Red moon notice

A possible copycat

Tom was so frustrated he could throw stones at his own shadow, this was the quickest the Butcher murdered in succession ever within this three year case.

He struggled hard not to take out that frustration on the gas pedal of the car, his Crown Victoria had a slow and easy draw into its power, that engine was balanced so it gave just enough power to the heavy body it had.

This Charger though had more power than it needed, punch the gas just too hard and it wants to find out how fast it can shred through a set of tyres.

He came to a halt at the scene and already Warren awaited him alongside a forensics team.

"Y'all waited for me?" He said mimicking Angela.

"She's growing on you it seems?" Warren said.

"She does, I got to see those long sleek legs, works of art I tell you" Tom said following his chief into the forest.

Warren frowned back at him "What you doing peeking up your partners dresses?"

"She's in the hospital Warren"

"Oh, you checked under the gown"

"Pft–" Tom blew over his lower lip "I have my ways"

Warren stopped at the scene and stood aside, Tom took everything in first, scanning left to right slowly, the kid was a teen, boy, on his belly, arms spread wide and eyes still open.

His pants was torn obviously and there are those signature cutaways of the flesh, but something there made Tom frown and take out his camera.

"You see something?" Warren asked.

"Maybe, this kid been identified yet?" Tom asked looking down to each spot on the ground before he stepped there, making sure he doesn't accidentally step on a piece of evidence.

"Not yet" Warren said.

Tom bent and looked at the cut away marks, here was something different, for the first time in three years a difference!

"What do you see Snyders?"

"He used a different knife this time" Tom said taking a picture.

"You sure?"

"Yes, I told you I could practically be married to the Butcher, I know his style"

"Then how did you see the difference? I see the same wound types"

"Around the edges of the wound where skin and flesh border you can see the skin is slightly stretched, and in the center of the wound it clear the knife was used to saw out the chunk" Tom said standing up.

"And? What's the difference?"

"Our previous weapon was sharp and large enough to slice off a chunk of meat like one would effortlessly slice out a chunk from an apple, these wounds here means the knife used was smaller and blunt to a degree, definitely not as sharp as the previous one"

Warren looked at the wound, to him it looked the same, gave him the same hatred feeling for this bastard butcher, so no matter the weapon, his hate will remain the same.

"Tell the forensic team to be extra vigilant Chief" Tom said backtracking his steps to him "This scene is not as clean as the others, which worries me"

"What worries you Thomas!?"

"Either the butcher was bored, or he screwed up, or this is someone else, a second guy, maybe a copycat killer"

Dammit!" Warren yelled slapping a branch out of his way when he turned "I was worried some psychopath might one day be inspired by the butcher and attempt to copy him! This is exactly what I needed!"

Tom watched him get on the phone then turned to take a few more photos of the scene, he wasn't at all too worried, this idiot made so many mistakes he'll be caught in a week, or so Tom thinks, maybe it is the real butcher mocking them after all.

He passed Warren and patted his shoulder "Any news on the alleyway shootout?"

Warren only shook his head and continued on the phone.

Tom took one last scan then headed back out of the woods, he passed the forensics team and halted them "Its a messy scene this time, make sure you get everything"

The front man nodded and continued on.

Back in the car Tom first scanned his photos of the scene, it doesn't make sense, why would this scene be so busy? It was clear the boy struggled, the slides and finger marks dug in the ground told Tom he was fighting to get away.

This was not an experienced killer, more like some two bit punk who thought it would be funny to screw with the police.

Then the finger marks around the neck, blue which meant this kid was strangled to death, not choked as usual, which told Tom this killer was panicking, the teen screamed and tried to run but was caught, then fought back, the murderer panicked and grabbed his throat to shut him up, inevitably killing him due to lack of air.

No, it wasn't a blood choke as the butcher usually kills, an arm around the neck, forearm and bicep acts like a vice to squeeze the sides of the windpipe cutting the blood flow to his brain, its five seconds to knock out that way, keep that vice up and the victim will die in a minute.

The blue around the boy's lips told Tom he was desperately gasping for air in his last moments, poor kid.

He placed the camera down and drove back to the hospital, maybe Angela will see more, its good to have another set of good brains to help him think and solve this crap, it will definitely make things a lot easier.

At the hospital he got halted by that same nurse.

"Sorry Detective, visiting hours are over, Miss Angela has fallen asleep due to her medication so its best to allow her to rest"

Tom nodded "I'll come back tomorrow then?"

"By all means, visiting hours start at seven"

"Take care of her"

"She's in good hands"

Tom felt kinda sorry he couldn't see her, she was so angry at him leaving after all, he got into the car again and drove off.

Thinking of the bar made him touch his lips, she kissed him out of the blue that time and it proved she's full of surprises, but Tom couldn't lie to himself, those are some soft lips.

He sighed driving past the bar, thinking with a drunk head driving Angela's car is not only reckless but dangerous as well, he went straight home where he could safely scan the photos and have a drink.

†††
Author's note:

Hmm, a second killer? A copycat? Maybe the Butcher trying to leave a message?

Angela will most probably see something else right? Guess you should read and find out.

For now though I'll let the story simmer again, sometimes its good to let it lye and more ideas will come when you pick it up.

Writing these last two chapters brought some juicy ideas to me and you'll be blown away in the next few chapters.

Thanks for the read y'all