Okay, finally I got my wanted 5 reviews for the last chapter and decided to post chapter number six today. Again it's more about the case details but I promise I haven't forgotten about Mac and Stella. Well, at least you have a little moment of worried Mac in the beginning. Hope you're not too disappointed because it's only a short Mac and Stella moment... Promise to improve that during the next 2 chapter [wink].

Again of course a BIG fat THANK YOU for all the lovely reviews and for taking the time to read AND review! It's always most appreciated and I'm always very happy and curious to read them :) Hope it'll stay that way and hope you'll enjoy and like this chapter, too.

Chapter Six: Strange Things

As soon as Mac and I reached the car park of the crime lab we headed toward the elevator and got up to the 35th floor.

"Will you tell me what you're planning to do or what you think, Stella?" Mac asked me on the way up to the lab.

"I need to do some research before I can tell you." I said seriously. My voice showing him that I wouldn't give in and that there wouldn't be any discussion.

"Fine… But you're not leaving the lab alone okay?" he gave in, but his voice sounded worried. A bit more worried that usual. I looked at him and smiled lightly. As he saw me smiling his gaze softens and his eyes weren't that worried.

"I'll have Danny or Flack helping me. They'll be around me. And I'll call you before I'll leave that building. I promise I won't go anywhere without letting you know and without taking someone with me. You know I never leave to chase suspect without taking someone with me." I said and now it was his turn to give me slight smile.

"Sorry… I'm just, you know, worried. This man didn't kill you, but anyways, he plans to and he could do it anytime."

"I know. Thank you."

"For what? Making you think I am crazy because I worry too much?"

"No, Mac. For worrying about me and for… well, protecting me." I said with a thankful smile.

"For you, Stell, anytime. You know that."

"I know." I said as we reach our destination, Danny already waiting for us in front of the elevator.
"Hey Danny." We greeted him.

"Hey guys. Well, got some news for us?" he asked curiously.

"Yeah, Melissa Worthfield died in a car accident last year and our victim thought that was planned by her ex boyfriend who's Greek." I told him.

"So a new lead on our case… sounds good. Do we know him?"

"Stella thinks we might know him and we might know Melissa Worthfield also." Mac stated and Danny gave me a questioning look.

"Well, I think we know Melissa Worthfield but not as Mrs. Worthfield. I need to do some research and find out more about her and I thought you could help me." I said looking at Danny who nodded in agreement.

"Do nothing rather than that, Stell."

"I'll let you know what we find out, okay?" I told Mac and he just nodded before he also takes his leave in search of Adam and Lindsay. Danny and I made our way to my office and I sat down behind my desk in front of my computer.

"What're you thinkin' Stell?"

"As Stacy Travis told me about Melissa's ex boyfriend something told me that I know him. I just need to check out what was her maiden name and then check if we had any cases including her."

"Well I can tell you her maiden name since Flack and I did some research, too. She was born as Melissa Coleman. And before you asked, we talked to her mother. She called Flack after she heard of Mr. Worthfield's death."

"Saves time. So let's see if we find a case including her." I said and logged into the NYPD system and chose the searching option. I typed her name and pressed enter and a few minutes later I got a result. There were four cases including a Melissa Coleman. I started to look through the case details that were in the system. The first case was a complaint against a man called Dimitri Patos. Reading the name I recognized it. I remembered a case I worked on including both, Melissa and Dimitri. The other cases had the same topic: domestic violence. But the last case included something the others didn't: attempted murder. That was the case I've been working on two years ago. I wasn't only the investigating detective but I was also a witness. And now I remember why I couldn't get rid of the feeling that I knew Melissa. I had witnessed that her boyfriend, Dimitri Patos, was fighting with her. That was in Central Park two years ago when I had been on my way home. Patos had slapped her and as she defended herself had pulled a knife and threatened to kill her. That was when I stepped in. I knew Patos could be our killer, but I knew that he could also be innocent. But it was a lead. But if he was the killer his prints and DNA profile must be in the system and Adam would have found something. Maybe…

"So that's him? Dimitri Patos?" Danny asked me.

"I don't know, Danny. If he's the killer and left his DNA and Prints at the crime scene Adam would have found him… That makes no sense." I said.

"You think he might be innocent?"

"Let's have a look if he's in the system." I said and typed in Dimitri Patos into the field and pressed search. A few second's later my monitor displayed a strange message: "No match." I looked at Danny with a surprised expression.

"That's strange, Stell. You said that guy was arrested because of attempted murder and domestic violence then why isn't he in the system?"

"Anyways Danny he was locked up for 15 years as far as I remember and that was 2 years ago… he can't be our killer. He's still in jail but still, he has to be in the system."

"Which prison was he sent to? Rikers?" Danny asked me and I looked at the case file again.

"Ah… The file doesn't say anything about that… Guess I have to go back to the archive and take a look at the original case file." I said.

"I'll go and take Flack with me." Danny said.

"But…" I started but Danny raised his hand, showing me to stop talking.

"No way, Stell. I know Mac took you under his wing to protect you. You're stayin' here and I'll bring you the file."

"Danny, you can't just tell me to stay here… I… I spoke to Mac before and he said I just shouldn't go anywhere alone."

"No arguin' Stella. I don't… well, fine you're right… you're not alone so… okay, c'mon let's go." Danny gave in and we left the lab. On the way to the elevator I saw Mac in his office just as I wanted to dial his number. I changed my mind and stopped.

"Mac?" I called his name as I stepped into his office. He looked up from the file he was looking at.

"Stella? What's up?" he asked.

"Well, I found that Greek boyfriend. Remember a woman named Melissa Coleman?"

"That woman you protected from her boyfriend?"

"Exactly. Coleman was Melissa's maiden name. She married Harris 2 years ago. But that boyfriend, Dimitri Patos is locked up. He can't be the killer. Anyhow, his data vanished from the system." I told him what Danny and I found out.

"Strange… normally the Data never vanish from the system. You searched for him and got no match?"

"No… he's vanished. Turned into dust so it seems. Danny and I go to the archive and see if we can get the original case file and see where he was locked up."

"Most likely it'll be Rikers. We had a lot of perps going there that year." Mac said. "But let me know what you find out."

"I'll do. See you." I said and left his office to meet Danny at the elevator.

So... please don't forget to tell me what you're thinking before you leave. :) Same rule as last time: at least 5 reviews before I update the story! :) Want to know everything you're thinking about the story. It doesn't matter if you criticize it or if you just want to praise :) every review is most appreciated and every review get's a reply. :)

A/N: Next update will be my second active story: "Tragedy and Joy". Think I'll post the new chapter tomorrow or on friday. Hope you'll have a look at that one, too :)

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