“Yes Astrid, I promise you that whiskers is okay. He’s been fed and was taking nap on some papers on the desk in the library.” Nikki had just finished up her cat sitting duties for the morning. Closing the door to Astrid’s and Michael’s home. It wasn’t the easiest task to handle not just the store by herself but also kept up with the piling stack of reports at police head quarters. Now adding on cat sitting, though easy with how well behaved the feline tends to be. Sure, she had to get up even earlier than she would like. It was nice to needed for more than picking up the bar tab after every patrol. The rookie detective didn’t mind all too much. Brian was a good partner and mentor. She wouldn’t been even close to as good of an officer without his guidance. As she took a step out at the cross walk near the home, a car pulled to a squealing holt in front of her. “Holy FU!...” The car door opening cut the women off mid profanity.

“Save the potty talk for later kid. We got another victim just like the Woodlins girl.”

“No no im fine Astrid, just tripped on the sidewalk. I’ll talk to you later!.” Hanging up the phone, Nikki hopped into the passenger's seat. Flicking on the old red and blue the old car sped off. “But sir that would mean that Michael couldn’t have been the killer. Astrid and him have been in Paris for the past couple days. Unless you think this might just be a copycat killer.” Sirens blaring, as they weaved in and out of the dense morning traffic.

“From what I've been told so far, it's almost completely identical to the scene before. Almost too identical, and that’s what worries me. Either the perp is mocking us, or he’s inspired some other psyco to follow in their footsteps. If the latter, then original killer could just drop off the face of the planet. We wouldn’t be the wiser to it unfortunately. Not enough evidence was left at the first one to pin anyone.” Nikki sat and thought over everything. It would be tricky to outright prove if it’s a fake or the real deal. Pulling up to the scene of the crime, a sense of DeJa'Vu washed over her. Getting out of the car slowly, the familiar ally from months ago stood before them.

“You weren’t kidding sir. It’s like a glitch in the matrix happened.”

“A what in the what?” Nikki shouldn’t of realized the movie reference would of been lost on her senior.

“Umm nothing sir don’t worry about it. Just some of that how'd you say? Weird youth nerd shit.” The younger smiled at Scottson, as he just rolled his eyes and nodded. The pair then took an all too familiar walk to a dumpster. Looking at an almost all too familiar body holding a severed head. Though what was not too familiar was the intact skin still attached. All that adored the full corpse a single bullet wound dead center between the poor women’s eyes. “Well, that’s different and...” tilting over the edge to look closer. “Its two women this time, which I guess doesn’t necessarily make too much of a difference.”

“If it’s the same bastard, then no. Men, women, young, or old. No one is safe once they’ve decided on what poor soul is next.” Helping Nikki back to her feet, Brian leaned against the dumpster. “What bothers me here, is the lack of showmanship. The presentation of the bodies is lack of a better word.... Boring. The number of victims and the position of the bodies are dead on. But no letter, no showy display of the bodies. It’s just cookie cutter and that’s it.” Scottson wasn’t wrong again there. Compared to the 1st murder. This one just seemed to be lazy in nature. Brian started his way back to the car, Nikki hot on his heels.

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“Got an idea sir?”

“Its nothing concrete, but I got a guy we can shake for possible info. He knows these streets better than anyone I know.” Nikki’s confusion was heightened. Who could possibly be that knowledgeable. Enough so for the older detective to actually trust outside of the station.

“Is it the chief? Don’t tell its Mel from bar? I know you like how he makes your jack on the rocks but.”

“No its not anyone you know and to be honest I wish I didn’t know him either.” Nikki stayed silent hoping he would catch the hint to tell her the identity of this man. Sighing before he spoke again. He swung around to the driver side of the car with a look of dismay. “He’s my....”

“Brother!” Scottson and Nikki stood in a rundown bar on the other side of the city. A Lacky man approaching them with arms stretched wide. Taking the male detective in a bear hug. Nikki looking in amazement that someone could actually hug Brian and live.

“Damn it Stanley, put me the fuck down. If you want a hug so damn bad, then maybe visit Ma once and a while.” The man now known as Stanley lowered his brother to the ground. He stood a good couple inches above even Brian. “I ain’t got time for brotherly bounding. Not now or ever so can we get to the main reason I'm here.”

“You want to see if I know anything about the murder down town? And how it might possibly resemble a certain murder of that rich brat?” Nikki’s eyes widened even more. When Scottson said his brother knew the city better than anyone. But then the question arise. What did he do for a day job to know these things.

“Umm sorry to butt into the reunion but.... How did you know all of that?” The younger women of the tri questioned.”

“Let’s just say its my job to know these things.” Seemed the ability to explain things poorly was a family trait. Looking to her partner for more answers. Brian leaned over to her.

“He’s a nosy asshole.”

“Wow not even the decency to insult me to my own face.” Stanley waved off his brother before handing his card to Nikki. “I am a reporter for the local news paper. Not just that but the best reporter this damn city has ever seen.”

“Self-proclaimed best reporter.” Brian added in which just earned a scowl from the other Scottson.

“I excuse his rudeness Mr. Stanley.”

“You can just call me Stan. And no need to apologize for Brian. I think he just still hates the fact that I’m Ma’s favorite.” These two were like night and day. It was crazy to think these two were blood related. “Also to answer your previous question oh brother of mine. I don’t know jack... yet.” Stanley flashed a set of pearly whites. “Give me a couple days and maybe an exclusive interview when you catch the creep. Then maybe, just maybe I’ll have something for the boys.” looking to Nikki with a smirk and a wink. “and ladies in blue.”

“No promises on the interview but how about you are the first to know when we caught them.” Brian held out his hand to his brother. Stanley quickly grabbed shaking vigorously. Only before Brain pulled him close. “But not a word to anyone else got it?”

“Jeez I promise to keep my mouth shut B-Rye. Anything for my big bro.” For the final surprise of the day. The taller man was the younger brother. The brother shook before the two detectives left.

“So what now sir?”

“We wait, and keep me updated on the two love birds. Mr. Maplewood isn’t off the hook yet.” Nikki nodded and the two were off. The store was already late to open as it was. She really couldn’t keep an eye on them if she lost her undercover job.