A/N - hey guys...so felt guilty about making you wait...so here's another one.
Read, enjoy and review!
Chapter Nineteen – Kiss With A Fist
Everything hurt. Her throat was dry and her stomach tight but it didn't stop. The gun always pointing at her from across the table, his eyes locked on her hands as she wrote. If she paused for too long, he would stand up, tall and frightening. She didn't want him to stand up. She would rather be eye level with him. She needed to watch his face. She accepted that she would be dead before long but the moment he decided to kill her, she wanted to see it on his face. She had switched off her brain long ago, her fingers working alone. His words started to wrap around each other and became something she didn't want to hear anymore. His voice was like gravel and his breathing was uneasy as he got more into the story and his violent deeds. At least she would die doing something that she loved. Granted, it was for a monster but still. Every now and then she would break out of her despair and hear his words. It wasn't until well into it that she knew what she was hearing. This was a story she had been writing and analysing for weeks now. This was Alfonso Cutler's story. She wanted to question him, but her eyes kept catching the gun, the gentle movement of her bonds as her hands moved reminded her that there was no escape. There was no going back to Charles and Fiona, or the quiet life that she had created herself. The end was near.
Olivia had slipped away from the lab as Heather, Peter and Walter started their work on the bodies. Heather wanted to do what she did best: She wanted to build a profile for their real killer. Olivia knew that at this point, she was merely an extra pair of hands. She wasn't going to complain. She wanted to go home and check in on Etta. With a brief wave and a kiss to Peter's cheek, she headed home. The house was surprisingly still, which Olivia took as a good sign. When she pushed open the front door, Rachel was on the sofa, watching T.V and Etta was in her car seat, Rachel's foot gently rocking her back and forth.
"Hey."
Rachel smiled and nodded towards Etta.
"She didn't want to sleep in her crib. She made that very clear every time I tried to get her to take a nap."
Olivia grinned and knelt beside the car seat. Etta was fast asleep, her thumb in her mouth, her cheeks still rosy. Olivia pressed her hand against Etta's forehead.
"Her temperature's gone down."
"She's had a full bottle and some banana, managed to keep it down too."
"Thanks Rach."
"No problem. Compared to Eddie when he's sick, she's a breeze. Eddie has the whole man flu thing down pat already."
Not wanting to disturb Etta, Olivia left her in the car seat, popping the handle up to carry her into the kitchen. She smiled as she realized what Rachel had done to take away the boredom of the day. Rakes of cakes and cookies were cooling on every available surface. Olivia had always been fascinated by the difference between them when it came to baking. Even though Olivia was precise to a fault in most things, Rachel was the true master when it came to cleaning up after herself. If Olivia had baked, the kitchen would be littered with dishes, flour and eggshells. But since Rachel had baked, the surfaces gleamed and the only evidence that Rachel had even been in the kitchen was the food itself.
"You are seriously low on unhealthy snacks. How does Ella survive when she visits?"
"I do an emergency shop before she arrives. Plus, Walter usually has something to give her."
Rachel chuckled.
"Good to know you won't be a source for the dental bills."
"I don't know about that. Peter and Walter are always quick to give her whatever she wants."
"They spoil her."
Olivia shrugged.
"What can you do?"
Olivia took a seat and watched as Rachel moved around the kitchen. She made them both a coffee and cut two large slices from an un-iced cake.
"Usually has frosting on it, but it doesn't need it when it fresh like this."
"What is it?"
"Lemon sponge. An elderly woman dropped off a large bag of lemons today."
"Was her name Fiona Sparks by any chance?"
"Yup. How do you know her?"
"Just a case we're working on."
"Oh. Well, I thought I would put them to good use."
"Thanks."
Olivia dug into the cake, knowing first hand that Rachel had perfected the art of cakes many years ago. It was sweet and tart, a perfect pairing for the strong coffee.
"So where is that husband of yours?"
Olivia pushed down her mouthful of cake with coffee.
"He's still working. I just wanted to check on Etta."
Rachel glanced to the floor where Etta was still sleeping soundly, the tip of Olivia's boot nudging the seat into a gentle rock.
"She's been good."
Olivia opened her mouth to comment but her phone ringing shrilly cut her off. She found it quickly, desperate to keep Etta asleep.
"Hello?"
"Olivia, its Heather."
Olivia glanced at Rachel, smiling an apology as she slipped out of the kitchen and into the living room.
"What did you find?"
"The victims have far too much in common to dismiss this as a coincidence."
"So they are connected?"
"Definitely. I would say that the freshest one is from no more than a week ago. As for the rest, Walter estimates anywhere between two to three months."
"And the shoes?"
Heather sighed.
"Killers tend to take mementos. The Barbie Killer sometimes took the women's clothes."
"So he's taking the shoes?"
"Looks like it."
"Anything else?"
"No. But I took a picture of the tattoo; I think that might be the best lead we have. We might need to task around. Someone is bound to recognise it."
"Good to know."
"When are you picking up Rayne?"
Olivia glanced at the clock in the living room. She had managed to talk Rayne into coming down to the lab and meeting Walter and Heather, to try and get more of those memories that Olivia suspected were locked tight in her head.
"In a couple of hours. I'll give you a call when I'm on my way."
"Ok."
Olivia had just put her phone back in her pocket before it started ringing again. She frowned at the name on the screen.
"Hey Broyles."
"Hi Dunham. I wanted to give you an update on Mike Cullen."
"Oh."
"He's been released."
"What?"
Broyles sighed.
"His lawyer played on the fact that his ex-wife was missing, that he wasn't thinking straight. Then there was the issue of Bishop."
Olivia thought back to what Peter said he had done to Mike. He never gave her the precise details but she knew that it wouldn't have been pretty.
"What did Peter do?"
"Well, Cullen came in with a dog bite but he left with a few more injuries. Cullen's lawyer said that a civil suit would not be activated if he was released on conditions."
"He'll get far worse if he comes near me or Fiona Sparks again."
"I said the same thing, just in a less threatening manner."
"Cullen isn't guilty. Other than being an asshole, I don't think he had anything to do with A.J's disappearance."
"There are no legal restrictions on the abuse. With the hospital records to back us up, we can still charge him with assault and rape."
"If we ever find A.J."
"Fogleigh gave me a call to update me. Do you really think Alfonso's the fall guy for this?"
"Certainly looks like it."
"And Rayne Jeremy is assisting you in finding the other part of this puzzle?"
"I hope so. It took some convincing but I'm picking her up in a couple of hours to meet Walter and Heather. I'm hoping that Walter can think of something to help her."
"So she's the key?"
"She has to know something. And whatever her brain is protecting her from-"
"You're hoping Walter will find."
"Precisely."
"Well, keep me updated."
"Yes Sir."
Olivia slipped her phone back into her pocket and headed back into the kitchen. Etta was awake now, sitting in her highchair, mashing cake between her fat fingers before jamming her fist in her mouth. She grinned widely when Olivia entered.
"Mama! Hi!"
Olivia smiled pressing a kiss to the top of Etta's head.
"Hi darling."
Etta grinned again before focusing on her cake again. Olivia finished her coffee and cake, giving Rachel a quick kiss on her cheek before dropping one on Etta's head.
"See you guys soon."
Olivia sighed as she stepped back outside, making her way to the truck. The traffic was thin and she made her way to Rayne's home faster than she expected. And it took her by surprise when the front door was pulled open by Rayne herself. Olivia gave her a slight smile.
"Hi Rayne."
"Hello. Come in. Mom's just making some lunch."
Olivia followed her into the dining room. Mrs Jeremy was making sandwiches in the kitchen. Olivia could see the slight shaking in her hands as she buttered the bread. Mrs Jeremy offered her a confident smile.
"Hello Agent Dunham. Please have a seat. Did you want a coffee or something?"
"A coffee would be great."
Rayne moved from her seat.
"I'll make it Mom."
Mrs Jeremy nodded slightly, her eyes wide as she watched her daughter make the coffee. Judging by their last meeting, Olivia knew that Rayne barely left the basement, enclosing herself in painting and music. The fact that she was doing something as simple as making coffee was something of a miracle. They ate a simple lunch of sandwiches and coffee, Rayne excusing herself after the meal to get changed. Mrs Jeremy sighed and sunk further into her seat.
"I never asked what you talked to Rayne about."
Olivia shook her head.
"Nothing but the case."
"Well, since you left, things have been different. It's been a very long time since I shared a meal with my daughter. We've had dinner twice now. And lunch was her idea. You've given her a focus."
"So she's ok with all of this?"
Mrs Jeremy nodded.
"Surprisingly, yes. I think it's the fact that someone believes her more than anything else."
Olivia smiled slightly.
"I'm glad to have helped. Will you be coming with us?"
Mrs Jeremy shook her head.
"Rayne asked me not too."
"She's just trying to protect you."
"I sometimes want to know, to understand what she is going through."
"I know. But Rayne has to process it all first."
"Is this safe?"
Olivia opened her mouth to speak but paused when Rayne took a seat beside her. She was still dressed in her standard uniform of jeans and t-shirt but she had cleaned the paint from her skin. She glanced between Olivia and her mother.
"What?"
Olivia swallowed.
"Your Mom was just asking about what we are going to be doing this afternoon."
"She's asking if it's safe, right?"
Olivia nodded slightly. Rayne smiled at her Mom.
"I'll be fine. I need to do this. He's hurting other people Mom. I need to stop him."
"I know baby, I just-"
"I have to do this Mom. Trust me."
Mrs Jeremy nodded, sniffing as she dabbed at the corner of her eyes with her napkin.
"Ok. But if you need me, I'll be there."
"I know."
Olivia didn't miss the surprise on Mrs Jeremy's face when Rayne leaned forward and hugged her mother. Mrs Jeremy closed her eyes and held her daughter close, stroking her hair. Olivia slipped from the room and let them have their time alone. It seemed like that hadn't happened in a very long time.