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Chapter 12
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tmkc27
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09 October 2012
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Chapter 12
Peabody stood and watched the M.E. load the rest of Kristi's body into the Coroner's van. Her body had been found forty-eight hours after her head had been delivered to Lori. The body was found in a rundown flop in Spanish Harlem.
"The sweepers are here Peabody." Baxter reported.
"Alright. Tell them I want every corner checked and then double checked. We don't have much breathing room on this one." Peabody ordered.
Baxter nodded and walked off. He looked back as Trueheart stepped up to Peabody. He smiled as he watched Eve's one time aide take control. Baxter knew one day Peabody would fill Dallas's shoes and he looked foreword to watching it happen.
********************************************************
Roarke sat in a meeting at his mid-town office. Though he appeared to be paying attention, his mind was divided. Lori and Eve were home alone with Summerset. It angered him that not only was Eve a target but so was Lori.
"Mr. Roarke does that about cover things?" A shapely redhead questioned.
"It does Ms. Faulkner. However I would like to increase production by twenty percent by next Christmas." Roarke answered.
"With all due respect sir, our small plant is under staffed at the moment."
Roarke smiled gently. "Ms. Faulkner, I'm aware of your staffing issues. I'm also aware of how you cleaned house."
Caroline Faulkner blushed. "I can assure you that will never happen again. May I be frank?"
"Of course...may I call you Caroline?"
"Please do. When I discovered my soon to be ex-husband stealing from my company I was appalled. I was blind and I will always wonder how I let it happen. To be honest, I was shocked when you requested this meeting last month."
"Caroline, despite your ex-husband embezzling from you, your company is solid. This merger will be benifical to both of us. You need employees and through Roarke Industries you will receive that."
Caroline smiled. "Yes and through my company Roarke Industries will receive a unique and profitable product."
Roarke nodded. "Agreed. I only have on request."
"Yes?" Caroline questioned.
"That we hold off on any rehiring. I am assisting my wife on a project and at the moment she is injured." Roarke said.
Caroline's face showed concern. She was a fan of police work and over the last few years had become a fan of Roarke's wife and her cases.
"I hope it was not job related."
"No. A few days ago she was sparing with one of my new droids at the house and broke her ankle. She is on doctor's orders to work from home for a while."
"Then when you're ready we'll be ready. Please tell your wife I wish her a speedy recovery."
"I will and thank you."
********************************************************
Eve sat in her home office reading over the autopsy report on Kristi. Morris ruled cause of death as decapitation. His report stated that Kristi had been hit from behind. She had been restrained then decapitated.
'Why Kristi? She had nothing to do with the case except being Lori's friend and roommate.' Eve thought leaning back in her chair.
"Mom?" Lori asked entering the office.
"Huh? Oh hey." Eve looked up. Then she saw Lori's face. "Honey, what's wrong?"
Lori opened her mouth but couldn't speak. Eve was on her feet and moving to her daughter. She slipped her arm around Lori and led her to the elevator and ordered her and Roarke's bedroom. They moved to the sitting area. The instant they sat, Lori broke. Eve held her close and stroked her back.
"Sshh. It's going to be alright honey."
"Why...Kristi? She had...nothing...to do with this."
Eve sighed. "All I can figure is she was used to get our attention."
Lori clung to Eve as she cried. Eve knew she had cried to Karla and Anna but these tears were different. These were tears of anger and helplessness. After several minutes Lori shifted and laid down with her head in Eve's lap. Eve slowly started stroking Lori's hair.
That morning Eve had caught Terry before he headed into work. He told Wve that for the last two days Lori had hardly slept and that when she did she had nightmares. Eve looked down and found Lori asleep.
'We have to find Webster and stop him. I swear I'll get Barrow to talk.' Eve vowed.
She looked up when the bedroom door opened. There was Roarke. He sat down his briefcase and hurried over to them and knelt at Eve's feet. His eyes met Eve's as he laid a hand on Lori's head.
"Is she alright?" He asked.
"No. Terry told me she's hardly slept in the last two days and when she does she has nightmares." She sighed.
"Eve, what can we do?"
"I don't know Roarke. I hope we can find Webster and soon."
Lori began to whimper in her sleep. "No. No please don't."
"Lori, it's okay." Eve whispered.
"Mom! Dad! Oh god noooo!" Lori cried as she jerked awake.
"Easy Lori. You're home honey." Roarke assured her, taking her hands.
"Dad?" Lori shivered.
Roarke sat on the sofa as well. "I'm here Lori. Eve and I are here."
Lori surprised him and scrambled onto his lap. Her arms slid around his neck and laid her head on his chest. He held her close and began to rock her gently in his arms.
"It was only a dream Lori." Roarke said.
"I keep seeing Webster kill you and mom while Barrow makes me watch." Lori breathed.
"Lori, I know you're scared, so am I. We'll get through this. Together as a family eve replied.
"Your mom is right. Together we will end this case." Roarke agreed.
***************************************************************************************
Dickie watched Terry work. He had heard the talk of the kid's skill. Now he was seeing it first hand. 'Christ this kid's good. He could very well take my job one day.'
"I think I found something." Terry spoke up.
Dickie came out of his thoughts. "What did you find?"
"Here. At first I thought it was a hair but its a fiber. This particular fiber is found in a new form of wallpaper." Terry explained as Dickie looked over the fiber.
"I'll be dames. Excellent work Terry. This wallpaper is no doubt high end and might make it easier to trace. I'll call Dallas. Start running a trace, maybe we'll get lucky." Dickie ordered.
"On it." Terry nodded.
Dickie pulled out his link and tagged Eve. "Dallas, the kid you sent me found something."
"What did Terry find?" Eve asked.
"A fiber. It's used in a new form of wallpaper. He's running it now." Dickie answered.
"That's a start. Send me the list once he's done. I'll have Peabody and Bacter take it from there." Eve said.
"You'll get it once we have it." Dickie nodded.
"Great work." Eve stated.
***************************************************************************************
Lori sat in class taking notes. After Kristi's death she had argued with not only Roarke, but Harrison, Karla, Anna, and Jack about returning to class. She had stated that SHE wasn't a target, well not directly anyway.
Roarke, Harrison, and Jack said she wasn't to leave the house till Webster was found. Surprisingly Eve was on Lori's side. Eve argued that Webster and Barrow didn't want Lori, they wanted Eve.
"Alright, there will be a quiz on Friday covering the last three lectures. Be prepared for surprise questions. It's now or never to show me just how dedicated and committed you are to this program and profession." Dr. Lahana announced.
Everyone gathered their things and made for the exit. As Lori followed her classmates, she replayed the argument two days prior, right after Kristi's funeral.
*Eve's Office- 2 Days Ago*
"Lori, you can't be serious." Anna exclaimed.
Lori stood at the window. "I am Aunt Anna, I can't and won't put my career, my LIFE on hold. Kristi wouldn't want that."
"Lori, you could be a target too. If Barrow is watching, using Webster, then he knows how close you've gotten to Roarke and Captain Dallas." Harrison pointed out.
"If that's true, then Barrow would also know and remember I can defend myself. Plus there's nothing in Webster's profile or behavior pointing to the fact that I'm a target." Lori said.
"Christ, honey he sent you your best friend's head to YOU!" Roarke hissed as he began pacing. "The box was addressed to YOU not your mom."
"Dad, I know. Mom and I as well as Dr. Mira talked about that. All three of us believe Webster did it to do just this. Have everyone BELIEVEING I'm a target to throw off the investigation." Lori sighed.
"Lori, even if you three are right, no one in this room is willing to risk your life." Jack spoke up.
Before Lori could respond, Eve spoke. "She's going back to her normal routine."
"What! Eve you can't be serious!" Roarke gaped.
"I am. Look, I'm worried about Lori too which is why when she returns to class AND work she'll have guards. Roarke, we'll need two of your guys. They have to be young looking so they can blend with the college crowd. I'll talk to her professors so they are aware of how they are and they're job." Eve elaborated.
*Present Day*
Lori headed for her car, her two body guards right behind her. None of her classmates questioned the sudden appearance of the two new students. The professors introduced them as sons of diplomats who would only be here for a short time. The three climbed into the car silently.
"So, you two ready for your first quiz?" Lori joked.
"I thought I was done with quizzez." The driver, Kent Limpets, teased back.
"No kidding." The other Mark Rushlow, added.
Lori laughed. "Well, I guess I can tutor you two."
T.B.C
Peabody stood and watched the M.E. load the rest of Kristi's body into the Coroner's van. Her body had been found forty-eight hours after her head had been delivered to Lori. The body was found in a rundown flop in Spanish Harlem.
"The sweepers are here Peabody." Baxter reported.
"Alright. Tell them I want every corner checked and then double checked. We don't have much breathing room on this one." Peabody ordered.
Baxter nodded and walked off. He looked back as Trueheart stepped up to Peabody. He smiled as he watched Eve's one time aide take control. Baxter knew one day Peabody would fill Dallas's shoes and he looked foreword to watching it happen.
********************************************************
Roarke sat in a meeting at his mid-town office. Though he appeared to be paying attention, his mind was divided. Lori and Eve were home alone with Summerset. It angered him that not only was Eve a target but so was Lori.
"Mr. Roarke does that about cover things?" A shapely redhead questioned.
"It does Ms. Faulkner. However I would like to increase production by twenty percent by next Christmas." Roarke answered.
"With all due respect sir, our small plant is under staffed at the moment."
Roarke smiled gently. "Ms. Faulkner, I'm aware of your staffing issues. I'm also aware of how you cleaned house."
Caroline Faulkner blushed. "I can assure you that will never happen again. May I be frank?"
"Of course...may I call you Caroline?"
"Please do. When I discovered my soon to be ex-husband stealing from my company I was appalled. I was blind and I will always wonder how I let it happen. To be honest, I was shocked when you requested this meeting last month."
"Caroline, despite your ex-husband embezzling from you, your company is solid. This merger will be benifical to both of us. You need employees and through Roarke Industries you will receive that."
Caroline smiled. "Yes and through my company Roarke Industries will receive a unique and profitable product."
Roarke nodded. "Agreed. I only have on request."
"Yes?" Caroline questioned.
"That we hold off on any rehiring. I am assisting my wife on a project and at the moment she is injured." Roarke said.
Caroline's face showed concern. She was a fan of police work and over the last few years had become a fan of Roarke's wife and her cases.
"I hope it was not job related."
"No. A few days ago she was sparing with one of my new droids at the house and broke her ankle. She is on doctor's orders to work from home for a while."
"Then when you're ready we'll be ready. Please tell your wife I wish her a speedy recovery."
"I will and thank you."
********************************************************
Eve sat in her home office reading over the autopsy report on Kristi. Morris ruled cause of death as decapitation. His report stated that Kristi had been hit from behind. She had been restrained then decapitated.
'Why Kristi? She had nothing to do with the case except being Lori's friend and roommate.' Eve thought leaning back in her chair.
"Mom?" Lori asked entering the office.
"Huh? Oh hey." Eve looked up. Then she saw Lori's face. "Honey, what's wrong?"
Lori opened her mouth but couldn't speak. Eve was on her feet and moving to her daughter. She slipped her arm around Lori and led her to the elevator and ordered her and Roarke's bedroom. They moved to the sitting area. The instant they sat, Lori broke. Eve held her close and stroked her back.
"Sshh. It's going to be alright honey."
"Why...Kristi? She had...nothing...to do with this."
Eve sighed. "All I can figure is she was used to get our attention."
Lori clung to Eve as she cried. Eve knew she had cried to Karla and Anna but these tears were different. These were tears of anger and helplessness. After several minutes Lori shifted and laid down with her head in Eve's lap. Eve slowly started stroking Lori's hair.
That morning Eve had caught Terry before he headed into work. He told Wve that for the last two days Lori had hardly slept and that when she did she had nightmares. Eve looked down and found Lori asleep.
'We have to find Webster and stop him. I swear I'll get Barrow to talk.' Eve vowed.
She looked up when the bedroom door opened. There was Roarke. He sat down his briefcase and hurried over to them and knelt at Eve's feet. His eyes met Eve's as he laid a hand on Lori's head.
"Is she alright?" He asked.
"No. Terry told me she's hardly slept in the last two days and when she does she has nightmares." She sighed.
"Eve, what can we do?"
"I don't know Roarke. I hope we can find Webster and soon."
Lori began to whimper in her sleep. "No. No please don't."
"Lori, it's okay." Eve whispered.
"Mom! Dad! Oh god noooo!" Lori cried as she jerked awake.
"Easy Lori. You're home honey." Roarke assured her, taking her hands.
"Dad?" Lori shivered.
Roarke sat on the sofa as well. "I'm here Lori. Eve and I are here."
Lori surprised him and scrambled onto his lap. Her arms slid around his neck and laid her head on his chest. He held her close and began to rock her gently in his arms.
"It was only a dream Lori." Roarke said.
"I keep seeing Webster kill you and mom while Barrow makes me watch." Lori breathed.
"Lori, I know you're scared, so am I. We'll get through this. Together as a family eve replied.
"Your mom is right. Together we will end this case." Roarke agreed.
***************************************************************************************
Dickie watched Terry work. He had heard the talk of the kid's skill. Now he was seeing it first hand. 'Christ this kid's good. He could very well take my job one day.'
"I think I found something." Terry spoke up.
Dickie came out of his thoughts. "What did you find?"
"Here. At first I thought it was a hair but its a fiber. This particular fiber is found in a new form of wallpaper." Terry explained as Dickie looked over the fiber.
"I'll be dames. Excellent work Terry. This wallpaper is no doubt high end and might make it easier to trace. I'll call Dallas. Start running a trace, maybe we'll get lucky." Dickie ordered.
"On it." Terry nodded.
Dickie pulled out his link and tagged Eve. "Dallas, the kid you sent me found something."
"What did Terry find?" Eve asked.
"A fiber. It's used in a new form of wallpaper. He's running it now." Dickie answered.
"That's a start. Send me the list once he's done. I'll have Peabody and Bacter take it from there." Eve said.
"You'll get it once we have it." Dickie nodded.
"Great work." Eve stated.
***************************************************************************************
Lori sat in class taking notes. After Kristi's death she had argued with not only Roarke, but Harrison, Karla, Anna, and Jack about returning to class. She had stated that SHE wasn't a target, well not directly anyway.
Roarke, Harrison, and Jack said she wasn't to leave the house till Webster was found. Surprisingly Eve was on Lori's side. Eve argued that Webster and Barrow didn't want Lori, they wanted Eve.
"Alright, there will be a quiz on Friday covering the last three lectures. Be prepared for surprise questions. It's now or never to show me just how dedicated and committed you are to this program and profession." Dr. Lahana announced.
Everyone gathered their things and made for the exit. As Lori followed her classmates, she replayed the argument two days prior, right after Kristi's funeral.
*Eve's Office- 2 Days Ago*
"Lori, you can't be serious." Anna exclaimed.
Lori stood at the window. "I am Aunt Anna, I can't and won't put my career, my LIFE on hold. Kristi wouldn't want that."
"Lori, you could be a target too. If Barrow is watching, using Webster, then he knows how close you've gotten to Roarke and Captain Dallas." Harrison pointed out.
"If that's true, then Barrow would also know and remember I can defend myself. Plus there's nothing in Webster's profile or behavior pointing to the fact that I'm a target." Lori said.
"Christ, honey he sent you your best friend's head to YOU!" Roarke hissed as he began pacing. "The box was addressed to YOU not your mom."
"Dad, I know. Mom and I as well as Dr. Mira talked about that. All three of us believe Webster did it to do just this. Have everyone BELIEVEING I'm a target to throw off the investigation." Lori sighed.
"Lori, even if you three are right, no one in this room is willing to risk your life." Jack spoke up.
Before Lori could respond, Eve spoke. "She's going back to her normal routine."
"What! Eve you can't be serious!" Roarke gaped.
"I am. Look, I'm worried about Lori too which is why when she returns to class AND work she'll have guards. Roarke, we'll need two of your guys. They have to be young looking so they can blend with the college crowd. I'll talk to her professors so they are aware of how they are and they're job." Eve elaborated.
*Present Day*
Lori headed for her car, her two body guards right behind her. None of her classmates questioned the sudden appearance of the two new students. The professors introduced them as sons of diplomats who would only be here for a short time. The three climbed into the car silently.
"So, you two ready for your first quiz?" Lori joked.
"I thought I was done with quizzez." The driver, Kent Limpets, teased back.
"No kidding." The other Mark Rushlow, added.
Lori laughed. "Well, I guess I can tutor you two."
T.B.C
