*She was back in the office after several hours in the field. She had ordered the techs to photograph and canvas the entire alley for any clue to the identity of this nutjob. Now, she had the photos laid out in front of her. This time, the murderer had left a note, a chilling and disturbing one

'Lucy was my first
Lucy was the best
Lucy stays with me
Lucy is forever'

The note had been carved into Lucy's abdomen with a doctor's precision. Claire could only imagine the number of hours this vile monster must have spent refining his craft. It indicated that the perpetrator had a fairly strong medical background when combined with the techniques used on the other victims. He appeared to be an expert in torturing while keeping the victims alive. However, he'd waited to carve the message until Kimberly was dead.

Claire had also interviewed Mr and Mrs. Merriweather earlier today. The poor couple were still in shock over what they had witnessed. Claire was thankful that the poor light kept them from seeing the scope of the killer's depravity.

Since Kimberly had been murdered in an alley, the chances of distinguishable evidence were poor to say the least. The best the techs had come up with so far was one footprint in the dirt besides the mattress. Size 10 shoes, in one of the most popular brands going. There wasn't even a unique wear pattern yet since the shoes appeared to be new.

Kimberly had worked as a waitress at the Dragon's Head pub. She had been well-liked by all her customers and fellow employees. Everyone was in shock that such a sweet innocent girl had been targeted by a madman. Claire downed the rest of her coffee in a gulp before pitching the styrofoam cup. None of Kimberly's friends, family, or coworkers knew of a 'Lucy'. It had been a long shot anyway.

Against her better judgement, Claire found herself drawn to the photos again, the girl's neck torn open, the crimson letters spelled on her torso, the vacancy of her dead eyes. This girl had died because the FBI and Claire had failed her, and for that Claire could never apologize enough.*

------

*There was no connection between all the girls that the psycho had killed. They were all different ages, different hair colors, and worked different jobs. They ranged from a blond nurse to a redheaded waitress. They had been grabbed in different cities, and all raped and murdered. Claire doodled absentmindedly in her notebooks as she saw visions of blood, body parts, and the name Lucy..

Who was this Lucy? The deranged killer's only friend, first love, first victim? Claire somehow felt that if she could just figure out who Lucy was, it would provide the key to unraveling this whole mystery. In spite of having more evidence in front of her, Claire was still just as lost. So preoccupied was she in her own thoughts that she missed hearing the knock at her door.*

~Claire.~

*She looked up, and saw her colleague Tim Harvey. He stood in her doorway with a concerned look on his face.* ~What are you still doing here? Go home..~

I can't, Tim. Not while that nutjob is still out there. Did you -see- what he did to that girl.

*Tim nodded, stepping into the room with two cups of coffee. He placed one on the table in front of Claire and sat down in a chair across the desk from her.*

~I did, Claire, we all did. Beating yourself up over it isn't going to make her live again.~

Damn it, Tim. *Her voice was softer, as she slowly raised her eyes to meet his.* We let her down. He's out there right now, taunting us. He's probably planning his next kill. *Reaching out her hand, she took the coffee cup off the table and took a sip.* Thanks for the coffee, though.

~You'll get him, Claire. I haven't seen you fail to catch a guy yet. Fail to send him to prison maybe, but not catch him.~ *Tim had meant it as a joke, but it was one Claire didn't find funny. If looks could kill, Tim would have been a dead man.*

You had to bring up Briggs, didn't you? Get the hell out of my office!

~But, Claire..I-I didn't mean--~

Out!!

*With a deep sigh, Tim left in a hurry. He turned back to say something, but Claire got up and quickly slammed the door after him. Then, she kicked the door, -hard-. Randolph Briggs had been a murderer, too. He got off on a technicality. One year later, Claire and Briggs were face-to-face again. She'd shot the bastard in his head as he stared at her with that shit-eating grin of his. She heard the knock on her door and sighed heavily.* Dammit, Tim, go away!!

~Uh, Claire...you're gonna want to see this.~ *She yanked the door open just in time to see the envelope with blood on it clutched in Tim's hand. Her heart caught in her throat, but she swallowed the lump.* Get it down to the lab, -now-.

~Sure, Claire...right away.~ Claire paused only a moment before taking off after him.*

------

'Dear FBI. Suck a dick.'

this is what the envelope said. it probably wouldn't have been given a second look if it were not for the odd red stains that dotted it. if tested, the DNA would be the same as Kimberly's, which would lead one to think the letter was written while the blood was still fresh on the killer's hands. it was't sealed and the letter contained within is nearly falling out. it looks more like it's stuffed in, kind of in a wad inside the envelope.

the letter is handwritten, the writing not very good... almost childish.

it reads:

I'm sure you know. I'm positive she was found. She was the second most beautiful Lucy I'd ever met. We shared such a love. You couldn't possibly understand. Fuck you. You'll never know what we had. You'll try, I know you'll try, but you're so goddamn stupid and so fucking wrapped up in your work that you'll never ever ever know what a deep love we had. Fuck you. Wasn't she beautiful? I miss her. I wish we could have been together longer, but she had to go away. She went to be with her sisters. I'm sure Lucy would've liked her if she could've met her. I love her. She loved me until she went bye-bye. I hope she doesn't forget about me. I wonder if they talk about me. I loved them all. Lucy probably would too if she knew them like I did. Maybe one day I'll take one home to meet my beloved Lucy. Fuck you.

Do you like games? How good are you at follow the leader?

----

*She was speaking aloud, only to herself. She'd turned on a tape recorder to transcribe her thoughts. It was a lot easier than trying to write. She'd think faster than she could write, her handwriting would suck, and it would turn out she'd just wasted a considerable amount of time because she couldn't read it.*

The killer's repeated use of the words 'Fuck you' indicate an anger problem. He's very hostile toward authority. However, none of this anger appears to be transferred to his victims. In fact, he feels affectionate toward his victims. He claims to -love- them. There was no sign of bruising or excessive trauma to the genitals of any of the victims, as would be typical of a rapist and murderer. He may have tried to rape them gently, as it were. After the sex act, the anger seems to return. He takes great pride in the damage he does to each victim, a kind of perverse joy in seeing their deaths.

He speaks of Lucy going to join her sisters. This probably refers to the original 'Lucy'. Whether she moved away, or died, I have no idea.

In spite of the crude and childish handwriting, this killer is quite intelligent. He feels that he is smarter than those investigating him, or he wouldn't have sent us the letter in the first place. His reference to 'Follow the Leader' indicates that he thinks this is all just one big game. He wants to be pursued, because he thinks he will never be caught.

He is probably a man in his 30's. He would appear normal, with high IQ. However, he works at a minimum wage job because he 'likes his free time'. He's also a loner, but probably appears to be just like everyone else.

*Click. She turns off the tape recorder, and looks at the note one last time laid beside the photo of Kimberly's cold and unblinking eyes.* I -will- avenge your death, Kimberly. I promise...

~*~Back~*~