Leaving the store, and locking up for the night. Nikki gave a long yawn. Dreading that it would be from one job to the other. If they had an employee of the month at either one. She would win no doubt, or quit on the spot. Starting down the darkened street toward HQ. A Light drizzle pitter pattered against the concert. As if the back-to-back shifts at her fake and real job wasn't enough. It just had to rain the day she forgot a coat. Holding a medium sized satchel above her head. Lightly jogging till she found a nearby convenience store. To make it through the night without possible decking Brian due to a bad joke. She was going to need caffeine and tons of it. They both have been running ragged working on the copy-cat killer case for days. Nothing really made sense about it. First of all was the reason behind it. Why try and copy such a horrible act? Fame? Cry for help? Or was this simply a fan? Whatever the reason, it just brought more questions. Hopefully Stanly would get back to them soon with something. The reporter was having just as much luck as they were. Either no one truly knew anything, or no one wanted to talk. Both were just as frustrating as the other.

Grabbing a couple energy drinks for her, and a coffee for Scottson. Nikki trudged the rest of the way to work. Getting in the building and up the elevator. As soon as the door opened to the detectives' shared office. Brian let out a puff of smoker, followed by a disgruntled sigh. “Took you long enough kid. What if Stanly called in with a lead?”

“Well, did he?” Nickie's tone was bordering between. One wrong word and she’d smack him, but she was going to smack him no matter what.

“No, but what if he did?” The younger detective slammed Brian’s coffee on his desk. With an irritated smile, and slight twitch to her brow.

“Then I guess you would have had to spend some quality time with your brother.” Leaning down to be eye level with the sitting man. “Alone.” Grabbing ahold of his lit cigarette from his lips. Proceeding to the window where she put it out again against the ledge. “And what did the chief tell you about smoking in the office? Do you want get us in trouble again? I personally don’t want suspended without pay, cause you couldn’t wait to get outside.” Opening up to the window to allow some fresh air into the enclosed space. Nikki took her seat at her own desk. Popping the tab open, to the first of many energy drinks.

“You know that shit will kill you right?” Ignoring the comment from the hypocrite. She took a long sip from the can. Exhaling as it was brought to the desk. With the door opening in almost sync with the metal ting. None other then the chief standing in the doorway.

“Brian, Nikki! Any leads?” Looking between the two of them. His eyes landing on Nikki’s beverage. “You know those things can kill you right?” Scottson Smirked, while Nikki just smiled.

“I’ll keep that in mind chief. And so far nothing. Our informant hasn’t come up with anything. And we are in a standstill. Motive is almost none existent, and possible suspects just as unknown. The murder itself was clean... kind of. And the similarities between this and the Woodlin’s murder is baffling. It’s like a scene for scene remake.” Getting up from her desk Nikki walked over a bored covered in pictures. “But has so many differences that it makes it look a complete quiescence.”

“And it doesn’t help that both cases. Somehow have no witnesses.” Brian added in. “The streets are quiet as all hell. Might as well of been a suicide. Cause somehow that makes more sense than someone actually being involved.” The chief just sighed rubbing the back of his neck.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

“Explore every possibility. It was a pain in the ass trying to solve one murder. Now we have two that are too similar to be over looked. Plus the mayor is breathing down my neck to get this solved. Some bull about elections coming up. Damn Politian” Turning about to leave, Chief opened the door just as an officer popped her head.

“Chief, detectives! We just got a call from down town by the docks. Remains were found in the river. Body looked to be weighed down by a sack.”

“A sack?” The Chief questioned.

“Yeah, a sack full of books. But that's not the weird part.” Moving his hand in a circle to signal her to keep going. “It was all the same book. One “Your love will be the death of me” By Michael Maplewood.” Scottson Stood up from his desk, slamming his hand on the desk.

“You sure?” The officer nodded, as he turned to Nikki. “Let's roll kid!” She nodded in response as they both pushed past the lady officer and the chief. Quickly making it to Scottson cruiser. He reaved the engine to life, and Nikki flipped on the berries and cherries. Due to the later hour, and it being a weekday. It didn’t take long to make it on the scene. Pulling up to several police cars in front of a tapped off pier. Rain steadily falling over them. Scottson popped up the collar of his jacket. Tossing Nikki an umbrella from the back seat.

“What we got?” Nikki questioned a deputy as they approached.

“White male, Mid-twenties, about six foot two inches, and time of possible death unsure. Still waiting on the coroner to arrive.”

“Thank you, deputy.” Scottson nodded as they continued on. Moving up to the end of the pier. A white sheet placed over a small heap. Nikki kneeled down lifting up the sheet. A mostly decayed body, where any skin left was blue. Most of what remained was muscle and tendons. “hmm...” Looking up to her partner, Niki rose an eye brow.

“See something sir?”

“Not sure, cause I’m no expert. But when you’ve been doing this gig for as long as i have. You pick up a couple things. Something is off here. They said the body was tied down with Maplewood’s book, right?” Nikki nodded before Scottson continued. “With the temps of the river this time of year, and the area it was found in. A body to get to this point in decomp. I’d say would be maybe a week or two. But look at that book.” Pointing to the sack next to the body.

“What about it?”

“Jeez kid not learning much about your undercover job, have you?” Nikki rolled her eyes. “In a large river like this. These books would have been just binding. No way the paper inside would be still intact if it’s been that long.”

“So, you’re suggesting the body was placed in the river recently?”

“Easily the last hour or two. Which also means...”

“This guy was killed a while ago. And dumped in the river way after the fact.”

“Bingo. So, until we can get an idea of the state of the body before being dumped. Its going to be rough trying to guess when he may have been killed.” Lighting up a cigarette, as the red ember lit up his face. Exhaling smoke into the wet night air. “Best we can do it wait for the body nerds to do their thing. Suddenly Brian’s phone went off in his pocket. Pulling out and checking the caller ID, he smirked. “Good news we might not have to wait around with our fingers up our asses.” Answering the call, a loud but unaidable voice rang out. He nodded several times to the disembodied voice. “Slow down Stan.” Nodded a couple times. “Okay, we’ll meet you at the same bar as last time.” Hanging up before looking to his partner. “Stan's got a lead.” Pausing for a moment before continuing. “But you may not like it.” Nikki looked puzzled getting back to her feet.

“What you mean?”

“Best we hear what he has to say before jumping to conclusions. Stan tends to run his mouth without thinking.” She simply nodded, returning to the car. Pulling away from the scene as they both sat quietly. Nikki looking into the rearview, as another car pulled up. Guessing to be the coroner. Their job here was done for now. Time to hopefully get some leads worth chasing. No matter what they could of been.