Disclaimer: I do not own Rookie Blue or any of the characters etc…

Author's note: Was it stupid of Gail and Frankie to go and have a drink in a bar and was it stupid of me as an author to send them there? Hopefully this chapter will explain some of that but I guess you the readers will be the judge!

Sorry for the delay in posting this chapter – there is a lot happening in my life right now and I'm struggling to find time to write. However, writing is a welcome escape from some of the more difficult things going on. This is one of the longest chapters I've written so that might make up for the delay.

I hope you enjoy this. Let me know. As always thank you, thank you for reading, reviewing, favoriting and following. It is so great to hear from you.

..

Holly started to run. All she could think about was reaching Gail and she didn't care who she pushed out of the way to get there.

They were in Queer West Village and the sidewalks were packed with people drawn by its funky bars and restaurants, making it difficult for Holly to keep Gail in view or cover the short distance to her. As she ran she yelled out Gail's name and 'take your fucking hands off her'.

Most people moved out of her way and a few shrank back. When Holly thought about it later she realized she probably looked and sounded like a madwoman so it wasn't surprising that the crowd parted.

The yelling momentarily distracted Trent; when Gail came out of the bar he'd waited a bit to see if she was alone before following her. Holly's appearance took him by surprise and he loosened his grip on Gail, who took the opportunity to stomp down hard on right his foot. He grunted in pain and let go of her elbows and she spun around, ready to confront him.

The adrenaline had kicked in and Gail felt completely alert; her earlier fatigue disappearing the moment Trent grabbed hold of her. It was like time stood still and the street around her and all the people and the cars and the colorful signs advertising hipster bars fell away and all she could see was Trent standing before her.

Afterwards, Holly would explain that these sensory distortions were part of the fight or flight response. That the loss of peripheral vision would have been accompanied by a widening of the pupils allowing Gail to focus solely on the threat before her to the exclusion of all else.

Trent, however, had other ideas. Holly had clearly spooked him and he dove into the crowd, agilely weaving through the bodies, and Gail almost immediately lost sight of him. She knew better than to pursue him. She'd learnt her lesson about acting alone, and frankly, now that he had made his intentions clear, that he was coming for her, Gail was too afraid to go after him without back up.

Gail was still trying to figure out where Trent had disappeared, when she nearly had the wind knocked out of her as Holly literally launched herself at her, throwing both arms around Gail in a tight embrace.

'Thank god you're alright, Gail,' she said breathlessly, 'are you alright? Did he hurt you?'

Gail shook her head.

'You're not alright,' Holly's eyes went wide.

'Well that's debatable most of the time but I meant he didn't hurt me, but Holly if you don't let go soon I might just need some medical attention.'

'Oh, oh,' Holly relaxed her hold and stepped back a little so Gail was at arm's length. She peered at Gail intently before doing a quick inventory of her body to reassure herself that Gail was telling the truth and she was indeed unharmed.

'Can't help checking me out, Stewart,' Gail sassed but in that instant it seemed as if all the energy was literally draining out of her and her body sagged. Holly must have spotted it straightaway because she grabbed Gail under the arms to hold her up and pulled her close.

'This can happen after an adrenaline surge,' she murmured soothingly, 'all that blood sugar that was pumped into your muscles is dropping at a rapid rate. Plus you haven't eaten.'

If Gail hadn't felt so weak she would have told Holly to stop with the science lesson and just get them the hell out of here, but she was saved by the arrival of Frankie.

'Fuck Peck, oh thank fuck you're okay,' Frankie said breathlessly,' come on we need to get away from here.'

As Frankie spoke she became aware that two young guys were watching them curiously. They looked to be barely twenty and were holding hands. If that wasn't enough to indicate they weren't a threat, their sweetly earnest expressions were. Still Frankie wasn't taking any chances and Gail could see her put one hand inside her coat where she was wearing a gun in a shoulder holster.

'Did that man attack you? Are you okay? Do we need to call an ambulance or the police?' one of the guys asked, stepping forward slightly, while his companion eyed Frankie a little warily.

Gail shook her head wearily and pointing at Holly said 'Doctor', before pointing at Frankie and then herself, 'Police.'

Frankie pulled out her badge. The two guys looked a little surprised.

'Oh, okay but if you need a witness, I got a good look at him. Black hair. Built. Handsome.' the second guy offered, 'Is he someone you're after?'

'Mm possibly,' Frankie hedged. 'Listen we need to leave so here take my card,' she plucked a card out of a pocket. 'Can you call me on that number and leave a message. I'll get back to you later.'

Frankie then shepherded Gail and Holly back to where her car was parked, one hand underneath her jacket and on her gun, her eyes darting about for any sign of Trent or indeed Aaron. Holly had supported Gail the short distance to the car and once they reached it propelled her into the backseat. By then Gail had started to tremble.

'Holly, I shouldn't be on this investigation, I shouldn't be. It's messing with my head,' Gail said in a small voice and Holly's heart ached at how vulnerable Gail sounded.

She should never have left Gail alone last night, no matter how angry she was with her. Of course this investigation was messing with Gail. Ever since they'd found Trent's first victims she'd been plagued by nightmares. Holly was well aware of that. She'd been woken enough times by Gail trashing about in the bed or calling out and then coming to in a cold sweat, the terror of the nightmare obvious in her hollowed eyes. Holly would hold her then, neither of them speaking except to acknowledge the fact of the nightmare, and before long Gail would calm.

But yesterday, yesterday Holly hadn't comforted Gail. She had pushed her away when she should have been there for her. Holly hadn't trusted herself to tell Gail how, as she listened on the other end of the phone, she was overcome by the certainty that Gail was about to die. It was as if her heart had literally stopped and she held her breath, wondering how long she could remain listening in and yet unable to disconnect, to abandon Gail even as she heard her gasp for air as Trent began to choke her.

It took a long time for her to admit it, but she'd spent those two years in San Francisco grieving the loss of Gail. Sure she'd had some short-lived flings but no one held her attention like Gail. The sex was never as good, the conversations never as engaging and there was never the ease she had experienced with Gail before Lisa and the Penny after which it all went pear-shaped.

Everything was just flatter in San Francisco. Even when she helped crack a case or there was a breakthrough in the lab and she should have been celebrating as her meteoric career rise continued, even those days had a slightly dull patina, making those achievements somehow less meaningful. No one had ever made Holly feel as much or as loved as Gail – she was aware it was clichéd but it was as if life was bigger, sharper somehow, more full of wonder and more keenly felt when she was with Gail.

So Holly knew that to lose Gail again would be to lose herself and there would be no coming back from that. This then was the stuff of her nightmares, not the fears that woke you in the night but the ones that lived with you everyday. It was this that made her lash out at Gail in the interrogation room. But what where her fears compared to Gail's as she felt Trent's fingers around her neck, not knowing if she were about to die.

Now as she looked at Gail's bleak face and felt her shiver against her, Holly was filled with remorse for turning her back on her, for letting her down just as every other person who was supposed to love her had.

'Sshh, it's okay Gail,' Holly said, holding Gail against her and rubbing her back to try and warm her up, 'Frankie have you got any food in here?'

Frankie rummaged around in the glove box and found one of the granola bars that Gail had swiped from Chloe and left behind a few days ago.

'Perfect,' Holly said, unwrapping the bar and holding it out to Gail.

As she bit down on it, Gail became aware of how dry her throat was and how difficult this made it to swallow.

'Water,' she croaked after a moment.

Frankie tossed Holly a bottle from the front and then put the car into gear and moved out into the traffic.

'Where are we going?' Holly asked.

'15. I know Trent probably followed us from there but it's still the safest place for Gail right now until we can figure out what to do.'

'We have to tell my mother,' Gail said, sounding resigned, her voice just audible.

Frankie nodded. That was something she was not looking forward to. She and Gail had fucked up big time. She didn't know what she was thinking taking Gail to a bar. She had decided a drink or two might cheer up the blonde, who understandably was subdued after the encounter with Trent the day before, and then there was the fact that Holly didn't show up at the house last night. When Frankie asked where she was, Gail just shrugged and said 'busy, I guess' and Frankie knew better than to pursue it.

Frankie cursed herself for thinking they'd be safe in a gay bar and cursed herself for getting distracted by that redhead, even if she was rather gorgeous, and cursed herself for not imagining for a moment that Gail would get up and walk out of the place on her own. Fuck, if it hadn't been for Holly, Gail would be god knows where with Trent. Oh, she was in for a shellacking from the Superintendent, especially as only twenty-four hours ago she'd shown up the woman. Frankie imagined Elaine would be merciless in exacting retribution.

'Maybe we should just go into hiding first, send the Superintendent a text when we get there' she quipped and Gail gave a weak laugh.

Oliver was still at the station when they arrived. From the look on their faces, he immediately guessed something was amiss, so he steered the three women into his office. Gail still felt preternaturally cold so Oliver rustled up a blanket from inside a cupboard and handed it to Holly who wrapped it firmly around Gail. She then guided Gail to the couch, sitting down next to her, with one arm protectively around her back.

Oliver pushed a cup of heavily sweetened tea into Gail's hands, saying 'Drink this. It won't make everything be well but it will help'.

He then summonsed a rookie to go get four shawarma, repeating twice 'no tomatoes, you got that, otherwise hell hath no fury than the women you'll have to answer to.'

The rookie backed out the door looking nervous. Even in her weakened state, Gail was grateful Oliver remembered the tomatoes and had clearly decided it was easier to ask for all four without rather than risk the rookie screwing up the order.

'They don't make rookies like they used to in your day Peck,' Oliver shook his head and sighed, 'oh and don't tell Celery about the shawarma. Not unless you plan on getting a new sergeant to wrangle you band of miscreants.'

Oliver paused, noting that Frankie and Holly hadn't reacted to his banter, inconsequential as it was, although he detected a small quirk at the corners of Gail's mouth. When Oliver continued his tone lost some of its geniality and became more serious.

'Much as I enjoy your esteemed company, I'm afraid you can't stay holed up in this office forever and detectives, much as I'm guessing you want to avoid it, we need to inform the Superintendent. I can make the call.'

'No, I'll do it,' Frankie said, 'It's me who fucked up.'

'At last something we can agree on,' Holly said.

Frankie glanced at her, surprised by the bitterness in her voice. Holly wasn't usually this direct. Oliver shifted a bit uneasily, deliberating what to do next. Gail didn't need these two at war with one another. She'd have enough to deal with facing Superintendent Peck, let alone coming to terms with Trent's obsession with her and how she close she came to being his next victim.

'Okay, I am going to place that call to Superintendent Peck,' Oliver decided, 'and I think you three better agree on a version of events before she arrives.' With that he left the room.

'Wait, did Oliver just suggest we collude?' Holly asked.

'It's not considered collusion when it comes to the Superintendent. It's justifiable self-defense,' Gail said drily, feeling somewhat revived now she had drunk the tea and had a little to eat. The shaking had stopped so she pushed the blanket off and turned to face Holly.

'It was my fault, Holly,' she said quietly.

'No, Frankie promised me she'd keep you safe. That she'd make sure nothing would happen to you so what the hell were you doing Frankie.' Holly looked accusingly at Frankie.

'No one can make that kind of promise,' Gail said before Frankie could answer, 'there are no guarantees, you know that Holly.'

'I was keeping an eye on Gail. I mean she was literally a foot away from me and then I saw her go over to talk to you and I figured she'd stay with you. The next thing I knew she'd disappeared,' Frankie said, realizing as she spoke how feeble her explanation sounded.

'But what were you doing taking Gail into a bar with not one but two killers after her?'

'It was stupid, I know,' Frankie faltered, 'but I didn't think Trent would walk into a crowded bar and abduct Gail. He obviously waits to get these women alone and so I thought it would be okay.'

'Holly, there were two of us so it was unlikely Trent would go after me and I guess we believed we could handle it if he did. It's what we're trained to do.' Gail said in Frankie's defense. 'In hindsight it was stupid but I was the one who walked out of there alone.'

'So why did you walk out?' Frankie asked.

'I was hungry. They wouldn't feed me,' Gail deflected.

'It was my fault,' Holly spoke up, 'I have a feeling Gail thought we'd broken up.'

Frankie looked at both women sharply.

'Will you two get your shit together, for the sake of this investigation if nothing else. Gail it is plain for everyone to see, but apparently you, that Holly, who otherwise appears to be a rational and sane woman, is completely smitten with you and in fact only has eyes for you.'

'And that girl back there, Natasha,' Holly said, looking directly at Gail, 'She didn't mean anything. I barely even know her. Lisa dragged me out for a drink. She was tying to hook up with Bridget, but Natasha, who is Bridget's cousin, was staying with Bridget and she didn't want to leave her at home and Lisa kind of twisted my arm to go because of course she didn't want the cousin cramping her style. And then it was really awkward because I'd interviewed Natasha for a job yesterday. But even before that, in fact as soon as I got to the bar, I regretted going and all I wanted to do was go over to your place and see you, Gail,' Holly ended with a lopsided smile.

'Why didn't you say so in the bar?' Gail asked, realizing what a complete idiot she had been to doubt Holly for even one second.

Frankie frowned. Really Gail, she thought, you wanted Holly to say all of that in front of Lisa and two strangers, one of whom Holly potentially had to supervise at work. She could understand why Holly might have been circumspect.

'You didn't really give me a chance,' Holly pointed out to Gail, 'and anyway I was trying to avoid talking about us in front of Lisa. If Lisa decides there is even the slightest crack in our relationship it confirms her belief that we are doomed and then she starts badgering me about setting me up on dates with people she deems more suitable. The thing is I just wanted to get out of that bar, away from Lisa and the other two and get you home but then you were gone, even though I practically walked over Natasha to get out of that booth. And I may have made it very clear to Natasha as I left that you were my girlfriend.'

'Wait,' Frankie said, thinking geez Holly can talk, 'was Natasha the gorgeous one with black hair and green eyes. Wearing a silk green shirt that very nearly matched her eyes. She was sitting across from Lisa and the other brunette.'

So, Holly had to admit, Frankie was paying more attention than she had given her credit for. Although her focus was apparently diverted elsewhere, Frankie had clearly scoped out who was sitting in the booth as Gail made her way over there, even if it was typical she'd taken a good deal more notice of one of most attractive women in the bar.

'She's going to be Holly's intern,' Gail said, her mouth pursed petulantly.

'Wait, how did you even know that?' Holly asked but didn't wait for Gail's reply, 'The interview process isn't complete yet,' she added primly.

'But she's going to be your intern,' Gail insisted.

'Lucky you Holly,' Frankie interjected, pretending she couldn't see the scowl Gail was directing at her, 'can you introduce me to her?'

'Gladly,' Holly said.

Gail rolled her eyes and Holly had to laugh.

'Wow, really, we're in the middle of a major murder investigation, Frankie and I just acted like complete rookies and my mother is on her way to kick our asses into next year but not before she tears strips off us until we literally bleed, in fact we probably will bleed, and you two are talking about setting Frankie up. Just, wow,' Gail said.

Secretly though she was pleased the tension between Holly and Frankie had been diffused. If she was going to get through this, she needed both women united and in her corner.

'When you put it that way it does sound wrong,' Holly conceded.

'I expected better of you Detective Peck, and well Detective Anderson you are the senior officer,' Elaine paused, the fact of Frankie's culpability, though unspoken, hanging heavily between them. 'I should put you both back in uniform but even that would end in disaster because you two appear to have forgotten even your basic training,' Elaine said, her voice unnervingly quiet.

Frankie was waiting for the explosion but so far Elaine had kept her anger in check and Gail knew from a lifetime of experience that this quiet control was more deadly than any outburst.

When Elaine had arrived she'd said curtly 'this better be good. I left the annual dinner of the Police Women's Association for this,' and Gail couldn't help screwing up her face and mouthing to Frankie 'top level ass kissing'. Frankie had to stifle a smile. It was amusing, but Frankie had to admit sort of depressing too, that the Superintendent seemed to bring out Gail's juvenile side. Now Elaine regarded both of them with an icy glare.

'Do you think that because you are police officers that makes you invulnerable to a serial killer.'

'Clearly mother based on past experience I know I'm not,' Gail said, certain Elaine was making a reference to Perick and hating her for it.

'And I would have thought, having come so close to being Ross Perick's next victim, through your own carelessness I might add, that you would have learnt from your mistakes and not run headlong into the arms of another serial killer.'

'Okay mother, I was a fuck-up as a cadet, and as a rookie and as a constable and I'm a fuck-up as a detective and,' Gail stopped as Holly gently placed a hand on her arm.

'And if it weren't for Gail you wouldn't have flushed out Trent,' Holly said, 'you're closing in on him so it would make sense for him to go to ground, disappear, but instead he's still in Toronto. It's clear he hasn't left because he thinks he's still got a chance of snatching Gail. He obviously has no idea Gail is being watched over otherwise he wouldn't have approached her tonight. It means you've got a better chance of catching him.'

Elaine turned to regard Holly

'And if it weren't for you, Dr Stewart, Trent would have Gail right now and this conversation would be taking a very different turn.'

'You don't think I'm well aware of that or hate the idea of Gail being used as bait for this guy, but it's done now so we need to move on and work out how to use this information about Trent to our advantage.'

Gail watched as Elaine paused and then considered Holly as if taking stock of her for the first time. She gave a small nod in agreement. Gail wasn't sure if her mother was impressed by the fact that Holly was standing up to her or by her shrewd assessment of the situation but Elaine's expression was one of approbation. Weird, Gail mused, I've finally found a partner my mother approves of. Wow, this is novel.

'If only Detectives Anderson and Peck had half of your tactical acumen,' Elaine told Holly, 'we may not be in this mess.'

Okay, thought Gail, no need to get too excited about her mother's new found esteem for Holly. It seemed Elaine was using it to drive a wedge between she and Holly. Gail wondered why she had expected anything less.

Holly visibly gritted her teeth.

'I doubt you'd even know Trent and Aaron were the killers if it weren't for Gail and Frankie,' she said slowly, the pace of her delivery allowing her time to calm her emotions as she fought the urge to slap this woman.

Holly wasn't a violent person, in fact she abhorred physical violence of any kind, but Elaine was bringing out a belligerence in her. Holly suspected she was not alone in reacting this way to the Superintendent.

Elaine made a skeptical noise. Holly had always suspected that Gail's stories of her mother's bullying were a little exaggerated. Certainly when Steve was first in the hospital Elaine had been charming, going out of her way to accommodate Holly and make it possible for her to drag Gail home for some much needed rest. Now though, Holly realized Gail's bitter comments hadn't come close to describing just how tyrannical, how cold and unforgiving this woman could be.

'Gail,' Holly said, not disguising the antipathy she felt towards Elaine at this moment, 'tell the Superintendent what Trent said to you when he grabbed you.'

'He said it was time for me to join the party, and then he said the three of us can't start without you.'

Elaine's eyes narrowed and Gail could tell she had immediately worked out the implications of Trent's words.

'Yep,' Gail said, 'it sounds like Trent and Aaron already have their next victim.'

….

Chloe sighed as she got out of the car. It had been a long shift. Superintendent Peck had had them chasing down Trent and Aaron all day but it had been a futile search. The two men appeared to have gone to ground.

She and Andy had spoken to colleagues and neighbors and even the barista in the coffee shop that operated out of the ground floor of Trent's building, but no one had any idea about the whereabouts of the two men or could recall seeing them that day or the previous one. Neither Trent nor Aaron seemed to have any close friends. Neighbors generally described them as loners who kept to themselves.

A young woman, who lived across the hall from Trent said, 'Oh you mean that hot guy. I tried to talk to him but he gave me the brush off. I mean at first he came across as all charm, but then I realized how arrogant he was.' Not Trent's type, Chloe thought at she looked at the brunette.

Pastor Danny couldn't think of anywhere Aaron would be likely to hide away a victim.

'No old haunts, like an old abandoned house, that the two of you played in as children?' Andy asked.

Danny shook his head.

'We weren't that close even when we were kids.'

As Chloe made her way up the brick path to the front porch, she saw the house was in darkness and wondered where Frankie and Gail were. Gail had sent a text a few hours earlier saying they were going to the range. Surely they couldn't still be there.

She knew Gail was frustrated at being confined to the station all day, and then there was something weird going on with Holly but of course Gail hadn't wanted to talk about it. Frankie thought the range might help Gail let off some steam.

Dov was back at 15, working overtime with Matt checking whether Trent or Aaron owned a property or had access to one that might be their bolthole, a place they were likely to take the victims.

The sensor light was out in the porch and she fumbled around to find the right key to put in the lock. As she opened the door and felt around for the hallway light switch, she was slammed into the wall with considerable force. A tall hooded figure ran passed her out of the house and down the porch steps. Chloe was so badly winded she was almost doubled over but somehow she managed to stand and push off after the guy.

Gasping and clutching her side, Chloe called out 'stop, police' but the man was already at least a block ahead of her. He looked to be fit and, with the pain in her side increasing and each breathe becoming more labored, she knew there was no way of catching up with him. When the man vaulted over a high brick wall, Chloe finally gave up the chase. She pressed a hand to her chest and tried to slow her breathing, although even that hurt. Damn, she hoped she hadn't broken a rib. After a moment she fished her phone out her jean's pocket and called Oliver.

'No one associated with FindLove has been reported missing. Detectives Strickland and Garcia have spent hours cross referencing the missing person's register with the FindLove membership but they've found nothing,' Elaine said, 'It's possible we're reading too much into what Trent said.'

'Trent would realize we've figured out the FindLove connection so he may have deliberately chosen someone from FindLove who won't be missed for a while, someone without family or close friends in Toronto,' Gail suggested, 'also it's possible they took her today so no one's filed a missing person's report yet.'

'Or,' Frankie added, 'it's someone not associated with FindLove.'

'Serial killers usually stick to their patterns. It's all part of the fantasy Trent's probably constructed and he won't like to deviate from it, ' Holly said, 'so it's more likely he's taken a FindLove member.'

'Still its worth looking for any women reported missing who resemble the victims and I am well aware,' Elaine held up her hand to stop any interjections from Gail and Frankie, 'of how many blonde, blue-eyed women go missing each week in Canada, but we've got to explore all options.'

'Okay,' Frankie said, 'Gail, um I mean Detective Peck and I can help with the search.'

'No,' Elaine said as she stood, 'you've done enough for today.'

Gail sighed loudly. They were being sidelined. Clearly after this evening's fiasco her mother didn't trust them.

'I only meant,' Elaine looked at Gail sharply, clearly having heard her sigh, 'that you've had enough for today. I think you three need to rest up so we can tackle this fresh in the morning.'

'But if Trent and Aaron have someone now we can't afford to wait until tomorrow,' Gail said, 'we can't leave her out there.' She drummed her fingers on the armrest of the couch in frustration.

'Gail,' Holly said, placing her hand reassuringly on Gail's arm, 'it's awful to think about it but it sounds like Trent and Aaron won't do anything until they have you which buys us sometime. From what you've said it appears that part of the reason they take two women is so one of the women watches while the other suffers. Trent and Aaron would be getting off on that. It fits with the sadism they've displayed so far. Without you there they at least may not go through with sexually assaulting the victim.'

'I think you're right Dr Stewart, ' Elaine said,

'You seem to know quite a bit about serial killers,' Frankie said, clearly a little impressed.

'It's fairly basic knowledge. I did some phycology units before I specialized in forensics,' Holly shrugged modestly.

'And of course you worked the Weeks serial case in San Francisco,' Elaine said.

As Holly nodded in confirmation, it occurred to Gail that of course her mother would have checked up on the doctor. Elaine liked to have the low down on anyone on or associated with the force, particularly those in senior positions because, well Gail thought, knowledge is power. Then again, she wouldn't put it past Elaine to look into Holly's background to make sure she was suitable for her daughter.

'The Weeks case?' Frankie queried.

'Nasty piece of work. Maurice Weeks. Had a thing for teenage girls. He killed four girls before the SFPD caught him. He had plans to murder a least another five. They found a room in his house dedicated to what he termed his 'crusade'. There were photographs of the girls, their addresses, information about their daily routines, what time they went to school, got home. Who visited the house regularly. Even information about their parent's routines.'

'That's a lot of planning,' Gail noted.

'Again it's fairly typical of a serial killer. They derive almost as much pleasure from the anticipation, and then afterwards from reliving the murder and sexual assault, as they do acting it out. So they will fantasize about it over and over and in elaborate detail. They usually meticulously plan the abduction. Leave nothing to chance because of course they like to be in control and it unnerves them if things don't go to plan.'

'Which means Trent has probably been watching Gail, even before she went to the gym,' Elaine said.

'Trent or Aaron,' Gail grimaced.

'True, but Trent must have been following you tonight, to approach you outside the bar and that wasn't well thought out, it seemed opportunistic,' Frankie said.

'Maybe he's acting out of character because he's rattled,' Gail suggested.

'That's possible, but in the car Trent accused you of being obsessed with him, but what if he was deflecting,' Holly mused, 'What if he's obsessed with you to an even greater degree than he was with the other women because you present a challenge. Unlike the other women, you know exactly who he is and you're doing everything you can to stop him.'

'So getting Gail would prove he has ultimate control, she has become the prize,' Frankie said.

'It seems like it. Maybe he's taking his time with Gail because she is the prize. You had no reports of Trent threatening the other victims before they were abducted, and if he had surely at least one of them would have told the police or a friend. Trent obviously obtains pleasure from tormenting women so maybe the way he's toying with Gail represents a refinement of his MO. Perhaps it's a way of building the anticipation, and so increasing his gratification,' Holly said.

Gail couldn't help shuddering slightly and Holly drew her closer. Still Gail was fascinated that even now in the midst of this awful, gruesome mess, and even though she was so worried for Gail's safety, Holly's big brain couldn't resist chewing over a puzzle.

Elaine looked thoughtful, 'If Trent or Aaron are watching you Gail, you can't go home, even if half of 15 appears to have taken up residence at your house. And if we can keep you safe Gail, it means if they have their next victim she may be spared, for now anyway.'

'Which means the best way of protecting the victim is to keep Gail safe,' Holly said.

'At least it may buy us some time to find her,' Elaine agreed.

'Which also means Gail you can't do anything foolhardy to put yourself at risk,' Frankie said.

Gail nodded solemnly and the four women were briefly silent, each one of them thinking about the enormity of the task ahead of them. A gentle tap on the door interrupted their reflections and Oliver stepped into the office. He looked worried.

'I just got a call from Chloe. There was an intruder in Gail's house. She tried to catch him but he was too fast. He was wearing a hoodie and Chloe couldn't see his face but from his height and build she's sure it was Trent.'

'Oh my god, is she okay? Is there someone with her?' Gail asked, rising from the couch.

Holly noted the look of concern on Gail's face that put lie to her oft-stated claim that she just tolerated the 'Disney Princess'. It took Holly back to the time in the bath when Gail had hacked off her hair and couldn't disguise how anxious she was for the people she hadn't hesitated in that moment to call friends.

'She's okay. Possibly some bruised ribs were he pushed her into the wall on his way out the door. Officers Moore and Pedersen are with her now. They had a look around. Nothing seems disturbed so they figure Chloe surprised him not long after he broke in.'

'How did he get in?' Elaine asked.

'He broke the glass in the backdoor. Gail's got a fairly high wall out the back of her place but he could have come through the neighbor's yard.'

Elaine turned to look at Gail, with both eyebrows raised.

'No mother. I don't have an alarm system,' Gail sighed.

Elaine ignored the comment and instead instructed Gail, who was still standing and looking like she was ready to make a break for it, to take a seat.

'I need to see if Chloe is alright,' Gail said stubbornly.

'It's okay, Chloe promised me she'll go to the ER to get checked out once we get some more officers there,' Oliver said kindly.

'And Gail,' Elaine said, 'it's the last place you should be right now. Detective Anderson take Detectives Kennedy and Epstein to assess the scene. Sergeant Shaw, we'll need forensics over there in case we can get prints. Epstein will probably want to take Officer Price to the hospital.'

Of course her mother would be keeping tabs on who was dating whom at 15, Gail thought. Although the fact that Elaine indicated Dov should accompany Chloe to the ER suggested she wasn't entirely heartless. Maybe just when it came to her daughter.

'I should be there. I could point out if anything has been tampered with in the house,' Gail persisted.

'No,' Elaine said, 'Detective Anderson and Officer Price can check that, we need to put you out of sight.'

Gail frowned. She wasn't entirely excited about the prospect of Frankie and Chloe going through her room. The rest of the house was fine but her room was private, her sanctuary from the world, and, besides there were things in it that she'd rather Frankie and Chloe didn't find. She'd just have to hope their search wasn't too thorough.

'Do we need to organize a safe house for Gail?' Frankie asked.

'No, I think Gail, Dr Stewart and you should spend the night at my house. That's if you are happy to do so Detective Anderson and Dr Stewart. I doubt Trent or Aaron know the address and besides it's as secure as a safe house, if not more so. With you and I there Detective Anderson, I don't think we need to bring in any other officers to protect Gail, although Sergeant Shaw we'll need an unmarked patrol car outside the house.'

Oliver nodded.

'Mom, I'm not going back home, not with Dad there,' Gail said adamantly, noticing her mother had given the other two a choice but assumed she'd fall into line.

'Well, Bill is on a weeklong fishing trip with an old high school buddy so you won't need to worry about running into him.'

'Yay, I finally get to have a slumber party,' Gail said. When she was ten Gail asked Elaine if she could invite a group of friends for a sleep-over but her mother's caustic response meant she never asked again.

'Don't be so childish, Gail,' Elaine said impatiently, 'and don't think I didn't know about those boys and that girl, what was her name, Bella, who you used to sneak up to your room.'

Gail's eyes went wide and Holly and Frankie turned and looked at her inquisitively.

'Bella?' Holly and Frankie asked in unison.

'We never had sex or anything,' Gail shrugged but Holly could tell that beneath her apparent nonchalance Gail was squirming. That and her hurried response made it clear she wasn't keen to explain, at least not in front of Elaine.

Elaine again chose to ignore Gail. 'So that's settled then,' she stated rather than asked and looked at the three women as if daring them to contradict. 'Gail you and Dr Stewart can go and get settled there now. Detective Anderson and I will follow once we've sorted out what's happening at your house.'

When none of them spoke, Elaine said, 'Good, I'll make arrangements to transport Gail and Dr Stewart. Detective Anderson come with me.' With that, she turned and walked briskly from the room with Frankie and Oliver following mutely at her heel, a sign Gail had no doubt her mother would take as confirmation that she'd resumed control.

'How is your family home the safest place to be?' Holly asked astonished at how fast they'd been overtaken by the force that was Elaine Peck.

'It's in a gated community with a security guard. The house itself has enough alarms and surveillance cameras to put the Pentagon to shame,' Gail said.

'You grew up with that?' Holly asked.

'Oh yeah, always on high alert. Which is why Elaine can't forgive me for not looking through that peephole when Perick came knocking.'

'Oh, Gail,' Holly said, reaching for her hand.

…..

Holly and Gail left 15 in the back of a police van – the type that only had windows up front so prisoners couldn't see out and conveniently no one could see in. Elaine decided not to take any chances that either Trent or Aaron were watching the station. She'd organized for Strickland and Garcia to pick up Gail and Holly about half between 15 and the Peck household and take them the rest of the way.

'Geez, I didn't realize all police vans smelt the same,' Holly said, wrinkling her nose.

'That intoxicating mix of fear and desperation and sweat overlaid with a faint trace of puke,' Gail said drily, 'wait Lunchbox, this isn't the first time you've been in one of these vans is it?'

Holly nodded.

'Oh my god, you were arrested?' Gail was incredulous, 'wait, I bet it was at a demonstration.'

'It was when I was at college,' Holly admitted, 'we were protesting against vivisection. Did you know that about two million animals are killed for research in Canada each year? It's worse in the US. The number there is close to 30 million. And there's no justification for it. All of the data collected from testing on animals could be obtained using other methods.'

'Good to see the passion hasn't died,' Gail smiled, 'So, I'm consorting with a known criminal.'

'Well, the charges were dropped,' Holly swatted Gail playfully.

….

It felt weird to back in her family home. Gail hadn't stepped foot here since Steve went to prison two years ago but her parents had left her room untouched. In fact it was almost as exactly as it was when she was a teenager. Gail had emerged out of the shower into her room to see Holly examining the sports medals that Elaine had insisted on displaying. Forget being worried about Price and Anderson going through her stuff, Holly seemed to be doing a fairly thorough job of it in her room here.

'You never told me you won medals for track and swimming,' Holly turned when she heard Gail, that lop-sided smile on her face that was so infurianingly hard to resist.

Really, Gail had to admit, that smile was guaranteed to make her completely pliable, to do anything Holly asked of her, even reveal her closest held fears and secrets. The expression putty in Holly's hands popped in to her head. Still she shrugged dismissively and said 'Oh, they're Elaine's medals.'

'I don't see Elaine's name on them,' Holly said in a teasing tone.

'Well, it was she who forced me to get up at the crack of dawn to train and forced me to those meets and it was she who boasted the loudest when I won the medals. If it had been up to me I would have stayed in bed.'

'That's not hard to believe. The staying in bed bit,' Holly laughed and then arched an eyebrow, 'with Bella perhaps?'

'Ugh, I knew you'd bring that up again,' Gail huffed.

'Sooo?'

'We just fooled around a bit when I was like 16. You know just kissing and stuff. She and her family moved away to Vancouver not long after.'

'And that didn't make you think you were attracted to girls.'

'That definitely wasn't in Elaine Peck's master plan,' said Gail, realizing she hadn't even entertained the idea until Holly made it impossible to ignore. 'Besides I just thought all girls experimented and then fantasized about kissing their best friend when they had sex with guys. If I'd known then how good sex was with women I wouldn't have stopped at kissing.'

'Is that so?' Holly smiled playfully.

'You know it's so Holly who has ruined me for anyone else Stewart.'

'Oh, Gail, it's you who have ruined me,' Holly said, her tone suddenly serious, 'and I should never have left you alone last night, with everything you're going through. I promised I would be here for you through this and I let you down.'

'No, no Holly. I don't know why I doubted you. It was stupid. I don't want to sound self-pitying but you know everyone else left when it got too difficult and I spent yesterday convincing myself that's what you'd done. I didn't sleep the night before and I hadn't eaten much all day and by the time I got to the bar I was feeling kind of out of it and then when I saw you with Natasha I just jumped to this ridiculous conclusion and even as I said it I kind of knew how stupid it was.'

'Gail, if I was going to leave you, I promise I would discuss it with you,' Holly took Gail's hand and led her over to sit on the bed, 'but I don't plan on leaving you. You can't get rid of me that easily. I want to grow old with you. I want a family with you. I want to experience life with you. Which is why I can't handle it when you're in danger of any kind.'

'You want a family with me?' Gail asked with a look of astonishment on her face.

'Why is that so surprising?'

'Well, after I said I wanted to adopt Sophie, you went to San Francisco.'

'It was too early in the relationship Gail, we were barely together, and already we'd hit some bumps even without a child thrown into the mix, but yes I could see us with children eventually. As long as you're happy to be the one that gives birth or we could adopt.'

Gail suddenly pulled Holly towards her and kissed her fiercely, and then pushed her back onto the bed. Holly responded, pulling Gail's upper lip between her own, but after a moment she broke the kiss.

'Wait, there's something else I need to tell you,' she said, moving so she was sitting up.

Gail nodded but looked worried. 'Okay,' she said a little warily as she also pulled herself upright.

'When I said the fact that I'd heard Trent threaten you on the phone wasn't the issue what I meant was the problem was that you put yourself in that situation, you risk not just yourself but everything we have and that scares me more than I can tell you.'

Gail nodded again. 'I realized that now. When I thought that my, well obsession, I guess it is an obsession with pursuing these guys, might have destroyed our relationship I was filled with such emptiness. It was almost too much to bear. I couldn't believe how stupid I'd been.'

This time Holly nodded.

'After you told me about Perick, I locked myself in my office and cried. I couldn't stand that had happened to you and I couldn't bear the thought that I might never have known you and that all this would be taken from us. That thought was,' Holly paused and absentmindedly pushed her glasses back up. 'I can't even describe it, devastating doesn't even come close. I mean I'm a scientist. Until I met you I used to scoff at the idea that there is only one person for us but then no one's ever made me feel this way before. I've always been fairly self-sufficient but I literally can't live without you and, I don't want to sound melodramatic, but losing you would destroy me and yesterday I thought you were going to die.'

'Oh, Holly,' Gail said quietly, pulling Holly into a tight hug, burying her face in the crook of Holly's neck 'oh I am sorry I've done this to you. Ever since this case started, I feel like I've been overtaken by this fog of, I don't know, madness? It's like if I get these killers I'll be redeemed. It will go someway towards atoning for Jerry. I realize it's irrational, and I'm trying really hard to resist thinking that way, and I know it's no excuse but it's making me do some crazy things.'

'Honey, I get you feel like you owe these women, that you owe Jerry,' Holly said, 'but you were Jerry's friend and wouldn't he want his friend to be safe and happy, wouldn't that make his sacrifice worthwhile?'

'Yes,' Gail breathed so quietly Holly could just make out the word, but then she said more firmly, 'Yes, yes you're right Holly.'

She moved so their faces were millimeters apart and then slowly leaned in to kiss Holly, softly at first and then with greater intensity. This time it was Holly who pushed her back on the bed, running a hand up Gail's pajama clad leg, across her hip and then under her top. Gail moaned softly.

'Is it right to do this, when Trent and Aaron are still out there, maybe with,' Gail trailed off, leaving unsaid the next part of the sentence but Holly knew she meant with their next victim.

'I need this,' Holly said and Gail immediately understood.

After the last 24 hours this made sense because sex with Holly always felt right and good, the connection an antidote to the evil they couldn't help but be exposed to in their jobs. Sex with Holly, no matter if it were a fast and intense fuck or languid and measured, had a purity and truthfulness that transcended the prosaic, the idiocy and the injustices they butted up against everyday. Above all it bound the two of them together in a way that Gail had never imagined possible before Holly.

And it reminded Gail that life could be a thing of beauty, full of trust and goodness and joy and wonder. It hit her that Jerry had known this and he knew that all of those things were there inside of her, even if she choose to bury them beneath that aloof exterior and even as others dismissed her as cold and arrogant and a bitch. Gail understood then that to honor Jerry meant choosing a life with Holly. Strip bare her defenses and give herself over completely to a woman she could trust with her innermost self, and with whom Gail felt she could make a life of promise and hope worthy of Jerry's sacrifice.

This realization was like a release, as if a great weight had been lifted. It made Gail feel almost euphoric and, even though she should have been utterly exhausted after the day she'd had, she was suddenly energized. She reached for Holly, pulling her in close and holding her tightly. Holly dipped her head down and kissed Gail. The kiss was slow but deliberate, imbued with longing and want and love, an unhurried foretaste of the passion that would follow.

As the kiss ended, Holly looked at Gail with a mischievous expression. 'Anyway, I plan to make you come so hard and in so many ways, it would have blown your teenage self's mind,' she said.

'Why Holly are you jealous of my inept fumblings with Bella? Who knew you were so competitive.'

'Oh, I don't need to be jealous because this isn't a level playing field. The thing is Gail I'm fairly confident, in fact extremely confident that nobody else has ever made you come like I do. So the only contest here is how many times I'm going to make you come.' Holly's voice was so sultry and teasing and so self-assured it alone was enough to spike Gail's desire.

'Well, what are you waiting for,' Gail said.