Memphis May Fire (#1 of the Harleigh Lynn series)

Chapter Four: Targeted

"So we still have nothing," Markov said gloomily.

The nearest officer eyed him with apprehension, flicking her red hair behind one ear.

"Um, yes. That's right. This warehouse caught fire around 3 am. No traces except for a note. Here's the transcript."

But they chose a time when the warehouse was empty. Same with the office building. They aren't out to hurt everyone they can. So what do they want?

The red-haired officer handed a piece of paper to Pereira, who glanced down with frown. Harleigh realized the other officer's eyes lingered on his face a little too long, and she filed the information away for future use. Gene read aloud over Ari's shoulder.

"See the tables turn. Feel the fire burn. Once we get started there's no stopping us. We run this down. There's no slowing down. We came to change the game so get out the way. Watch out, NYPD," he announced.

"Interesting," Markov commented, "I hate words."

"Well next time, I'll send a letter and ask the criminals to make you a picture book, Markov," Gene growled, "The grammar isn't perfect. It does say 'we', Ari, so your theory might be right."

"Song lyrics," Harleigh said, "Look up the song 'Watch Out' by Memphis May Fire."

Everyone stared at her, except for Ari, who kept looking at the paper in deep concentration. Gene looked scornful, but Markov whipped out his phone.

"It's a match," he informed them, "Everything except the NYPD part."

Ari looked up, flashing Markov a quick smile that seemed to make the whole sky brighter.

"Good work. We should get over to that concert place."

Wait. Markov didn't figure that out. I did. What was that about?

Sirens blocked out her thoughts as police cars screeched by. Wilma frowned and held her pager to her ear.

"Ari, there's a problem two blocks away. It sounds bad."

Seconds later, Harleigh stood in front of a huge department store, lungs aching from running the two blocks. Ari wasn't even breathing hard as he began questioning officers. Gene panted in the background, clutching his side.

"What is it with him making us run everywhere?"

"Yep, same thing, pretty much. Guess they didn't just steal the heads," one officer told Ari, who made notes in his notepad.

Wilma took and recorded the facts instead, and Harleigh suspected Markov was memorizing everything.

She stepped into the building and stared up at the scene. Nearly twenty mannequin bodies hung from the ceiling, swinging on chains. Harleigh swallowed. Someone had spray painted random letters on them in scarlet paint. The police in the building looked like they'd pay to be anywhere else. Harleigh studied the letters and tried to make words out of them, but they appeared to be random.

"Oh my goodness," Gene exclaimed, appearing behind her.

Harleigh couldn't help but jump, and Gene smirked.

"Wow. You will all burn? That's a bold statement," he continued, pushing her shoulder.

The shove was a little too hard to be friendly and Harleigh felt her heart begin to race.

"What?"

"The letters," Gene said, "They spell 'You will all burn'. Or 'Owl all ul I yurn.' Probably not that last one."

"That's good," Harleigh admitted, "I didn't see that."

"Didn't expect you to," Gene assured her with a poisonous smile, "Let's go tell Ari. Unless you want to hide it from him."