A/N: It's been quite a while since I posted a chapter. Some of you know things have been hectic. My grandmother passed away, my brother's heart disease has gotten worse (it's a virus that attacks the outer lining of the heart; if that sounds familiar to anyone...) and I went back to school to get my Master's degree. I wanted to post the next chapter for so long, but I wasn't emotionally available to do so. Anyway, I'm glad to be back and I hope life will be a bit more stable and will allow me to post more often. I hope you all enjoy this chapter and of course, stay safe.
The images that Lieutenant Tao found on the laptop of Major Crimes' most recent victim were so horrible that even hours after seeing them, Sharon could not get them out of her head. Seeing terrible things was part of Sharon's job, but that didn't mean that she ever got used to it. The dozens of videos and photographs of child pornography encrypted on their victim's computer nauseated Sharon. Some of the girls in the videos weren't older than twelve years old, the same age Rainie was when Gary started molesting her. Not that Sharon needed the personal connection to sympathize with the abused children who appeared in the photos and videos.
Andy was talking on the phone with Tao as Sharon reviewed the case notes when Rainie sat down on the armchair opposite to Sharon.
"Is everything okay?" Rainie asked. "You two look a little worried."
"We're dealing with a sensitive case," Sharon replied.
"Oh, I was kinda hoping you had a moment," Rainie said.
"I always have a moment for you, darling." Sharon smiled at her daughter. "What's going on?"
"Remember that Facebook page I made for my comic strip a while ago?"
Sharon nodded. Rainie created that Facebook page to promote "Rusty Nails" and a new comic strip called "Grassroots". Sharon didn't have a Facebook account, but Ricky and Emily told her that Rainie's page was gaining followers quickly and that Rainie had supporters on a Crowdfunding platform called . Sharon had no idea what was, and Ricky explained to her that it was a way for artists to make money off of their art by asking their fans to pledge a monthly amount of their choosing in return for receiving access to exclusive content. Sharon was happy that Rainie was able to monetize her art and secretly became one of Rainie's patrons.
Rainie bit her thumbnail and crossed her legs in the chair. "I got a message today from one of the organizers of Geekdom. Every year, they feature one uprising artist, and they want me to come and talk about "Grassroots". All expenses paid."
"What's Geekdom?" As technologically advanced as Sharon may have been, there was still a massive gap in her knowledge and comprehension of Rainie's world.
"It's a convention. Like ComicCon, the one Ricky always goes to," Rainie explained.
Pushing away fears of Rainie disappearing in a large crowd, Sharon forced a smile. "That sounds like an interesting offer."
"They sent over a contract, and I wondered if you can help me find a lawyer who can go over it and make sure it's legit," Rainie replied.
Sharon motioned towards the file she was holding. "Not before we solve this case."
Rainie nodded as though she'd expected that restriction. "Do you think maybe I should ask Ricky to come with me? I mean, he loves geek stuff."
"That could be nice, the two of you spending some time together. Where is this convention?"
"Con," Rainie corrected.
"Ah." Sharon felt like she was less in-touch with pop culture than she initially suspected. "Where is this con, then?"
"It's in Montreal," Rainie said excitedly. "Which is exciting because I've never been out of the country. I don't even have a passport."
Out of the country. "We'll get you one. But first, send me this contract, and we'll look into it a bit further. When is your deadline?"
"They wrote that I don't have to let them know until next week," Rainie said.
"Alright, I'm sure that's doable," Sharon said.
"Thanks, mom. I appreciate your help," Rainie said and pressed a kiss to Sharon's cheek. "Is there anything I can do to help you guys? Have you eaten dinner?"
"Yes, honey, we're fine."
Rainie wished Sharon and Andy goodnight and went back to her room at the same time as Andy finished his call with Lieutenant Tao.
"What was that about?" He took a seat next to Sharon and wrapped one arm around her shoulders while his other hand stroked her knee.
Sharon explained Rainie's situation.
"That's great. I've read her comic strip. It's awesome, and she's going to get some much-deserved exposure in that convention," Andy said.
"Apparently, it's called a con," Sharon said with a silly smile. "And the exposure is exactly what I'm worried about."
"Did you get a chance to say anything to Rainie about the Stroh report?" Andy asked.
Sharon received the news from Fritz that Stroh may be back in the United States, and a series of supposedly-accidental deaths of people on the East Coast may have been his doing. "No, at this point, it's just conjecture."
"But you're still worried about her going to Montreal and getting the exposure," Andy said.
"Yes, because if Stroh hasn't planned on murdering her until now, once her attendance at the event is published, he'll have a plan formulated, and there will be no way for me to protect her."
"You could go with her," Andy suggested.
"I'm not an officer in Canada. I won't have my weapon there," Sharon replied.
"But we could alert Interpol and see if they can protect Rainie there," Andy suggested.
Sharon sighed. She didn't trust the Interpol to care enough about Rainie. She might have to request that a clause will be added to Rainie's contract that will require the con to assign bodyguards to Rainie at all times. Although, knowing Philip Stroh's resourcefulness, she was sure he'd be able to take them down without difficulty. That was the scariest thing about Stroh—he was able to outsmart complicated structures meant to protect people. He was one of the most sophisticated criminals Sharon ever had to deal with. As much as she believed in herself and her team, if he wanted to, Stroh could manipulate his way into their Murder Room without them noticing. The mere thought of Stroh and his abilities sent a chill down Sharon's spine.
"Are you okay?" Andy asked.
"It's just—" Sharon stuck her pencil behind her ear. "The idea that Stroh is active again terrifies me."
Andy pulled Sharon to him and pressed his lips to her hair. "We'll get him someday, Sharon. And we will end that son of a bitch."
"But what will he do until then? How many more people will he kill to satisfy his sick impulses?" The questions remained hanging in the air between them, making both of them ponder the possible outcomes of Stroh's return to the United States.
"Until we have concrete information about Stroh's whereabouts, we need to finish the investigation into this murder." Andy tapped on the legal pad in Sharon's lap. "And find out who owned the laptop we found with all the sick child pornography material before this asshole attacks a child."
Andy's idea of a distraction was odd, to say the least. Now Sharon had to concentrate on a different monster, one that was within her reach. Putting that person away would give her some peace of mind. She could prevent the sexual abuse of young girls who will hopefully never go through what Rainie endured, who will live happy and safe lives because Sharon and her team prevented a pervert from hurting them. Sharon didn't realize until now how much she needed that outcome, and now that she knew, it was burning inside her life hellfire. She was ready to slay a monster.
-TBC-