MISPER

Message for the Public

Natsume's team doubled. They started searching all around rural places outside the city. They send a few people through forests, and weekend places, but during this time of the year, it seemed all this was empty. Still, the sight of autumn forests dancing in the wind made Natsume feel nostalgic. The whole country was on a rampage after Persona. The journalists got wind about him and the police finally stepped in front of the cameras at the press conference and explained the situation to the public.

They warned pregnant women to be very careful.

''But why is he doing this?'' asked one of the journalists at the press conference.

Captain Jinno was the one answering questions, and as always, his expression stayed cool and collected. ''According to a statement of a survivor and the evidence we have found in his flat, it is suggested that this is his business – baby trafficking; illegal adoptions; and getting rid of all evidence, including of the mother.''

The whole press conference hall was silent for a few moments. The shock was evident on all faces. People had to take in the information first.

''So before you start announcing to the world that we have a sociopath performing serial killing, we'll have to clarify a few things. He is no sociopath. He is a very intelligent man with no moral obstacles. Kidnapping pregnant babies, taking their babies and selling them off to unsuspecting parent candidates, registered at official adoption centres is his business. He might be a brutal killer, but he is not crazy. He knows exactly what he's doing.'' Captain Jinno finished before a mass of other questions was thrown his way. He raised his hand to make them shut up.

''This is our official statement. You can see his photo on the screen behind me. Please show it all around the country. The man is very dangerous. Be aware that we're still searching for him and do not do anything that might hinder our investigation. If you have any clues of where he might be, let us know immediately. There are lives of women and babies in danger.''

He looked around the whole hall, taking in the mass of journalists. ''Thank you for today. This is all information we're able to give out. Make sure to be very careful.'' With that, Captain Jinno ended his report and walked out. The journalists bombarded him with another mass of questions, but the captain was already in another room, where his colleges were waiting for him.

Inspector Natsume and his team were waiting for their boss to give them further instructions. Captain Jinno crossed his arms, sighing. ''This is going to cause an uproar. I hope you're all prepared.''

Inspector Natsume nodded. ''We have some clues of where he is, and we got more people involved. I think we'll catch him.''

Captain Jinno stared at Natsume. ''This is big, Hyuuga. I can't remember when we last involved journalists to drag the criminal out – but I think he's going to hide now.''

''He won't. It's a business. He needs money. He'll have to do something.''

''What about our witness?''

''She's doing fine. She'll need a few years of therapy – most probably for the rest of her life, but she's doing well. We were able to open old unresolved cases of missing women and we're gathering evidence and making a draft of a time line.''

''Anything concrete?''

''It seems he's moving with the seasons. All the girls disappeared between April and October. During winter time nothing happens. Actually I can't even believe we haven't noticed that until now.''

Captain Jinno nodded. ''I'll make a few calls to other stations and we'll search other areas. He wasn't able to get out of the country, so he must be in one of his hidings.'' He looked around his people. Each one of them was very serious and very determined to catch the man. It was one thing to kidnap people or kill someone; but doing that to a mother. A woman who was still carrying a child, then forcefully taking the infant out of her body… That made people enraged. Because it was against the laws of nature. A mother is sacred, holy, she represents life. She is life.

And people are all aware of that.

''Let's go to work.''