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Breathe– Chapter 31
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James sat silently and let Bette answer her own question. “I looked it up. The answer is an unfortunate no. The standard process used by recreational hunters to butcher their own kills doesn’t include dissection of any tissue or organs.”
“Wait. You just lost me,” James interrupted, needing clarification from Bette before moving on. “We are assuming your man is a hunter. We know your man used the two knives on one of his victims, but now you’re saying there’s no connection between the two?”
Bette nodded her head understanding James confusion. “I was frustrated too,” she agreed. “I couldn’t connect the two until I found this,” Bette handed James a notice from the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife.
“Over the past several years, the State has requested tissue samples from deer and elk to track Chronic Wasting Disease.” Bette was speaking more rapidly now, a sure indication she had connected a series of previously random dots.
“It’s like Mad Cow disease for deer and elk. Since the State needs to test the tissue, it is requesting the tissue be collected using,” Bette paused and waited for James.
When he didn’t pick up his cue she pointed to the notice in his hand. “James, the highlighted portion,” Bette prompted.
James quickly looked down and reading the sentence highlighted in yellow said “the State is requesting tissue samples be collected using standard autopsy methods and procedures.”
“He’s a professional cutter, James,” Bette concluded relief filling her voice. “He may or may not hunt elk, but he does butcher them.”
Having successfully brought James to the same conclusion she had reached earlier, Bette collapsed back into the chair and they both sat staring at one another.
“Wow,” he finally said, shaking his head and letting the paper fall to his desk. “Your 23,000 elk tags just became a butcher who has been trained to collect tissue samples for the State. I mean,” he paused looking at Bette. “How many could there be?”
“You tell me,” she said her radiant smile brightening her entire face. James couldn’t remember the last time he had seen Bette’s full smile.
“So how long will it be before I get my list of butchers wielding bread knives broken down by zip code?” she asked playfully, knowing that gathering data was always far more difficult than requesting it.
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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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!