She straightened in the drivers seat, allowing the muscles to stretch and release some of the tension that had settled as they began their drive to Bettes home. She relaxed her hand a bit when she realized she had been tightly gripping the steering wheel and flexed her fingers to return the flow of blood.

Taking her eyes from the road, Bette quickly stole a glance at the exhausted and sleeping Tina Kennard. The peaceful look on her face was contradicted by the blood stains on her face, hands and clothing. Bette took in the wide smear of color across her forehead and the sheer volume of blood soaked into the blondes clothing.

"Shell need to take a shower and change clothes, Bette thought as the mundane was easier to process than what they had both witnessed and experienced that day. Bette resisted the urge to reach out and brush a fallen bang that was resting against Tinas closed eyes.

Bette took a deep breath as she kept her hands on the wheel and to myself she thought, shaking her head. Bette looked at her passenger again. Why do I have such an immediate and intense need to protect you, she asked realizing that while the feeling was certainly powerful she didnt find it necessarily disconcerting. After all, she had spent most of her adult life serving and protecting others, and based on todays events, there was little doubt that Tina might need some protecting.

Her eyes found Tina again. She was sleeping heavily once more, having stirred slightly when Bette merged onto Interstate 5. Why are you all alone, Tina? This time Bettes words found her own soft voice and then the car fell silent once more.

Bette settled back into her thoughts. So what was this other nagging feeling that surfaced the moment she fell to her knees beside Tina? Sure, she wanted to protect her, but she also wanted to hold her and have her touch comfort Tina and quiet all her fears.

Bette shook her head. None of this was making sense. But little that had happened over the past three hours made sense in the clear cut, connect-the-dots way that Bette Porter expected, actually demanded.

As her thoughts cascaded one into the other, Bette took note of her own relaxed state and shook her head again. She should be tense, agitated, every nerve ending alert as she watched and waited for the forensic team to finish gathering latent prints, microscopic hairs, fibers, and other evidence from the apartment.

Crime Scene Investigators (CSI) had long ago abandoned the standard procedure of contacting the lead detective when the evidence had been processed, because Detective Bette Porter never left until every piece of evidence had been bagged and tagged.

She should be calling her neighbor arranging for her dog to be fed and walked since each new murder meant days away from home with Bette grabbing what little sleep she could on a cot in her office or in the front seat of her car.

She should be wearing out the floor between her office and the morgue in the basement bullying one or all of the autopsy technicians until they had determined a cause of death and could clearly tell her anything and everything about how and what killed Marcey Fleming.

Yet here she was, driving away from the crime scene, away from the victim, away from morgue, away from the evidence that was her only key to catching a killer.

As her mind returned to her "shoulds" she realized she should be contacting Special Agent in Charge David Finley, her laison with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), to do full background checks on her victim and on her

Bette paused and sharply drew in a breath My witness, she said out loud as though the thought had just occurred to her. Since the other victims had lived alone and were discovered days after the murder by strangers, Tina Kennard was the first and only witness thus far that might actually be able to help investigators.

Bette slowly ran her fingers through her thick brown hair as she realized Tina Kennard should be in an interview room at the precinct this very minute processing the events of the day in agonizing detail. Once completed, they would go over her story again, and again and again to eliminate the inconsistencies of memory and identify the consistencies of deception.

Bettes chest tightened as she thought about the techniques she used on both witnesses and criminals alike. Whatever the reason for a changing timeline, lost and found details, or lapses of memory, Bette was recognized as the master of the interviewing room.

For true witnesses, she somehow always helped them remember what had been forgotten, clarify what had been confusing, and share the painful memories they had hoped to bury.

With criminals, she had the uncanny ability to rattle their nerves when they were calm, get them talking when they were quiet, and implicate themselves when all they really wanted to do was implicate others.

Bette sighed as she thought of the undeniable necessity of an interview about todays events. She knew it needed to take place sooner rather than later, while the facts, details and visual memory were untainted by the inevitable edits that occur when the mind transforms an event from what actually happened to what we can live with.

She replaced her hands-free earpiece, and speed-dialed her Captains office. The phone was answered with a curt Benson. as a greeting that did little to encourage any caller to continue. The brusqueness of her captains greeting had long lost its ability to fluster or side-track Bette.

Hey Captain, its Bette, she responded simply.

Where are you? he asked in a tone that told Bette he was fully aware that one of his detectives not only left an unsecured crime scene, but had taken a potential witness with her.

Bette took a deep breath while she decided what to say. Finally, she responded in the only way she knew how"she told the truth.

I'm on my way to my place with the victims roommate, she said in a way that suggested this was standard operating procedure.

Captain Roger Benson had absolutely no reason to doubt the sincerity or actions of the dark-haired woman on the phone. With the exception that her stunning beauty could render both his best detectives and worst criminals weak in the knees, he knew she was the finest detective on his squad, maybe even in the entire city.

Do you thing thats the best course of action Bette, he asked sincerely.

Bette let a heavy sigh escape her, not sure of anything right now. Im not sure Captain, but she was refusing to leave the crime scene because she had no place else to go. She was drenched in her friends blood, clinging to her broken body and I just had to find a way to get her up and walking out the front door, Bette was surprised by the emotion in her voice, but she hoped her words were successfully creating a mental picture of just how sad, tragic and desperate the scene had been.

She was right on the edge, Sir, and I didnt think an interview at the precinct was going to provide her with the safety and security I think she is needing to just maintain her composure, Bette was frustrated that she hadnt painted a more eloquent picture of the heartbreaking scene, but she had done her best and now she remained quiet.

How long do you propose keeping her in protective custody, Detective Porter?

Bette smiled and felt immense relief as she realized her Captain had just given his stamp of approval. Depending on Tinas mental state and how long she chose to remain at Bettes, his support would be critical if any outsiders chose to challenge her actions.

In a serial murder case being closely watched by the entire police department, the media and every elected official in the city, Bette doubted those questioning her ability would remain quiet for long.

Thank you Captain, she said trying to let her voice fully reflect her gratitude. Returning to a more professional tone she said Since its Friday, I thought we might give it the weekend. If she seems stable, I might start with some preliminary discussions to capture details so theyre not forgotten. If all seems well, I think we could anticipate a full interview on Monday. Bette stopped wondering if she had gone too far aksing for three days.

What about your crime scene, he asked. Its not like you to leave all the evidence gathering in someone elses hands.

Bette nodded her head in agreement. I know," she said. "Its not like I left the scene unattended. Jules Thompson knew to secure the scene until CSI arrived. And Captain, Bette continued quickly hoping to sell the entire package, You have always told me we have the best CSI team on the West Coast and I was wasting my time..what was it you saidloitering around crime scenes, her voice reflected her smile. So I am going to let them do their job, and I am going to focus on something we havent had beforea witness, she finished.

She knew that this was the moment of decision, and the fewer words he used in response the better.

You do that Porter, he said and disconnected the call.

Bette sighed heavily as she pulled the earpiece from her ear.

Thank you, Bette was startled and she had to remind herself that she wasnt alone in the car. She turned to meet Tinas tired eyes. Her head was still leaning back on the head rest, her body unchanged from when she had been sleeping. Bette wondered if she was simply too exhausted to move her limbs at all.

Your awake, Bette said quickly. Tina just nodded and repeated Thank you.

Your welcome, Bette said in a hushed tone. We have another few minutes before we reach my place, you can certainly sleep some more if you want. Bette could not control the slight quiver in her voice as she was overcome with a powerful need to comfort and protect.

Tina shook her head again saying nothing but her eyes betrayed all that she was feeling. As the first tears began to fall again, Bette reached out and softly brushed them from Tinas cheek. She shared her eyes evenly between Tina and the road, not knowing which one truly needed her the most.

Reaching for her hand as if it was a lifeline, Tina gently held Bettes open palm against her face. She shut her eyes and let the tears flow. They fell from her eyes, covering Bettes hand in a steady stream of salty tears.

There was nothing that needed to be said. Tina needed strength and Bette was strong. Tina needed safety and Bette could protect. Tina needed companionship and Bette could be her friend. Tina needed support and Bette would be by her side.