(So sorry for the late update. Been trying to work on some stuff. Hope this one's good.)
BartGirl: Written as a means of surprise and mystery.
Redbleik: Thanks.
Maxiefae: Hmmm.
TheUnhingedAuthor: There are things that parents have done far worse than consensual sex. Ex. Murdering spouses for cheating.
Chapter 3: Dead Ends
(New York City, Pastor Henlsey's apartment, the next day)
The entire squad stood in the apartment, eyes wide in shock and covering their mouths in horror.
"Damn," Fin gasped.
Pastor Hensley was on the ground, found dead in the same way as his 'student' was found earlier. He was ripped open, torn to pieces, with a face that was frozen screaming in horror. Blood was just pooling everywhere on the floor. And not far from where his body was found is the decapitated, screaming head of an unknown man.
"Good God," Carisi gasped.
"I think I'm gonna be sick," Rollins said.
"What could do this to someone?" Kat added.
Benson and Fin didn't say anything, they couldn't say anything. They'd seen some awful things in their life, things they wish they could unsee. But this...this was something else. Seeing a man ripped to pieces in his apartment...it was the stuff of horror movies.
"Same M.O as the death of the mother murderer," Fin finally said.
"So we've got some sort of...serial killer?" Kat said.
"Shouldn't this go to Homicide?" Rollins asked, trying to barf.
"We...should wait and see...right now we know two of the men have a linked to a sex crime…sort of. This man manipulated someone into killing his own mother over a woman hating 'ideal'," Benson said.
"Doesn't that still mean it belongs to homicide?" Rollins asked.
"I'll...keep in touch with them, but I don't want to take my eyes off this," Benson replied.
"Why?" Rollins asked.
"I don't know," Benson sighed.
"Boss, you have to have a reason," Rollins said.
"Like I said: two were involved with a crime motivated by sex and misogyny, this is still our area of expertise," Benosn replied.
"If you say so," Rollins replied.
She exited the room, she couldn't look at the scene anymore. The CSU came in to do their work.
"What could do this?" Kat gasped.
"Not sure...they're the same wounds...except for...that guy...over there," one of the CSU agents tried to explain and pointed to the decapitated head.
"Right," Kat said.
"Find out who he...was...and get Melinda to do an autopsy...on all three of them…" Benson ordered.
The CSU agent nodded.
(Autopsy room, an hour or so later)
Three tables were placed with a body on each, the three dead men slain by an unknown killer. Melinda Warner had seen more dead bodies than most. She'd seen all kinds of grievous ways people have died, more than she ever wished to see. And she's seen corpses of people killed in ways that still haunt her mind. And these three, just jumped to the top of those horrible memories. She'd looked over each of the dead, studying them carefully, going over every detail she could find. By the time Benson and Fin walked in, she was just about done.
"Hey Melinda," Fin said, nodding to her with a smile.
"Hey Fin," Melinda replied, with a smile of her own.
Benson nodded to her old friend, who smiled back.
"What have you found?" Benson asked.
"This is...peculiar...to say the least. From the look of things, it doesn't look like Lotrell and Hensley were attacked with a blade of any kind. The cuts aren't cleanly sliced, they're more jagged in nature," Melinda explained.
"What about a serrated knife?" Benson asked.
"Possible, but even then it would be cleaner than these wounds are. Both men really couldn't put up a fight. The wounds were deep, so something with considerable force ripped them open," Melinda elaborated.
"Like they were attacked by an animal?" Fin asked.
"That would be my guess, unofficially. Considering the kind of animal to make these wounds you wouldn't find roaming freely in Manhattan," Melinda replied.
Benson and Fin looked at one another, perplexed. Melinda studied the upper torso and throat of Lotrell and Hensley. Benson got a call and walked away to answer it. Fin stayed where he stood.
"It looks like the throat was possibly torn about...by teeth? Though it's really shredded like the rest of the torso," Melinda said.
"So, what are you thinking? Some guy running around with some animal claws or something?" Fin asked.
"I've got no clue. From the force it took to shred the bodies like this...I'm not sure," Melinda explained.
"Well, can't say I feel too bad about these two rat bastards getting gutted," Fin said.
"What about the man who lost his head?" Melinda asked.
"Turns out he's an abuser...turns out he's also a member at Hensley's church. His wife and other members of Hensley's flock identified him. His wife said he's been hurting her for a long time. He found out she was also having an affair and tried to come after her and her lover," Benson explained, walking back towards the group.
"Well, can't say I feel too bad for the man," Fin said.
"Can't say I'm fond of cheating...but I guess if there were ever a reason to do it...being abused would be up there," Benson said, unsure of what to think.
"Let's not get into that. That's a conversation for another day," Melinda suggested.
Benson and Fin nodded.
"But back to the reason you called me here...I'm not sure...my best guess is that it looks like an animal did this. It would have to be an incredibly strong man to do this, with or without the claws. Something like a big cat could do the tearing with the claws...but if those are bite wounds...I'd say a wolf," Melinda said.
"Well, isn't that lovely," Benson said.
"This is making my head hurt," Fin said.
"Don't think too hard," Melinda teased.
"Very funny," Fin scoffed.
"So what are you saying?" Rollins asked.
"What I'm saying is that the attack was done by no known animal. What can shred with claws like a big cat and have the bite style and force of a wolf?" Melinda answered with a question.
"Maybe some guy has some exotic pets. Let a cat attack with its claws while a wolf bites out his throat," Fin suggested.
"Perhaps, but I imagine it would be very difficult to take two large, apex predators into an apartment complex without either being seen," Melinda reasoned.
"Perhaps they were used as intimidation as well?" Rollins asked.
"Maybe, but even if they were attacked by an animal you'd hear roaring or growling right?" Fin suggested.
"You've got a real mystery here. People do keep exotic pets but they're usually hiding them except for special company. They wouldn't openly go out walking with them," Melinda said.
"Maybe someone had a big dog attack him then shredded his body afterwards?" Kat said.
"Unlikely, the freshness of the wounds it appears the biting and clawing was done at the same time. Now a wolf or dog do have claws that would do some damage, but they're not made for that," Melinda replied.
"I didn't know you were an animal expert," Rollins said.
"I'm not. But I've unfortunately come across some bodies of some poor souls that were killed by some psycho's exotic pet in the past. Not often, plus I sometimes watch some wildlife documentaries on YouTube," Melinda replied.
Fin chuckled.
"What now, Captain?" Rollins asked.
"Look into big purchases of meat. Wolf, lion, tiger, jaguar...whatever did this to those men needs to eat a lot...so, let's see if there's been any big buys of meat by anyone lately. That might lead us to someone," Benson answered.
Her friends nodded and walked out.
Benson turned to Melinda.
"Any other theories?"
"None that fit the 'usual' world."
Benson slowly nodded then walked out.
(SVU Headquarters, hours later)
Benson went over the files in her office, images of the scenes.
She had seen a lot, but these were so horrifying she felt she might throw up. The vicious nature of the wounds made her, like anyone, think of old stories. She didn't believe in them, but she couldn't help wondering.
There was a knock at the door. She saw her friends at the door and motioned for them to come in. They opened the door.
"Anything?"
"No…nothing out of the ordinary, except for one order…but it turns out it's for a barbeque party."
Benson nodded at this.
"I had tech go over security camera footage."
"You got someone?"
Benson shook her head to Rollins.
"No, just the usual who'd been accounted for."
Fin sat down, scratching his chin.
"This is just crazy, man. I'm at a loss for words here."
Carisi nodded at this.
"I know some of Hensley's supporters said they heard the sound of dogs growling and snarling around where Jason was found. I mean, it's possible a pack of dogs ambushed him."
"But the witnesses didn't report dogs being seen or heard."
Kat had her arms crossed, leaning her back against the door.
"While you all were out, I made some calls. Apparently there have been incidents like this in different parts of the country. Our friends in Chicago were hesitant to give us details, but said they'd found several dead men with the same kind of wounds there that they swept under the rug."
Rollins slowly nodded at this.
"What are you thinking?"
"I don't know…I just know whatever the hell's going on…it's just barely beginning."
To be continued…
(So sorry for the late update. Hope you all enjoyed it.)