I got my lips pursed kissing the mascarons

"Haven, my friend, you look like five shades of Hell. When are you sleeping?"

"I'm fine Christoff. I came straight from work."

"I'm aware of that but it doesn't explain why you look like a man on his last legs." Christoff said and held out a beer to Haven, who accepted it as an excuse for his hands. "If you don't take proper care of yourself we'll put back out to sea. I won't knowingly sacrifice you to save strangers. Call that cruel but I care more about you than I do about them."

"I appreciate that. I truly do." Haven said and handed back the empty bottle to an astonished Christoff. "I gave my word, comrade. I have to keep it. I have to!"

"Don't test the boy's honor, boss." Pruitt said from where he was examining government reports from within his customary cloud of tobacco smoke. "The lad's dedicated. Respect that. Please."

"I do respect that Benjy! But I also worry over his health! The bastards he works for by day don't!" Christoff said and opened another bottle of beer for Haven. "If he won't think of his health I'll do it for him. You drink this one fast as last you'll be proving my point, friend."

"It tasted good. I'll pace myself." Haven said and moved to join Holmbrau and ibn Salim at the table. "Do we have a photo of the latest,? And a name?"

"Her name's Giedre Urbonierè. This is her." ibn Salim said and handed Haven a small photo of a smiling young woman with braided blonde hair. "Twenty-six years old. Right middle of the age range. No known family in the city."

"These surveillance records are absolutely shite." Pruitt snorted and flung the papers he held onto the desk before him. "They only monitor the roads that pass near police stations and government buildings! What's the bloody use of that? There's dozens of ways to enter and leave the district unnoticed! In every direction except towards Thorncrest. Because of course the rich have to be kept all safe and secure!"

"Have you talked to your source on the Hill?" Christoff asked as he joined Haven at the table. "She probably hears more than we can."

"She sends message when she has news." Haven lied. He was the one who sought her out. From the start. "There's twenty-two thousand living in Goldenrod Hill. She can only be in just so many places. Milktreader Way is further north than the others by quite a bit. I wonder why?"

"It means he marks a target and then follows that target until he knows his time." Holmbrau said and squinted at the map. Trying to see something that wasn't obvious. "Same way you hunt an elk. You work your way into position for the best shot. Mosin, I'm missing something. Look closer for me."

"I'm betting he leaves through Harbringer Flats. It's west end is the canals district. Lots of old warehouses." Pruitt said from his desk. The older man always thought through everything before speaking. "If he's a sadist he won't want anyone near to hear him working. He isn't leaving remains or at least not enough to be identified. If he's doing that? I doubt the deaths are quick. Takes a sick mind to turn a body to mincemeat."

"Maybe you should get in touch with your source." Christoff said softly and took Haven's forearm in a gentle but firm grip. "Let her know that we're already working on this one as well."

"She doesn't understand why you're doing this. I explained to her that you're good men, but, well, you know."

"Oh I know. But that's fine. She doesn't need to understand why we do it." Christoff said and gave Haven's arm another gentle squeeze. "As long as she understands you. That's what matters."

"Grim! Here! Look!" ibn Salim said to Holmbrau and drew everyone's attention. "Municipal alleys! There's one behind every apartment block where he's struck! They all reach a loading courtyard within two blocks! He takes them out and into the alleys! He can hide his vehicle at a loading dock and get to it almost out of sight but for twice crossing a street!"

"He's a strong bastard then!" Holmbrau said and leaned back over the map. "Alright! That's a definite start! Not every apartment block sits as so! We can start eliminating areas, or at least choose those more likely to fit our man's preference!"

"Go. Go, my friend. Reassure your source." Christoff whispered into Haven's ear. "If we have any further revelations I can find you. So go. And then get some rest! You inconsiderate ass!"

"Thank you, Chris."

"Go!"

.

"They're coming up with some notion of the pattern. They know about the latest." He said quietly as Yasmine and he walked along Vizier's Pathway through Camtrin Park. It was cold but there was no wind and she looked absolutely magnificent in white. "If the government cared at all, well, I'm still not sure they'd see it. My friends come from...varied backgrounds. They have insights that constantly surprise me."

"That's not why you're here." She said and took his hand in hers. "You came to reassure me but more to be certain for yourself that I was okay."

"Yes. That's true." He admitted and knew he shouldn't be there and shouldn't be holding her hand. But he was. "I don't like that I can't...that I..."

"Please say it."

"I don't like that you are here and that I can't protect you all the time." He said before his heart could stop the words. "I don't like that you're in any kind of danger. I don't like it."

"Why?"

"Because you matter. You know that."

"I didn't. I do now. Are you that noble? Are you an altruist? Or does this mean more than just that?"

"What would you prefer?"

"The truth."

"You would have that?"

"I would. Please, Haven. Please."

"The truth is that I don't know how this happened. My feelings for you. I'm engaged. I'm...I didn't have any...I didn't intend to do anything but help! Help you! Help all who are being hurt by this man. I didn't know when I met you that...that I would. Oh gods! Who are you? Really? I don't understand! Why I need to be with you! What do you see when you see me? Who am I? Please! Tell me!"

"I see my husband in you and I see you as a man who is more than that. I see the things that make me believe. That the world isn't a horrible place. But. You belong to another. So what I feel, or you feel? It has to be let go."

He felt his heart twisting in his chest. His confusion was so profound that he didn't know what emotions he was feeling. What he did know was what his hand felt. Which was her hand still holding his. They had to let this go. But she was still holding on.

"Yasmine?"

"Yes, Haven?"

"I'm in love with you. And I don't think that I can stop!"

"But you love her still as well."

"Yes. I'm so sorry, but yes!"

"This is a problem then. Well. For now? Let's just walk a bit more."

.