The sun was shining making it another beautiful day. He loves living in Maimi it's home. Not to mention the food is delicious. Cuban being some of the best in his honest opinion. Food is one of the greatest things in life. All those flavours coming together to make something special.
The day was made even better when Mike Donovan faced justice for his crimes. Tracking and locating the bodies was difficult but Harry taught him well and sharpened his instincts. Harry always said he was destined to be a killer, but Doris said he wasn't and made him promise her on her death bed that he would never do that.
And he has kept that promise. Even when sometimes he wishes he could kill the scum he hunts. Finding those boys remains ignited the fire in him that sometimes makes him want to kill. But he does as he always does and breathes reminding himself that he isn't a monster.
Instead, he searched for the truth and evidence needed to bring Mike Donovan in. The bodies were a start. He paid a random teen fifty books if he let him record a panicked phone call. The kid didn't care what he said as long as he got his money. From there the police were called by an anonymous scared kid who stumbled upon the remains of three dead boys when he was out with his dog.
Find DNA on the body Mike Donovan was brought in and arrested for the boy's murders where he confessed to everything. It wasn't the justice Harry envisioned him performing. But it's what he is good at. It doesn't always end with a guilty verdict or prison. But it's something.
At times he does question whether he should just kill them. Be the monster Harry thought him to be. But he promised Doris he wouldn't. And he doesn't want to be a killer.
"Dexter are you there." The auto machine plays back the recorded message There was a small anxiety tint in Debra's voice that instantly has his attention as he sits down at his desk crossing another name off of his listing. "Ok, Dex please as soon as you get in. Uhh. I'm at a crime scene by the shit hole seven seas motel and I need you here, ok... Dex... Please. Pretty fucking please with a cherry on top."
Quickly getting changed he makes his way over to the motel which has a large crowd gathering outside the police tape watching on trying to see what all the fuss is about. Intrigued as to why there are so many cops here, he ducks under the tape only to be slowed down by a cop who he easily makes go away.
He barely two steps onto the patio when Debs appears out from one of the rooms grabbing him and pulling him inside. It takes him a second to realise it's Debra who grabbed him. The outfit she is wearing has him shifting uncomfortably. He's never liked the idea of her working undercover as a hooker for Vice. The outfit she is wearing is very revealing and basically a sex suit.
"Jeez Deb where the hell do you keep your gun." How can she protect herself if she isn't carrying but where the hell does she keep her weapon. Unless she's going out without a weapon, it must be the handbag. And if it's not then in that case he might kill her for doing that. It's dangerous out there how could she not be carrying.
Of course, Deb doesn't see his annoyance at her lack of a weapon instead glancing out the window and taking a puff of her cigarette. "They found another hooker. In the pool."
He drops down next to her pointily staring at her. "Another." She needs to give him more then a hooker was in a pool.
She rolls her eyes but gets what he is asking her. "Chopped up in bits and pieces. That's the third one in five months."
"Third." If someone has killed more than three separate people on different days you're not counted as a murderer anymore "You mean there's a-
"Serial killer." Debra agrees in a buzz of excitement and worry. "That's right the other two were in Broward chopped up just like this one." A serial killer. A proper serial killer. Miami hasn't had one of them in a while. Naturally, they have a high death toll and killers lurk around every corner it seems some days. But a proper serial killer like Bundy or the Miami strangler. They are rare.
And very dangerous.
"Any suspects." He asks even more concerned for Debra now. If a serial killer is targeting hookers the last thing he wants is for her to be out on the streets. What if he tries to kill her. Great there goes his peaceful nights. Maybe they should do check in every thirty minutes to be safe. Or he could join her and keep watch from a distance.
No, she would hate that and go off on him for it. And then others will get involved because he might ruin the operation. Fuck Debra what have you got yourself into now.
Debra causally shrugs. "Wish I knew." She takes another drag of her smoke. "I'm on Vice so LaGuerta sent me to my room and told me to stay out of sight." It makes sense to protect her undercover operation, but he can understand her disappointment. Ever since they were kids Debra has done everything she could to make it into Homicide like Harry.
A serial killer case is big news and if she was working on this case and they catch the killer it might be the thing to get her transferred to his department. But they both know that won't happen with LaGuerta running things. He doesn't understand why but for some reason their lieutenant seems to have it out for Debra. "God, forbid she listens to what you have to say." He thinks the woman would rather throw herself in front of a car then have Debra be right about something.
"Tell me about it. How does someone so dumb get so much power." Rude but also true. He likes LaGuerta and she is a good cop but that wasn't what made her Lieutenant. There were other and better detectives who could have taken her role if it was down to investigative skills.
No, her ability to handle politics and the press is what got her promoted. "She knows how to play the game. You could take a lesson."
Deb's scoffs at hearing this. "In what ass kissing."
"Politics." He clarifies.
Debra goes silent knowing he is right. She is many things but good at dealing with other people carefully isn't one of them. She hasn't got the patience to play the game. It's too frustrating and delicate. One wrong move and everything comes crashing down. Neither of them are good at things like that.
The dark haired woman sighs. "I just wanna catch his guy before he kills another one of my girls."
Deb's always had a big heart and is protective of those she cares about. She just doesn't allow people close enough to see that. Except for him. She's always let him in. something he has tried to do with her but struggles to open up sometimes. He knows that frustrates her but she's patient with him.
Knowing that the women she is out here to spy on and look out for are being targeted will trigger her need to protect them, which could lead to her acting recklessly. "You can't get so emotionally invested." He warns gently.
Clearly not gently enough. "You always say that." She snaps back eye narrowing at him.
Backtracking he tries to make her aware he isn't insulting her. "So did dad."
"Yeah, but he also said go after what you want." She retaliates. "I want out of Vice and into homicide."
Conceding that no matter what he says she's going to push for it the least he can do is back her up. "What can I do to help."
"You get these hunches, you know. With these types of murders." Years of training under Harry to be a serial killer and reading practically every published book about them helped him better understand how people like that work.
"Only sometimes." Just looking at blood splatter all day can get a little boring so he gets more involved with the cases. Angel once joked that he should be wearing the detective shield instead with how good he is at coming up with theories.
Deb gives him that look. The I know you're trying to downplay something look. "Well, see if you get one this time. And can I bounce some ideas off of you later. You know I always get smarter when I'm talking to you."
He hates it when she talks like that. Debra is smart and has the potential to be a great detective. But she always puts herself down. "You just need a little more confidence." He encourages but her glare telling him to drop it halts any further encouragement. "Alright, I'll take a look. In the meantime, avoid LaGuerta and talk to Captain Matthews he and Harry were tight maybe he'll put you on the case."
Debra beams at him and a sense of accomplishment washes over him at being able to make her smile like that. "You're making me smarter already see."
Chuckling he shakes his head standing up and heading towards the door. "And keep the sex suit on when you talk to the captain. It'll help your case." He quickly shuts the door behind him before Debra can retaliate.
Following the steam of police lingering around the pool. Grabbing a pair of latex gloves her head down to join Angel and Masuka as they stand over the body covered by a sheet. He wonders why he wasn't called to the scene. Unless Deb told them she was calling him.
Vince notices his approach first and eagerly runs up to him, practically bouncing on the spot. "Nice haircut." He jokes after Masuka doesn't say anything just vibrates in front of him.
"I saw your girlfriend." Masuka leans closer to him. "Damn looking hot." Masuka is his friend. He doesn't punch his friends. Not even when they start to creep on Debra. Not out in the open at a crime scene. He tells himself this three times before answering.
Everyone in the department refers to Debra as his girlfriend. Ever since they were caught going out for lunch together one day. No matter how many times both of them have denied being romantically involved gossip spreads like wildfire and no one believes they aren't together. Not taking the bait Dexter shoots back. "She should it's hot as hell out here."
Masuka jumps back at his words not entirely sure how to respond. As he was aiming for. Instead, Vince changes the subject. "So why are you here."
"It's a crime scene." Why else would he be here. They share the same job in analysing crime scenes so why wouldn't he be here.
"Yeah, but you're the blood splatterist," Vince states sounding confused about his appearance.
"Yeah so." Dexter isn't really following what the problem is here.
Vince's confusion diluted into excitement. "So, there's no blood here."
"What was that." No blood. How can there not be any blood that doesn't make any sense.
Masuka seems more excited to explain then a normal person should be. But then again, the idea of a bloodless corpse also makes him excited as well. Years on the job and he has never come across a bloodless body before. "Yeah, there's no blood in or around the body at all it's the weirdest thing you'll ever see. Hey Angel show Dex the body."
Angel steps forward smiling at Dexter in greeting before lifting the cover revealing a chopped-up body deprived of all blood. Dexter can honestly say he has never seen anything like this. He's seen a chopped up body before. Far more times than he would have liked. But never one like this presented in the centre of a pool and not a single speck of blood anywhere to be seen. Not even on the body.
It's gruesome that's for sure but not messy. Whoever did this was skilled and precise. The cuts were clean so someone comfortable with a knife.
"How does he do it how does the killer get rid of the blood," Dexter asks out loud hundreds of ideas rushing through his head. The human body holds up to around 1.5 gallons of blood. That's a lot of blood to make disappear.
Something like that would be messy and take a long time. Far longer than the average person would think. So, whoever did this clearly didn't kill the hooker here. The chance to be noticed is far too big. Making this a dump sight.
Angel shrugs next to him. "Tough to say. The bodies in good shape. She had a nice ass too. Head is over there if you want to take a look." Angel points to the side but his focus remains on the body.
"This is unique." That is an understatement. But it's all he can really say at the moment.
"No shit." Masuka shoots back buzzing next to him. "And no prints either." Not surprising whoever did this is no amateur. They were careful. But why leave it here on display. Chopping the body up makes it easier to move or dispose of. Yet here it is out in the open. Meaning whoever did this wanted the body to be found.
Debra said this is the third one found that they know of. This is a serial killer's work in action. A killer who wants attention. That's why it's in the centre of the pool. The pool is his stage, and you always want your stars in the centre so everyone can see it.
"Very clean." He notes and he doesn't mean just the amputations. The body is wrapped pretty well as well. Neatly folded paper and tied up perfectly. Debra can't wrap presents well. Especially with bows. It takes her at least a few attempts. Then she normally gets annoyed and hands over to him to wrap calling him the perfectionist freak.
The only presents she does wrap are his. Which he finds sweet.
"Yeah, but he didn't finish. No completo." Angel's voice stops his little memory backtrack.
Dexter's eyes narrow at his friend's words. "It looks pretty complete to me." Why else would he dump the body unless he was done with it.
"No look. He cut the leg in four places." Angel points out each individual piece. "Almost like using a ruler but this leg is in three pieces." He moves over to the other leg. "And look he started to make a fourth cut but then stopped. It's possible that he got interrupted." The cut where the fourth cut should be would suggest he was interrupted in slicing her up but that doesn't fit with the rest of the body.
Each piece is laid out perfectly. The top half is wrapped like a Christmas present. Whoever did this couldn't have done all this here and not be seen. The lack of blood backs this up. He would have had to drain her before coming here and if that was the case why didn't he cut her up before dumping her.
Why risk getting caught dragging a body through a motel frequently used by hookers and druggies cutting it up out in the open and then wrapping it. Either that failed slice was on purpose to make it seem like he was interrupted in order to keep the police questioning people or this guy really gets off on the risk of getting caught.
"LaGuerta is looking for a witness. Working on the motel staff and reporters to find them." Vince helpfully adds on. But if whoever called this in didn't see the person playing with the corpse then no one else did. This body was placed here already cut up and wrapped. Probably carried in a suitcase. It would be too risky to make more than one trip back to the car if he was just carrying her.
Not to mention if he did try to cut her up here, he would needed to have bought stuff to contain her blood, to cut her up with and then to wrap her. If he was interrupted that is a lot of stuff to quickly pack up and leave with. Surely something would have been left behind.
This means he is most probably right about this having taken place at a secondary location.
"Dex. Where are you going."
"No blood. Don't need me here." He waves at them as he leaves. Theories of how he got rid of blood race through his head. But the biggest question was why. Why did he take the blood. Unless this guy is a vampire what use would he have for it. Did he do that with the other bodies. If so that's a lot of blood. The fuck is he doing with it.
Heading back to his car he catches Deb watching through the window and smiles towards her. In front of him, LaGuerta is talking to the reporters about finding this witness. When she notices him passing she winks at him as he leaves. He wishes she would stop that. It's bad enough that people in the department joke about him and Debra the last thing he needs are rumours about him and LaGuerta going around as well.
Doughnuts. Who can resist a free doughnut. Every morning, he gets a box and brings into work for everyone to have. Working for the police force is difficult. And with a twenty percent solving rate of murders, it's a hard place to work in. Not that the people who worked here are awful at their jobs because that isn't true. They work hard. Real salt of the earth type of workers.
But with TV shows like CSI and law and order everyone expects policework to be nice and tidy. That during a trial lots of evidence will be offered and argued when that really isn't the case. That every case will be solved within an hour and there will always be people willing to talk or mistakes made by the killers. But that just isn't true. Most Detectives have to work with very little and they spend hours upon hours searching every crook and cranny for even a hint of evidence. And what they do find is normally small or can be ruled as circumstantial.
He puts aside a bear claw for Angel knowing his mate will be wanting one of them. Debra is the only other person he saves one for. Her favourite is a simple glazed one. Which he always makes sure to have a few of them since they are popular with the force as well.
"Hey, Dex." Roy the desk sergeant greets as he enters the building offering one of his doughnuts. Detective Sue and Dan quickly followed looking for a free treat. They exchange some small talk before he notices Debra lingering to the side for him.
"Dex." She takes her doughnut, and he closes the box leaning against the end of the desk.
He notices some of the other officers watching them. No doubt more rumours will be spread soon enough. Knowing this he can't help but take in the police uniform she is wearing and smirks. "I like your other outfit better." He teases.
She rolls her eyes at this taking a bite of her doughnut. "Haha if you like that you should see what I wear during the nights." Deb flirts back.
"Oh." He leans towards her. "Is that an invitation Officer Morgan."
"Wouldn't you like to know." She pushes him back smiling before turning more serious. "Guess what. The sex suit worked the Captain put me on the case. LaGuerta wasn't happy but she needs to get laid." Just not with him. He's seen the way she watches him. And as pretty as she is he is not interested in her like that.
"I guess." The last thing he wants to talk about is his boss's sex life. "So, congrats." He says instead desperately trying to move the conversation.
Thankfully Debra does just that. "So, got any ideas yet."
"A few, nothing concrete yet. I'll probably go over the case with Masuka later. I'll get a better understanding by then." Although he has a few theories he knows that saying something without the evidence to back it up will ruin Debra's confidence in herself and maybe her career. He needs to be sure before giving Debs some tips.
She beams towards him. "You're the best."
"I am aware." He mockingly bows.
Only for Deb to shove his shoulder and make him stumble backwards slightly. "So modest too." Her sarcasm is noted and not appreciated.
"And for that, you're paying for lunch." He shoots back.
Debra raises an eyebrow at his statement. "Since when are we going to lunch together." She crosses her arms over each other and leans back on her right leg.
It's a common occurrence for the two of them to go and have lunch together. Something which helps spread the rumours of them being together and are in fact secretly dating but they refuse to admit it to everyone else. "Since I'm asking now."
She sighs in defeat. "And I have to pay." She tries to do the puppy eyes towards him to make him change his mind about her having to pay.
And to be fair that normally would work. But not this time. He will stand strong. "To be fair I paid last time." He argues but Debra doesn't budge. He won't back down. He won't back down. It's Debra's time to pay and he will make sure that happens.
Paying for lunch Dexter carries the two small boxes of Mexican over to the table Debra has claimed. His foster sister happily accepts the food thanking him for once again buying her food. So much for staying strong.
"So, you and Rita are going on a date tonight." Debra starts off popping a fry into her mouth.
"Yeah, she wants to go to that thing where you smash shellfish and eat it." As much as he loves eating shellfish the whole party theme going on doesn't really appeal to him. He would much rather prefer to go to a restaurant and eat there.
His reluctant enthusiasm about the date much have shown as Debra stops eating and sits up straighter watching him carefully. "You don't sound all that excited about it."
He just shrugs in response. Which annoys her and he can already hear her saying use your words before she even opens her mouth. "It's just not really my scene." He adds on.
"You could always go somewhere else." It's a suggestion she offers timidly. Something he has thought about doing. Debra is well aware that he isn't really a fan of parties like that with loud music and dancing. It's always made him uncomfortable, but he's been to things like that for Debra.
It may not be his scene, but he knows it's something Rita has wanted to do for a while. She was so excited when she pitched the idea that he didn't have the heart to say no. "No Rita has been looking to go here for weeks now. I've had to cancel a few times on her already." Crime never seems to stop in Miami. "I can deal with it for a few hours."
Debra raises an eyebrow at this. "You shouldn't have to deal with it when dating someone." She has a point. But that was just a poor choice of words on his side.
"I thought dating was about compromise and doing things together." He argues back but she doesn't seem impressed with that.
"Things you both like." She argues back. "Not making it sound like you about to walk to your fucking execution."
Does he really sound that bad. Like he knows that he won't overly enjoy tonight but he will like the eating of seafood and spending time with Rita. It's just the rest of it he doesn't particularly enjoy. "I don't sound that bad do I."
Debra's face softens hearing the worry in his voice. "No. You sound like the caring boyfriend you are."
Aster and Cody are good kids. He hates to think what they might have witnessed because of their heroin addicted father putting their mother through hell. People like that make him question whether Harry was right to train to be a killer.
Rape is nothing he can't stand by. Any man or woman who commits that crime should have to spend the same amount of time in prison as a murderer. Rape and murder are two of the worst things people can do to each other. And the people who do it should have to suffer in prison for a long, long time. Hopefully never coming back out other than in a body bag.
How any of the force work in that area he has no idea. His department has it easy in comparison. Again, that's just his opinion.
With the beating of music vibrating around him he shakes those thoughts away. Now is not the time to dive down the horrible rabbit hole that is his job. Rather he should focus more on Rita who is hammering away at some crab or something. And he has to admit it is fun using the hammer to break the shells and the seafood is good. If only the place wasn't as crowded and the deafening sound of music was overriding all of his senses.
At least Rita seems to be having fun. She keeps sending him shy looks and timid smiles. All of which he gives back with reassuring smiles which help to settle whatever nerves she is feeling. As long as she is having fun then he can ignore the overbearing music and tight quarters.
They have been here for about fifty minutes when he notices the flashing light of police cars. More then one gathered in one area. Curiosity he takes hold of Rita's hand and drags her towards the large assembly of unformed officers. Something has happened and from the about of people around it is something bad. He gives Rita a quick kiss on the cheek telling her to give him a minute as he ducks under the police take.
And laying there for the world to see is another butchered and wrapped body. If there was any doubt before about Miami having a serial killer this latest boy proves it. Four bodies and two within a day of each other. That's a huge acceleration in time scale. A very problematic one as well. Whoever is doing this is getting better and faster. Which means more bodies will drop soon.
LaGuerta is going to be pissed.
"Son of a whore." Angel curses walking around the body. And it seems like she isn't the only one.
"Who." He asks even though he knows the answer.
Angel stops in his pacing turning to look at him. "I'm talking about this evil asshole killer. This God Damn savage who makes us work on a Friday night." Seems like someone had big plans for the night. He wonders if Angel's wife is as pissed off as Angel is.
Thinking about it he hasn't seen Nina in a while. She would sometimes come to the office when they were all called in on a Friday night with coffee or food. She was a godsend during those nights and instantly became everyone's favourite person. Debra has done the same on the rare occasion but not since she started working undercover in Vice.
Will Rita one day do something like that. To soon. Far far too soon to be thinking about something like that.
"Only Mondays through Thursdays that's what I always say." He jokes brushing those ideas behind for now.
Angel chuckles quietly to himself shaking his head. "Of course companero be reasonable who wants to work on a Friday night I have my needs." And he now knows more about Angel's and Nina's sex life then he ever really needed to. "So, Como estas. What are you doing here."
Looking over his shoulder he notes where Rita is and points his thumb over his shoulder in her direction. "I was in the neighbourhood. I'm actually on a date."
Angel's head snaps in his direction. Seemingly looking proud for some reason. "A date nice. Would have thought Debra would have been racing you to the crime scene."
Rolling his eyes he wonders if he should just record this message and play it whenever someone asks this exact same question. "We're not dating. We're just friends. Amigos."
Angel doesn't drop that annoying knowing smile. "Of course. Then what do you call all your lunch dates, flirting and get togethers."
And he... can't think of a smart reply to that. Falling back to his usual deflection he squats down in front of the body. "Same guy, same pattern." If in doubt change the subject.
Bone dry. No blood again
Thankfully Angel follows his lead turning back to being serious. "But mira este small differences with the cuts this time. Over here rough almost emotional then over here not so much then over here clean." Strange. Normally when murdering someone you are one emotion or the other. Not both. And not like this. This doesn't make sense.
Nonetheless, Angel's breakdown of the body was correct. "Muy bueno."
"Yeah, nice but look at this." He points to the one area which is new in comparison to the last scene. "All bone. The killer flayed the skin, the flesh completely off. Now why would he do that."
One of the questions he dreads knowing the answer to. "He's experimenting. He's trying to find the right way." And he will keep dropping bodies until he figures out what works for him. And even then, once he's got his method down it will be more of an addiction. The need to complete the ritual will consume the killer and if he doesn't leave any evidence like he has done with the past few bodies then lots of women are at risk.
He really hopes Debra manages to get transferred to homicide soon. He doesn't know what he would do if he ever lost her.
"Is he experimenting with the head too," Angel asks once again breaking up his dark thoughts.
That dread he was feeling comes back full throttle. "What do you mean."
"I mean the killer left her tits but took her fucking head. And god only knows what he's doing with it." Well, that's not good. He's certainly raising the bar. This is a more populated area. Higher risk of being seen but from the looks of it no one saw anything. Whoever this is they are good.
And have no intention of stopping anytime soon.