Victim Introductions

It would be two days before she was able to control her emotions enough to eat. Two days to gather the strength to be the woman she had been pretending to be these last seven years. The fear refused to leave her throat. It would remain there until his next attempt to kill her was executed. Maybe this time he would succeed. As much as she didn't want to, she decided is was time to give the investigators what they were expecting.

She made the call at ten. As agreed, Agent Christopher would pick her up and deliver her to Conference Room B. The news of the latest victim was all over the TV, though her name and picture hadn't been released pending positive identification and notification of her family. But Rose knew who she was. Rose knew everything about her. She would have the usual audience, less one female medical examiner that is. They hadn't had a chance to replace her yet. No matter, she wouldn't need one today anyway. Everyone knew what killed the woman, they were simply waiting on her to tell them who killed her.

She stormed into the room as before with Aden on her heels. She didn't miss the sideways glances Carma made with her accusing eyes. Brian had his eyes on the table in front of him. "Sit." The demand was intended for Aden, but she kept her eyes on Carma who was now shifting her weight nervously and wringing her fingers together. "Did you have a question, Agent Fitzgerald?"

Carma blinked at the question as if she been slapped. "Um... No. Not really."

"Uh huh." Rose stood next to her, right hand extended over the agent's shoulder. "You know I hate being lied to."

"Please, don't." she whimpered.

Rose paused for a moment, dropped her arm and turned to the Captain who was staring white faced at her. "Oh relax, Paul. I'm not going hurt your precious little field agent. Besides, her secrets aren't a matter of life and death. Not yet anyway." She plopped down in the chair between Carma and Paul, eyes fixed on the latter.

He sighed with a bit of relief. "I assume you have info for us." "Yes." she smiled that confident, yet arrogant smile of hers.

Paul cleared his throat. "Won't you... umm... tell us what you were able to learn."

She stretched her arms out in front of her and yawned. "I suppose." Bored. "Pencils ready? You know I don't repeats. Her name is Victoria Marie Rosenbaum of 4573 Lavender Avenue, Tacoma, Washington. Wife of Isaiah Abraham Rosenbaum, mother of Alicia, age seven and Jonathon, age ten. She was taken from the Safeway parking lot. The one near University Place."

She glanced at Brian who was taking notes, then her eyes met Aden's stare, she softened and smiled coyly, caught up in those blue eyes. She shook it off hoping no one noticed and returned her attention to Paul and that grotesque cigar wedged between his fat lips. No wonder he has heart problems, she thought.

"She was taken to the abortion clinic in Olympia where the killer used a jerry-rigged dialysis machine to drain her blood. He didn't use anything on her; no pain meds; no drug of any kind. He killed her by draining her blood. He said he needed it. That it was a rare type; hard to find and very valuable."

"But do you know who the killer is?" Interrupted Brian. His impatience was met with her glower.

"Yes. And no."

"What the heck does that mean?" Demanded Carma. Rose shot her a fiery glare and Carma immediately rescinded. "Sorry."

"I means," she seethed, "dear Car - ma... that there is more than one killer; the mastermind whom remains a mystery and the grunt that appeared in the victim's memories."

"Carma?" Paul cleared his throat again. "Get the sketch artist up here."

"Yes, sir."

"No need." Rose interjected, freezing Carma in a stance somewhere between sitting and standing. "I can tell you who he is." Carma sat. Of all the people she had worked with in the department, Carma and Brian were her least favorite. Their 'holier than thou' attitudes grated her nerves raw. She stood and walked between them, placing a hand on each chair. She felt each one stiffen. She didn't need to see their eyes to know there was fear in them. Her question was meant for both of them. "Do you two really have no manners? I mean do you really want me to accidentally expose the affair you've been having?" She slapped her hand to mouth. "Oops. Too late." She grinned with a wry satisfaction. She leaned her lips to Carma's ear, letting her icy breath flow with each subtle word spoken so softly, the others wouldn't hear. Words strictly for Carma. "Be very, very careful. I know which broom you rode in on witch." She watched Carma's face flush, more in embarrassment then fear but definitely mixed with anger.

Aden forced a cough to cover a giggle. Rose simply readjusted herself and returned her attention to Paul as if there had been no deviation from the meeting. "His name is Michael Hannigan. He's a third year medical student at the university where your victim worked. Works part time during the summers at the abortion clinic where he chose to kill her. You'll find his address, the address of the clinic and his description in my written report on your desk. He's not the brains but he may lead to the the one you're really after. Beyond that, I cannot help you. Now, if you don't mind; I would like to get back to my prison. You people bore me. Besides, I'm missing my soaps."

Paul nodded. "Agent Christopher will take you."

"Thanks." She plopped her sunglasses in place and left the room in the same arrogance she'd arrived in without waiting for a response. Aden followed.

***

"I don't like it." Brian said when he was sure the vampire was out of earshot. "Why couldn't she give us both killers. She's never not known something before."

"If there are two, that is." Carma finished.

"Agent Fitzgerald, you know she doesn't lie about anything." Paul surmised. "Do you remember when you first met Rose?"

"Yes, sir." She shivered at the memory. It was five years ago when she had first transferred into investigations. Her first case involved the disappearance of several small children from the elementary school. Rose had been brought in to help because of the sheer lack of evidence and leads. The only thing linking the abductions was a single playing card found stuffed in each child's discarded back pack.

And though she was able to identify the abductor and the location of the children by merely handling the playing card. Rose insisted on 'knowing' who she had to work with before she would help. When her cold fingers touched the side of Carma's face her skull was split with shockwaves of fire and ice. It only lasted a moment, though it felt like an eternity as it felt like the vampire drained her life from her. When she came to, all she could see was that eerie, crooked little, arrogant grin plastered to her milk chocolate face. "But what does that have to do..."

"Everything, Carma." He pushed himself up off his chair. "We take her at her word. I don't need to remind either of you what will happen if we don't."

Carma shrunk back. She had doubted the vampire once and nearly paid with her own life. Anyone who doubted the woman usually ended up extremely sorry.

"So, I guess we get a warrant?" Brian queried.

"Yes, Brian. Let's get a warrant."