Chapter 2: Animal Mutations

The body, or whatever you want to call it, completely startled me. His bottom body had been sliced in half and replaced with a dog's lower body, his neck was also shackled to the operating bed. Along with being removed, his right ear was replaced with a dog's ear. The victim's eyes were likewise bloodshot.

The murders become more bizarre by the second. What are the murderer's motivations? These murders had been going on for four days, and the killer was always one step ahead of us. How does the murderer choose his victims? Is there a link between every murder? Many questions remain unanswered.

"Detective?" My thoughts were interrupted by Harper's voice. I must have been motionless for a while.

"Anyways, I've requested that the Forensics Department prepare an autopsy report. That should be the right course of action right now." He replied. "Got it, I'll look around for any other clues or traces of fingerprints." Harper nodded, and left the room, leaving me behind. He has been working too hard these past few days.

After he left, I started to look around the room. It was a bloody mess.

No signs of a break-in or a struggle...The killer must have walked in through the front door as that is the only way of entry. The operating bed had a few animal scratches, it looks like from a few days ago. Once again, I found a calling card with the name "A-Z", the card had no fingerprints. The killer used gloves.

The dog's lower body had been stitched to the body. This lower half...Where on Earth did they get it? I'd assume it came from the lab itself. In addition, an IV drip is attached to his left arm.

Syringes with the label "Amphetamine" were also lying around. It is in a liquid state. I picked up a syringe on the floor and sealed it in a ziplock bag. And...of course, I'm also wearing gloves.

This could be another flawless murder. I exited the room and looked for Harper. I want to interrogate the employees here.

"Harper...!" He was conversing with a fellow police officer when I called his name. He must be giving orders.

They both nod before he approached me with his hands in his pockets. "Yes, detective? Do you need anything?" Harper inquired flatly.

"Ah, yes. I was wondering if there were witnesses last night. Did you interrogate them?" I lit a cigarette that I pulled out of my pocket and put it in my mouth. Harper rolled his eyes. He never really did like me smoking.

"Unfortunately detective, nobody from the staff was here that evening. " Harper scratched his head. Why won't anything go my way?

"No one?" I repeated my question, not wanting to accept what he said. But, he nodded, and I sighed in displeasure.

He handed me a brown folder and said, "I listed a few records of people and their addresses, it might help your interest. You might be able to get information on why Dr. Martinez was the only one here that evening." I looked through it and it was a list of the employees' names and addresses.

"I can't thank you enough, Harper." I thanked him with a gentle smile, and he returned it as well. Heh, it was almost reaching his eyes.

He waved goodbye to me and muttered, "Anytime, detective." He then turned around and walked away.

First and foremost, I must pay them a visit. It could shed light on this atrocious case. I walked out of the building. I got into my car, revved up the engines, and then I drove away.

First detective Daniel McCarthy's initial theory is that they were vigilantes and that there were several murderers. The second calling card, which the murderer used to disprove the theory, said, "A-Z, I am only one person." Also, it wouldn't explain why the psychiatrist and the teacher had to die. It wasn't a vigilante.

It was too late, and he was dismissed. But, he had something to say...

"How did the killer know of my theory? Unless the killer is a police themself."

The other two detectives were not as successful. One had too much confidence and the other left because they realized how dangerous this case was.

And with that, I was more determined than ever. To put this criminal behind bars. I'll do anything to get my answer.