Dedicated to softyhartz, aka, Agent Lee Norton's number 1 fan.

Amber sat in her office. Following Bennett's note and William's threat, she had a lot to think about. William was out of reach, but Lee wasn't.

She had reached out to an old College mate in Washington. Lee was hiding something and it unsettled her to no end. He seemed to be slowing the investigation down.

She rapped on her hardwood table with her red painted claws. The phone finally rang.

"Mark?"

"I have found what you requested." Mark's voice buzzed.

"And?" anxiety practically dripping from her raspy voice. She heard Mark sigh.

"This agent Lee. He is an FBI agent. And he was charged to head the taskforce."

"So did he manipulate it? He told me someone owed him a favour."

"I don't know that Amber. You had me opening files that could get me fired." He sounded tired.

"Is that all you got?"

"Well no. He has never dealt with a serial killer's investigation. He's apparently very successful in the drug department."

"Do you have any idea who put him up to this?"

"The weird thing is that was blacked over. I'm looking at the file right now."

"This doesn't make any sense."

"Look Amber I gotta go," she heard a crashing noise. "Don't go off the deep end. It's not worth it."

With that, the phone disconnected. She wondered if Mark was right. If someone was trying to stall the case, however, she had to stop them.

Amber opened her desk drawer lock and took out the contents. She began to mix the elixirs. A quantity here and a quantity there. "That should do it." she thought.

"Test six, batch three." she spoke into her portable recorder.

She rolled up her sleeve and tied a piefe of silk scarf around her upper arm. The veins soon formed and she sent the needle right into her blood. Right into her heart.

A noise outside startled her. Someone was moving outside. The lock of her door began to move! Slowly to the right and to the left.

No one was in the office, not even Sonya. She quickly pushed all her bottles and chemicals into the drawer. She threw the scarf and needle as well just in time for the door to open.

In came Lee. He swaggered in and closed the door behind him. Now she started to see that he was not only slender and tall, but somehow strong. Imposing. A strength that lurked at the surface but could be summoned at any moment.

She stood up quickly and went behind her chair He simply walked to the patient's couch and lay back.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, willing herself not to sound afraid. If he really was working with William somehow, then it was best he did not suspect her suspicion.

"Thought I'd check up on my partner." he said, casually taking a book from the coffee table.

"Partner?"

"Yeah, you were acting weird today." she remained silent. "Come, we need to talk."

"I was... how did you know I was here?"

She walked to her analysis chair. All the chairs in her office were made of tan red leather. The plush absorbed her. Lee dropped the book on his chest and looked at her, lifting an angular eyebrow.

"I'm an FBI agent, remember? You look like crap!""

"Gee, thanks." she sighed.

"What's up with you, did William say something?"

"How do I know I can trust you?" she looked him right in the eyes. He turned abit to face her.

"What the heck are you talking about?"

"You keep all these secrets from me and they make me uncomfortable. Are you...?" she stopped herself.

"I'm an agent working for the FBI, we're not exactly known for our candour." he sat up straight. Both of them leaned forward, facing each other. Each trying to uncover a hidden thing.

"In the car that night we came from Olman, I asked you why they put you as the head of this case..."

"They pick who they pick, how is that my fault?"

"I did a little digging..."

"Of course you did." Lee sighed.

"I know you're mainly a drug expert, so why this case? What's in it for you?"

"Personal stakes!" He finally lost his cool, standing up to walk behind the lounge chair. He planted his hands on his frame and hung his head. He barely whispered. "I need to avenge someone. Is that enough for you?"

She stayed quiet. Amber had never seen him that moved by anything. She walked up to him and put a hand on his shoulder. He placed his hand on hers, they were back.

"My fiancé disappeared. Her name is Cynthia. We were just about to get married," his voice was tired and beaten any faux nonchalance faded. "She suddenly disappeared and I think..."

"You think?" Amber asked, afraid for where the conversation was headed.

"She fit his MO to a T. She had finally come back home from touring in Iraq then this."

"So it's not just a job." Amber smiled somberly.

"I have a feeling it isn't for you too."

"Wanna know what I'm hiding?" She sat on the back rest. He simply looked at her. "My past."

"We're all hiding our past, aren't we?"

"The man who raised me, he...he abused me. So many times I lost count."

"I'm sorry," Lee hummed "your mom?"

"None. No siblings either."

"What happened to him?"

A vision of her frozen father flashed across Amber's mind and she blocked it. Lee walked closer.

"We have to focus on the present. Keeps the future bright." Lee said optimistically. "I still believe in a future."

"If William took her, we'll find her." she said with resolve. "Those papers on my desk."

They went over the papers that Amber had found in the box. Lee was beyond astonished and promised to find every file on William's mother's case. In their talking, Amber didn't notice Lee swipe something. Maybe if she did, this story would have ended differently.

They spent up to two in the morning. Drinking the coffee and solving the mystery. Not once did Amber's head ache. As the two said their goodbyes at the parking lot, Lee turned to Amber.

"Something happened. I didn't know how to tell you."

"Did you try speaking."

"It's Olman," he sighed "We found him dead in his house, which was in ashes."

"What?"

"He died of a gunshot his burn wounds occured post moterm."

Amber's breath was caught in her lungs. Her chest was tight as if someone was sitting on it.

"Was it...?"

"William, I suspect it. We must have lead him to Olman."

Amber stayed quiet, not knowing what to say. She did not want to tell Lee about William's threat but John was in danger.

"So what do we do now?" she finally managed.

"We burry the dead."

AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Hommagashhh!!!😂😂😂😂😂😂

But seriously, WTF?
How do you guys think William is doing all of these things. How can a man in a secure mental prison be doing this? Please let me now in the comments, I love to hear from you.

Also, what was that thing that Lee took? And what was that vague comment about it changing the story? Let me know.

Why dis Amber lie about her family growing up?

There is a lot to unpack here. Including why Amber didn't tell Lee about William's threat. Poor John.

See you and Izzy at the next one.😘😘