Super-huge thanks to everyone who's been reading and reviewing... your kind words always make me smile and give me encouragement, so thank you a million times over. :)
Thanks to Boleyn, Elainhe, and Audi for the beta/gamma... and for putting up with me. :P

Chapter 7

The next day presented no new developments in the case. Hours of pouring over the same evidence, looking for any small detail, delivered nothing of use. This trend continued for the next week, and slowly, other case assignments began to slide across their desks, but any spare minute was spent on 'The Sequential Killer'as the lab techs had referred to the case.

The days flew by, and after two weeks of no developments and no new bodies, the case had been all but labeled cold. Other cases took priority, but The Sequential Killer's file remained front and center at both Danny and Lindsay's minds.

The morning was cool and crisp, the chill of pending winter in the air. Lindsay pulled her jacket tightly around her as she followed Stella to the crime scene. A body had been found in an alley. The first conclusion had been simple hypothermia, but the coroner determined the cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head. And so, here stood Lindsay and Stella.

Lindsay's fingertips were numb, the latex gloves offering little in the way of warmth against the cold air. Her breath clouded in front of her as she sifted through the debris in the area. The body had been there for two days, making it very difficult to tell what was relevant and what was simply debris. To be safe, she decided to bag everything.

Her mind began to wander, as her fingers seemed to move on their own. She and Danny hadn't spoken much since the night two weeks ago. They had mostly been working separate shifts, and when they were on the same shift, they were assigned to different cases. But that hadn't stopped Danny from at least letting Lindsay know he was still there. Every so often, she'd arrive in their office to find a post-it on her computer monitor, or an apple by her keyboard. She'd return the gesture by leaving him notes of her own, or on days when she knew he'd be in shortly, she'd pick up an extra coffee and leave it on his desk.

To be honest, she really had no idea what was going on. She found she had to constantly remind herself that it was her who put the distance between them, who asked Danny for space while she sorted out her own issues.

The ring of her cell phone distracted her from her thoughts. Thank God, she thought, fishing her phone out from her pocket. I can't keep focusing on this, I'll drive myself mad.

And despite herself, she grinned widely at her phone. Danny Messer flashed on the screen.

"Hey," she said, standing up and snapping her gloves off.

"Hey - pack up your kit, I'm on my way to pick you up. Hawkes is going to take over your case."

Lindsay knew the answer, but asked the question anyway. "Why, what's up?"

"Flack called. He's back."

Lindsay wedged her phone between her cheek and shoulder and felt her heart sink to the floor. She gathered her kit. "Alright, see you soon then."

Danny said he'd be there in about five minutes. Lindsay sighed and snapped her phone shut, then let Stella know of the switch.

"No problem," Stella smiled. "Don't worry, you guys will get him."

Lindsay returned a small smile in return. I hope you're right, she thought. I hope you're right.

A small grin crept onto Danny's face as he pulled up to Lindsay's scene.

"Thanks for the lift," said Hawkes as he climbed out of the car.

"No problem man, good luck," replied Danny.

"Thanks, though I think you'll need it more." Hawkes held the door open for Lindsay and nodded as she passed. He shut the door behind her.

"Haven't seen you in awhile," commented Danny as he pulled out into traffic.

"No kidding," laughed Lindsay.

They sat in awkward silence. Danny debated what would be appropriate to talk about - bring up the case that had been driving them nuts for a month? Pretend it didn't exist, and make small talk? Joke about the night they spent together, that he wasn't supposed to know about?

Luckily, he didn't have to make the decision - Lindsay made it for him.

"So what do you know so far about the new scene?"

"Honestly, not much," replied Danny. "I got a call from Poson, the officer who was first to arrive on the scene. He recognized the MO, and called us. Flack's tied up with another case right now, but will be meeting us there as soon as he can." Danny sighed. "Poson didn't know much though - was too afraid of disturbing anything that might help us solve the case. He kept everyone out and sealed off the room."

"Good thinking on his part, makes our jobs easier."

Danny waited for her to continue, but nothing came. He cleared his throat and tried to make the conversation a bit lighter. "Thanks for the latte the other day," he smiled, "it was an unexpected change from the regular coffee."

Lindsay chuckled. "Yeah, I felt like splurging. I was a bit bored with coffee myself, figured I'd get something with a bit more substance."

"Well, it was great. I owe you."

"And I'll hold you to that!"

They both laughed lightly as Danny pulled up to a newly-built condo building. They pulled their kits from the car and walked to the front doors.

"Ready?" he asked.

"Let's just catch this guy," she replied, as she pushed through the doors.

Lindsay cringed at the familiarity of the scene. To a stranger, nothing appeared wrong. No furniture out of place, no signs of struggle or forced entry, nothing to trigger suspicion whatsoever.

"Has she been identified?" she heard Danny ask Poson behind her.

"Not yet," he answered. "The coroner hasn't arrived yet. I did check with the superintendent though, and this unit's owner is Natalie Dumont. I took the liberty of talking to some of the neighbours while waiting for you guys to arrive."

"And?" prodded Danny.

"She moved in a few months ago. Neighbours say she was a nice girl, friendly with the residents, no boyfriend, at least not that anyone knows of, anyway."

"Who found her?"

"Her brother, Jayden. He hadn't seen her in a few months, lives in California. He was out here on a business trip, and decided to surprise her. The super let him in."

"Some surprise," muttered Danny.

Lindsay nodded to herself. Same victimology, she thought as she shone her flashlight on all surfaces, hoping for a print or any amount of trace. She was putting off going into the bedroom for as long as possible. She couldn't process until the coroner arrived anyway, so there was no point. That was what she told herself, at least.

She could hear Danny and Poson still talking beside her. Statements from tenants didn't produce anything of real interest; no one heard anything nor saw anyone suspicious. A few friends that the neighbours recognized, a few takeout deliveries, nothing out of the ordinary for Natalie.

"Where did she work?" called Lindsay as she entered the kitchen.

"Um," came Poson's voice as he flipped through his notes. "Receptionist. The woman next door said she thought she worked at a law firm, but she couldn't be sure of that."

Lindsay nodded to herself. Receptionist. It fit with the other two - a job with weekends off. Today was Tuesday; chances were that Natalie had been dead for a few days, as the others had been. And who knew how much longer she'd be there, if her brother hadn't stopped in. She heard Danny's footsteps behind her.

A flashing red light on an answering machine caught Lindsay's eye. She pressed the play button as Danny stopped beside her.

"Hi Natalie, it's Derek on Monday morning. Just wondering where you are since you didn't call in. I've covered for you, told Richards you were sick, but if you're not coming in tomorrow, make sure you call. Bye."

Lindsay looked at Danny as the machine beeped and the next message started.

"Nat, it's Derek again. Two days of no-show? What's up with you? Richards isn't impressed, call him when you get this."

Lindsay sighed. Someone knew she wasn't coming into work, but didn't check on it any further than a phone call.

"I'll cross-reference the name Richards," said Poson, scribbling in his notepad. "If she worked at a law firm and Richards is her boss, it's possible that there's a firm somewhere with Richards in the name. Or Richards is a licensed lawyer… I'll look into it and let you know."

"Be sure to let Flack know as well," said Danny as Poson headed back into the hallway. He turned to Lindsay. "Ready to check out the bedroom?" he asked.

She drew a deep breath and nodded. "Sure, let's do it."

She followed Danny to the bedroom, letting him enter first. The rancid smell confirmed what Lindsay had already suspected - Natalie had definitely been here for a few days already. At first glance, everything appeared the same. She had a visible gunshot wound in her forehead, and a white sheet was draped up to her neck, soaked in dried blood.

"Body or bed?" asked Danny.

"Bed," replied Lindsay instantly.

"How'd I know," Danny smiled as he walked up to the far side of the bed. Lindsay walked to the other and knelt down to open her kit. She felt the sheet move beside her as she pulled out her print dust.

"Lindsay."

"Yeah," she said as she stood up, careful not to spill her print dust as she opened the pot. She glanced up at Danny, who was staring at the body, a look of shock on his face.

It took Lindsay only a second to register why Danny was so surprised.

Carved on the torso of Natalie Dumont was the number four.