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Chapter Text

“It’s the heart, isn’t it?” That was the sentence that made Alec’s breath hitch. 

He stayed in complete silence, eyes fixed on the smiling cuffed man in front of him. Ellie’s gaze was all over his face, he could tell, but he was not brave enough to look at her. Or perhaps, he was too busy trying to figure out how that man, that monster, had discovered the secrete he had been so eager to keep.

”It’s obvious” Martin Whitly, famously known as the Surgeon, chuckled.

”We’re not here for a medical consult, Doctor Whitly” Ellie said, and Alec thanked her for giving his heart issue no importance although he knew she would ask about it later, once they had left Claremont, “We’re here for-“

”My, copycat, my imitator” Martin smiled, creepily, “My beloved fan from Sussex”

”Wessex” Alec corrected sharply.

”Right, Wessex” Martin smirked, teasingly, “How many corpses are there? The CNN said four but uh-huh… You lot are desperate, look at you!” He said, on his toes, excited as a toddler on a playground. And that kind of behaviour made the detective inspector’s blood boil, “Either that or your beloved Queen has plenty of money to spend in useless holidays for her inspectors”

”King” Alec corrected once again, “We have a king now” he said.

”Right, king” Martin agreed, stepping closer to the man and tilting slightly his head to the side, “How many corpses are there, detective inspector? Five? Six?”

”Twelve” Ellie said, and her voice was not enough to grab the man’s attention.

”Twelve!” Martin exclaimed, his gaze still on Alec’s serious expression, “It’s a shame having a pretty face is not enough to become a good inspector, eh?” he added and that made Alec furious.

“This is utterly useless” Alec said, eyeing at his partner before knocking firmly on the door and asking the guard to let them leave.

They left the rather too fancy cell, walking down the cold corridor in a hurry trying their best to ignore the man’s loud laughter, “We are not going back to Wessex, are we sir?” Ellie asked, frowning.

Alec shook his head, “I hate him” he concluded.

”Well, I get it, he’s a serial killer” Ellie shrugged, “Should we contact the NYPD? They have all of The Surgeon’s files”

Alec nodded as he used his phone. He blindly followed her into a cab as he continued typing, “They are aware of our investigation” he told her, “Contact detective Gil Arroyo, I’ll prepare the hotel room for our investigation”

”Don’t you want to use the NYPD headquarters, sir?”

Alec scoffed, “And work along that man’s son? No, I don’t trust them…” he said, fixing his eyes on the taxi’s window and giving the conversation an abrupt ending.

Ellie pressed the bridge of her nose, her third empty cup of coffee begging to be thrown but resting boringly by her elbow, “They only got him because they received the son’s call” she said in a quick hitching breath, “They would’ve never caught him otherwise” 

“Shit” Alec cursed, his eyes all over the serial killer’s record on the wide table, “Twenty-three people, Miller, he killed twenty-three people without getting anyone’s suspicions” He stood up, abruptly, which scared her lightly, “Someone had to know… or at least suspect” he said, desperately, “He had a give away, I am sure”

”The wife?”

”She might’ve known” Alec said, before growling in desperation, “I mean- you would know if your husband was a serial killer- Wouldn’t you?” He looked at his watch and sighed, “We should call it a day, Miller, Jet-lag is hitting hard and it’s pretty late anyways” he said, a gentle invitation to leave his room.

Ellie thought for a while, completely aware he was intending to stay awake for a little longer, “Sure” she finally said, deciding to accept his will. She took the key to her room and her coat, she opened the door and looked at him one last time, “Don’t be too hard on yourself, sir”

Alec looked at her and a shadow of a smile seemed to grow on his face, “I’ll do my best” 

When the woman left, he decided to re-read every single file about The Surgeon’s victims. He read his modus operandi and looked at the hundred pictures of the corpses. He repeated to himself how there was something he was missing out and how important it was for him to unblind himself and see it. The clock ticked as his nervousness grew to anxiety and, before he was able to realise it, he was on his way to Claremont Psychiatric Hospital to see the man he so deeply hated.

He had not prepared any speech, in fact, he had no clue of what he was going to say. His mind was blurry, running a thousand miles per hour as he stepped into the cell and faced the sleepy man sitting on his bed.

”Not that I complain about night visits from handsome men, really, but inspector Hardy don’t you think four thirty is too late-?”

”How did you know?” Alec rushed to ask, the words falling helplessly from his mouth, “About my heart, how did you know?”

Martin smirked, a smirk Alec had found incredibly hateful, “I’m one of the greatest doctors of the country” he said, resting comfortably on the back of his bed, “There’s a medical procedure called after me”

Alec shook his head, already regretting his question, “Did anyone know? About your- crimes?” He asked instead.

Martin narrowed his eyes, faking a loud yawn as he fixed his eyes on the guard, “My boy found out”

”What about your wife?”

”Jessie? Ah, no… poor woman she thought I was having an affair” he scoffed, arrogantly, “I was the perfect husband, I can assure you that… never slept with another women- or men for the record”

Alec huffed lightly, clearing his throat as his sight blurred and his hearing decreased. His head hurt deeply and he found himself resting on the wall as he tried to recover. It did not take long for him to collapse on the floor, fighting urgently to remain conscious as he hardly saw how the man chained in front of him tried to call the guard, “Don’t” he heard himself say, “It’ll pass”

”Are you joking?” Martin said, his composure and manners showing his doctorate in medicine, “If you don’t get a surgery soon you might-“

”Die?” Alec finished the sentence at the same time, “So I’ve been told” he shut his eyes and pressed his jaw, hand firm on his chest, “Your victims…” he said, his voice deep and raspy, extremely tired, “You never killed any of your patients”

”Never” Martin assured him, frowning worryingly, “This is ridiculous” he said, the rope on his waist tensed as he tried to get close to the man, “I would hate seeing one of my visitors die, specially such a good-looking one”

For some reason that made Alec laugh incredibly loud. Perhaps it was the irony of hearing those words from a serial killer, or maybe for the fact his arterial pressure had dropped so much he could barely think properly but he found the doctor to be rather an entertainer, “How come no one ever knew?” He asked slowly.

Martin, whose smile was incredibly huge after hearing the man laugh, did not give much thought to the question, “I was the perfect husband, the perfect father, the perfect neighbour, the perfect citizen and the perfect doctor… no one ever wants to see beyond perfection” he shrugged.

”So we are looking for a perfect person?” Alec asked, already feeling better and yet unable to stand up.

Martin groaned as he took a seat on the floor, by the red line and directly in front of the inspector, “I’ve seen one of the corpses, on the telly” he started, his voice low, “The cut on the jugular was messy” he pointed at his own neck and drew an imaginary line, “You are not looking for someone in the medical field, that’s for sure”

Hardy hummed lightly, thankful for the information, “There’s a speculation that they might be someone powerful” he informed, wishing he would not regret sharing delicate information about the case.

”Either a policeman or a politician, don’t look for judges or business people” Martin added, smiling politely, “Someone obsessed with me, you should look for someone whose house is covered in posters of my face… I bet there are not many of those in Sussex”

”Wessex” Alec corrected and his voice was dim, almost sweet. 

”Right, Wessex” Martin nodded, noticing gladly the man was getting comfortable on the confinement of his cell, “Tell me, inspector, if you were married would you know if your spouse was a serial killer?”

Alec stayed in silence as he thought about a fitting answer, “I’d like to think I would”

That made Martin smile, “Why didn’t you go to Jessica?” He said, enjoying Alec’s puzzled silence, “That’s what brought you here, right? To know if my wife knew about my… hobbies, and yet you did not decide to go to her but you came here” he paused, his eyes slowly travelling from Alec’s eyes to his thin mouth, “You would’ve enjoyed a great martini and decent conversation, Jessica is really expressive you would’ve rapidly finished your work- and yet… you came to me”

Alec scoffed lightly, “You are a narcissist” he said, mirroring the man’s confident smile.

Martin agreed, “A politician or a policeman, inspector Hardy” 

“Right, a politician or a policeman” Alec said standing up slowly and breaking the strange dark intimacy that had grown between them.

”Let me know when you get them and please you are very welcome to come back” Martin said as he sat back on his bed and looked at how the man got ready to leave, “Anytime”

Alec stayed by the door and smirked, running a hand through his brown hair, “You’ll see me on the news, Martin” he greeted, the first name resting awkwardly on his lips.

A strange tickling feeling grew on his stomach and rapidly dropped to his toes. He was excited, genuinely excited, as he wondered if the thrill came from the closeness to solving his case or from the odd yet stimulating company he had found.

Chapter Text

Martin shifted slightly as he fixed his glare on the telly, “Don’t we get international news in here?” He asked, quite annoyed at his guard.

”I thought you were only interested in local news” Mr David said, the remote firm on his hand, “Don’t you want to see your daughter?”

”Always” Martin frowned lightly, “But there’s a fan of mine in England” he waved, urgently telling him to change channels.

Mr David said nothing as he looked for the BBC International channel. He had been with the so called Surgeon for several years now and had learned it was useless to try to figure out what his mood of the day was going to be.

”There he is!” Martin clapped, a huge smile on his face, “Turn up the volume Mr David and let’s listen to the sweet melody of Scottish accent” he hushed, eyes fixed on the rather handsome man on the screen.

Martin had always liked women, in fact, he married one; but there he had always had a keen interest for his own genre. He had been with a man, once, months before meeting his wife Jessica. He had enjoyed himself, way more than he had first expected, they first kissed and then quickly decided to spend the night together. Men were rougher, he learned, and their skin was not very smooth and way thicker. The short encounter with the man, Leonard if he recalled correctly, ended up dramatically as the man tried to start a serious relationship with him after just a night together and, fruit of panic and many other unnamed feelings, Leonard became Martin’s fourth victim. A victim that had never been found.

So, yeah, Martin had an eye for men. Some of them were labelled as his victims whilst many others were nothing but a personal interest motivated by either lust or appreciation for beauty. Inspector Alec Hardy had definitely caught his eye from the moment he stepped in front of him. The man was handsome and had an incredible posture. And then he spoke and Martin noticed two crucial facts: he was intelligent and his thick accent was unbelievably hot. And so, he asked Mr David to increase the volume a little more.

”-we’ve narrowed the investigation to three main suspects” the man on the TV informed, “-but I’m afraid there’s still plenty of work to do” he added, and his little frustrated frown made Martin smile.

”This is not live, is it?” He asked, fully aware that in England it was already midnight and Hardy’s interview had taken place during the day.

”-going back to New York?” A reporter asked. Martin hushed Mr David, even though, the poor man had not said a single word.

”Are we going back to New York?” Alec repeated the question, his eyebrows rising slightly. He first looked at his side, probably to his colleague, Martin assumed. He then took a deep breath and looked at the camera and Martin swore his stare was directed to him, “Very soon” he said firmly, “No more questions” he stepped aside and the cameraman focused back on the reporter who Martin was not interested in the least.

”Did you heard that, Mr David?” Martin asked with a broad smile and bright eyes, “My new best friend is coming back!”

”Your new best friend?” Mr David asked, rather sceptically, as he turned off the TV and took it away.

”Oh, you don’t be jealous” Martin teased, “You’ll always be my special friend” he chuckled lightly, incredibly glad the British man was coming back to New York, the uncertainty of what ‘very soon’ meant making him nervous.

Very soon turned out to be three days. Martin used a couple of fingers to comb his hair, he exhaled sharply against his hand and checked if his breath was acceptable, he pulled the edge of his clothes slightly and got rid of the wrinkles on it. 

Mr David sighed as he cuffed him, “You have a visit”

Martin’s smile could not be wider as he spotted the British inspectors entering the cell, “Well, well, well…” he started, “I can’t really say this is an unexpected visit” he said and Mr David left them alone.

Ellie was visibly nervous, her stare scanning the place a hundred times as she tapped her notepad. Alec, on the other hand, looked incredibly composed, “A new victim appeared” he said, blandly.

Martin frowned lightly, the states of the inspectors enough to know there was something new or different, “This time-“ Ellie said, and The Surgeon darted his puzzled stare at her, “The head is missing”

“The head is missing” he parroted, whistling under his breath, “Never lost a head, me”

”The cut was incredibly messy” Alec rushed to say, stepping forward to him, “An old gardening matxet was used” 

The doctor waited a few seconds as he looked at the inspectors before asking, “Why do you need my help? Just find any local politician or policeman who likes gardening” he shrugged.

Alec and Ellie shared a quick look, “The head was sent to your son” Alec finally said.

The statement made Martin’s blood boil in anger and his eyes widen in fear, “Someone sent a fucking head to my dear boy?!” He groaned, fearing for his son’s well-being.

Alec took a step backward, his arm in front of Ellie just in case of possible imminent danger. He had been told the man was rather defensive when it came to his family but the almost animalistic reaction had taken him by surprise, “Calm down Doctor Whitly” he said, almost as if he was talking to an encage lion.

”Someone sent a fucking head to my son!” Martin said in between teeth, “Is he in danger?!”

Alec did not know what to respond, “The NYPD will collaborate with us” he said, slowly, “We are going to get them, I promise”

”Fucking hell” Martin growled and at that very moment a couple of guards told the inspectors to leave the cell immediately, “You better do!” He shouted.

”Have you just said I promise to one of the most dangerous serial killer of our time?” Ellie cocked a brow as they left the mental facility to what Alec simply shrugged.

Inspector Hardy’s third visit took place the day after. He was rigidly standing in front of the criminal, a few steps from the red line and eyes fixed on him, “They’ll be here soon” he said.

”You said that four times already” Martin said, his posture mirroring the man, “How’s your health?”

”We don’t need to establish any kind of conversation, doctor Whitly”

”No, but really, I’m genuinely curious” the criminal’s stare traveled South, all the way to Alec’s chest, “Do you have a pacemaker yet?” 

Hardy shook his head.

Martin scoffed lightly, “You lot have free healthcare and yet you don’t take use of it”

Hardy pressed his lips together, silencing himself as he darted a quick look through the door’s tiny window, “What’s taking them so bloody long?” He said in between teeth.

”They were speaking to Jess, weren’t they?” He scoffed, “The woman is unable to shut her mouth sometimes”

Alec looked at him briefly before stepping backward, his back against the wall and arms crossed in front of his chest, “We’ve narrowed down the investigation, two suspects left but not enough clues” he shook his head, “Having the head back… the case will be solved” he coughed, his chest tight and his head light.

Martin nodded, “So this might be the last time we see each other?”

”I really hope so”

The Surgeon laughed cockily, “And I thought we were best friends”

”Friends?” Alec tilted his head slightly to the side, “You are a serial killer”

”We don’t have to share hobbies with your friends”

“You-“ Hardy coughed harder, as he got close to the criminal, stepping over the red line as he did so, “You are a bloody criminal, this is not a game Whitly, you are a narcissist psychopath” he said in between teeth, his head incredibly dizzy as he firmly grabbed the man’s collar.

Martin wanted to say a sneaky comment back, a sarcastic observation the British would probably appreciate. However, as he felt the cold hand on his collar loosen, he realised the man was about to collapse. “Inspector?” He whispered as Alec shut his eyes and fell on him, confirming his theory.

Martin took his weight as best as he could and managed to lay him on the floor, “Mr David!” He called.

The guard entered as urgently as he could, eyes wide and accusing, “What’s going on, Whitly?” His voice denoted nothing but wordiness and little patience.

Martin raised his hands in false innocence, “Not my doing, really” he assured, “But this man needs medical treatment”

”I’ll call an ambulance” Mr David said.

”In the meanwhile I’ll be needing some medical equipment” 

“Whitly-“

”Remember my daughter’s cameraman?” He asked, his eyes fierce on the man, “I’m not going to operate him, keep calm, I just need some cold water, d’you think you can do that?” 

Mr David nodded firmly as he left the place.

Martin, cursing the limited movements his cuffs gave him, untied the man’s collar and loosened his tie. He checked for his breathing and pulse and used some of his books to raise his legs up, “Come on Inspector Hardy, wake up” he said nervously.

Alec was already half awake, his eyes opening slowly as he got used to the bright blinking fluorescent light, “Whitly”

”Yeah, it’s me” Martin chuckled, the inspector’s head resting firm on his lap, “Not the views you’d prefer, I know, but there’s an ambulance on its way” he whispered.

At that moment Alec understood why the man had become a doctor in the first place. It had nothing to do with his sadistic nature but rather to the tiny spot of sweetness in him “Miller and Bright are not here yet?”

Martin shook his head.

Alec smirked lightly, “Good”

Martin smiled back, “This is a compromising posture they might find us in, eh?” He chuckled.

That made the inspector chuckle, frowning at the terrible pain on his chest, “How urgent is my surgery?”

”Very”

Alec hummed in understanding. He waited a few seconds to compose himself and sit on the floor, a few inches from the man. They stayed in complete silence, sharing a long stare as they tried to do something, anything, to break the awkward moment. Alec tried his best to stand up but his body reminded completely motionless whilst Martin desperately thought of a conversation to start.

In the end, it was Mr David the one who broke the odd scene.

”They are here” he said as a paramedical entered the cell.

Alec stood up with some difficulties, “I’m afraid I’m not going anywhere, my colleague has not yet arrived and I have plenty of things to do” he made the paramedical leave, a scene that made Martin, still sitting on the floor, laugh.

As Alec and the paramedical lad argued, Ellie Miller and Malcom Bright finally arrived, “What is going on here?” Miller asked as Malcolm entered the cell.

”This man has a health issue and he won’t come with me” the paramedical complained.

”Is that it?” Ellie looked at Alec who said nothing, “He bloody won’t come” she told the paramedical, “Do you know how expensive medical resources are here? Uh-huh, he’ll get proper treatment back home” she made the paramedical definitely leave, “And you” he tapped Alec’s chest with her finger, “You’ll get the surgery, first thing back home, understood sir?”

Alec ignored her words as he entered the cell where Malcolm and Martin were talking. At the sight, The Surgeon’s eyes brightened up, “Ah! Here you are” he smiled, “Malcolm my boy, this is my best friend DI Alec Hardy” he smiled politely as he pointed the two men who exchanged a firm handshake, “Isn’t he handsome?” And neither of them could tell who was he talking about.

Ellie could not stop laughing, to the point she had to leave her burger on the plate as Alec apologised to the rest of the costumers for her loudness, “I can’t believe a serial killer is your best friend” she said in between giggles.

”Oh, come on Miller, you know that man is mental” he complained, already tired by her constant teases since they left Claremont.

“I mean” she laughed again, “I’m offended, I thought I was your best friend but…. Jesus it’s just too funny!”

”Stop it-“ he clicked his tongue in annoyance.

Ellie continued laughing, trying her best to have dinner as she snorted, “Come on, sir, the case is solved, you could smile a little”

The man sighed loudly, “I can’t wait to go back home” he complained, “I hate this city, it’s too big”

Miller smiled sweetly, finally able to stop laughing, “He called you handsome” she teased a little more and, his sudden rigid posture and light rose on his cheeks, showed that he had been affected by those words.

And that reaction made her burst out laughing again, “Miller!” The man threw her a napkin.

“He’s quite handsome too, don’t you think?” She said in between loud laughs, eyes filled with tears and stomach hurting.

”I’m done” Alec frowned as he abruptly stood up, leaving the laughing loud woman eating her burger completely alone.

Once outdoors, Alec took a deep breath, his lungs complaining at the city’s high level of contamination. He looked up at the dark sky and cursed himself for thinking the man he hated was indeed quite handsome.

And that made the inspector hate him more.