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Breathe– Chapter 20
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As they reached the hallway, Bette heard a voice behind her ask the room in general and no one in particular, “Do you suppose she’s taking that one home too?” There was nervous laughter in response, until Bette’s icy stare quieted the room and quickly sent them all back to their work.
Once Bette had the sister settled at the neighbors with a paramedic treating her for shock, she returned to the crime scene to find James.
Angrily pulling on another pair of latex gloves, Bette asked the crowded room “Who in the ***** left that poor woman sitting here with her sister’s body not more than 10 feet away?” boiling anger clearly evident in her voice.
The room stilled as Bette waited for an answer. The silence only served to feed her frustration and as she moved towards a group of uniform officers she assumed had responded to the initial call, James stepped in her path.
“Hey boss, you’re here,” he said calmly trying to defuse the situation and quiet her obvious anger. “Do you want to walk the floor?” he asked referring to the first step in Bette’s typical procedure when processing a crime scene.
Taking a deep breath, Bette asked “James, who left her sitting here alone with her sister’s body?”
James shook his head “It’s not important Bette. Beating up the people in this room won’t change what happened and it certainly won’t solve this case,” he said, hoping she wasn’t past the point of all reason.
“Who, James?” she said again, unwilling or unable to let go until she had an answer.
James looked around the room and realized all eyes were on him and Bette. “Alright, but not here,” James finally said, motioning for her to step into the hallway.
Bette, either blinded by frustration or driven to distraction by anger said “Right here, right now,” in a tone that left no room for interpretation.
James shook his head and met her eyes, pleading not to have this discussion in front of the entire crime scene response unit. Seeing no change in her demeanor he finally gave her exactly what she was demanding.
“We all did Bette,” he finally said. “You insist on interviewing the witness who found the body at the scene because you say it makes their account more accurate. But,” he hesitated, the pain in his eyes evident before he continued, “But you weren’t here, Bette.”
He ran his fingers through his hair, frustrated that he was the one speaking but knowing his words represented the thoughts of everyone in the room.
“We called your cell phone, we called your house, we paged you three times and you still weren’t here. You want to know who left that poor girl sitting there with her sister’s body?” he hesitated letting the question hang in the air, unsure if he could really finish his thought.
Brushing his feelings for her aside, he finally said the words everyone in the room knew she needed to hear. “It was you Bette. You and your inability to engage in this case,”
Stinging from James’ remark and stunned by his betrayal, Bette didn’t respond immediately.
Knowing she had no defense and hoping she wouldn’t try to offer one, James said in a calmer tone, “I’m in the back bedroom gathering fiber samples, when you’re ready to walk the scene come find me.”
She met James’ eyes and suddenly understood how hard it must have been for him over the past several days to defend her actions and behavior. She thought of the stacks of reports on her desk, the phone calls unanswered, messages not returned and realized she had placed James in an impossible position.
Before he could turn away, she reached out and lightly touched his forearm, “I’m ready now,” she said quietly, a small smile of apology gracing her beautiful face.
Returning the smile James nodded and said “Then let’s get to work.”
TBC
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geat post this kinda sucks but now she will completely focus on the case now
Sox – Awesome chapter, as others have stated the relationship between James and Bette is super and I”m glad he called her to attention. Also loved Tina’s support as well.
Thanks so much for responding to my concerns, your author note clarified your work for me and I appreciate you taking the time. Being connected to the writers while they are in process is a wonderful gift of fanfic and I really respect your openness to hearing us while you are trying to listen first and foremost to your muse (whoever she might be ). Thanks for a great post and a great story.
This is obviously a braver James. But, it’s good that he’s fair about it all. She needed to be set straight, but then it was back to business. Sox1, I really like how you give us a little briefing and insight on your thoughts. It’s very helpful.
i love this story… but you know that… now lets see the cop bette really is and get this bastard… but not to soon… i don’t want the story to end… but there could always be a sequel… talk to you soon
Poor Bette!
excellent as usual, soxy. so how many times is she going to beat herself up over this. loved how supportive tee was. she know first hand. grateful she has a detail to help protect while bette is away. oh sox, you are good. soon please.
I KNEW someone would make a correlation between Tina and this new survivor. I KNEW it. Bette herself also predicted that she her concentration on Tina might result in her neglecting the case and another woman getting murdered. Does two days make that much difference? Wow!
And the killer has already been near Bette’s house and conversed with Tina. She may have a false sense of security since she’s talked to him before.
Help – I have no fingernails left! They’ve been chewed away!!!!!! I cannot stand the thought of Tina in peril, but I cannot turn away from this fic!!!!!!
FABULOUS CHAPTER…..Bettte needs to get to work…great job sox YOU ROCK…PLEASE POST SOON
jeez cops can be cruel to eachother :P I do have one request, more chapters please!!!!!!!
Police sticks together,but they can be rough on each other if the need arises. Bette needs to get herself back to work and catch this nut before many more turns uo dead. Tina can be taken care of by others. Bette need to get busy. Thanks
WOW!! I would have to say that this is one of your best chapters and im so glad that i caught up and read the whole thing. This is one of the best fan fics i have read so far and u always leave me wanting more. Don’t apologize for writing a really long authors note I for one like it and not alot of authors do that it helps us to know what ur going thru in writing this story and how u feel about whats going on i think that how u tell us all that in the authors note that it’s better then responding to us individually. Keep up the good work I can really see this story getting a fan fic award in the future! Post Soon!
Great update. I agree with the others. Bette needs to get her act together and get the guy, for Tina and for all the others. Once her game is back, she’ll have the respect from her squad.
Although James bought to light what all the other officers were thinking, IMO, thats BS. Bette cant be held responsible for everything that happens. This guy could kill any time he wants; is she supposed to know when the next killing will happen?
Bette’s good but she’s not God; which raises the point for me – If she stands head and shoulders above everyone is in solving these types of crimes, then why are her collegues treating her like crap now?
Wow does James have a lot of courage to face Bette and tell her the truth. Nice and simple but it goes to the repect the have for each other that he didn’t sugar coat it. It certainly looks like Bette has her hands full. Another awesome additon thanks so much for the ride.
Flawless! This is a great transition. I was glad that Tina’s fears were quieted enough by the 2 days she has spent with Bette, to allow her to support Bette re-engaging in this case and returning to work. I wasn’t sure that Tina would let her get back to work so easily considering she could barely allow her to leave the room at the hospital, but I am glad she did.
Bette will re-gain her clarity and solve this case, I’m sure of it. Thanks for letting me know that Bette does have an alarm system and a detail unit for Tina. Her safety is important.
May be Bette will consider taking a long vacation or retiring from police work all together after this case is solved. That way she can return to her love of art and her beautiful wardrobe. I know this is silly, but for some reason I an struggling envisioning how Bette would dress as a cop. Somehow sensible shoes don’t make me think of Bette Porter (smile).
Looking forward to the next installment.
God, I was late and I so missed my “date” with your last chapter ! That’s why I’ll comment it with this current one – thanking you for a more than ever big reading’s joy !
Linked by the so intense and unexpected climax of death you putted at the end of our lovers’ climax of love, these two chapters are such a wonderful example of the eternal link between Eros and Thanatos…
Yes, it was really great of you for having mix poetry of true love (I liked a lot the park’s idea, by the way) with ugliness of murder… A love came to life at the right moment a life was taken… Devastating.
So please don’t feel “guilty” – as you said here – because this scene was a truly powerful symbolic one. Great job.
Here a little parenthesis : I just adored this line of yours “You’re home T. Wherever I am, your home will always be with me.” That was really beautiful.
Now in this new chapter, I deeply appreciate the way you bring all the most painful emotions and professional integrity’s problem in our poor detective’s mind… Nothing worse that the eternal “what if” thing, but the way to escape to it ? Especially in such a unique situation, of course.
Finally, the relationships between Bette and James are wonderful too : I love the way they connect, Bette realizing how hard it was for him to protect her temporary inability and James being ready to trust her again now.
Really, your story is excellent. Thank you very much !!
Oh my. Bette has founf herself in a dilemma. I think she may be torn between wanting to be present to protect Tina but at the same time having to work the case not only to prevent further victims but also to save Tina. So that’s it…we want to know how does she protect Tina? Does she stay close to Tina or does she stay close to the case. The problem is, she may lose Tina if she picks the latter.
Wow, James has a set of balls! Good for him, and he was right of course. Sox, this story is better than any episode of CSI. Kudos to you for keeping us on the edge of our seats.
oh . how happy am i . i turn on the computer and another chapter! Once again, this chapter is so wonderfully written. I feel for Bette’s sense that she can fix every situation . it’s a very hard way and an unrealistic way to live ones life. (been there, done that) And, the encounter b/w james and bette was right on point … what an amazing story! Can’t WAIT for the next chapter . thanx for all your creativity and time.
Thats right bette it’s time to go to work. Lets hope in the killers anger he is starting to make mistakes.
Gripping.. thanks for posting again so soon.
Oooo. James is putting the smack down. It’s right on for realism, but I kinda miss having an excuse to keep Tina nearby. I’m sure you’ll think of somethin’. ;) Thanks
Wow…. am I first? I have loved this story since chapter 1. Great job once again!!! Can’t wait for the next post!
damn this kinda sucks for bette. hope it gets better for her. great update and keep them comming please!!
The two of them has suffered so much both in recent times as well as the past that I can understand wanting to take solace in each other, gaining what little bit of comfort they can. But, that won’t help find the killer any sooner as you indicated.
It seems as if the killer has gotten smug with his escalating. Throwing down the gauntlet so to speak. Frightening when a cith is under siege from a serial killer, even more frightening is that he is like a junkie that needs that next, better, fix.
The fact that the sister was left in the room with the victim was painful. It does happen. Your portrayal of her shock was formidable. A mutilated body is an ugly thing to witness.
You could feel Jame’s eyes trained on Bette like a lazer beam trained on it’s target. Relentless, unforgiving and purposeful. He was right to bring her back to reality, hold her accountable for her lack of attention to duty. Now, the two of them can get down to buisiness. However, sad to think that it’s collecting traces of lives been lived.
Tina is alone…now that scares me more than anything!
Intensely compelling as always!
Amazing.
Thank you.