A/N: I've broken this part of the story into two parts for you guys. Gearing up for my college graduation has kept me really busy but I hate leaving you guys hanging. Happy Reading.
"Is anybody else seeing this?" Mick asked as he stared at the papers in front of him. "See what?" Prophet asked as he looked over Mick's shoulder. "Well for starters, yesterday he killed someone else just as we caught the case. By the time we got here, another body dropped. His kills are up to 6 and he is not waiting around anymore. So, when I looked at the victim names, they coincide with 6 women who reported nearly identical rape stories. This guy is going back and killing his rape victims. But my question is why these women? None of their rapes are around the same time. There has to be a reason that these particular women were killed. He brutalized them before he murdered them. He'd already done a number on them with the rape but why completely destroy them before killing them?" "He's got a rage problem. Simple enough answer." Gina said nonchalantly. Mick shook his head dismissively, "No. It's something else. There is a reason—something that connects them—that he went after these 6 women."
Mick picked up the phone and dialed Garcia's number. "Well well well if it isn't my sugarplum's man candy. What can I do for you? Need some Emily tips?" Garcia said enthusiastically. "No not today. I need you to look something up for me. Are you up-to-date on our case?" "Do fairies carry pixy dust?" "Um okay. Is there anything connecting our 6 victims? Other than their rape…is there anything—recently—that connects all six of these women." Mick listened as her keyboard made a mirage of sounds. "If by recent you mean something they all did closely after their rape, then yes they all have something in common." "What did they all do after their rape?" "They all got abortions. Usually this kind of thing is kept under wraps but your victims didn't really care about privacy. They all got their abortions done at the hospital roughly three to four weeks after their rapes." "Thanks Garcia." "Of course. Toddles." Mick went back to the board and picked up the dry erase marker before moving all six victims' pictures to the corner of the board. "Got something Mick?" Cooper asked as he walked back into the conference room. "Yeah I do. We need to talk to the remaining 9 victims. I called Garcia and the thing that our vics have in common are that they had abortions after their rapes. This guy killed them because they killed his children. Twisted little bastard."
"Do we have current contact info on the remaining 9 victims?" Cooper asked as he looked to the detective that suspected that the case went further back than his superiors thought. He was grateful for the opportunity to finally be heard and jumped at the chance. "6 of the 9 women are dead. 5 suicides and 1 car crash. The last three women are still in the state. Angela Frazier, Marcy Ross, and Daphne Kilpatrick. Daphne Kilpatrick lives in Tucson now but the other two are locals." "You want to take a ride detective?" Cooper asked the younger man. He nodded and grabbed his keys. "Mick, you and Prophet head to Tucson to talk to Daphne Kilpatrick. Gina, Beth, you two go talk to Marcy Ross."
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"Tamia, do you see this?" Emily asked as she used a thumbtack to add a document to the wall. Tamia stepped over the files that they had laid out on the floor and walked over to where Emily was. "The flower deliveries. They keep jumping all over Scottsdale but when I called and strongly suggested that they tell me what I want to know, I was told that the respondent was always at a new address. The woman constantly refused the flowers but Simon obviously wouldn't take no for an answer. When the flower orders were placed, they checked with the intended recipient and she always gave them a different address." "Why would he specifically keep giving this woman flowers. How can a man be so dedicated to something like that? What power does she hold over him to have him jumping through hoops to send her flowers more times in 6 years than most people get in a lifetime?" Tamia asked. Emily thought about what Jeanine had said to her about losing their daughter six years ago. "The woman's name is Daphne Kilpatrick. She received the first bouquet of flowers about two weeks after her rape. That was the only time that she personally received them and they went to about a million different places in the past six years. Tamia, has anything significant happened in Daphne's life since the rape? Something major? Daphne has more power over Simon that anyone—including her—realizes."
"I'm not following but let me look some things up." Emily popped her knuckles while trying to wrap her brain around the new information. She heard the computer behind her and she tapped her nails against the counter she was next to. "You were right. After her rape, she took crazy fast steps to changing her life. She started looking up jobs on the east coast and even some out of the country. She disappeared nearly a year after her rape and popped back up in the States 15 months after her rape. She took a position that her job offered in Minnesota. Two years ago, she came back to Arizona but in a position with her job in Tucson. She also posted on her normally inactive social media that she was supposed to get married two weeks ago."
"Supposed to? What happened?" Emily asked as she grabbed a pen and notepad. "Damn that sucks. Her fiancé, a Tucson cop, was murdered while he was off-duty. Face bashed in with a brick right outside of the church they were supposed to be married in. She has pretty much disappeared off the face of the earth once again. Her mail still goes to a Tucson address. We're what a half hour away? You want to go talk to her?" "Yeah I do. Grab a couple of guns because we still don't know what we'll be walking into." The two women left and climbed into a sleek black car and drove off in the direction of Daphne's residence in Tucson.
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Elizabeth put Kehlani down in the playpen and went back into the kitchen. Sheldon had his back turned to her but her could feel her glare boring into the back of his hell. "You want to tell me why you reacted the way that you did when I told you were Mick was?" "I don't know what you mean Liz." "Don't do that. Don't patronize me. Why did you have that reaction?" Sheldon didn't want to lie to Elizabeth but he felt like he didn't have a choice. "I'm going to spend some quality time with Kehlani. I don't get to see her nearly as much as I'd like to." Elizabeth narrowed her eyes at her husband's retreating form. She knew that he was hiding something but she just didn't know what. She thought that maybe Emily had something planned for Mick and Sheldon just didn't want to ruin the surprise. Elizabeth knew that Emily had a remarkably good and big heart although she tried to hide it from the world. Elizabeth picked up her phone and called Emily's office.
"Yes. This is Ambassador Elizabeth Prentiss. I wanted to know if my daughter if available for a few moments." "I'm sorry Ambassador but I'm afraid that she isn't." "Okay. Could you give me a time that you'd think she'd be available?" "I'm sorry if I'm confusing you Ambassador. Chief Prentiss will not be available here anytime soon. She recused Interpol from the investigation and took time off to be with her family." Elizabeth stood with her mouth open before closing it once again. "When did this happen?" "Three days ago, ma'am. I'm terribly sorry for the confusion." "That's okay. Thank you for your time." Elizabeth put the phone down on the counter and stalked towards the living room where her granddaughter and husband were. Sheldon looked up as Elizabeth walked into the grand living room and automatically knew that he was in trouble. He kissed Kehlani's forehead and whispered, "Papa needs to talk to Nana okay?" "Okay" Kehlani said as she went back to mashing the puzzle pieces together. The two adults walked into the foyer and Elizabeth turned around with fire in her eyes.
"Where is she Sheldon?" "Elizabeth. Please calm down." "Don't! I am your wife! You don't get to do this. You don't get to lie to me about where my daughter is! Neither one of you can just lie and hide things from not only me but Mick as well! I called the office where Emily is supposed to be only to find out that she hasn't been there in three days and told everyone that she was taking time off to spend with her family. How exactly is she spending time with her family if she is nowhere to be found? At first, I was under the impression that she had some surprise for Mick, but somehow, I don't think that is the case. Then I thought that she was planning something for Kehlani but that can't be because she hasn't checked in since she 'took time off to be with her family'. So, I'll ask you again, where is she because I have the feeling that you are the only person who knows?" Sheldon let out a deep breath, "Can you relax for like five seconds so that I can tell you." Elizabeth crossed her arms over her chest, "Tell me everything you know. Don't leave out a single detail."
"A few days ago, Mick's sister Jeanine called her saying that she was afraid of her husband. Jeanine is under the impression that Simon is a rapist and murderer in Arizona." "The Scottsdale guy?" Sheldon looked at her pointedly, "I'm sorry for interrupting. Continue please." "Yes, the Scottsdale guy. Jeanine thinks that her husband pushed her down a flight of stairs which killed their unborn daughter. She called Emily because he came back last week and had scratches on his face and chest. She said that he got physical with her…in front of her kids. Emily told her to get rid of her phone and go to Emily's place." "She's at Emily's flat?" Sheldon blew out a breath. "No. Emily called me and I helped fly all of them over under the radar. Emily and I agreed on a place for Jeanine and her boys to hide out." "Emily's not with them? Where is she?" "Arizona." Elizabeth's eyes went wide and she felt her heart stop momentarily. "Are you out of your mind? Why is she there?" "Why do you think Liz? She's there because she wants to put an end to this whole mess." "So, you thought it was okay to just let our daughter go off on a vigilante mission that could get her killed?" "What was I supposed to do Liz? You know how she gets when her mind is set on something. I couldn't stop her if I tried. All I did was make sure that she was as safe and protected as possible given the circumstances." "And what about Mick? He obviously doesn't know. If they are working on the same case, then how long do you think that it'll take for them to run into each other? Mick brought Kehlani here because he had to work and he believed that Emily was working in an office that she told him she'd be in. How do you think he's going to take it when he finds out that Emily is lying to him, hiding his sister, and gearing up for a battle with his brother-in-law?"
"I can imagine that his reaction will be similar to yours." "Has she checked in?" "She's not supposed to for a couple more hours." "Where is Jeanine?" "Liz-" "Where is she?" "Emporia." Elizabeth walked past Sheldon and grabbed her keys before walking into the living room to pick up Kehlani and her go-bag. She walked back into the foyer with Kehlani on her hip. "Liz, where are you going?" She dropped the keys into the palm of Sheldon's hand. "You are taking us to go see Jeanine. Don't argue with me. I need to meet the woman that has my daughter risking her life. If she's lying, I'll know it and I'll kill her myself." Sheldon shook his head and led them to the car. They drove in uncomfortable silence the entire way. Kehlani had dozed off halfway through the car ride. Sheldon's phone rang and he knew it was Emily checking in. "Hi daddy. I'm checking in the way that you asked." "Thanks for that peanut. Listen, your mother knows." "I figured as much. Trust me, if I'd checked in with Mick then he'd know too." "Are you being careful? Do you have any leads?" "Daddy, we agreed to discuss as little as possible about this. I have to go. Kiss Kehlani for me and tell mom that I'm sorry she's in this position." Sheldon was about to respond when he heard the dial tone. "So that's that huh?" Elizabeth said as she pursed her lips. Sheldon stayed quiet as they drove past the welcome sign and rolled through the quiet town that was Emporia.
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"I don't think she's here." Tamia said as she tapped her foot on the edge of the porch. They both heard walking before the front door opened. "Hi, are you Daphne Kilpatrick?" The slender brunette looked at them curiously. "Yes, and you are?" "I'm no one." "Well what do you want no one?" "I wanted to ask you about the flower deliveries that you've been receiving for 6 years." Daphne stiffened at that statement. "I haven't received any flowers for the past 6 years. Funeral homes and P.O. boxes have had an overwhelming amount of gifts from a floral shop." "Do you know who's been sending them?" "My guess would be the man who raped me. The flowers started coming right after I was raped and never stopped. After the first time, I got smart and started getting them rerouted to funeral homes and P.O. boxes. I never picked the same neighborhood twice so it just seemed like I moved around a lot." "Why did you leave Scottsdale?" Emily asked gently. "I'm not sure. Maybe it was me being brutalized in my home. Maybe it was the big fuck you that I kept getting in the form of flowers. I left because I needed to." "Where did you go if you don't mind me asking?" "At first, I used all of my accrued time and vacation time. I went to New York only to find out that it was way too big. I went to D.C. only to find out that it was way too conservative. I went to Seattle, but I couldn't stand the rain. I went to Cannes and realized that I was homesick. I missed the States so I came back." "When did you go to Cannes?" "5 and ½ years ago." "What brought you back to Arizona?" "I took a promotion and transferred to the offices my company has in Tucson." "Is that where you met your…fiancé?" Daphne's eyes readily filled with tears, "Yes. That's where I met Gus. His full name was Gustavo Ridel. He had worked with the Tucson police for about 9 years before I met him. We fell in love quickly. I fell madly in love with him because he loved me in spite of my past. He asked me to marry him and I didn't hesitate. That all went to hell when he was murdered."
"So, Ms. No One who exactly are you?" "The person who is going to try and catch the man that took a piece of your life." Emily and Tamia were about to turn around to walk off when a small voice and running caught their attention. "Mommy can we play now?" the little girl asked as she looked up at her mom expectantly. Emily's jaw dropped. "How old is your daughter?" "She's five." Daphne said as she protectively hid her daughter behind her legs. "Where was she born?" "Cannes. I acquired dual citizenship, which is what she's under." "Within the last two weeks, have you done anything drastically?" "The only thing that I've done is going down to the courthouse and took Gus's name off of adoption paperwork. "Adoption paperwork?" "Brenda go back inside sweetheart." Daphne watched as she ran off into the distance. "Her father is the pathetic bastard that raped me. I thought about having an abortion but I'd wanted a child for so long that I couldn't go through with it. Instead, I ran and I kept moving until I found a safe place for her. This is the most settled that we have been for a while. Gus made me feel safe and he made Brenda feel safe. I will die before I let anyone harm her." "Thank you for your time." Emily and Tamia left Daphne's house and pulled off and into traffic.
"What are you thinking Emily?" "Is adoption paperwork on a non-U.S. citizen public information?" "Hell no. Not federally at least. Maybe if those documents were filed locally, someone could get their hands on them." "We need to check and see if those documents are accessible to the public. I'm thinking that the stressor that caused him to kill previous victims was his second victim giving birth to his daughter. It's possible that the victims he killed may have had abortions or given their children away. That would definitely cause a problem. Daphne was pregnant at the same time that Jeanine was. Those flowers were not out of remorse but a thank you. That son of a bitch was thanking her for giving birth to his child. He feels like without him, she wouldn't have a daughter. If he was this dedicated to Daphne then the other women must have had abortions or something. He punished them by murdering them. If she had Brenda in Cannes, then it's entirely possible that he could've seen her. Simon and Jeanine lived in Nice until 2 years ago when they moved back to London. It isn't completely unbelievable." "Well he is a bonafide stalker so I buy it. Where do we go from here?" Tamia asked as she put the key in the ignition and turned it. "We need to find out absolutely everything we can about Daphne before and after the rape. We also need to find out anything we can about her fiancé and her daughter." Emily said as she pulled out a laptop and placed it on her lap.
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"Why did you call Emily?" Jeanine shuddered under the intense glare of Elizabeth Prentiss. "I-I-I- called her be-because she told me that I cou-could call her anytime. I was afraid and she was the only person that I could trust, ma'am." "If my daughter gets seriously injured or dies cleaning up your mess, then so help me I will strangle you with my bare hands. She has a family. She has a little girl and a man that would do anything to keep her happy. Your own brother. Did you even think about any of that before you involved her?" "I have two little boys. What about my family?" "She is my daughter! She's my only child! What about her? Did you think about her safety or her child? No, you were only being selfish. You were only thinking of yourself."
Sheldon made his presence known when Elizabeth's voice got louder and the space between her and Jeanine get smaller. "Liz." Elizabeth whipped around with fury in her eyes, "Don't you dare! You chose to lie to me. You chose to let Emily go down this road to protect her! Let me ask the both of you this, if something happens to her, how am I supposed to explain that to Kehlani…to Mick?" Silence fell over the room in that moment.
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"Will you just call her already?" Prophet said from the driver's side as he saw Mick fidgeting with the phone in his hand. "She's busy putting in time to finish her case." "You don't find it odd at all that she hasn't checked in what like three days. Just call her. Five seconds is better than nothing at all." Mick let out a sigh and dialed the number where Emily was supposed to be. After a few rings, a peppy woman answered the phone.
"Hi, my name is Mick Rawson. I was wondering if you could connect me to Chief Prentiss please?"
A/N: This part of the story was really long and I'm almost done with the second part because I wanted to give you guys something to read for now. I'll post it as soon as I'm finished. Thanks for reading.