SOUL

Jane Williams

The phone buzzed loudly on Leo's nightstand, dragging him out of a restless sleep. He squinted at the screen, seeing Harris's name flashing. It was nearly 3 AM.

"We found Jane Williams," Harris's voice came through, low and grim.

The missing woman. African American, Twenty-four, brown curly hair, PhD student at Oregon State. Visiting family for the holidays. Reported missing after she didn't show up for family dinner.

"Alive?"

"No, she's been mutilated"

"Where?"

"The old paper mill"

"Copy, on the way"

Leo sighed, rubbing his eyes before getting up. He threw on a long-sleeve shirt, jeans, and his warm winter coat, bracing himself for the cold night. He drove through the dark, empty streets until he reached the outskirts of town, pulling up to a rundown warehouse. It stood isolated, far from any homes, with cracked windows and peeling paint. The kind of place that gave people the creeps even in daylight.

As he got out of the car, he noticed a young officer doubled over, retching in the corner. Leo rolled his eyes, stepping closer. "Hey, do it away from the crime scene," he called, irritation creeping into his voice.

Inside, the air was thick, and the stench hit him immediately. Harris spotted him and approached, his expression serious. Leo crossed his arms, waiting for the rundown.

"Two teens found her," Harris said, his voice tight. "They came out here to fool around"

Leo's jaw tightened. "Jane Williams? Jesus Christ" he asked, already knowing the answer.

"Yeah." Harris responds.

Leo's stomach turned. They had been searching for Jane for six days, hoping she'd simply taken off to escape stress or something. But this... this was a nightmare.

"Alright," Leo said, forcing his voice to stay steady. "We need to go back over everything we have on her. I want officers questioning everyone she knew, in Corvallis and Bend."

Harris nodded and led him deeper into the warehouse. As they approached the scene, Leo's breath caught. There, in the middle of the floor, was a makeshift wooden cross. Jane's dismembered body parts were carefully arranged on it, her eyes closed, her face painted with makeup. The sight was sickening, a mockery of a ritual.

Leo pulled on a pair of gloves and stepped closer, forcing himself to study the cuts. "These lines... they're too steady. Whoever did this has practiced. No hesitation," he murmured, his voice cold and clinical. "Look into chefs, doctors, butchers... anyone who knows how to handle a knife."

Harris glanced at the body, his face pale. "Brutal. He's gotta be a sadist."

"Maybe," Leo said, studying the makeup. "But why go through the effort of putting makeup on her? That's... intimate. Doesn't match the brutality." He frowned. "We need to know if it was done before or after she died."

Leo fell silent, staring at Jane's lifeless face, trying to make sense of it. He turned as he heard footsteps. Harris was now joined by their captain, Jack Barnes, who looked just as disturbed.

"Dumping the body out here, in the middle of nowhere... it's meant to stay hidden," Leo said, his voice thoughtful. "But putting her on display like that? It's contradictory."

Barnes nodded, his face grim. "This isn't a crime of passion. Whoever did this planned it. We're likely looking at someone who's going to do this again."

"But the message isn't clear," Leo said, frustration creeping in. "What's he trying to say?"

Barnes's expression hardened. "Harris, you're on the family. You've spoken to them before. We'll need them to identify the body after the ME looks at it. I want her examined by tomorrow night at the latest"