Hallelujah! This was written second, it takes place in the third season, which I haven't seen much of (unfortunately) so I apologize for any plot problems. ƒº The whole thing was started when everyone got up in arms over my first story, and my sister (Megan) said that I would be the first listmemeber to be lynched. She found this one the most painful of the series. I don't own anyone except my characters, but they're awful fun to play with. Permission to Archive, please contact Time was moving slow in the precinct. It was a time for paperwork. Which, of course, meant that Nick was staring off into space, and Tracy was reading the newspaper. Once in a while, Tracy would reach out and take a sip of her coffee. Nick had just stuck his eight pencil in the ceiling and was reaching for another. "Hmm.." Tracy mused. Nick braced himself. Tracy would break the comfortable silence by making vague comments about the paper frequently. The last one had been, "hmmm...you remember that infestation of Rats at the stadium? Mysteriously gone." (You mean the rats or the stadium?) Nick had given a noncommittal sound as he recalled the mysterious groaning that had come from the sewer below his loft the night before. "Hmmm..." Tracy hmmm'd again. "Hey, Nick, you remember that club you go to? The Raven? It's closing." "Hmm..." Nick responded, taking aim and sticking the pencil he had been fiddling with into the ceiling. He reached for another. "Did you already know?" Tracy looked up from the paper. "Hmmm?" Nick tried to decide whether he should toss up another pencil or not. Nine was nice, but he thought that maybe a nice round 10 would be better. "Did you already know? Tracy put down her coffee and went back to reading. On the edge of her mind, she wondered where she would meet Vachon now. "Know what?" Nick fiddled with his pencil. A pencil needed a good amount of fiddling before it could be thrown properly. He remembered how LaCroix had often chided him for fiddling with his wineglass. He could hear his voice clearly... "Nick! At least answer the question!" A little soccer ball bounced off his head. Tracy had bought it for just such an emergency. She had used it frequently lately. "What?" Nick looked dazed, but at least like he was part of this world. It was always hard for him to concentrate in the fall. Tracy rolled her eyes, making it obvious she had asked a few times already. She had been a little reluctant to use the soccer ball at first, but now it was a common occurrence, as nothing else seemed to work! "Did you already know that the Raven was closing?" It was too late. Nick's attention had been arrested by Natalie entering the prescient. Tracy sighed and folded up her newspaper. She thought Natalie walked over to where they were sitting. "Hey guys, busy night?" Tracy smiled, "Not really, you?" "Well, not busy, but not boring. It's nice to be able to take your time over an autopsy." She grinned as a "I didn't really want to know that" Look fell over Tracy's face. "So, any news?" Natalie pointed to Tracy's paper. "Oh, yeah, I was trying to tell Nick earlier.." Tracy began to speak, but never got to finish her sentence. "Knight! Vetter! You're supposed to be doing the Palder report!" Captain Reese barked. "Yes Captain, Sorry Cap!" Tracy and Nick responded. "Too late now, there's a report of a homicide near the river. Vetter, get your feet off the desk! Knight, get those pencils out of the ceiling, I've told you not to do that! Lambert, you might as well go too, I'm sure they'll beep you soon anyhow." Natalie started chuckling as she went to drop off her file with the right officer and Nick stood on his chair to pull his pencils out of the ceiling. Many other holes showed evidence of other boring moments. Tracy quickly gathered up her soccer balls and stored them in her desk. The first few days, they had kept ¡¥mysteriously' disappearing, but they weren't expensive, so she just started locking the drawer. As all three headed out the door, Natalie's beeper gave off a shrill, insistent beep, and they started laughing as Natalie called up to say she was on the way. They exited into the night. There was the general crime scene business as the three gathered around the body, ignore all the other cops trying to shoo away onlookers. "Well, it's a little hard to tell, but it basically looks like a knife attack and drowning. We'll only be able to see if he died before or of the drowning when we open his lungs. Any idea who he was?" Natalie pulled off her gloves with a snap and turned to the detectives. "Ronald Stansfield. Age 37, Resident of Toronto." Nick read off the driver's license. "Wow, check out all these papers here." Tracy pulled out a handful of clippings. "They're all scriptures! Hebrews 2:37-38, Matthew 25:26-27, Jeramiah 1:5, Mosiah 18:9-10, Mark 10:6-9,Acts 17:29," She read off as she flipped through them. "There's a lot of them! Wow, this guy knew his Bible. Any religious signs? Idea he was a preacher or something?" Nick shuffled through his wallet. "No money, so he was either robbed or not carrying." "Oh, yeah, he had a ring on." Natalie said, snapping her fingers. "Married?" "No, it was the wrong finger. Might have been stolen or lost, but there's a really strong tan line. Probably was wearing it for years." "Evidence of robbery." Tracy said. "Well, that's all we know right now. From now on, it's your job." Natalie patted Nick on the shoulder and got into her car. "So," Tracy said as Natalie drove away. "Shall we go inform the next of Kin?" "Yeah," Nick sighed. This was never fun. "Let's go see his residence first." They pulled up in front of a large apartment complex. Tracy sighed as she looked up. "Great. Crowded anominity. It's amazing how little these people know about their own neighbors. It's really sad." "And how much do you know about *your* neighbors?" Nick chided her. Tracy paused for a moment, "Well, let's go ask who knew him!" “M’am, will you please open the door, we just want to ask you a few questions..” “No! You’re not taking Fluffy! He’s quiet! He’s no bother!” “M'am, we don’t want your dog!” “Yes you do! The neighbors always say they’ll call the police!” “No one called us m'am!” “Then why are you here? Fluffy’s small! He’s nice!” Tracy rolled her eyes. “M'am..” Nick stopped her. “Really? What kind of dog is Fluffy?” There was a silence on the other side of the door. Nick raised his voice again. “Is he a shiatsu? A Chow?” The woman’s voice was hesitant, and a little wary. “Fluffy’s a Pekinese.” Nick worked hard to make his voice as persuasive as possible. It was hard to work a whammy without catching their eyes. “Really? I just love Pekinese dogs.” “You do?” The voice was warming. “Do you have one?” “No, but I’d like to get one. Do you know a good, reliable place?” Nick rolled his eyes and kept focusing. “Why yes! I got Fluffy from a good breeder. I could get you the number if you want.” The sound of the door unlocking caught their ears. “Really? That would be great.” Nick put on his best “little boy” smile as the woman peeked out. “I’d really appreciate that. Are you sure it’s no trouble?” The woman smiled shyly. “No, no trouble.” “Thank you very much. My name is Detective Knight. May we come in for a moment Ms..” “Pendleton, please do.” The woman opened the door enough for them to enter. As she closed the door, she put down what must be Fluffy. She bustled around the surprisingly uncluttered apartment as Fluffy hid under the couch and stared out at Nick once in a while. “Fluffy is a pretty dog, isn’t he?” Tracy followed Nick’s lead and sat on the couch Ms. Pendleton offered. “Yes, he’s such a wonderful companion.” Ms. Pendleton sat on an overstuffed chair. “And what’s your name dear?” “I’m Detective Vetter.” Tracy smiled. “Does your neighbor, Mr. Stansfield like Fluffy?” “Oh, yes, Ronald just loves Fluffy. He says that “It’s proof of God’s love that He gave me such a terrific friend.” He always has a treat for fluffy when he comes by.” “That’s so sweet. So you knew Mr. Stansfield well?” “Oh indeed! He is just the nicest man. He’s friends with nearly everyone in the building.” “Did-Does he have any family?” “No, all his family has died. His sister died in a car accident a few years ago. He says that’s what caused him to turn to God.” “Very religious man?” “Oh, yes. He’s always reading his pocket Bible and kissing his ring.” “Kissing his ring?” “Oh yes, he said he isn’t one for necklaces, so he had a ring with a cross on top made for him. He would kiss it to thank God, or ask for a blessing. Why do you ask?” Tracy glanced at Nick. He gestured to her. “I’m afraid there’s been a problem.” “He’s been in an accident?” Mr. Pendleton looked scared. Nick sighed. “I’m sorry, but he’s been killed.” “What?!” “We’re homicide detectives. We’d like to know if there was anyone we should notify, or anyone who might have had anything against him.” Ms. Pendleton looked shocked. “No! no one! Everyone was his friend! I don’t know anyone who would want to kill him. How horrible! What kind of monster would do such a thing?” “We think it might have been a robbery. Do you know if he carried much money?” “No! He gave most of his money away. He was a hard worker, but...no he never carried much. We used to joke about it.” Ms. Pendleton suddenly looked very old , confused and sad. “Is there anyone we should notify?” Tracy asked as gently as she could. To their surprise, Ms. Pendleton suddenly looked business like, and hurried over to the phone. “Yes, yes, I’ll go tell him.” She dialed a number and waited patiently. “Mr. Shalk? Yes. Not too well. You see, there are two detectives here. No, Fluffy's fine. They say that Ronald has been killed. I know! I’ll expect you here in five minutes. Yes, thank you.” Hanging up the phone, she motioned for the detectives to stay seated for a moment as she dialed again. “Beth? Ester here. Yes. Hold on dear. I have two detectives here. No dear, Fluffy's fine. They say Ronald has been killed. I don’t know! I just called Mr. Shalk. Yes. I knew I could count on you dear. Yes, I’m sure they’ll explain. In ten then. Bye!” Finally, she hung up the phone, and bustled into the kitchen. “Tea? Coffee?” She called to the confused detectives. “Coffee please.” Tracy called back, shooting a confused look at Nick. He just shrugged. Ms. Pendleton came back in and sat down. “It’ll be ready just in time for Mr. Shalk to have some as well.” “Who is Mr. Shalk?” Nick asked, trying not to be confused. “Oh, he’s the building supervisor. Very nice man. One of the best supervisors I’ve ever had. He was very close to Ronald. We all were. I tell you, I’ve lived in lots of complexes, but I’ve never seen someone draw people together like Ronald could.” “Weren’t you curious when he was gone for a few days?” “Oh, no. He would go down and work in shelters, sometimes days at a time. He would just curl up on a cot in the back of a kitchen at night. We worried, but everyone was so protective of him, nothing ever happened. I can’t imagine anyone not liking him, let alone getting though all his friends.” Ms. Pendleton spoke very quickly, painting a picture of a genuine saint. A knock sounded on the door, drawing the eyes of all three in the room. “that must be Mr. Shalk. Would you be a dear and get it?” Ms. Pendleton waved to Nick “Detective...Oh dear, I’ve forgotten your name.” “It’s Knight” “Yes, thank you, my knees aren’t what they were when I was younger.” Nick rose and answered the door. A small, balding man stood on the other side, looking apprehensive. As he saw Nick, he said shortly, “Are you one of the Detective?” “Yes, I’m Detective Knight," Nick extended his hand. “You are Mr. Shalk?” “Yes, yes I am.” He shook hands and then scooted into the room, facing Ms. Pendleton. “Is it true then? is Ronald really dead?” He asked her. “These detectives say he is. I suspect that they would know.” Just then, a shrill whistle pierced the air. “The water’s ready. Coffee, Mr. Shalk?” She bustled into the kitchen without waiting for an answer. Tracy introduced herself and then whispered to Mr. Shalk, “Why’s she so calm?” Mr. Shalk whispered back. “Just the way she is. We all think she’s going a little dotty, but she’s all right.” (Oh, goody. We’re investigating the murder of a saint, in a friendly apartment complex, with a dotty character witness. This will be interesting.) Tracy thought morosely. Suddenly, there was another knock on the door. “That must be Beth.” Said Tracy, trying to break the silence as Ms. Pendleton worked in the kitchen. Mr. Shalk looked at Tracy in surprise. “She called Beth?” “Yes, that’s what she called her at least.” “Then you’d better just leave the door open.” “Why?” “Beth is the local grapevine.” Mr. Shalk said, pursing his lips into a thin smile. Continued curiosity gradually dissolved from their faces when the people started coming in. In five minutes, the room was packed, people milling about and asking questions loudly. Nick and Tracy were squished into a corner, staring amazed at the group. Suddenly, the lights turned off. There was even more confusion until they turned on a moment later. Nick spotted Ms. Pendleton at the light switch. She continued flicking until the group quieted down. Speaking in a normal tone, she directed everyone. “The only ones who know anything about this are those two detectives stuck in a corner behind Mr. Perez. All eyes turned to the detectives. “Yes, that’s them. Now, if you will let them, they’ll come to the center of the room, over here Ms. Vetter, and they will explain everything.” A narrow isle opened up for them and they made their way. “Through the gauntlet” Thought Tracy grimly. Much later...Tracy and Nick got into the caddy. They both stared ahead for a little, shocked. Slowly, Nick put his key in the ignition and started the car. As he pulled out, Tracy continued staring. Slowly, her head sunk into her hands. She swore she could hear her neck creak like a rusty hinge. She spoke, her palms muffling her words a little. “So...nothing.” There was a long pause before Nick replied. “Sure looks like it.” “Wonderful.” Tracy fell on her couch and groaned. Vachon, who was standing, had just asked her the question, “Hard night?” “We spent...who KNOWS how long, questioning an ENTIRE apartment complex, and got NOTHING out of it.” “Oh?” “Yeah, we found this dead guy by the river, and it turns out he’s the local saint. He’s friends with everyone, especially the people in his complex. So we had to listen to stories about him, tears, hysterics, and denials the whole night. NO ONE knew of any enemies he possibly could have had. And there was this lady who kept giving me coffee and cookies all night! I don’t think I’ll sleep for a week! I could barely type up a report, my hands were shaking so badly!” “Oh.” Vachon looked at her blankly. “So, no idea who killed him?” “NONE!” The last outburst seemed to exhaust her, and she fell back on the couch, throwing her arm over her eyes to block out the harsh light. There was a pause. “Can I help?” Vachon asked lightly. Tracy paused and peeked out from under her arm. “You have that whole ‘super strength’ thing going for you. Can you go see if you can open my asprin bottle and bring me two?” “Ok.” Vachon shrugged and disappeared into her bathroom with a surety that made her wonder how often he had gone through her apartment. Suddenly, she heard a sharp snap, and Vachon curse. He appeared at the door holding the bottle in one hand and the cap in the other, a sheepish smile on his face. “Sorry, broke the top off.” Tracy pulled her self up off the couch to see. Sure enough, the top of the bottle was broken clean off. “Darn childproof caps” She muttered to herself. Then she started laughing. Part 2 The next night. “Anything new from the autopsy?” Nick asked Natalie, who was busy working over a body. “Well, there was one thing that was pretty interesting,” Nat replied, snapping off her gloves and reaching for a file. “Not that anyone would really notice it, but there’s no blood in the body. Well, very little.” “Why wouldn’t anyone notice it?” “After the knife slit him open, his top half was shoved into the water. The angle, the water, the size of the wound, that would account for the loss of a *lot* of blood, but I get the feeling he was pretty dry *after* he was dunked in the water.” “So, a vampire.” “Either that, or we have something else out there to worry about. I don’t know, maybe I’m just getting paranoid.” “Maybe not. Toronto is becoming a big center for vampires lately. I’ll check into it.” As Nick disappeared out the door, Natalie turned back to the body and thought to herself “boy am I glad I have *him* to do that.” As Nick pulled up outside the Raven, he noticed that the usual thumping sound of music was not apparent. In fact, it was completely absent. “That’s odd. This is usually one of the Raven’s biggest nights.” He thought to himself. The bouncer was gone too. There was a sign on the door in LaCroix’s flowing hand. “Closed for re-birth.” Re-birth? What was he up to now? Trying the door, he found it locked. “Ok, this is really odd.” Not wanting to upset LaCroix by breaking the lock, he hurried around to the back, threw open the door and started into the club, listening and feeling for the presence of his Father. Arriving finally in the main room, he was just in time to see LaCroix ushering out a tall red-haired man with all sorts of papers in his arms. LaCroix was speaking quickly. “And please make *sure* they come in tomorrow and take it *all* out. I don’t want t single one left. Thank you for taking the extra time to come in and talk to me. Yes, Goodnight!” Nick stood, staring dumbfounded. The club was in the first stages of being gutted. The bar was almost gone, all the tables, the poles, the decorations. (Jeanette would have a fit) It looked a lot like a cave, except for the bright construction lights set up everywhere. Of course, that didn’t shock Nick nearly as much as what LaCroix was saying, or what happened nest. LaCroix turned to Nick and smiled a big, welcoming smile. “Nicolas! How good to see you! I was wondering when you were coming over! Come, let me show you what I’m planning on doing to reform this den of sin!” LaCroix came over, threw and arm around Nick and started guiding him to a makeshift table with blueprints on it, sitting in the middle of the room. “Who was that you were talking with LaCroix?” Nick asked pensively, very confused and trying to adjust to all that was happening. “Oh, that was the contractor Mark.” LaCroix gestured vaguely at the door. “*Dear* man. He is so good to come over and talk to me this late at night. I really hate to be a bother, but we had to get some last minute revisions done. He’s so patient with me. You should see his family, they’re just darling.” Shaking loose of LaCroix‘s arm, Nick asked plaintively, “LaCroix, what’s going on?” Utterly confused and not a little scared, Nick stared at his maker, pleading for sense. “I’m rebuilding the entire place!” LaCroix gestured grandiosely to what was left of the club. “The bar will be longer, like a lunch counter, and become a soup line. The adjoining rooms will be converted into a soup kitchen. Other backrooms will have extra beds for some of the city’s homeless. That gaudy stage will be taken out and replaced with a single podium. It’s too drab and dark in here, so I’m brightening the colors. I want this place to exude hope! Oh, it will be a place to re-build people, to save souls!” LaCroix seemed not to see the desperate look on Nicolas’ face, he was too caught up in his plans. Nick took the normal step for people utterly overwhelmed. He tried to change the subject. “LaCroix. We found a body by the river the other night. Do you know anything about it?” “Yes, poor man.” LaCroix sat on a chair and surprised Nick by looking genuinely sad. “I was in the area the night he died. Oh I didn't kill him, I had already performed the accursed act of feeding.” He looked disgusted with himself. “I was passing by when I saw a fledgling inexpertly attack and kill him. When he just left the body, I was so disgusted at the carelessness that I told him to at least disguise the kill. The Fledgling refused, and was quite insulting as well, so I ended his eternity prematurely. When I picked up the body to move it, a paper fell out of his hand. Curiosity got the better of me, and I read it. It was a paragraph from the Bible.” LaCroix stood up and pulled a tattered paper out of his pocket. It was obvious that it had been read several times. “Matthew 16:26. For what is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world,” “And lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Nick finished the scripture, and LaCroix began to look more animated and clasped Nick on the shoulder. Smiling, he said “Exactly. I’m so glad you haven’t forgotten your Bible. I’m in the process of reading it right now! There are so many wonderful things in it, I’m sorry I never read it before! I marvel at how closely I missed the chance of knowing Jesus himself! My eyes are open now to the glories of the word of God! Oh the peace that it brings into my heart, oh, the joy! I must share it with others!” “So what happened when you read the scripture?” Nick tried to guide the conversation back to where it was, attempting to hide how troubled he was at the same time. “It hit me really hard. I still had the ashes on my hands who had sold his soul, thinking to gain life for eternity. Instead he spent a little time in darkness, and then left existence, a damned soul. I have lived my entire existence tearing people down, and for what? We will all die sooner or later, none of us is actually eternal. Only God is! Why couldn’t I use my time to help people instead? Why couldn’t I try to make amends for all the wrong I have done?” LaCroix stood up and threw his arms in the air. “Suddenly, I felt like I was filled with light! I was reborn! God has a road for me, and I will follow it!” LaCroix’s voice was raised, and he started gesturing even more wildly with his hands. “I will start again! I will help humanity and make the world a better place, one soul at a time!” Nick started backing up quickly out of the building, trying not to startle LaCroix. “LaCroix, I’m afraid I have to go. Good luck with your re-decorating and everything.” He said quickly, trying to escape. “It is more than re-decorating, it is a re-birth! Nicolas, I have never felt such joy! Come, visit me more often and help me help you come to accept the love and forgiveness of our Lord that we may be ready when he comes again! As Nick closed the heavy front door, the strains to “Holy, Holy” began to play loudly. He pulled out his cell phone and called the Morgue with shaking hands. “Natalie? It’s Nick. Pack your bags and get out of town for a week or two. I think the world is coming to an end." Inside, LaCroix lovingly patted the pocket that held a large ring with a cross on it’s face. It didn’t burn much now, and he was sure that one day he would be able to wear it constantly to show the world of his love for his Savior. Feeling joy welling up inside of him, he cried loudly, “HALLELUIAH!!” Not quite The End. Please contact dreamerextrodanar@hotmail.com with comments. I really appreciate them!