MVUTO

chapter 41 - release the hounds

The morning after, the precinct police Chief stood beside the forensic scientist. Chief followed up on the news report, curious about how 'Allure' stripped the graffiti off the concrete wall. Appropriating the mobile forensic unit to assess the scene.

"I don't believe you will find anything extraordinary in your samples, but I would like to see you prove how he did it in one strip."

"could have had help."

"Hmm! If a group of people had wandered over here packing cans of paint stripper, they would have been called in by security."

"doesn't appear to be the result of using paint stripper."

"what then?"

"the paint was separated from the wall cleanly. I can't see even a speck of paint still on the wall except for the tag. If my guess is good, tests may prove the sealer had also come off the brickwork."

"is that even possible?"

"not with the end result we see here," he kicked the bulky folded rubbery paint sheet and looked up at the straight line cut through the overspray. The man in the lab coat suddenly laughed to himself.

"what's so fucking funny?" Chief asked, not seeing the joke.

"I just had a ridiculous thought, hah! Judging by how straight that line is, the fellow may just be pedantic enough to return and finish the cleaning job!"

"Nah, his MO is he leaves the mess for us to clean up, less risk in leaving incriminating evidence. I guess that's his thinking."

"getting to know him, Chief?"

"hell yeah!"

"Chief, the office called in saying one of the people food poisoned has died." a subordinate officer approached.

"Which one?"

"the one found with a knife in his hand."

That statement reminded him of his first query, just why did he have his knife out? "find someone in the office to check any security footage of the incident. There must be a reason he had that knife handy."

"will do".

Once the pathogen was declared non-contagious, there wasn't any rush to find the person who called in the incident. He now reckoned the woman may well be a viable witness to a potential crime about to be committed or even in progress.

Chief called out to the retreating officer, "also get them to contact dispatch to collect that call data for the incident", no rock unturned.

Upon his return to the precinct, Chief was addressed by the desk sergeant.

"something to report?" Chief asked.

"security footage has the black screen of death again, sir."

the chief stopped dead in his tracks, took a deep, deep breath and exhaled slowly through pursed lips.

"Okay, what about audio?"

"during the blackout, just one loud voice could be heard, followed by the sounds of people vomiting..."

"what about before and after?"

"noises are just out of range. The footage is in the tech-room to enhance the audio now."

"alert me as soon as they call back with the transcript."

"yes, sir"

"speaking of, has the dispatch sent us a copy of the audio of the call for the incident?"

"yes, sir"

"give that to the tech guys too. I want everything that can be heard noted."

"yes, sir".

"Thanks, sergeant"

Chief sat uneasily at his desk, 'another incident! Is there anything this bastard won't do ... hang on!' the chief checked his notes on the known incidents related to the perp and found a couple of common factors. One being, those with guns in their hands wound up dead, and the second, he leans towards rescuing damsels in distress. "Susan!" the only woman everyone knew at the precinct who was on the prowl answered.

"yes, Chief?"

"do you have plans for tonight?"

"???"

"I want you to walk the street wearing a wire."

"oooh"