Chapter 4:
It didn't take long for Monroe to pick up a scent and declare that only humans had been in the area since before the murder. Nick and Monroe didn't know if that made things better or worse, but at least they knew that they were dealing with a human.
Nick drove Monroe home. Before he got out of the car, Monroe said, "Well, look at it this way. You have a garden variety serial killer without any freaky powers. That has to count for something?"
Nick sighed, "Thanks for the pep talk, Monroe, but I don't think there is anything ordinary about this guy, super powers or not. I think I prefer the creatures. I actually get them. Does that sound weird?"
Monroe shook his head, "No, not really. Let me give you a little bit of advice. Up to this point the creatures you've been going after have been real simple to figure out. It might give you some comfort, and that's fine. Don't think that it's all like this. Humans have been painting us as monsters for centuries. I'll agree that many have earned it. But humans also can be monsters as well. No species has exclusive rights to being monsters. It gives everyone comfort in the idea that monsters are out there, and not standing next to you."
Nick frowned, "Somehow, Monroe, that doesn't make me feel better."
Monroe said, "It wasn't meant to. If you want something to make you feel better, try chocolate. That seems to do the trick for women."
Nick smiled, "Thanks. I think. At least you get to relax on this one. That's a bright side."
Monroe nodded, "I like that. Still, if you need my help, please wait until after my Pilates."
Weeks passed with nothing new to show for their efforts. All the leads ended nowhere and the
woman's identity remained a mystery. The press with their short term memory went on to other things, and forgot the 'Sleeping Beauty'.
Nick and Hank couldn't forget. Everyday they'd stare at reports that yield nothing, and a victim, who refused to reveal her secrets. The wait was killing them. They knew the killer wasn't done, but they didn't know what to do. They both hated to admit it, but another person had to die in hopes that they could find a clue to help them figure it out. That realization wasn't sitting to comfortable with either of them.
On a beautiful Saturday morning Nick was having a quiet breakfast with Juliette. It was rare for her not to have to go into the office or do surgery on someone's pet tabby during the weekend. Nick was trying to push the case out of his mind and just enjoy time with his fiancé.
Nick's phone went off, startling both of them. Closing his eyes he answered, "Burkhardt."
He listened for a moment and then nodded, "Wildwood Trail by Stone House. Got it. I should be there in thirty."
Hanging up he said, "Sorry, but duty calls."
She nodded, "Is it the guy you've been worried about?"
He sighed, "Yeah. I'm afraid so."
She frowned, Why don't you call that professor and take her with you. Maybe she can see something that the photos missed."
He smiled, "That's a good idea. You are brilliant as well as beautiful. Let's hope she's willing."
While he got ready, he called Rosaleen. She was happy to accompany him to the crime scene. He agreed to pick her up on the way. Kissing Juliette, he went to get what he hoped was a chance at a breakthrough.
When Nick picked her up he noticed that she was wearing the green coat and the red hood like a scarf. He was very happy he didn't need Monroe for this case. That thought was repeated, when he saw that she was wearing a Red Riding Hood shirt with the little girl wearing a wolf teeth necklace and carrying an axe. 'Here wolfy, wolfy' was above the image. He just started at her shirt in shock.
She smirked, "Yeah, most people react that way. A student gave it to me. She was really happy I liked her paper portraying Riding Hood as a serial killer, who went after wolves. It kind of became a private joke as you can see."
He shook his head and smiled, "Just when I thought I couldn't be surprised anymore. Let's go."
On the drive to the scene Nick went over what he was expecting from her. He kept insisting that she should stay close to him. He cleared it with Renard, but he still didn't know how everyone was going to react.
Forest Park was just that, a forest with trails and natural attractions for the outdoorsy type. The Stone House was thought to be an abandon restroom, but no one really knew. It was covered in moss and looked haunted. The locals called it the 'Witch's Castle'. It seemed a fitting nickname. Nick just hoped the reason for it was because it looked creepy and not because there was a real witch running amok.
Hank greeted them, "Well, at least there's no fire this time. That is the only favor this guy did for us. Some bikers found her."
Nick nodded, "Have you tried to ID the victim yet?"
Hank answered, "Haven't checked the scene out yet. Was waiting on you two. Figured it would better if we all went in with fresh eyes. Hi Professor Deage."
She smiled, "Please, Detective, call me Rosaleen."
Hank said, "Got it. Okay. Let's go in boys and girls."
Carefully, they climbed up the moss covered steps to the crime scene. They saw a young woman dressed in a silver and gold ball gown with a sparkling tiara in her dark hair. On her feet were beautifully embroidered slippers. Next to her on the steps was a black substance that was smeared all over them and a pumpkin laying by her head.
Hank asked, "So, any ideas?"
Rosaleen frowned, "This guy is meticulous with his detail. He also has nerves of steel. This had to take some time to set up. I've been on this trail many times. It's always busy. You have your work cut out for you."
Hank snorted, "Yeah, I figured that out. Can you tell us something we don't know?"
She nodded, "She's the original Cinderella. This guy really did his homework."
Nick asked, "Cinderella? Didn't she have glass slippers?"
She answered, "One of the brothers had horrible handwriting. There's a one letter difference between glass and fur in German. When the man was getting it ready to publish, he thought the word was glass, and thus the glass slipper was born."
Hank nodded, "Okay, so what about the black goo?"
She answered, "It's most likely pitch, or tar. In the original story the ball was a three day event. Cinderella would leave before the end of each night. So, her family wouldn't discover that she was there. On the third night the prince had the stairs smeared with pitch in an attempt to find out who she was."
Hank frowned, "Serious? That's messed up. What ever happen to asking a girl?"
She smiled, "She wouldn't answer him. So, he came up with this plan. He was hoping to find her stuck on the stairs. Instead he just found a slipper."
Hank smiled, "Ah yes and found her because the slipper would only fit her through magic."
She answered, "No. The 'perfect fit' idea is a modern concept. Cinderella just simply had the smallest feet in the kingdom. Scholars theorize that she was a size four."
Hank said, "Those are some tiny feet."
Sgt. Wu walked up grinning, "Hi, Rosaleen."
She smiled, "Hi, Wu. Great to see you again."
Hank smirked, "Wu? Is there something you needed?"
He shifted awkwardly, "Um, yeah. You know that guy you investigated for the Robin Howell kidnapping? He's here. Just thought you might want a heads up."
Nick frowned, "Monroe is here? Didn't think he was the outdoors type."
Hank answered, "Thanks Wu. We'll talk to him after we finish here."
Sgt. Wu nodded and turned to leave. He paused as if something caught his eye. He moved closer to the body.
Frowning he said, "Think I know her. She looks familiar. Does she look familiar to either or you guys?"
Both Nick and Hank looked closer. When the realization hit, they both started cussing.
Rosaleen asked, "What?"
Nick sighed, "We know this victim. She's a high school student named Sarah Jennings. We were investigating her ex boyfriend. We figured out later it was a prank gone wrong."
Hank groaned, "This is not good. This is SO not good. Her mom was a nightmare before. What do you think she's going to be like now?"
Nick answered, "Devastated. She just lost her little girl."
