"To touch is to heal,

To hurt is to steal,

If you want to kiss the sky,

Better learn how to kneel."

U2 – Mysterious Ways

Chapter 1 - Threads

PHILADELPHIA, 2006

Scotty Valens entered the headquarters in a hurry, when a voice stopped him.

"Excuse me, I'm looking for Lilly Rush, do you know if she's around?"

"Well, I just arrived so I don't if she's here yet. But if I see her, I'll tell her you're here. What's your name?"

"Uhh… Patrick, Patrick Brennan." He said hesitantly. Scotty nodded and without so much as another glance, he left.

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Inside his office, Stillman was briefing the rest of the team on their new case. Checking the door every few seconds, looking for any signs of Scotty.

"The vic's Rose Hyde, 33, married to a Bradley Hyde 35 at the time. They had a 2-months-old daughter, Eve Hyde. The vic was …" Stillman's briefing was interrupted by Scotty who barged into the office, muttering excuses under his breath.

"I'm so sorry, my car didn't start… had to take a cab and it got stuck in traffic." Stillman listened to his excuses with a somewhat amused grin and raised eyebrows.

"Wow Valens, an hour late, that has to be a record, even for you." Vera chuckled and Scotty blushed. He then made way to a seat between Jeffries and Lilly.

"It's ok Valens, only next time you're going to be late, call. Or even better don't ever be this late again." Scotty nodded his agreement and Stillman went back to the case. "So, anyway, vic was found in an alley right behind 'Le Petit Gateaux'."

"Expensive." Lilly stated while Jeffries let out a long whistle.

Stillman continued. "Yeah, well, apparently the husband has his fair amount of wealth. Anyway, they had gone for dinner there because it was their anniversary but the vic found out that her husband was cheating on her, again, and left. Two hours later she was found dead, beaten to death with, what looked like, a bat."

"Ouch, that must've hurt." Vera made a pained face, while Stillman and the rest of the team gave him a glare for having interrupted yet again.

"And somethin' else is gonna hurt you if you don't stop interrupting." Scotty threatened him half-joking, half-serious. Vera only chuckled.

"All right, all right, I was just saying."

"Well, anyway, there were no suspects back then. They considered the husband for a moment. But he didn't have a motive. Why would he kill his wife? They even had a prenup. The way I see it, she is the one that should've killed him." They all nodded in agreement.

"So, why are we interested in this murder now?"

"Well, our millionaire's new wife just died the same, except that the murder weapon is different this time… a golf club"

"Well, looks like a we have a black widow." Vera chuckled at his own comment.

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Scotty and Lilly were walking together towards Scotty's car, on their way to interview the husband, when he remembered about the man that had been looking for Lilly that morning.

"Hey, Lil. There was a man today, looking for you." Lilly looked at him, expecting more information.

"Okay… did he have a name?"

"Hmm… I really can't remember. He was tall, blonde hair, brown eyes… "He tried to remember more information about the guy. "I think he might have been called James, or Henry… wait, it was Patrick something."

Lilly's eyes lit up in recognition. "Brennan, right? Patrick Brennan."

"Yeah, that was it. Patrick Brennan. Look at your smile, Lil, who is he? Your boyfriend?"

"No," Scotty didn't know why but he felt relieved when he heard that, then, at her next words his stomach sunk. "but we've been seeing each other for a couple of weeks and I really like him."

"Oh, well good for you." Then he grinned maliciously. "I can't wait to tell the guys." Lilly rolled her ayes at the comment. She could only hope he didn't because the moment Vera found out he would never leave her alone. She still remembered how it had been when Ray had shown up at the station. At least he Patrick didn't ride a bike. Her thoughts were interrupted when the car slowed to a stop. It was time to have a talk with their black widow.