Chapter Text
Rain drops fall slowly at first, a promise of what lies ahead. The storm clouds make it feel later than it is. In the distance lightning hits the earth, followed by the ominous sound of thunder.
He should be frightened but somehow he finds comfort in the storm. The rain starts to speed up and he stands in it, shivering at first in his worn out clothes but then he embraces it. The rain washes away his pain, his world and there is nothing left. His anger, hurt and neglect fade, he spreads his arms and laughs. He doesn't need his mother to let him in, doesn't need the roof above his head. Being out here is where he is finally himself, where no one or nothing can harm him anymore.
Present day:
Detective Lexa Woods stands in the pouring rain, looking down at the dead body of a female whose blonde hair is dirty and matted. Her clothes damaged by the slashes a knife has made and covered in her own blood. The finale cut that killed her, stands out on her neck, so deep and aggressive that the white of bone shimmers when the light of a torch hits it .The torrential rain slowly cleanses the body of blood and, to Lexa's annoyance, any evidence that the killer may have left behind.
She turns and slowly walks back through the park to her car. Her head lowered in thought. There is nothing more she can do here to help this victim. The CSI's and coroner will call her if they actually find anything that will help catch this killer. Something makes her pause in her stride, her head raises up, her hand automatically touches her gun, the holster clip slips easily off. Why does she feel she's being watched?
Lexa slowly takes in her surroundings. Her pulse races as she realises how isolated, alone and out of view from the other police officers she is. She glares at every tree and bush but there is no sign of anyone. Maybe it's just the rain and the scene that is getting to her? Lexa shakes that thought off, her gut has never let her down. Someone is watching her, the question is who and why. She carries on her journey to her car without picking up the pace. Not letting whomever it is know they have spooked her. The feel of her gun in her hand provides comfort whilst she walks . It's weight, a calming aid against those unseen eyes that still seem upon her.
The dry office and hot steaming mug of coffee helps slowly warm Lexa up. Not just from the rain but that feeling of being watched. Had the killer been there? hidden from view watching with glee as he got away with murder? Lexa finally finishes drying her hair and puts it up in a ponytail as she slides into her chair, before doing anything else she picks up the hot coffee and breathes in its aroma, a moan leaves her lips. It's just what she needs, therapy in a cup. Her eyes lock onto the boxes of files on her desk. A yellow sticky note states clearly what is inside. Lexa reads the note
'These are all the unsolved murder cases of blonde females. Good luck'
She sighs and slowly reaches for the first box, pulls out a file and starts to read. Female Caucasian, blonde, cause of death several stab wounds, deep yet not fatal except the finale one along her neck. Then the next and another until her table is piled high with files. Four files stand alone to one side, four out of two boxes packed tightly of files! Four cases which are different from the others, the colour of hair dark, one stab wound, location and weather . Lexa stares at the larger piles, each one exact, female blonde, numerous stab wounds, finale cut to the neck and the weather, always raining.
The only information that each file has in common, more hearsay and conjunctions than fact, are possible height and a dominant right hand. Each file states this same information. There is no other evidence or clues as the rain washed it all away. Lexa stares shocked at the files, her pulse and thoughts race through her head. Has their killer been doing this for a long time and gotten away with it? She quickly gets up and heads straight to her boss's office. If what she has just found is correct, they have a serial killer on the loose. How the hell are they going to catch someone without any clue as to who they are?
The early morning light brings a fresh start. The freak storms that keep hitting lately have calmed down, their odd and random appearance have the weather reporters stumped. Everyone else is blaming it on climate change. Today the sun is shining and there are no clouds in the sky. Perhaps the storms have finally past.
The crime scene still holds no clues as to what happened. Lexa kneels down, staring at the spot on the ground where the victim had been found last night. No identity, no clue as to where she came from or where she had been. Lexa stands, taking in the surroundings about her in the daylight. Last night the park would have been empty in the storm, quiet and perfect for murder. Did the murderer plan it? Or was it an act of passion, did the victim know her assailant? So many questions without answers and the traffic cameras which surround the park, rendered useless as they have no clue what to search for. Was there a car? But then what type, colour and make? There are no witnesses who can offer any information at all. No sign of anyone wondering about at that time of night, not even the homeless who had taken shelter elsewhere from their normal haunts. It's the perfect murder and the killer is likely to get away with it unless there is a miracle.
The image of the female lying in the rain flashes through her mind leaving Lexa feeling absolutely useless, angry and frustrated as she can't do anything further without a lead or shred of evidence or clues.
"Damn it!" She growls as she slowly spins in a circle "There has to be something"
The walk back to the car seems longer, she doesn't register anything or anyone around her but then the park is quieter than normal since the murder. So lost in her thoughts, Lexa doesn't see the jogger heading towards her, they almost collide as she steps into his path
"Hey, watch it" he growls over his shoulder
"Sorry, I'm sorry" Lexa yells after him
God she wants to scream her frustration out loud! Lexa closes her eyes and just breathes for a moment. She needs to do something proactive and the only thing that will help is Mack's boxing gym and a punching bag.
Clarke:
Clarke stares out at the beautiful morning light the sun is shining yet it is still cool enough for a run. The outside calls to her, the need to run races through her body. She goes through her pre run routine dress, feed Boss, stretch and finally out the door. The early run is her favourite time of the day, the new scents upon the air adds to the feel of the new day. The wildlife around her and Boss, her only company as she runs through the woods. Being off the grid and away from public eyes is her sanctuary. The reason for hiding tries to surface but she tries to shut it down by speeding up her pace and turning up her music. The past always seems to be there both haunting and tormenting her. She loses to its power and is sucked down into old memories.
Growing up in foster care was tough but Clarke got on with it, not allowing it to change who she was. Even at a young age she was her own person, independent, kind and strong. She threw herself into her school work, getting top grades for most of her subjects but it was English, English literature and art that she loved most. She combined these passions to become a successful author and illustrator of children's books. The best part was she could hide from her past, write under a pseudonym of which only a handful of individuals knew her true identity.
Her childhood was ok but it was with the Markson's that changed her whole life. They were a nice, kind and cheerful couple. Their rules fair and really reasonable. Clarke had taken to them straight away and had hoped she would stay with them through her high school years.
Then he arrived a couple of years after she had. A quiet, closed off young man , a year younger than her, with not much to say but his eyes spoke volumes. Something about the way he stared at her rattled Clarke but she just put it down to his background and shyness.
His quiet nature, of course , attracted the bullies at school. Clarke couldn't stand by and do nothing so she stepped in one day and confronted them which was the worst thing she could have done. He ran from her, his anger of what she had done tangible in the air. Clarke had to know why he was angry and went after him. That was when she first witnessed the darkness inside of him.
Outside and away from view he shook with anger. She tried to comfort him but he turns on her. His eyes filled with rage
"How dare you make me feel weak" He growled
Clarke inevitably takes a step back.
"I'm sorry. I only wanted to help" she stutters
"I don't need your or anyone's help" he spat, but then closed his eyes and took a deep breath, the anger in him
vanished quickly.
"I.. I can look after myself " he mutters
"Ok" Clarke replied calmly, putting his outburst down as embarrassment from being saved by a girl "How about next time I won't help unless you ask me to?"
As he stared at her, Clarke's skin crawl and she had to fight the urge to squirm. It felt like hours had gone by but it was only seconds until he speaks
"Ok" is all he says, he quickly turns and walks away without looking back
Clarke watches him walk away, she lets out the breath that she didn't realise she was holding and tried to calm the something inside her that screamed warning. The finale bell for class rings out and if she doesn't move, she will be late. The feeling of foreboding is replaced with the normal feelings of school and classes. Slowly what happened on the field is washed away as Clarke becomes engrossed in her art project.
Clarke snaps back to reality with a jolt and almost tripping over a branch that lays across her path. She catches herself in time and stands there trying to breath both from exertion and the fear that sets in. Where is she? Clarke takes in her surroundings, shocked as to how far she has gone. She looks at her watch, noting how her hand slightly shakes.
"Shit" she exclaims, she looks around "Boss, here!"
Boss appears and is quickly by her side. His presence and simply touching his fur calms her. Boss somehow senses Clarke's anxiety and fear. His protective instinct and training kicks in as he stands alert and ready for Clarke's order. Clarke listens and searches her surroundings , is there any danger? No, they are alone, he doesn't know where she is and he will not find her. She sighs heavily and looks down at the magnificent animal next to her.
"Home Boss, let's go home"
Boss replies with a woof and runs ahead but not far and stays insight. Home finally comes into view and Clarke can't help but call Boss to heel, he immediately obeys and knows what's next.
"Three, two, one, Go" Clarke yells
She runs as fast as she can racing against Boss, knowing hands down he will beat her but it's not about winning, it's about the speed that she can run, the feeling that she is faster and stronger than she has ever been. The feeling of being free without any cares in the world for just that moment.
The poor punching bag takes the hits, one after the other. There is no breaks or stops between each movement whether a punch or roundhouse kick. It takes the beating silently as if knowing that the woman working out needs this, needs to let whatever is bothering her go. Finally, Lexa stops, Her arms and legs feel like dead weights. Has the workout helped? Not exactly but hitting the bag did feel good. Now, though she seems to have more questions than answers. Not to mention how stiff and sore she is going to be. Lexa closes her eyes and rests her head against the cool material of the bag hanging in front of her, her ponytail sticks to the side of her neck. she stays there breathing in and out. her mind races with so many what if's, how and why questions. she feels as if she is drowning in them. A voice cuts into her thoughts.
"Well, you look even more lost than when you came in"
Lexa turns and smiles at the man next to her "Sure feels that way Mack"
"Anything I can help with?"
"Actually, maybe your knowledge and experience could help with the case I am on?"
"Ok, first, warm down to keep those muscles loose then shower and change. I will grab the orange juice and meet you in my office. "
"Yes Sir" Lexa smiles and salutes affectionately
Mack chuckles and wonders off, leaving Lexa to go through every step of his orders. When Mack retired from the force and wanted something to keep him occupied, the gym was the perfect answer. Lexa had no issues with joining him as a silent partner. He was the closest thing to a father and family she had. They had meet when he came to her high school to talk about his career and experience. Lexa had never thought about joining the force until then. His words had inspired her and given her a purpose. She graduated and joined the police force immediately. She was a natural and gilded through the academy with ease and flying colours. Then she was placed at the exact station as Mack and became his trainee. He taught her everything and more. He was so proud of her the day she made detective and threw the biggest party, she had ever had seen. Who better to ask for guidance than this man?
Lexa knows where to find Mack, she walks past his actual office, out a side door and takes flight of stairs to the roof. Her hair, in a rare loose state , not in its usual ponytail moves as the light breeze of the wind catches it. The view from up on the roof is ok, but it's the actual roof space that is breathtaking. A mixture of small birds flutter and tweet in an aviary as Lexa appears. The subtle warning system not lost on her. The garden area always appears to be in bloom and spotless of any mess or Ill plants. Mack sits at a round table, eyes closed, head tilted back as he enjoys the sunshine.
"Almost thought you had lost your way" He says without opening his eyes
Lexa laughs "You know I love taking a long shower, especially one as powerful as those we have just had installed"
"Pah, I think you only had them installed here for yourself and not everyone else"
"That obvious huh?"
Mack chuckles as he pours two glasses of cool fresh orange juice, he passes one to Lexa and they sit in comfortable silence for a little bit. Both enjoying each others company, their surroundings and the sunshine. Mack breaks the silence first
"Funny old weather we've had the last few days, isn't it?"
"Yep, doesn't it rain?"
"I haven't seen rain like that here for a long time, actually can't remember any storms like the one we had the other night"
"Mmm" Lexa murmurs, she falls silent for a moment, gathering her thoughts " Speaking of storms, there was a body found last night. A female, blonde. Stabbed multiple times and then her neck cut open."
"She was found in the rain?"
"Yes, all the evidence washed away"
"Well that sucks. Any leads or witnesses at all?"
Lexa sighs "No and to add to it, I think she is one of a long list of victims"
"Well shit, what makes you say that?"
"About 80 cases of unsolved blonde female victims. All killed by stabbing and when it was raining"
"Damn, any evidence whatsoever for any of them?"
"Nope, just possible height of the perpetrator and his dominant hand type "
"Woah, now that's one hell of a case to come upon. I take it Sam knows? What she have to say?"
"Not much. I think that the thought of a serial killer on her patch scares the crap out of her and she's in denial"
"So, as usual, you're on your own?"
"Yes" Lexa replies softly, why did she and Sam have to fall in love? Why had it almost destroyed her career? was beyond her but hey, unless she moved station's and took a demotion then she just had to take it on the chin and persevere where she was. Not to mention she loved the station and the guys she worked with.
"Hey" Mack leans forward and touches her hand " If I can help, I will. You need backup, I'm there. All you have to do is ask"
Lexa squeezes his hand "Thanks Mack, have you ever come across anything similar to this? or even know how to catch a killer without any evidence whatsoever"
Mack sits back and rubs his chin while he thinks " There have been the odd case where we couldn't catch the culprit but I have never had a case with so little evidence, witnesses or leads. I mean, there is always something to go on other than the CSI guys height and dominant hand. The perpetrators always leaves something behind"
"But this guy seems super lucky that it rains and washes everything away before we can find it"
" It has to be a billion to 1 chance of that to happen. How does he know when and where it will rain? And not just a shower but powerful enough to actually wash evidence away? It's just impossible! Whoever this guy is, there has to be more to him, perhaps he has a background of forensics and is that careful not to leave any evidence behind?"
"Could be but as you say everyone leaves something behind except this guy. The body's are absolutely clean"
"Is there any sexual abuse?"
"That's another odd thing. These murders seem a mix of passion and anger yet there is no sexual abuse"
"All blonde, similar in height, build? " Mack pauses, Lexa nods her reply " so he has a type. Now the next question is why? Is it the old guys love blondes or something deeper?"
Lexa sighs and rubs her forehead "That's the bloody problem with this whole thing. There are more questions than frigging answers!"
"Ah shit, I guess the first question we need to answer is why is he killing these woman. What is the purpose?"
Lexa shrugs "It's all hearsay, the only way we would ever know the answer to why he is doing this is to have him in custody to answer that exact question! And we don't even have a clue as to who we are chasing. I have never seen or heard of anything like this. Maybe I should talk to Steve Wester"
"The FBI guy? Sam would kick you out the door before you even said hi. No, leave it with me, I'll do the ringing and asking. Sam cannot touch me and I can just say I am working on my next bestselling novel" Mack winks
Lexa smiles but it doesn't reach her eyes. This case is bothering her, not just the lack of evidence, a killer on the loose but something else is bugging her yet she cannot put her finger on it. She stays with Mack for a little while longer before slowly making her way back to the station and her desk. To do what? She doesn't quite know.
The files still lay piled on her desks their presence a mocking reminder that there is someone killing females and getting away with it. Lexa stares at them, where to start? What to do? She shakes herself and goes to the supply room, grabbing multi coloured pens, paper, paper clips and pins. Where to start? Start by reading the files again and repeat if necessary. Map out where the bodies were found, the weather forecast before and during the murders. Something has to show up, doesn't it? No matter, Lexa needs to try and do something, anything rather than just keep coming up with questions.
She moves her desk to one side of her office, the space isn't big enough but the floor is perfect. Only a handful of people bother her as she busies herself in setting up her work. Some offer their help or bring a welcomed cup of coffee and food. They know better not to ask her what's she doing. They know Lexa too well, how she works and when she is in her zone. Her co workers secretly love watching her as she grafts and grinds her way through files. Her odd method always brings results or a new line of thinking that adds to a case. Everyone has asked her for help and with this case, they are confident that Lexa will find the answers. Just keep the coffee and food coming to help her get there is all they can do.
Time doesn't mean anything when you are trying to find that important needle in a haystack. The only way Lexa knows she has been at it for a long time is her body screaming out it's protest of being in limited position while she works. As she Rolls her head around to loosen a knot, the crack of bones and muscles ring out loudly. How long exactly has she been at this? What the hell is the time?
Lexa glances at her wristwatch and is shocked
"Shit!" She exclaims
She looks down at all the paperwork and different coloured mark's spread out across the floor. Has she gained anything? There are subtle patterns with the weather but nothing that points to whom they are looking for. She shakes her head, the urge to carry on is there but she has been told off for staying at work longer than she should. Her only option is to go home, try to relax and attempt to get some sleep. As if that will happen when her mind is engaged and committed to finding this killer.
She leaves the paperwork where it is and locks her door, leaving a note for the cleaner not to bother with the bin. Then to the lift and car park. Even though there are people around her, the station seems subdued and eerily quiet. Her car stands alone in the parking bay and Lexa eagerly rushes to it, just to get in a put the radio on loud. A sudden urge for music hitting her like a tonne of bricks. Pink's 'Get the party stared' bellows out from the speakers and Lexa joins in singing along as she navigates out onto the street and heads for home.
He watches in the shadows as the car pulls away. the sound of music playing reaches his ears. He smiles, remembering hearing that particular tune playing through a closed door of a certain bedroom when he was a teenager. he takes in a breath and lets it out slowly. Will Lexa help him find her? Will she figure it all out? Has he taken a risk in bringing her into this game? He watches the tail lights of Lexa's car as they vanish around a corner. None of it matter's if he finds her, his one true love. After all these years, Lexa is the only one to do just that and she will help him.