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    Breathe– Chapter 31

    Bette took a deep breath and then continued. “Whatever originally motivated him to kill is now taking a back seat to the process of toying with and eluding his pursuers, which is now every person in this room.

    Bette spent the next two hours using detailed forensic reports, evidence, and FBI profiling to paint the portrait of a killer.

    After the last question was answered and assignments were given, the energy in the room was electric as every member of Bette’s high-powered squad saw a different angle to be worked.

    As Bette gathered up the her papers, Captain Benson yelled to the group. “Review your reports, know your forensics, and I want every team in the field no later than 7 a.m.” he finished loudly to be heard over the group.

    “Everyone, and I mean everyone, submits a daily report to Detective Porter.” He said as he looked at Bette and winked. “You miss a report for any reason, you’re off the task force, no questions asked. Am I understood?”

    There was a general grumble as Captain Benson stood next to Bette, hands on his hips and surveyed the officers in the room.

    “You’re going to have your hands full with this group, Bette. Are you sure you know what your doing?” he asked as he noticed the dark circles under her eyes.

    “I hope so,” she said smiling as she tried to drive the fatigue and exhaustion from her voice. “Maybe they’ll be so busy trying to out perform one another they won’t have time to challenge my leadership.”

    Captain Benson nodded and then said, “I assume you are on your way to brief our star witness.”

    Bette looked at her Captain confused by his statement. “Brief our star witness?” she asked looking to him for further explanation.

    Captain Benson rolled his eyes. “Christ Bette, do I have to give you a direct order. You haven’t slept in what 36 hours?” he paused looking at his watch. “Go to the hotel. Go see your girl and get some sleep. You’ve got more horses in the barn now so you don’t have to carry the load yourself.”

    Bette nodded, relieved that this case was finally getting the manpower it desperately needed. “Thank you Captain,” she said. “Maybe I will get some sleep.”

    Comments

    1. 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.

    2. 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

    3. 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

    4. 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.

    5. 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!

    6. 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.

    7. 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……

    8. 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…

    9. 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.

    10. 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.

    11. 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!

    12. 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!

    13. 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..

    14. 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.

    15. 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!

    16. 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.

    17. 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!

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