Chapter Forty-one
1339 Words
So my long absence from homicide must not have gone unnoticed. Captain Winston found me gripping tightly on the sink. His serious look of concern said it all.
“Sergeant, mind telling me what the hell is going with you,” he asked, demanding an answer. There’s no getting out of this one, or is there? I need to think up something quick.
“Would you accept the answer of being over-worked? Emerson and Deeks did a horrid job covering Avery’s and Ellie’s cases.” I somehow managed to get out.
“Uh, I see. Are you able to walk back? If not, I’ll lend you my shoulder. No one will need to know,” he offered. I just nodded, taking him up on his offer. Too much talking may bring on another coughing fit. “These cases are never easy. I understand. We’ll get them solved, together.”
When the Captain and I made it back to homicide, Roger, strangely, was nowhere to be found. “Where’s Oren?” the Captain asked.
“He went to check the cold case area,” Cass quickly spoke up. “His mind won’t stop. He kept muttering something incoherent, and then he left for the cold cases.”
“Why there?” I barely made out. The Captain helped me into my chair. This is embarrassing. George made his way over to me.
“He thinks Emerson and Deeks may have been hiding key evidence that forced them to suddenly stop working on the cases,” George explained. Suddenly, Cass’ desk phone began to ring, causing all of us to jump.
“Homicide, Officer Peterson speaking...” she began the usual greeting. After a few minutes, she placed her hand over the receiver and said, “It’s Roger. He needs a little help in bringing up some boxes. He’s found something interesting...and unusual.”
Since I’m clearly in no position to help, George volunteers himself for the task. If he’s smart, he’d nab a couple of uniformed officers to help out as well. Knowing Emerson and Deeks, there would be quite a few boxes. “I think Emerson and Deeks both need to be brought in for questioning,” I managed to mumble out.
“I strongly agree,” Captain Winston spoke with resolute. About an hour later, George, Roger, and a couple of uniform officers come strolling into Homicide with all the boxes in hand.
Cassidy made some room on the folding table that we had moved in earlier. Let the sorting begin. A few hours later, we went over the list of items at least four different times. There seem to be some vital items missing or perhaps they are just located somewhere else. One can hope, right? So, one of the vital items missing is the hard copy of both autopsies.
“I’ll contact Doc Jacobson and see if he has a copy of these,” I mumbled. Knowing Doc, he’ll have the info we need, but it's going to take a while to retrieve it. Roger is still a pain in the ass, but, I have to hand it to him, again. The bastard does have good instincts.
Four days later...
Doc came through as usual and had given us a copy of their autopsies. I have never seen Emerson and Deeks so unorganized and sloppy in their evidence collection and storage. This came as a surprise to me. Why? Well, because they trained me in my younger detective days. I’m meticulous at my job because they were meticulous at theirs. It’s so bad, that even Demon, um, Demi, is going through some backlogged items and older cases in their storage area. They have created a real mess here. Captain Winston is doing his best to keep his s**t together. Between the mess that Lieutenant Barton made in narcotics, and now this mess in homicide, I’m glad I’m not in charge of the whole police department. I can personally tell you that whatever resources that Jabberwocky has given the department to help with this mess are zilch, nada, and zero. We are on our own. I suppose you’re curious about the location of these victims? The first victim, Skylar Hawkes, was found near an apple orchard in the early spring with a ripe apple placed in her hand. The second victim, Katherine Liggit, was found near a pond that had a frog-themed fountain. Same evidence and injuries for both. And yes, they were both murdered on a full moon. Why is it always a full moon? And why is the perpetrator wearing a werewolf costume of all things? This particular trope is old. I’m starting to feel insulted by this sicko. We werewolves don’t have to change or shift on a full moon. s**t, I can’t even remember the last time I shifted into my wolf. Perhaps that’s part of my problem?
“Hey, Sarge,” George hollered my way, shaking me out of my thoughts. “Dr. Brigsby has the forensic entomology, aka the buggy, report ready for pick up.”
“Good, I think some fresh air will do us some good,” I muttered back. George and I head out toward the University. Cass and Roger stay behind to figure out the next lead to follow.
In case you’re wondering, Tiffeny and I are officially dating. Her presence seems to help me physically. Most of the symptoms seem to subside with her touch and, surprisingly, even her voice is soothing. But that isn’t the reason I want to date her. I really like her a lot. Like, I like like her. You know what I mean. I think I’m in love with her?
Somewhere hidden beneath Wolfdale City...
Four mysterious figures meet. Three are males and one is female. Two are scholars, one holds authority, and the last one has had trouble with the one that holds authority. Three are older and one younger. The room in which they meet is grungy. Evidence of poor maintenance is shown. Mildew hangs on the stone walls. The sound of water dripping echoes throughout the catacombs. A small table is set in the center of the small room. However, there are no chairs present, as these meetings are usually short and to the point. One of the older males starts the meeting.
“Thank you all for coming on short notice,” he began. “So let us begin. Our only topic is The Alpha.”
Back at the university...
George and I strolled along the paths between the buildings. The campus gets crazy this time of year. Halloween is just in a couple of weeks. Pumpkins, fake tombstones, straw bails, scarecrows, plastic skeletons, and fake cobwebs are everywhere you look. Yes, the trees weren’t left out either, as they are sporting their traditional “tee peed” look. I think I have even spotted a few bats, witches' cauldrons, zombies, and yeah, even a couple of werewolves within the decorations. Such a poor representation of who we are. How stereotypical of them. We aren’t as ugly as they think we are. I believe myself to be quite the handsome wolf. I hope Tiffeny thinks so too. Dear G-ddess! I don’t want to scare her when and if she ever finds out. Great, another problem I just gave myself. Why can’t my mind shut the eff up for once?
Continuing toward the biology building, a woman’s scream is heard followed by a pitiful growl. The same woman wearing a red cloak dashes past us, quickly followed by someone in a werewolf costume. Knowing what we are dealing with back at the station, George and I take off towards them, firearms and badges ready.
“Freeze!” I hollered. George and I took our ready positions. The rambunctious couple came to a screeching halt. Thank the Moon that they’re complying. They both put their hands up in surrender.
“You, wolf-boy, please remove your mask,” George gave the command, his Glock 17 aimed at the costumed wolf.
- Writer
