The Indirect Search and Bait

North Bergen Police Department doesn't provide much clue for who could have wanted to kill them. This only further convinces Jack that Keith Hutchins plays a role in this killing. Maybe it's purely random. Maybe these two saw something Keith has done and he just killed them. Or, Keith killed them just because he didn't like them. Jack remembers that Keith says he would kill people he doesn't like.

And, Jack suddenly realizes, this is the area where Keith brought him to a bar one night. That is where Jack saw Nitte for the first time-- Keith alluded at the time that Nitte hung around in this neighborhood a lot.

This might make sense now: the reason why the victims are from this area and there are animal bite marks. Keith must have tried to frame this on Nitte, since this is where Nitte is frequently seen and Nitte can become animals whenever she wants. Keith is trying to expose her.

That is just Jack's thinking. He has no proof. So far, he only has Nitte's warning about how she didn't do anything.

Jack wants to discuss this with Bob but he decides not to say anything right now since Rosanne is in the car with them.

They drive back to the New York City police department headquarter. Bob pulls into the parking lot, the hits the button on his door to unlock the back seat.

Rosanne hears the sound for the door in the back seat unlocked, but she doesn't get out. Bob leaves the car and walks to the back and opens the door.

"You can get out of this car now, you know." Bob smiles at Rosanne sarcastically.

"I just wanted to quickly explain to you why I was walking past Hell's Kitchen in the morning before work." Rosanne looks up at Bob.

Bob's heart suddenly stops for a second, seeing Rosanne's eyes focusing on him from this low angle. She is indeed kind of cute. A small face with some freckles. Soft strawberry-colored hair. Sea green eyes that look almost unreal. And from where she is sitting and from the way she is looking at him, she looks like a vulnerable girl who needs a hug.

Oh, Bob is an old-fashioned man who likes a girl that needs his help and comfort.

"What is your reason for being there?" Bob asks.

"It's because I live there, OK? So I happened to walk past there. I did not go out of my way to find this double-homicide." Rosanne says.

Bob thinks about this for a second. He feels bad now. Maybe Rosanne isn't being suspicious after all. But he also found Nitte's warning very plausible.

"Well, Rosanne, let's talk about this in the office. Let's not sit in this car. Come on. You want to follow me around, then follow me back to the office."

Rosanne nods and then steps out. The three of them return to their records office. Some peace and quiet.

Soon after they all arrive back in the office, Bob starts to explain why he is suspicious of Rosanne:

"Well, Rosanne, I guess let's be open and honest. When I first saw the report, the impression I got was that it was caused by some strange animal-like creature. And the report is made by you. And then I admit, I misjudged you because you appeared to be near the crime scene so coincidentally at that hour. Yes, again, that part, I misjudged you. Sorry."

Rosanne nods, seemingly to accept the apology.

"But then I saw that there were wounds that look like they were gunshot wounds. So I felt that you intentionally misled us in the police report to point out the animal bites. And I think maybe there is a third cause of death. And, it's strange that their wallets and valuables were untouched."

Rosanne nods again, "I understand now. I also want to apologize if I have misled you about the animal bites part. But, I couldn't really see other wounds since I didn't touch their bodies. Let's just wait for autopsy reports, shall we? And, if the lady you guys were chasing in the car has something to do with this case, I'd implore you to not cover it up for her."

Jack immediately says, "Well, we are not trying to cover anything up. We will keep an open mind."

Rosanne says, "I appreciate that. Lastly, I don't think I have any motive to misguide you guys."

"Yes you do!" Bob says, half laughing, "You want to create a strange case so you can write some strange story for the media, since that's what you do."

Rosanne sighs, "I don't have to actually create a real case to write a fake story. I can just write a fake story. So that will be unnecessary for me."

Bob is shocked to hear this response.

"In fact, I already wrote a fake story a few weeks ago, and no one even knows." Rosanne smiles.

"What is it?"

"I wrote that there might be a vigilante hero who is a high school senior student and he is here to hunt down an evil witch."

Neither Bob nor Jack has heard of the story.

Rosanne then says, "Why don't you guys go ahead randomly search these words I just used online. See what you can find."

Bob and Jack then search something in the realm of: "high school hero evil witch." They immediately see a bunch of search results.

"Oh. And this is a fake news story you made up? Why?"

"A few reasons. 1. Because high school students spread rumors the fastest. So I create one among this age group. 2. I do know a boy who is in that age group. 3. I do know a witch that needs to be hunted down."

"So..., you are trying to use internet rumors to find this witch?" Bob asks.

"Yes."

"Who is this witch?" Bob asks again.

"Oh. You'll see. Plus, this is not related to work. You don't have to worry."

*** ***

{ Today, Afternoon, North Bergen, New Jersey }

In North Bergen High School, Leif Eiriksson approaches a chemistry teacher, Mr. Anthony after class.

"Yes?" The teacher looks up at this tall young student.

"Sir, I'd like to be your friend."

Mr. Anthony is confused, "Leif, what do you mean?"

"Just want to know more about your life and if you have taken out some of the chemistry supplies out during summer."

Mr. Anthony then chortles, "Wow. Are you accusing me of something?"

"Yes, I'm really here to find out why a specific female who hangs around this neighborhood in the summer. And, she has been seen with you one time."

"Huh?"

"Yeah. Do you know a Nitte Hollow Horn?"

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You will find out soon! Why is Leif trying to find Nitte? Why is Rosanne's fake internet story resembles so much of what Leif is doing? What is a chemistry teacher doing with Nitte?

Hint: Nitte's superpower background plays a role in these mysteries.

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Please let me know if you have any comments or questions. Thanks!

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