Missing Pieces of a Broken Heart

It Stings

"Obviously when experiencing a second murder spree with the exact same person at the center, it's almost always the same killer or someone close." Wednesday monologued her pacing not slowing down.

"But Tyler's dead and everyone hated him." Xavier chimed in.

"Exactly! That's why this time around we have to be more careful and pay closer attention to EVERYONE, because for the first time in a long time... I have no leads." Wednesday responded.

"You can do it though Mom, you solved the last one right?" Rose asked speaking up.

"Well kind of..." Wednesday trailed off looking at Xavier guiltily.

The room just stared at Wednesday indicating for her to continue.

"I spent most of that investigation building a case on Xavier."

"Why dad, he wouldn't hurt a fly."

"Softie." Miracle mumbled under her breath.

"Your father was nuts about me ok, wanting to take me to dances, always around after a murder, painting portraits of me, and always wanting to just be closer than anyone has in my life... it was off putting."

"Mom I know you're smart and all, but that just sounds like a very adorable crush." Rose smiled looking between her parents.

"That's what I tried to tell her that whole year, but NOPE what does Enid know."

The guilt was actually getting to Wednesday as she had to recap a time she clearly wasn't proud of and Xavier took notice.

"Hey look, none of that matters guys. What does matter is that we have each other today, two beautiful kids, and the greatest friend we could ask for and someone's trying to tear it apart. Forget the past we need to start making sure we have a future to look forward to." Xavier said in an attempt to protect Wednesday.

He looked around and the room was silent.

"Now let's go catch a killer and get back to our lives." Xavier exclaimed.

The rest of the night consisted of them going through possible suspects and it seemed that every idea they threw never stuck. This killer was smarter and cleaner than Wednesday had ever seen.

Three full hours of investigation and no leads. Nobody had a good feeling about this.

•~•

It was now morning and Xavier and Wednesday were headed into the police station.

"Wednesday I'm a grown man, I can handle myself."

Wednesday glared at him and released his hand for a moment.

"Emotional support would be helpful though, I mean honestly who needs dogs nowadays, not saying you're a dog because obviously you aren't and I'm gonna shut up now." Xavier rambled.

"Good answer." Wednesday responded as she kissed his cheek and grabbed his hand again.

Xavier grasped her hand tighter than he had the entire walk to the door when they'd finally made it in. After telling the receptionist what they were there for they sat and waited.

"Wednesday I'm scared."

"Of?"

"I mean you know, what if I don't leave after this interrogation and he actually decides to arrest me, that would screw up my life."

"Xavier, even in the event Sheriff Gaplin does arrest you, I'll see to it that you don't spend more than a day there."

"I really don't like jail Wednesday..."