Disclaimer: I do not own Moonlight. But this show has kept my imagination going for almost 5 years and I intend to let it out on paper.
Thank you everyone for reading and reviewing. For those new reviewers who are leaving anonymous comments, I do wish you would register because I cannot reply to your reviews any other way.
Chapter 12
Savannah woke up early, took a moment to kiss Tyson as he slept next to her in the freezer and then headed to work. She was sitting at her desk and reviewed a list that Tyson had left her explaining what had been learned the night before when Chaz walked in two minutes later.
"Not sure I like these daylight hours," he commented as he sat at his desk. "I've definitely become a night owl."
"I have to agree with you on that," Savannah agreed as she folded the paper and tucked it in her pocket.
They began their day touching base with Angela's family and friends. No one had any idea who could have killed her and she had not mentioned meeting anyone new. Savannah used the information Tyson had left her but none of her friends had gone to the club with her. If Chaz wondered how Savannah had insight into Angela's life, he didn't ask.
Their last stop was Angela's work place to talk to her coworkers. There they discovered who had introduced the woman to the club called Flood Tides, although she had not gone there with Angela. As they left the building, they got a call to go out to a small mall on Highway 48. Two new bodies wrapped in plastic in a dumpster had been discovered. As Chaz drove to the scene, Savannah reflected on possible ways to handle the questions this discovery would bring up. How would they explain the bodies being drained of blood? She had no doubt that the two new bodies would be in the same condition as Angela.
When they arrived at the mall, Savannah headed over to the two detectives who were first on the scene. Detectives Jackson and West filled her in on how one of the shop owners had made the gruesome discovery around mid-morning. Chaz was crouched near the bodies that forlornly lay in the shade of two large dumpsters behind the mall. The crime scene unit was documenting the entire scene.
"Looks like the same MO," Chaz said as she paused beside him.
"I'm willing to bet the autopsy will say they are drained of all their blood." He pointed to the wounds on the women's inner elbows.
"So that's why you two got called in on this?" West asked from behind the pair. He was a skinny forty year old man who had seen one too many nasty crime scenes and didn't mind having this one become someone else's problem.
"We found a body the other night at the docks," Savannah nodded.
"Damn, it sure looks like a wannabe vampire is at work," Chaz said as he straightened up.
"Vampire?" Savannah asked looking a bit paler than before.
"Hell yes Kojack, the women have been drained of all their blood. What would you call it?" Chaz questioned with raised eyebrows.
"Do you believe in vampires Chaz?" Savannah probed with interest.
"Not on your life," Chaz laughed. "But I do think that the killer believes in vampires." He looked at her closely. "Do you believe in them?"
"We live in a city that celebrates superstitions and a large number of people think voodoo is real. Who am I to say what is real and what isn't?" Savannah shrugged with a grin. "Maybe that is the angle we should follow in this investigation. I'm sure there are some crazies out there that celebrate the vampire lifestyle." She tried to quell the flutter in her stomach and wished she could escape the sunlight beating down on her.
Before anyone could comment further, the ME's truck pulled up and Scott Barlow, who had risen to the position as head medical examiner in the last year, exited the vehicle.
"Crap, who thought the top guy would show up?" West muttered.
A wave of relief flowed over Savannah at the sight of Tyson's best friend. It did drive home just how serious the situation had become if Scott personally showed up at the crime scene. She met him halfway and he smiled grimly at her.
"Scott, this has to be the same group that killed Angela," she said in a voice below human hearing. "Tyson believes it's the harvesters at work. These two have the same marks at their elbows."
"And we're left to cover up the mess," Scott answered in the same tone. "When I was told of these bodies I felt I had to personally check it out. The mayor is very concerned about this and he's applying pressure."
"Well I am glad to see you. I'm not sure how to cover this up. Chaz even used the word vampire with this case." She looked past Barlow and a low growl rumbled in her chest. Scott looked at her in concern. "The press has arrived," she muttered as she saw Blake Winters among the group approaching them.
Scott glanced over his shoulder to see the press advancing on them. He put a comforting hand on Savannah's shoulder.
"Tyson mentioned Winters to me," he said and looked over at Det. Jackson who was standing a short distance away. The burly black man was watching the group come towards them as well. "Detective, please keep the press back. I don't want them contaminating the scene. Be polite but firm."
"Yes sir," Jackson acknowledged and hurried off to comply. As a former football player the man was not someone to be ignored.
Scott turned back to Savannah and his expression was serious.
"Well you do have your troubles, don't you?" he said glancing at Blake who was protesting at being moved back.
"Yes I do."
"Don't worry, we'll handle it," Scott said trying to lighten the mood. "We could send Shani after Winters," he suggested with a wicked grin, referring to his Cleaner girlfriend. "You'll handle your partner."
"Thanks Scott," Savannah said in relief. "And I will handle Blake as well."
"Good," Scott approved. "Now let's take a look at these bodies."
He led the way over to the bodies and began his preliminary exam. Chaz had watched the exchange between his partner and the head ME curiously. He knew that Barlow and Tyson were friends and was also aware that that gave Savannah easy access to the medical examiner's office. Having that access helped them solve some crimes much faster than normal and Chaz didn't mind having that success on his record so he was not going to question how it happened.
"They died like Angela, didn't they? Broken necks, right?" Savannah asked as Scott finished the initial exam and got to his feet.
"I'm afraid so," Scott confirmed. "Are these two on the missing list?"
"Felicity Jenner and Marla Kemp," Chaz informed him. "So it is safe to say we have a serial killer on our hands and two more girls still missing."
"Looks like it," Savannah agreed. "And if they aren't found soon they will likely end up the same way as these two."
"All right then, I'm taking the bodies back to the morgue. I'll get you my report as soon as possible," Scott told them. "If we are lucky then I will have more information about where they might have been killed." He signaled to his assistants to get the bodies ready for transport.
Chaz moved away to talk to Jackson and West who were keeping the media back. He wanted a closer look at Blake Winters as well. Savannah started to follow, knowing the press demanded a statement. Scott caught her arm and stopped her.
"Savannah…..are you making sure you are well fed? Being out in the daylight can be very dangerous for a fledgling," he warned.
"I'm good Scott," she answered. "I carry a flask for emergencies."
"Good girl," he approved. "Would you like me to call Tyson and bring him up to speed?"
"That would be great. I can't have Chaz over hearing me check in with my boyfriend. The questions would never stop," she said in relief.
"No problem," Scott assured her and they separated to do their jobs.
*MC*MC*
Once he was back in his office, Scott called Tyson while his assistants prepared the women's bodies for a full autopsy.
"Okay Barlow, just what the heck are you doing up at this hour?" Tyson complained after several rings.
"We've got two more bodies buddy. Same treatment as the first one. Our harvesters are getting even more careless and I'm thinking that it will continue until the humans figure it out or we stop them," Scott reported.
"Did Savannah get called in on this case?"
"She and her partner are on the job. Your fledgling is doing a good job of dealing with the daylight by the way. The bad news is that the reporter was there sniffing around. I get the feeling she's itching to sink her teeth in him."
"I think she would enjoy that," Tyson agreed. "Can we cover this up or is all hell about to break loose?"
"I'll do my best to cover things but it won't be easy. Blood loss if this amount makes humans nervous," Scott sighed. "It's too early in the day for me to be creative. Get your friends to create a cover story, seems to me Rayna has a good imagination. I have my hands full here," he complained.
"Calm down Scotty…I get the pressure you are under. You are right, Beth and Rayna are pretty creative, I will talk to them," Tyson soothed.
"Great, I want the mayor off my back. I am sure he is going to come down on the NOPD so be aware that Savannah is going to have some heat too."
"I'll get things rolling on this end. We will do our best to catch these characters and you do what you can to misdirect the humans, okay?"
"Will do bro….give me a heads up when you have a story for me to run with," Scott said and hung up.
Tyson vaulted out of the freezer and pulled on a pair of running shorts. Quickly he called Granny, knowing he would not disturb her in the freezer. He was convinced that it was impossible to surprise the old woman and she would want to know what had transpired.
"What news do you have boy?"
"Two more bodies," Tyson said coming right to the point. "Scott called, he's being leaned on by the mayor's office. We need a story to that will not scream vampire and we need it quick," he said grimly.
End chapter.
The pressure is on for our gang. Thank you for reading.