Chapter 3

Roman Tate

The phone buzzed again as Lin exited the elevators to the office. "Hello"

"Hi honey"

"Hi Marcel"

"You left home in a rush and never called back so I got a little worried. Is everything okay?"

"Yes. I'm fine. I'm sorry about that, it's just that we found another victim and some really weird stuff is going on."

"Oh god. how are you holding up?"

"I am very tired and would love to unwind a bit like we did last time."

"True that was very relaxing. I have an idea. Come back home and I can show you the new matrix exhibit that I have been working on and after that, we can go and unwind."

"Very tempting but I will have to say no"

"Aw.. why"

"Well. I have to go get yelled at by my boss. Anyways why are you so excited about this matrix exhibit? I have never seen you so into your work."

"Oh, it's because I have sort of discovered this artist. Actually, it was not just me, my colleagues at Berlinische Galerie helped a little. We discovered him at an auction. He is from the United Kingdom but originally from Prague. His name is Pavel Jaroslav. The Berlin Department of Art has purchased most of his pieces but we are still looking for some. Anyways we got enough to make an exhibit"

"Marcel, I'm sorry but I have to go"

"Oh sorry you know how I get started"

"yes I do … I talk to you soon"

"Okay Honey, you be careful"

"I will. Bye."

Going down the hallway into the office, Lin sees Holden still at the computer working, after a few moments She is startled by a banging sound. Turning around she sees Roman in a foul mood.

" What the hell is going on?! What this I hear bout a spirit breaking into the morgue and escaping! Agent Caihong and Agent Holden I want to see you both in my office. Now!... And while you are at it… one of you can get me a cup of soykaf." Fumed Roman as he stormed off to his office room nearby.

"Lin can you…"

"Don't sweat it, Holden. I will cover it for you. Anyway, you have a report to finish. I will even get his damm soykaf."

"By the way, I have some good news. come and see me after"

"Can you give me a sneak peek?"

"It is about the data correlation. I think we might have something."

"You didn't tell…"

"No, I wanted to check with you first"

"Ok. I see you after."

After getting the soykaf can she made her way to the boss's office, it was not far from her office boot, Ok, you got this, she kept telling herself. Everything's fine. She thought standing outside. Lin could feel the heat and smell from the drink as she entered the room.

"Here's your soykaf."

"Thank you"

"In what new way have I pissed you off this time?"

"I distinctly remember asking for you and Holden. Bah! Nevermind. I just hope you haven't forgotten that he is your partner"

"No, I haven't"

"Ok now tell me what happened tonight"

"The victim entered through the garage and it seems a spirit manifested and possessed the body once inside"

"Paulina already filled me in. I want to know what happened outside"

"I pursued the spirit a few blocks with the car into an alleyway. It climbed through the fire escape up to the rooftop. The spirit delivered a surprise blow to my left arm and I fell and held on the roof's edge. The spirit got away shortly after through some means as I struggled to get up. "

"Shots fired?"

"Yes one"

"Any leads so far in the case?"

"Besides a picture. no, not really… is that cause I like to get back to work and get in touch with our shaman consultant to read the astral space in the morgue. "

"Consider yourself on probation"

"What? Why?"

"I've seen it before, agents get too involved in the case and lose it"

"I'm losing it now? Why do you suddenly care? Do you want me to take a fall? It's all about image isn't it?"

"No this is about your behavior. I worried about the progress in the case and I think you need a break. I will have Skalnic and his department take over the investigation"

"This is bullshit"

"You only proving my point"

"Ugh"

Lin left Roman´s office pissed off as she made her way to Holden

"So, Is everything okay?"

"No not really, I am on probation and Skalnic will take over the case"

"Ah. crap. I am sorry"

Lin sighed" It ok I've been there and done that. So… what is the big lead you were telling me about"

"I did what you asked. I correlated the info on victims four and five. I got something but it may be nothing"

"Try me"

"You said the last two victims probably knew the killer because he covered their faces. I got a name that is common to both victims, Gang Hai. I also tried linking it to victims 1,2 and 3 but no luck."

"How did you get the name Gang Hai?"

"I have read Pauline's report about the fifth victim. In it, she added a picture, of two girls and a guy at a party. The guy reminded me of someone. He is actually one of the people I interviewed at the fourth murder. He was her tutor at the Hong Kong University. I went back to read about my own report. It is the same guy, I'm sure of it. "

"Any relationship between the fourth and fifth victim?"

"As far I can tell they did not know each other but they have this guy in common." Maybe he deserves a second interview."

"Definitely, I will go alone, he has seen you before so it might make things go smoother. make him less nervous.

"I will send you the address to your PDA, If I have the chance I will go and talk to the other girl in the photo"

"OK and I give Gang Hai a visit"

The weather started to lighten as Lin drove to the university campus. Unlike most buildings around the campus has European-British architecture. After buzzing the computer terminal and being given access to the dormitories, Lin made her way to Gang Hais' room and knocked on the door.

"Who is it?"

"Agen Caihong, KEP. I have a few questions that I would like to ask you if you have the time."

"I have time for a pretty agent"

"May I come in?"

"Sure"

The room was spartan but dirty with little to no furniture in the living room except a sofa and a huge flatscreen TV display on the wall along with piles of clothes. To her right was a counter to the kitchen and further in she could see a door that probably leads to the bedroom and bathroom.

"Did you know a Jingyi Juan?"

"Yes I did"

"So, I imagine you also know she was murdered about a month ago."

"Yes, And I have already talked with a KEP officer about her."

"Yeah, I know but I would appreciate it if you could remind me… How did you know her? Friend? Classmate. Were you intimate?"

"I met her in a shelter, she was part of the CRC project hence why I became her matrix tutor in criminology, and I was helping her with some other classes as well."

"Did you know Lei Na, a spirit dancer?"

"Lei Na? No, I don't think so"

"Are you sure? Here is a photo of her" said Lin as she showed her PDA to him.

"Oh yes, it is hard to forget those scar tattoos. I have seen her before. She is my neighbor's friend. I saw her at a party. That picture was probably taken there."

"So you were not close with her?"

"No, the spirit dancer is more of my neighbor´s friend. I think I saw her only twice: At the party and once in the hallway... why"

"She was found brutally murdered in an abandoned apartment building up in the northern reaches."

"Y...You don't think that… hey I am always here working on my thesis. I rarely go out. I went to Mia´s party because I was invited."

"Mia is the other girl in the picture?"

"Yes, she is my neighbor."

"This thesis of yours, what is it about?"

"I am doing a serial murder case called the Perloka Ripper it happened in the late 20s after the awakening. it is about a shaman blood mage artist who tried to create an astral bridge to invite the demonic spirit into our world in his twisted attempt to depict it in his art."

"Well, you don't say?"

"What? Are you familiar with the case?"

"You could say that… Do you mind if I can take a look at it?"

"Sure, I even send you a copy to your PDA."

"A student in criminology, huh? Did you ever get Professor Pratt?"

"No, but I know him. I have had several conversations about some interesting cases."

"Does he still have a bad B.O.?"

"B.O.?"

"Body odor… In other words, he stinks"

"Hehehehe… Yes he still does"

"Ok. Can I have the copy now?"

"Sure. I will be right back"

As he left Lin took a quick glance around the room and went to the bin. There she found a discarded beer bottle. This will do nicely for prints. Lin thought as she sneakily took it and put it in her bag. Gang brought his PDA and Lin's PDA overlapped each other as the Lify connected and she got the thesis downloaded.

"Here you are"

"Thanks a lot. I will be sure to read it"

"I´d really appreciate your input if you ever have the time"

"Will do. You are not planning to leave the country are you?"

"No"

"Fine, Thanks for your cooperation, I will be in touch," said Lin as she guided herself out. En route to her car, the phone buzzed again, it was Holden.

"Hello?"

"Hey it's me"

"What's up?"

"Nothing much just calling to say I was on my way to the fifth victim's roommate. Maybe she can tell us more about the other girl in the picture"

"No need. I know who she is… she is Gang hai neighbor Mia. Actually, I just finished the interview."

"How did it go?"

"He is harmless and doesn't fit the profile but I did nick something for prints. I'm taking it to Pauline for comparisons"

"Great idea but we can´t use it though if he checks out"

"I know. call me if you get anything interesting out of the roommate"

"Will do, bye"

The drive back to KEP HQ was uneventful, at least the rain seemed to take it easier. Lin got herself to the morgue to meet Pauline again.

"Hi Pauline"

"Hey"

"Can you check this bottle up for prints and compare it to victims 4 and 5? I don´t think we hit anything but I am curious."

"You know curiosity killed the cat"

"But a cat has 9 lives."

"Let's stop the cliches before someone gets shot. Can you at least extract the prints for me, this computer will compare the partials from victims 4 and 5."

"Sure. remind me where the stuff is"

"The powder is upstairs on my desk near the plastifying machine, along with the brush and lifting tape. When you are done, just give me the prints and I will handle the rest down here.

"Sure, I will be right back"