Chapter 2

John sat and watched as Captain Carter looked over their report on the latest murder victim. Samantha , Sam Carter had only been with the department about a year, but John had come to find that she was a hellva person to have in your corner when the going got tough. Sure, they didn't always agree, but at the end of the day they wanted the same thing…the bad guys caught and justice.

Blond, bright and attractive she had been the topic of more than one locker room discussion. John had to admit that thoughts of pursing more than a "business* relationship with Sam had crossed his mind. Sam however had made clear to all that she did not mix business with personal matters at least not in her command. Their had been talk about a possible relationship between her and Commissioner O'Neill but he wasn't going to speculate on that either.

"So how much credence are you giving to this, let's see…," Sam ran her finger down the page, " Rodney McKay's story? He was intoxicated when you found him and from what Ronon reports here maybe just a bit… psychotic?"

John turned his head and looked over his shoulder at Ronon leaning against the office door giving him a point glare. He merely shrugged and gave John a smile.

John turned back to Carter. "Yeah, well drunk yes. A little weird and strung tight maybe. Psychotic I think would be pushing it. After he got some food into him, quite a lot it seems," John rolled his eyes at the sound of Ronon's snort, " and some sleep we were able to get a little more information from him."

Sam continued to scan the report. "He describes the perpetrator as what he thought to be a white male *maybe* with long hair wearing gothic clothes and weird yellow insect eyes?" Sam looked up at John with a raised brow.

"Well, we did find a pair of sunglasses in the alleyway that could have been used to disquise the eyes or the perp may have some kind of deformity."

"Or he could have been wearing some of those weird contacts," interjected Ronon, " you know what the freaks like to wear."

"Yeah that," John snapped his fingers.

"Hummm, yes. Well putting that aside, what about this man draining the life out of this boy…Michael Kenmore?"

"Beckett was able to ID the victim from his prints, they happen to match some we had on file. On that note McKay was right, the kid had been in a lot of trouble, in and out of juvey over the past 3-4 years."

"So, what would have been the perpetrator's motive for killing this kid Kenmore? If this is the same man that has been responsible for the other murders why risk detection by killing in the city? And why now and how?"

Ronon moved forward putting his hands on the back of the chair next to Sheppard "We think the kid was trying to rob the guy when it all went south on him."

"Yeah," piped in John. "The gun had an empty clip as just like McKay described hearing. So even if the guy had taken off he should have been easy to track, but he wouldn't been able to travel that far with all that lead in him. At the most we should have had a trail of blood indicating he had been hit. We got nothing."

"Doesn't answer the *now and how* part," Sam said placing the file neatly on her desk.

"Well that's what we're working on," John said leaning forward in his chair and rubbing the back of his neck.

Sam folded her hands together and spoke firmly. "Well gentlemen I suggest we move quickly on finding those answers because the media is going to have a field day with this thing. One of the papers this morning broke the story and is calling him the 'Reaper". This is this city's busiest time of the year we don't need a panic over a situation that can and *will* handled. Am I making myself clear?"

"Yes, ma'am"

" With that said use whatever means at your disposal to get the resolved."

"John, may I have a moment please," Sam asked as the men were about to leave.

"Sure," he said.

"Catch up with you later," Ronon nodded as he stepped out closing the door behind him.

"What's up?"

"John, I know your friend Lorne has been trying to keep a tight lid on this thing…"

"And doing a damn good job to it too up to now," John huffed a little indignant.

"Yes, I know and it doesn't go unappreciated, but what has happened has opened this thing to the public eye and the consequences… Well, I don't need to tell you."

"Ya I know," John said running his hand nervously though his hair.

"Just do your best, okay," Sam smiled, "but the quicker the better." A small chuckle escaping her lips on that note.

John gave a quick quirk of the lips in response. "On it boss." With a nod from Sam he left to hunt up Ronon.

As John rounded the corner, he scrubbed his hands over his face scratchy from the need to shave with a glance at his watch 16 hours ago. He sighed. Coffee, he needed coffee and sleep, but now the coffee would have to do.

John grabbed his mug off the counter and poured a nice big cup savoring the aroma. Someone cared for him because it was fresh, not that it would have stopped him from snagging a cup, but this was going to make it just more enjoyable.

Passing the vending machine his stomach remained him it too had needs and the thought of a bun with the coffee sounded good about now. While he was at it he might as well get one for Ronon too otherwise the big guy would go though his before he would even get a bite. Grabbing the last bun from the machine, John was almost knocked down sending hot coffee spilling over his fingers.

"Oww, FORD. Hey watch it buddy. This is a restricted speed zone you know."

"Oh man Shep, my bad," Ford said trying to lend assistance, "It's just I'm running late. Off to meet a contact."

Ford was new to the department having taken his test for detective fresh from the academy. The kid was nice and sharp, John really liked him and he had the markings of a good cop. But, Ford tended to be a little reckless, he called it playing by the seat of your pants. However John knew better and you couldn't afford reckless in this business.

"No prob, just slow down, okay." John was about to walk off when Ford called back.

"Hey Shep, you got quite a looker waiting on you . Don't know how you do it man."

Before John could get the question out Ford was out the door with a flip of a hand. Shaking his head John walked into the patrol room and sure enough a woman sat at his desk in conversation with Ronon. At this angle all he could see was that she was petite, with hair the color of wheat flowing softly over her shoulders. As he drew closer he caught a smell of something sweet yet spicy - her.

Ronon stood. " This is my partner, the one I mentioned to you."

"Brought you something, " John said handing the bun to Ronon before fully turning to face the woman when he did he had to remember to breath.

"Sheppard, this is Ms. Emmagan , Teyla Emmagan. She thinks she may have some information that may help us with our case."