Unappreciated by all except you.

Chapter 6: Corpses make lousy improvisation partners.

Making his way across the precinct to the lab with Dougherty's mutilated body was one of the most nerve-wracking things he'd ever done. Ed had expected at least one person to ask what he was doing with two large suitcases but no one even noticed him which for once he was thankful for.

As it was, he managed to make it to the, mercifully, lab without incident. Shutting the door firmly behind him Edward opened the suitcases to reveal the remains of Kristen Kringle's late boyfriend. "No body, no crime" Ed reminded himself before going to put on his 'lab rubbers.' If he was going to do this then he was going to do it properly. Once suitably attired he transferred the contents of the cases into the sink before reaching for his breathing mask and an industrial bottle of acid.

"Mr Nygma?" 

Ed started violently at the sound of Miss Kringle's voice. What was she doing here? "Mrs Kringle?" he called back incredulously. "Would you open the door, please?" Kristen asked. Edward stared in horror at the body parts in the sink than at the bottle of acid in his hands.  "One sec" he called back, rushing around to try and hide all evidence of wrong doing. The body wasn't a problem as such, not as long as it's identity remained hidden, bodies could be found in the lab on any given day of the week. Suitcases and acid on the other hand were not so common and didn't leave a good impression to say the least. Having satisfied himself that he had done the best he could do he opened the door cautiously.

"I need the Hendricks case files."

"Ah yes" Ed beamed back "Hendricks. Wait right there." He dashed off in search for the desired file, murmuring the name "Hendricks" repeatedly under his breath as he looked. He didn't notice that Kristen had followed him into the room until he heard a gasp from behind him. "Ahh. Oh my goodness" she cried as she stared into the sink in dismay. Ed rushed to block the body from view before she saw too much, handing her the file that had been the original purpose of her visit in an attempt to distract. "What happened to him?" Kristen asked in a hushed voice. "Um, Axe" Ed replied automatically before immediately correcting himself "accidental death. At a sheet metal factory, industrial saw." He made a slicing motion with his hand and made a "Brzzz!" noise."Poor man" Kristen breathed, shaking her head sadly.

"I don't know how you do this job" she confessed "death all around you." Ed laughed, little did she know just how much death lingered around him. "Yes, one must have a sense of humour" he said hurriedly in response to her questioning gaze. She nodded then turned to leave then seemed to change her mind. "Mr Nygma, you haven't by any chance seen Tom...Officer Dougherty have you?" she asked suddenly "We were supposed o have dinner last night and he didn't show. No surprises there, but I haven't seen him at all today." "Me neither" Ed assured her, shrugging. There was an awkward silence. "Excuse me but I need to get back to work" Ed snapped suddenly, the stress of the situation getting the better of him "now." "Oh, ok" Kristen stammered, looking both offended and slightly hurt. Edward shooed her out and closed the behind her then leant his back against it wearily. "Oh dear" he sighed.

"That was close."

"Leave me alone" Ed hissed at his double threateningly but it did no good. "I'm just saying" the vision replied nastily "we're going to have to be more careful if we don't want to get caught. She's going to keep digging, we'll have to keep an eye on her just in case." "Are you suggesting what I think you're suggesting?" Ed asked, horrified. His hallucination merely shrugged playfully.

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"Where might I find Carmine Falcone?"

The nurse pointed down a corridor before bustling off. Maroni and his men would be arriving any minute and the last thing she wanted was to be caught in the crossfire. Penguin marched purposefully towards Carmine's room, a bouquet of flowers in his hand and a heavily armed Butch at his side. The moment he had been waiting for had finally arrived.