Chapter 2

Back to square One

Elliot and Olivia arrived at the scene only see multiple barriers up to contain the swarm of journalist and reporters. The two detectives got out of their car and tried to make their way through the media as the reporters drowned them with questions. One reporter followed besides Elliot as he walked "This is the second murder in two weeks, who is this man and why hasn't he been caught yet?" She shoved the microphone in his face waiting for an answer. "We can't be sure that this is the same guy for all we know this could be two separate cases." He answered.

Meanwhile Olivia was getting questioned by the journalist. "Who is this guy going after? The last victim was a 19 year old girl who was well known on her softball team. Is it safe to say he's targeting college girls?" The journalist pressed his pen against his pad lightly ready to write down Olivia's response. "We're not sure, all I can say is women should be cautious and aware of their surroundings, don't go anywhere that you're not familiar with and never walk alone at night." Olivia answered. Finally the detectives were able to get passed the barriers after flashing their badge and walked into the alleyway.

Melinda had gotten there sometime before and already began her examination. "What we got?" Elliot said as they walked up to the bodies that were covered with two sheets.

"Same as last time, both female, around nineteen or twenty, Caucasian, both had severe bruising all over their bodies, most likely raped, and no blood. Both of them were cleaned up pretty good." The M.E. answered, she was crouching next to the bodies writing down her finally observations so she could wrap up her examination.

"Cause of death?" Olivia asked.

"I can't be absolutely sure until I get them on my table, but from the bruising around their necks it's probably safe to say Asphyxiation." Melinda said shaking her head at the scene before her.

"He strangled them to death." Olivia said disgusted.

"Yeah, from the fibers I found he probably used a piece of clothing or a cloth to do it." Melinda paused for a moment, "This is the same guy Olivia." She said tilting one of the girls on her side. Revealing a word carved into her lower back. "It's written backwards I'll have to hold a mirror up to it to read it completely. He took his time doing this and she was probably alive when he did it." She put the victim back to her original position.

"Bastard." Olivia was getting aggravated

Meanwhile Elliot began to look around to see if there were any windows with a clear view of the alleyway, "There's plenty of windows around here someone had to see something."

"Yeah, let's question some of the neighbors. The quicker we catch this psycho the better." Soon the bodies were bagged and put in the back of the Coroner's van while the detectives began their questioning.

Elliot took a call from Fin while Olivia talked to the first responding officers. "Who called it in?" Olivia asked the man in the black uniform as she pulled out her notepad.

"We were told by dispatch that they got an anonymous call that there was someone in distress in an alleyway on 5th. There wasn't much information so we were advised to proceed with caution just in case." The officer said.

"The dispatcher didn't tell you to wait for back up?" Olivia asked slightly concerned.

"She didn't have to, another unit was right around the corner and we got here at the same time." The female officer interjected. "We all moved in the alleyway together with our weapons drawn and that's when we discovered the bodies."

"And that's all you found?" Olivia continued.

"Yes ma'am" Answered the male officer with a reassuring head nod.

"Okay thanks for your time." Olivia walked away and met back up with Elliot just as he was hanging up the phone.

"What's up?" Elliot asked.

"Well from the officers' statement they said an anonymous caller called dispatch and told them there was someone in distress. When they got here they found the bodies." Olivia said.

"That was Fin, him and munch pulled up recent missing persons reports to see if we can get some ID on the two bodies." Elliot sighed. "Back to square one." The two detectives walked across the street to the apartment building to question some of the residence.

WARNER'S GYM

After the title match Michaela headed to her gym which was on the outskirt of town. She had already taken pictures and did multiple interviews at the arena so there was no reason for any reporters to follow her now. That's one thing she learned early on, please the reporters when needed, if not they'll be at your house or following you all week and that just made things difficult. Michaela closed her eyes and relaxed into the soft seat of the limousine, completely worn out from her fight.

"You scared me for a minute there boss." Donavan, Michaela's bodyguard, said.

Michaela raised one of her eyebrows, "How much did I make?" she said disregarding his comment.

"Twenty Five thousand and that's with the tax deducted. There were some big players out there who betting against you so expect to get their money too." Her financial consultant, Anthony said.

She smirked and chuckled lightly to herself, "I always do. Don't worry Donavan the scare will all be worth it once you get your cut." She said responding to Donavan's last comment.

"Hey that works for me!" Donavan laughed.

"Hey you here about that chick they found dead in the alley way a few weeks ago boss?" Terrance, Michaela's other body guard, asked.

"Yeah read it in the paper. White girl from a college in Bronx she played softball if I remember right, she was raped and beaten to death. Damn shame if you ask me. " She said recalling what she read in the newspaper.

Terrance scoffed, "That's not even the worse part. I got sources that say whoever did that to her carved some crazy shit in her back"

"Poor girl, who would do something like that?" Patricia, Michaela's head doctor, asked

"Probably some jackass on PCP, better not let me run into him. I'll give him a beating he'll never forget." The champion said in a cocky tone.

"Yeah sure you will hot shot, just remember when we get back to the gym you and I have to ice down those hands of yours." Patricia said

"Sure thing, mom." Michaela said mockingly rolling her eyes.

Soon the limo pulled up to the large gym, everyone got out to face a huge crowd of trainers, boxers, some fans and other gym members who cheered as the champion stepped out of the vehicle . Michaela smiled and greeted her supporters as they all followed her inside…it was time to celebrate.

It didn't take long before the music was booming and drinks were being served. Michaela was more than ready to party with her guest but she had to take care of her hands and any other injuries she might've had.

Patricia followed Michaela into her office which looked more like a VIP lounge. Both women sat on couch and Patricia started to ice down Michaela's hands to control some of the swelling.

"How's that shoulder of yours?" She said looking at the younger girl.

"It's still kind of sore, you did a pretty good job popping it back in." Michaela said rotating her arm a little.

"Yeah I'm not surprised; she probably pulled a few muscles while she had you in that arm bar. I thought the crazy bitch was gonna rip your arm off." The blonde haired woman reached in her bag and put on some latex gloves

"Yeah she was out for blood for sure." Michaela said.

"I'm going to put you in a sling for a while…"

"But…" Michaela started to argue.

"That's my final decision, no if, and, or buts about it. You can look tough in the ring but you'll never get back in it if you neglect your injuries."

Michaela knew there was no way she could talk her doctor into changing her mind. "Fine." She submitted easily. Patricia was someone that she could trust just because she was one of the few that kept it straight with her. She was right if she didn't take care of herself now it would only get worse.

Patricia pulled out a small flash light looking thing and put her hand underneath Michaela's chin, "Open." Michaela opened her mouth and Patricia looked inside with the light. "You got a little bit of bleeding but a swish of salt and water and you should be fine." Patricia turned the small light off and stuck a thermometer in Michaela's mouth. "Are you going to call your mom tonight?"

"Yeah, I'm surprised she didn't call me after the fight was over. She must have another case to deal with" Michaela said sighing a little

"Don't worry Kid you'll get in touch with her."

After checking a few more things and taking vitals, Michaela was free to go. She stood up from the couch and stretched a little. "So Trish how's things with your husband?"

Patricia took off her gloves and threw them away. She walked over to the sink and started to wash her hands. "Well Mark and I thought it would be a good idea if we separated for some time. He's going to stay with his parents since they live closer to his job anyway." She turns the water off and dries her hands.

"Aw you mean I've been giving you hard time all week and you just separated from your husband?" Michaela says feeling a little guilty.

"Don't worry about it, besides he can have time to work on that old studio he bought years ago and I can spend more time here." She smiled

"Well you know what I always do when things are going south?" Michaela threw her arm around the back of Patricia's neck and lead her out the office.

"And what would that be?" Patricia asked already knowing the answer.

"A Party!" The female boxer yelled as she entered the room full of people, balloons, gambling games, and best of all alcohol.

Author's Note: Sorry for the late update I was a little busy. Hope you guys like this chapter! I'll be posting the next chapter soon. Please review!

~ShihoinBlazer ;)