Warning: The latter part of this chapter is disturbing so please proceed with caution. 

AUTHOR'S POV  

Larry, Laurent and mama have been huddled together embracing one another as Laurent just shared that the murderer has been captured. The tears they've shed have been relief but also joy as it's been so long that they've waited for this but they never gave up and with detective Brunet working as hard as he has they knew it was bound to happen. At times they would pull away from the tight group hug and as they've smiled through their tears they've also wiped away tears from one another. For minutes they weren't able to say anything because of the jubilation they feel but when they finally could speak they all shared the same sentiment of gratitude. Night after night Larry and Laurent have repeated countless prayers and held onto each other for comfort as well as reassurance when the case appeared bleak at times. Now they can rejoice, and as detective Brunet informed Laurent, it's only a matter of the sentencing court date. With the mountain of evidence against him it would shock the world if he opted for a trial so they're just as confident as Brunet that he will plead guilty. Laurent then suggests that they watch the news to see if this is being broadcast to the community as he has a strong feeling that it is. They take to the couch and he's like lightning flipping to the news channel. For a few moments it's a typical news segment where the anchor is going through different reports but once they see the words 'breaking news' flash across the screen they all know what it is. The next second they hear the news anchor...

Anchor: "We have just received word that an arrest has been made in the kidnapping and murder of Kaylee Bourgeois. We will now join the police department in live coverage of a press conference where Detective Brunet has more information". 

The familiarity of the press conference scene grabs their attention all the more, from the eager reporters to bright flashes of the cameras. Then their focus shifts to the detective...

Brunet: "Thank you all for coming. We have arrested prime suspect, Julian Ramos, for the murder case. He was captured today while attempting to flee with a hostage who he abducted in a shopping center but we are pleased to report that though she's distraught from the terrifying ordeal she is safe and without question she will testify against the suspect at the trial for those charges. At this time I'll take questions". 

Reporter: "Detective, are you sure the police department has captured the correct suspect this time for the kidnapping and murder case"? 

Brunet: "Yes, we are confident that he's the culprit as there is ample DNA evidence and although we wouldn't need it due to the overwhelming evidence, we also have a confession from him".

Reporter: "Detective, do you think the prosecution will seek the death penalty"?

Brunet: "I'm not sure about that, but I'm certainly not opposed to it. If not the death penalty then life without parole will be the next best punishment". 

Reporter: "Has the police department established a motive for the crime"?

Brunet: "We have not but there will be additional questioning soon in which a motive in this case will more than likely be revealed". 

Reporter: "Detective, the police department previously arrested Laurent Bourgeois. Has he been made aware of the arrest"?

Brunet: "Yes, my first phone call was placed to Mr. Bourgeois to give him the news".

Same reporter: "Is the police department at all concerned that Mr. Bourgeois will seek a lawsuit due to his unjust arrest for this crime"?

The detective isn't at all shocked by this question. In fact, a part of him actually expected it and internally he feels himself becoming angry because he can't think about Laurent's arrest without thinking about detective Lane who put him there. For several moments the only sound heard is the constant flashing of the cameras. There's at least five news reporters standing in front of him and all eyes are on him as they wait for him to answer the question...an answer that he isn't really sure of but he also won't bypass albeit a very short response...

Brunet: "I am unaware of any legal action towards the police department at this time". 

The reporters are so used to their job they jump to the next question with no thought to ponder the answers to previous questions. The detective answers them politely...but it's evident that his mood has been brought down because of the question about Laurent. What he and his family went through because of detective Lane will infuriate him until something is done about his unethical treatment towards Laurent. Thankfully, he's armed with enough proof of his disgusting attitude towards him and Larry but as of right now his full attention is on Ramos because the sooner he's in prison the better and Kaylee will truly be able to rest peacefully...

Brunet: "This concludes the press conference. Thank you again for coming down so quickly".

The detective walks away to head back inside the precinct and he isn't expecting a run in with a particular person while on the way to his office. It's detective Lane and they've now reached a point where his look upon him is that of instant disgust. Often times Brunet's eyes squint in anger at the sight of him and he always wonders what Lane possibly has to say to him...though this time he knows what he's going to say so he's internally gleeful. Now that they're face to face he asks in a very sarcastic tone...

Brunet: "How can I help you detective"?

Lane: "You talked to captain about handling the Bourgeois case alone". 

Brunet: "I did and I would say it was for the best. Wouldn't you agree? After all, the real murderer has been captured. He also confessed and wouldn't you know, he doesn't look like Mr. Bourgeois at all". 

Detective Lane hears his former partner's voice dripping in sarcasm and as his arms rest by his side he slowly balls both hands into fists. Detective Brunet sees this happening without having to look down and his tone changes from sarcastic to serious...very serious...

Brunet: "What do you think you're going to do with those fists"? 

*silence*

Brunet: "Go for it detective". 

Detective Lane steps closer and so does Brunet. One would think that a round of fighting is about to ensue...but when Lane sees that the look in Brunet's eyes remains that of an "I want you to hit me and see what happens" he slowly backs down and as he releases those fists...

Lane: "Captain looks at me differently now thanks to you. What did you tell him"? 

Brunet: "I told him the truth. That truth being that you have a personal vendetta against Mr. Bourgeois and it's clear that you're homophobic. You have no one to blame but yourself for the way he looks at you now. It's a shame that it took Mr. Bourgeois being thrown in a jail cell before the captain realized that my complaints about you were valid but he's been released although he's suffered in other ways because of your callousness". *pause* "Perhaps it's time you look in the mirror and ask yourself if the disdain you feel for the Bourgeois men being in a committed marriage is more of a reflection of you than them". 

Lane: "I know what you're trying to imply and you can knock it off. I'm not gay". 

Brunet: "Of course you're not detective". *rolls eyes* "As much as I would love to stand here and continue engaging in this delightful conversation I have work to do so if you'll excuse me". 

Brunet walks around him and heads for his office leaving detective Lane in a stupefied silence. Seconds later he merely walks away. Detective Brunet eventually comes to his office and he isn't thinking at all about their conversation. He doesn't want someone so spiteful in his mind when there are other things, far more important things, to occupy him. He can't get his mind off of the question a reporter asked about Laurent possibly taking legal action against the department. He wouldn't have said this on camera but it has crossed his mind. He knows that Larry and Laurent are grateful to him, but just as he told detective Lane, Laurent has suffered in other ways because of this so if Laurent decides to take action it would be completely warranted. But, perhaps Laurent won't need to seek action against the police department because of what detective Brunet has in store as it just might be enough. He unlocks his desk drawer and pulls out the recording of detective Lane essentially confessing that he put Laurent in jail knowing he was innocent. He checks the audio again to make sure that it's still audible though he knows that if he sits and listens to it in its entirety he would just become upset again and there's too much to do so he secures the device back in the desk drawer. There's something very important on his agenda today and though it turns his stomach just thinking about it, it's necessary so he leaves his office to get right to it...

~meanwhile~

It's been roughly thirty minutes since the Bourgeois family watched the press conference. Most of the reporters' questions were expected...but the one about Laurent wasn't and they haven't really spoken about it. For the most part they're in agreement that if it wasn't for detective Brunet Laurent would still be in jail and weeks away from being put on trial. But, they also agree that detective Lane should be held accountable for the detrimental role he played in this nightmare. They just don't think the entire police department should suffer because of his actions. In celebration of Kaylee's murderer being caught dinner will be a bit different tonight. Laurent will fire up the grill where he'll toss on some fresh veggies along with some tender mesquite chicken breasts. Mama is slicing and dicing away on the veggies for a coleslaw as well as a salad that both will be kept cool in the fridge until dinnertime. Emma is also helping as she always loves to do and she also has a special request for her papa Larry. He's at the kitchen table with her giving her sweet instruction on what ingredients to dump in the large mixing bowl for a homemade bread that will be baked to a golden perfection when she looks up at him and that adorable little voice asks, "will you make my favorite cookies tonight papa? She's referring to his made from scratch chocolate chip cookies that he bakes on occasion. He and Laurent agreed that sugary snacks such as these are treats so they don't have them regularly. They've been committed to making sure their babies eat primarily healthy but it has been a while and these cookies would be a perfect addition to this family dinner so Larry smiles as he replies, "of course princess". Her eyes sparkle as she smiles beautifully right back at him then puts her focus back on the prepping. Laurent has been working on the marinade for the chicken when a feeling suddenly comes over him so he washes and dries his hands then without a word leaves the kitchen. Larry and mama look confusingly at each other but are also curious as to where he's going. The curiosity doesn't last long as he comes back moments later...

Laurent: "The press is outside". 

Larry: *sigh* "Not this again". 

Mama: "I think you both should ignore them like you did before. They'll go away". 

*brief pause*

Laurent: "I want to talk to them". 

Naturally Larry and mama are shocked to hear this. He was so adamant about avoiding them when they showed up the day of their family outing to lunch. But Larry's face softens as he now realizes why Laurent wants to talk to them so he replies, "I'll go with you baby". Laurent's expression is that of adoration as he gives his love a small smile and wink then makes his way towards the front door. Larry turns to Emma to sweetly tell her that they're stepping outside for a little bit and will be right back so they can finish prepping for dinner together. He meets Laurent at the door and they join hands then look at each other. A second passes and after a soft nod from his love Laurent opens the door and they step outside. The press is surprised to see them walking in their direction instead of away to avoid them. Before one question can be asked Laurent speaks...

Laurent: "I know you all are here to ask me the same questions you asked detective Brunet earlier, or you may have different questions, but I only want to talk for one thing".*pause* "My husband and I aren't planning to take legal action against the police department. Detective Brunet has been very good to us and he's the one who helped me get out of jail because he knew from the start that I'm innocent. There's only one detective that we blame for my arrest and that's detective Lane. My husband knew that he had a problem with us and we now know what that problem is". *pause* "They say that you should marry someone who brings out the best in you. Who loves and supports you. Your soulmate. Sometimes that person can be your best friend. I married mine and that's the man standing next to me. Larry and I being married doesn't make sense to a lot of people, but it doesn't have to and we don't need anyone's approval. We have support and we have a beautiful family. Kaylee is a part of that family and we love her very much. We will always love her and instead of seeing how much we love her detective Lane only focused on us being married. He didn't like it and because of his hate he wanted to see one of us in prison for something we didn't do. Because of his hate, I also lost my career as a math professor. He should be punished for what he did to me, what he put my family through and for not seeing that justice prevail for Kaylee. Detective Brunet did that for her. He found the monster who took her away from us and we will forever be thankful for him". 

When Laurent made the statement of having a beautiful family something told Larry to turn his head and when he did he saw Emma looking out of the window. Her long curls framing her face with a small section pulled back and secured with a cute bow. The tip of her chin on her folded arms that are resting on the window sill as she looks on. He smiles at that sweet little face and when Laurent's finished he turns back around. The reporter then asks how he feels about his husband's words...

Larry: "I support my husband in everything. He's the rock of this family, I'm always on his side and I couldn't have said those words any better". *pause* "Thank you for coming". 

Larry and Laurent's hands stayed clasped together. The only time they released was to turn around but they joined hands again to walk inside. The press being the press continued with their barrage of questions but as Laurent stated, he was only there to address one thing. He and his love are satisfied and neither of them have any intention of talking to them again until they get the pleasure of hearing the murderer's sentence then subsequently asked how they feel about it. They walk inside and the moment they hit the living room Emma excitedly runs and jumps in Larry's arms...

Emma: "Who were you talking to papa"?

Larry: "Your papa and I were just talking to some really nice people for TV baby". 

Emma: *smile* "My papas are going to be on TV"?!

Larry: *smile* "Yeah we are". 

Emma: "Wooow. That's great papa". 

Larry: "You're great princess", he whispers. 

Emma lovingly wraps her arms around her papa for a hug then extends her arms for Laurent who gently takes her from Larry's grasp as she wants to give him a hug too. Laurent places her on her feet then they notice mama standing a distance away. She has a look on her face as if she's so proud of them. She didn't hear what they said to the press but she already knows that it's something to be proud of. No words needs to be exchanged and once they reach her she gives them the biggest hugs then they go back to dinner prep whilst enjoying quality time together...

Julian Ramos is inside of an interrogation room awaiting a visit from detective Brunet. As disturbing as he knows this interaction will be the detective has more questioning for him and the answers to those questions will be recorded for court purposes. On the way he walked by a TV where the station was broadcasting the press being at Larry and Laurent's home so he stopped to listen. When Laurent finalized his words with always being thankful for him the detective whispered, "you got it buddy". That only gave him another surge of adrenaline to go into this interrogation room so he can have all he needs to nail him in court. Now standing in front of the door he has to take in a deep breath as the sight of his maniac alone is disturbing but he also has to mentally prepare himself for what he's about to hear. He opens the door to walk in and to his left is the guard who escorted this creep to the room. Ahead of him the creep is slouched in the chair, again, without a care in the world as if he's completely unfazed about what he did to an innocent child. He sits across from him and with a hard stare he turns on the device only looking down to make sure it's recording then looks back up at him...

Brunet: "I ran a background check on you, Ramos. You're not from here which explains why your fingerprints weren't in our database. Now they will be in a national database so if there's any unsolved crime you committed you will be punished. You can thank me for that by the way, and it seems you've been a criminal for some time. You have a few cases of assault and battery. You also raped a woman years ago so I don't understand why your ass got out of prison because that's where you belong. That sweet little girl would be alive and with her family if you were". 

Ramos says nothing. He just sits there biting his nail like the heartless and pompous asshole he is. Detective Brunet can already feel his blood boiling but he's doing well in holding himself back and continues...

Brunet: "We have your confession, but I need you to walk me through that day and you can start by telling me what the hell was running through your mind when you woke up and decided that you would rip a child away from a schoolyard then take her life that caused devastation to her family". 

Ramos: "Look bro, my confession is enough". 

Brunet: "I'm not your bro. I'm detective Brunet and you will not call me anything else. Is that clear"?

Ramos: "Whatever dude". 

Brunet: "I'm not doing this shit with you. You answer my question right now and I only want to hear one response". *pause* "I asked is that clear". 

*brief pause*

Ramos: "Yeah it's clear". 

Brunet: "Now you give me the details I asked for. 

Ramos: "What was going through my mind is that I just wanted to do something that day. It was like...."

Brunet: "An impulse". 

Ramos: "Sure. I'll go with that". 

Brunet: "So impulse led you to a primary school and how long did you target the victim on the playground before you took her"?

Ramos: "I don't know. Maybe ten minutes". 

Brunet: "That seems accurate because during that time you took several pictures of the victim that you made a part of your sick shrine". 

Ramos: "Yeah then I turned around to check the area to make sure no one was outside to see what I was about to do. The coast was clear so I came up to her when the little girl she was playing with turned her head and I took her. Just like that. Then...."

As the detective listens he realizes that what he says is additional confirmation as his story matches that of what he confessed to the bartender. Then the culprit gets deeper into this heinous crime...

Ramos: "I didn't plan on killing her right away. I was going to keep her locked in the room for a while. I liked the control I had over her but she kept crying for her papas to help her. I was hearing it over and over again. A few times I yelled at her to shut up and she did but it wouldn't last for very long. I got tired of hearing it so I grabbed the duck tape then went to the room. She was sitting on the floor against the wall and when I got closer she started crying for her damn papas again so I cut a piece of tape then bent down to shut her up. That's when she bit me and I went blank with rage". 

Brunet: "The autopsy noted the bruising on her body that was consistent with a beating". 

Ramos: *nods* "Yeah". 

Brunet: "So an innocent little girl crying for her papas, who loved her very much, tried to stop you from restricting her in such a way and you took her life". 

Ramos: "Yeah that's pretty much it". 

Brunet: "So your motive behind this was just because you're a sick fuck who was looking to hurt someone that day that ended up being fatal". 

Ramos looks at the detective with those cold, dark eyes and he even has the nerve to form his lips into an evil smirk. With an even colder voice he replies, "the sickest fuck" in which the detective can no longer hold back his own impulse against this deranged scum. He shuts off the device and only a few seconds go by before he leaps from his chair and reaches across the table to jack him up. He's hurling countless expletives at him and calling the monster for what he is. He eventually feels the guard grab his shoulders as he pleads with him to let go. Detective Brunet just wants to hurt him to give him an idea of the pain he put Kaylee through...but he knows as a detective he can't even though he truly deserves it. He's near to going blank himself at the utter disgust he feels towards the pig but the guard is able to stop him. He looks dead into his eyes and while the detective's eyes are filled with rage all he sees is a blank stare coming from Ramos as if he wasn't at all affected by the way he was jacked up and basically raised him from the chair. The detective pushed him back causing Ramos to plop down in his seat. His eyes haven't strayed from the detective's once and what's worse is he's looking up at him with that evil smirk. The detective is trying to come to a place of calm as he tells the guard, "get this asshole out of my sight". The guard does exactly that and as he's escorting Ramos out of the room that smirk doesn't leave his face. It's beyond sickening and Brunet has to retreat to his office to calm down...but it would be nearly impossible. He sits at his desk and all he can think about is this recording playing for the court which means Larry and Laurent will hear what their little girl's final moments were like. With his elbows resting on the desk he drops his face in his hands then rubs those hands over his head. For the first time in years a case is getting to him so much that he finds himself on the brink of tears...

------------------------ 

A/N:  This was very hard to write because all I could think of is that there are truly soulless people in this world who have done things like this. I know this was hard for all of you to read but please share your thoughts. Love you guys. ❤️