Rorschach was watching a murder.

He slowly swept through the apartment, noting what official investigators had moved, what they hadn't, letting scenarios play out in his mind. Scuffs and dents, open drawers, police markers; telltale signs of what had occurred where, allowing him to reconstruct events. Attacker was almost certainly male, victim was female and raped before her murder. Attacker was known to victim, there were no signs of forced entry (aside from what Rorschach had just added), neighborhood very poor, high crime rate, woman alone wouldn't open door to strange man. Likely an unexpected visit, victim hadn't told friends she'd be seeing anyone that night. No current boyfriend known, but casual sexual relations with several men likely in this degenerate society. Not known to be a prostitute, full time minimum wage job in nearby fast food franchise. In his mind, Rorschach watched Brittney, now alive only in photographs around her apartment, get up to answer a knock, listen to her surprise caller, (did she smile? Irrelevant.) and open the door to an indistinct man. Did he rush her then? Unlikely, no marks on wall or door opposite entrance. Where did they go? Three paths from entryway, either to a small living room, a bedroom, or a tiny kitchen with a second door into living room at the opposite end. Some scuff marks on bottom kitchen drawer, handle broken off. Scuff marks and breakage likely from struggle. Apartment clean, missing handle under refrigerator, couldn't have been there long. Handle likely missed by police. No signs of struggle in living room, although television apparently missing. Presume to have been taken after murder or victim would likely have objected. So killer had been amicable until he followed her into kitchen. Rorschach watched the imaginary pair enter the kitchen, the man suddenly grabbing her from behind, allowing a few surprised kicks that landed uselessly on the counter in front of her, breaking the drawer handle and sending it under the fridge. No further signs of struggle except nail mark on walls in bedroom, some broken pieces of nail still left after police evidence collection. Victim presumably taken there for sexual assault followed by strangulation with own sheets. Killer had left body in bathtub full of hot water, also rummaged through drawers in bedroom before stealing television. Body discovered next day when woman had not come in to work. Victim had been very poor, likely not much obtained by killer. Robbery probably not primary motivation, although theft of television indicated killer also short on cash.

All in all remarkably similar to a double murder committed several weeks before, and another two months ago. Community had noticed, had heard people gossiping over second murder, complaining of police disinterest. Overheard far more now that he had adjusted his disguise, and no one questioned hours or cared about odd behavior. News of this third murder had set people buzzing and Rorschach had been able to quickly investigate this new scene while still relatively fresh, confirming what he had suspected from looking at the second site. The same person was behind all three murders, perhaps more. Killer likely very findable if properly looked for. He was reckless, impulsive, and the difficulty was too many leads rather than too few. All three women in same social circle, many male contacts in common. Many pawn shops and swaps to search through for missing television. Rorschach could methodically work through it himself, as he usually did these days, but the frequency of these murders was concerning. It could take a month to track down and thoroughly investigate the likely suspects, and he strongly suspected at least one more woman would be dead by then. Perhaps the killer would even step up the pace.

He should contact Daniel.

Daniel could split the time in half, at least, likely more. In the past their combined efforts had seemed so much greater than what either could do alone. But Daniel was losing it. Not going out much anymore. Mostly sticking to the owlship when he did. Giving up.

Rorschach didn't want to see that hesitation where once there had been eagerness. He had begun to avoid going to Daniel except when necessary, and he sensed Daniel was all too happy with this. Was Daniel's assistance really necessary now?

Rorschach again saw Brittney greeting her shadowy killer at the door. Smiling? Yes, she was smiling now. He saw another, indistinct new woman smiling at the murderer as he charmed her while sizing her up for another round of robbery, rape, strangulation.

Yes, he would go to Daniel. He had to try. Had to do what he could to bring this mad dog to justice as quickly as possible. Maybe Daniel would quit, but he hadn't yet, not completely, and Rorschach wasn't going to be the one to let him do it.