Evening all, hope you're all well. Thank you to the ones that followed, favourite and reviewed. it really means a lot to me and makes me want to keep writing. This might be the last update until after Christmas as I know most of will be with family, but if any of you want a update over the Christmas period just let me know and I will update for you.

Merry Christmas everyone, love you all 😊

Chapter 11.

January 21st

Rick's POV

Rick pushed against his eyelids with the tips of fingers, but the image of the victim's face refused to shift.

"sir?"

He opened an eye and saw Jane standing in the doorway to his office. "Jane perfect time as always." The overhead spotlights were too bright, his head was thumping. He abandoned his attempt to open both eyes and maintained a lopsided view of his DS.

"Just wanted to report in and check you were all right." Her eyebrows disappeared beneath a severe black fringe. A new style that reminded him of a Lego man toy. The comparison suited both her petite frame and her demeaner. He worked with jane for years, watched her progress through the racks, chosen her for his senior DS and from his experience she was always immaculate, well presented, punctual, efficient in essence the prefect copper, he was yet to find any faults.

That couldn't be normal, surely?

As the thought entered his head he caught sight of his own reflection in his computer screen. His dark hair was unbrushed and his pale skin was hidden beneath a day or two's stubble. Handsomely dishevelled? Possibly. He looked down his shirt was buttoned up wrong. No just dishevelled. "I'm fine Jane." He stood and walked over to his much- prized window, adjusting his shirt. They had moved him into this office when he had taken over as lead Di for Gregoria MIT, Murder investigation team, part of HSCC, the homicide and serious crime command. Neither title was used much, by him or his team. He was running the murder squad plain and simple. "that is to say, I'm fine considering I'm dealing with two murdered girls, I've been up since four." His voice echoed in ears, trying to compete with the small boulders that were smashing against each other inside of his skull. What he really wanted to do was drive the four miles home and climb into bed with Lori.

"I spoke to Martinez." Jane said interrupting his thoughts. "he should be ready in an hour.

"ok thanks Jane." Rick said turning back to his desk.

An hour later, surrounded by white Formica and steel, rick stood in the mortuary suite looking down at Lilly clambers body, she looked small fragile the skin over her cheeks was taut and colourless. He cooked his head to one side and looked into her milky eyes, still open, frozen in terror. There was no sign of the smiling girl from the photograph that was now attached to Lilly's file, given to him by her family. He backed away from the table as Patrick Martinez assistant, began laying out all the instruments needed for the procedure.

"did you see the needle puncture wound?"

Rick turn to find Martinez standing right next to him. "what needle puncture wound?" he asked

Martinez walked around to the other side of the table, pointed at Lilly's right shoulder, and lifted a section of malted hair away from her pale face. "here it's at the top of the trapezius muscle. I didn't see it in the prelim exam because it was hidden by the hairline." Rick took a step forward and looked at the small needle puncture wound.

"it'll take a few days to get the toxicology report back, but I think he used same kind of mild barbiturate." Martinez moved forward and gently lifted one of Lilly's arms. "the defensive wounds here…and here, indicate she came to at some point but I doubt she was ever fully conscious." He said indicating several deep scratches on her hand and for arm. "and he definitely used a knife to further subdue her." He said "this is the puncture wound.

"can you check the other one for any drug traces?" rick asked looking away from the welts on Lilly's arms and the small hole just beneath her ribs.

"of course," Martinez said "we already have the blood work back from the first victim, but I haven't had the time to look at it, I'll rush it through and get back to you. Now if that's all I think we're ready to begin." Martinez voice had taken a much softer tone. Respectful. he reached for a scalpel and paused like a conductor before a concert

Rick watched Martinez make the y incision, constantly speaking into a Dictaphone, detailing every move he made, every cut.

"are we done?" rick asked watching as Patrick began positioning lily's head for the brain exam. He could do without seeing them remove a section of head.

"you are" Martinez said "we'll finish up here and I'll get my fully report to you as soon as ican."

"right, thanks." Rick said already turning to leave.

Rick sat down at his desk as the office door clicked shut. He had been making list's in his head on the way back from the mortuary suite. Things he had to do, thinking about who in the serious and organized crime division would be the best person to ask about purchasing or stealing prescription medication. Things he wanted jane and his DSs to get started on and things for the DCS to be getting on with. But all he wanted to do at the moment was to hear Lori's voice.