Master of Disguise
Part two. . .
Mac and Stella reached the crime scene. Blood splattered all over the ground—even on the wall. The victim was hung on a light post. His body was used as a sheath to a knife stabbed on his chest. Then Mac found something that caught his interest—it was an envelop placed inside the victim's pocket that peeked out. Mac took it and saw Detective Taylor written behind it. He knew automatically that it was from his mailer. Mac took it and hid it. No one noticed.
The victim had a dark hair that was cut short—military cut. He had a fair complexion and he measures to be five feet and eleven inches.
"Our vic's name is Rudy Collin, age, 22." Mac said—as written on the victim's identification. "According to this address, he lives in this apartment just beside him." Mac continued as he looked at Stella—explaining what was written on his ID.
Adam, Flack and Danny then just came in. "So, who's our vic?" Adam asked as he approached.
"He's Rudy Collin, 22 in age. Call Lindsay and tell her to search this guy's background." Mac asked Danny as he looked up to the victim.
The five of them started their usual way of investigating—take pictures, search for finger prints and search for other evidences. After getting photos of the crime scene, they then took the body to Sid and Hawkes to examine the cause of death.
"He has no bruises, meaning, he didn't struggle to fight. He was perfectly healthy, meaning it wasn't caused naturally. He was really stabbed and he seemed to be dead for a day or two. His body temperature says so." Hawkes explained to them.
"But…" Sid continued to explain. "We found something very interesting." He turned the body so Mac could see the back of the victim, "read."
"Playmate…" Mac said as he removed his eyes from the body and took a sec to think. It's positive that it is from his mailer. It wasn't a prank at all. Everything he sent was true. Now, he needs some alone time to see what the mailer wrote to him this time.
Once in his office, he took the chance and read the letter.
S8e552,
It was all that was written inside. S8e552,. "S8e552?" Mac repeated to himself. "What does this mean?" Mac placed his arm on his table and his hand turned into a fist and rested his forehead on it. He started to groan because of what's going on.
As Mac thinks of what to do before any more killing happens, Adam passed by and saw how frustrated Mac was and sighed. "I just hope we can do something for you Mac…" Stella saw Adam standing there, staring at Mac, walked next to him and patted his shoulder. "Don't worry, he'll be fine." She assured him. Adam simply gave a big sigh and leaned his head back as his eyes tightened, "I hope so…" and took another look at Mac.
"What the hell do you want?" Mac asked himself—trying to figure out what the killer wanted from him. He had no idea why this guy suddenly sends him an e-mail and just kills people.
A few moments later, Sheldon shows up to update him of the crime that just happened. "Hey Mac—take a look at this."
"What is it?" Mac asked as Sheldon placed a folder on Mac's desk.
"Well… our vic's not in the ordinary list at all." Hawkes started as Mac flipped the papers in the folder and read. "He owned seven hotels—just here in New York. Three casinos and four malls—all are simply placed here in New York. He had a lot more businesses outside the city. I'd say he had about billions of money. He got all this money and business from his parents who died three years ago. After their death, their businesses grew bigger and faster than it should've taken—but only he was too smart. He always ends up on top of class and he was accelerated five solid years. Also, he's a really nice man. He donated most of his money on charities and orphanages. I don't see any possible motive. Everybody seemed to love him." Hawkes said.
"Anything else?" Mac asked. He needed to know the details of the crime.
"Well…" Hawkes started—hesitant. "We saw a picture inside his shirt. A woman—blonde with blue eyes. We searched for her in our system and found out that she was his fiancée. They were bound to get married the day before we found his body." Hawkes explained.
"What part of his shirt?" Mac asked.
"It was folded and taped inside his shirt. It was located at the near middle—where the heart is placed."
"Did you find any finger print on it?"
"No—nothing."
Mac sighed as his eyes tightened. "How about the murder weapon—anything?" Mac asked—hoping to get a lead. Perhaps there's something on the weapon—something that'll point the killer out.
"That's the problem—totally nothing, only the picture and the scar that said 'playmate'. That's all we've got. There's nothing on the weapon either. It doesn't give us any source or store that it can be bought. It was homemade."
Mac took a while to analyze everything. There can't be nothing on their hands. Perhaps they've overlooked on something. He kept on thinking that this one can't be a perfect murderer.
"I'm going to take a look at it myself." He finally said.
He and Sheldon walked right up to where Adam was. Adam had all the evidence they had.
"You're sure you analyzed all of him?" Mac asked Adam as he looked at him.
"Yeah. I searched his clothing very thoroughly. There's nothing." Adam replied.
"Hmm… I want to see the picture." Mac said. Adam passed Mac the photo of the girl.
"Analese Vanhaiden…" Sheldon started as Mac looked at him—his eyes asking. "That's her name."
"Vanhaiden. Looks like we've found our first alive evidence—or suspect." Mac said and took another look at the picture. He saw something strange with it.
"What is it Mac?" Adam asked.
"Adam, come with me." He said.
"Where are we going? Aren't you going to take Vanhaiden?"
"No, change of plans. Come with me." Mac finished his sentence, took the picture with him and took off. Adam removed his lab gown and followed Mac.
"Mac, where are we going?" Adam asked as they got closer to Mac's car. Mac turned to face Adam. He looked more serious than he has ever been—and that made Adam freeze.
"Oh my God." Was all Adam could reply to Mac's silent look. He understood right away what was going on. He knew automatically what was going on with Mac. Mac turned back to his car knowing Adam was following what was going on—and Adam followed.
"What's going on Mac?" Adam asked when they got into the car. Mac gave him a dead look and shook his head. Adam sighed and looked in front. "You're playing his game?" he finally asked and looked at Mac's expression. He could see how much agony was all over his face. Adam once again faced the front before he spoke and sighed, "Can't he at least let you have a teammate?" Mac didn't answer. He just started the car and went on their way.
Neither of them spoke until they got to the place. "Leave your stuff here—everything." Adam said to Mac. Mac gave a confused and shocked look. "Just do it." Adam insisted and removed all his stuff too. They got down the car, the only thing left on Mac—except for his clothes—were his keys. "So what's the point of leaving our things in the car?" Mac asked.
"Well…" Adam started—hesitating. "I was literally spying on you… and I think your mailer is too." Adam said to Mac. Mac was extremely shocked with Adam's theory—or guess in any ways.
"I told you before, it was a frank." Mac insisted. He didn't want Adam or any other people on his team to worry about him.
"Mac. Look. You can't lie to us. We're not just co-workers, we're also friends. We can read between the lines thank you very much." Adam said.
Mac sighed—knowing what Adam said was true. "Let's say you were right." Adam gave a sarcastic look as Mac said those words. "What if it wasn't a prank? What if someone is killing people just to play with me? But…" Adam stopped and smiled even before Mac could finish his sentence—which apparently made Mac stop too.. "What are you smiling about?" Mac asked.
"Remove the lies Mac. It's obvious the mail was serious." Adam grinned teasingly at Mac and continued walking. Mac groaned and followed.
"You haven't answered yet. What was the point of…" Mac started but Adam cut him off mid-sentence. "We'll have to talk about this later." Adam then said.
Mac's focused then went back to why they went there in the firs place.
"Johnny! I think you're familiar with this." Mac said as he handed the guy named Johnny the photo of the victim's girlfriend.
"Heck yeah I am!" Johnny replied—excitingly. "There has been something like this in Vegas. Come in." Johnny said, ac and Adam looked at each other.
"You see…" Johnny started again and placed the photo on a flat metal and placed the metal over the flames. The printed picture itself started to fade as some writings popped out—like it was hidden somewhere beneath the photo.
As they saw what was written, Adam shot a glance at Mac as he slowly raised his head to look at Adam.
"He wanted me to help?" Adam said—gleefully and confused.
Looks like your little Adam
wants to play too. I saw him
spying on you. Sure he
can! The more the merrier.
Mac sighed—he didn't want Adam to be caught in this situation.
"Thanks Johnny." Mac said as he shook Johnny's hand and then turned his back on him.
"So… you can now tell me everything that's going on." Adam said
Mac sighed first and got his keys. "Yeah, but now you have to lie to everybody else on the team to keep your ass and everyone else's safe. If someone finds something out about this, everybody's dead—unless we catch him on time." Mac explained to Adam.
"Sure I can!" Adam said.
Mac grinned and went back in to the car.
"Hey! What are you grinning about?! I can keep secrets too." Adam defended—he knew that was the reason Mac was grinning.
"You can't even keep your own secrets." Mac explained—still grinning.
"Well, now I can—now that there's something at stake." Adam explained. He wasn't serious yet he wasn't joking.
"I know you can—I was just worried you had to be caught into this." Mac said as he clenched his jaw—left hand on the wheel.
"Trust me Mac, I can, and I'll help you out." Adam tried to make Mac feel better with his sincere smile.
"You're like a little brother to me Adam—have I told you that?" Mac said—thoughts flying. Adam shook his head. Mac grinned at Adam and looked at him straight. "Well, now I have. That's why of all the people, you're the one I don't want in trouble. I had this feeling of responsibility over you. You're a still a kid, no matter how old you are." He finished.
"I know Mac, you're always looking out for me, and I appreciate that." Adam said and smiled.
"Let's head back." Mac said to Adam as he started his car.
"Sure."
"But… no words to anyone. Tell them my hunch was wrong." Mac finished and started to drive.
