Nerium oleander

Progress

No fingerprints, no evidence that could lead them into the culprit, only two dead men's names and a filthy badge.

Dr. Honda had merely confirmed his suspicions, the murderer was more than a skillful butcher. The incisions were clean, precise and the lacerations were post mortem, not wanting to damage the organs taken.

Even the sweet scent on the corpse was planned, attracting the flies to make the examination harder.

Ivan shifted on his seat, the rumbling sound of the car's engine was not enough to fill the silence, he sighed, Alfred's foot tapping on the floor growing more and more annoying.

He turned on the radio and Alfred started to hum, turning his gaze and shaking his shoulder. "I know what you're thinking." Alfred said, offering a smile, a sign that he had no idea of the thoughts that crossed his mind.

Not giving him the chance to finish, Ivan replied. "How did any of the Vargas not see the corpse from the house?"

"Can we not talk about that thing for five seconds?" Alfred whined, his smile turned into a grin. "Who's Aldrich Beilschmidt?"

"My question is simply logical. The case was already assigned to us, so we better start working on it. You can interview the Vargas family and I'll speak with Bonnefoy."

Ivan arched an eyebrow as Alfred's smile didn't falter. Usually, ignoring his questions gained him a bit of banter with the other.

He widened his eyes as Alfred showed him a book, his book, Ivan fought the urge of snatching it from his hands, averting his gaze and scoffing instead.

"Not so calm anymore, eh?" Alfred said, curling his fingers on the cover and opening the book. "I don't think I want to look for the murderer, there was a police badge in there, a threat perhaps, what we saw in that corpse was pure hatred. What I do want to understand is why you keep a schedule on a literature book."

"I think you are right, it does look like a threat, but not for us" Ivan interrupted him, stopping the car and humming. "Do you have an enemy, Alfred?"

"What did it look like to you?" Alfred sighed, opening the window and skimming through the pages. "The death was already painful, why put it on the fence?"

"It's a display. Like hanging a painting on a wall." Ivan reached his hand to take the book but Alfred didn't release it. "Tell me Alfred, what do you know about impalement?"

Alfred shrugged. "A dude in Transilvania loved it and scared the turks with it, that's as far as I go. What kind of schedule starts at 2:00 am?"

Ivan nodded, tugging the book again. "Impalement is an atrocious practice, normally used in wars and massacres to impose fear on others, though the target audience is normally another violence inflictor. What made you think it was a threat to us? Besides the badge."

Alfred took off his glasses, lowering his gaze and touching his forehead. "You know, it had the arm like this," he said, straightening his posture and extending his fingers. "It looks like a salute, like the one you learn to do in the academy."

Ivan hummed, a bloody red tie and a salute. No wonder why the badge had Aldrich's name. As he gave no answer, Alfred took the end of his scarf and tugged it, Ivan's hand clenched his wrist, muttering. "Don't."

"I'm not touching you, this wool is very soft," Alfred said, loosening the scarf. "The chief said you had to go to the Vargas manor."

"Aldrich Beilschmidt was the chief before Ludwig, their father. Remember what I told you about having the right last names?"

Alfred nodded, running his hand on the scarf, he was testing his patience today. Probably a bad attempt at getting revenge from Ludwig's scolding.

Ivan sighed, resting his hand on Alfred's shoulder, smiling at the nervous gaze the other gave him. Alfred acted as if he were the embodiment of mystery but there was nothing subtle about his face, if an emotion crossed his mind, his eyes would show it. "I'll drop you at the centre, next to the park. Bonnefoy's restaurant is crossing the street."