Title: Opposites Attract
Chapter 22 - Casualties of War!
I lock my eyes with the crime scene photos before me; my head still trying to wrap around my attacker and what his connection is to this case. I have no connection to the Bryce's in any way and with Jack dead I'm at a loss as to anyone else recent who would want me dead. But I know he's out there, planning my demise and now my mind races with panic. Would he stop at nothing to get to me? Would he hurt Stella just to prove a point? Or worse, let me die slow and alone, never getting to tell her that I love her, which I just can't seem to do right now? I'm so lost in thought that I don't notice her leaning against the door frame watching me with a concerned stare until she moves a little and I'm finally alerted to her presence.
"Trying to find a connection to myself," I frown, locking eyes with her and offering a small smile. "I have no connection to the Bryce's or their friends and have never worked against these people in any way. Even with Jack, there is no personal connection. It was only business," I sigh heavily. "What the hell does this guy want?"
"Other than to kill you?" She lightly counters.
"Yeah other than that," I grimace. "I have wracked my brain over this but can't come up with anything other than Jack; and with Jack dead I am at a dead end. Plus I got another love note from him."
I pull out my phone and show her the email. She looks up at me in shock. "Has anyone looked at these?" She asks in haste looking at the large copies of the pictures sent.
"Ralph and so far nothing; and yes he's tried to trace the email address but both are different and have no owner. Damn this guy! I hate all this running around! Just come at me and let's finish this already," I frown.
"Mac you can't mean that," she tells me in a softer tone.
"And if I do?" I counter. "I'm sorry if you want a better answer but..." I huff. "I can't give you one."
"You just want to meet this guy in a dark alley someplace; go at it and see who comes out last man standing?" She asks with a slightly cross tone.
"If it meant an end to all this stupidity, yes," I reply firmly. "Sometimes a kick ass approach is the only solution that works. There is no viable connection to me with these boys and I can't figure out why the hell I should be a target for this guy."
"Then let's find one," she suggests. "Look I know you hate feeling this helpless and lost but some cases..." she tries again.
"I know you are trying to help but right now..."
"You just want to be alone? Nice try Taylor," she tells me firmly; coming back into my personal space.
I look around nervously, trying to quickly process if anyone is watching and wondering what is going on between us. I have already been the main topic of office gossip as of late and I need to spare my mental fortitude by stemming anything further right now in the way of idle talk.
"No one here but us Mac," she tells me.
"I want this guy!" I half shout.
"So do I," she retorts. "Shouting at me is not going to help find him."
"I'm sorry," I huff. "I didn't want to shout, least of all at you. However, I want this guy and I hate feeling behind the eight ball. I won't bend to a coward," I state firmly. "Again, sorry if that bothers you but I refuse to back down from a fight; I never have and never will."
XXXXXXXX
"I want to help but I'm lost Mac, tell me what I can do to help you."
"Maybe there is nothing that can help me with this," he answers in sorrow and my heart breaks. I look at him in anguish as his blue eyes lock with mine. He looks at me with a blank stare but then only offers me a heavy sigh. "Today was tiring for both of us. Why not just go home and get some rest."
"Are you sure you want to push me away?" I ask in a quiet tone.
"I am not trying to do that, but I just need..." he starts.
"No Mac, you're right we both need rest but you better go home also! But if you want me to be a friend, then you need to learn how to treat me like one. If you care about me then you need to let me in when I want to be let in."
I turn to go but he gently takes my arm and pulls me back; holding me captive against his body, his heart racing; keeping time with mine. "I can't look at you and think only friend," he finally confesses. "That's part of the problem. I want to; sometimes more than anything because it will keep my head clear like it used to be."
"And I mess with that?" I gently ask.
"It's sometimes hard for me to be objective because I care so much."
"Mac, I care for you just as much," I offer. "Maybe you need to trust in us a bit more than just trusting in you."
XXXXXXXX
I want to trust in us and she makes it sound so easy. But as I turn my eyes back to the photos I feel my heart starting to get heavy once more. "Tell me what I'm missing?" I ask her; not really expecting a viable answer.
"Mac, I wish I knew," she tells me with a sigh. "But if you can't find a connection from your past, and you won't open up fully then I'm at a loss."
"I don't know the connection!" I huff as I hit something and she pulls away. "Sorry," I offer, noticing her flinch. "I'm not mad at you."
"I think I should say goodnight," she tells me in a stiff tone.
"Stella..."
"No, its okay. You have had a tough day, physically and emotionally. I took a lot from you today and you just need down down time," she replies in haste as she leans in close and offers me one more kiss.
She offers a tight smile before giving me a kiss goodnight, but unlike the others, I can tell she's upset; her body screams that to me. But before I can say another word she pulls back and then quietly turns and walks out of the room. I stare at the empty space before me and frown before looking away. "Why the hell did I get mad!" I scold myself only to look up and see Flack standing and looking at me with a frown.
"Everything okay with you two?" He asks me in a low tone. "Stella just stormed out of here; she looked, uh, frustrated?"
"I want this guy Flack," I tell him firmly. "I think there might be a connection to a case I worked in the past and now with Jack Harvey dead I'm once again stuck."
"And let me guess, you're pissed off and don't want anyone around to help you or see you like this," Flack finishes for me. "And you got mad and she was on the receiving end?"
"Not the receiving end but close enough," I huff. "How long have you known Stella?"
"Long enough to know when she's hurt by someone she cares deeply about," he tells me. "And trust me; it hasn't happened a lot before, but she cares about you."
"She's only given me snippets of her past and perhaps part of my frustration is that I don't know how to get her to open up to me; I don't know what to say. I know his name but not much more."
"She didn't tell you?"
"Not all the details."
"There was one and he hurt her bad. Ryan White, NYPD Detective. They worked together for a bit before things got serious. Seemed to be genuine and very interested. Funny, much like you, he was in the marines and then became a cop. Much like her he had similar interests and for a while could act like he could keep up; act like he was in it for the long haul; act like he wanted her to open up so that she could feel safe and secure."
"Act?" I ask in dread.
"He was jealous and violent toward her."
"What? Did he hit her?" I ask in fear.
"He was rough," Flack tells me and I have to bite back my anger. "He was angry a lot; would snap at her in public, yell at her in private, tried to control everything she did and was as domineering as they come. And yes he hit her."
"Why didnt she tell me any of this?" I wonder in sorrow.
"She hates to drag out the past; even refuses at times to talk about her being an orphan unless a case really hits home. She has the same insecurities as you; she worries about being judged as a woman with baggage and men tiring of it and moving on when she's invested her heart into him. About finding another man like Ryan, a man who was also a marine turned cop, who lied to her, told her what she wanted to hear and then basically ruined everything good and descent about love."
"I don't want to hurt her like that; believe me, I'm not that guy," I insist firmly. "I'm not like him!"
"I know you're not, which is why she still cares and I'm here right now. Trust me if you were like Ryan and your anger toward her was genuine, then no amount of Marine training would help you best me," he admits with a firm expression. "But I also want to know if you seriously want to be with her or are just using this emotional buffer while this case is on going."
"I care for her, I do," I manage. "I just haven't had a case where I was personally involved and where someone I really care about is also threatened," I start and then stop. "And I worry about something happening to her and it being my fault."
"She's tough Mac," he says.
"I know but I still worry. I don't mean to push her away but...ah damn it; it's all I know how to do! Sorry."
"You owe me nothing," Flack huffs. "I'll still be here for her long after this case is over. Will you?"
And with that haunting question, I am once again left alone in my silent misery. She had someone? He hurt her? And now she's brave enough to take a chance on me and I want to turn that away? Mac, idiot! Go after her already.
XXXXXXXX
"Wait a minute!" Mac calls to me as I am just at the elevator. He gently takes my arm and guides me to his office and closes the door.
"Mac, it's late and..." I start in concern only to have him gently kiss my lips.
"Please don't leave," he half begs. "Not because of me."
"Mac I know you need some head space to figure this out and I think you also just need some time to cool down after all the events of today," I offer in truth and he just frowns. "I know today was tough for you."
"Why didn't you tell me about him?" He questions in a light tone.
"Him? Who are you talking about?"
"The man in your past who hurt you," he tells me softly. "Ryan White. Why didn't you tell me what he did to you? And how he treated you?"
I feel my eyes instantly water and my fists clench. Flack! "Flack told you?"
"Stella, you get after me for keeping personal hurt hidden away," he offers.
"I guess you and I have a lot more in common that we might want to let the other believe," I reply in a sad tone as my eyes water slightly.
"Would I ever have heard about him?"
"With all the torment you carry inside that thick head of yours, I didn't want you to burden you with past issues."
"It's not a burden; please believe me, nothing about you could ever be a burden. I know he hurt you and I want to be there for you when you feel that sorrow."
"I want to believe that," I offer in sadness, my eyes watery.
"And I'm sorry if you doubt that because of what I did," he admits in a soft whisper. "My emotions do run hot and cold when I am frustrated but I want you to know that I would never direct them toward you. I'm not that guy Stella, I don't want to control you or hurt you in any way; I care too much to ever lay a hand on you. I beg you to believe that."
I look into his blue eyes and see genuine care and concern and feel my heart start to slow a bit. But my eyes water as I try to offer him a, "I want to," in a firm tone but it comes out sounding painful.
"Come here," he smiles, moving in close and once again pulling me into his warm embrace with his strong arms. "I am sorry he hurt you."
"Wish you were there to protect me," I whisper and he holds me tighter.
"I will never hurt you like he did," he looks at me with a frown. "Please tell me right now that you believe I would never become that man. No matter how mad I get at others, I would never turn that on you."
"I believe you," I whisper with a sad expression. "I too had locked myself away after he was killed, telling myself that another man will never enter my heart and rip it away like he was able to. And a few years passed and I was doing okay. But then I heard your name two years ago and I think I knew even then," I pause and he offers a surprised look. "But when I met you, that first day of the case, something inside me just told me to go for it and I did; despite some internal reservations."
"Do you regret it?" He asks in torment.
"Not for a second," I assure him. "Ryan had made an ugly impression on my life but you're not him. Mac you're not the same kind of man."
"But my temper," he offers in protest.
"Is still not as bad as his," I frown. "That's why I want to make this work. That's why I care. But sometimes I guess like you I just know how to walk away."
"I am sorry," he offers in a quiet whisper. "Stella, I do care. I want you always to believe that," he huffs.
"But do you want this as much as I do?" I challenge.
"I think I always have," he tells me in honesty. "Just was too blind or stupid to know what to do or how to do it."
"You're here now," I smile at him warmly. "That's more than I could have asked for."
"Come on, let's call it a night," he smiles, kissing my lips. "We have a long day head of us tomorrow."
XXXXXXXX
"What did you find?" Stella asks Ralph Simpson my lab tech as he knocks on the door the following morning.
"So the hair you asked me to examine and the piece of skin Stella found are a match. Nothing in the system that is current, however, they are a match to an old unsolved case. An Oliver Day was found a year ago, carved up the same way. DNA profile matches an unknown DNA profile that was never identified," he finishes, handing Stella the report.
"Thanks Ralph," I mention as he leaves. "Oliver Day?" I mumble with growing anxiety.
"Does the name ring a bell?"
"It was one of mine," I answer as I look back at my computer.
"What kind of case?"
"Young man, carved up. Some drifter was found with a self inflicted gun shot wound and a note of regret. But much like this case, it didn't add up and my final notes for Oliver Day stated that while it appeared to be a closed case, I wanted it filed under unsolved for my own files."
"Well this just proves your theory that whoever this guy is, is tied to something from your past in some way," she tells me as Cyrus and Sheldon approach.
"The Hardy Boys have arrived," Cyrus smiles to which Sheldon just rolls his eyes.
"What did you find?" I ask quickly.
"So as suspected there was no sound console; but we found a CD in a small player that was plugged into a device that was rigged up to the sound system. No prints but John is going to see who makes that box and who bought one recently," Cyrus tells me as he hands me the CD.
"And the bullets that we recovered from the bodies of Amor and Redmond match one case that's in the system, it's an unsolved," Sheldon says as he looks at the read out. "A Brent Lopez."
"What?" I ask in shock. "Brent Lopez?"
"Mac?" Stella asks me.
"That was also an unsolved of mine; six months before Day," I answer.
"Oliver Day? Brent Lopez? Mac, is this guy using stuff from your old cases?" Cyrus questions. "I remember those two."
"But the gun was registered to Jeremy Frost, who is now dead," Stella pipes up. "And we think he killed Amor and Redmond to keep them quiet? This doesn't make sense. We ran Frost's bio and there was no mention of him being tied to a crime in the past. At least none tied to Brent Lopez. Mac what do you think?"
"Not sure yet," I reply as I take the information sheets and look at Stella with a frown.
"Mac?" Stella asks softly, finally pulling my eyes to hers. "Whoever this guy is, he is targeting you, not the Mayor."
"Who would kill those four boys to get back at me? And for what reason? I think it's just an odd coincidence that Frosts gun turns up here. Unless that gun was used in an old case and he fakes the registry in Jeremy's name. This guy can't be that good. Where has he been all this time?" I tell her as I look at the CD in my hands. I put it into my computer and press play.
'Hello Mac,' the CD starts and I look at Stella in horror. 'If you are sitting there with a shocked look on your usually calm face then you have found this CD. Figure out who I am yet? Odd, I thought you were such a big shot. Isn't that what you tell everyone? Make all your petty inferiors around you believe that? That you can save the world with one hand tied behind your back!' Thevoice finishes in a shout. 'You can analyze this CD all you want. You won't find me until I want you to. Or then again, maybe you won't ever find me. I mean after all these years you still haven't. But maybe you need some higher education? Until next time Taylor. Oh and trust me, THERE WILL BE A NEXT TIME! I will have you before me and YOU WILL BLEED!'
"You need police protection," Stella tells me as I lean back in my chair and sigh.
"Not going to happen. I won't allow my life or my work's actions to be dictated by a coward," I tell her firmly.
"Mac!" She snaps. I know she's concerned but in truth I won't bow to this guy.
"Stella, my life is not dictated by criminals. If I allowed that I would never leave home," I explain.
"This is different than some guy making an idle threat; some parent coming after you after their child has been taken. Mac he's already made attacks on you and he's called you by name!" She growls. "What is wrong with a taking a little precaution?"
"Because it means that I have to acknowledge that I'm not in control!" I snap. "I am in control. And I won't bend!" I finish as I quickly call Ralph.
"Ralph, I need a voice analysis of this CD and this answering machine tape. See if it matches anything in the system or old cases and get back to me ASAP!"
"Mac, you can't just pretend this is a regular part of the case. This changes everything."
"Trust me I'm worried; I am not going to lie about it, but the only way to beat this guy is to play his game and try to figure out what he hasn't."
"Mac, this guy has been playing all of us from the start," she tells me in concern.
I lean back in my chair and offer a heavy sigh as I turn and look out the window. "I have tried all night to think on who might want to hurt those boys. Simple revenge just seems" my voice trails off.
"This guy is smart and has probably waited a long time; calculating his every move, probably replaying these attacks over and over in his head to make sure that everything is right and that we have nothing," Stella explains.
"But why the cloak and dagger?" I huff in anger. "Why the games?"
"Because he wants to prove he can," she simply states. "He's taken away all the evidence that could link us to anyone other than who he's fingering. He wants us going in circles, chasing our tails, looking at everything except what he wants us to."
"I think that's a coincidence."
"Actually it might not be," Ralph says walking into the office. "I was able to work with Adam to get a voice match on the CD and the tape. And we have a match," he says handing me the paper. I look up at Stella in shock.
"Another unsolved that you worked on?" She guesses correctly.
"A Shane Westin," I offer with a frown.
"But sorry no name in the system. The DNA and voice ID were never matched to anything. Still unsolved," Ralph huffs. "Just like the hair and the skin DNA, the voice match was also never ID'd. Once a drifter was fingered and then found dead by his own gunshot wound to the head, it was closed and the outstanding evidence never pursued."
"So maybe the mayor isn't the guy he has a grudge against," Danny offers.
"Three cases," I offer with a frown. "Cyrus, get down to archives and pull all the evidence on those cases and bring them back up. We'll exhume the damn bodies if we need to."
"Sounds like a plan to me," she frowns. I know she's worried by the expression on her face. But I can't afford to show myself weak or concerned in any way. Sadly in truth my heart is about to explode at the thought that someone is out there killing young people to get my attention.
"Hold on man, I'll help with the boxes," Sheldon tells Cyrus as they hurry out of the room. Ralph hands me a small box with the small items I had given him and then Danny and Lindsay leave to get ready to re-examine what I asked them too. I turn to look at Stella, who is eyeing me in suspicion.
"Do you have any idea who this could be?"
"None, and that's why I'm ready to kill something myself right now," I lightly hiss. "I hate this."
"Why were these cases unsolved?"
"Same thing as this one. Young man or men, sedated, knifed to death, and then the only suspect dead. It appeared to be suicide and so they were written up as a rash act by a person who was not mentally stable," I explain, my back to her and my tormented gaze looking out the window. "The unknown DNA and voice messages were just put down as a chance encounter since suicide notes were found."
"But Mac, he's made this personal."
"Yeah whoever the hell he is!" I snap in anger. I turn back to her with a softer expression. "Sorry, I'm not mad at you."
I press speaker and dial Paula. "I don't care what you have to do to get it done; but you need to delay the mayor's press conference today. We don't have anything solid and the one lead we do have, he might be spooked enough to disappear into the shadows if we go tipping our hand."
"Mac, I might not be able to do that."
"If anyone can make miracles happen it's you," I smile lightly.
I look at Stella but can only frown instead of smile. "I want this guy Stella, I don't care the cost. And I know you'll get mad at me for saying that but I don't care right now. I want him!"
"What can we do?"
"I am going back to campus to check it once more; he mentioned higher education and that's where this all started. There is something there we missed. The team will have their hands full going over all the case information from the past unsolved's. I would suggest you stay and supervise but I know it's an argument I won't win."
"You're finally starting to understand me," she smiles. "Let me get my coat and kit and I'll meet you downstairs."
XXXXXXXX
The ride back to campus starts out in silence and I know his mind is racing.
"So," I start. I just have to make him open up. "Why do you think he's come back now?"
"I thought about that all night. The dates are all different; the places are different. Two in DC and one here."
"That you know of," I suggest.
"You think he's following me?"
"Where were you before DC?"
"Chicago," he answers.
"Anything odd there?" I continue.
"Never thought to look that far back, no triggers to any of those cases, but maybe we should," he sighs.
"Just the unsolveds right?"
"Couldn't have been that many," he answers with a tired voice as I dial Adam Ross. "Adam, can you please run a search on any unsolved cases with Mac Taylor as the lead. I dont care how far back, just send the information to him and we'll check it out when we are back. Right. What? Oh grief, thanks," I say hanging up.
"What was that last bit about?"
"The pink handcuffs," I sigh with a slight smile. "Seems like its spread past Danny and now everyone is trying to figure out who is the mystery man. See, I told them the day they came it wasn't from Doug."
"Are you sorry I sent them?" He asks me with a slight smile.
"No, but if you think I'm also going to let you get the upper hand by trapping me and then using that key you have, think again," I tease.
"Trust, me I have learned not to allow myself the luxury of that fantasy," he smiles in return. I see him ease a little and know I have finally won a small battle. Seeing him at mental peace is a big win for me; I hate to see him on edge because he can't figure out what's going on. I am talking work here. When it comes to not figuring me out well that's a battle he'll never win!
We reach the campus and the yellow tape is still up and there are still a few officers milling around. "So Cyrus did another search after Flack's officer's right?"
"This guy knew how to keep himself hidden while we were still working inside until I came back up alone and then he attacked me. They all missed something and I intend to find it."
XXXXXXXX
We walk around to the back door in silence. I can't show myself afraid or even unnerved by this psycho because that's what he wants and I refuse to bow to those that would pervert justice for their own sordid gains. However, I would be lying to myself if I didn't at least acknowledge that I was worried about my own future wellbeing. If this was the guy who murdered those young men and others in the past then I know what he's capable of and it's scary.
We reach the door and I start to look around for another entrance. I slowly push the door open and we are on the main floor looking up at the balcony where Stella nearly fell the day before.
"Check every panel to see if one opens but please don't go down one until you at least let me know," I offer. I don't want to sound like I'm trying to be the boss again but I'm worried and I hope she takes it that way.
"With all you have going on I wasn't going to," she answers quickly.
"Sorry if I snapped earlier," I huff as I turn to leave.
"Makes you human," she offers as she heads in the other direction.
I offer only an unseen smile as I start to very carefully search every inch of the wall paneling before me. I want this guy; every nerve is on edge and I think I'm lightly sweating. Not possible! Mac Taylor? Sweating? At a crime scene? Well if it was just a regular crime scene I wouldn't, but even this is starting to get to me.
My hand finally rests on something odd in the wall and immediately my attention is focused on the small indentation that doesn't belong.
"Stella!" I call out loudly. A few seconds later I hear footsteps rushing my way. "I think I found it," I tell her as she draws her gun and I prepare to push. With a hard shove it only slightly budges. But with another hard push with my shoulder, it finally pushes open and I am sent falling into darkness.
"Mac!" Stella calls out to me as I tumble down a few hidden steps. She quickly shines her light on me and I'm okay.
"Can you find a light switch?" I ask as I quickly push myself to my knees and look around in haste.
Stella finds a small switch on the wall but when she flips it on; the door behind her slams shut, sealing us inside. "Damn it!" I hear her curse as she tries to pull the door open. "You okay?" She calls to me.
"Fine," I reply in frustration as I pick myself up and then hurry to help her.
"How's your shoulder?" She lightly asks.
"If we need it, it's ready," I say as I turn and look at the rest of the room around it. It was small and as I suspected empty. But I saw another small door near the back and head for it; Stella behind me. I angrily kick the door open and offer a heavy sigh as I bend down and peer inside. "Looks empty, but with this guy who knows? Just wait until I give you the signal," I tell her.
"Mac," she tries to protest.
"For once in your life, please just listen to me?" I instruct in a huff.
"Fine," she resigns.
I slowly crawl through the opening and am sure that if there was someone waiting they wouldnt even hear my footsteps as my heart is beating so loud it would have betrayed me long ago.
"Mac?" Stella calls out.
"So far nothing," I shout back as I finally make it to the next room. I quickly examine the room and see that there indeed has been someone inside. "I think that..." I start only to hear a strange sound and turn around only to come face to face with a large knife of sorts that flies at me, slices through my coat and lands on the floor.
"Mac!" Stella shouts as I hear her rushing though the small opening.
XXXXXXXX
I hear his voice stop and then the sound and don't care if he'll be mad as I ready my gun and push my way through the small opening. I arrive on the other side to see him looking at me with a blank expression.
"Are you okay?" I ask in concern.
"Just a close call," he frowns as his eyes direct mine to the object on the floor.
"What the hell is that?" I ask in anger, not at him but at whoever is playing these games.
"I..." he goes to start when we hear a 'click.'
'You know Detective Taylor, this is getting to be quite the habit for you; chasing me all over god's green earth.'
"Who the hell are you?" I hear Mac demand. I quickly move my hand into my pocket and press record. I'm sure it'll be the same as the other voice at the fair but I need to know for sure.
'Why do you swear in front of a lady, Taylor? Where are your manners?' He laughs.
"What do you want from me?" He shouts in anger, his eyes and mine trying to find where the sound is coming from.
'I want you to bleed, nice and slow.'
"Then come and face me like a man!" Mac challenges.
'Don't like my little games?'
"Frankly no. Did you kill those boys?" Mac demands.
'What I want to kno...'
"I don't give a damn what you want. Did you kill those boys?" Mac shouts.
'Okay fine already. I did, there, I confessed. I carved them up nice and slow. Does it give you a warm fuzzy feeling inside? No? Don't strike me as the warm fuzzy type. Never have really. I guess because you're all show. The only thing YOU CARE ABOUT IS YOURSELF!'
"Come and face me and I'll show you what else I care about!" Mac yells back.
'You know, I could do this all day. Just make useless chit chat with you, witty banter,' the voice laughs. 'But I do have a life and I need to go and live it. Oh and a note to the lovely Stella, you can match my voice to whatever you want. First, you won't find it in any database and secondly, do you actually think I'll be around long enough for you to find me. I'm just here to take care of some business. Oh wait I did that already or you wouldn't be here,' he laughs again. 'And thirdly I just need to collect one more thing and I'll be on my way.'
"What is the one more thing you need to collect?" Mac asks in dread.
'Oh that would be you Detective Taylor. And no amount of police protection will help. I know you all too well. When the time is right, you will come to me and I will deliver you to the devil.'
"Mac," I say in a soft tone.
'But since I just can't leave without giving you something as a token of my appreciation for your continued interest in pursing me, there is a button on the wall behind you. Press it and you'll be rewarded; it's your only clue on how to find me first. But then again maybe it's back in the files? You'll just have to put your brain to work and figure it out.'
"It's a trap," Mac huffs.
'So sorry to disappoint this time. Actually when you and I meet, the lovely Stella won't be around. You'll be alone; just like when you die. Bye for now.'
I watch Mac turn around and head to the wall and push the button. Out pops a small white envelop. He looks at me in frustration and then slowly opens the small envelope in his hands and pulls out a white note card.
"Mac, it's blank," I state in shock.
"That's because this sick bastard knows we have nothing on him and he's still in control."
I watch him stuff his hand into his pocket to reach for his phone but when it comes back there is fresh blood on it.
"Mac? You're bleeding."
"That damn knife must have sliced me. Trust me I'm in no pain and its fine," he insists as he turns and heads back out of the small room with me in tow. Damn this man! I curse inwardly. Which one? Mac or the stalker? Both.
XXXXXXXX
I head back to the truck, calling first the team to come and lock this place down and then Paula. "Well he did it. He confessed."
"Who did what?" Paula asks in concern.
"Whoever the hell is playing games with me," I state in anger. "I have the team working on past unsolveds but for some reason I doubt we'll find anything. This guy is smart and knows exactly what move we'll make before we do. He's talked about me in the past tense like he's known me before."
"We could always force his hand," Paula sighs.
"That would probably piss him off even more; and I can't afford more bodies piling up. I asked him to meet me but he won't take the bait," I stop as I near the truck and lean against it. I feel a slight wince in my side and step back; Stella looking at me in suspect. Does she know I'm hurt? She's a woman, of course she knows!
"I'll tell the Chief. Do you want police protection?"
"No. Stella said the same thing and I think you two worry too much," I said turning my back to Stella and talking in a low tone. "If it ends with my death so be it."
"Damn you Mac," Paula curses at me.
"Better me than you. That I couldn't live with," I offer with a deep frown. "Talk to you later."
"She's just as mad at you as I am for that stupid comment?" Stella asks.
"I'd die for honor before I'd live for..."
"Anything?" She throws back at me in anger.
I offer a frown and then head for my side of the truck and get in. The silence this time is as thick and uncomfortable as when we did our first call together and I know it's mostly my fault; I've just never had someone care about me this much and it's almost unnerving.
"Paula will agree with me," I huff as I go to do my seatbelt up. I offer a small curse as I don't know how deep the cut is but I refuse to show weakness in front of Stella.
It's when Stella says nothing to me that I worry most and her not even offering a small comeback remark is unsettling. But I can't do anything else; I need to find this guy and fast before my life really does end up in a case file.
"Let's get back to the lab and look at those files as he told us and figure out what the hell is going on," I bark in anger. "Sorry, not mad at you."
"Part of you is," she tells me.
"Well at least you'll only hate part of me," I resign.
"Mac, I don't hate you but I hate the fact that you are thinking this guys threat is just idle."
"I don't think it'd idle, but I can't give in to fear, that's what he wants!"
"How's your side?" She finally asks in a softer tone.
"Nothing to worry about," I frown. "We have bigger problems."
"Offering yourself as a sacrificial lamb is just stupid," Stella tells me flat out.
"I am not having this conversation," I lightly huff as once again my hand comes away from my side with fresh blood. Stella eyes me in suspicion but I won't cave. This is now starting to eat away at me and the last person I want to be like this around is her. We reach back to the lab and I notice Paula waiting for me outside. I look at Stella and frown.
"Why bother checking with me? I've up trying to get reason into your thick head!" She lightly snaps.
"I was just going to say you can join us if you want," I tell her with a heavy sigh. She looks at me in frustration and I know tonight won't be the happy venture I hoped it would be. I've already hung myself with the short rope in that department!
"Oh," she replies with a frown; obviously wishing she had that bat to hit me over the head with. "No, I'll meet you inside. Give me your phone."
"What? Why?" I ask in haste, reaching for it with some hesitancy.
"Oh I don't want to read your x-rated messages to your Mistress," she teases and my face slightly reddens.
"I'll keep..." I try.
"Don't make me use other means," she smiles at me. I pull out my phone and slowly hand it to her. But then I stop. "One condition."
"Oh I won't read your emails," I tell him.
"No blackmail," I tell her firmly. "I have information in there on cases and..."
"Mac, I'm not going to sell you short. I just want to clean it," she tells me.
"Why do I have a feeling I'm going to regret this?" I ask with a weary sigh as I hand my partly bloody phone to her.
"Besides without this you can't leave me behind," she smiles in triumph.
"I've given up trying to outthink or outwit you," I tell her as I lean in closer. "But can I at least kiss you?"
"Do you deserve one?" She counters.
"Probably not," I huff. "But I think I need one."
Stella leans in close and I offer my lips to her willingly. "See you soon," I tell her as we get out of the truck. We near Paula and she's watching us with a smile.
"Careful you two, I might be under the impression you two actually want to get along," she winks at me.
Stella leaves us and heads inside. "What do you have?" I ask Paula.
XXXXXXXX
I hold his phone in my hand and hurry inside. I was a bit taken back and surprised with his offer to listen to him and Paula but in truth that was one boundary I still needed to respect. Although Paula did confide in me about Mac, I can't take advantage of that generosity. I look at his phone and frown. Blood. Stubborn man! But as I head inside and up to his office I can't help but wonder what else he has inside. Even though I know I shouldn't, I look at the call history and smile when I see the playful messages he sent when out paths first started to cross.
I never would have imagined then that I'd be actually wanting to share my life with such an amazing but sometimes, okay mostly stubborn man. Aren't all men? Yes! But in his contact list are the names of the women are mostly professional contacts that I had heard of before. Even Andrea Donnovan isn't listed. Good thing he didn't ask for mine, I huff inwardly. Talk about blackmail. Even still, this man was still working hard at breaking my once firmly set stereotypes and that is a good thing. I reach his office, set the phone down and am about to dial the team to check on their progress.
I quickly check my email to get anything urgent out of the way when I see Mac's phone starting to buzz.
Uh oh moral dilemma. Do I answer it? He'll be mad! But it's a restricted number. What if it's his stalker? I quickly snatch the phone and hurry back outside. I reach the door when the phone stops buzzing. I stop and am about to turn around and head inside when it starts up again.
"Mac," I call out as I push the door open and rush up to him and Paula. "Restricted number."
XXXXXXXX
I take my phone from Stella and frown; looking at both women in front of me in uncertainty. "I'm sure it's him, damn it!" I finish with a curse as I answer.
"Taylor."
'How much is her life worth to you?'
"Where are you sick son of a bitch," I start in anger.
'Do you take my threats seriously?'
"Come and meet me face to face and I'll personally answer that for you," I growl to which the voice laughs.
'ANSWER MY QUESTION!' He shouts so that even Paula and Stella look at me in shock.
"All you are, is full of hot air you sick bastard!" I snap; turning my back to the ladies. "If you were serious you would come and meet me already."
'Too bad you dont take me seriously. I guess it's time to show you how serious I really am. Which one of them will die because of your stubbornness?'
The line goes dead and my heart starts to beat faster as I slowly turn back to face the two women before me that mean more to me than my own future existence.
Then my world comes to a complete halt in the blink of an eye.
I hear a shot.
I hear a scream.
I watch one of them fall.
"NO!"
A/N: okay so please don't hate me but things are getting ramped up now and so hopefully you guys are still reading and wanting this story to continue. Please review and let me know. Thanks!