My apologies for my absence today. Massively long day on the farm as we're in our last few weeks of processing poultry. Talk about being covered in blood all day. I hope everyone is having a fantastic weekend. I am about to get some rest. Tomorrow is promising to be another long day but I'll see if i can squeeze out a chapter or two.
Their urgent plea with the R&I department was followed by a return to Mike's office, where a large blackboard was covering up most of the view of the bullpen.
Dan had been busy adding their usual headers when dealing with multiple victims; name-descent-sex- age-occupation-area of the city-cause of death.
With growing concern, Mike once again noticed the three common denominators- all victims had been male, one of several indicators Steve had used in his analysis to suggest a female killer. All were affiliated with the police force, either directly or retired-and cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head.
As the white chalk filled up more and more of the blackboard, Mike leaned against the corner of his desk, arms crossed, his thumb nervously running across his bottom lip to help him think.
Next to him, Dan's steaming hot cup of tea filled the confines of his office with a strong peppermint aroma, almost too strong as far as he was concerned.
"Something doesn't make sense here…"
The Lieutenant's quiet comment made Dan turn around, waiting patiently for a more elaborate analysis from his superior and partner, while taking the opportunity to sip on his tea.
"Our witness from the Farnum killing described a bearded man with a black stocking cap, black coat and blue jeans circling their victim's car around the time of the murder. How is it that our witness saw this man, but not the woman-killer Steve is certain is to blame here?"
"Could have been a homeless guy begging for some cash. Or a newspaper guy even, hiding his papers in his jacket with the rain we've been having. I've seen either type around there before. Realistically, women are more cued to take note of men anyways, kind of a survival instinct. She may have even seen the woman too, just not realize it."
"Hmmm…"Mike countered, his eyes seemingly staring right through the blackboard, "Let's go with that woman killer theory then for a moment here…And let's say she has a list of cops or ex-cops she wants to murder for one reason or another…"
Upon Daniel's eager nodding, the Lieutenant got off the desk and helped himself to a glass of water from the nearby carafe, before continuing.
"How do you suppose she is tricking each one of our victims to roll down their car window and talk to her?"
"Very easy…", the young Inspector countered and smiled satisfied, "All our victims were males. She could be posing as a prostitute."