SPLATTER (draft)

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"No! What makes you think I did."

Easter's eyes narrowed at his fast snipe at her. What was he talking about? Of course he hadn't called her into his office himself. No, he asked his secretary to call her. It was the same thing. He wanted an update on the case and she was here to give him an update.

Easter entered the office anyway and crossed her arms. She looked none to impressed with the way she was greeted but instead of reprimanding him Easter's lips curled into a smirk.

"You seem a little stressed Mason, did you know that science suggests sex can improve mood and combat anxiety by reducing stress signals in the brain... You look like you should get laid."

It was a playful jab. She could tell that the Detective was not having a good day. She raised a brow when she noticed the red welt across his cheek. He had been struck. Judging from the size of the print it was female. Easter was just about to comment when he spoke again.

"I'm sorry. Long morning. Have you had any breakthroughs Dr. Wilson? Hugh Hefner over here has an idea, but I think your head would work better than mine with ideas...."

Deciding not to bring up the hand print across his cheek Easter nodded and then turned to the the second Detective. She chuckled at the playboy reference. She was no stranger to the antics of Aaron Black. In fact they had bonded over beers and stupid competitions like who could get the most numbers by the end of an evening out. He was fun and carefree. It was ironic that his partner was the complete opposite.

"Whose pants are you trying to get into this time?" She asked with a knowing smirk. Then she just shook her head. "Tell me yours and I will tell you mine..." She said to Aaron. She was curious to hear what this idea was. They were still trying to establish connections between the victims. Aaron's theory was sound and a possibility. However they hadn't read the crime scene the way she had. The murders were becoming more violent.

"So far we don't have any DNA evidence. However I have figured that the clues being left behind are clues to how the next victim will die. I am still waiting on a few more...." Before she could finish what she was going to say, Aaron's phone rang interrupting them all. There was silence before Aaron concluded his call and announced that there was yet another murder.

Mason rolled his eyes at her jab.

"Cute. Surely, because I am male I am supposed to take offence to you commenting on my sexual life or lack thereof, rather. My personal life is not a topic I'd prefer to discuss with people I can barely stand." Mason replied with dull eyes. Then he felt the throb increase. "I hate to disappoint you if you were expecting me to ask whether you were offering or not. I'm sure you'll find others who are more eager to please."

Mason finished chewing. Listened to Easter and Aaron both. They both had good ideas. That was to say he had thought about the clues left behind and it all made sense, Easter was just the first to say it. Ten points to her.

"Alright. That's a star - He was interrupted yet again by another demand. O'Rourke had shown up and was screeching about what the hell was going on. Jesus. Could he not get a break with the screeching? He opened his mouth to tell her to shut the fuck up unless she had something productive to say but instead was met with Aaron's new information.

"Fuck." Mason muttered abandoning his soda for later. Aaron had already bailed and so had that harpie O'Rourke. What the fuck was she going there for? Wasn't she just a desk monkey? A growl made itself clear in Mason's throat and he turned to Easter, rather calmly for the situation.

"I suppose you'll be neccessary, Ms. Wilson." He stated. His only hurry now was to get Wilson to the scene before Aaron and superstar wanna-be actual D.A. one day, O'Rourke went stomping about the crime scene carelessly like they were going to single-handedly catch this... person.

"Shall I wait for you or would you prefer to drive yourself?"

He couldnt stand her? Easter blinked at Mason's directness. He sure was on a short fuse today. Well most days the seasoned Detective was found to be in a bad mood. Easter supposed he was just 100% focused on his job that his people skills were lacking. But for him to outright admit that he couldn't stand her made Easter frown.

Easter worked hard on not being socially awkward. By nature she was very introverted but she forced herself to befriend most people. Her mind was a constant onslaught of statics and worldly knowledge that she struggled to keep to herself. Easter worked hard at being fun and open to avoid sounding like a robot or walking encyclopedia. She couldn't figure out why Mason could not stand her. She tried to keep very professional in front of him most of the time. One time she she tries to make a lighthearted jab and he responds the way he does.

"I hate to disappoint you if you were expecting me to ask whether you were offering or not. I'm sure you'll find others who are more eager to please."

Easter rolled her eyes. "Don't get big-headed now Mason. I wouldnt dare offer you anything."
She said simply.

There was no time to respond any further. There was yet another victim and Easter immediately felt her heart drop into the pit of her stomach. Lauren and Aaron were already on their way out. All Easter could think of was everyone's eagerness to solve this case and the potential for them to fuck it up by touching any evidence before she got their.

"Don't touch anything anything at my crime scene!" She shouted after them. Before turning back to Mason who had now decided she was necessary and offered her a lift. Easter simply nodded.

"Alright then, let me just fetch my kit. I will meet you at your car." It would be an awkward drive over to the crime scene but Mason would be the fastest way to get there. Easter didn't drive. It wasn't that she couldn't. But when nearly 1.3 million people die in road crashes each year, on average 3,287 deaths a day. An additional 20-50 million are injured or disabled. Easter would rather avoid getting behind the wheel and becoming yet another number.

She walked away at a rather fast pace considering her choice in shoes that day. It took her 5 minutes to run down to the lab and grab her case, bark orders to her team who would meet her at the crime scene, and make it to Mason's car. She placed the kit on the back seat and slipped into the passenger seat and buckled up.

"Thank you." She uttered in a small tone.

Wilson was off to grab her kit, and Mason nodded grabbing his keys right off the desk and starting towards the door. It would have been nice for his partner to wait for him. And it would have been extra nice for that harpie O'Rourke to stay behind. What the fuck did she have to do at a crime scene anyway? She'd get the facts they got and that was the end of it. What? She was going to do Wilson's job?

The headache was growing.

The disorganisation in the Precinct, the lack of professionalism, and the distinct failure to recognise between one own's assigned duties and other's was probably the reason why the Killer kept staying one step ahead.

Mason waited in the car for Wilson. By the time she got in he had the car running and the heater on.

It was a little chilly anyway.

"It's no problem." Mason replied quietly and pulled out of the lot once she was ready. They headed to the crime scene as he drove towards the Mayor's Office.