CoffeeShop Murders ~ DNF (completed)

Day 4

***TW: CHARACTER DEATH***

~~~~George's POV~~~~

A few months have pasted since the incident. Clay and I had gotten closer, and he even spoke to the police about his theories. The detective's were nice enough to let him in on the cases as well. 

They had been going at a steady pace, but there were slight changes in each of the murders. The murders began to look a little more messy. More...rushed.

The most recent one looks like just a stab and go. Nothing about the scene had changed. The entire department had agreed that the murderer is getting much more reckless. Clay, Nick, and I all agree.

Speaking of Nick, him and Clay get along perfectly. When they first met, there were a few insults thrown at one another, but within days they  were perfect. It was nice to see the two getting along, it really was.

But now, Nick noticed Clay acting more careful than before. Hesitant to speak, careful what he touches, and making sure he gets his point across by repeating what he had said. I didn't find it too odd, since the murders were getting worse, but Nick found it suspicious.

I watched Nick go over the list of murders again, Clay sitting beside him and looking over Nick's shoulder. I hear Nick sigh, "I don't think this guy has a motive. Any type of message. Like, the murders are random at this point. First it was people Jschlatt knew, but after he was convicted and put to death, it's just random people. Look here," Nick points to a business woman on the list, "she's the only relative company owner on this list." Nick rubs his eyes, "God damn this is so much harder than what everyone was making it out to be."

Clay nods and mumbles under his breath. I can't make out exactly what he said, but it had something to do with the police force and how they don't seem to be aiming for anyone working in the department. He found it quite odd.

I watch Nick nod and look at Clay. The two begin to talk in hushed whispers. I leave the room  to let them talk.

As I walked down the halls of the department, I grab a report of all of the murders convicted by the 'Smile Murder'. Looking at the reports and pictures, there's something in common with all of them. Or, there was. 

On the 18 Jschlatt was convicted of, the victims eyes were closed, and there was a smile painted on their face with their own blood. It was a sickening sight to see. However, after Jschlatt was convicted, the smiles had stopped.

What if we're dealing with a wannabe doppelganger? What if Jschlatt was the right guy? It's odd for a serial killer to stop doing their signature after the guy they wanted gone is gone. 

But then, what if that's what they want us to think? The killer knows that one of us is going to pick up on this detail and announce it as a possible doppelganger of the killer. And then they get away with it, throwing us completely off our trail.

But then again, the detective from months ago was certain that it was the same killer from the layout of the bodies. I guess he wasn't shown the pictures of the victims, or completely forgot about the signature...

I felt a hand on my shoulder, causing me to turn quickly. It was Clay. Clay taps his watch, signaling us to go. I simply nod, and we walk out of the department after saying our goodbyes to everyone.

As we walk out, I let out a long sigh I was holding in, "About time. I almost lost my mind in there."

Clay doesn't say anything for a moment, "I was accused again. By Nick."

I frown and look up at Clay. His lips are pressed in a firm line, and he doesn't look bothered by the accusations made against him. And out of reflex, I huff, "Well, are you?"