Captain Amanda Cohen walked uneasily down the long, dark corridor. There was something about this place that frightened her. It felt as if death were all around her, waiting for a chance to reach out its dread hand to snatch someone else from the world of the living. As she walked she could hear the clicks of her heels on the concrete floor resonating all around her like a hundred pulses all squashed into one tiny space. It all seemed so familiar, like a dark rain-washed alleyway an uncomfortably close distance away, a place where every noise seemed to have a life of its own, where darkness seemed to rule over everything.

Picking up her pace she tried to escape the darkness that seemed to swallow up every speck of light in that narrow tunnel into death's domain. Up ahead she knew there was safety, there was light, light and a body that she had been specifically asked to look at. It wasn't long before she reached that place, her men walking around the narrow murder scene trying to find clues while forensics assisted them.

"What have we got gentlemen?" She asked getting the attention of Detectives Knight and Schanke.

Nick looked up, "Captain, what are you doing here?"

"I was asked to come here by the Mayor, it seems the victim is someone very important to people we don't want upset."

"He doesn't look like he's in with any of the gangs around here," Schanke joined using his knowledge of local gangs, "Looks more like a scientist."

"That's what he is. He works in a prestigious scientific research organisation just outside of the city, the same organisation that reported stocks of chemicals stolen last night, chemicals that can be used to make Molotov cocktails among other things. I'm sure you realise that they're very worried."

Nick nodded his expression grim, "I hate to say it but we didn't find any chemicals on him. I'm guessing that whoever killed him had arranged to meet him here; maybe he refused to hand over the goods and this is what happened."

"Or he wanted too much money for his trouble; by the looks of his shoes I'd say he needed the money." Schanke joked.

"That's enough Detective," Cohen scorned, "I wouldn't say that your jokes are welcome in light of the current situation."

"Sorry Captain."

Cohen nodded briskly before turning to Nat, "Do we have any leads on the perp, Doctor Lambert?"

"Well, the slash to the throat is pretty deep. Not done by your ordinary killer. I'd say it's consistent with the sort of depth I found to the stab wounds on the woman we found in the alley. Until I get her into the morgue and run a few tests I won't be able to give you a definite 'yes'."

"Ok, see what you can come up with Doctor Lambert." Cohen replied before looking over at her Detectives, "Are we any closer to finding the perp from the last one?"

Both Detectives suddenly looked rather sheepish.

"Alright gentlemen, it seems this is a tough one. Get a couple of uniforms to bring Robyn to the precinct or collect her yourselves; see if she can give you any more information on Cain, anything that will widen the spectrum a little more. I want him found and quickly, if he can kill people like this we're sure to have more dead bodies on our hands and I really don't want another spitting contest with the Mayor."

Detectives Knight and Schanke nodded before walking past their second body and the forensics team. Neither one said a word as they moved through the corridor. Both were annoyed at their lack of clues on this case and the one of the woman in the alley. It seemed their oasis of good luck and contacts had dried up the moment the name Robyn had given them had been mentioned. Whoever he was he had a reputation that preceded him, a reputation that was making this case a hard nut to crack. No one would talk, no one would look at them and no one would help them anymore.

Fresh as a summer's breeze and as unwelcome as the bubonic plague Ellen strolled into town. She was well aware of the hateful glare of everyone that noticed her sanctimonious procession towards the only person that had the inclination to give her the time of day, a person that had seemed to shut himself off from everyone else. Everyone had seen the blue piece of paper floating in the air towards her, everyone saw the way she grabbed it and the way she smiled as she read it. She ignored them all as she climbed the waiting ladder into the arms of her more than willing victim.

Reaching the top of the ladder she pulled herself the rest of the way into the airship. In a corner stood Sportacus looking more than a little sorry for himself. Immediately her face adopted a sympathetic expression and she walked over to him her arms outstretched. He accepted her invitation and clung onto her like lichen cling to rocks on the sea shore. For a long while they remained like that and Ellen wondered just when he would pull himself together. It was only when she felt the wetness of tears on the back of her neck that whatever shred of sympathy rested in her cold heart turned into annoyance. She pushed him away from her but not roughly enough to make him suspect that she didn't actually care.

"What's wrong, baby?" She cooed.

Sportacus shook his head, "Robyn's gone missing and it's all my fault. We argued and I said things to her…things I shouldn't have said."

"Was it because of what she did to me? I'm not angry about her hitting me and knocking me in the pond anymore." This was a definite lie.

"No, there's more." Sportacus replied his voice hushed as if the walls were listening, hanging on to his every word.

"Then come sit with me on the bed and tell me all about it."

Sportacus allowed himself to be led by Ellen to his bed where he sat down heavily, exhausted. She sat beside him her hand gently clasped in his, it was then that she noticed what a state his hands were in, that she realised just how human he really was.

Nick pulled the Caddie to a stop just outside the Raven. He was reluctant to take Schanke in with him, there had been times when Schanke had outstayed his welcome in the club and annoyed Janette. Unfortunately at this time he had little choice, they had a job to do. With Robyn's attacker on the loose it would take the two of them to transport her safely, one to keep watch and another to stick close to her in case of trouble.

Getting out of the car Schanke stretched a little, he'd been up nearly all night and now he was starting to get tired. He tried not to look at his watch in case it told him something he didn't want to hear, he knew well enough that his shift was far from over but that didn't stop him thinking of his bed. As he stretched his arms out he tilted his head back slightly.

It was then that he noticed someone standing on the roof of a building across the road, watching them.