The Art of Being Right

Theories

"How can you tell?" JJ replied, fidgeting with the zip on Wilson's coat.

"He's malnourished, but he has a bag with him. He was out walking, backpacking probably, alone. So he would've brought supplies; food, shelter, water. But the bag's empty - judging by the size of it he was only intending to be out for a few days, and so wouldn't have had enough to keep him going for much longer. And there's something missing from his kit."

Spence and JJ kept their gaze on him, obviously still lost.

"Think, what would every experienced walker who didn't know the area being with them?" Nope. Still lost. Wilson sighed.

"His map! Where's his map? There's not one in the bag and there's not one on the body."

"Maybe he had satellite equipment?" Spence suggested, but Wilson shook his head.

"Those devices can be faulty, and once the battery's dead they're worse than useless. Plus he doesn't have one of those either."

"So what happened to the map?"

"It could've been dropped, lost, there's no way of knowing unless you were following him. But it explains why he was malnourished before he died. If he couldn't find his way back he would've starved."

"So he must've been out here for weeks." JJ added, catching on. Wilson looked up and nodded, a small smile playing on the corner of his lips.

"Which would've made it easier for his killer. Think about it - a strong, athletic type like him wouldn't have been easy to take out. So foul play must've been involved; he loses his map, he uses up all his supplies, and he's weakened. There's no way someone this experienced would have been that careless. He must've been followed."

"And what about the killer?" Spencer asked, resting his chin on one hand as he stared wide-eyed at Wilson.

"It's the same M.O as the other bodies found out here. Identical patterns too; it almost looks like claws - a set of four - a canine. And a bloody big one at that. The cuts are deep; no hesitation so obviously your killer has no problem with what he's doing. There's no hesitation."

"So you're telling me a dog did this?" Spence asked, almost agitatedly at the seemingly ridiculous suggestion. Wilson looked directly at the older man, a smirk on his face.

"Wouldn't that be an interesting twist? A killer hound on the moors, ripping hikers apart?" He laughed, head tilting back slightly. Spence tapped his foot impatiently.

"So you're saying it wasn't a dog?"

"I'm saying the pattern of the cuts and the spacing would suggest a dog. But what something suggests, an what it really is, can often be two entirely different things."

"You've lost me."

"It'll take longer than one day to solve this, superintendent." Spence sighed but nodded; Wilson had already gathered more information in less than half an hour than his officers had managed over the years the case had been open.

"Understood. Look I'm sure you're tired, it's a long drive from the city. I'll let you go for tonight, but I'd like you at the station for tomorrow afternoon, around two."

"Of course, not a problem." Wilson agreed, stifling a yawn as he stretched his long arms. "Sorry, gets a bit sore being on a bike for hours at a time."

"JJ's got a spare room at her place so you'll be staying with her while you're with us. That okay?"

"It's fine." He responded, tiredness beginning to show. Spence turned to JJ and told her she could go; they'd question her when she came in for her shift the next day.

"Come on, we should head back. It's getting late." JJ said, turning to head back towards the track. Wilson followed silently, the two ducking under branches until their feet were back on the dirt track path leading back down the side of the mountain.

"My car's at the bottom so I'll meet you down there. Wait for me at the car park and you can follow me back to my place." She instructed, going to take off his jacket and hand it back. Wilson raised one hand, shaking his head slowly.

"Or I could always give you a lift to your car? It saves you from walking on your own in the dark."

"It doesn't bother me."

"Never said it did." He replied, almost laughing to himself as she was making a point of not needing his help. "Look, I only mentioned it seen as it makes more sense."

"Yeah I know, sorry. It's just been a log day."

"Understandable." Wilson answered, handing her the spare helmet he kept under the seat of the Harley. "Keep the jacket until we get back, you'll freeze dressed like that."

JJ took a moment to look the bike over; it was gorgeous. It was jet black and immaculately clean. Wilson noticed her looking it over and grinned.

"Nice isn't it?"

"Definitely."

"Drives well too. Had it for nearly three years and never had any kind of problem." He sat down on the seat slowly, one leg on either side. Wilson patted the leather behind him with his right hand; JJ moved to the side of the bike and climbed on carefully, sliding forwards to sit behind him. Wilson pulled his own helmet on, retrieving the keys from the pocket of his jeans.

"You're gonna have to hold onto my waist." He told her matter-of-factly, starting the engine. Hesitantly she wrapped her arms around him, hands resting near his belt. She felt him laugh next to her. "It's alright, I don't bite." The bike's engine hummed beneath them until he accelerated, and the quiet hum went from a low growl to roar in a matter of seconds.

The Harley flew forwards, turning back on itself to head back down the track and away from the crime scene. JJ clung to his waist suddenly, not expecting it to be so powerful. Wilson didn't seem fazed; he leant into the turns confidently as the road wound round tight corners through the darkness. The headlight cast a sickly yellow glow on the road in front of them, providing the only source of light in the densely wooded area. After a few minutes JJ relaxed a little, loosening the death grip she had on Wilson's sides. Just before they stopped in the gloomy car park she actually found herself enjoying it - even if it was cold.

A/N: Just want to say thanks to everyone who's reading, and for everyone who voted you're all awesome! This story's still very much a work in progress but I'd love to hear what you guys think of it, so any comments would be great right now. I hope the plot hasn't got too confusing or weird for anyone, I promise it is supposed to be going somewhere.

~ Holly