Short scary stories

The perfect crime

(*if the sentence is in between asterisks is a character's thought.*) 

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I rub my eyes to try to stay awake, it's almost 11pm and I'm still at the precinct. We are working on a murder case, it's the fifth in two weeks. 

*I should go get another cofe, or else i'll be sleeping in no time.*

We have zero clues of who the serial killer is, or what the victims have in common. Everytime we have some kind of lead it just ends up at a dead end. Everyone is starting to get frustrated.

I continue to look at photos and the few information we have when I heard someone behind me. 

- Jesus Christ you scared me!- it was Noah, my friend and one of the other detectives working on the case. 

- Don't say it! You were the one walking on me while I'm reading about murders.- I said jokingly.

- Next time, maybe, leave the lights on. Find anything?

- Nope, just that after a few doses the caffeine stops working. Why did you come back?

- Couldn't sleep. And it's better being here than scrolling through my phone the whole night. 

We open some maps and files on the table to try to have a better view of the case. I'm looking for any breach or mistake and Noah is fixated on a map.

- I cracked the case!- Noah shouts.- I know where the killer is going to strick next.

- What!?-*no way*-How? What did you find?- I'm skeptical, a whole team couldn't find anything and now, out of nowhere, he does?

- Look at this. Remember when we try to connect the places where the bodies were fond to see if would draw a path?

- Yes, it didn't had any relation.

- Well, if you also add the streets that the killer possibly used, you get this.

- You gotta be kidding me.- *what an idiot.*- A purge mask, really?

- I mean, it makes sense. Who ever is behind this must thing they have the right to kill people. I'm gonna need the rest of the time to confirm this, make sure i didn't miss any possible turn. 

- According to the street cameras you are. I'm just astonish that the killer left this compromising clue.

- Some killers do this, like a morbid game of catch. 

- Guess it's time to do a vigil. Call the lieutenant.

(Next morning)

- He really left this lead? That guy most want to be caught.- The lieutenant seems dubious.

- It's strange, but is our best clue so far.- Noah said.

- Well the map confirms the location, prepare a police force and keep an eye on the area, text me if you see something.

- I still can't believe he was that stupid.- I put the map down.

- The stupid they are the faster we find them, am I right.- Noah says throwing me the car keys and walking to the garage.

We prepared the teams and went to the spot. It's just beside a bar, a lot of people are entering. We have some agents inside, but it's hard to control the crowd.

*The killer is outside, I know it. He knows we are here, he won't come out so easy. If he kills again it'll be to late.*  

- I'm going outside to the alley, there's some storage doors there where someone can hide.- I said giving the car keys to Noah.

- I'm comming with you.

- We need someone to stay here, I don't trust the others as I trust you. 

- Well I don't trust the killer to not harm you. I need two agents on the 5th street.- He said through the earpiece.- You're not going alone.

We went behind the bar, our guns prepared. It has a lot of rooms and doors, which makes our chances lower. 

Me and Noah head to the second floor, it has a buntch of work stuff, probably a construction that stop in the middle. I'm not an expert, but I'm pretty sure plastic does crackle on its own.

- Caught you. - I mumble to my self.

- Go around, he'll be traped front and back by us.- Noah said.

We went in opposite directions. The closer we were to the coner the louder the crackling sound became. That's when we saw him. Crouched down, next to a window, looking to the alley besides the bar. There's a door emergency there that some people use to get out, instead of the front one.

He didn't notice us right away. Noah pick up the handcuffs and proped the gun behind the killer's head.

- Freeze! Put our gun down and place and our hands behind your head!- Noah shouts before I hit him with a pipe. 

He dropped unconscious on the ground. The man is still with his hands up confused about what just happened.

I draw my gun at giving the same orders. 

- I didn't knew cops were supposed to hurt each other.- He said with a grim.

- And I didn't knew that serial killers were supposed to give their location to authorities. 

- Shouldn't you be happy, I'm making your work easier.

- I thought I made it very clear that I didn't want any clues left behind.

The man's eyes are wide open with a frightened expression. 

- What?- He says with a whisper.

- I said I didn't want any evidences to be found. No mistakes. You allow the cops to trace all your steps and found this location.- I said clenching my jaw.- Or you thought I wasn't gonna check on you. You were going so well, the detectives didn't had any leads and you throw all to trash with this shit.

He has a baffled face, as if he didn't already know he was following orders. 

- You wanna play the badass villan?! You want to brag about how the cops can't catch you!? Once I'm done with you I can just kill you or hand to the authorities and still be awarded as the detective that caught the killer.

I'm comming closer to him with slow but steady steps. He's pinned between the wall and my gun.

- I guess the saying is right, if you want something well done do it your self.- I said loading the gun and taking aim. 

The killer doesn't say a word, he just straightens his posture as if getting ready for the shot.

- Remember, once you enter internet you don't know who's on the other side, that should be enough to make you respect me.

After that I shot him in the head and I ask for reinforcements through the earpiece.

- Noah wake up.- I gently shake him to make him regain consciousness. 

- My head. What happend?- He ask still a bit dizzy.

- The killer had an accomplice, I didn't see them comming from behind, you were hit in the head with a pipe.

- Are you ok? Jesus Christ did you kill him?!- He says finally seeing the body.

- I try to shot the second criminal, but miss, they took of running. The first guy got up to grab me, I was faster.  

- Any idea were the other one went?

- No, but that means the case is not close.

- Well we are both unharmed, or at least almost.- He said rubbing his head.- And one is already down. Good job.

- Thank you. I guees know we're gonna have twice the work.- I said jokingly.

Especially now that I'll have to do all the work myself.