A/N - Hey all. So it's coming to a close. I have yet to right the very ending but I am slowly inching my way froward.
I promise the end will be good...
So as always,
Read, enjoy and review
Chapter Twenty-Nine – No Light, No Light
Olivia cleared her throat before pressing the button that would put her in Victoria's ear.
"Victoria, we're having sound issues here. If you hear me, tap a finger on the top of the car."
Victoria leaned over casually and tapped the top. Olivia whispered quickly to Heather.
"Watch the screen, look for anything that could be Brookes."
Heather nodded and Olivia focused again on Victoria.
"Good. Is it Brookes? Tap once for yes."
Olivia watched carefully but saw no movement.
"Are you unsure?"
One tap.
"Anything to support it?"
One tap.
"Victoria, extend your left hand to him, as if introducing yourself."
There was no hesitation and Olivia could hear the scrambled introduction. She was about to ask Victoria about the scar but she didn't have to. Heather swore loudly and pointed to the screen.
"It's him. It's Jeremiah Brookes."
Olivia flicked the switch that connected her to the unit of men that were waiting.
"Alpha One, we have a positive identification. Move in."
She stayed where she was, despite how desperately she wanted to move. She was the back-up. If Brookes did a runner, she would be forced to follow. She braced the steering wheel. She could hear Heather's quickened breaths filling the dead silence. The officers surrounded the car, guns drawn and pulled the suspect effortlessly out of the vehicle. Olivia parked the truck and moved towards them. It only took her a second to find the scar. When the officer's finally pulled him off the ground, Jeremiah was much the same as in the picture she had seen. A little bit older but still the same. He looked at her with hard eyes. She offered him a stiff smile.
"Hello Mr Brookes, I've been wanting to speak to you."
Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Jeremiah Brookes took silence to a whole new level. He hadn't even asked for a lawyer. He just stared. Olivia finished her paperwork before she headed to where Jeremiah was being held. She had hoped that the news about Cutler would cause some sort of reaction. As soon as she entered the room. Jeremiah sat up straighter, his eyes on her. And that was when she got that creepy feeling, the kind that itches under your skin and makes you want to shower. She took a seat across from him.
"Alfonso Cutler is dead."
Jeremiah smiled slightly but kept silent.
"So you might as well tell us what you know."
The smile stayed, as did the silence. Olivia pushed harder but got nothing. It was twenty minutes before Olivia moved out of the room again, too frustrated to think clearly. She glanced at the clock before heading back through the building and to Broyles's office. Broyles nodded towards the seat across from him.
"Did he say anything yet?"
"Nope."
"Do we have enough to hold him?"
"For the moment, we have the scar. Until he starts talking or we find where he took his victims, we don't have much else."
"Can we get an I.D from any of the victims?"
"Possibly Melanie but she wasn't ever sure. Neither was Rayne."
"So what are you going to do?"
"Keep pushing. Which reminds me, I need to call in a suspect."
Broyles frowned.
"I thought the case was done."
"When we were waiting for Brookes, Cullen popped up."
"What was he doing out there?"
"No idea. But I would like to find out why."
"Fine. Press on him. But keep working on Brookes."
"Will do."
Olivia left the office, pausing at the door before pulling out her phone.
"Hey Peter."
"Hello wife. How are you?"
"Fine. Brookes still isn't talking. We need something more than a scar to hold him."
"He'll talk."
"I'm not so sure. I want to get Heather in there to work her magic but I also want to bring Cullen in."
"I'll bring him in"
Olivia smiled at the angry rumble in Peter's voice.
"Not the best idea. I'm sure it was nothing more than a coincidence."
" How about you tell me what you really think?"
Olivia sighed.
"It's not over with Cullen. I think you're right. I sent Reece over to Rachel's last night."
"Is he still there?"
"Yeah he is. I asked him to stay until Cullen gets brought in. He should be here soon."
"Good. I'll happily admit that I'm glad you decided to send Etta over for a little bit."
"Told you so."
"Don't worry, I'm getting used to being wrong. By the way, tell Heather thanks for that number that she gave me."
"She gave you a number?"
"Yeah. She's got a friend who can help us with skull reconstructions. Walter is determined to give each one of the victims back their face and their names."
"That's great."
"Yeah, it is. It's going to take time but Walter is single-minded in his plan."
"Sounds like a normal Bishop move."
"Doesn't say much about you. You're one of us now."
Olivia smiled.
"Dammit. I forgot about that part."
Peter chuckled.
"So, I'm not going to see you any time soon, am I?"
"I need to get this sorted. But I'll call you."
"Make sure you do. Love you."
"Love you too."
Olivia put her phone back into her pocket and headed to Heather's office. She knocked and stepped into the room. Heather offered her a small smile before she pushed aside her paperwork.
"Hey stranger."
"Hey. You busy?"
"Nothing that can't be delayed. Why?"
"I need you to work your magic on Brookes."
"Still not talking?"
"Nope."
"Ok. You going to be there?"
Olivia considered the question for a moment before shaking her head slightly
"I need to check in with Fiona Sparks, let her know what's going on. But that won't take long."
Heather chuckled.
"Not with Fiona Sparks. The couple of times I met her, I was never there less than an hour. She's a fascinating woman with the best lemonade I have ever had."
"Apparently, the trick is the limes."
"She told me that too."
"Well, I'm a phone call away if you need anything."
"I'll keep that in mind."
"Thanks."
Olivia closed the door behind her and headed to the parking lot, her footsteps a little lighter.
When she arrived at Fiona's, she was surprised not see her sitting in her normal spot with Charles by her side. Instead, the house was oddly silent. Olivia knocked on the front door and hearing nothing, she tested the doorknob , surprised when the door opened easily.
"Fiona? It's Olivia."
Olivia paused in the doorway, her concern growing. Fiona should be home. She stiffened when she heard a faint cry from deeper in the house. She followed the sounds, barely taking in the mess and signs that Fiona had fought with someone. Shards of glass made sounds under her boots as she made her way down the short hallway.
"Fiona?"
Another whimper. Olivia found the one closed door in the home, turning the handle before pushing it open with her hip, her gun un her hand. She paused in the doorway before slipping it back into her holster.
"Charles."
The large dog was laying on his side, staring at her with desperate eyes. She saw no trace of blood but when she moved closer, she could see two small burn marks on the side of Charles's neck. Someone used a stun gun on him. She ran a hand down his side gently, felt his body quiver beneath her touch. He huffed at her as he struggled to sit up, trying to gain control of his body again. Olivia stroked him gently.
"It's ok, boy."
Olivia frowned as she noticed the fabric in Charles's teeth. Whoever had taken Fiona didn't get off scott-free. Olivia jumped slightly when her phone rang. She frowned at the unknown number.
"Dunham."
"I was going to kill him but Fiona begged me not to. It was a mistake, I know that now."
It took Olivia a second to realize who she was talking too. It took her another second to realize that she had fallen into his plan. He knew that she would come here.
"Cullen"
"I won't let you get one on me. So it's time to sort this once and for all."
"Where is Fiona?"
"With A.J."
"Where are you?"
"You have to find me."
Remembering how Mike reacted when Peter taunted him, Olivia put on a hard voice.
"Why? Scared I'm going to finish you off?"
"Like you could."
"So how am I meant to find you?"
"Alone. If I see anyone or anything else, I will kill them both."
Olivia's heart skipped a beat.
"A.J is alive?"
"Sadly yes. My plan didn't work the way it was meant to. Brookes was meant to be the solution."
"You and Brookes were working together?"
Mike chuckled darkly.
"You aren't going to get me to talk."
"You already told me what I needed to know. So, tell me where you are?"
"I'll give you a hint. Luka Oliver. You'll find something there."
The line clicked dead and Olivia examined the phone in her hand before hitting speed dial. When Peter picked up, she didn't bother to greet him, her words rushing out in a torrent.
"Cullen and Brookes are working together. And Cullen has Fiona."