Friend or Foe (SAW x Reader)

Ch.12 (Leading the charge part 1)

(This will be a two parter because I have long ideas for this to progress the story. Also reminder saw events may be moved around and timing of said events could be off for my sake. Enjoy!)

   Two whole days have gone by since Mark had gone out to hunt down Strahm. The tension between Mark and I had gotten heavy to weigh on our shoulders. It was a ticking time game to see what would happen, who would say what, and if anyone would notice Peter gone. I was more worried about Hoffman getting torn apart by the department since Strahm and Perez's suspicions were on Mark; and now they are both gone.

I've been confined to my office chair having caught a small drug trafficking group the day after Peter went missing. The paperwork was easy, just there was a lot to file and print. I had really taken learning while on the job to a new level. Everything on my 'training' was made and organized by John Kramer. I went from just being a sheep to a lead wolf knowing how to hunt alone. I believe what really helped me was my real job. It's hard to stalk down jigsaw apprentices without getting caught once. I almost blew it when I was hunting down Amanda all the time. My phone ringing nearly made me jump out of my seat. "Detective (L/n)'s office, this is (L/n)." It was a number I wasn't aware of yet calling me.

"Detective (L/n), this is special agent Erickson. Would it be possible to have you down at our department in less than five minutes?" I bit the inside of my cheek; it looked like I'd be the one getting questioned before Hoffman. "Give me three minutes to get down there." He sounded thrilled "Great! Just don't let Hoffman know you're coming. He's never been real happy to work with us; I'd doubt he'd be any less than annoyed we're having you come down". I agreed and shut off my phone getting ready to sneak out. After making sure Mark wouldn't see me leaving I signed out for the day and sped off. Upon arrival I was quickly rushed through the office and led to Erickson. I greeted him and sat across from him ready to react to anything; anything except what came out of his mouth next. "I want you to lead the investigation to Strahm's recent location with me. It would be just me and you but I believe we should have no problems between us." I was absolutely gobsmacked and probably looked like an idiot with their jaw on the ground. "Wouldn't that be risky sir? While we know how he operates while on duty, do we really have a chance if he has something up his sleeve we don't know about?" He sat down and looked me straight in the eyes "Jill Tuck came in earlier and she believes Strahm is following her. If that is true we could get the jump on him now but we must act soon. I'm going with or without you. I'm wanting to offer you a step up in the ranks and all you have to do is come with me detective".

His words rang in my ears. If I could out rank Hoffman and take (S/n)'s case in my own hands without anyone noticing; I could get rid of her on every level she's trying to get me from. Maybe I could even set my life back on level ground and cover the messy slopes I've created. The problem though, will always be Mark in the end. I don't believe he'd let me get away with most or any of this if I was caught. His egotistical self would not let someone below him rise to his ranks or beyond.

I held out my hand "deal special agent Erickson." He shook it firm and we hopped into our separate cars. I followed him to a tucked away corner of town, my phone started to vibrate across the seat making me pause. The number made my gut sink some as I read the screen. Giving one last look I shut down my phone completely muttering an apology as I loaded the gun and left the car. Guns pointed out we rounded the door reading the dark room. The shelves were almost touching the ceiling full of different things. It was hot in the building making my outfit stick to me like a suction cup sticks to glass. A loud steam blast had Erickson and I back to back circling each other's weak spots. My eye caught a heavy door at the end of the aisle looking back at me. In a low voice I nudged my temporary partner "there's a door towards the back that seems ajar" keeping shoulder to shoulder I checked the door for traps before swinging it open and keeping to the wall. Steps led down into a large basement like area. Erickson nodded in encouragement before we slowly climbed down. A row of monitors sat on a table. Getting closer there was a still piping hot coffee sitting out. The monitors showed different rooms with different bodies mangled across the floors. Opening a set of files they held names and identification of five people; but on the live video there were only four people laying dead. Someone was either able to escape or put somewhere else. "Detective, come have a look at this." I joined Erickson at the end of the table. My blood ran cold and my breath left me. "It appears we were the next targets." My headshot from the station along with the location of my home and workplace was in the file. I wanted to throw up and cry from the thought of Mark targeting me. While I expected it to eventually happen, my emotions weren't apparently ready to take it on yet.

A metallic bang alerted us from the table towards a large open door we didn't notice. The same man from camera five was laying in the room. "There were five people in the files but only four on the cameras" I stated as Erickson moved sideways towards the door before jumping into a defensive stance. "Drop it! Drop it now!" He was shouting at someone hiding behind a table. Watching the steps and doorway I stood at a distance behind my partner. A woman was holding a hook-like object talking hysterically about winning the game. Her left arm was split down the middle and bleeding badly. Rushing over I held her arm together the best I could to keep it from flopping around more. "I need medical assistance at 1293 Sandburst Drive immediately" Erickson and I looked at each other helplessly as the woman laying on him continued to slip away.

Within painstaking minutes people were on scene. Medics took away the woman and rushed her up the steps, as for the man it appeared he wouldn't make it. "Special Agent Erickson, Detective (L/n) good to see you." Once again I stood completely shocked "agent Perez? How? Peter told me you didn't make it". She smiled wearily at me joining us by the hallway. "We'll explain when Detective Lieutenant Hoffman shows up. Until then I'm going to help sweep the area in case we missed something." A few minutes later I heard a familiar voice and another cop speaking to him. "The Feds who took over the crime scene are requesting you ASAP." A cold sweat ran down my neck as he locked onto me with his piercing blue eyes.