Ch. 10 Slow 'N' Easy

"But I don't understand dear." Beatrice held her teacup just out of the opening of her mouth. She had made sure to open the windows but adorned a sweater. She wanted the cool breeze without the cool.

"I wanted to be a cop. My dad supported me so much. In everything I did." Kate sipped her tea to use sparingly. She wanted to enjoy tea with Beatrice but yesterday hadn't gone the way she wanted it to. Everyone of Sylvia's and Gwenie's friends' alibis checked out. Not so much as a doubt. There was no further information about Dale Zane, and no one had seen him. And Eric Devern said he left his gun out in the open at his favorite gun range and of course there was no footage. And to check everyone who had went to the range was just too much. And don't even get Kate started on Rick's case. So as of this morning, Kate made it her duty to get through Abby's journal. She made sure Rick had his breakfast and she stopped by Beatrice's before heading to work.

"Well, it is very good to have someone on your side. Now that we talked about our careers, let's talk style." Beatrice made a notation to Kate's deep red, skinny jeans with added white suspenders, over a black lace top. Kate wore no sweater or jacket to cover her arms, she welcomed the chill.

"I didn't just someday up and change. I have been dressing like this forever. And I am not exaggerating." Kate moved her sock ridden feet across Beatrice's natural wood floor.

"I am not misbelieving you. I just love it. It makes me feel, relevant. Even your shoes there." She turned her eyes to Kate's black and white saddle shoes.

"Well, you are a rare one. Most think I am insane. I pried myself on my style. At least someone else gets it." Kate took another sip of tea and noticed her near empty cup.

"Do you like old music?" Beatrice refilled Kate's tea and did the same for herself. She set a biscuit on Kate's plate and pulled one out for herself and spread on her homemade jam.

"Thank you. And to answer your question, I love it. I actually have a record player. And I can brag about my awesome vinyl collection. Why?" Kate spread some jam on her biscuit and delighted at the strawberry sweetness that hit her tongue.

"I don't have a record player anymore. I must have misplaced it after Ted died. He was like you, proud of his music and he took great care of his vinyl. He prided himself on his collection. What kind of music do you have?"

"Some Roy Orbison, Birdy, She & Him, Dirty Dancing soundtrack, Tiffany, Elvis, Michael Jackson, Miles Davis, and many more. I love the natural sound. What kind of music does he have?" Kate finished her biscuit and waved off another one.

"Tons. Dear, he had crates full. Unfortunately, I could only manage a few crates full. But why I asked you is because I would like you to have them." Kate started shaking her head but Beatrice waved her away. "Oh, hush up. Ted would want you to have them. Trust me, he would just have loved you. Tell me you will take them." Beatrice looked for any signs of hope.

Kate was too happy for words. "I would be honored but are you sure?"

"Of course. I'll show you where they are. Follow me." Beatrice led Kate down a hallway and into a big bedroom. "Storage. In the corner there." Beatrice pointed and Kate maneuvered her way to them.

Once Kate was on her knees, flipping through them, her face glowed with happiness from within. "Oh my gosh. He has so many great ones. Betty Davis, Patsy Cline, The Beatles, David Bowie, and shut up!" Kate removed a record and held it tight to her chest as a single tear rolled down her cheek.

"Which one is that dear?" Beatrice tried to get closer but was careful of all the things preventing her from doing so.

"It's ELO'S Greatest Hits. When I was little, my dad would play this and sing it to me. I haven't seen it since. I think my mom threw it out. I was nine and my dad gave it to me. I left it on the bed and when I came home it was gone. I-I have looked for one ever since." Kate breathed shakily and lifted her tear stained face to Beatrice. "Thank you. You don't know how much this means to me." Kate stood up and ran to give Beatrice a hug.

Beatrice rubbed Kate's back and tried to calm her. "Shush, of course I know. I can read it all over your face. Oh honey, I am glad I can give you a piece of your dad back to you." She let go of Kate and preceeded to help her carry the crates back to Kate's apartment.

After all five crates were safe and secure in Kate's apartment, Beatrice left her to clean up a little before Kate headed for work.

Rick poked his head through the doorway and smiled. "Honey, what is that?" He made his way to her and noticed her tears. "Why are you crying? Are you hurt?" He started to check her but she held his hands at his sides.

"I am fine. It's just Beatrice gave me all these records and I am just so happy. Look." Kate handed over ELO and she grinned.

"Is this the famous vinyl you have been after?" He didn't have to wait for an answer, her excited smile said it all. "Is this why you were crying?" He kissed her nodding head and held her close. "I am happy for you but aren't you late?"

"Shit!" She checked her watch and removed herself from his warm embrace and hurried to the door. "Be safe. I will call you. And be careful with the vinyl." She blew him a kiss and ran to the elevator with the happiness carrying her.

"I don't think that works for me." Ryan was busying getting worked up on the phone and Esposito laughed at him. "No, it's just not acceptable." Ryan continued on and Esposito started to review Gwenie's phone records.

Kate walked in happily but all happiness flooded away when she answered Lanie's call.

"Girl, bad news. Start rounding your troops, we have another one."

"On my way." She couldn't help but be burdened with an uneasy feeling in her stomach.

"Let's go."

Once Kate stood at the crime scene tape, she took her deep breath and pressed on. She slid on gloves as she made her way to Lanie. "Ok Lanie what do we have?" Kate stood over the victim and her stomach knotted up. She was looking down on a little girl in a uniform. "Anything?" She kneeled down and noticed the same thing: two shots; one in the head and one in the leg.

"Corrina Syms, sixteen, Catholic girl, notice the uniform." Lanie pulled a little on the girls sweater and the school name was etched into a patch. Monsignor Scanlan High School. Lanie let the sweater go once Kate had written it down.

"Any ID?" Kate held Corrina's wallet in her hand and almost didn't want to open it. Once she did, she saw the sweetest, red-haired, girl. She flipped through the wallet but no money was taken. "Anyone see anything?"

Esposito took a turn answering questions. "No one saw anything. But one of the students was walking to school when they spotted Corrina here. She immediately called us then ran in school."

"Where is she?"

"Sitting with Sister Nancy. You can have her. Nuns freak me out."

"Just one more minute." Kate took time to notice things others didn't. She saw the locket that was laying next to her, she noticed the one shoe cast aside like the others, she even noticed the sparkling clip thrown about. She walked her way over and pointed to one of the photographers. "Get this." She let someone bag it and then nodded once and went into the school.

"I was scared. I mean, she was just lying there. I thought she was sleeping. Dumb, I know, but I was praying. How could someone do this?" The fourteen year-old girl was busy crying and Sister Nancy was trying to coax her into calming down.

"Did you see anyone with her or near her? What exactly did you see? Can you walk me through it?" Kate was using her best calming manner and was poised and ready for the girl to talk.

"I was listening to my music and I saw her lying there. I called out but she wasn't answering me. I walked closer and that's when I noticed the blood. I whipped out my phone and dialed you guys. Then I ran to find Sister Nancy. And now I am here." She wiped at another tear and looked at Sister Nancy.

"Thank you Mary Lou. Here, take my card in case you remember anything else. Sister, a word?" Kate stood to leave Mary Lou, and her small, black haired, frame.

"Did anyone possibly hear anything?"

"Most likely not. Classes were beginning and well, the last few minutes are pretty hectic."

"I understand. Did Corrina have any problems in school? Anyone have a problem with her?"

"Oh no. Corrina was our brightest student. All A's and on her way to being valedictorian. She had a 4.0 G.P.A and was she ever eager. Just the sweetest thing. It is a great loss. Who would do such a thing?"

"I am not sure yet. Has anyone talked with her friends?"

"No. Why Corrina only had one friend, this Gwenie girl. Sweet too. She had stopped visiting and Corrina was devastated."

Kate looked up surprised. She tried to hide her shock but a break in the case would be huge. "Was this a Gwenie Oar?"

"Yes. They were involved in this rehabilitation group. They work with the wounded vets. It was in Jamaica. It was called the New York State Veteran's Home at St. Alban's. Why?"

"They worked together? Thank you Sister. This just might lead me to who did this. Take this." Kate handed her, her card and ran to find Ryan and Espo.

"Slow down girl."

"Guys!" They came over to a bent over Kate. "I think we have a break in the case. Corrina knew Gwenie. They worked together at a Vet's rehabilitation home in Jamaica. I am going to head over there and check it out. How did we not find this when we went through Gwenie's life?"

"Don't know. But you know we worked through all our ends. How come none of her friends mentioned this? Why not her sister?" Ryan was busy jotting things down while Espo seemed apologetic.

"Not sure but I will find out. Isn't Abby William's parents coming in today?"

"Yeah." Ryan checked his watch. "In about an hour. Want us to handle this?"

Kate weighed her choices. Do I go check out the hot lead? Or do I sit down with grieving parents? Parents. They deserve answers.

"I'll take the Williams' but you let me know anything you get. Got it?"

"Check."

"And check."

As much as I want to find out more about this place I owe them an answer. I need the answer myself. Kate knew she wanted the closure part more than a hot lead any day. It was what propelled her, justice for loved ones. Even if Abby took her life, they deserve to know the why.

"I thank you for coming in today." Kate led them to a comfy couch in one of the interview rooms.

"Anything for Abby." Mr. Williams was a rich red-head. He was approximately 6'2" and his strong build was that of an Army man. His wife was all of 5'4" and she herself was well taken care of. Her hair was a light red, almost orange. She looked fragile and neither of them could be over forty.

"I found a journal amongst Gwenie's things. It was Abby's. I think she was coming to give it to you when she was killed. Was Abby suffering from anything?"

"She had some signs of schizophrenia but she was treated and she took her meds. We were nervous of her being in school but she had Gwenie. We didn't want to keep her from having the experiences she wanted. We tried to be good parents. But we should have never let her leave."

"How long was she in treatment?"

Mrs. Williams spoke up and leaned with a graceful movement, only someone so refined could have made. "About three months. She said she started to hear them again. You know, the voices, so we suggested we change the meds. It worked but I guess it didn't hold out."

Kate hated this part more than anything but it was her job and she held herself together. "About this journal, as soon as I can gather a few things, I would like to hand it over to you."

"Thank you. So, Gwenie was coming to give it to us? When she was killed?"

"I think so. There was never a last letter left?"

"That was the weird part. Abby would have said goodbye." Mr. Williams was clearly the one who was keeping it all together.

"How can you be sure?"

"Abby believed in goodbyes. I know her Detective. She would have written something, anything. She wouldn't have gone out like that."

Kate thanked them for coming and made a quick call to the guys.

"So, they were part of this group but it was tight lipped. Apparently this facility is very careful. Which is good I guess but not when you want answers."

"Did you get anything?" Kate was impatiently tapping her pen against her notes and hanging on barely.

"Gwenie and Corrina were in a group but no sign of Sylvia or of Abby. We checked in case. They never heard of Sylvia. Or Abby. Showed their pics and got nothing. Sorry. Odd connection?"

"Not sure yet. I'll get back to you." Kate hung up, unsatisfied. She knew it was a stretch but she didn't believe in coincidences. Everything could be woven together, just takes time. To relieve her frustration she made a call to Rick but was angered at the never ending ringing.

She relaxed herself into the couch in the interview room and cracked open Abby's journal. She skimmed over the boy talk, the girly talk, and the nothing in between but stopped on an entry made in September.

September 20th 2012

I swear everyone is so worried about me. They need to quit. I miss my weekends with G but no, she has to help someone. What does that mean? Plus, she says this "weird" guy kept talking to her. I wish someone would talk to me.

Who is the weird guy? Anything else to say Abby? She skimmed again and stopped on a November entry.

November 15th 2012

So the meds are helping. G said that if all goes well, she might take me with her. I hope so. I need more time with her. I overheard B tell Q that I am too clinging. And that I am smothering G. But wouldn't G tell me if she had a problem with it? B better shut up or I'll do it for her.

Violent much? Did Abby snap at B but B took care of her first? Kate read on.

January 10th 2013

I am so excited. I met this guy H today. That place is awesome. I even met one of G's friends there. Her name is C. She is a Catholic girl. But she seemed nice enough. I can't wait to talk again. G seems happier now that I feel better.

February 14th 2013

I hate this day. Q is all over G and I hate her. G knows how I feel. This means war.

March 11th 2013

I forgave C. She didn't mean to say those things. G told me it was an accident. I hate that G even told her but C asked. The new girl S, is a bitch. But they all have one thing in common, red hair.

S? As in Sylvia? I thought that she didn't work there. Come on Abby, tell me.

April 10th 2013

It's over. G knows it, I know it. I tried to hold out but I can't take being mad at G. But I don't blame her. She is the sweetest person I have ever met but they deserve what is coming. All three of them, he said he would help me. But G doesn't deserve this.

April 11th 2013

I am ending my life today. G, the next two pages explain it all. I want you to tell my parents I love them and that this is not their fault. It isn't yours either. We are sisters G. Paulie told me it is time. Bye world.

Is Paulie a real person or a voice in her head? What was in those two pages?

Kate sat herself up being left with more questions than answers. This is so slow.

"What do you mean you might have an idea?" Kate was busy undressing while Rick tried to explain himself.

"I got involved with this guy, I can't be sure it's him but… Kate don't be mad."

"How can I not be mad Rick? You lied to me. How could you do that? And fudging papers? Do you know how illegal that is?" She slid her pants on her closet hook and pulled off her lace shirt.

"I am sorry. Ok? It was a long time ago. I owed him. He said he would take care of my career. I know it's illegal but Kate I was desperate. I had nothing and he gave me something." He tried to stop her from moving away from him but she just shrugged him off.

"I don't want your comfort right now. How bad?" She paused at the bathroom door and covered her near naked body.

"Records and such. I understand if you have to arrest me. But Kate, I never meant to hurt you." He pleaded with his eyes and she turned her cheek.

"Don't make me sympathize with you right now. And I am not going to arrest you but I am going to get him. Got it? And you better not stand in my way." She closed the bathroom door on him and slid herself against the door.

Fudging documents? Illegal activity? What am I going to do? Take is easy Kate. Slow and easy. Kate showered and slid on her most comfy pajamas: her pink, plaid, silk shorts, and matching short sleeved shirt. She left Rick alone for the rest of the night and held tight to her agenda: finding answers.

Did Abby know Corrina and Sylvia? Is there a connection? Where are the two pages? How illegal were the things Rick did? Do I turn him in? How can I find this guy? Is anyone else going to get killed? How am I going to do this alone? Dad? Help me! She quietly hummed to herself ELO' s "Strange Magic" and cried herself to sleep.