CHAPTER 4

I am happy and excited because you won't have to wait too much to read a new chapter of this story since I'm back with chapter 4! So far, in this story, it has been my favorite chapter to write and that's why I think it's a bit longer the previous three, which I hope it pleases you.

Very slowly the story is coming together in my mind, so hopefully we'll be getting to the interesting part soon: the part where Steve tells Annabeth they're related. Oh, and how will the rest of the team react to those news? We'll have to wait just a little bit more to see.

Now, without further a due, here's chapter 4! Enjoy!

Her first target was Keoki Aikasu because he had been a person of interest in the second vic's investigation, given that he had been the last person to see her alive although HPD could never actually pin him to the murder. She was supposed to establish conversation with him so that at some point they could talk about the murders taking place among the student body. Whether that conversation took place today or a week from now, it all depended on the guy's willingness to make new friends and Annabeth's ability to introduce the subject in a totally non accusing way.

Since they actually couldn't afford to spend a month looking into things from the inside (mostly because at the rate the murders had been taking place, there could be another victim at any given moment) she decided to start the conversation right away.

- Hi there, may I bother you with a question? – she asked making full use of her accent since she was supposed to be a student from London. The chemistry class had just ended and everyone was gathering their books and notebooks to head to their next class. For a moment, the guy sent a weird look her way; like he was surprised she was speaking to him at all. But the look only lasted for about two seconds before his eyes adopted a kind glee and he smiled before answering.

- Sure. What do you need?

- Well, I'm new here and I don't know my way around the building yet so, do you know where I can find the laboratory? My next class starts in about five minutes and I really shouldn't be late on my first day.

- The lab? I'm headed there now. Looks like we share the next class too – Annabeth offered him a big smile.
- Cool. I'm Emma by the way – she introduced herself while offering him a hand to shake.

- Keoki – he said back, accepting the shake and maybe holding into it just a tiny bit longer than necessary – how come this be your first day? We're already on our way to the finals.

- I'm on a field research trip. A friend of mine and I are working on a project about the relationship between weather conditions, climate and geographical position with the regeneration of cells and their healing mechanisms. She drew the short straw and went to work on cold weather conditions while I get to spend a couple of months in paradise. The university kindly agreed to let me attend to some of the classes related with my project so that I can compare and improve the theoretical part of it – she finished explaining.

- Sounds like a lot of work – he said while they approached the lab.

- Yes, but hopefully it'll be worth it – they took their seats and talked a bit more about her project while they waited for the teacher to arrive.

The rest of the day passed by in a boring succession of classes that covered a bunch of subjects she really wasn't all that interested about and that she also didn't share with Keoki. They hadn't want to seem suspicious at all and that's why she wasn't enrolled in every class that he was in, giving her actually some space to talk to other students and find out a little more about Leia Kahani, the second victim.

The murder had happened two weeks ago and so the topic was still very much alive between the students, which is why no one hesitated on confirming the "rumor" she had heard about a biology student getting killed.

- She was such a good student – someone told her.

- Did you know she wasn't the only student murdered? – another one said.

- People is starting to think that the university is cursed.

- They've even brought a shrink to help anyone who'd like to talk about the murders.

Those where the responses she got through the whole day until she decided that it was time to go visit this shrink that the Principal had hired for the sake of the students most affected by the recent losses. So, making her way to the pointed office, she actually had to wait in line behind a few girls to be able to enter. The sign at the door read: Dr. Greg Sanders.

The door suddenly opened and a girl with red rimmed eyes got out, hugging a pair of books to her chest and walking past the waiting students without even a glance in their direction. Immediately the next girl in line stepped through the door and closed it behind her. When it was finally her turn, some 45 minutes later, she made her way into the office.

The room was pretty simple, with only a desk and a few chairs around it since it had been set up recently and there hadn't been any time or need to fill it with unnecessary furniture. On top of the desk there was a stack of papers and a couple of pens that the doctor used to take notes from his sessions in case he needed them to remember important details of his conversations with the various students seeking help dealing with the recent murders of fellow students and friends.

The man behind the desk took off his glasses upon seeing her walk in and let out a blow of breath because it had been a tiring experience listening to so many troubled kids.

- Rough day? – Annabeth asked as a way of greeting while she dropped her bag on the floor and took a seat in front of him.

- You could say that – he responded while pressing his index finger and thumb into his eyes.

- At least I hope it's been productive – she stated, giving him a sympathetic smile.

- Yeah, well, next time that stubborn thick headed partner of mine decides to throw an undercover op, he's the one who's gonna have to act and dress up – he complained, at which Annabeth rolled her eyes because, when did he not complain?

- Like I said, I hope at least the day was productive. What did you manage to find out? – Danny opened his eyes again and started going through the papers around his desk.

- I've seen a total of eight people: seven students and one teacher. They were mostly students that have been having a hard time understanding why people can be so bad, hurting and killing others. I talked to a friend of the last victim and I managed to know a little bit about what he was like as a person and a friend. The professor who came used to teach Leia and she was devastated that such a bright young girl was gone now. I didn't hear anything especial about the first victim and, all in all, there was no suspicious or different behavior from any of the victims prior to their murders. So, we're still right at the beginning of this thing – he finished referring to their investigation – what about you?

She told him about her day and the pieces of information she was able to gather from talking to different people throughout the day. Finally, she told him about her primary target, Keoki Aikasu, and the progress she had made during the morning.

- So, we haven't talked about Leia yet, or any of the other murders, but at least we're on speaking terms. I'll try to bring up the subject soon.

- Good, good. Although I hope Chin, Kono and Steve's day has been better. I just want to caught this person and be done with pretending to be a shrink.

- It's only been a day Danny – Annabeth pointed out.

- Yeah but pretending to be able to help people deal with their personal struggles while what I'm really doing is fishing out for information is just not something I'm comfortable with – he said, clearly serious about this matter and Annabeth couldn't think of anything useful to say. She knew Danny was a person with great values and maybe he was feeling like taking advantage of people when they came to talk to him believing they were seeing an specialist. Putting it that way, she now understood why he was complaining and, in this case, she couldn't actually blame him for it.

- Let's just hope we can solve this sooner rather than later – she finally said and made a move to grab her bag pack.

- Do you have any more classes today? – Danny asked, putting on his fake glasses and fixing his tie.

- No, I'm all done. Steve's picking me up now. See you at the office?

- Sure – Annabeth got up and headed for the door but before she opened it, she turned around.

- We're gonna solve this Danny – she stated, believing every word she was saying. He appreciated the comment because he knew she was saying that to lift up his spirits, so he gave her a reassuring smile that indicated he was alright and nodded.

- I know – he said, and then repeated after she had left – I know…

Sooooo? What did you guys think? Did you like it? I think that for this story I may explore a bit more the world of dialogue. I love writing dialogues and trying to get the characters right! Danny is specially fun to write about in a dialogue. Do you know what dialogue will be interesting to write? The one between Steve and Annabeth once the truth is revealed. I truly hope the moment comes soon!

Well… I guess all that's left to say is: until next chapter!