Fan Fiction
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Breathe– Chapter 31
He smiled and then added gruffly as he walked away, “Just be in the field by,”
“I know, 7 a.m.” Bette finished for him, her tone carrying the tired smile that was gracing her beautiful face.
As Bette returned the last of the files to her desk, a young duty officer from the front desk approached her. “Detective Porter,” he said as he handed her an envelope. “Miss Kennard asked that this be delivered to you immediately.”
Bette thanked him and once he had disappeared down the hall she opened the card. She had planned to read the note as she walked, knowing that every moment spent in her office was a moment not spent with Tina.
But the sincerity of Tina’s words brought her to a standstill, and her eyes bright with unshed tears were unable to focus on anything but Tina’s delicate script.
My dearest Bette,
You came to me in my dreams baby. I know it was you and you needed me. You weren’t answering your cell, and I couldn’t let a moment go by without you knowing that I love and need you too.
These may be words on a page, but they are also whispers for your ear, sweet nothings for your heart and reassurances for your head.
Until my body can do my bidding, I want my words to touch your heart. I want my words to tell you this is real and I want my words to make you feel safe.
Until my hands can hold yours, I want my words to help you know how much I want to be with you.
Until my lips can touch yours, I want my words to tell you how much I care.
And, until I can touch you and make you mine again and again, I want my words to tell you that I am yoursforever.
All my love, T
Bette brushed the tears from her cheeks and lightly traced the last word of Tina’s note. Forever.
For the first time in what seemed like a lifetime, Bette wasn’t struggling to make it through another today, hoping that tomorrow might bring a little peace, a little relief, a little hope.
She wasn’t taking life one day at a time just hoping to survive. Bette realized she was full of love, she was full of possibilities, and she was full of the promise of forever.
Tired but filled with thoughts of Tina, Bette slid into the back seat of a cab for the short ride to the Olympic Four Seasons hotel. Having turned off her phone during the task force briefing, Bette pressed the power button to let Tina know she would be with her soon.
“What the *****?” Bette muttered as she saw she had 73 text messages.
Curiosity got the better of her, so before calling Tina she began to scroll through the stored mail. She smiled as the first message was from Tina. “I love you too T,” Bette said still smiling as she scrolled to the next message.
The smile slowly faded from her lips and Bette could almost feel the color drain from her face as the first of more than 70 one word text messages appeared on her screen.
UntilUntilUntilUntilUntil
Bette slammed the phone shut angry, but not surprised, he had found yet another way to deliver his cryptic messages.
Her cell phone number was listed on her business card and he wasn’t demonstrating any ability to get close to Tina by leaving messages on her cell phone. In fact, Bette thought, he was showing his desperation by resorting to such a public forum.
Bette could feel in her bones that she was getting close to him and tomorrow more than 60 officers would be looking for him and only him.
“That’s right you son of a *****. Until,” she said quietly as she ignored the rest of the text messages and dialed Tina’s number.
TBC
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(51 votes, average: 4.06 out of 5)
Awesome chapter – however I can’t say I have any idea who this maniac is- I’m thinking we don’t know him but as I said I am clueless. Have a fabulous time on vacation – may it be all the R&R you need. You’ve got a fan base and your writing is the reason why. Bon Voyage. Will look for Breathe you when you return.
Welcome back sox..we have missed your story here….the detective Porter is damn good at her job..now let her go home and get some rest and a piece of Tina…and by the way have a nice holliday…post soon
Yes at least I am refreshing every few minutes or so….and I’m not the only one for sure…great meaty chapter…maybe the killer is Jeff…hmmm, I’m not good at guessing…Part of me doesn’t want Bette to catch this guy cause that means your story is ending soon….and I’ll be sad…I’ll be rereading this thru the week…thks
Awesome story Sox. great writing. have fun on your vacation. grat B&T connection.
Very interesting chapter great story. Have a great holiday will look forward to your post when you return!!!
Terrific chapter. I enjoyed how you took us through Bette’s thought process as she explained it to James. Ooooo and that dream of T was special. Enjoy your vacation and I’ll look forward to more of your story when you return.
OK, Sox – with the hours that you keep I am beginning to think that you have a dislike for garlic? Can’t see your reflection in the mirror? Never need to buy sunblock? You are more than just a night owl! But thanks for the energy you devote to this story. So, appreciated.
This has got to be the most all emcompassing chapter to date. It just continues to confound me just how much you can pack into just a few pages. Wow.
I could hear the thud that ehcoed in the foresics lab when Bette slammed down the book.
You are so adroit at leading us through not only Bette’s thought process, but James’ as well. Every detail that you provide is given with deliberate care, like interlinking Lincoln Logs to create a structure that will withstand any scrutiny.
I always read you stories, mouth agape and shaking my head as I am yet again, stupified at the amount of research you dedicate to these chapters. I learn so much from these – I only wish school had been half as much fun!
A thinking versus a feeling detective. Seems that Bette on some level is both, she just happens to lean more towards the thinking. But like you said, they pride themselves on chasing a case based on ‘gut’. But gut will only get you so far. You need thinking to give gut a push when it stalls. I thought the $20K budget for ‘other’ was hilarious. Such the government way!
Hard for Bette to acknowledge that she may need a little more feeling. We never want to see our own shortcomings. But now, with Tina, hopefully she will become the fully rounded detective that she is truly capable of.
The tender moment that you included with Bette and Tina was a nice surprise. Their connection is such a strong one. Will that connection eventually aid Bette in nailing the killer?
Captain Benson wasn’t kidding when he said Bette has her hands full with the elite task force she has assembled. It’s like managing an All Star team of MVPs. They are all going to have egos and none of them are going to be apologetic when it comes to their need to shine. But, I imagine that if you cross Bette, and more importantly if you cross her regarding Tina’s safety there will be hell to pay! That scum bag doesn’t stand a chance.
At first I thought that the note might have been a ruse by the killer, but it was too specific for that. He would have to be telepathic. But it was just another validation of Bette and Tina’s organic connection.
I got chills up my spine when I read “Until…until…until….”. He is a malefactor with an superego that has gone unchecked. He is insidious to a fault, but his cavalier flaunting of his perceived autonomy is about to come crumbing down. Between Bette and her team, they are going to methodically pick apart his Jenga tower until it comes crashing down around his feet.
Yet another dazzeling chapter! Just superb.
Have a great vacation and enjoy your much needed R&R. We will be here anxious to see what you’ve cooked up in your absence for our girls!
Thank you for a wonderful chapter. We have missed you here and will miss you this next week also. You deserve to have a wonderful vacation. Enjoy and relax.
I hope you enjoy a restful vacation and I look forward to next chapter. The forever between them is so passionate – I love it.
HEY SOX HAVE A FABULOUS VACATION.I need to do the same HOPEFULLY SOON..You gave so much detail in this chapter ..I hope it’s not someone Bette works with,but you never know..Now get Bette home to see her girl…Thanks again for a wonderful chapter……
Hey SOX baby… i also just got back from vacation…LAS VEGAS…. i hope you enjoyed yours…. i know i did… this guy is something else… i just hope he wasn’t in the room with the task force that bette made up… now that would suck… and i can’t believe bette has her cell # posted…. hmmm… i have no finger nails after reading this story… i want it to end and the bastard caught…. and i also want this story to keep going and going and going… just like that little bunny…. waiting for your next chapter…
simply FABULOUS … thanx for posting before you went on vacation . i hope u r having a wonderful time . looking forward to your return.
That was good and poor Bette!
Have a wonderful vacation Sox. I am looking foward to you next post. I too am on vacation, but I brought my laptop with me. You should take your laptop with you just in case you feel like posting another chapter.
WOW!! This was truly a nice surprise; and before it slips my mind, I hope you enjoy your vacation.
Now, my thoughts….
If I didnt know any better, I’d think you were the killer….so detailed, so well thought out…. so, so….But, since we know how much you despise being in the mind of the killer, that just simply rules you out.
I cant shake the thought from my head that the killer MIGHT be Jeff Kaplan, the Forensic Pathologist.
welcome back..!Been waitin for this update. The details..really got me thinkin. I had forensic medicine lectures for a year. Is really interesting the knowledge you’re sharing. hope you have a fun-filled vacation..relax and ease yourself with all the fruit punches you can get! Have loads of fun!
Great writing! I love your story. I am always sitting on the edge of my seat when I read eac chapter. You have totally gotten me into this murder mystery. Thanks. I am enjoying the ride and “rooting” for our girls! Have a great vacation!
Hey have a great vacation!
Awesome chapter…Im gonna read the whole story again hehe see if i can get more hints..this killer is really smart..i wonder if he will try to hurt Bette..
I almost always know ‘who dunnit’. But right now I am really puzzled. Perhaps it was all the tequilla last night (Hey! I am on vacation) Clearly I can’t be Sherlock Holmes while nursing a hangover. So I will sleep it off and do as you suggested and read it several times with the hope that it will sink in. Does anyone know?! This is killing me.
Have a wonderful vacation. I will comment after I read it again.
Jeff Kaplan is an interesting thought, SnQQpy. I have considered it myself. We’ll see.
Hope your vacation is everything you need it to be! The research you do for this story must be mind boggling(sp). Your attention to detail is so impressive, to say the least. Can’t wait until the killer finally comes to light. Have a safe trip….stay away from Louisiana!
have a wonderful vacatin. im envious already. loved this chappy. per usual. details, details and inner thoughts and dialogue. cant get any better than this. be safe.
This was wonderfully written, as are all the chapters. You now I am such a scaredy cat, that I can only read this story during the day…once it gets dark, I have to wait!! Have a great holiday!
Great post!!!!!!!! have a great time on your vacation can’t wait until u come back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!