Chapter 4

Flynn had a multitude of pick up lines up his sleeve but he couldn't figure out a smart one he could use on a hot profiler who was intensely focused on a murder board. So he settled for a simple "Hey there." Lauren glanced at him over the rim of her glasses. "Hey yourself", she said sticking to her *play-nice* policy and smiled slightly. "So you are the profiler?"

She nodded still smiling, well aware of her mother's gaze, "I prefer consultant. And you are?"

"Flynn, Lt. Andy Flynn."

She couldn't keep the smirk from her expression "Shaken, not stirred?" she shot back. He had the grace to laugh. Flynn managed to engage Lauren in a friendly conversation, just some light flirting, after all he could never resist, while Provenza joined the Captain at her stake out point.

"So is she any good?"

"I hope so or a lot of money would have been wasted."

Provenza furrowed his brows "I thought the university paid for her work."

"I don't mean that" she said tight lipped. She was slightly angered at seeing Flynn nonchalantly picking up a flirt with her daughter. Definitely friendly banter she retagged their text message battles, he was doing exactly the same thing with Lauren without a phone as a distancing device.

"I mean her tuition fees Lieutenant. It would be a lot of money wasted if my daughter wasn't good at what she learned in university! Would you make sure she gets what she needs to put a profile together!" she clipped and marched off to her office where her cold chai latte was waiting. The cooled drink cooled down the Captain, while Lauren introduced herself to Flynn, with only her first name and Provenza grinned impishly, knowing this would backhand at Andy. You don't flirt with your superior's daughter without consequences. His interest on the other hand was only professional. Rule-book-Raydor wouldn't have allowed the girl, he could only think of her as one since he knew the mother, in on this if she didn't belief she'd be of help. He watched Flynn for some minutes digging his own grave before he jumped in to rescue both Flynn from himself and Raydor's daughter from Andy's downright lecherous behavior. "Hey did you know Lauren grew up in LA?" Flynn said as the old detective approached. "In fact I did. The Captain said I should get you everything you need, doctor."

"It's Lauren, and you have to be Lt. Provenza", Lauren answered extending a hand to the grumpy Lieutenant. They shook hands and even Louie could see the similarities between the young doctor and their Captain. Lauren looked exactly like a younger version of their Captain, a version of Raydor Provenza remembered back in the days when Sharon was still in Robbery/Homicide. The shared the same bodily features. Lauren was her mother's height and had the same characteristic nose accompanied with the high cheekbones and the slim albeit curvy body. He was almost certain Lauren played on these similarities today. "The same" he gave back and graced her with a small smile "The Captain said I should make sure you had everything you needed."

Lauren nodded, her focus back on her task, leaving Flynn hanging there. "Great I'd like to see the videos from the crime scenes and I need to see the autopsy reports and perhaps a quiet place to work. I have my own laptop." Provenza nodded and gestured for the area they usually set Rusty up to study. "Hey want some coffee?" Flynn called after her.

"Ahm yeah, lots of milk" she called back over her shoulder trying not to lose Provenza. When they were alone Louie picked up the conversation again "Did you tell Flynn who you are?"

"That's not my call Lt. Provenza. If Sharon wants you to know she'll tell everyone. I don't want to go over her head there. She's already unhappy that I didn't tell her before she saw me in Chief Taylor's office."

"Sharon?"

Lauren hummed and nodded "Mom sounds a little too unprofessional."

"So you really think you're able to help us find that Hollywood killer?"

"I'll try."

"What do you think you'll see what we didn't?"

She shrugged "Please get me those reports and the videos."

"Might as well introduce you to Buzz our technician."

"You might".

Lauren spent the rest of her morning watching the videos from the crime scene and reading over Dr. Morales reports, while Flynn brought her tea twice.

Meanwhile the team was working on the background of their last victim and Flynn popped his head into Sharon's office "Captain, we found the escort service Melinda worked for."

"Good", she gave back in a rather coolish voice without even glancing up from her paperwork.

"Shouldn't we pay them a visit?"

A hum that said Do your job and don't piss me off any further answered his question. Flynn decided to ignore her foul mood. "Should we pick up lunch on our way back?"

She bristled "Yes, yes, you might do that."

"Ahm Captain?"

Finally she looked up an unnerved sigh released from her lips asking herself if he did try to unnerve her on purpose. The mischievous grin on his lips was answer enough. "What else?" she snapped.

"What would you like to eat?"

"A salad would be nice. And don't forget to ask Lauren oh and would you pick up something for Rusty to?"

"Pizza ok?"

"Ask him", she replied absentmindly.

"You okay?"

"Yes Lieutenant! If you would let me do my work here I'd be even better!" she snapped again.

"Why are you mad at me?"

"I'm not mad at you! Just go now!" she shot back hoping he would retreat. Of course she was still mad and his inability to let things go infuriated her even more today.

"Really?"

"Out", she finally barked. It wasn't like her to allow him to get under her skin this way but she couldn't keep herself calm when he nagged her like this.

He shot her another toothy grin and was gone. She shook her head and decided to see how far Lauren had gotten. When she entered the area where they usually let Rusty do his homework away from the turmoil of the murder room. Her daughter sat there headphones on and studied the last moments of the video on the second crime scene. She knew, because she had watched it several times herself.

When the video ended Lauren put the headphones away and turned to look at her mother. What Sharon saw in those eyes almost scared her. Lauren told her with those eyes that the videos and reports had confirmed whatever theory she had had. They spent a moment in shared silence a mutual understanding. Lauren sighed and got up. She slid out of her jacket. "I'll have a first briefing for you after Lunch", she said silently. "May I get Buzz's help? I need to put some information for you all together."

Sharon only hummed. "And please tell Lt. Flynn I'm your daughter before your need to strangle him overwhelms you."

"You didn't tell him?" Raydor asked surprised.

"I thought I'd leave it to you to introduce me." Sharon nodded. "Did he ask you out?"

"Not yet."

"Good for him!" came back and the Captain turned to head back into her office.

Lauren smiled slightly and followed her mother back into the murder room to find Buzz.