A/N: Hey peeps hope you are alright! So I know it's been awhile but I my exams are getting closer…but I'll try to keep up. I did my research on all the technicalities of arson in this chapter but I don't give any guaranties that everything is the way its supposed to be. I also hope I get to post longer chapters but that depends on law School
Big thank you to Abi who took a look at this chapter even though she was sick!
As usual I don't own anything and I'm responsible for all mistakes made. So enjoy now and please don't forget to review! I love your comments so much
Trigger warning: Murder (big surprise there)
Regina sighs as she walks through the burnt house. It had been a truly beautiful house- well as much as you can tell from something like that, when most of it is turned into ash. Robin guides her to the place where the young girl died and Regina's heart becomes heavy. There are pictures of their victim, of Ruby on the wall. A pretty girl with brown hair with one single red strand in it. She had her entire life in front of her. Love, friendship, success.
But it is all taken from her, taken from her family; burnt and crushed. Regina feels anger flowing through her, thinks of the coward who took an innocent life and vows again to herself to find the bastard and make him pay. For Ruby.
"Explain to me what happened here," Regina asks, turning her attention to her new partner. Robin glances shorty at her before telling her about his morning "Neighbours called the fire department about an explosion at about 5:30 am this morning; they arrived here five minutes later. Most of the house was already on fire then. Whoever did this removed the gas valve and as soon as the kitchen was full of gas he left something there which could start the fire and let the kitchen explode. We also found brand accelerators on the wall. "
Mal has told them that the approximate time of death was between 5 and 7am, so Ruby likely died close to the starting of the fire
Said wall has a dark V muster one that is unusually tight. It's not Regina's first fire investigation and she has more knowledge than Gold thinks she does. Still, she is no expert, but she does know a fair bit.
"What is that 'something' he used to set the fire?" Regina asks curiously, looking around.
"We don't know yet but I think…"
"Hey Robin!" a loud voice startles Regina and stops Robin from ending his sentence. She turns around only to see a huge man standing right next to her. The first thing Regina notices are his eyes; kind eyes which are now full of pain and anger.
"John. Why are you yelling like this?" Robin asks, patting the other man on the shoulder. They clearly know each other rather well.
"In a sec. Who is this?" John asks Robin and before her new partner can say anything Regina moves her hand to shake his and tells him with a fake smile on her lips "Detective Regina Mills. Homicide. And since you already interrupted us would you be so kind as to tell me who you are?"
John takes her hand, a bit taken aback, before answering "John Litel. OFI. I assume your new partner, Robin?" Robin nods.
"That she is. The girl didn't die through the fire. Did you find something new since we left?"
"That I did." John tells them, making a dramatic pause.
"Are you waiting for a written invitation or are you going to tell us what you found?" Regina snaps at him. John looks at her with wide eyes
"You've found yourself a charming one, Robin," and ignores Regina's glare (but she could've sworn she saw him shiver a bit) he continues "We know now what was used to set the fire in the kitchen."
"Which was what?" Robin asks quickly before Regina can snap at John again. She finds this man rather annoying- no wonder he is friends with Locksley.
"An egg."
"What?" Both Robin and Regina ask, thinking they might've misunderstood. "An egg. Like at Easter? Are you kidding me?" Regina growls, her patience slowly running out.
"Well no, not really. They are far bigger and were filled with nitrate and guar gum, probably so it would cling to the wall. That's why the V muster is so tight. The V muster is…"
"I know what that is. Fire tends to spread in V musters on walls which shows us where the fire originated. This is not my first time in a fire investigation," Regina snaps, shooting another glare at John.
"That's correct, Detective. You are full of surprises aren't you?" Robin grins at her, that damn grin only growing wider as he gets a glare too. Annoying bastard.
"The egg also exploded, which makes us believe he bore a hole in the egg, filled it with the mixture and put a fuse on it."
"A fuse? Are you sure John?" Robin asks, biting his lip. At John's nod and a shared glance between both men Regina sighs and asks "Which means what? I know some things but I'm no firefighter after all."
"It means our perp likes the risk. You only have about 10 to 15 seconds after you ignite the fuse. That's not much time to run far enough away to not get harmed by your own fire," Robin explains
Regina raises her perfectly shaped eyebrows at this information and saves it for later. She asks "How did he get in?" But before either of them can answer another voice comes from behind them "Through the back door, Regina. We found prints there but I doubt they belong to our murderer. It's great to have your back by the way," Tink tells her. The small blond woman works for the crime scene investigation team and Regina can't say she doesn't like the other woman. Tink is smart and thorough, if maybe a bit chatty but Regina admires her sharp mind greatly, so she usually isn't too annoyed when the blond woman won't stop talking.
"Thank you, Tink," Regina gives her a small but genuine smile before she adds "And I think you are right. Check them either way, maybe we'll get lucky." Regina doesn't believe her own words, knows that their perp is smarter than that, but not checking would've been irresponsible and Regina is everything but that.
"Got it, boss. I already know John but who is this handsome fella?" Tink asks, curiously pointing at Robin. "Rose Tinkera, CSU, meet Robin Locksley, OFI," Regina introduces both to each other and rolls her eyes at the little wink Tink throws at her. "He will be working this case too," Regina mutters and then "And stop calling me boss."
"Well hun you are always acting like one, it seems fitting," Tink replies grinning.
"Oh so you have your bossy attitude with everyone? And I thought I was special," Robin tells her, smirking.
"I can't help it if most people around me are too incompetent to do their job. Someone has to use their brain," Regina snaps back, making Tink chuckle at her words. "We're also going to need samples from around this area," Regina says, moving to the ground next to where Ruby died.
"Well we are not as incompetent as you think, milady," Robin tells her shaking his head in annoyance, if not amusement. He moves right next to her, grateful as he now smells something different than burnt flesh and smoke. Regina smells like apples, apples and he thinks cinnamon. Either way can't help himself but move a bit closer to her.
That woman is… well, something. But if you ignore the sharp tongue she is far more capable of doing her job than Robin thought. Her moments around the crime scene told Robin clearly that she knows what she is doing, he never had to pull her out of danger or make sure she doesn't destroy evidence. Which happens rather often at this particular kind of crime scene
Speaking of evidence… "We already took samples Detective. We found traces of gasoline on her. He put it all over her and all around her." Robin watches how she takes in the information (not being very surprised about it).
"Alright, anything else?" She asks the question directed at anyone but it's the small blonde woman who answers. Robin thinks he likes her; likes her open smile and her clear ability to do her job. "We found some books in the room next to this one, school books. And a necklace with the letter R not far away from it."
"So likely there was the struggle," Regina thinks out loud and then asks him- and Robin can't stop himself from thinking how adorable she looks at the moment, with her face scrunched up in thought. "Most of this house is burnt down. Was the kitchen the only fire source?"
Robin shakes his head when he answers her; impressed that she noticed that "No it wasn't. There was a second one in the master bedroom caused by a cigarette and a garbage can."
"A cigarette and garbage can? That seems so amateur in comparison with the rest doesn`t it?" His new dark haired partner asks and Robin nods. It's strange, truly. Robin wants to add something about the odd second choice of fire source when he sees how Regina suddenly turns pale and grips at the chair next to her for support.
"Regina, are you alright?" Robin asks, concerned, already reaching for her. But- of course- she doesn't accept his help, but takes a deep breath before she answers him "I took your Advil on an empty stomach and now I'm paying for it." She grimaces at that, making Robin almost a bit angry. She really doesn't take care of herself at all.
"Why didn't you say something before? Come one let's go and find something to fill your belly."
Regina wanted to protest, but she has to take another deep breath and to Robin surprise actually agrees "Fine, Locksley. Let's go. There is a diner right next to the police station."
Both of them say goodbye in a few words (after both John and Tink assure them they will call if something new comes up) and then leave the crime scene, Regina walking straight in front of him, avoiding his gaze. He on the other hand, doesn't take his eyes of her, worried about her. He wonders for a moment why he is so angry; why he cares so much about her well-being. Sure- she is his partner and he likes to think he is a somewhat decent human being but still… the feeling of concern is a bit too strong for his taste.
Their drive is silent, not one word is exchanged but regarding her slightly green look Robin thinks it's actually better for her to keep her mouth closed. He doesn't really fancy cleaning vomit out of his car and can't think she would be too thrilled about it either.
This time she actually waits for the car to fully stop and slowly walks towards a nice looking diner, red fluffy chairs and the smell of French fries already greeting them as they come closer. She guides them to the last table right next to the wall and sits down with a tired sigh. She looks tired and worn out, Robin is quite sure by now that she bribed her doctor to let her back to work so soon but he knows it's better to keep his mouth shut. Regina won't listen to him anyway.
"Hey Regina, nice to see you again. Are you alright?" A tall man in his thirties arrives at their table, smiling at Regina who to Robin's surprise smiles right back.
"Hi Jefferson I'm fine, thank you. Just starving," Robin presses his lips together at the kind interaction between his new partner and the man who apparently owns the diner. "Good, that's good. Your usual?" He asks, only now realizing that Regina isn't alone.
"Yes please. Locksley what do you want?" Robin studies the menu for a moment before he answers.
"The Special Beef burger and some French fries please."
"Alright, food will be ready soon. It's truly great to have you back, Detective," with that the other man disappears leaving them alone.
"So you are often here I gather?" Robin asks her curiously. It's not actually the place he would've guessed Regina Mills likes.
"David and I are usually go here in our breaks. And my neighbour Belle works here when she doesn't look after my son. And well, Jefferson is a really great cook so…" Robin nods at that and since she is almost nice at the moment he keeps talking "So what's your usual?"
She chuckles at that looks almost soft for just a moment. "Apple pancakes." It's now Robin's turn to chuckle and at her confused 'What?' he tells her "Well Regina I expected a lot but not that. Didn't see you as a 'sweet things' kinda girl."
She smiles at that, her cheeks turning a bit pink and Robin can't stop himself thinking how truly stunning she looks when she smiles. And how adorable when she blushes.
"I've loved them since I was a little girl. My father used to make them for me." "Your father, but not the one who died recently?" Robin asks and regrets it immediately as the smile disappears; the softness vanishes replaced by something far darker. "No, my father died years ago. They are nothing alike," Robin thinks there is more to it- notices her bitter tone- but decides not push any further. The pain that is suddenly apparent in her dark eyes stops him.
Before any of them can change the topic Jefferson appears with their food, smiles again at Regina (which makes Robin feels something strange at the pit of his stomach) and they both eat in silence for a moment.
"Are they good?" Robin tries to bring the conversation back on track.
"They are," is all the reply he gets before they are in silence again. "Jefferson is famous for his homemade apple sauce. Family recipe," Regina adds and Robin is grateful that he seemingly didn't overstep after all.
"The burger is good as well," he tells her taking another big bite from the greasy food.
"So Locksley, what do you think? Are we dealing with an amateur or a pro?" Robin thinks about it for a moment before he answers
"The garbage can was simple but the eggs… this was far more complex even though…"
"Even though…?" Regina looks at him, waiting for an answer.
"The whole explosion thing… it was bloody unnecessary. It was almost childish. A 'look at me, look what I can do' but in the end I think we are dealing with someone who already did something similar in the past. The whole thing was orchestrated perfectly; too well thought through for a first timer."
Both of them stay silent for a moment until Regina speaks up again "So a serial arsonist. How lovely." Before Robin can say anything his new partner's phone rings, the soft melodic tone he has already heard in the car coming from her purse.
"This is Regina Mills"
"And?" He asks when Regina is done with her conversation, popping the last bit of pancake in her mouth.
"Emma talked to Ruby's best friend and she said Ruby had trouble with her boyfriend the day before she died."
"Her boyfriend, hmm, I guess we have to pay him a visit. Shall we milady?" Both laid the money on the table and like before Regina ignores his hand and just gets up, walking out of the diner. Robin only shakes his head.
Regina feels considerably better after the pancakes- her stomach has settled and she scolds herself for not eating anything earlier. She has the bad habit of skipping meals when she is stressed. She almost threw up on the crime scene, and besides the mortification of vomiting in front of Locksley she might've even caused harm to the crime scene. Well, she feels alright now. It's time to have a serious conversation with Ruby's boyfriend.
Peter Wolf only lives ten minutes away from the diner, so the drive is a rather short one, something Regina is grateful for. Robin manged to bring their conversation twice to her step-father and, well, he is the last person she wants to think about right now. Not now when she has a killer to catch.
They arrive at the dorm where Ruby and her boyfriend live, both studying at the same college even though Ruby is a far better student than Peter, but Regina won't judge before she meets the young man. Which she does a few moments later. A 19 year old boy who is still crying- barely can catch his breath.
"Peter I need you to take a deep breath. Can you do this?" Regina asks, her voice almost soft. She is not entirely convinced that his boy doesn't have anything to do with Ruby's murder; crocodile tears are easily faked.
"I l-loved her Detective M-Mills I-I swear I wouldn't ever hurt her ever," Peter cries.
"Can you tell me where you were last night and early morning Peter?" Regina questions softly, studying Ruby's boyfriend carefully.
"I was at my best f-friends birthday p-party. The entire n-night till almost 9 am."
"We heard you and Ruby had a fight. What was it about?" Robin asks, his tone far sharper than Regina's. Even without any experience together they both got the bad-good-cop routine well done. Regina is impressed that Robin noticed that the boy was more open to her from the first second, immediately taking on the rougher role.
He might annoy her but she has to admit that he is a very smart and attentive man. Even though Regina isn't really fond of the last one. She always has the feeling the man looks straight through her; can see behind her professional mask, and that makes her nervous and uneasy.
Especially now when so much is happening in her life (Oh god, she has to visit David today, oh god) it's really not helping at all. Not to mention how her thoughts always drift up to his deep blue eyes, how her body shivers when he accidently touches her. She is just tired, nervy, Regina reasons. That's all.
Peter tries to find her eyes and Regina looks at him, squeezes his shoulder comfortingly and then he answers "She needed to study, there was a huge exam coming but I wanted her to come to the party. I know she hated it and wanted to come but she told me she had to otherwise she would fail this semester and her Granny would be beyond pissed. I didn't really listen to her I was just disappointed that she wouldn't come. We fought but that was it. I just wanted her to come to the party." Peter throws Regina a begging glance and she knows then she won't get any more out of him. She is actually (and sadly) fairly sure that he didn't hurt Ruby.
"Do you know somebody who would want to hurt your girlfriend?" Regina asks the shivering boy who shakes his head and then asks if he can have a minute. Regina throws a glance at Robin and both silently agree that they won't get anything useful from the boy.
"Well, that was a waste of time," Regina sighs as soon as they are outside.
"I gather you don't see him as our murderer either?" Robin questions her and she nods "I'll let Cassidy check his alibi but I don't think he is the one who killed Ruby."
"So we are back to zero. Bloody hell," Robin mutters, sitting in the car with a loud frustrated sigh. Regina feels equally frustrated. Emma and Neal have talked to all of Ruby's friends and none of them knew anything and Peter… well Regina won't put him up high in her list of possible suspects. She is rather sure his alibi will check out.
They keep asking questions talk to neighbours, family members, but none of them can give them any information. Ruby was a kind and caring girl loved by everyone, no she didn't have an enemy, no she was never in any actual trouble. She was a wonderful human being.
It is about seven in the evening as Robin and Regina decide to call it a night after talking for hours and getting nowhere. They would start tomorrow with fresh eyes.
But before any of them can move a man jumps in front of them. A man that makes Regina groan in annoyance- Sidney Glass, reporter of the Chicago Daily. "Detective Mills, can you tell me anything about the arson-murder investigation you are working on?" He asks her, his eyes roaming up and down her body. Regina always gets a cold shiver whenever Sidney is close by and god damn that man is seriously getting on her nerves, his mere presence makes Regina wanting to punch him.
"What makes you think we are working on an arson-murder-case?" Regina asks innocently, playing her charm. Sidney tends to eat from her hand if she is a bit nice to him from time to time.
"Oh Regina you can't fool me. Chicago's number one homicide Detective and a OFI guy? That's so obvious." He almost spits out the OFI part; jealously clearly written all over his face. Regina can feel Robin getting angry next to her but she only puts her arms shortly on his, throwing him a calming look.
"Ah Sidney you always were a smart man," he beams at her compliment but the smile falls fast at the next part of her sentence "But I'm sorry dear I can't tell you anything yet. But if we know something you'll be the first to know." That does the job and Sidney nods, and he strokes over her arm when he leaves- by accident of course- and Regina shivers again.
"You are not actually telling that bloody idiot a damn thing, are you?" Robin asks eyes wide. Regina laughs "Of course not dear. But he doesn't have to know that."
Robin bids her goodbye, a soft smile appearing on his face when he leaves. Leaves to his son- but Regina has something else to do before she can go home to Henry and Ayla.
She has to see David. Regina swings by candy shop busy a bar of coconuts chocolate knowing it's her partners favourite. Regina slowly walks to the hospital nervy and scared. She truly screwed up,
Visiting hours are actually over but Regina can charm her way into David rooms and knocks, hesitating. "Come in," she hears his voice, tears gathering for a moment in her eyes as she enters the room. She just makes sure that the tears are gone when she faces her partner.
"Regina," is all he says, disappointment in his blue eyes- so much disappointment and Regina feels even worse than she did before.
"Hey David," she says, moving slowly closer and handing over the chocolate. "Here, for you." Both of them stay silent when David takes the candy and holds it close to his nose, smelling it through the packing.
"You are an idiot, Regina," David interrupts the silence, finally looking at her.
"I know. Your wife already told me that." David sighs and gestures for her to sit on the bed next to him.
"Well, I'm telling you again. The shooting was not your fault, Regina. I don't blame you- never did. I just was scared out of my mind when they told me that you were shot too and had more or less vanished from the hospital.
"I'm sorry David, I truly am. For everything," Regina tells him; can't quite stop the tears now but it's David and he knows her, knows her probably better than anyone so it's okay to be weak for moment- but just one. David takes her hand into his. "Regina, things like that happen. I'll be fine. Just don't ever disappear like that again."
Regina nods and David squeezes her hand and then tucks a strand of her hair behind her ear and she knows everything is alright between them.
"I won't, I promise."
"Okay, since we've got that sorted tell me about your new case," David asks, opening his chocolate and taking a bite. Regina sighs and starts
"Young girl, raped, shot and burnt and we have nothing David."
"Wow that's bad. Tell Gold you need a new partner. I don't want you to have a case like this and have nobody who has your back. Even though I know that you can take care of yourself."
Regina takes a piece, a very small one, from David's chocolate before she answers "I actually have a new partner- temporary," she adds at his shocked expression. "His name is Robin Locksley and he works for the OFI. He is annoying as hell, but not too bad at his job," Regina tells him making him chuckle.
"Not too bad at his job- well that's a high compliment coming from you. So he probably will have your back right?"
"Probably," is all that Regina says because yes- she thinks that Robin will stand behind her if necessary and she also thinks she gained a lot of his respect today.
They talk about the case for a bit, talk about David's little boy (Regina is Neal's godmother) till her partner notices her playing with the necklace around her neck. It a little silver star and it's actually gorgeous. If you ignore the story behind it.
"Why are you still wearing it? He is gone" He asks, concerned, eyes glued to the necklace.
"For the same reason I wore it in the first place, David. I don't expect you to understand it," Regina throws him a glance and David knows her well enough to drop the topic. For now.
"Fine. But this won't be last time I bring it up. I care too much for you." A single tear falls down Regina's cheek and David wipes it away. He loves the dark haired woman next to him like a sister; would do anything for her and seeing her hurting so clearly… well it hurts him too.
They don't talk for long after this, Regina saying goodbye with a kiss to David's forehead promising that she will be at his place the next weekend for lunch. Even if they annoy her from time to time, Regina does care deeply about David, Mary-Margaret and Neal and even more since David is the only one who knows how much pain she actually carries around at the moment.
His wife, Emma and Gold know some things but her partner is the only one who knows almost everything.
Regina makes her way home, greeted by a happy almost 10 year old and an equally enthusiastic dog. After a few hugs and wet kisses by a certain dog- which got Ayla one of Regina's best glares- Regina moves to the kitchen, making her son's favourite meal- lasagne and tells him about her day and listens to his rambling, enjoying every moment. They both eat, chatting happily and then land in front of the television, munching popcorn and it makes Regina forget about the burnt 22 year old, about shot partners, about painful pasts and a certain good looking British guy.
Regina is content when she hugs her boy close. She probably will have nightmares tonight but she usually has them, so she doesn't pay much mind to it. Because right now is happy and she enjoys it. The horror that is her job will come for her soon enough and as Regina pops the next popcorn into her mouth she hopes that Ruby is the last victim they will find.
Regina couldn't have been more wrong.
While Regina enjoys her evening something else happens across town. Ingrid Arendelle comes home from a long day selling ice cream. Ingrid is actually already retired, 30 years as a social worker has taken its toll and selling ice cream… well that always has been a dream of hers and she enjoys it immensely.
Ingrid walks into her house, her thoughts already with the long warm shower she is going to have now, when she suddenly gets grabbed from behind, a knife held to her throat and a cold voice whispers.
"Count to ten bitch. Count to ten and die."
And Ingrid knows that she won't take a shower later.
She will die tonight.