Ch. 11 Make It Without You

Kate woke to the beeping noise her alarm made. She wiped her eyes of the previous night and all the tears she shed. She looked behind her but Rick wasn't there. She flipped over and ran her hand along the sheet. It was cold.

He must have got out of bed after I fell asleep. But why? Did he leave me altogether? She threw back the covers and ran out of her bedroom but stopped herself. On the couch was Rick. He looked uncomfortable. She felt bad that he slept on the couch but was still mad over what happened. How could he have kept that from me? She walked over to her coffee pot and started it up. She looked back at Rick one more time before heading to shower.

As she was toweling off, she heard music playing. She tiptoed to her living room and saw Rick sitting with the crates of records, on the floor. She laughed at him initially but saw his bare back. It had a big bruise spread across it. Not thinking of the fact that he didn't know she was there, she ran to him.

"Rick, your back! Aren't you in pain?" She kneeled next to him and rested her hands on his shoulders.

He was startled and winced when he turned to see her. "I was okay until I turned to look at you. I didn't know you had gotten out of the shower."

She remembered their fight last night, and it explained why he was speaking so calculatingly. "Why did you sleep on the couch?" She scooted in front of him and rested her bottom on the floor.

"You were upset and you were crying. I left you to have your space. I was wrong not to tell you Kate. I am sorry. But, please know I didn't want to hurt you. I love you. Can you forgive me?"

She lifted her eyes, from his chest, to his own. "I didn't want you to leave. I woke up worried that you had left me all alone. I know you are sorry Rick, but you were wrong."

"I know I was. Why were you scared that I had left you?" He rested his hand on her leg.

"I don't want to be without you, ever. So of course I forgive you. But you have to explain everything to me." She grabbed his hand in hers and kissed his fingers.

"You will never be without me. Come here." He pulled on her hand and drew her into his lap. Her towel moved a little off her back and he kissed her bare neck.

Her wet hair clung to her back. She gathered the long, brown hair up, and set it aside. "You don't have to tell me everything right now."

"Good."

"But you will have to give me a name." She looked over at him and bit her lip.

"Deal." He kissed her soft lips and grabbed her face in his hands. He turned her body around in his lap and clung to her bare back.

"Rick, wait," she whispered as she pushed him away. She smiled against his lips and felt him smile back. "I love you."

"Is that all you have to say?" He grinned mischievously then pulled her closer, once again.

"No." She pushed against his bare chest and with a hunger in her eyes, gazed back at him. "I want to but you can't. I, I, uh, besides, I need to get ready for work. Rain check?"

"You can count on that." He kissed her lightly once more than lifted her up.

"Can you get some coffee?" She left him and walked back into her bedroom. She didn't have to look in a mirror to know that her cheeks were burning red. She flipped through some pants but her apartment felt warm. She walked over to her window and lifted it up.

I was right. The air is humid. Hot day. Dress? She opened her closet doors and pushed everything out of her way until she reached her dresses. She flipped through them slowly, until she stopped on a black colored dress. It had a cinched waist and had little pink flowers all over it. There was a pattern of white lace stitched across the chest; it was a square shape, with lines going horizontally through it. The sleeves lay just off the shoulders and she knew that this was the dress. It was short and breezy which happened to be perfect for the weather. She slid it off the hanger and lay it across her bed. She went to her chest and pulled out a soft pink, bra and blue plaid, panties. She slid into her clothes and went to fix her hair.

Rick walked in behind her and smiled at her in the mirror. In his hand were two coffee mugs. He walked up behind her and pulled his arm in front of her. Once the coffee was in her hand, he sat on her counter.

"You are the most beautiful woman, I have ever laid eyes on."

She set her brush down and tossed him a questioning glance. "Oh, am I? What do you want?"

"Nothing. Nothing, but you." He smiled sarcastically and sipped his coffee.

She gently smacked him and went back to her hair. Once she had it blow dried, she braided the sides and pulled them back together and joined them with an elastic band. She lightly applied some cover up and brushed on light pink, blush. She slid on liquid eyeliner on her top lids and smiled at her handiwork.

"I like it too. When do I get to unwrap it and admire it even more?" He pulled on her waist and wrapped his legs, loosely, behind her. He crossed his arms behind her back and tugged her against his chest.

She laid her hands on his shoulders and laughed. "Later buddy. I have to get to work." She still heard the music going and tried to decipher who it was. "Who is that playing?"

"The Chantels. Why? Do you not like them?" His brows furrowed slightly.

"No. I love them. My dad taught me to dance to them. My favorite was this one." She closed her eyes and listened to "I Love You So". She swayed lightly in his arms.

He smiled then slid off the counter and pulled her along to the living room. He turned the record up and pulled her in his arms. He held her close and she lay her left hand against his shoulder. She rested her head on his left shoulder and they danced. They gently swayed to the music as they moved around her living room. She kept her eyes closed and let him lead her.

"I'm telling you, darling, I'll never let you go. Well, you know, how much I love you…"

"This is the song you need to listen to should you ever think, I will leave you. Ok?"

She nodded but shushed him. There was a knock on the door and she heard him yell to come in. Beatrice opened the door but stopped at the sight of them dancing. She smiled to herself but continued in when Rick waved her to.

"Oh. Hello Richard. And Kate." Kate turned around at the sound of her voice and gave her a smile.

"Hi. How are you?" She still held herself in Rick's arms but turned to give Beatrice her attention.

"I am good dear. I think I can safely assume that you are alright this morning." She smiled to the sight of Kate in Rick's arms.

Kate made no notion to move and smiled back. "Yes I am. What do you need?"

"Just to check on you. And to see if you two would like to grab lunch today."

"I would love to."

"We would love to." He interjected.

"That is grand. Alright then. Let me know when. I am free whenever you need me." She waved to Kate and Rick then made her way to the door.

Kate left to walk Beatrice out and thanked her before closing the door. She turned back to Rick and caught him changing the record.

"What are you doing?"

"Just wait and see." He set the record down and let it play. He turned around and smiled. He danced his way to her and pulled her in his arms once more. They assumed the same positions but she was busy laughing instead of resting on him.

The words of Pat Boone's "Love Letters In The Sand" played on. "On a day like today, we pass the time away, writing love letters in the sand".

He twirled her around, in his arms, across her floor. They danced and laughed together.

When Kate finally made it to work, she had a name to run. A Mr. Sal Dobson. She was too busy typing away to notice Ryan sit in the chair next to her desk. He watched her hum and tap her feet on the floor. Her boots were a sight with their: cocoa-colored, faux leather upper, crocheted side panels, and white exposed stitching.

"Hey, Kate?" Ryan laid the file in front of her and she stopped humming and tapping.

"Sorry. I didn't see you there. What do you got?" She opened the folder and wish she hadn't.

"We got another case. There were similarities but we didn't catch wind until they realized its connection to ours."

"What do we know about this one?" She looked into his moonlight-blue, eyes and tried to give this victim her undivided attention.

"Name is Cynthia Darius. She is twenty-seven years old and she was recently engaged." Ryan bit back his sadness and looked to Kate.

"Did the fiancé get notified?" She looked back to the picture of Cynthia. She was red headed, with pale, green eyes, and a strong face. She was gorgeous but the kind you would least expect to be.

"He should be here any minute. Do you want him?"

"No. You can take him. See if she worked at the same Vet place. Show him our vics' pictures and see if he recognizes anyone."

"You got it." He tapped on her desk then headed back to his.

She held her head in her hands and tried to shake off her growing nausea. Another one? He won't stop will he? What am I going to do? She looked back to her desktop and looked back to Sal Dobson's picture. He looked threatening and a little mad. His head was shaved and his brown eyes were piercing. He was unsettling and Kate pulled back from his picture.

She scrolled down to his wrap sheet. He was arrested for: possession of cocaine, along with others, B & E, resisting arrest, but other than those he was clean. Nothing was new since 1986. She looked for anything else but there was nothing. She stared at his picture with anger.

You son of a bitch. You think you can hurt my man? Watch out. She was so intensely invested in staring his picture down that she didn't know Captain Montgomery was standing by her.

"Beckett?"

"Sorry Cap. I was checking something."

"You looked pissed. What is up with you?" He sat in the chair next to her and leaned over.

"Rick's guy." She turned her screen so he could see.

"Looks mean. Wait, you figured out who it was. How?"

Shit. I can't say Rick told me. He would question him, himself. Quick Kate. Think of something.

"Someone spoke up. Thankful they did."

"Good."

He bought it. Of course he did. He trusts me. Damnit, now I lied to him. Great Kate.

"Put out an A.P.B. and hopefully something pops."

"Already did. Did you need something else?"

"I want you to meet someone." He stood and motioned for her to follow. He led her to his office and when they stepped in, she spotted a man sitting down.

He had a strong build and he stood for her. A gentleman. A hot gentleman. His features were rigid but he looked soft. His jet, black hair was nicely trimmed and his ocean-blue eyes greeted her. He seemed friendly. Good grip. He held her hand a little too long and he dropped it nervously when she noticed.

"Hi. My name is Detective Kate Beckett."

"Good to meet you, Detective. Wish it was under better circumstances. Name is Cliff Veran. F.B.I."

"Figured. You look like F.B.I."

"Ouch. That's not good." They both sat down and he kept smiling at her. "You don't look like no Detective to me. That is a compliment by the way." He gently touched her arm and Captain Montgomery spoke up.

Thank you Captain. I think this guy would have jumped me. If I didn't have Rick, man.

"I want you two to work together. He knows this man we are dealing with."

"Been following the Red Two Shot, that's what we call him, for years now. He just starts taking out red heads left and right. Doesn't have a reason. No connection. He starts then stops. We never know when he strikes again."

"How long have you known this guy?"

"Ten years now. He has claimed over sixteen victims."

"Make that seventeen. Just got another vic." She crossed her legs and didn't care of the fact that her knees were bare.

"Good thing I came in. Ready to get to work?" He stood and really gave her no choice.

"Let's go." She led him to her white board and placed Cynthia's picture next to Corrina's. She crossed her arms and looked to him to figure her out.

He didn't seem so sure that she had been doing all she could be doing, and that bothered her. She tried to assume the best of him and tried to catch him up.

"These are all the vics." She swept her hand over all the pictures that laid across her white board. "First one we found was Sylvia Peters. Next was Gwenie Oar, then Corrina Syms, and now we have Cynthia Darius. It is so random that I have no idea. However I think we found a connection. This Vet's place; Gwenie and Corrina for sure volunteered there. We think that Sylvia worked there also. We need to tie Cynthia to the place and we have our connection. Ryan is on that now." She sat back down in her rolling chair and left him to read over her notes.

"So, no suspects?" He turned around, his hands in his pants pocket. He looked unimpressed and it unnerved Kate.

"We think this guy they talked to, is the key. Someone knows something there." She reviewed her little notes she made the previous day.

Did Abby know Corrina and Sylvia? Is there a connection? Where are the two pages?

Still trying to figure out if Abby knew the other girls, she had Espo check in with Abby's parents and Claudette, Gwenie's sister. She also made sure she went to check out Gwenie's room again. Also on her list, she wanted to find out about Dale Zane. And to have a talk with Alexis. And she scribbled:

who was Paulie and how did Abby know him?

"I think I am going to head to one of our vic's rooms. You in?" She gathered her notebook and secured her badge on the outside cover.

"No. I think I can help out here." He nodded to her and went back over the board.

Is he scrutinizing my work? Get ahold of yourself Kate. Everyone perceives things in a different way. Just go on your hunch.

And with that, she headed to Columbia.

Once she stepped into Abby's and Gwenie's room, she knew what she was looking for. She flipped through loose papers and notebooks but it was all school related. She carefully stepped around clothing, strewn about on the floor, and walked over to Gwenie's bed. She noticed the little knick knacks in the shelving above her bed.

Must be from home. Or friends. At first she didn't think anything of them and was about to dismiss it until she saw the same figurine on Abby's shelving. She picked up the little red porcelain heart and flipped it over in her hand. She pulled it closer to her eyes, man I need glasses, she thought, and noticed a little notch along the side. She lifted it open and paper was folded many times over. She carefully opened the paper and noticed Abby's handwriting right away.

April 11th 2013

G, you have been more than a best friend to me. You have been my sister. I don't blame you for Q. I respect you but you should be with him. But I must say, he doesn't deserve you. And I told him that. G, you have always been so nice to me even when you found out that I was crazy. Nobody measures up to you. I just don't trust that place, Paulie is always so persistent with me. But I agree with him, that's why you are reading this letter.

Please don't be mad at me. I know you will miss me but you were always the stronger one. You can make it through this. I am doing this for you. Paulie told me to choose, I chose you. Don't do anything to him, he threatened every girl there. He even mentioned that it wouldn't be his first time doing so. Just know I love you and give my diary to my parents, when you can. But leave this out, this is just for your eyes only. Love you sis,

Signing off forever,

Abby 3

Kate refolded the paper and knew what she had to do next: notify Cliff. She pulled out her cell and left a quick voicemail for the boys and left one for Cliff as well. She pulled out an evidence bag and slid the knick knacks, both Abby and Gwenie's, in one bag and the note in another.

Who the hell is this Paulie? Obviously he is our Red Two Shot. But he works there? Or did he just notice them walking in?

Her thoughts were interrupted when her phone rang. "Ryan, did you check the place out?"

"The fiancé doesn't recognize any one else. However, Claudette recognized everyone. She pulled up a photo that Gwenie sent her. Said that Gwenie deleted it but Claudette kept it because she looked happy. All our vics are there."

"Any guy in the photo?"

"No. Why?"

"I need to find out who this Paulie guy is. I am going to head to the place. I have some things for evidence but I need to head there now."

"Got it. Want me to update Cliff?"

She couldn't figure out why but she wanted to leave him out. Something wasn't right to her but Cap's orders. "Yeah. You do that. I will call if I get anything."

"Bye."

She clicked off and started her drive to the one thing all the vics had in common: volunteers at a Vets facility.

"You said this was urgent?" Alexis slipped out of her light blue jacket and threw it over the back of Kate's chair. She wore a yellow sundress and her hair was pulled up into a very high ponytail. She slid off her white wedges and left them scattered by the door.

"Yes. Have a seat." Rick had on a white t-shirt and a pair of jeans. He had showered in anticipation of lunch with Beatrice and Kate.

Alexis sat down, nervously. She noticed candy on the coffee table and prepared for bad news.

"I told Kate." He leaned back into the couch and waited for her temper.

"Are you kidding me? What the hell Rick? You said,"

"I said that I wouldn't unless she asked me. She did. I had to. You would have done the same. Kate's a good woman, Alexis."

"I know. We're friends. But she'll turn you in. You will go to jail." Alexis's lip quivered and she fought back tears. "I can't have you in jail."

"Come here." He held her in his arms and remained talking to her in a calming voice. "She isn't going to send me to jail. Far as she knows, she had a witness tell her. She was running his name, that's what she went to do today. Alexis, don't be mad. Please."

"So you won't be in jail?" He shook his head no and she continued. "What is going on with her? Is it a hard case or something?"

"What do you mean?"

She wiped her tears and turned to face him. "She texted me to be careful, that she was thinking of me, and that we needed to talk."

"When?" He didn't expect that from Kate. She wasn't allowed to let the public know of ongoing cases.

"Yesterday. It was late." She looked around the apartment. "Where is she?"

"At work." He rubbed his chin and tried to figure it out.

"So, you need me for anything else?" She couldn't get his attention back on her. She snapped her fingers and he turned to her.

"What?"

"Do you need me for anything else?"

"Maybe. Later. You can go for now. I just had to tell you that. She might want to talk about Sal. Tell her everything and anything. No matter how bad, understand?"

"I get it. Trust her, I do." She kissed his cheek and grabbed her jacket on the way to the door.

"I'll call you later."

"Text me later." She slid on her wedges and waved to him once more before closing the front door.

Kate walked through the big glass doors and was immediately greeted by Evan Dobs, Human Resource Manager. She shook his hand and he led her to his office towards the back of the main building.

Once seated, she pulled out all the vics' pictures. "I need to know if you recognize these women." She laid them across his desk and watched him react to them.

"This here is Sylvia, then that is Gwenie, Corrina, Cynthia, and that is Abby. They were all here to volunteer. Some did it out of the kindness of their hearts, this one," he pointed to Sylvia, "was forced to. Let us all know it. They were great girls. Why do you ask about them?"

"They are all dead. Murdered by someone here."

"Whoa. We don't hire killers. Everyone here is run through a certain system. They have to be mentally signed off before they can visit anyone here."

"Mr. Dobs."

"Evan." Evan had a certain, easy charm about him. His soft sandy hair and nice tan belonged at a beach and not in an office. His soft hazel eyes were a sight.

"Evan, do you know who they visited with?"

"Sure. Let me pull up their list. They each visited with three members total. Every week they spent time with another one. Here." He handed her a printed out list of three names and who visited with them and when.

The first name read: Earl Yonk. 92. WWII vet. Then the list went on:

Samson Wert. 95. WWII vet.

Dez Bird. 96. WWII vet.

"Did they all work with WWII vets?"

"This group, yes. Why do you ask?"

"Because these men might be the key to finding out who did this. Do you know if I can speak to them today?"

"Sure. But let me check with their aides." He quickly made some phone calls and he nodded his head and was unsure of how to react.

"What's wrong?"

"You can talk to two of them. Dez had a heart attack and he didn't make it. I don't know why our system wasn't updated. Give me a second." He made a call to someone else and rubbed his head, sending his hair flying all over. "I have a tech coming up but I am sure our system was tampered with. But, you can still talk to Samson and Earl."

"I want to. Thank you. Mr. Dobs."

"Evan. Your welcome Detective."

Before Kate sat in front of the two men in wheelchairs, the first thing she did was hug each one and then thanked them for their service. They each were happy to see her and Earl was funny.

"Hello there, beautiful. What can me and my buddy Samson, help you out with? Need a date?"

"Thanks for the offer Earl but I need to talk about these girls." She showed them each the pictures she had showed Evan.

"She was just the sweetest." Samson pointed to Gwenie.

"I liked her. She was a pistol. Earl pointed to Sylvia. "I like to think I straightened her out."

They don't know they're dead. How would they? I hate to tell them but I have to.

"I am sorry to tell you but they have all passed away."

"How?" Earl barely got the words out and her heart ached for them.

"They were murdered. All they had in common, was this place. And their hair color except Abby."

"She was a nervous one. Been talking to someone before she came in here. Never found out who it was. Never got a look at him. She was so secretive about it too. Never told anyone who he was."

"Can you describe him for me?"

"Nah. My eyes are bad but I know it was a guy, maybe tall. But sorry. That is all I can give you. I wish I could help more." He looked as if he was beating himself up over it.

"Don't worry Earl. You have helped a lot. If any of you remember anything or know someone who does, call me." She handed them each her card and waved goodbye. She stopped back at Evan's once more.

"Detective?" He stood for her.

"When did Dez pass away?"

"About April 4th around 3:50 P.M. The tech fixed it, it was a glitch. Records are fine but I couldn't bring up the newest set. I apologize."

"No. It's ok. You've helped. Thank you again." She waved and was left walking with more questions than ever running through her mind.

What does Dez Bird have to do with the girls? Did someone blame them for his death? Is it connected to the other victims? If not, copycat? Does this place have anything to do with the murders? Is it a coincidence?

She pulled out of the parking lot and checked her watch. It was 11:19. She made a quick call to Rick and told him to let Beatrice give him a ride to Shake Shack. She made a call to Beatrice and gave her directions.

How am I supposed to do all this? She thought. She quickly called up Ryan once she stopped at a red light.

"Check into surveillance footage. I don't know if he has any relatives looking for revenge or what? Check into that for me?" She heard him answer yes then she heard something in the background. Then Espo came on.

"I thought you didn't believe in coincidences."

"Shut up Espo. I don't. Get me the picture of the girls that was on Claudette's phone."

"I'll send it to you. Anything else?"

"Anything pop on Dale Zane?"

"Nah. No luck but Cliff is on it. Or should I say him and his team."

"His team? Espo are you messing with me?"

"Nope. Wish I was. He tried to take over the minute you left. Cap took care of it though."

"Good. Did you review the old cases yet?"

"No one touched them." Ryan jumped into the discussion as soon as he could.

"I'll check them when I get back. Run footage, check for relatives, dig into Dale. I have to find him."

"Got it. See you when you get here."

"Thanks. I couldn't make it without you guys."

"Don't get mushy." Espo warned over the phone and Ryan quickly responded back, "We feel the same." Espo rolled his eyes and waited for Kate.

"Thanks. Bye." She dropped her phone next to her and pulled up to the curb of the Museum of Natural History. She saw Rick and Beatrice at the entrance and ran right into Rick's open hug.