the city though. Some of which, I had testified in court for them as well."

Sky had read that part as well. The doctor's testament had prevented the death sentences of many criminals.

"So," Sky asked casually. "Since you are a psychiatrist… can you explain why Syd's jumpy when…" his voice trailed, suddenly remembering Bridge's words—dangerous mind games. Was he risking Sydney's life by asking him about this? Shouldn't be, he didn't delude much anyway.

"When she sees me?" Dr. Barkley answered for him.

Sky nodded in silent affirmation.

"Well… it all began…"

XXX

For the second time of that week, a car had almost hit Sydney. This time by a pickup van. Z nagged at her all the way.

"Sydney Drew. Once bitten, twice shy. Third time's an accident. And you have been almost hit by a vehicle TWICE in A WEEK! Doesn't that mean anything at all?" Z shouted.

Sydney shifted in her seat. "Z, I'm sure it was an accident. I had a new assignment, probably too tired to react."

"What? A new assignment, from Sky?"

"Yes. It was a huge file and I must have been too tired to concentrate on crossing the road again."

"You are sure?" Z asked carefully, still not convinced.

"Don't worry Z, I'm fine. Okay, I need to go read the file again. See you tomorrow, friend." With that, Sydney climbed out from the car and dashed into her room.

XXX

The figure sat in his car at a dark corner, well concealed from any passersby or vehicles. His body pitched forward slightly to gaze intently at her. Fiery and narrowed eyes followed her as she dashed towards the lifts.

It was another miss, he thought, but soon, she was going to have to have a feel of water rise up her body.

XXX

Jack stayed with the army. He wasn't really in for a vacation at a time like this. But what was he going to do in these two weeks.

Jack heard a knock on his door.

"Come on in." He said staring outside of his windows.

"Hi, Colonel."

Jack turned. He thought the General had changed his mind about the break he deserved. Now, he was going to have to deal with a lady pester.

"What's up, Captain? Aren't you packing for your trip?" Jack asked bored.

Miranda sat down on one of the chairs. "I was."

Jack switched on the television and started flicking the channels.

"But I wanted you to come with me." Miranda finished.

"Nah, you go ahead. Two weeks passes quickly, I'll just stay here." Jack's legs propped up on a chair and he pretended to be fascinated by a sports game, an encore telecast.

"You will change your mind very soon, Jack." Miranda added with a mysterious smile plastered on her facebefore stepping out of the room.

He shot a look out. Like I will, Jack snorted.

XXX

The car drove away, towards the coast and stared at the breakwaters below. Another down—one more to go.

TBC-Pls R&R! Thanks