Even though this story obviously isn´t about "CaReese", I hope you will enjoy it anyway.
("Second Chances" bases on "New beginnings", which can, but is not required be read in advance).
"Good morning, Mr. Reese", Harold greeted his employee without looking up from whatever caught his attention on the screen.
"I´m not sure if I´m going to call it a good morning yet. However, I thought I´d be a good co-worker and get us a breakfast at the new Donut spot down the street", John placed the box with the sweet content in front of his partner."
Pausing from his work, Finch lifted the lid on the obviously unhealthy but admittedly delicious looking content.
"As I can see you've helped yourself already, Mr. Reese. A circumstance that will probably benefit you, because we have a new number."
Hitting a combination on his keyboard, John looked at the opening photo of a woman with straight mahogany hair that reached down to her sternum.
"This is Brianna Hastings. A 38-year-old scientist that is engaged in the development of medical products. After her studies in biochemistry, she worked for about five years for a pharmaceutical company. Along with former co-workers she helped to develop a new generation of drug screening kits as well as faster reading devices for medical tests of all kinds. Apart from that, Ms. Hastings broke up from her partner, David Hunter, a year ago with whom she had previously been in a relationship for nine years. Since then, however, there hasn´t been any noticeable interactions between the two. Based on her bank account, she seems to live for her job. Except for a new car a year ago, there are no irregularities that would indicate problems of a financial nature", Finch summarized the data he was able to determine so far.
"Sounds a bit like us. So whatever is that got her in trouble, seems to be related to her job."
"That's what I assume as well."
"Alright, but if you want me to help, you have to tell me where I can find her."
"I suppose, that's the interesting point about it."
Pausing for a moment, Harold noticed the impatience on his colleagues frown.
"Ms. Hastings current employer is LabTech."
"Lab Tech. That's the company Danielle Benson works for as well."
"That's right, Mr. Reese. However, I do not think that the cases are related. As far as I remember, you had no other choice than to dispose Ms. Benson's perpetrator for good."
„Thanks for the reminder", John stated with a frozen facial expression.
In a sudden memory, the scene in which Danielle´s perpetrator pressed the knife so deep against her throat that it threatened to pierce her skin, flashed before his eyes. Pointing his gun at the attacker, he had held her as a living shield in front of his body.
I trust you, John, Danielle´s voice echoed in his head. It was the determination of the otherwise so suspicious woman, that had him, despite the risky shot, pulling the trigger to seal Samuel Cardiff´s death. Not being able to tell why, the memory even now, four months later, still felt all too present.
"Then we should focus on Ms. Hastings", he finally concluded, looking back at the photo of the woman, wearing a simple white lab coat.
"I agree. We shouldn't risk any more danger for Ms. Benson. I'll get access to the company data and keep you up to date", Harold turned back to the screen.
"And I guess I'll keep an eye on Ms. Hastings then."
Finishing the last sips of his coffee, he made his way to LabTech, a company he still felt familiar with.
"Have you found out anything new yet, Mr. Reese?"
Looking through the camera lens, which helped him zoom in certain on sections, he found Brianna Hastings, who had left the office for what appeared to be a lunch break about ten minutes ago. As he had done in the past, he took the opportunity to gain access to her mobile phone, while waiting for his turn at the Crêpe stand close to her.
"Since visitors can't get into the building without an appointment, I used the time to look around Ms. Hastings' apartment. Apparently, you were right with the assumption that she spends most of her free time with her job as well. Actually, she reminds me of you", he added in a teasing tone.
"Have you been able to find any evidence of a possible crime?", Harold asked ignoring the small banter that John knew his partner would repay him at a later point. It had become a cherished ritual that each of them knew was no more than an attempt to soften one another's snail shell.
"If you think hazelnut-flavored coffee creamer is a crime, then yes", he grimaced in aversion.
"Otherwise, I couldn't find anything that hints for a perpetrator or immediate danger. As for the documents, to be honest, I'm overwhelmed by their content. I copied all data from her notebook. Maybe your supercomputer can help us out."
Focusing the camera on the coffee stand, he spotted Danielle, who appeared to have also started her lunchbreak with a colleague at her side. Pulling back one side of her auburn hair, which fell in loose layers over her shoulders, the slender woman had apparently opted for side bangs by now. While she appeared wary and suspicious at the time of her own case, she now seemed more open with her co-workers; a fact that, considering her story, made him smile.
"In any case, I haven´t found a direct threat in Ms. Hastings' emails. However, there are many appointments as well as an upcoming launch of a new product in cooperation with a Swedish company. Unfortunately, the data for this product appears to be backed up offline, so getting access is problem", Harold informed his employee.
Lowering the camera, John looked across the company's forecourt, which showed no sign of immediate danger as well. It was Danielle's unexpected glance in his direction that made him retreat behind a tree. Already back in the day the smart, yet empathic woman had managed to notice him without his realization. What at that time represented the constant reflex to flee from the person who had threatened her life after an unsuccessful kidnapping 16 years ago, still seemed so deeply anchored that it made her unconsciously absorb her surroundings to this day.
"According to a phone call made by Ms. Hastings, she has a two-hour meeting after lunch. In the meantime, I´ll be bring along the USB stick from her home computer. Maybe we'll find something on it", John let Finch know before cutting the connection.