A/N: I know, I left it in kind of a lurch, but no worries! I have the next chapter after this one all ready to go. Hope you enjoy this one
I believe in you
I can show you that
I can see right through
All your empty lies
I won't last long
In this world so wrong
Say goodbye
As we dance with the devil tonight
Don't you dare look at him in the eyes
As we dance with the devil tonight
Breaking Benjamin — Dance With the Devil
Don sat at the desk in the Wilmington precinct, checking the list of the clock-ins and clock-outs of the past few weeks to check for a pattern. He had Logan check out Buddy Jones' alibi, but it was weak. He looked good for the killings, but they had nothing on him. Don drummed his finger on the desk, his eyes skimming over Logan Ross' name. He had clocked out an hour before Aria was killed, but that was to be expected. He and Aria had a daughter together, so she was number one priority. So far, everyone's whereabouts had been accounted for.
"Everything goin' okay, Yankee?" Detective James Harding asked. The 'nickname' was as annoying as it was insulting. Don dragged the list down and turned around.
"Yeah, everything's fine", he replied. James clapped him on the shoulder.
"Shame you didn't know Aria more. She was a kickass cop. We all respected the hell outta her", he said.
"Felt like I knew her pretty well from what Isabella's told me", Don replied, rubbing his eyes. He'd been going at this for about two hours now and he was feeling drained. Everything had been done discreetly, exactly under Isabella's and Mac's orders.
"Isabella and Aria were the A-team. This would've been the biggest case in their careers, they would've gone straight to the top", Harding said.
"Now it's just Pacino and Ross", Flack replied. He rested his hand under his chin, frowning. It had taken a lot of convincing for Isabella to let her brother's dog sleep with her to keep her safe. Stubborn woman.
"Unfortunately, that's how it goes. Isabella's not a pit bull, she's a wolf. Pit bulls get a taste of blood, they'll go after it. Wolves are more methodical, which explains her to a T. Someone goes after the station, no matter who it was, she'd wait and look at every angle before she'd attack. Get all her facts straight. Aria was more of the pit bull, someone would accuse someone of something and she'd be all over it", James said with a chuckle. He patted Don on the shoulder again.
"Well, I'm gonna let you get back to work now". He walked away, chuckling. Don felt a flash of suspicion and checked the clock-out time on Harding. An hour before the murder. He checked back to the times Fitch, Marx, and King were killed. An hour before. He needed more substantial evidence, but the computer screen turned blue. His jaw dropped and he pulled out his phone to call Isabella. Someone had just hacked the computer and crashed it. After a minute of a blue screen, it turned white, then black, and shut down.
"No, no, no, no, come on!" he growled, trying to turn the tower back on.
"Pacino", Isabella said lazily.
"Iz, I checked the thing you wanted me to look at. You're not gonna believe this. Someone just hacked the computer I'm using and crashed it", Don said.
"Are you sure?" she asked.
"Well, the screen went blue, then white, then black. I'm trying to turn it back on, but it's not doing anything, it's fried", he replied.
"I'll be right down", she said and the line disconnected. He knew not to take it to heart when she did that. The elevator doors opened and she charged out, glancing around before running to the desk. After pressing the power button a couple of times, she looked up at him.
"I'll just get this to the lab, you can use the computer in my office. Try not to crash it, though", she said. He grinned.
"I'll do my best", he replied. He watched as she unhooked the computer tower and lifted it up.
"Get the elevator for me?" she asked, nodding to the doors. He pressed the 'up' button and held the doors open so she could get in easily.
"So what was on the screen before you crashed the computer?" she asked, a teasing glint in her eyes.
"Well, so far, I've found out that Buddy Jones has a weak alibi", he replied. As the elevator went up, it jammed and shut down.
"Why aren't we moving?" Isabella said, pressing the '2nd' button.
"It's jammed", Don replied in surprise. She set down the computer tower and pulled out her cell.
"And of course, I don't have signal!" she exclaimed in annoyance.
"Me either", he said, waving his cell around to try to catch a bar. He didn't have enough service for a call, but he had enough for a text. "I have enough signal for a text, so I'm texting Danny to see if he can call the elevator to unjam it".
"This explains it. The killer works at the station", she said, running a hand through her hair.
"And that tower is proof", he agreed. She looked at him with wide eyes.
"He's working today", she gasped. He saw her point immediately.
"So who's working today? Jones is off", he said. She frowned to think for a moment.
"Well, Jones is off today, so he's clear. He doesn't know how to work the elevator pad, he barely knows how to work the elevator. Harding is downstairs, but I saw him leave, so he's clear", she replied.
"Did you tell anyone about what I found?" he asked. She started to shake her head, then stopped.
"I only told Logan", she replied.
"We're dancing with the devil here, Iz. Did you only tell Logan? You didn't mention it to anyone else?" he said. She shook her head.
"Just Logan, but it doesn't make any sense. He's in the clear", she answered. His phone chimed.
'On our way, buddy', was Danny's reply. It had taken them an hour before the elevator was unjammed and moving again.
"The killer's working today", was the first thing Isabella blurted when she stepped out of the elevator. Luckily, it was Danny there and no one else.
"Are you sure?" Danny asked. She handed him the tower.
"Let's see if we can get something off of this".
The computer crashing was now a big joke between them. Isabella walked into the office, a smile on her face. It was her real, dimple-popping, slight nose-wrinkled, half-moon smile. She really was a beautiful woman.
"Oh, my computer is still running fine?" she said. He rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, thank God you have a firewall", he replied. She kissed his cheek and looked at the screen.
"What do we have?" she asked, leaning over his shoulder. Her dark hair tickled his nose, causing him to chuckle.
"Well, we have two suspects", he started to say. She looked over at him, her blue eyes quizzical.
"Harding and Logan". She frowned.
"Why Logan?" she asked.
"I know you checked on him, but he could have committed the murder either before you came or after you left", he said.
"Why would Logan kill Aria? She's the mother of his child, I've known him my entire life. We have baby pictures together", Isabella argued desperately. He could see the pieces falling into place in her eyes.
"I just said he's a suspect, but it makes sense, hon", he said uncomfortably. He then pointed out the computer incident and elevator incident that had happened earlier.
"That could be a coincidence", she protested. He rested a hand on her shoulder.
"Maybe it's not a good idea for you to work this case. It's getting too close for you", he suggested gently. She recoiled.
"I will work this case, and I will get this guy", she snapped, her eyes flashing. She stood up and narrowed her eyes.
"The defense will have a field day with this, Isabella. You're going to get hurt if you keep doing this", he argued. He was standing up now.
"Why do you care?" she demanded, crossing her arms over her chest. She was pissed off now.
"Because we all care about you! We don't want to see you crawl into this murder and never come out! I know the signs when someone gets too involved, and you're getting too involved. Ever since Aria's death, we've had to literally pick you up and carry you out of here so you can get sleep and eat. You need to walk away from this", he replied. Her hand flashed out and he felt a sting on his left cheek. The sharp 'slap' sound echoed in the air.
"You think you know me, but you don't. I know what I'm doing and if I have to do it by myself, I will", she snarled in a low voice over her shoulder before she stormed out. If he had to go behind her back to Daniel and take her off the case, he would. No matter the cost, he was going to look after her. Mac knocked on the door.
"I heard arguing and saw her storm out. Is everything okay?" he asked.
"Isabella can't work this case, Mac", Don replied, handing him the suspect list. Mac nodded.
"I suspected that was why she was upset. She's snapping at anyone who tries to approach her", he commented.
"I don't want to see another detective crawl into a murder and never come out", Don admitted.
"You care about her", Mac said. It wasn't an accusation, merely a statement.
"She's a fantastic detective, follows the evidence", Don replied, rubbing the back of his head.
"That's not what I'm talking about". He meant personally.
"I don't know what I feel about her. She's hurting right now, she's not thinking clearly. That's going to make her reckless", Don admitted. He could very possibly care about her in a personal way. She didn't like showing a vulnerable side. She was scared she was becoming numb to everything.
"I'll talk to her CO discreetly. I can just say I heard you two arguing and I'll have him pull her off the case, you have a point. She's getting too close and she's going to get reckless", Mac offered. Don nodded.
"I just don't want to see her get hurt, Mac. If she's another victim, I'm going back to New York. I wouldn't be able to keep myself from wringing the bastard's neck if he kills her next", he said.
"I know. Go track her down and keep an eye on her. Her movements are under your watch now, make sure nothing happens to her", Mac replied. With that, they both slipped out of the office. Don saw Isabella sitting on a windowsill, her eyes looking down at the city. Her arms were wrapped around one leg.
"Hey", he said softly. She looked up, her eyes stormy.
"Did you come to tell me that my badge is also suspended?" she retorted dryly.
"I came to tell you I'm sorry I rubbed you the wrong way. It was wrong of me", he said. He didn't apologize for telling her to back off. She shook her head.
"Sorry I slapped you", she replied. He took a step closer.
"You know I'm just looking out for you, right?" he said. She nodded, brushing a lock of hair out of her face.
"Yeah, I was acting irrationally. I thought it over and I saw your point. I am too close to this case", she said. He held out his arms for a peace hug. She chuckled wryly and hugged him. He kissed the top of her head and rubbed her back soothingly.
"I'm gonna be honest: I have to keep my eye on you, because there is a good chance you're next. This guy's already proven he's not afraid to go after a CSI, there's no doubt in my mind he'll go after you next", he told her. She looked up at him.
"I'm the last female on the force, it makes sense that I'm next", she said. He stiffened in shock. She was right. She was the only female left.
"If I go somewhere, I want you to stay with me. Don't trust anyone but me, Mac, Hawkes, and Danny", he said. She frowned.
"I see your point, but I'm your best hope for bait. If we want this guy, we've got to give him an opportunity", she replied.