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"So, how many more days until the next full
moon?" Vachon asked her, his breath soft on the back of her neck as he
held her in an embrace.
"Well, that's the good part," Tracy said.
"Twenty-one. If we can figure out where he will strike next. There
was no fingerprints, no evidence of any kind. Very clean. Are you
sure it wasn't a vampire?" She turned to look at him. Liquid
brown eyes with a hint of amusement looked back at her.
"You think I'd lie?" he asked.
"No," she said honestly. Her beeper began
to whistle.
"Crap- it's Reese. I've got to go. Thank you, Javier,"
she said.
"Anytime, Tracy."
On the way back to the precinct, she tried to clear
her head. He's a vampire, Trace, she told herself. But did that matter?
Unfortunately, not nearly enough.
Upon arrival, Tracy could see everyone was excited
about something, or maybe agitated was a better word. Captain and
Grace were arguing intensely about something.
The two officers next to Knight's desk were too. Only Natalie
seemed under control- although she was staring out the window at something.
"Vetter, where's your partner?"
"He's supposed to meet me back here shortly Captain-
he was checking out a lead," she covered for him. Actually that might
be true for all she knew. She had left- so why shouldn't he? Tracy
was surprised to see that rather than give her the old "sticking
together speech" about partners, the captain actually looked relieved
for a moment. His next words explained why:
"All right everyone, we've done the research on
this and came to the conclusion that the only way to catch our suspect
is to use a decoy. That's what they did six years ago and it worked.
He paused briefly and took a deep breath. Doctor Lambert fits the
profile and has agreed to help us.
Tracy looked at her in shock.
Natalie? Natalie was going to be the decoy?
"Captain? Tracy interrupted. "Natalie is not
a detective, she hasn't had any experience in going undercover, but what
about me?"
"Sorry, Vetter, the suspect has a preference
for brunettes and we can't risk him discovering you're a cop and ruin our
chances of ever catching him. The last victim from the case 6 years ago
was an officer. He may be on the lookout for that. Besides,
Natalie will do great. She fits the victim profile to a T. She can just
be herself."
"But, Captain, what about Knight and me?"
One look from the captain said it all.
"Right." It was really gonna hit the fan when
Nick got back.
"I need you and Knight to go talk to the convict-
William Owens." "It's a long drive- when's Knight due back?"
Tracy shrugged and walked toward Natalie.
She felt a lecture coming on.
He didn't get the chance to deliver it.
He had to appease Grace. She was openly crying now, and at the same
time looked mad as hell.
"Natalie," Tracy touched her lightly on the shoulder.
She jumped. She had been staring out the window again.
"What's out there?" she asked.
Natalie sighed, "Five more women, targets of this
creep unless we do something."
"So, are you ready for it?"
"Ready or not, here I come," Natalie joked.
"I bet the decision was a lot easier without Nick here,
huh?" Tracy said.
"The decision would have been the same either way.
It's just a matter if they would have to physically restrain Nick
as I left."
"He's really not going to like this Tracy, but please,
please let him know it's the right thing to do- the only thing we can do."
"Wait a minute- you want me to tell Nick?" Tracy's voice
squeaked. "Oh yeah, Nick- Natalie will be home a little late tonight she's
being used as bait to catch a killer."
"Tracy- you're his partner, maybe you can talk some
sense into him. If that doesn't work- tell him my mind is made up.
He knows how stubborn I can be. Tell him we're all on the same team
and I'm just making his job a little easier."
"Let's hope he sees it that way," Tracy sighed looking
out the window. Natalie had a sinking feeling he wouldn't.
She looked toward Reese's office where Grace alternately
tried tears and anger to get the captain change his mind. Poor Captain,
Natalie thought, he still has to do this again. And it would be worse
the next time.
She suddenly wanted to get this started, afraid
she might change her mind. The bodies... she shuddered.
"Trace, when you and Nick go to the prison
see if Dr. Giosso has been there yet, he might be able to help you."
"Who?"
"You know, Dr. Giosso. The criminal psychologist
doing the head job on Owens? "
"Haven't met him."
He's probably with Nick, she thought.
"Anyway, look him up. He's easy on the eyes
and very nice- you'll like him."
"Lambert?" Officer Jenkins called.
"Coming."
A very uncomfortable fifteen minutes later,
she was ready. Dressed to hit the town. Just like the other women
had been. Giving her reflection a doubtful frown, she began to think
twice about this. Black leather wasn't exactly her style. Okay-
she liked the jacket, but the skirt was way to short. Was she supposed
to stand up all night, because if she sat down...... She was grateful for
the boots, too. They kept her legs warm. If only the heels weren't
so high.
Whistles and cat calls greeted her as she
walked out of the locker room.
"Yeah, well I'd like to see you guys wearing this-
especially the boots," she joked.
"Lambert, be careful out there. You've got a couple
of our best backing you up- don't hesitate to use them."
As Natalie walked into the Raven, her arrival did not go unnoticed. Neither did her apparel.
End of Chapter 3.
Back to Part Two! / Onto Part Four!
