Det. Steve McCoy's Story

Steve let himself under the yellow crime scene tape in the door way. "The woman is dead upstairs." Said The officer nearby as he looked at Steve then nodded towards the stairs. Steve acknowledged the officer and made his way up the stairs. This was the fifth murder committed by the Hand print killer and probably not the last one either. Detective Steve McCoy had been on the case since the beginning and been to every crime scene in the bloody case. Following a trail of bloody footprints back to their origin Steve led himself to the bedroom. where the victim lay on her bed. Multiple stab wounds and sheets soaked with her blood, but none of these things brought suspicion to Marcus Brown, what did was the lone bloody handprint above the headboard. The same handprint had been found at four previous crime scenes. He began to look around the room when he began to hear whimpering. The sounds were coming from the closet, Steve made his way over to the closet and opened the double doors. Huddled in the in the right corner was a little girl cowering and crying in fear. Steve pulled off his walkie talkie, "We've got a live one" He said into the device. He then picked the young girl up and carried out of the room and down the stairs. "It's gonna be okay he said to her a few times. She couldn't have been more than five years old. A female officer took the girl from him and put a blanket on her. Im' gonna need to talk to her he said softly to the female officer. He then leaned back against the wall and took a deep breath.

The sound of his ringing and buzzing cell phone woke Steve up. Two years had gone by since he had put the hand print killer behind bars but he was still having dreams of the case.The clock read 5 a.m He answered his phone with a raspy tired voice, "Hello?"
"Steve, it's chief Matthews" He could tell it was her by her voice but this time something was different, her voice was shaky. "It's about the Hand print Killer........He broke out of custody a few hours ago.......Hes in the City somewhere." Steve was now sitting up in his bed wide awake. He couldn't believe it. "Ill be at the station in a few." He said quickly then after hanging up He quickly took a shower and got dressed. Racing down to the station he noticed the heavy fog made driving very difficult and finding a killer even more difficult. After finally arriving at the station he put his coat down in his office and went out to listen to the chief give details on the case. "Im putting Officer McCoy on the case because hes had previous experience dealing with this psycho. All of the other cops and detectives listening looked too him.

Bailey laid on her bed staring up at the ceiling waiting for her alarm clock to go off. She had been up for the past hour with nothing better to do, plus it felt nice to finally not have to worry about for a change. She hadn’t taken any pills since midday yesterday. Lately she has been trying to cut back, which isn’t a good idea because all it did was make her body ache.
A low beep started up and she slapped the alarm clock with a heavy hand accidentally knocking several pill bottles to the floor. She shot up and looked around the floor. No pills. They were empty bottles. What am I doing?
She got up and headed to the bathroom. She filled a cup of water and counted out the pills she was supposed to take and added enough pills to get herself through the morning and hopefully threw the afternoon. She put them down and left the room.
She changed her clothes and headed for the kitchen to get a quick bite to eat before heading to work. Grabbing a bowl from the cabinet she heard a low buzz coming from her room, she patted her pockets realizing her phone was still plugged in. Putting the bowl down and headed to the room.
Two missed messages.
5 minutes ago : Hurry and get to the station.
1 minute ago: We have an emergency briefing in 30 minutes.
Thirty minutes, Shit. She grabbed her jacket and headed for the station grabbing her meds off of the counter.

The station was in a riot when she walked in the door, something major was going down. Bailey headed to the briefing room and took a seat in the back. Chief Matthews was at the podium.
“Alright, everyone we have a serious problem. Around 7 hours ago a transport unit from Triumph City Correctional lost control on the highway on its way to a high security prison. Almost all the guards were either killed or wounded in the crash and by the time back up arrived and a head count done they found that a one Marcus Brown was not among them.” The room grew all too quiet.
“That’s right, the Handprint Killer.” She looked around the room “I’m putting Detective McCoy as the lead on this because he worked on the original case and has had experience dealing with this psycho.”
She watched as all the other officers looked back to him. He nodded the recognition off and headed to the podium. He looked out to everyone thinking over what he was going to say.
“We all know who this guy is. We need to start putting patrols out immediately in his last known location. For now, a three block radius. We need to get this guy and we need to get him before he kills again. He’s psychaotic, unpredictable. I’ll be hand picking a team to help with tracking him down,” He paused looking at everyone “That’s all, let’s get out there and bring him in.”
The briefing room cleared out fast and the patrols had started. Wanted posters were being prepared. She sat at her desk and watched the clock waiting for it to click when a shadow covered her desk, looking up she seen McCoy standing there a stern look in his eyes.
“I hear you’re good at what you do. I could use someone like you on my task force.”
“Someone like me?”
“Someone determined. I read your file. Perfect records in every category plus you were a part of the undercover job a year or two back. With excellent results. And with a high recommendation from the Chief you seem to be a great candidate.”
“Well, with such an important job, who give that up?” A burning sting came up her throat. “Excuse me.”
Bailey quickly walked to the bathroom and stormed into a stall. The burning came up and she was lucky she always wore her hair up. She flushed the toilet and sat on the floor shaking.

Steve watched as Bailey scurried away from him, she was a really good cop and that's why he chose her for his team. But he was also a very good cop and detective, he could tell when someone had a problem. He had heard the rumors about her before but Steve doesn't follow rumors, Steve follows facts. Everything about her showed she had a problem. When someone is shaky and jumpy and they sweat in a room temperature environment its pretty obvious to him. He shook his head and went over to his office, there were several piles of papers and cases on his desk but the newly obtained file for the Hand Print Killer was his new top priority. He left his office for a second time this time with a cup of coffee in his hand. This whole situation wasn't good and time was of the essence. To make matters worse The one person who Steve didn't want to see had arrived at the station, Dexter Morrison.

Steve made his way over to the slimy private investigator, "Morrison what are you doing here? we had an exterminator a few days ago, they said they got rid of all of the roaches." He had worked with Dexter Morrison before and he did not approve of his methods or intentions. He was only in it for the money and Steve didn't like that one bit.

"Hey, McCoy!" Dex greeted Steve, sounding as happy as one can be. Truthfully, Morrison really didn't like Steve. Sure, McCoy was a good cop, but he really put a damper on Dex's style. "So you talked to the exterminator too? Did he also tell you the roaches are all wearing uniforms?"
Dex leaned against a desk and picked up the box of donuts off of it, pawed through it, and then presented it before Steve. "Donut?"
"Very funny, Morrison. Listen, I know the department wants you to be part of this case, but that doesn't mean a slime ball like you can waltz in and treat this place like a circus."
Dex pretended to be uninterested in what Steve had to say and took a bite out of his donut. "Hey, is that Daniels over there? Mmm, I bet she's a hot piece of ass. Is she dating anyone? I don't like having to keep beating out the competition."
"Daniels is a great officer and you will treat her with respect, got it?" Steve asked sternly. "Now remember Detective Crosse? Go wait for her by her office, she should have a copy of the case files for you. And Morrison, this is serious. I need your head in the game or I need you to get out." McCoy picked up a donut and left Dex.

Dexter then proceeded to make his way to Crosse's office, but not without passing some glances at some of the ladies in the station. See, most men would allow the gravity of the situation to keep them from making any sexual advances. Dex saw it as a personal challenge.

Steve finished up with what brief stuff he had to do at the station then hightailed it to the crime scene where The wreckage was. He got out of his car walked, knelt and examined the the bodies of the two dead guards. None of their wounds were caused maliciously which told Steve that Marcus got really really lucky. He stepped out of the wreckage and walked a few feet away. Two his right was an alleyway that he would have to check but first, he was curious about the woman about 20 feet away from him. She obviously didn't notice him as she was absorbed in her note taking.

That's when it clicked in his mind. "REPORTER". If news got out about the escape this early The whole city would be in a frenzy. Steve quickly made his way over to her. "Can I help you?" He said to her in a tone that implied she should not be there.

She hadn't heard him approach. Brushing a piece of hair from her eyes Addy turned to face the man who was speaking to her. She instantly recognized him. She had gone through the files from the Handprint Killer’s case as well as numerous other homicides in this city. His name was attached to a lot of them. She would be a terrible reporter if she didn't know who the man was.

“If you want to give me the facts so that I can make sure the public gets the information they need to be safe Detective McCoy, that would be wonderful. If you figure you are going to shoo me away and I am not going to do my job well...not sure you are being much of a help at that point.”

She put her phone in her pocket, shifting her notepad and pen to her left hand. “I can’t remember if we have ever met in person, Detective. I am Adeline Helder. I cover homicides for the the Tribune.” She held out her hand for him to shake.

Addy tilted her head a little, inspecting him. “Don’t get that look. I am not one of those reporters who gets off on making up facts. I want the real story. The public needs to know what they need to be concerned about, the truth.”

She knew she had a reputation with the police force. She reported things differently than most. No overly sensational headline, no embellishment of details. Addy found the world graphic had enough in it that there was no need to make things up.

Steve looked at Adeline and shook her hand after she introduced herself. He could tell she wasn't going to get scared off that easily. He had also heard her name around the station a few times but he had never put a face to the name. He had even read a few of her articles. With a defensive tone she said to him, “Don’t get that look. I am not one of those reporters who gets off on making up facts. I want the real story. The public needs to know what they need to be concerned about, the truth.” He certainly respected her for those words. He pause for a second and then met her eye level.

"Im going to be honest with you Miss Helder, We don't have much yet and he is loose in the city....... We've got our best people on the case and we will bring him back into custody as swiftly and soon as possible, But the Hand Print Killer hurt a lot of People and has made a lot of enemies, The last thing we need is people going on manhunts and searching for this guy. If you broadcast this across the city that might happen and we don't need more people getting hurt. " He stepped a few more steps towards her. "I hope you understand that." He hoped she was getting the message.

When he didn’t immediately escort her away, shaking her hand instead Addy relaxed a little. When he made eye contact and leveled with her Addy immediately respected him.

“I don’t want to see anyone trying to hunt him down Detective. We both know vigilante style justice doesn’t typically work and right now if the common citizen tried to help they will only complicate things. I want to put the word out for people to avoid trying anything but make them aware of just how dangerous he is.”

Her eyes narrowed a little as Detective McCoy stepped in closer. Addy got that he was making a point but she also needed him to understand she wasn’t going to shy away from this investigation.

Addy met his look with a steady one of her own. “Detective McCoy I have read his file, the case files, the details and I know what he is capable of. I don’t want anyone but the police taking him on. We still don’t know why he did the things that he did and if we could figure that out it might give us some clue as to what his next move might be. You understand talking to me means real information getting out there, not crap to scare up the public. You want them to stay safe, to stay away from him than don’t let the hacks get the story. I will work with you. It is what I do, homicides that is. Killers and murders, motives and the impact on the people left behind. Use the media to your advantage in this.”

She didn’t wait for his response. She wasn’t backing down or going anywhere. The Handprint Killer was on the run and there was no telling when he might kill again.

“He got loose when they crashed I take it.”

She turned and looked to the crash site. “Did he kill them or the impact? Do we know that yet?”

Steve smiled to her. "It was the impact, I looked at the bodies myself. I didn't see any wounds that were caused maliciously." " Im not sure but---" He was then cut off by the one voice he did not want to hear. Dexter Morrison. "Why, hello there, madam," Dex started. "Don't mind the smell. The cops won't be spending all their time here... And I suppose they'll move the wreckage as well." "The name is Dex Morrison. You may have heard of me: I piloted the first transatlantic flight and invented the wheel. I also do detective work for the station, but that is only my fifth most interesting trait. And you must be that beautiful reporter that I've heard about. Miss Helder, is it?

Steve sighed as Dexter laid on his cheesy lines towards Adeline. "Dexter here, is a consulting private eye for the Police department, We like to give him jobs because it boosts his self esteem. "Speaking of which, shouldn't you go investigate the scene?" He said with a tone.Dexter looked at him.

"But I--"

Steve cut in " Dex I have a gun..."

"Me too" He replied.

Steve responded again with "Yeah, but I have two guns, and a knife. ..."

Dexter gained a slightly frustrated look on his face "Fine I guess someone has to do some real police work around here." With that Dexter stormed off back towards the crash. Steve looked back to the reporter. "As I was saying I'm not sure but I think he went down this alleyway. Mostly because of the blood on the ground." He pointed his finger towards the smail trail leading down thew alleyway.

Detective McCoy confirmed that it was the impact that killed the officers and Addy was relieved. Though trauma from a car wreck was not a good way to die she felt it would be better than at the hands of a killer. Means it is only a matter of time before he kills someone.

Her next question was cut off by a voice she did not know. Addy turned and looked at the new arrival. Her eyebrows raised a little. She wasn’t entirely sure he was serious or just had an odd sense of humour.

Her called her beautiful and knew her name and Addy was surprised. She made to hold out her hand for an introduction when Detective McCoy interjected.

Addy lowered her hand and watched the scene play out. She couldn’t help the slight smile of amusement that appeared as the men bantered.

When Dexter stormed off, Addy waved towards his back. “It was nice to meet you, I think...”

She looked back to Detective McCoy. Her eyes moved to the ground, focusing on the trail of blood that he pointed out. She had been too busy looking up that she had not inspected the ground yet.

“Seems likely.”

Addy pulled out her notepad and jotted down a few things. “If he makes it to a main road, no telling where he might go. Do we have any idea who he might contact, if anyone? Anyone write to him in prison? What about visits?”

She gestured over her shoulder towards where Dexter had disappeared. “Quite the character.”

A new voice, this one female added itself to their discussion. Addy looked up to see the woman approaching where they stood.

She said nothing knowing the woman was there for Detective McCoy, not her and not wishing to ruffle feathers. Not all officers were cordial when it came to reporters. Addy could only hope that this woman would work with her as McCoy was. She preferred the police as allies not that she had ever let that stop her from getting her story before.

Addy held out her hand to the Detective, “Nice to meet you Detective Crosse.”

Like with Dexter she lowered her hand as Detective McCoy moved onto other things. She gave him a slightly amused look as he suggested she not follow for her own safety.

“Understood Detective McCoy. I am responsible for myself.” She watched as he pulled his gun and indicated that Detective Crosse do the same. Addy wasn’t sure they were going to come across the Handprint killer just hiding in the alley but if there was even a small chance or at the very least more information about where he went then she was not going to miss this chance.

She did understand following the trail but she also knew Marcus Brown was not a stupid man and if he had the ability he was long gone or very well hidden.

Addy let the detectives go first. She pulled out her phone and began taking pictures of the blood trail and anything else in the alley that seemed to indicate that Marcus had been there.

Blood means he didn’t escape the wreck unscathed. Not a lot of blood so likely not a mortal wound. Deep cuts maybe. If something is broken it would hinder his movement, making it easier for the police to catch up. If not than he is a slightly injured man with the dogs on his heels and nothing but fear causing him to run. If he ends up someplace reasonably safe he will go back to his old ways.

The very thought of him being loose in the city again left Addy with a bad feeling. It was one thing for a convict to get free but it was entirely different when that man was a cold blooded killer who knew the city and would easily slip back into routine now that he was back in his old hunting ground.

The difference now was they knew his habits, his signature and if they could figure out motive, pinpoint his victim type than perhaps they could get ahead of him.

Addy kept taking pictures as she followed the detectives down the alley. She occasionally looked behind her wondering if any of the other officers had picked up on the trail as well and would be following as back up or worse if Marcus Brown might be lurking somewhere behind them.

He'd be insane to stay close to the scene but really...how predictable will he be if he is hurt and feels desperate?

Adeline and Bailey had a brief introduction when Detective McCoy cut out of the conversation and headed for the alleyway, gun in hand. He had gestured for Bailey to do the same but she thought it was highly unlikely that they would find the Handprint Killer right next to the crash sight. So rather than pull out her gun she simply placed her hand on top and undoing the button that keeps it in place and followed at his heel.

As they moved further into the alley Bailey noticed Adeline back off and started taking photos of the area.

Around halfway in with no sign of any activity Bailey stopped to look at the blood trail. With the amount of blood he's definitely suffering from a deep wounds.

McCoy was almost at the other end of the alleyway when she looked up.

"There's nothing here McCoy. 'Cept for his blood trail." She stood up and headed his way "I'll get some of the guys to block off the alley and get the forensic unit."

Steve agreed with Bailey on this, the trail was beginning to go cold. He turned around and headed back towards Adeline and Bailey. Suddenly a voice chirped in on his radio. "There was a fire at a convenience store on 25th and 3rd the fire department thinks it was arson." The voice could be heard from his radio and Detective Crosses. Steve remembered he told all units to report anything out of the ordinary and by his book this qualified. "We should go check that out, it isn't more than a about a mile and a half from here. " He said know jogging back to the others and out of the alley way. "Detective we should get going." He said as he opened his car door. He then looked at Adeline, "Miss Helder is was a pleasure making your acquaintance. "He said to her with a smile.

After a short while he arrived at the scene of the burned down convienance store there were several fire trucks surrounding the smouldering ruins. He got out and approached the Fire Chief. "What do we have here?" He said looking at the black remains. "Not much we know it's arson and we thought you'd be interested mostly because we found this"He said holding up what was left of a burned piece of clothing and Steve Knew exactly what it was. Marcus Browns Prison Jump suit or at least what was left of it.

Charred remains of an orange jumpsuit was the only thing left that could be tied to Marcus Brown. The convenience store was a small shop on the corner, it looked like it had been around for years. It was in a prime location for the dock and factory workers too, a short walk or shorter drive and you could get something to eat or drink. The fact that it was located in the Factory District, a highly populated area and almost everyone in the area wore a uniform, made it a perfect spot to disappear from the cops.

“How long ago was the fire set?” Bailey asked approaching the Fire Chief.
“Around an hour, maybe an hour and a half. Took us about thirty to get her due to the shit weather we’re having.”

“How’d it start?”she said stepping into the shop.

He pointed to the floor, pieces of glass varying in size was scattered everywhere but it was evident they belonged to various alcohol bottles.“The alcohol. He dropped it through the middle aisle and lit it up. It was a bitch to put out too, but when we stopped it and checked the store we seen the jumpsuit and got someone to call you guys.” he said scratching his head.

Bailey looked at the cash register that had obviously been robbed. “So, he gets a new set of clothes, grabs the cash and what?” she looked over to Detective McCoy “What’s around here?”

Steve moved closer to the burned rubble, a lot of things were running through his mind at the moment. "Im not sure," Steve said to her as he looked at the google map on his phone of the surrounding area. There window of capturing him was getting smaller fast, Marcus brown was slowly slipping out of their grasp. He moved the screen along looking at surrounding areas." I don't see anything that would-- Wait the factory, where I apprehended him....." His finger hovered slightly over the small pinpoint on the device. He looked up at detective Crosse "Do you think maybe he went back there?" He said, with a little bit of hope in his voice.

"He's not a firebug, you're right," Dex replied as he caught up with Addy. The two then started walking on to the scene. Addy was waved right in, being with Morrison and all. "He's a smart guy, he knows this is gonna keep us occupied. So the name of the game is speed and precision. We can't slow down, but we can't overlook anything."

Morrison quickly walked up to the point of origin for for the fire. McCoy was combing over the scene, while Crosse was observing the surroundings and taking notes. Dex went up to Bailey and leaned gently on her shoulders, "Have you and the Boy Wonder found anything yet?"

Bailey looked over to the entrance to see Morrison and Adeline walking into the convenience store. Morrison walked over and leaned on his arm “Have you and the Boy Wonder found anything yet?”

Ignoring his smug look she put down her notes and looked up “He broke down the door, got a spare set of clothes from the back and lit the place on fire. He also looted the cash register.” she pointed to an evidence bag on the counter “His jumpsuit. Found after they cleared out the fire.”

Dexter adjusted his position and grabbed the bag looking at the markings and plopped it down. “Anything else?” he asked, going back to his leaned position.

“McCoy’s looking in-”

“Wait the factory where I apprehended him.” Detective McCoy cut in “Do you think maybe he went back there?” he said still looking down.

“The factory,” she paused thinking back to his case file “that’s a few blocks away, and it would explain why he would come down this way. I thought that placed had been completely tossed, could they have missed something?”

She had to say she didn’t mind not getting the third degree upon getting to a scene. The officers waved her in and Addy nodded. Okay not all bad being a partner. The concept still made her very core feel like ice. It terrified her.

“I agree he is smart and that doesn’t play in our favour. If he was your garden variety nut job, he’d be easier to find.”

Addy entered the room, struck immediately by the smell. Smoke and wet. Dexter went to speak to Crosse and McCoy. She took the time to look around. Nothing seemed out of place, nothing that appeared to be any kind of message. Slow them down, give them something to focus on and look for meaning where it isn’t.

She listened as Detective Crosse explained that he found clothes and looted the money from the register. Street clothes are obviously a better choice than bright orange jumper. Money because he will need it.

Addy approached as they discussed the factory. “Well you might not have left something necessarily or left something that seemed mundane and unimportant but you have to remember that methodical killers put attachment on places and things that others wouldn’t. He might go back there for an item, a trophy or he might go back simply to relive the moment of his capture, maybe he is reliving some of his kills. There are plenty of reasons he might return there. More importantly we go there and look for a clue as to where he might go next. What if he is reliving his life but in reverse? The place he was captured, his last kill...going back to the beginning. Or maybe he just remembered the place and used it to get his bearings. He has been in long enough that the city has changed some.”

She looked at them all. “Sorry, I spent a lot of time with FBI profilers and they spitball all sorts of ideas when the suspect does something. All that to say going there might help us get into his head.”

Addy’s body went cold as she heard the radio. ”...possible homicide...multiple victims....Handprint Killer...”

She felt a sense of disappointment come over her. He was far ahead of them and they had no idea where he might go next. The city was his playground and they had no real leads, just a lot of speculation. Is he too far ahead? Will be able to figure out why or is he simply a pyschopath? Is there a pattern? a rationale to his victims? Something...anything that would give us a leg up before he kills again. She had the sinking feeling that there would be more bodies before they caught up to him.

Detective McCoy told them to forget the factory and headed to his car. Addy pulled out her phone. “Get a photographer over to Cottonwood Towers now. I want pictures of the outside of the building and as far in as the police will let them go. Yeah, first victims. I don’t have anything yet. Look time is of the essence. Pictures will preserve the area as much as it can. Just go okay and no you can’t print them. Send them to my place once they are developed and put a rush on it.”

She looked at Dexter. “Those crime scene photos, even if it is just outside won’t do any good to the public but freak them out. To us though, might help us see something we miss the first time around and if they can get there before us even better.”

Addy snapped a few pictures on her phone of the charred orange jumpsuit and other areas of the store in hopes that it too might give up some secret later. She turned and looked at Dexter, brushing a piece of hair from her face. She pocketed her phone once more.

“We going to the Towers?" She waited for him to lead the way back to the car.