Case 36: The Devil's Playground

It was over a week before their next case and they were called away from the university campus for the next murder, one that had taken place within the Amish community not far from the University Campus.

Rather than driving all the way there they pulled up on the side of the road and started walking with their kits in hand until they reached where all the officers were.

Ramirez was white and green and warned them about all the blood before telling them that a young boy named Isaac had seen the murder take place.

"Ramirez, radio back and have Grace sent down here to deal with Isaac in the long run, I don't feel right just leaving him without professional help." JJ told him before asking for the young boy's location while David made his way to the crime scene.

A young blond boy dressed in traditional Amish clothing was sat in front of one of their homes, seemingly in shock. A man in similar clothing also with blond hair stood not to far away but for now JJ paid him no mind. Their may not have been any Amish in New Orleans but he did know a little about their culture.

Kneeling before the boy he watched as brown eyes tracked him and he smiled softly.

"Hello Petit. I'm JJ, one of the detectives investigating what happened. Is it okay if talk with you?" He asked gently and he saw the boy come back online slowly, nodding a little. "Can you tell me what you saw?"

"Schlecht, that's what it was." Evil if JJ remembered correctly, from the Amish language Pennsylvania Dutch. "It chased him down and raised him high into the air. There was so much blood." He started sobbing and JJ gently pulled him close, murmuring soothing nonsense in French as he usually did with the young ones.

JJ knew plenty of time had passed, a good half hour if not more but he could already see that a good cry was doing Isaac good.

"Don't worry Petit, we'll make sure that the Schlecht doesn't come back. Just have a little faith." JJ pulled on the thin link chain around his neck until his silver cross came over his dark emerald shirt.

Isaac stood a little taller at that, a true believer in his faith and JJ was glad for it, it would give the lad something to hold onto through all of this.

By that point JJ could just see his fellow red-head dressed in Amish clothing stood not far away and gestured her over.

"Now Petit, this my friend Grace, she works with me." The young man was extremely polite as he introduced himself. "She's going to stay with you for a little while and make sure that your safe, okay?"

Isaac bobbed his head and smiled ever so slightly as JJ stood and turned to leave, only to be intercepted by the blond haired man he'd noticed earlier.

"Who are you to speak with my son like that?" There was a glare levelled at the detective who merely raised an eyebrow.

"Lieutenant Detective James Jensen." He saw the mans eyes narrow, barely contained disgust etched into his face, it would appear that even in the Amish community they had a reputation as well. "And you should remember sir, in the end only God can judge us." He added and watched as the man slowly nodded.

"Now if you would be so kind may have your name?"

"Ezekiel Hersberger." He answered stiffly.

"Well sir, my colleague Grace will be staying here. Normally Isaac would be brought to the station for police protection but instead she'll stay here and try and coax him into remembering what happened with causing any damage to him mentally." He explained and the man nodded once again so JJ took his leave with a sigh of relief.

He soon met up with his lover at the car where he rested against the boot, Dorian running around freely in the open landscape.

"The victim is Tom Blackwater and he certainly isn't Amish wearing a designer shirt." David added as JJ leaned back next to him.

"There's a stirrup covered in blood and a piece of rope to go back to the lab while I found this bible." He handed it over and pointed to something that he'd uncovered and it explained quiet a few things to JJ as he asked to be dropped off at the college while David went back to the lab.


Dorian did the work in tracking down Madison to a beautiful and quiet area of the campus with her books splayed out around her.

"Morning Sweetheart." Her head shot up but she quickly smiled.

"Hi JJ. What's up?" She scooted over on the blanket a little so he could sit down. He folded his legs beneath himself, facing the young blond.

"So, your Amish, that's the secret your keeping." He watched her freeze in place before moving slowly in shock. "I can more than keep a secret Madison but I need your help, your my in on this occasion. The victim is Tom Blackwater and the witness was Isaac Hersberger." He watched her gasp, hand flying to her mouth.

"My Gott, Isaac. He's my cousin." Madison was completely horrified and the red-head gently pulled her forward, hugging her against his chest as a few tears spilled over but like the strong girl she was she soon pulled it together, sitting up in his lap.

"Tom is a student here. I only know him by reputation, a real asshole and total womanizer." She huffed.

"Madison we've talked about lying."

Madison huffed again, looking down and wringing her hands together.

"I'm sorry." Earnest blue eyes looked up at him, another tear sliding down her face and he gently wiped it away. "It's just natural by now. I know that sounds horrible but with the way people treat the Amish." She trailed off seeing his understanding smile and curled up into his chest, it felt like how she imagined a brother to be.

"Tom found out I was Amish and threatened to tell everyone but then I found out he was helping someone to buy the Amish land so we were dead locked. But recently." She frowned moving her chin to the elders shoulder. "He seemed to have change, there was more goodness in his. It's a shame that it came to late."

JJ hummed his agreement and stayed with her for a few minutes before he had to take his leave, Dorian keeping his new favourite person company, tracking down the victim's dorm room so he could investigate and sending a text to David on the way.

Not unsurprising for a dorm room it was a mess but he easily found a compact disc and the victims laptop just in time for his lover to drive them back which he did with a groan and a laugh.

Alex was all to happy to receive them.

Soon enough they had another lead, the victim had been seen with an Amish girl. Thank to Ramirez they found more evidence up at the kissing spot.

A faded note and a bloodied pitch fork that was most likely the murder weapon.

JJ decided that it was best to keep it under wraps for now and sent a covert text to Grace just to keep working on Isaac, he was sure he knew just who the killer was and he didn't want any unnecessary fallout before then.

Soon enough they had all the evidence and went back to the Amish community. While Isaac was suffering from the trauma he gave a glowing smile when he saw the male red-head.

The little boy was unsurprisingly convinced that the killer was a true monster, and on this occasion JJ knew it was because he couldn't accept a human doing it. What they did find however was that the killer wore a hat and for the young boy his heart broke knowing who the killer was.

Finding Ezekiel was easy enough and all it took was one look into the mans eyes.

He bowed his head without word and held out his hands, not even willing to fight against the wrong he knew he had committed.