The Heart Collector (Under Editing)

Chapter Twenty-Nine: Blood

Fare sat outside of Novus' office. His door was closed while he spoke with Hughes; leaving her to listen to Sheila's typing on the computer. Her nerves were at their maximum level. Her legs bounced up and down. She did not realize that they were making noise until Sheila spoke.

Sheila swiveled her chair roughly and slid her glasses down to the tip of her nose, "Fare, I understand that you're nervous, but can you please cease the tapping of your feet?"

Fare slowly picked her feet up and placed them under her on the chair.

"Sorry." She began to bite her nails.

Sheila watched her for a moment. She contemplated in saying something else to Fare, but ultimately decided that she would not rile her up anymore than she was. When Sheila went back to the email she was replying to, the phone to the left of her rang.

"Captain Novus Snow's office, this is Sheila."

Fare was unsure what the person on the line was saying, but the way Sheila's eyes grew wide and the color drained from her face, it was not good.

"Thank you. I'll let him know."

As soon as Shelia had placed the phone on the receiver, she bolted to Novus' closed door. She dis not knock.

"Shelia!" Fare heard Novus scold.

"I'm sorry sir, but we have a situation."

Fare got up and went to the doorway. She was not sure if she was suppose to hear this conversation, but she figured that Novus would tell her when he saw her there.

"What is it?"

"That was Commodore Link. He's calling all hands-on deck. Word came in of a bloodbath at a hotel off of Janus Street."

Fare tensed and Novus took notice.

"What is it Fare?" Novus asked.

"I know that Hotel. It's a few blocks from where Kila's apartment was."

Novus did not react. Fare figured that he already realized that.

He turned back to Sheila, "Did he say if there were any survivors?"

"No. It sounded to me like that he just landed on the scene. There was a lot of background noise. I'd imagine that it must be pretty bad. It sounds like every precinct is sending in reinforcements."

"What would you like me to do?" Hughes asked.

Novus glanced at Fare, "I'm sorry Fare. I think that we need to postpone your hypnosis. Hughes, I need you to grab the whole forensics unit and meet me on the scene."

Hughes nodded and got up from his seat. He gave Fare a passing sympathetic glance when he left.

Fare watched as Novus put on his vest and some wrist guards.

"Sheila, I need you to get in contact with our squad leaders. Have them meet there as well."

"Do you want to include the Lieutenants?"

"No. I want them to hold down the fort in case something happens. I want just the squad leaders for now. I'll contact you that changes."

Novus walked out the door, but paused when he realized that Fare was not following, "Are you coming Fare?"

"Am I able to? It's an active crime scene."

"Like that's stopped you before."

Fare rolled her eyes, "That was different."