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Breathe– Chapter 33
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Kaplan shook his head, stood and removed his gun. Releasing the clip, he placed it on the desk and in one motion unloaded the bullet from the chamber. Having fully secured his weapon, Kaplan laid it next to the loaded clip. Reaching in his back pocket he removed his badge and Seattle PD identification. A small sob escaped his lips as he just stood staring at the badge.
James reached out and took both items from his friend’s shaking hands and laid them on the desk next to the gun.
James turned to Bette and was surprised to find tears in her eyes. “Is it all right if I am the one that escorts him from the building?” James asked and was relieved when Bette nodded.
Kaplan took a deep breath and wiped the tears from his eyes. As he stepped around Bette he stopped and said quietly. “The night we pried that poor girl’s mouth open was” he paused “it changed me. One of my twins is a girl, did you know that?” Bette shook her head but did not respond, letting him shape and control this moment.
“I couldn’t let another daughter die at the hands of this man. I had to warn everyone, tell the community what we knew. It will save lives, I know it will.”
Bette nodded, not agreeing with his reasoning but understanding his need to protect. After all wasn’t that why they had all joined the police force in the first place? Jeff Kaplan could have taken his medical degree and built a successful private practice. Instead, he took an oath to protect and used his expertise to help bodies tell stories that led to their killers.
“You may not agree with my method, but it will save lives,” Kaplan repeated as he turned to leave the lab he had spent most of his adult life working in. “Maybe even yours or the blonde woman in the picture.”
Bette’s throat tightened as he reminded her The Butcher wanted nothing more than to finish what he had started with Tina. As the door closed behind him, Bette picked up Jeff Kaplan’s weapon and badge. Staring at the symbol of law and order that all officers carry whether they are on the street or in the forensic lab, Bette wondered what she would have done.
If leaking information could guarantee Tina’s safety, would she have made the call to the reporter herself? Bette sighed realizing the heavy price Jeff Kaplan was going to pay for something she would have done without a moment’s hesitation.
She laid his weapon, badge and identification on Captain Benson’s desk. “It’s done,” she said quietly as he looked up from a report.
“Well, what in the ***** did the young man think he was doing?” Benson barked, still smarting from the tongue lashing he had just received from the Mayor’s office.
“The right thing,” she said gently as she turned and left her Captain’s office realizing The Butcher had just claimed his latest victim.
###
TBC
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Nice to hear that you are recovering from your accident. Take care and be safe……..
Soooo glad you’re back and starting to feel better. The words ‘dislocated pelvis’ themselves make me squeamish – let alone knowing that you’re actually experiencing it. Gods! This installment was great and not at all patchy. Please continue writing – it’s one of my faves! Hey, get one of those ergonomically correct chairs for your office. They are pricey but will definitely save your bones! Continue healing, Sox! – dragon
*waving and jumping up and down* soxy so glad to hear from ya. was very worried. thanks for the dinner.
it flowed for me. i love the details and the pain i feel bette in everytime she thinks about tina. back in fighting form. take care and be safe.
It’s so great to see you back Sox…..we’re really missed this story
Glad to hear you are on the mend! Great chapter post again soon!!!
THRILLED!!! you are back I am glad to are on the road to recovery..This story is so compelling..I can’t wait for it to unfold..You are one hell of a writer girl..Please take care of yourself and your family and post as soon as you can..Great chapter…Thanks again for your time..Feel better soon.
Before I even start to read this chapter, I just want to say welcome back. Oh, how I have missed you. And so glad to hear that you’re healing. Now off I go.
I’m glad you are healing well. Thanks for the chapter, looking forward to the next one :)
Glad you’re back and feeling better. It seems this story is going to really get rolling now. Can’t wait!!!!
I’m glad you’re back, sox. I’ve been missin’ ya.
SOX…so glad your feeling better… you were missed but we were praying for you… and i’m glad your back and better… you know i love this story… so continue when your up to it… we will bw here waiting.. thanks
GLAD THE BONES ARE HEALING SOX’S..glad your back..Thanks for the intense chapter LOVED IT…..
Welcome back, Sox. Happy to hear that you’re getting back to your normal self.
This story is just as riveting as ever! I am always amazed at home quickly I fly through the pages.
Sensationalizing the killers actions unfortunately only gives credibility to his actions. But like Bette said, this was not publicity that he orchestrated. When people are upset that is when they are likely to make critical mistakes. We hope the same goes for him.
A city full of copy cats…that’s a very disturbing thought. There’s always some nut job that wants their 15 minutes of fame and will be willing to ride on the coat tails of someone else that did the ground work.
The arrogance of the young officer was only one of the things that got him removed from the task force…it was the fact that he was a danger to Tina’s safety that was the most damning.
Most of the officers on some level are probably hoping that this will be a feather in their cap, but that is less important than their oath to Protect and Serve.
Protocol and common sense were transcended by Jeff Kaplan’s ideal of protection. He thought outside of the box and decided that he would rather try and save a victim, rather than sit ideally by and provide the clues to how she died. Becoming a parent changes your perspective.
Would Bette have done the same thing as Jeff Kaplan? He didn’t do it specifically to save Tina, and if Bette were in his place she wouldn’t have the same investment with Tina as she has now. Hopefully, we will never know.
Tremendously thrilling story. Happy to see you have posted, even happier to know you will post again!
Nice to see you back – you were missed. I hope you continue on the road to recovery.
This was a good “behind the scenes chapter” about how this type of horrific case affects everyone involved.
Looking forward to the next chapter and for the record, I am really worried about Tina!
Sox, so glad you could post and that you are on the mend. You may want to keep some of those happy pills around for when S3 airs. ; )
Hope everything keeps going well with you and yours. It a shame that one person in the name of justic did the wrong thing.Most of us would have done the same thing to save some one any harm. Bette is still between a rock and a hard place. Her job or Tina. Justic will prevail tho… thanks so much
Yes, I missed this story bad!!!! However, your health is most important. Take care of yourself and get well soon.
Sox1,
Glad to hear that you are on the mend. Sending you kind thoughts to encourage the healing process.
This chapter was a great change of pace and displayed the dogged determination and temerity that is required for police work, particularly involving a homicidal maniac. It is not the spoils that drive these officers but the knowledge that the criminal will not re-offend and will pay for the crimes.
Bette’s call to arms speech is a brilliant observation of leadership and motivation. The investigators know their job and the responsibilities however it is often necessary to ensure that everyone is fighting in the same corner.
The unveiling of the informant was heartfelt and compassionate. I felt every emotion that Bette, James and Jeff went through. This is a testament to your talent.
I will, as ever, be waiting and watching for you next post.
This story like a fine wine only gets better with age.
Your Loyal Fan.
welcome back Sox. I hope your recovery going well and u r feeling alot better. Now on to the chapter – once again, absolutely captivating. The way inwhich you describe a scene and create tension is outstanding. Thanx for your time and so looking forward to the next chapter.
Soxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Welcome Back!!!!!!!
Jeff Kaplan……..I KNEW IT!!!
Sox, glad to see you back and feeling a little better. Enjoyed the chapter. Thanks.
Glad that you’re healing and all is well.
GREAT chapter! Poor Kaplan… But hopefully Bette’s right and the article will be a blessing in disguise.
This is too much for Bette and hope they find the guy soon!
So glad you’re back and on the mend. Such a slow, painful process for you. Anyways your story – as tight and powerful as always. Absolutely rivetting.
Great that your back and so glad that your doing better after the accident. As usual this chapter is excellent – looking forward to the next!
i read your story with great interest and wait with great anticipation……so good you are back and to know you are on the mend….take good care.
Hey Sox glad to see you back and recovering. you are in my thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery. love the story. keep up the great writing.
sorry to hear about your accident, hope you get well quickly!!and on a purely selfish note, i missed your story greatly!!!!!
so glad to hear you are recovering and feelin better. and hey..thx for this great post!! i’ve been waiting long enuf..!! :) take care meanwhile….hope to catch the next chapter soon!
Sox….what a joy to have you back! I know Bette is going to nail this guy but , then what is her decision going to be? Will she stay with the SPD, will she retire to some romantic place with Tina, will she become a consultant, a trainer of young cops? Geez…endless possibilities.
So glad you are on the mend and by the way, this chapter was well worth the wait.
soxy – I wasn’t worried about the pooch or Tina – I was worried about you glad to hear you are healing and that you were taking care of yourself. You know your loyal fans will be here whenever so may your recovery continue and the story is as aways wonderful.
Glad your feeling better not liking the cliff hanger
Hey Sox..nice to see you´re back with us…hope you are feeling better after your little incident….take care now and do write something for us very soon. We so love the drame here…post soon
It’s good 2 have u back and i hope ur feeling better, take care of urself would ya. thanx 4 the post, and just 2 let u know i love ur story.
Your story has me completely mesmerized. It’s so well written. Thanks for sharing.
Newbie here. I’m glad you seem to be doing well. You are one lucky person.
A good friend turned me on to this story, and I’m glad she did. All I can say about your work is @#e483^&3!~ &^(*&* AHJG8%^$@7@^ *^2wef6@$@!!. Exactly. There are just no words. I consider myself very lucky to have felt what you write so eloquently about.
True love always ends in tragedy. Do you believe this? *holding breath*
Hey Sox…..just wanted to say that I am eagerly awaiting the next chapter. This story is great! I hope you’re almost fully mended and things have now gotten back into their normal groove.