Dib's phone rang and he fished for it in his pocket as he slid into his car. He'd spent the last two hours speaking with the local law enforcement on scene. He answered without looking at the caller ID.

"Membrane."

"Dib, I need you to come back." His supervisor. He sat back, keys in hand. Another murder, so quickly?

"Sir?"

"Something of interest was found at the Madison scene."

"Alright, I'm on my way." He hung up and texted Steve.

'Anything?'

His phone buzzed as he started the car up.

'Not yet. Still searching.'

'Headed back to Norwich. New details.'

'Got it.'

Dib watched as the body was wheeled from the building and loaded into the coroner's van. He sighed and started his drive back.


"Sit down, Membrane," Charles pulled out the chair and then circled the table and seated himself. Dib did as told, scooting in closer to the table and folding his hands on top of it. He glanced around the small interrogation room.

"Another body was found near the Madison scene," Charles said as he pulled some photos from a folder and began laying them out on the table. Dib leaned to look.

"Where?"

"In the woods behind the gas stop, about a quarter mile in. Private property. That's the landowner."

Dib pulled a photo closer, frowning. A man in his 60's, dressed in camo and an orange hat. He'd been shot twice in the chest. Charles watched him closely as he looked through the photos.

"What happened?"

"His daughter found him. He didn't return from walking the property and she went looking. We time the death a little after the gas stop event."

Dib shook his head, looking up at him.

"This is a gunshot victim though, not consistent with our serial."

Charles drew a small clear baggie from the folder and slid it across the table at him.

"Do you recognize that?"

Dib picked it up, looking at the spent bloody bullet inside.

"Its a .40." He felt a chill run through his chest and set the bag down. Charles nodded and took another evidence bag from his coat pocket, setting it in front of Dib.

"I think you've been missing this."

Dib stared at his gun on the table and nodded. Charles sat back and crossed his arms.

"Now, you're not a suspect here. I know you're not responsible for the serials we have, and I don't think you'd be stupid enough to kill someone in cold blood and leave your weapon at the scene."

Dib sighed and rubbed his face. Charles continued.

"However, I need to know how your PD-issue weapon ended up at a murder scene just minutes from our serial."

"It was stolen from my vehicle on-scene," Dib said, looking up at him and folding his hands on the table. "I was stupid, left my car unlocked."

"Why wasn't it on your person?"

"I had unstrapped it for the drive. I forgot it was on the passenger seat."

Charles stared at him silently for a long moment and then nodded.

"How did you know about Josh Brendle?"

"He used to work with the brothel owner in Utica," Dib lied. "I took a guess."

"How do you know that?" he squinted.

"I asked around."

"So you think the killings are in relation to the brothel?"

"Possibly."

Charles nodded slowly and stood up, pushing his chair back.

"Your actions are irresponsible at best, Membrane. On top of the fact that you didn't submit an incident report on the stolen weapon. I'm taking you off the case. You're suspended indefinitely."

Dib stood up quickly.

"Sir, I am so close to this. Let me see the case out."

"You're off. Get out." Charles stood and turned, opening the door. Dib glanced down at the photos, then brushed past him quickly. A security guard followed him as he collected a few things from his desk and then escorted him to his car. He handed the guard his parking pass and badge and left, dialing his phone as he drove.

"Anything?" he asked when Steven picked up.

"There are sixty-three Henry Pacino's in the database. One in New York."

"Where?"

"His last know address is in Utica still, but it hasn't been updated in five years and his license expired."

"I'll go, what is it?"

Steve gave him the address and he thanked him. Dib asked his phone to pull up directions for the address but then realized he hadn't been home in quite awhile. Ellie needed to be fed. He turned around.