They'd barely gotten back into the Galaxy and requested two unis to be stationed outside of Duboce Park, one on the northwest end, one on the southeast corner, when a radio message from Lt. Tony DeMario from Missing Persons threw them another curve ball.
"You said he was last seen at or around Market and Ellis?"
"Yes Lieutenant, right around that area. We just spoke to his wife. She said that sometimes he would stay out late so she didn't worry about things too much but when he didn't show up this morning, she decided to report him missing."
"When did he leave the house?", Mike asked as he watched his partner pull out of the tight parking spot along Duboce Avenue and heading north toward Market at a high rate of speed.
"She said around six. He wanted to go buy her a birthday gift. She said he liked shopping the expensive clothing outlets down along Ellis. We've got one of our units on site already and they located his car in the parking lot of Johnny's Bar and Grill on Ellis. No sign of forced entry or a fight."
"Damnit…", Mike let out a forced breath, before pushing down the receiver button on the radio once again.
"10-4, Lt. DeMario, we're headed that way now."
"10-4 Lieutenant. Let us know if you need additional manpower. DeMario out."
Rolling the window down to attach the gumball to the roof and turning on the siren, Mike held onto the door frame as Steve smoothly navigated the Galaxy through the mid afternoon traffic.
"That guy's got a regular route going on…", the young Inspector mumbled before slowing down at a red light, then cautiously crossing the intersection when they could be sure the remaining traffic had stopped.
Pursing his lips, Mike nodded, deeply disturbed by the ongoing frequency of their kidnappings.
"As soon as we get done checking out the scene and talking to some witnesses, let's head back downtown and look at a map. There has got to be a pattern to this guy."
"The only pattern I am currently seeing is that one guy disappears, another guy is found dead. Wait three or four days, and repeat…"
Steve's voice was raspy, stripped of any of its usual enthusiasm and eagerness, as they followed up on their latest lead.
If anything, his partner sounded dead-tired.
"You know what that means, don't you?"
His words made the young Inspector clench his jaws, the realization quickly filling the quiet cabin of the tan sedan with a sense of foreboding heartbreak.
They'd barely made it to 7th Street when the busy police radio sprung to life once again.
"Headquarters to Inspectors 8-1, please come in."
Sharing an ominous glance with his partners, Mike reached for the receiver and swallowed hard.
"This is Inspectors 8-1, go ahead Headquarters."
"Inspectors 8-1, we received a call about a body being found on the northeast corner of Geary and Gough Street, in the brushy area of the St. Mark's Visitor Parking lot. Victim is believed to be male, showing signs of apparent strangulation. Unit 1-Charlie-8 is on scene. Coroner is en-route. Please respond."
"Damnit!", both detectives cursed in unison, as Steve slowed the Galaxy down significantly, awaiting orders from his partner before proceeding.
"10-4 Headquarters, Inspector 8-1A will respond. ETA 3 minutes."
Sighing heavily over the wailing of the overhead siren, Mike ran a hand across his face, before grunting in frustration.
"Steve, you take the body, I take the Missing Scenes call. Just drop me off on Ellis. I'll have a uni drive me over to Geary when I get done. Be careful though, if they just found the body, our guy might still be in the area. Keep your eyes open."