Author's Notes: And after another few days, here's Chapter Three! Enjoy!


Slyman's Restaurant and Deli was one of Cleveland's many hot spots to eat, and it was where Zoe took Annette and Anya to lunch. The three of them sat at a table off in the corner, enjoying their sandwiches and each other's company. As she watched Anya and Zoe converse with each other, Annette couldn't help but smile at how happy Anya looked. Making a new friend was definitely going to be her major highlight of this trip as she listened in on their conversation.

"Are you majoring in criminology, Anya?" Zoe asked.

"No," Anya replied, shaking her head. "Criminology is part of my curriculum, but my major is in Forensic Science. My dream is to be a forensic examiner with profiling skills."

"Wow. That's awesome!"

"Annette's decision to join the FBI following her abduction case inspired me to chase a career in forensics," Anya explained. "However, I also want to do profiling as you never know if they have overlooked something at the scene."

Zoe nodded.

"I like your way of thinking. That's a good way to go."

When she saw one of the waitresses, Annette flagged her down.

"Excuse me. Mind taking a picture of the three of us, please?"

"Of course," she replied with a smile.

"Anya, do you have your camera?"

The auburn-haired girl nodded and pulled her camera out of her purse, handing the device to the waitress after turning it on and setting it up.

"Okay. Ready? Smile!"

The three girls smiled and posed together just as the waitress clicked the button, and they heard the familiar sound of a shutter. She then clicked the button again, taking a second picture, before handing the camera back to Anya.

"Thank you," Annette said.

"You're welcome. Enjoy the rest of your day, ladies."

Anya then flipped to the saved pictures, looking at the two they took.

"Wow. They came out really nice," Zoe said.

"We'll get a copy developed and framed for you later," Anya said.

"I can't wait to see the finished product once it's completed," Zoe said, her smile never leaving her lips.

"Well, now that we've had lunch, why don't we head to the police station and look at the case files?" Annette suggested. "With these homicides as your chosen aim for your assignment, as well as my supervision, the police will allow you access to what you need."

"I believe that is our next mission," Anya said.

"I agree," Zoe said with a nod.

Upon realizing the mutual feeling, Annette nodded, and just as she grabbed her purse, her phone rang. Upon realizing it was Spencer calling her, she could not hide her giddiness.

"Excuse me for a moment."

Anya giggled as she watched Annette step outside of the restaurant.

"Boyfriend?" Zoe asked.

"Yeah," Anya replied with a nod.

Zoe gasped in delight.

"How long?"

"A little over a year," Anya replied.

"Whoever he is, he's a lucky guy."

"Oh, yeah, and he knows it."


The second Annette stepped out of the restaurant, she answered her phone.

"Hello?"

"Hey, babe. It's me," replied Spencer's voice from the other end.

"Hi, Spencer."

"I just thought I'd call and see how you're doing."

"I'm good," Annette replied. "Anya figured out the case she wanted to work on for her assignment, and she made a new friend in one of the local criminology students at the university."

"That's great! This gives her the chance to mingle with a peer group that has the same goals as her."

"Yeah. I don't want her to be a hermit like I've been for the past decade."

This statement earned her a chuckle in response.

"I sure miss you, Annette."

"I know. I miss you too. Although I haven't made a final decision, I'm considering accepting the offer. I just don't know for sure yet."

Spencer didn't miss the anxiety in her tone.

"Allow yourself the time you need to think it over. Nobody is rushing you, and I want your final decision to be something you truly want. I don't want you feeling as if you're being forced."

"I know, and I will give myself the time. I promise," Annette said.

She glanced over her shoulder and saw Anya and Zoe coming out and waving at her.

"Sorry. I have to go. Anya needs my input on something."

"Okay. I'll talk to you later. I love you, beautiful."

"I love you too, handsome."

She ended the call, staring at her phone for a moment before going to join Anya and Zoe.


The afternoon turned out to be a productive one as Annette followed behind Anya and Zoe. They expectedly gained access to the files, and Annette met the local detective, Daniel "Dan" Brady. Annette watched as Anya and Zoe applied statistics and theory with each case file, observing them putting the skills they gained into action. As she watched, Annette felt a sense of pride stir within her. She was proud of Anya, the progress she made, and the knowledge she was going to graduate soon. Michael Boudreaux steered them both into their chosen fields, despite the negative resulting from his actions.

"Annette and I will head to Walgreens to get our group photo developed. Do you want to come with us?" Anya asked.

"I would love to, but I have to get home to prepare for somewhere I need to be this evening," Zoe replied, disappointed. "However, I definitely want to meet up for breakfast and coffee so we can take a moment to build the profile."

"I'll pay this time," Annette announced. "You were kind enough to befriend Anya, help her decide on a case, and take us out. This is just the beginning of my gratitude."

"Oh. It's my pleasure, Annette," Zoe said. "Is there any way I can reach you to set up a meeting time for tomorrow morning?"

Annette reached into her purse and took out a business card.

"Just call me."

"And here's my number too, in case Annette isn't available," Anya said, handing her a torn piece of paper with her phone number scribbled on it.

"Okay. Thanks," Zoe said. "If I have to contact you, I would rather it be through Annette, since she is our liaison for this assignment."

"Understandable," Anya said.

"I better get going. I'll call later," Zoe announced.

With that, the three parted ways, Annette and Anya heading to Walgreens, and Zoe getting into her car to return home.


"Wow. This came out a hell of a lot better than I expected," Anya said, looking over the completed product she and Annette created for Zoe. It was a mini wooden canvas with a removable easel, and the picture they took at Slyman's was the centerpiece, glued to the canvas itself. They also purchased a gift bag and tissue paper for them to wrap it up in later.

"I agree," Annette said with a nod. "It's gorgeous, and Zoey can either hang it on her wall or use the easel to set it down on a table."

"She's going to be so excited when she sees it. I can already picture it," Anya said.

The ringing of Annette's phone cut the conversation short, and when Annette inspected it up close, she saw it was a number she didn't recognize.

"Agent Lennox."

"Hi, Annette. It's Zoe," replied Zoe's familiar voice on the other end.

"Hi, Zoe. Anya and I just left Walgreens. We finished developing the picture, and it's ready for you to pick up."

"Oh, good! I can't wait to see it!" Zoe exclaimed. "Would it be possible for me to talk to Anya?"

"Sure. I'll pass the phone on to her."

She extended her arm out, and Anya took the phone.

"Hi, Zoe!" she greeted.

"Hi! I finished up with the event I attended, and I wanted to let you know I have one last stretch of research to do tonight before I go back home."

"Would you like for us to come along?" Anya asked.

"Thanks, but you don't have to. I've taken up so much of your time already, as well as Annette's," she replied. "I'll share my findings with the both of you when we meet for breakfast in the morning."

"I'm looking forward to hearing your findings. I'll see you tomorrow for breakfast and coffee, okay?"

"I can't wait. See you and Annette tomorrow!"

Anya smiled as she ended the call and handed Annette her phone back. Upon seeing her smile, Annette was happy for her.


"Whew! What a day!" Anya exclaimed as she fell back on her bed.

"You had quite the productive day today," Annette said, sitting on the edge of her bed.

"Thanks to you and your setup," Anya said with a chuckle, which made Annette giggle.

"I knew you would click with her immediately, and I would not let you pass it up. You will not follow the path of a hermit, like I did."

"Like I would want to be a hermit anyway," Anya said with a chuckle.

"We should turn in early," Annette suggested. "We have another busy day tomorrow with another lecture, more theorizing, and hearing Zoe's findings over breakfast tomorrow. I will have to do some research on where we can eat."

She reached over to give Anya a hug and a kiss atop her head before settling down in their beds for the night. As they went to sleep, neither of them realized their luncheon with Zoe would be the last time they would see her alive.


Anya had finished wrapping up the mini canvas she and Annette made for Zoe by the time Annette got dressed. They were up early for their intended breakfast with Zoe, and when Anya turned to look at Annette, she couldn't help but smile at her, and Annette returned the smile with one of her own.

Just as Annette grabbed her purse and Anya threw her messenger bag over her shoulder, Annette's phone rang. She raised a brow at the unknown number before answering the call.

"Agent Lennox. Yes? Okay. We'll be right there."

Anya felt her heart sink when she saw her expression drop in a matter of seconds.

"Who was that?"

"Detective Brady. He wants to meet me at a particular address in the eastern part of Cleveland, and he wants me to bring you along," Annette explained.

"Has something happened?" Anya asked.

Annette shook her head.

"I don't know, but judging by the tone of Detective Brady's voice when he talked to me, it's not good. It seems he's pulled some strings with Professor Hendricks to let you tag along with me. We might have to miss the lecture today."

Anya's stomach churned violently, and Annette placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Come on. Let's get going."


Annette felt Anya link her arm in her own as they passed through an open gate, walking under the evidence tape barring the public from entry. Anya dug her nails into the sleeve of Annette's jacket, slightly crinkling the fabric as she struggled to keep her unstable emotions in check. Reaching out to pat her hand, Annette walked, seeing Detective Brady talking to a coroner just a few feet away on the other side of the yard. When he turned their direction, his eyes lit up.

"Agent Lennox. Miss Lennox," he said, nodding to the both of them.

When Anya saw what appeared to be a scarf poking from the edge of the tarp, she gasped and covered her mouth in horror with her free hand.

No. It can't be.

"I know the two of you were with the victim at the police station yesterday for a school assignment, which is why I called the both of you," Detective Brady explained.

Annette felt her heart drop to the deepest pits of her stomach at his words, and when the detective pulled back the tarp to reveal who it was, her heart hit the bottom with a loud splat.

"Oh, my God! NO!" Anya screamed, throwing herself into Annette, who wrapped her arms around her as she broke down in utter grief.

"Anya, I am so sorry," she whispered, rubbing her back to comfort her as best she could.


End Notes: Things are getting tense! The next chapter will be up in a few days! Check back!