There Are Days Like These Too

Author: Irish Kaoru

Disclaimer: you know the drill

A/N: As promised I got this to you by Tuesday... woo for back to back updates!

Thank yous: 1) a huge Thank You for FAKEpregnator For letting me use Estelle in my story. She is a sweet old woman (and Ryo's rich and sassy grandmother to boot) who I am sure you will all fall in love with!

2) Thank you to those of you sticking with the story and especially to ryuchi-shuichi41 and Maskelle for reviewing all the time. It really make my day and it makes it just that much easier to write new chapters. So people please keep me motivated!

Chapter 20

Modus Operandi

Jim's POV

Although this case was being kept out of the public eye, I knew that it was a dangerous one, more so than some of the other cases that Dee and Ryo had been asked to partake in. It seemed as if the killer had no set agenda and would kill when he felt he wanted to. This was the most dangerous kind of killer. The kind that lacked an MO.

Because of that we had no way to track who our killer was, what kind of people he was targeting, or why he was doing it. Although even if we were to know this information it would be nothing more than speculation on the detectives part, but at least it would give us some kind of information and perhaps we would be able to protect the general population.

Even I was more than eager to get this guy off of the streets. Not only was he dangerous to the people but he also kept me busy. Because of him I had to call of my date with Samantha last night. Let me tell you she was pissed with a capital 'P'. I have a feeling that doing this to her three dates in a row may effect my chances at asking her for another date. But that is neither here nor there.

The only thing that was the same for the murders was three things. They all had put up no struggle, leading me and the others working on this case to believe that he got to know his victims before he killed them. Although my second point would negate that.

It seemed as if the killer used a powerful antithetic called phylimitocen that was used for surgeries when doctors needed to have their patients awake. Although there was no kind of Novocaine that was added to the drug before it was put into them, meaning that they still had a sense of feeling while they were killed. This drug only shuts off the receptors from the brain and causes the person to not be able to move. So theoretically the killer didn't need to get to know his victim as well as we had originally thought.

And the obvious similarity is that the Achilles heels had been slashed open. If tended to the wound is not life as life threatening as some believe it to be. However it does require immediate attention because it severs through a main artery that runs into your foot. Because of that if it is not tended to a person could bleed out.

Although a majority of the victims had their wrists slashed open not all of them did. The lawyer's family, the teacher, and the camera woman and her husband didn't. It seems odd to me. It is as if the killer is choosy about who he or she slits wrists on. This leads me to one possibility, which I annotated in the reports that Dee should be on his way to pick up. There is always a possibility that we are over looking. What if there is more than one killer?

Dee's POV

"Yo" I called out as I walked into the forensics lab. The smell was almost enough to knock me off my feet. A strong overwhelming chemical smell. I didn't know hoe Jim could work in a place like this all the time. "You said you had some good news, and let me tell yah I could really use some right about now." He smiled at me and held up a manila envelop that held the autopsy report in it.

"What would you do if I told you there was some skin that was found under the nails of our female vic that wasn't her, or her husbands?" I couldn't believe my ears.

"If you were gay and I wasn't taken I would kiss you right here right now." I blurted out. It had been a really rough day. Ryo was torn over his aunt and uncles death. They were a second mother and father to him. I was as well, although I didn't have time to stop and think, dwell, or hell even mourn their passing. I think something in me clicked once I saw them. There was no way I could let this killer keep waling the streets. It had now gotten personal.

"Well I wouldn't want Ryo to get mad at you, and I really don't want your cooties infecting me with homoitis so I will settle for a beer." He drawled handing the file to me. When I looked at the name at the top of the page next to the lab results I almost dropped the folder.

"Y-You're sure that this is right? I mean, what are the chances that this is wrong?"

".00001 percent, there is always a chance but that is a chance that is so slim, we are talking one in a million, no one in one hundred million chance." I looked back down at the paper and swallowed hard.

"So Justin McMullen is the suspect." I whispered not wanting to believe the words as they fell out of my mouth.

"As far as I can tell you, yeah. What's wrong?" his question put me on guard. Although Elena and Rick shared Ryo's last name no one knew that they were his relatives. Hell in the city that never sleeps there are lots of people with the same last name. Two years ago we had a case with both an Adams and Laytner in it. There was no need to really look into family names in our line of work. It would become obvious if the person was related to someone else by the way that they acted. However, for a bunch of detectives we were really bad at picking up on the feelings of people that we worked with, or should I say that there was a way that we as detectives were able to either put up near perfect facades or over look details about one another, purposely of course.

Jim however was different. No matter how perfect a persons facade may be, he would be able to pick on it. More than that he would call you on it. But he was really good at keeping his mouth shut. He said that he wasn't a detective and was not paid for his ability to pick up on the small things with living people, it was only the dead people that he was worried about and because of it he would never spill the beans so to speak.

"Rick and Elena, your two vics, they are Ryo's aunt and uncle. More than that, this guy Justin is Ryo's therapist from the hospital."

"From a hospital eh?" The tone in Jim's voice told me that he wanted me to think about it for a second. That there was an obvious hint to this case that involved Justin and a... hospital. Shit I should have seen it sooner. All the vics were killed after they had been stabbed with that drug, that is only available from hospitals.

"Umm... if you'll excuse me, I have to go make a case to present to the judge so that we can get a warrant for arrest."

"You'll need to present an MO for that, what are you going to say?" I stopped outside the door and looked over my shoulder.

"I'll just have to piece it all together won't I?" with that said I walked back to my office and pulled out all the files that we had gotten from the cases and started to look over them.

Ryo's POV

Would I never be able to catch a break? First getting caught, not that that in it's self was the worst thing to happen, Then Carol's death, now Rick and Elena's, not to mention that Dee and I were in the middle of a cold war and Bikky wasn't coming out of his depression anytime soon; or at least that was the way that it seemed.

However there were small things to be thankful for. I wasn't alone. My grandmother from my fathers side had come to see me as soon as she got word about Elena and Ricks death. She had known about everything that was going on with me via phone conversations with both Rick and Elena and yes even Dee.

She said that it wasn't fair to have me worry about all the details with the funerals by myself and that I should have some kind of help. Really I think it was just an excuse to get away from the estate and see her 'favorite' grandson. So here we were, the out cast of the MacLean family and it's matriarch shopping for...coffins at the local funeral home. I sighed at the thought.

"you know,dear," Estelle's voice broke through my thoughts, "even though times may be bad, you have things you need to be thankful for. After all it's not everyday that you get to spend a day with an old biddy like me." she smiled softly and I found myself smiling back in earnest.

"Grandmother, you'll never be an old biddy." she laughed lightly as we moved about the showroom.

"that may be true, but there are times I feel as if I am." she laughed. It was strange to be laughing in a place that was so full of sadness. "Don't you have something to look forward to?" she asked in a sly tone that hardly suited an older woman like her, but long ago I had learned not to be surprised by it. "An anniversary or something of the like?" I stopped dead in my tracks, after all that had happened I had completely forgotten that my and Dee's two year anniversary was next week.

"I hadn't remembered." I told her sheepishly, "not to mention I am not sure how well Dee and I will be off when that time comes."

"Troubles?" she asked stopping next to one of the coffins and looking at it, it looked like the most expensive one in the showroom and I didn't dare look at the price tag. One thing I had learned early in life was that when it came to a MacLean, money was never an issue.

"We had a bit of a spat is all, we are not talking to one another at the moment." I told her. She may have been older but I knew that she was far from senile. She would be able to tell if I lied to her.

"What over dear?"

"He still doesn't trust me enough to do anything. If it is going to give me the opportunity to do something to myself he doesn't want me anywhere near it." I whispered. She looked at me and gently placed one of her soft, wrinkled hands on my cheek.

"Ryo, dear, that's normal. He loves you. He's worried about you. I would have been more worried if he didn't act like that." She smiled again "Once you understand that everything will be fine." The more I thought about it the more it made sense. If Dee wasn't looking out for me then he wouldn't do everything that Justin had said to do. To make sure that I stay away from sharp things for a while while I readjust. And the more I thought about it the more I felt bad for my actions.

"You're right." I whispered.

"So how are you going to make it up to him?"

"HUH!" I stared dumbly at her.

"Oh I know, why don't you plan a nice catered dinner for the two of you on the rooftop?" her eyes shone merrily as she spoke. "paid for my me of course. All you would have to worry about it making a few calls to order the food and spruce up the rooftop a little. Put out some candles and make it a more romantic setting."

"G-grandmother, I can't let you do that!" I stammered.

"Nonsense child, you are my favorite grandson after all." She laughed a little before catching the attention of the owner of the funeral parlor to talk business, one thing she was very good at.

Dee's POV

Things were starting to fall into place and I can't help but say that I didn't like where I this was going. Just taking a look at the facts was enough to make my stomach turn. I saw what was going on, the only thing I didn't understand was why.

Looking at the cases in order went something like this. A lawyer and his family. More specifically a member of the DA that both Ryo and I had worked with in the past when we had to testify in cases. The perp gained entry without using force and killed the lawyer, the lawyer's significant other, and their son.

The second case, although not in our jurisdiction was Greg Keri, a friend of Ryo's and the captain of his high school soccer team. He also met with Ryo on a semi regular basis, about once a month, for coffee in a local shop.

The third murder was Mr. Connell, Bikky's teacher. Both Ryo and I have been an active member in Bikky's school life. What parent wouldn't be when you had to make sure that they not only went to school but did the work as well?

The fourth was Carol Baker. A close friend of Bikky's and basically a second daughter to me and Ryo. It was a hard blow for all of us but the two that took it the hardest were obviously Bikky and Ryo.

The fifth and sixth case was Rick and Elena MacLean. Ryo's aunt and uncle. This was by far the roughest blow for Ryo and another hard to deal with one for me and I am sure Bikky as well.

Taking a look at all of this there was only one thing that I could think. There was one case that wasn't matching with the others. That was Greg Keri. Both Ryo and I personally knew the lawyer, Bikky's teacher, Carol, Elena, and Rick; but only Ryo knew Greg, I had never met him. This meant the the perp was going after Ryo! However, it didn't look like he was going for just Ryo, no it looked as if he wanted to hurt the people around Ryo first.

I snatched up my phone and hit one on the speed dial hoping that Ryo would pick up. If my assumption was correct then the next person the killer would go after would be either Estelle, Bikky, or myself. Estelle was with Ryo at the moment so there was no way they would go after her and as long as we kept her with us everything should be fine. They wouldn't go for me until after they went for Bikky because I have known Ryo longer and we were in a relationship. It should be harder to lose your lover only because they are supposed to be your support system. Or at least that is what I was hoping was going through the perps mind. I could handle myself well enough but if I was stabbed with that drug I would be done for!

"Ryo!" I yelled into the mouth piece when he picked up. "sorry, where is Bikky, is he with you right now?"

"Wait, Dee what's wrong?" he asked confused.

"I need to know, where is Bikky right now?" I said again, I had no time to explain, Bikky needed to be with me. He was my son and I would be damned if I let anyone hurt him.

"He's at the orphanage with mother, why? Dee what's wrong?" Ryo sounded distressed, but I had no time to explain it to him.

"I'll fill you in later, I have to go." I slammed the phone shut and ran down all four flights of stairs like a speed demon on crack. I hoped in the cruiser, revved the engine and tore out of the parking garage.

"Please be there." I whispered as I raced down the road.

Karina's POV

It had been about ten minutes after I saw Ryo leave the orphanage. Bikky who had walked in there with him didn't come back out. This was my chance. This was the one shot that I would have to get close enough to Bikky and kill him. It was my one chance to set me and Justin free. After Bikky there was only Dee and then Ryo himself. Both kills that were reserved for Danny.

I knocked on the door and heard a bunch of running feet, a few loud screams and finally after a moment a woman opened the door, a small child of about five clinging to her leg and a young baby in her arms.

"I-I'm sorry to bother you, My name is Karina and a I ran into Ryo a minute ago, he said that Bikky was here and I thought that I may be able to keep him company. I know he hasn't been doing so well since Carol died." I put on a sad face, and for once it wasn't an act. I was really still upset that Carol was gone. I had liked her a lot.

"Aren't you a dear, come in hun, he is in the kitchen, first door on your right. Don't be to surprised though if he doesn't talk to you, he won't even speak to Dee or Ryo the poor thing." Mother said as she ushered me inside and shut the door. After giving her my thanks I walked to the said room, and true to her word, Bikky was in fact sitting in the kitchen staring off into space.

"Hello." I called out and got no response so I decided to continue."i know that you don't know me but I do know you. Your's Bikky, Ryo and Dee's son. They are really nice, it's kind of sad that everything bad seems to happen to good people. I am sure that you are like them, a good person." he still didn't respond, he didn't even bother to look at me while I was talking to him.

"I am sorry about what happened to Carol. She was also a good person. It is such a shame that I was told to do what I was." There it was a flicker of life, he didn't really look at me but he blinked and his expression changed a little to show some confusion.

"You see when I get an order from Danny there is no way that I am able to say no. If I don't do what he told me to I and Justin would have been killed. I don't mind death all that much, the idea of it seems like it would be better than life. But Justin is all tangled in this and he saved my life so I can't just throw him to the wolfs like that." Bikky turned his head and looked at me.

"What are you talking about?" he whispered in a voice that was rough from not having been used in a while.

"I killed Carol because Danny told me I had to." I whispered and fumbled around in my back pack fingers wrapping around the needle that Justin had suppled me with yesterday. I wasn't expecting to be knocked to the floor like I was, Bikky on top of me fist posed above his head ready to strike. I did the first thing I could think of and swung my arm upward jabbing him in the back with the needle.

Bikky's POV

I felt the pin prick and everything start to get heavy. What the hell was happing. My fist was the first thing to fall, landing next to her head. Soon after my body slumped forward on top of hers. I tried with all my might to move, to make some kind of sound but I couldn't.

"I'm sorry, but Danny has some kind of grudge against Ryo and because of that he wants to make him suffer. It is not my intent to hurt you or anyone else for that matter." She whispered as she pushed me from atop her. I watched he rummage through her bag as she continued talking.

"I never wanted to do these things, I never wanted to hurt anyone. Is it so wrong of me to wish for a normal life. I just want to be a kid again. I just want this all to be over. Perhaps if things were different you, me, and Carol could have all be friends."

How dare she use Carols name like that. How dare she think that I would want to be friends with a person like her! I wanted to move but I couldn't I wanted to scream but the sound wouldn't come out. I wanted to do something, anything, but I was powerless as I watched her pull out a small blade from her bag and come back to me. DO SOMETHING! I screamed at my body but it wouldn't listen.

A/N: Go ahead and say it... I am evil I know. Am I sorry... not really. I hope you like it. It's a little longer than the last one so I hope it makes you happy! Please remember to review, be it good or bad I wanna know what you think. Keep me motivated and on track!

(1) I am sorry but i am so use to spelling Ryo's last name as McLean. I have recently learned that it is actually MacLean and will use that spelling from now on. Please forgive me!