Parallel Lives – Chapter 1

A/N: They say we all have a double somewhere in the world. When Finch asks Reese and Carter to impersonate Johann and Josephine Careese, a married couple being pursued by a serial killer, what feelings will emerge? AU, due to the premise and some bad science.

In Chapter 1, Finch gets a request from an old friend.

Finch's private jet was starting its descent when he spotted the man's truck – a bright red rectangle standing out against the grays, blacks and silvers of this private Oklahoma airport. In all the years he'd known him, retired Ashbow County Sheriff Will Shannon had always had a red truck – the bigger, the better. It was a quirk that defined the man – a straight arrow law and order type, Shannon had a bit of the romantic in him. It's what had made him such a good cop, the ability to see beyond the rules and regulations.

Years ago, so long ago, that Finch only remembered it in his nightmares, Shannon had done a great service for him – he'd never asked for anything in return, rebuffing any attempts by the reclusive billionaire to repay him, growling, "I didn't do it to get something, I did it because you needed help, dammit!"

Now finally, Shannon had asked for a meeting.

With his usual thoroughness, Finch had compiled an updated file on the older man – while age and a small stroke had slowed him down a bit, his mind was clear and he maintained his ramrod posture with the help of a cane. He had the same wife, same house and same breed of dog. His friends, and his enemies, remained constant.

Despite himself, Finch was intrigued – what could the man possibly want?

They met in the plane's luxurious cabin. As Finch expected, Shannon got right to the point. Someone was killing couples from Ashbow County. Shannon spread out his files, his hands trembling slightly as he reviewed the information. Nine couples had died – all out of state, all in a variety of ways – botulism toxicity, carbon monoxide poisoning, car wreck, drowning, fire, electrocution, exposure, drive-by shooting, auto-erotic asphyxiation – each death distinct and different from the other. The couples had two things in common – they had died on a wedding anniversary trip and one of the spouses worked for Careese Industries.

"I don't understand," Finch said. "Most of these are accidents – tragic, not nefarious."

"Open your eyes, Finch – the killer's working his way through the company hierarchy – the first was a maintenance worker, the last a vice president. The deaths happened once a year give or take – one of the wedding rings is missing in each case. Nobody made the connection because the killings happened all over the country – Texas, Arkansas, even goddammed Alaska and Hawaii." He grunted, "I only stumbled onto it because Lily and I celebrated our 50th the same day as the last victims two years ago."

Shannon explained that his wife Lily, a beginning scrapbooker, had recently started putting together an album of their anniversary party. Indulging her by flipping through the photographs, cards and other memorabilia that she had collected from that event, he noticed that the edition of the local newspaper that chronicled their celebration also noted the passing of the last couple, whose anniversary date was the same as his. Intrigued by the fate of a couple with the same wedding date as his, Shannon began looking at that case and subsequently ferreted out the others. Finally putting two and two together, he knew that trying to convince law enforcement about his suspicions would fall on deaf ears, so he contacted Finch.

"The only other similarity between the couples is that their deaths occurred after they attended some event – a fair, a play – something where they were seen in public. In each case, it was noted how happy the couples were." Shannon smiled grimly at Finch's skeptical look. "And yes, they seemed to be happy in private as well. No hints of stress, unhappy marriages, money problems, etc. I couldn't find any threats, stalking, hate mail or online flaming."

Finch took a closer look at the police files from each case – he didn't ask how Shannon got them. If Shannon was right, the murderer was intelligent, inventive and very patient. A small part of him admired the cool precision of these alleged murders and the mind behind them. "You said the last killings happened two years ago. If the killer strikes every year, why hasn't he struck already?"

Shannon shrugged. "He could be dead, in jail or incapacitated some way, moved on to another target, or perhaps he simply stopped, I don't know. I do know that the president of Caresse Industries and his wife will be in New York City this weekend to celebrate their 15th wedding anniversary. If he, or she, is going to make a move, it will be this weekend."

"All right- if I accept your theory," Finch cocked his eyebrow at Shannon, "What do you want me to do?"

"Two things. First, help me arrange private security for them – it's possible that the killer is someone employed by or affiliated with Careese Industries. New York City is your stomping ground – you'll know who to choose. Second," the older man had a glint in his eyes, "You have connections everywhere – access to information that the rest of us don't – you can find out who this fucker is and help me stop him before he strikes again." He slid a photo to Finch.

Finch's head came up sharply – had the CIA somehow gotten to Shannon – why else would he have a photo of John Reese and Jocelyn Carter?

"Johann and Josephine Careese," Shannon replied to Finch's unspoken question. Harold looked more closely – the man was little older, the woman a little taller, but they were almost dead ringers for his partner and the detective.

They say that everyone has a double someone in the world – Finch sincerely hoped his double was healthier and happier than he was – what would they be like? Would their lives be different or similar? Would they have had the same opportunities, but made different choices? Harold thought about those science fiction stories that had enthralled him as a young boy. If they met, could only one survive? Would they disrupt the space time continuum? Would they form an instant kinship or despise each other on the spot?

An idea began to form in his head, something that another person would have dismissed immediately as outrageous and impossible, but the man who had created the Machine knew that outrageous and impossible simply meant it hadn't been tried yet. Nodding to Shannon, he sent two quick texts from his handheld. "I'll attend to it – thank you for allowing me to repay a little of the debt I owe you."

Shannon shook his head. "I told you –," he stood, his back to Finch. "Just do what you can. Josie's first husband was one of my deputies, a good cop and an even better man. He was killed in the line of duty when their son was three years old – I'll be damned," his voice cracked suddenly, "if he loses both of his parents. Thank you, Harold." He stepped off the plane, the sound of his cane fading into the deepening evening shadows.

A/N: In Chapter 2, we get an introduction to the mind of a killer, and in Chapter 3, Harold reveals his plan to John and Joss.