Chapter Twelve
Day Six continued
Edrisa finished all of her case reports, successfully passed out all of the muffins she made and contacted her apartment manager about returning tomorrow. And she did it all in an impressive 4 hours. It was 2:00pm and Malcolm still hadn't shown up.
Not that she was counting the minutes or anything.
She debated for a long moment before she decided to text him.
Edrisa: hey! Are you awake?
Mal: hi! Yes, I'm up. Sorry for not coming in earlier, I'm working on a project really quick.
Edrisa: project?
Mal: you'll have to see it later ;)
Edrisa: okay, but it better be good :)
Mal: I'm not sure if "good" is the best word for it… maybe useful? Or helpful?
Edrisa: useful? Okay, now I'm definitely intrigued.
Mal: you'll just have to wait to find out. It's taking longer than I anticipated. How's everything?
Edrisa: okayyyyyy. And everything's fine, why?
Mal: just checking in :)
Edrisa: you don't have to worry about me, I'm fineeeee.
Mal: I'm always going to worry about you
Edrisa stopped at that message and felt herself getting choked up.
Dani agreed to let her work alone in her lab, for some time alone since everything happened. And she was finally able to decompress.
Since everything happened it felt like she was walking on eggshells. Always looking over her shoulder and always having someone watching her. She didn't mind her friend's company, but she just needed a minute. Now she realized it wasn't all the job, they really did care. Malcolm really cared.
It felt nice to feel cared about.
Edrisa: see you soon?
Malcolm: heading over now
She smiled and set her phone down.
—-
Malcolm walked into her lab 20 minutes later looking slightly upset.
"You've been by yourself this whole time?" He asks. Edrisa stares at him, not answering.
Malcolm sighs and takes a seat.
"Edrisa-" he begins, but she cuts him off.
"Mal, I know-I know. But I just needed a minute to myself. Okay?" she cuts in.
He stops and regards her carefully.
"Okay," he replies.
"Okay?" she asks, confused.
"Yea, okay," he says shrugging his shoulders. She gives him a curious look but let's it go, opting to change the subject.
"So, are you going to tell me more about this project?" Edrisa teases. Malcolms cheeks warm a bit and he looks uncomfortable.
"It's not a big deal, just a thing," he says, giving no more information than that.
Then JT is bursting through the lab door.
"Bright, we got a ping off Tanners credit card! He bought a ticket for JFK airport, 6:00pm flight to Seattle. We're going to head him off at the airport! Are you coming?" He demands. Malcolm shoots up and immediately starts to go, but then he stops.
He turns to Edrisa who's turned a shade paler than normal and who's hand is shaking.
"Actually, no, I'm going to stay. But JT? Do me a favor and nail him for us," Malcolm says in an even tone.
"I will if Dani doesn't for me," JT responds, heading swiftly back out.
Malcolm turns to Edrisa who is shuffling papers. She looks fine at a glance, but Malcolm can see her leaning heavily against her desk and her legs are quivering under her scrubs.
"Hey, I was thinking about taking an early night. Are you ready to go home?" Malcolm asks.
Edrisa gives him a look.
"You don't have to lie to me Malcolm. I'm okay, we don't have to leave for my sake," she replies. He opens his mouth to object but she continues.
"You just got here and because I'm having an autonomic stress response you're wanting to take me home," Edrisa states. And he really can't argue with that.
"Or I just really want to show you my home project," he teases. She gives him an unconvinced look but brightens up at the reminder of why Malcolm took so long.
"Either way, it's up to you Mal. I'm honestly done but I can always find more work. Or we can leave," she decides.
"Okay, I'll call the car," Malcolm says. Edrisa stops him.
"Can we take mine today? She's been sitting there for a while and I need to drop by my apartment to pick up my new key. Apparently the maintenance man had to change the locks because my apartment finally got some updates," Edrisa explains. Malcolm forces a smile at the reminder of Edrisa returning to her real home.
"Okay, that's fine!" He responds. Edrisa finishes up a few documents and changes back into her clothes. And then they leave for Edrisa's apartment.
When they arrive it's 4:00pm and Edrisa is buzzing with a mix of emotions. She goes to the managers office and knocks softly. A little old woman with glasses answers and after a very brief exchange she gives Edrisa her new keys. Edrisa returns to where Malcolm was waiting, nearby as always.
When they reach apartment 223B Edrisa freezes.
"Is everything okay?" Malcolm immediately asks concerned.
"Yea, yea, I just-I haven't been here since everything. You know?" she says with complete uncertainty.
"Yea… if it makes you feel any better, Dani had a unit watching your building. According to the unit there's only been maintenance and tenants," Malcolm responds. Edrisa nods and goes to open the door but he stops her.
"Actually, let me go first. Just to be safe… something doesn't feel right," Malcolm says getting a sudden chill. Edrisa gives him a strange look but complied.
So Malcolm takes the key and opens the door.
There's a man under the kitchen sink with a tool kit beside him on the floor.
"Hello?" Malcolm asks putting a hand out to signal Edrisa to stay outside.
"Sorry! Sorry, just finishing up here," the man exclaims.
"No problem, Mr..?" Bright asks cautiously approaching.
"No! Bright!" Edrisa immediately responds coming into the room and pulling at his arm to leave. Malcolm turns to her and misses the man sliding out from under the sink, holding a gun.
"Oh Edrisa, I really wish you had come alone," the man, Justin Tanner, says.
"Justin Tanner," Malcolm acknowledges. Justin Tanner was 6' 1 with dark blonde hair and dark eyes, he also had a light scar above his right eye. Malcolm guessed that the addition was newer as the scar was still pinkish in color.
The man raises an eyebrow.
"Ah, so you've heard of me then," he says with a smirk.
"Of course I have," Malcolm responds while using his arm to gently guide Edrisa to go behind him.
"Ah ah ah," the man clicks at them. Malcolm feels Edrisa freeze up and he moves to step in front of her himself.
"Edrisa, dear, come and stand beside me or I shoot your friend," Justin challenges. Edrisa moves to go around Malcolm, but he puts an arm out to block her.
"What is it you want Tanner? The power? The control? Because right now, in this moment you have both. And you have a choice. You can leave now, with your gun and we wouldn't be able to follow you. Maybe you could escape or maybe we catch you. Or you can continue to threaten us and lose all of your power when you are caught and put into jail," Malcolm challenges.
Tanner raises his eyebrows.
"Ohhh, so you're the profiler! Huh, not really what I pictured," Justin says amused. Malcolm raises his eyebrow in turn.
"Always glad to disappoint," Malcolm snips.
"Oh, there's no disappointment from you. Bright, is it? I really had nothing to compare you to because Edrisa, there, wouldn't give up any information about you," Justin says gesturing over Malcolms shoulder with the gun.
"Look how well that worked out Edrisa. So, get your ass out here now or I'll kill this pet like the last one," Justin growls. Edrisa steps around Malcolm who is still adamant about keeping her close.
"There you are," Justin purrs. Malcolm sees a dark flint in his eyes.
"Well, Justin, what would you like to know?" Malcolm asks, trying to draw the attention back to himself.
"Well, Bright, I want to know how long you've been sleeping with my girlfriend," Justin challenges. Malcolms not surprised by the question based on what Edrisa had said about him.
"Dr. Tanaka and I work together. Our relationship is strictly professional," Malcolm replies in a complete neutral tone.
Edrisa shifts on her feet between the two men.
"Edrisa, come over to this tool box and pull out the roll of duct tape. Slowly. If I see you so much as glance at anything else then I will pull this trigger," Justin says taking a step closer to Malcolm. Malcolm raises his arms slightly to show he too wasn't going to try anything.
Edrisa did as was asked, taking wide steps around Justin and his gun. When she goes to step back between them, one of Justin's hands shoots out and he pulls her back by her hair.
She lets out a strangled cry and Malcolm automatically moves to help her. Justin snaps at him and waves the gun in warning.
"I'm fine," Edrisa gasps in promise.
"Yea, strictly professional. Sit," Justin demands waving between Malcolm and the table. Malcolm obeys, his eyes never leaving Justin who still holds Edrisa.
Once he's seated, Justin pushes Edrisa to the floor beside Malcolms chair.
"Tape his hands behind his back. I'll be watching so don't try anything or...we'll you should know by now unless you're even dumber than I thought," Justin ends. Edrisa complies, muttering a quiet 'Sorry' so only Malcolm can hear.
"That's enough," Justin says after she's wrapped the tape around his wrists a few times. She leans back on her heels and Justin's hand roughly drags her up.
"Your turn," he says, throwing her onto the seat across from Malcolm. Edrisa holds out a wrist in obedience.
"Oh no, not after last time! Do you think I'm stupid?" Justin demands. Edrisa doesn't respond or look at him. He slaps her and roughly grabs her chin to force her to meet his eyes.
"I asked you a question stupid bitch. I expect an answer!" Justin growls. Malcolm feels himself losing control and fast.
"No, I don't think you're stupid," Edirsa whispers quietly. He releases her and pulls both of her wrists together, binding them with something from his wrist. The bracelet. The murder weapon of 5 other women.
"No, he's not stupid. In fact, he's quite clever! Buying a ticket using your credit card for a flight you never intended to board all to throw off the police? Brilliant!" Malcolm praises. Justin gives him his full attention and smiles a sinister smile.
"That's because you always have to be one step ahead, Bright," Justin chuckles.
"Exactly. Except, now you're running out of steps here Justin. You have two employees of the NYPD at gunpoint and an entire precinct of detectives after you. So, actually, maybe you aren't as smart as you think you are," Malcolm challenges. Edrisa shoots him a warning look.
Then Justin does something Malcolm didn't account for. He laughs.
"Oh, Bright. Your humor must be what she sees in you because otherwise there really isn't much for you to offer," Justin says, putting a hand on Edrisa's shoulder possessively. Edrisa looks ill.
"Tell me why I'm wrong then since you have all the answers," Malcolm challenges. Playing to Justin's ego wasn't working, maybe setting him off on Malcolm instead of Edrisa would.
"Because neither of you are going to make it out of here alive. That was the plan all along," Justin says trailing the barrel of the gun from where it was pointed at Malcolm, down Edrisa's cheek.
Malcolm acts before he thinks.
"Leave her alone!" Malcolm demands. Edrisa has silent tears streaming down her cheeks but she remains impressively still with a gun against her head.
Justin's attention is back on Malcolm.
"I mean, don't you love her? Isn't that why you're doing all of this? Because you want to be with her?" Malcolm asks.
"Ahh, pleading to my humanity. You know, maybe at first that's what I wanted. Bright. But then I realized something," Justin moves around the table to Malcolm, "you can't force someone to love you. And pretending just is NOT the same. You know what I mean?"
Malcolm debates on how to answer this.
"No, I don't. Can you explain it to me?" Malcolm asks in a intrigued voice.
"Well, it's like this," Justin says, hitting Malcolm across the face with the gun. Malcolms head snaps to the side and the chair rocks with the impact.
"Stop!" Edrisa shouts out.
Justin smiles.
"There it is!" he exclaims. He crouched down to Malcolms eye level.
"She loves you, Bright," Justin seethes. Malcolm clenches his jaw and stares Justin head on.
"Caring about a colleague and loving someone are two different things, Justin," Malcolm hisses. Justin smiles and rises, going back to Edrisa's side of the table.
"Edrisa, dear, tell Malcolm about the rule at the table," Justin says, setting the gun towards the head of the table and trailing his free hands around Edrisa's shoulders. She shivers but replies.
"No lying," Edrisa states, meeting Malcolms eyes in warning. She's terrified.
"Or?" Justin presses, hands closer to her neck.
"O-or there will be punishment," Edrisa gasps. Justin moves his hands from her throat and claps her shoulders twice, placing a possessive kiss to her head.
"Good girl," Justin praises.
He turns back to Bright.
"So, Bright. I am going to ask the questions and you will both answer honestly or there will be punishment," Justin says.
Malcolms silent. Justin sighs and moves back to Edrisa, he wraps a hand around her throat and squeezes.
"Okay! Okay! I understand!" Malcolm responds. Justin releases and Edrisa coughs, sucking back in air.
"There, was that so hard?" Justin asks.
"No, I apologize for being difficult," Malcolm says, still glancing towards Edrisa who is getting paler and shakier by the second.
"First question for Bright, what is your name?" Justin asks, taking a seat at the head of the table.
"Malcolm Bright," Malcolm responds without hesitation. The man studies him for a moment before sighing and returning to Edrisa. He grabs her hair and pulls back until the chair is leaning on two legs.
"Stop! I answered your question! I'm not lying!" Malcolm demands. Justin releases Edrisa who slams back down on the chair hard. Malcolm thinks he sees hair in Justin's hand.
"Edrisa did all she could to keep you a secret, Bright. So of course I had to do some research on you. I know everything," Justin taunts sitting back at the head of the table.
"I won't ask again," he adds.
"Whitly. My real name is Malcolm Whitly but I legally changed it to Malcolm Bright," Malcolm amends. Justin smiles and nods approvingly, leaning forward against the table and looking between his two captives.
"Edrisa, why didn't you tell me about your friend?" Justin asks.
Edrisa hesitates for a moment.
"B-because I didn't want you to hurt him," she answers honestly.
Justin laughs.
"That worked out well, didn't it," he taunts. Edrisa's head dips down in shame.
"Okay, Whitly, when did you know that my girlfriend had feelings for you?" Justin challenges. Malcolm blanches for a moment, not being able to think of a good way to answer his question without putting Edrisa in danger.
"We became friends pretty quickly, shortly after I joined the department a year ago," Malcolm tries, tip toeing around the question.
"But I didn't know she belonged to you," Malcolm adds, trying to regain some sense of control.
Justin smiles, eyes darkening.
"Yes, but of course I can't fault you for a year ago. A month ago though…" Justin says picking up the gun and heading to Malcolm.
"Wait! Justin, please!" Edrisa cries out as the armed man stands behind Malcolm.
"It was me! It was my fault! I'm the one you should kill, he has nothing to do with us," Edrisa begs.
Malcolm shoots her a warning look.
Justin chuckles darkly.
"Edrisa, do you still love him? And if you lie I will kill him here and now," Justin warns. Edrisa glares the armed man down with such fire Mlacolm's surprised he doesn't burst into flames.
Justin puts the gun against the back of Malcolm's head.
"Yes. Yes, I love Malcolm Whitly. So shoot me! It's not his fault I fell in love with him, it's mine!" Edrisa challenges with tears pooling in her eyes.
Malcolm can't control his surprised expression. Sure he knew Edrisa had feelings. Maybe not entirely platonic, but not love. Her statement to Dani rings in his head "I told him I was in love with someone else." But hearing her say it, out loud, it knocked the breath out of him.
"And Whitly, do you love her back?" Justin challenges with his gun still pressed against the back of his skull.
Malcolm wants the answer to be clear, but it's not.
If you had asked him last week, he might've said he was falling for Dani Powell. His dreamworld, dream life, it was perfect. She was perfect. But that was a dream. He could never be with Dani like that. She challenged him. She expected him to do better, to be better. She was his partner.
But Edrisa…
Edrisa was always on the same wavelength as him. Since the beginning they had a connection, a bond. They could talk about murder together, analyze bodies like puzzles. They could watch zombie movies and discuss the history of each weapon. They could debate about evolving science and past serial killers all over breakfast. She made him laugh in a week more than he remembers in his whole life. She was thoughtful and selfless and so loving. Edrisa accepted Malcolm for who he was. She helped him to be better. And he wanted to be better, for her.
She never expected him to be anyone but himself. Being with her was easy. It was freeing. It was real.
"Yes. Yes I love her," Malcolm states. Edrisa's eyes shoot down to his face from where they were glaring at Justin.
Her surprise is evident and her confusion is heartbreaking. She can't tell if this is him playing to buy time, or telling the truth.
Malcolm feels the gun leave his head and jumps slightly when hands grip his shoulders.
"Well, Edrisa, we have a problem here. Because we both know that if given the choice you'd choose him," Justin states in a cold voice.
Edrisa shakes her head and Justin growls at her defiance. He moves for the gun tucked in his belt.
"Who do you think it'll hurt more? Him if I kill you first? Or you if I kill him first?" Justin demands brandishing the gun.
"H-he doesn't know what he's saying. He doesn't know I already belong to you. That I'm already claimed," Edrisa counters desperately. Justin moves back to the head of the table.
"Wait, you two haven't had sex?" he chuckles. Edrisa shakes her head while Malcolm answers aloud with a stern "no."
Justin goes to Edrisa and pulls her up from the chair.
"I can't fault you entirely. I understand all too well this one's ability to withhold information," Justin says pulling at Edrisa's shirt roughly.
He lifts it up enough for Malcolm to see a scar marking her hip. It was a white "J" surrounded by angry red. A "J" burned into Edrisa's skin.
"I-I didn't know," Malcolm said, having to clear his throat. He did know, he knew that Edrisa had been tortured and tied to a bed for days. He used his shock at seeing the angry mark to cover his lie.
"That's what I thought," Justin says, forcing Edrisa back into the chair. She kicks out in defiance and Justin hisses at her, grabbing a bottle from the rack beside the table.
He hits her with it, glass crashing against the side of her face. She cries out as it shatters and sends pieces flying around the table. The impact sends her sideways and onto the floor. He watches her lay there for a moment before pulling her into the chair again. Blood runs from a gash to her temple.
"Well, this has been nice. But unproductive," Justin says. He sits back at the head of the table and regards them both.
"I-I can learn to love you, Justin," Edrisa claims boldly. He looks at her wickedly.
"Do you think I'm stupid? You'll never love me. Not the way you love him," Justin says waving towards Malcolm.
"N-no, not the same. But the way you want. I-I'll be better, Justin. I-I cared about you, before everything and I think I can love you," Edrisa says. Justin regards this for a long while. Eventually he smirks and comes back to her side, running a finger from the gash on her head down her cheek. Blood marks his trail.
"Okay, but he's still a problem," Justin responds.
"No! No, he doesn't have to be. If we leave now and leave him here, he can't come between us. We can disappear. I-I'll never see him again," Edrisa explains. Malcolm can see the plans forming in Justin's eyes.
"No, no Edrisa! Don't do this," Malcolm pleads with her. He knows that if it comes between Malcolm and her, she will choose Malcolm without a second thought. And that is exactly what she was doing. Giving herself up to Justin to spare Malcolm's life.
"He works with the cops, they'll come for you," Justin says.
"Y-yes. They would come for me. But we both know you'll kill me before they ever find me," Edrisa states. Her tone is so accepting that Malcolm feels ill.
Justin let's a wolfish grin form and he pats Edrisa's cheek.
"Maybe you're not as stupid as I thought," Justin responds.
"Leave him here, alive, and I will go with you. I won't run. I won't call for help. It will just be you and I. Just like you want," Edrisa says.
Justin nods and pulls Edrisa up from the chair pulling her along with him. They reach Malcolms side of the table when Edrisa breaks out in cries.
"Wait! Wait! Please, let me say bye. Justin, please," Edrisa begs. He laughs at her pleas. She pushes against him and he retaliates by slapping her harshly across the face. She falls into the table beside Malcolm.
Malcolm has a moment to feel concerned when he feels something harshly shoved into his bound hands. Something sharp and pointed, like a broken piece of bottle.
As soon as the piece is in his hands, there's an audible fight behind him.
Edrisa must have broken her ties and been biding her time until she could reach Malcolm to give him the piece of glass. It was all a play.
He quickly pushes the piece as hard as he can between his hands and the chair, it digs into his flesh but that's the last thing on his mind.
Edrisa was lashing out with everything she knew. Pressure points and weak spots, she aimed for them all. Her best hit was a quick strike to his jugular that Dani had taught her earlier that day. He was stunned momentarily but then he started fighting in anger, easily overpowering her tiny frame.
When Malcolm's finally free he sees Edrisa being held down against the kitchen counter. Justin's hands around her neck.
Malcolm throws himself against the taller man, knocking him off Edrisa. They get into a brawl on the floor and the gun falls out of Justin's waistband. Malcolm manages to gain the upper hand, fueled by rage and his need to protect Edrisa.
But a heavy thud distracts him as Edrisa crumples to the floor from where she was trying to catch her breath.
"Edrisa!" he calls towards her. That earns him a hard first to the side of his jaw. Malcolm sees stars.
Justin's on top of him quickly and immediately wraps his hands around his throat. Malcolm tries to buck him off but his dazed head and the now lack of oxygen is reaching him.
"Let him go," a voice demands hoarsely. It's Edrisa holding the gun. She's unsteady, holding onto the counter for support and the gun waivers in her hand. Justin smirks at her and goes to deliver another blow to Malcolm when the shot rings out.
Justin bellows and his hand flies to his shoulder. He turns and stalks towards Edrisa but she fires again and he crumpled down to the floor. She shot him in the leg.
"You bitch!" Justin roars.
"Bitch with a gun," Edirsa wheezes. Malcolm forces himself up and towards her. He was fine aside from a roaring headache and slight ringing in his ears.
As soon as he reaches her she hands him the gun and passes out in his arms.
The door behind them crashes to the floor and Dani, JT and Gil file in with their guns raised.
"It's about time you guys," Malcolm says regarding the time, it's 6:00pm.
"We didn't think you'd be stupid enough to head out without backup," Dani snaps.
"Is she okay!" Gil asks in alarm. Dani takes the gun for evidence and Malcolm checks Edrisa.
"She's not breathing!" he panics laying her on the floor.
"Looks like I got what I came for after all," Justin chuckles.
"Someone get him out of here!" Gil bellows. JT doesn't have to be told twice before he's harshly dragging the man away.
"She has a heartbeat," Malcolm announces finding her pulse. He leans down and gives two quick breaths and waits a minute before giving two more.
"Come on Edrisa!" He calls going again.
She gasps and sputters.
"Thank god," Dani whispers. Gil also lets out a relieved sigh before instructing Dani to get a team in to bag evidence and document the crime scene so they can "nail that son of a bitch."
Paramedics arrive and transfer Edrisa onto a gurney. She clutches Malcolm's hand and he hops into the ambulance with her. The medics look him over on the way but he ignores them, never letting go of Edrisa.
AN: So there it is, the big confrontation...I really struggled on how I wanted to write this/do this but I'm not entirely upset by this. I am kinda looking forward to the fallout of it though, After all, Malcolm and Edrisa have a LOT to talk about now...