COPS

Chapter V: Riddles With No Answers

SFPD BRIEFING ROOM - LATER THAT DAY

The whiteboard was now covered in riddle texts, crime scene photos, and stills of the masked man. A second body, another message, another puzzle.

Sergeant Stewart stood at the front, laser pointer in hand.

"We're assuming this is the same killer as the first stadium victim. This time, they left the body in public. Deliberate. Meaningful."

She turned toward the room.

"Forensic team, I want print analysis done on both riddles. Same paper, same ink?"

Jacobs raised his hand. "Already confirmed. Same fibers. Handwriting matches. He's consistent-methodical."

Stewart nodded. "Warren?"

Detective Warren Price leaned back in his chair, donut in hand, smirking.

"Well, unless the killer is a slam poet, I'd say this guy wants something deeper than headlines." He took a bite. "Maybe a book deal."

A few chuckles flickered across the room.

"Maybe we put out a fan club application," he added. "Get T-shirts made."

"Price," Stewart warned without even looking.

"Yes, ma'am."

Schultz spoke next. "Each riddle escalates. More poetic. More symbolic. He's not taunting the police."

"He's testing  Him." Alex Mutters.

Ryan's mouth twitched, but he didn't speak.

Alex glanced sideways at his brother, unease growing.

Suddenly, Ryan's phone buzzed.

A message from Mary.

> Dinner at my place?
Emily would love you to be there tonight. She keeps asking about you.
"Is Ryan coming?" - she said it three times while setting the table.
I'm making your favorite. Real beef this time, not... whatever joke you're about to text back. :P
You don't have to bring wine. Just yourself. We can keep it quiet. Just us and her. A normal night. You could use one.
Love you. Always.
-Mary

Ryan stared at the message.

Normal night?

What the hell even was that anymore?

He glanced back up at the board. The fan's words burned into his mind:

"You're not alone anymore."

LATER THAT NIGHT - MARY'S APARTMENT

Warm yellow light spilled from the window onto the dark sidewalk. The apartment smelled like rosemary, garlic, and something else-safe.

Ryan stood at the threshold of the dining room, freshly showered, button-down untucked. A rare thing-clean, comfortable, human.

Emily came charging around the corner, her tiny feet padding against the hardwood.

"RYAN!" she squealed.

He smiled-genuine this time-and scooped her up with a grunt.

"Whoa, kiddo. You get taller every time I see you."

"I drew you something!" she announced proudly, digging into her overalls and pulling out a folded piece of paper. It was a crayon drawing: stick figures holding hands under a sun, with a smiling house.

"That's you, that's Mommy, that's me," she said. "And that's the puppy I want."

"Great. Now I'm on the hook for a dog," Mary joked, stepping into the room with two glasses of red wine. "I'll just blame you when she turns ten and still asks."

Ryan smiled as he looked over the drawing again-but his eyes drifted.

Through the window.

To the street.

Where a man stood at the corner for just a second too long.

Hooded.

Motionless.

Then gone.

His fingers tightened around the drawing just slightly.

Mary noticed.

"Hey," she said softly, brushing a hand against his arm. "You're here. That's all that matters tonight."

But even as he sat down, even as Emily babbled about school and dinner was served and laughter floated into the ceiling fan's lazy spin-Ryan couldn't shake the sense.

He wasn't the only one watching over this family.

Someone else was watching too.

And they were far too close.

Flashback 2015

The Lassiter's Home Lively Yet Dead Inside Alex Was Favored By The Late Commisioner Martin Lassiter Yet Abusive On Both Of His Son's He Is Both Controlling Possessive. Ryan Always And Will Always Protect Alex From His Father And Others Just Like He Promised His Mother.

One Night Alex Was Gone On A Prom Night

In The Basement
Martin Discovered Ryan Eats Rabbits Tongue And Dissects Frog's From School

"What Kind Of Psycho Are You?!"
He hits Ryan Again And Again And Again

"You Need Fucking Help!"

"Ryan You're A Monster"

People Like My Father....
Are "Unworthy" Of Life..
"Trash"...
And "Rotten People"...

My Desire Of Blood Had Only Grown Strong Now I'm 18...

Ryan Stands Walks Slowly In The Back Of His Father

No...No I Mustn't His My Father

But No...

No...

I Finally Realized...

I Can Release My "Hunger" My "Desire"
By Targeting Those "Trash" Starting...

On Him

Ryan Grabs A Knife His Father Suffered A Heart Attack Ryan Stops Midway

Martin Asked For Help Pleading But He Saw Ryan With A Knife

Martin Crawls To Reach his phone

Ryan Grabs It And Slides It Away

Ryan Smirks...

Martin Dies...

Ryan Calls 911 And Acts Scared

Help...Help...My Father...He Suffered A Heart Attack...Please!
He Sobs

Once He Hangs Out

He stares Like A Predator

I Wonder What Those Tongue Of Yours Taste Like
But I Couldn't Get Myself Be Arrested
Too Bad...