HUNTING GODS

Chief Philip

The station was abuzz, oblivious to the single messenger running through the groups as he made his way to the elevator. He glanced at the elevators for a minute before deciding on the stairs, the message held tightly in his hand.

By the time he reached the top he was visibly sick and out of breath, but knowing the information held in the small device he pushed his way to the large oak doors, sighed, and walked in.

"Good morning Chief, I have a lantern from the outliers."

The Chief barely flinched, his body stoic as he leaned against the wall, his gaze fixed on the towers just beyond the glass.

"Should I just leave it?"

"Is it another body?"

The messenger seemed to gather his courage from his feet before answering, "Yes, but not like the ones before."

Fingering his cross, the Chief turned slightly, glancing at the messenger for a moment before taking his seat.

"Are there more than?"

"No Chief."

"Are you going to tell me or would it be easier to just light the lantern?"

The messenger hopped up, seemingly happy for the out. "Oh yes, one minute." He fumbled with the small square device before connecting it into the desk and standing at attention.

"Go, but wait outside in case I need you."

"Yes Chief." The messenger gathered himself and rushed back through the wooden doors.

The doors had barely shut when they reopened wide to reveal another man in uniform. He sauntered his large body through the entry and sat himself across from the Chief.

"I know you are busy Philip, but I felt this news was better done in person. We found another body today, it was near a breathalyzer activation. I'll save you the details on the body but I thought you might want to know as he had an Alpha symbol on his wrist. Couldn't identify him on scene but whoever he is seemed important."

"An Alpha symbol and no identification?"

"His identifiers were wiped, nothing scanned so I figured he must be someone, or related to someone important if he's allowed incognito."

"What did he look like?"

The man shifted in his seat, his image fading for a moment before coming into focus again. "That's the funniest thing about all this, he looked a lot like the descriptions we've been receiving from the witnesses, you know the ones from the lady murders. We aren't a hundred percent positive yet, we'll show his pic around, unless you prefer we not."

Chief Philip lowered his eyebrow, the only indication on his face of recognition to the news. "Have him brought here, we'll do an autopsy here and see if we can retrieve the information from his brand."

"Well you don't really need an autopsy per say as it's pretty obvious how he died. Poor Sucker had his dick ripped off somehow. I'd say it was an animal but seems too clean. So autopsy seems like a waste of effort, I can send the part along with the body as soon as we find it, sure it's somewhere around here..."

"No need, just send the body."

"So don't keep looking for the man's pecker? Seems kind of cruel..."

"Just send the body Lieutenant, my men can drive down for the transport if you are short handed."

"Ten-four Chief, and that would be much obliged. The little men I have that will come out far in the outliers is small and they will most likely be here all night gathering evidence and such."

"Cancel that as well."

"The investigation Chief?"

"Yes, no need. It was most likely self inflicted."

"With all due respect Philip, I highly doubt he cut of his dick, I just don't see..."

The Chief rose from his seat, leaning over into his guest. "Chief, and I will be addressed as such Lieutenant. Gather the body for transport and my men will be there within the hour. Wipe the scene and take names of any witnesses that may have seen the accident and forward them to me."

"Yes Chief."

The lieutenant rose from his seat, his face a mix of confusion as he made his way towards the doorway.

"Lieutant Adams."

"Yes Chief?"

"The alert, did you locate the vehicle?"

"We did."

"Who was the owner?"

"Well darnedest thing Chief, it didn't have an owner."

"How is that possible, all cars are registered on sale?"

The Lieutenant wiped his palm across his brow, the sweat dripping down on the floor before dissolving. "Well it did have a previous owner, but it showed sold some time ago."

"And the previous owner?"

The Lieutenant cleared his throat, his hand firmly on the doorknob. "Senator Iscariot."

The Chief waved the Lieutenant free, the man's image dissolving just as he exited the doors. Phillip sat for a moment in silence, his hand quickly sweeping through his greying hair before settling into his lap.

"Lucas."

The messenger marched back through the doors, standing at attention while avoiding his superiors eyes.

"Yes Chief?"

"Send for Sergeant Gaines, inform him I need him to personally oversee the retrieve the body from the outliers and to take only two men. Tell him to see me before departing and I will give him further instruction."

"Yes sir. Did you need me to dispose of the lantern?" Lucas reached out for the small plug but stepped back when the Chief shook his head.

"No, I'll handle the disposal. I will need you to prepare a new one though."

"Yes sir. For whom may I ask is it for?"

"For Senator Iscariot. I'll need you to deliver it yourself Lucas. I'll trust you'll use discretion."

The boy saluted in response. "Of course Chief."

The Chief stood, his walk back to the window seemingly heavy. "Lucas make sure you tell him to clear the room when you deliver it please."

The boy stopped in his tracks. "Yes Chief, but should I impress on him why?"

The sky had darkened during the talk, the lights of the towers shadowing over the Chief as he pulled his cross out from his chest.

"Tell him we found his brother, he'll understand."