Midweek, 8 AM, Maunch’s Precinct.
As told by Detective Inspector Greencrest:
‘Based on the evidence we have it seems likely that Pene was a worshiper in some cult. At this time, we have no evidence to link Thomas Pardino, his sister, Anne, or cousin, Mathew Serig, to Pene’s killing. The seventy-two hours to hold Tom is up so we returned him to his family that, with their barrister and security detail, picked Tom up from the precinct.
Herris, “So that’s it?”
Greencrest, “Part of it.”
Herris, “Serig conveniently finds just the right passage in just the right book.”
Greencrest, “Appears that way.”
Herris, “He’s Gifted, he could’ve make himself invisible that night.”
Greencrest, “He could have. It seems it would have been easier just to pay Pene off and have her sent away. Or if he was going to have her killed he’s smart enough he wouldn’t just leave the body out in the open to be found.”
Herris, “Maybe he got sloppy, or he’s just twisted.”
Greencrest, “Maybe. Or maybe it was the sister, or Mineeo.”
Herris, “My coin’s on Mister-clean-bed-sheets-Serig.”
‘We spend the next few hours writing up our reports and getting our files ready to move back to our precinct. Maunch’s commander knocks on the door and comes in, “Got something for you two across town.” Herris and I head to an apartment building in a working-class neighborhood. In a third-story flat we meet the landlady. “I was just coming up to get the rent. There were complaints of this smell, but I figured just bad cookin’. I knocked and called on the door, the smell was terrible. They didn’t answer. So I unlocks the door and this stench hits me. I go in an’ see ‘em.’” We enter the flat. On the common room floor are the bodies of a young, adult male and young, adult female; both naked, with boxes drawn around them; the bodies’ arms and legs stretched out to the corners of the boxes; eyes open; lungs, heart and livers have been removed. No blood anywhere. Green discoloration under the toes and fingernails. It appears they have been dead for a few days.
Herris, “How many more like this are we gonna find in the city?”
Greencrest, “How many more like this are we going to find in the whole country?”
