Joseph Conrad said, "The belief in a supernatural source of evil is not necessary. Men alone are quite capable of every wickedness."

Korra's POV

I didn't say a word as they took me from my home, trying to block out my mother's sobs and I swore that I would have that idiot's badge once this was cleared up. He had no right to come into my home and ruin the day I had been looking forward to for years. No right. Soon enough we were at the police station and the moron took me into the interrogation room before uncuffing me. I rubbed my wrist before turning around and glaring at him.

"You better have a good explanation for doing that in front of my mother," I growled.

"I bet if you think real hard, you'll figure it out, Korra," the poor excuse of a detective answered.

"Agent Korra." I wasn't that little kid anymore.

"You'll always be Korra to me."

"And you'll always be that same poor excuse, son of a bitch cop."

He scoffed and shook his head. "I should have done this a long time ago."

"What the hell are you talking about?" I finally snapped. "And I want to speak to Agent Hotchner."

"He already knows your predicament, Korra," Saikhan answered. It was taking all my self control to not beat the hell out of him. "And just to refresh your memory, you're being charged with murder."

I blinked, baffled and stunned. "I'm sorry, I'm being charged with what?"

"You heard me. Murder."

"Who the hell do you think I murdered?"

He didn't answer, instead he threw me a case file. I glared at him before opening it, seeing the pictures of several dead little girls. I picked up the one at the top of the stack, my eyes widening. No…it couldn't be…But it was. Lilly, one of the girl's I had gone to see at the Youth Center... she was dead.

"What happened to them?" I asked quietly.

"You strangled them, that's what," he snapped.

I shook my head. "No, this wasn't me. I didn't do this."

"Oh yeah? Well explain how is it that every time you come to the city one of those kids shows up dead the next day?"

"I didn't have anything to do with this," I repeated.

"The last one, Lilly Carson, she was last seen with you. We even found your business card on her body."

"I gave it to her," I admitted. "But when I left she was alive. Asami was with me, she can-"

"Save it for your lawyer, Morgan. I've been waiting eight years for this."

My jaw clenched and I slammed my fist on the metal table when he left. Lilly was dead. But how? Why? That kid didn't do anything, she played a sport, she had friends. Why her? Why those other kids? Why every time that I came one of them ended up dead? I felt my chest tighten as my brain started to put the pieces together.

No…no…But it was the only explanation.

Unalaq.

Asami's POV

After I managed to calm Korra's mother down, I'd called in a nurse to care for her while I went to go see what the hell had happened. I raced to my car and in only a few minutes I was at the station (I may have broken a couple laws in doing so). I went inside, going all the way to the back where in the interrogation room was to find Korra sitting down, leaning against the wall, her hands digging into her scalp through the one way mirror. I went inside, placing a small devise on the mirror before looking up to see where the cameras were. She looked up at me and I could see the relief on her face.

I sat down next to her, placing a hand on her shoulder, silently letting her know it was going to be fine. Though I didn't even know what she was being charged with.

"What happened?" I asked.

"I-I'm being charged with murder," she said between breaths and I knew she was having a hard time breathing.

Ever since Korra was little, she'd suffered from asthma. Though it was triggered only when she was put under a lot of stress. She refused to acknowledge it and for the most part she was fine but this situation was getting to her, and I had to make sure she was okay. I took out my phone, typing a few commands before taking out a clicker and pressing a button, causing the one way glass to turn into two way glass.

"Here," I whispered, handing her the inhaler. She shook her head and I sighed irritably. "The camera is playing on a loop for the next minute and we can see through the glass, no one is looking. Just take it."

She looked over at the mirror before taking the inhaler and giving it two puffs. I could see the relief seep into her body after she took it and the mirror dimmed again. I quickly took the inhaler, placing it in my purse. I placed a hand over hers and she looked at me, her eyes saying a silent 'thank you.'

"I had a nurse go take care of your mom while I came here," I told her. "She's a little shaken up but otherwise okay. She wants to see you."

"Don't bring her here," Korra said. "I don't want her to see me. Not like this."

"I'm going to tell Mako, he's going to tell them that it's all a big misunderstanding."

"That girl I visited earlier in the center is dead," she whispered, showing me the file she'd had sitting in front of her.

I looked at the pictures, my eyes widening. "Who are these girls? How did they…?"

"According to Saikhan, they're the girls I've killed. They were strangled. My visits to the city correspond with each murder."

I looked over to her, knowing what she mean. "You mean…"

"Agent Sato." I looked up to find Mako. He did not look happy. I stood and the younger girl did as well. "I need to talk to Korra, alone."

"I'll be outside," I whispered to her.

She nodded her head and I left only to see the monster in this whole story. Unalaq.

Mako's POV

I walked into the interrogation room to unsurprisingly find Asami next to the new addition to the team. After the agent had left earlier today, I had made time to try and get to know as much as I could about her, to, maybe in the future, patch things up. The younger Bei Fong had clued me in on the long time friendship of our tech analyst and the young detective. It was no wonder why her face was so familiar. Asami had pictures of the two of them in her office with the ones she had of her late mother.

However, after today's incident, I had called in a favor from my best friend who was also a tech analyst in the Fire Nation to sort through the youngest female's past. I had to admit I was surprised when I found that her background hadn't been as clean as it seemed and who had recommended her transfer. That part I would take care of later.

"You have a criminal record," I said once the raven haired woman left.

"What?" she questioned. I handed her the file and I could see the walls coming up. "Where did you get this?"

"Why does it matter?"

Her eyes narrowed. "Agent Hotchner, this was expunged," she said. "My record is clean. And I don't see the relevance with the charges I'm being accused of."

"You lied in your interview about your background being clean," I said. "And given the nature of the charges there is strong indication for a past violent history."

"The judge expunged this. It doesn't exist anymore. I was a kid, it was nothing."

I raised a brow. "Aggravated battery is nothing?"

She let out an irritated sigh. "I was a teenager and I got in a fight with this other girl, June," the agent explained. "She got a couple of stitches in her head and they made it aggravated. This was expunged."

"You should have said something," I insisted. "You know how accurate information has to be for victomology."

"I'm sorry, what?" she asked. "Victomology?" The word didn't it right with her, I could see.

"It's very likely the latest victim was an attempt to set you up," I continued. "I don't think you did this."

"Are you seriously profiling me, Agent Hotchner?"

"We need to-

"No, we don't need to do anything," the agent snapped.

"Agent Morgan, you're in trouble," I told her, gesturing around the interrogation room. What part of this was she not getting? "Is there something else you're hiding?"

"I don't need you or anyone else going through my life," Agent Morgan said through her clenched teeth. "Find the person who did this because it sure as hell wasn't me. That's all I'm going to say to you."

Well that had gone well.

Lin's POV

I stood behind the one way glass as Mako interrogated the new kid. I sighed heavily and shook my head, pushing back the memories. I could still remember the first day she'd been brought here, having gotten into a fight at school. She had looked at me and I could see the anger in her eyes, the hatred. It was still there if her quick glance this morning was anything to go by. I somewhat blamed myself for her criminal activity. She had needed a parent and I had taken her away from the only one she had: her mother, Senna.

Unalaq had come to me with concerns for his niece and at first I had dismissed them, knowing that even though the young mother was going through a rough patch she was still meeting her daughter's needs. But when he continued to come and insist that the child was not being cared for I'd started and investigation mainly to shut him up. I'd watched their home for a week, noticing how the little eight year old would walk out of her house, lock the door and go to school and come back as soon as she was out. I even talked to the landlord who'd informed me Senna was behind on three month's rent. And as much as I'd hated to admit it, the girl's uncle had been right.

I had called him, informing him that I could be taking the child out of her mother's care when he told me about her condition. Senna had schizophrenia. I had been furious at the fact he'd withheld information for so long but he assured me he'd make sure the mother would be cared for and he would take in his niece, telling me how he'd arrange visitation times. With a heavy heart I'd knocked on their door and the girl had answered.

She tried closing the door but I opened it, causing her to run to her mother, holding her tightly around the waist. Even as young as she was she already knew what my presence meant. I asked my officers to take her and I blocked her mother's way, trying my best to not show the sadness I felt at having to separate them.

"Please, don't do this," Senna begged as she heard her daughter's cries.

"You know I have no choice."

"No, you're not taking her," the mother said firmly, trying to get past me, glaring at me when I wouldn't let her. "I'm the only one she has! If you take me away she won't stand a chance!"

"You're making this harder than it needs to be."

"She needs me!"

"Is this what she needs?" I finally snapped, looking at the mess around the house. "It seems clear to me that you need her a lot more than she needs you." I paused. "I'm sorry, Senna," I added when she too was taken away.

"Does this make any sense to you?" a voice said, snapping me back to the present.

I looked to my side to see Mako. I hadn't even heard him approach. I sighed and shook my head.

"No, it doesn't," I answered. "But she's not a murderer."

"Do you know her?"

"From a distance."

"Then why would you recommend her to join the team."

My eyes narrowed and I looked at him. "That is none of your business."

"I'm trying to prove her innocence too, Bei Fong," he replied. "But I need to know all the facts."

"It isn't relevant."

"Someone knew every time she came back," the leader of the team continued. "They set her up, I'm trying to prove that but I can't do it if everyone is keeping secrets from me."

"Everyone has secrets," I replied. "Would you like it if we profiled you?"

He didn't reply as he turned his attention back inside the room. I looked behind me, my head tilting when I saw a familiar man. Mako turned as well and we shared a look. Perhaps he wasn't wrong. Someone else had been keeping tabs on Korra and we already had a suspect in mind.

Asami's POV

After Mako kicked me out, I'd spotted the animal that had tortured my best friend for years. My eyes narrowed and I approached him, cutting off his advance when he tried getting to Saikhan. There was no way I was going to let those two talk. They'd just make it worse for Korra and I couldn't let that happen. He grinned at me and I had to use all my self-control to not put a bullet between his eyes.

"My office," I said, leading the way.

He didn't follow right away and for a moment I thought I'd have to drag him, but after a moment he followed and I closed the door behind him, sitting down behind my desk. I hated being here, I hated talking to the man that had molested and emotionally tortured my best friend, the only family I had, but as much as I hated it, I had to do it. I had to keep him away from her. If she saw him…

"Ms. Sato," he finally greeted.

"What do you want?" There was no point in being civil, he knew I hated him and I knew he wasn't my biggest fan either.

"I was looking for my niece," he answered, looking out the window of the office again. "Have you seen her?"

My jaw clenched. Of course he would come looking for her. He had set her up, set the whole thing up. He knew Korra would never go see him and he had created an opportunity to get her alone.

"You get your kicks from taking advantage of those weaker than you, don't you?"

"Every once in a while they need to be reminded who's in charge." My jaw clenched. "Now correct me if I'm wrong, Ms. Sato, but you just called your best friend weak."

"She's everything but," I countered. "And you know that."

"Ah, yes," Unalaq replied, picking up a frame that had both my best friend and I. "The one that got away. But that won't be for long."

"Are you threatening a Federal Agent?" I asked, barely hiding the anger in my voice. "Are we forgetting what happened last time you tried to take her?"

He absently rubbed his cheek, where I noticed the little thin white scar. But then he smiled, setting the picture down again, leaning against the chair and looking at me. The Northern Tribe man was studying me, that much was obvious. He was trying to make me feel uncomfortable. It wasn't working.

"Is this your means of intimidation,?" I asked. "Because if it is, I hate to break it to you; I'm not afraid of you."

"I know," he answered as he touched the scar on his face. "Because you're like me."

I didn't say anything to that, I didn't have anything to say. I was nothing like him.

He grinned at my silence. "Tell me, Ms. Sato, have you talked to your father recently? I figured being the daddy's girl you were, you'd have to have gone and seen him at least once."

My teeth clenched. My hands turned into fists. "You need to leave," I finally said. "Korra doesn't want to see you."

He chuckled. "You see, it's not about what she wants," the animal stated. "It's about what I want, and I want her, I want her writhing beneath me again."

I stood abruptly, my hand going for my gun.

"Careful," Unalaq cautioned calmly, standing up as well so that he was once again taller than me. "You wouldn't want to make a scene."

I looked around to see several officers peeking inside my office through the window. They quickly scattered when they saw that I'd caught them but I wouldn't be able to do anything to him. For now.

"Get out," I repeated.

He feigned a cordial nod, but his smug expression never wavered as he turned to leave. "It was nice seeing you again, Miss Sato."

Mako's POV

The interrogation with the new agent had gone…not as expected, not that I could blame her. We were very much alike, not enjoying the intrusion into our lives but I needed to prove her innocence. From the moment Saikhan presented me this case I'd suspected someone had set her up. She'd been in the South Pole for eight years and not one body had popped up there. If she was serial killer, she wouldn't have been able to contain the urge to kill. So that had made me suspicious.

And once I saw her uncle, a thought came to mind. Her demeanor had changed when I asked her if she was related to the Chief of the Northern Tribe. There had been anger but also hints of fear in her eyes. She was hiding something and he was involved. I went back inside the interrogation room and she immediately crossed her arms. A naturally defensive position.

"Unalaq Morgan," I said.

"What?" she asked, clearly surprised.

"Unalaq Morgan, he runs the Youth Center in the Dragon Flatts district."

"What's that got to do with anything?" Not he, that.

"He's responsible for getting your records expunged."

The new agent stood, slamming her fist against the table. "Dammit Hotchner!" she snapped. "I told you to stay the hell out of my life."

"Someone is trying to make it look like you killed those little girls," I tried explaining. "You visit the Youth Center every time you return to the city."

"So what?"

"Saikhan's men have no record of you talking to him," I said. "Why don't you visit the man that made your career possible?"

The new member tossed the chair aside, the loud clang reverberating inside the small metal room. She was losing her temper, and I was prodding her with the fuse switch. "It's none of your damn business who I do and don't talk to."

"He was the one who told Saikhan you were with Lilly."

"I'm warning you, Agent Hotchner," she began trying to reign in her anger. "Back off. Just back off."

"I think he's trying to set you up," I finally said.

I had come to this conclusion when Iroh had told me that Korra had left the city when she was still a minor. Unalaq had never made a move to look for her and I found this extremely odd. She was under his custody yet he'd done nothing to get her back.

The agent said nothing to that but I saw her relax the slightest bit. She looked…relieved. I picked up the chair and placed it next to her, silently asking her to sit down. She did as she was told and I pulled another chair up to sit next to her.

"I know you're innocent," I began. "And I know I've invaded your privacy but I'm just trying to help."

She looked about ready to reply when the door opened to reveal the former Chief of Police. "She's free to go," Bei Fong said. "They found another body, same M.O."

I turned to look at the agent, nodding my head and she immediately stood, bumping into the older woman on her way out. I sighed. She wasn't going to forget this incident any time soon.

Unalaq's POV

I waited for Korra in the alley a few blocks from her new apartment. For years I'd waited to see her again, to smell her hair...to feel her smooth chocolate skin. Of course, the murders were all means to an end, a way to get to her, and that stupid dead beat cop had played his part to a tee.

And by the end of all this, I'd once again claim Korra as mine.

As soon as she was within reach I snatched her arm and pulled her further and further into the alley and away from the street, the light. She kicked and bit but I ignored her until I threw her onto the grime covered ground. She stood, fist raised but as soon as she saw me she froze, a sliver of fear in her eyes.

"I have to admit I'm a bit hurt that you haven't paid me a visit."

"What do you want, Unalaq?"

"Can't an uncle want to spend some time with his favorite niece?" I taunted.

She scoffed. "So that's what this has been about? Wanting to take advantage of me again?" she asked. "They were children, Unalaq. They did nothing to you!" It was a righteous fury in her eyes.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"The kids," Korra snapped. "The ones you killed and tried to pin on me."

I smirked, shaking my head with a chuckle. "I think your mother's illness is finally getting to you," I said.

That struck a nerve.

My niece launched herself at me, pinning me against the wall, a fist raised and eyes blazing. Her mother had always been a sensitive topic and I knew how to exploit her weaknesses well.

"Don't you dare say anything about my mom." It was growled yet calm. It was an order.

"I always liked that fight in you, made things more interesting, didn't it?" Oh, it had. Ever since the very first time.

She let go of me, looking disgusted and I once again grinned. I was getting under her skin rather quickly, but I wanted more than that. I walked over to her, circling her before leaning in to smell her hair and she moved away, arms up, ready to fight.

"Still use the same shampoo?" I questioned. "I've always liked it."

"You need to stay the hell away from me."

I sighed. She was no fun anymore, but I could fix that. She would play my game. "I'm afraid that's not possible," I began. "Unless, of course, you want more bodies to turn up."

"You can't manipulate me anymore."

"Oh?" I said, raising a brow before taking out my phone, showing her the pictures I'd taken that morning. They were of Alice, the girl Lilly had been with and they were only slightly indecent, showing just the places where her body was bruised.

Her jaw clenched and I put the devise away.

"Wouldn't want her to be next, would you?"

"What do you want?"

I smiled triumphally. I had known it would work. "You," I answered, my hand tracing the features of her face, down the column of that lovely, succulent neck, and…

"Don't touch me," my niece ordered, moving my hand before it could go any lower.

I sighed and nodded. "I won't touch you but I will need…" Without warning I threw a punch to her gut, making her fall to her knees, gasping and wheezing for air, clutching her stomach. "A punching bag," I finished. "Every day after you get off work you will meet me here and I'm going to let off a little steam. Fail to come and you know who's next, is it understood, sweetheart?"

Korra looked up at me, not saying a word but her eyes revealing the answer. "Good," I said before sending another kick on her torso.

Senna's POV

I couldn't help but pace back and forth in the living room, trying to keep calm after what had happened. My daughter, my little girl, had been arrested. I had tried holding on to her, not wanting them to take her but she had gently made me let go, squeezing my hand reassuringly before leaving with Saikhan. The scene was too familiar to me. I felt my hands start to shake and I closed my eyes, fighting the rage that threatened to appear. It had happened all but once, but I could still remember it.

I had just arrived at that facility but the reality of it all hadn't sunk in until I was put in my room. The walls had been white, empty, plain, nothing like the walls in my own home, in Korra's room. I looked around, seeing a single glass vase in the nightstand. My breathing hitched as the day's events came crushing down on me.

My baby... Taken... I have to...

"Momma?"

I shut my eyes, shaking my head viciously. No. No. No.

They locked me up in this place, this place where they put crazy people. I'm not crazy. I'm not crazy. I need to get back to Korra. I have to...

"Momma?"

Not real. Korra's not here. They took her from me. I'm unfit. I'm crazy.

I can still hear my daughter's cries ringing in my ear, can still feel my heart shattering as I watch them carry her away from me. I can still feel the anger as the Chief of Police stands in my way. That's my baby. That's my child. I'm not crazy.

"Momma?" I open my eyes, and I'm greeted by the sight of my little girl, her big blue eyes full of tears and she's clutching a white teddy bear by it's paw. "Momma, why'd you leave me? Why'd you let them take me?"

I'm crying, and my heart is broken. My whole body feels numb.

"Senna!"

I blink, and it's like a fog has been lifted. And what is revealed horrifies me.

My room, the room they assigned me, is in shambles, the pillow and mattress is ripped, feathers and fluffy bed filling is scattered everywhere. There's broken glass by the door. I feel something slithering on my hand and look down to see numerous bleeding lacerations, more shards of glass embedded in the wounds.

Standing by the door is one of the orderlies, and behind her is a tall bald man with a pointy black beard. They are looking at me as if terrified as I stand among the ruined remains of what was my sleeping quarters.

That's when it finally hits me, like a sledgehammer striking a tiny nail with all the force it can. I am crazy. And Korra isn't safe with me.

I break down crying right there in the middle of my destruction.

I felt a hand on my shoulder and turned to find my daughter's best friend. I blinked. Just a few moments ago the nurse, Yugoda, was here but I must have lost track of time. I lowered my gaze and Asami squeezed my shoulder.

"She's going to be home soon, don't worry," the taller woman assured.

Moments later the door opened to reveal my daughter. I couldn't stop the tears as I went over to her, hugging her tightly, noticing her stiffen a little before making a small sound of discomfort. I pulled back but she smiled at me, kissing the top of my head.

"I'm sorry you had to see that, Mom," she apologized.

"Are you okay?"

She nodded. "I'm fine. It was a mistake. Are you okay?"

I smiled and nodded, caressing her cheek. "I'm glad you're home."

"Well I'm going to go then," Asami said. In all honesty I had forgotten about her. "I'll see you tomorrow, Korra."

She whispered a thank you, locking the door after her before throwing an arm around my shoulders and leading me to the couch. We sat down and I saw her wince. Was she hurt? Did something happen to her?

"Sweetie, are you okay?"

"I'm fine," she assured, taking off her jacket. "Just a bit sore, did a few sit-ups yesterday."

I nodded, accepting the answer but knowing it was far from the truth. She had not been wincing earlier. I placed a hand over hers and she gave me a smile.

"We should probably get some sleep," she said after a moment. "I have an early day tomorrow."

"At what time do you usually get up?" I asked.

"Around four, I like to run and work out for a bit then shower."

"It's one in the morning," I noticed. "Can't you sleep in a little tomorrow? I want to make you breakfast."

"You don't have to get up early for me."

I squeezed her hand. "I want to take care of you too," I told her.

It had been so many years since I had made a meal for my little girl. I knew she wasn't a child anymore, but I just wanted to give her the care I had neglected all these years.

"Momma," she began. "I'm really glad you're home."

"I'm am too," I whispered kissing her temple before standing.

"Mom?"

"Hmm?"

"Can I…can I sleep in your room tonight?"

I didn't stop the smile that appeared. "Of course."

Moments later my daughter had turned off all the lights and changed into a pair of sweats and a plain t-shirt that was a little too big. I scooted over in the bed, giving her enough space before reaching into my bag and pulling out a book, one of her favorites, The Sword in the Stone. She smiled and listened as I read the story but before long her eyes shut and her chest rose and fell. I placed the book down and kissed her forehead. I had waited years for this moment.

"Good night, baby."

Emerson said, "All is a riddle, and the key to a riddle is another riddle."