Lately, Anton Millstun had been spending more time inside his office rather than out on the field. Not because there weren't many crimes going on in Slough, it was quite the opposite. It was because lately, a certain case of his had become an obsession. In his office he had made a board, with photos of different cases and linking them all together with names written underneath.
“There really haven’t been any more killings done by a crazed Altered ever since Billy has been dealt with.” The Chief of Police talked out loud, as he often did, since it helped him think more clearly.
“All the deaths can be added up to him, but there are still things that don’t make sense. The main one being the blood that was found at the alleyway and the death of Barry. Altered Hunters don't go after anyone other than Altered.
“The theory that an Altered Hunter is also an Altered himself doesn't make sense in the case of Barry’s death, and what reason would Billy have had to go after him? There was zero relation between the two. Yet with all Billy's other victims, we were able to pinpoint them to those underground fights he had.
“I’m sure of it, although maybe not a mass murderer, there is another Altered that is involved in all of this. One that isn’t Billy, but there hasn't been any matches for their blood that was found on the scene. On top of that, the case that started this all. The first kill of Billy would have had to have been his parents. Which means the first case at the building site is unrelated at all.”
Heading over to his desk, Anton grabbed another picture and pinned it up onto his board. It was a school student and a fairly large one as well, with the name Gil written underneath it.
“According to the teachers at Westbridge, Gil was undoubtedly Barry’s closest friend. However, not long after his death, the teenager has dropped out of school and no one has been able to get in contact with him. According to his classmates he did sometimes claim that he would just join the grey colour gang. However, after an attack they have seemingly disbanded, and gotten absorbed by the red colour gang, which means they're no help any more either.
“Could he be the Altered I’m looking for? Regardless, even if he isn't, he might be able to provide me another perspective. Something, that I might not be aware of.”
Finally, heading back to the table once more, the officer picked up another picture and put a pin in the centre. On it, there was a green haired boy which he put next to the picture of a black boy with blonde hair.
“Both of them fought against Billy in those underground matches, and on top of that they go to the same school as Barry and Gil. Somehow, this whole school just seems to be a beacon for trouble. That green haired kid, in particular… I remember him, he was the one that rebelled against the red colour gang members.”
Taking out a big red marker, right by Gary’s picture, Anton wrote Altered with a question mark.
‘The picture I have of him at the moment, he looks different than when I saw him.’
He had found the next person to interrogate, just then there was a knock on the door. Before Anton could even answer, the door was opened from the other side.
“Now, who’s the lucky guy who just volunteered to clean the toilets for the next two weeks?” Anton asked, turning around, but when he saw who it was, he wasn’t so surprised any more.
“We just came to inform you that we will be leaving Slough tomorrow.” Sadie declared, looking around at the mess inside of the room. If she didn’t know any better, the woman would have thought to have stumbled into the lair of a psychopath.
“What about the second Altered Killer and what about the Altered Hunters?” Anton raised his eyebrow.
“You mean the ones who dealt with Billy for us? If there had been any news, I’m sure you would have heard about it. Anyway, our superiors have deemed the case to have been closed.” Sadie answered. “Of course, we initially came here because of the three gang members deaths and although Billy’s blood wasn’t found at the scene, the markings on their bodies do fit the other deaths.”
“That’s bull crap, and you know it!” Anton slammed his hands on the desk. “Altered or not, an attack with bare hands should leave DNA! And what about the one that attacked the high school student? There is still a lot to do.”
Sadie folded her arms like she knew that something like this was going to happen, but she couldn't be bothered to explain. Her partner Frank knew that as well. Slough’s Chief of Police wouldn’t give up so easily.
“Sorry, Anton, but you know that the power of us White Rose agents is limited. Even if we suspect that another Altered Killer might be out there, for all we know he might have fled somewhere else. If there is another death then we will come back as soon as possible, but for now with no leads, there isn't much we can do.”
“No leads?” Anton then revealed the board he had been working on as he stepped to the side and placed his hand towards the two students. “Here’s your lead!”
Seeing this, Sadie couldn't help but scoff.
“Well, that just proves you have nothing but assumptions at best, and not even good ones. We already went to the school and tested him. Don’t bother reading the report, there was nothing. That kid’s blood was as red as can be. Misguided as he might be, we know for sure that he isn’t an Altered. Anyway, we have said what we needed to say.”
Before Anton could say anything else, Sadie left the room. Frank gave him an apologetic look before closing the door. It was clear Anton was frustrated, but turning around, he grabbed his pen and drew a big red X on Gary’s picture.
‘If they say he’s not an Altered then they must have tested him, I guess he really isn't one.’
Taking the picture off the wall, Anton paused for a second.
“What made them think that he was an Altered in the first place? The two of us came to the same conclusion but… why?”
Maybe there was still some hope in this case after all.
——
After leaving the police station, the two White Rose agents had hailed down a cab and were heading to their hotel room. Sadie was celery annoyed and Frank was trying to figure out what to say.
“You know, he's a good police officer. He's working hard, you shouldn't give him such a hard time.” Frank said. Letting out a big sigh, Sadie finally unfolded her arms. She then paused for a second before proceeding to rub the area around her ankle.
“I know… I'm just frustrated. The wound still hasn’t healed from that day, and for some reason it's been starting to itch more and more. On top of that… well… you know the rest already.”
Lately, Sadie had been experiencing some side effects and from the sounds of it, they were getting worse.
“Don't worry, that's why we are heading back to the White Rose base. The guy from the lab will take a look at you and find out what’s wrong with it. You will be okay in no time, don't worry.” Frank patted his partner on her shoulder.
*****
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