Down On The Bayou Detective Agency - Case Files

Chapter 3

Case File #16 - "Un vampir de energie"

~o0o~

Chapter 3

Case File #16 - "Un vampir de energie"

Tick tick team.

The list grows

the pain shows

tick tock

R

Previously:

Before they drove off, Edward rolled down the driver's side window and said, "I know this is a priority case, Ri, and as soon as we have anything for you, I'll call you and update you. You'll do the same I assume?"

~o0o~

After they left the FBI offices, Edward and Bella were on the speakerphone with Sam, Angela, Lauren and Emmett.

"Hey Sam," Edward and Bella said together when Sam answered the phone.

"Hello, you two." After a brief pause, Sam continued. "Angela said you were going to call and from what she could tell, you had a bizarre of a case for the team."

Both Edward and Bella laughed at Sam's nonchalance, but then, Sam didn't know the details, nor had he seen the pictures.

Bella was the first to speak. "Bizarre doesn't even begin cover it, Sam. It's at least the same level as our first case together."

"Yes," Edward said. "We're on our way to the office with all the files Riley signed us out with. You all have to sign the paperwork also and send it back to the FBI office here."

"Ok, see you in a few then." Sam whistled appreciatively before hanging up.

~o0o~

When they got to Sam's huge houseboat, they found everyone in what they'd starting calling "the war room." There were six tables, each with a lap top and plenty of room to spread out the paperwork that each would be responsible for going over. Angela had even gotten the coffee maker going and had huge jars filled with cold water in which to brew the gallons of sun tea they would consume.

"Before we start digging into the files, we need to watch the video with the only images of the suspected killer," Edward said. He looked at them before he continued. "You'll each have to draw your own conclusions by using your gifts."

They all gathered behind Edward as he started the video Riley had given him. What they saw was fuzzy, and the lighting was almost non-existent. The only clear image was the exit sign above the door. They could make out two people walking toward the exit sign, one person was tall and thin while the other was shorter, and the taller individual appeared to be holding the shorter one up.

"What you're seeing is probably the very last image of Jennifer Owens, who was the last known victim of our perp," Edward said.

"Not very clear at all," Sam remarked.

"Can I see that again, Edward?" Angela asked. "I thought I saw something."

"Of course, Angela." Edward ran it again. "Do you want me to send it to your laptop?"

"Sure." Angela closed her eyes. "I had an impression of something."

"Yeah, me too," Lauren said.

"I had one also, but you know we really need to have at least three of us get close to the same thing in order to have some validly," Edward added.

That was Bella's cue to start the information gathering from the psychic trio. "Ok, you three, write down what your impressions were. When you've finished, we'll compare and see if you agree with each other." Bella had learned that being psychic didn't mean that you'd have a clear picture of what was going on or what the people looked like. Getting those impressions either drawn or written down was only the first step. It seemed the more they discussed what had been "seen," the stronger the impressions became until finally-if they were very lucky-it would become clear.

A half hour later, the three were ready to compare their impressions. They agreed that the tall figure was in fact male, and they agreed that the shorter figure was indeed female, and Angela and Lauren both felt it was indeed Jennifer. Edward was unsure. Angela and Lauren also felt that the tall male was bi-sexual; again Edward was unsure. All three of them agreed that the tall figure's image was very fuzzy because of his aura vibration. That was what was keeping the camera from capturing a clear image of him.

"That's not bad for the first time you know," Bella said to Edward as they all walked over to another longer tabletop where he began to spread out folders, each with a picture on top of each.

"I know. Frankly I was surprised that the three of us agreed on so much already. There's something about this perp that's really strange, Love. I mean much stranger than most," Edward said as he kissed Bella on the cheek.

"Ok, y'all, gather around and let's go over each of the known victims. I say known because there are still a great many people who are known to have vanished over night and haven't turned up as of yet."

"The victims aren't all women are they?" Angela asked.

"No. We seem to have an equal opportunity perp on our hands. So far, however, there have been more female victims than male," Edward stated.

"How many victims do we know about Edward?" Sam asked.

"So far thirty-seven with twenty of them being female," Edward answered.

"Holy shit!" Emmett said.

"Sam, you've been awfully quiet," Edward said.

Everyone looked at Sam. He was shaking his head. "Yeah, I know. Edward, we've worked some strange cases, but this one...the enormity of it. The numbers..." Sam trailed off.

"Yes. The most prolific serial killer was The Green River killer. He admitted to ninety. I'm afraid if we don't figure out some way to stop this killer, he'll surpass that number."

"So, anyway, let's each take a stack and see what we can figure out," Sam suggested.

~o0o~

A couple of hours later, Bella's cell rang. When she looked at the display she saw it was Esme. "Hey, Grandma, the twins getting to you?"

"Oh no. I just called to tell you that they are going to spend the night. That is if it's alright with you and Edward," Esme said.

"I have no problem with that. We have a new case we're up to our elbows in, so that'll be a great help. Now don't let them get away with anything. I know how they can push."

"Ok. I won't." Esme chuckled.

"You promise?"

"Yes, I promise."

Bella hung up the call, chuckling and shaking her head. "Grandparents," she said when the others looked in her direction before asking, "Edward, how is it possible that these young people could be mummified in a few short hours?"

"That's the thing. There's not really any way it's possible, but it happened."

"Do you think they'd let us see one of the bodies?" Sam asked.

"Probably. I'll call and ask Riley." Edward had a perplexed expression before he continued. "The more I look at these files and the condition of the bodies ... I think we'll have to lay hands on one or two to see if we can figure out something-anything!

"Hey, Riley. Yeah it's me. Look, we, the six of us, need to see and be able to lay hands on at least one of the bodies." Edward paused, listening. "What? There were three cases in Baton Rouge and four in New Orleans? I didn't see those files." Edward was silent again before he exploded. "Why didn't you tell me before, Riley?" Edward's head dropped back, his eyes looking at the ceiling while Riley continued. "Ok then we will meet you at the coroner's at nine tomorrow morning." Edward disconnected the call, looking sad. "Well, the count is now forty-four victims."

"We're meeting Riley tomorrow morning to see the three in Baton Rouge, and if we need to, we can arrange to go to New Orleans for the four there."

They all nodded.

"Why didn't Riley tell us about these victims?" Bella asked.

"Because they just turned up this afternoon, and the next of kin have yet to be notified," Edward said.

There was a very loud crash. Everyone looked in the direction it came from to see Sam standing, looking down at the floor and the shards of glass from the beer bottle that Sam had been holding moments before. They all understood the frustration he'd just expressed.

Angela walked over and began cleaning it up-no one saying a word to Sam.

"MOTHER FUCK!" Emmett screamed. "We've got to get that bastard!"

~o0o~