Warm Blood Cold Case - Part 2

The crime scene was processed with the usual efficiency, but Casie felt the weight of the note in her pocket like a stone. As she and Rick drove to meet the Captain, she stared out the window, mind racing through possibilities. The symbols, the wounds, that ancient script—all pointed to something far beyond their department's usual homicides.

"You're quiet," Rick observed, navigating through morning traffic. "More quiet than usual, I mean."

"Just processing," she replied, the half-truth coming naturally after years of hiding her true nature. "These kills are escalating. The first two were found in abandoned buildings, but this one..."

"This one's practically on display," Rick finished her thought. "Killer's getting bolder."

Or more desperate, Casie thought but didn't say. The fear-scent at the scene hadn't been coincidental. Whatever—whoever—was doing this felt hunted themselves.

Downtown precinct buzzed with the usual morning chaos when they arrived. Captain Mendoza waited in his office, case files spread across his desk like fallen leaves. His expression darkened when they entered.

"Third victim in three weeks," he said without preamble. "Media's already calling it the 'Ritual Killer.' I've got the mayor breathing down my neck and a task force from the FBI circling."

"We need more time," Rick insisted. "If the feds take over—"

"They'll botch the investigation," Casie finished. "The scene had specific markers consistent with the others. We're building a profile."

What she couldn't say was that federal involvement would bring scrutiny no supernatural being could afford. The old families had ways of handling exposure, and those ways typically ended with convenient accidents for anyone who knew too much.

Mendoza studied her with tired eyes. "You got something, Blackwood? Because right now, 'ritual killer' is all we've got, and that's not exactly narrowing the suspect pool in a city this size."

"The wounds aren't made by conventional weapons," she said carefully. "And the positioning of the bodies suggests knowledge of old religious practices. I have contacts who might help identify the symbols."

Rick glanced at her, surprise briefly crossing his features. In three years as partners, she'd never mentioned specialized contacts.

"Do it," Mendoza ordered. "And keep it quiet. Last thing we need is panic about satanic cults or whatever the hell this is."

If only it were that simple, Casie thought.

Back at her desk, she waited until Rick left for coffee before pulling out her phone. Ten years of silence were about to end with a call she'd promised herself she'd never make. She dialled from memory the number etched into her mind despite her best efforts to forget.

"Blackwood Antiquities," answered a smooth, familiar voice.

"Elias," she said, her voice steady despite the surge of emotion. "It's Casie."

The silence stretched long enough that she thought he might hang up. Her older brother had always been the diplomat of the family, the bridge between their father's rigid traditions and the modern world. But even his patience had limits.

"Casie." His voice carried a mixture of surprise and something that might have been relief. "It's been—"

"Ten years. I know." She kept her tone professional and clinical. "I need information about ritual markings. Old pack symbols. This isn't a social call."

"Of course it isn't." The bitter edge in his voice cut deeper than she'd expected. "What kind of markings?"

She described the symbols carved into the victims' palms, watching Rick through the break room window as she spoke. Her partner was taking his time with the coffee, probably giving her space for what he assumed was a personal call.

"Casie." Elias's voice dropped to barely above a whisper. "Where did you see these?"

"Three crime scenes. Human victims. Someone's using our old ways to kill in my city."

"Your city?" The question held layers of meaning she didn't want to unpack. "These aren't pack symbols, sister. They're older. Much older."

The word 'sister' hit like a physical blow. She'd trained herself not to miss family, not to miss belonging somewhere. But hearing it again...

"How much older?"

"Pre-treaty. Before the families agreed to coexistence protocols. Casie, if someone's using blood magic from the old times, this isn't just about murder. It's about breaking every agreement that keeps our worlds separate."

Through the window, she watched Rick heading back toward their desks. "I need you to research the specific symbols. I'll send photos."

"I can't do this over the phone. These markings—if they're what I think they are—they need to be seen in person. By someone who understands the old ways."

"Then you come here." The words escaped before she could stop them.

Another silence. When Elias spoke again, his voice carried the weight of family politics she'd tried so hard to escape. "Father would have to approve any travel to your territory. And after what happened—"

"This isn't about what happened." She cut him off, anger flaring hot and sudden. "This is about preventing a war between our communities. Tell Marcus that Detective Blackwood needs a consultant on ritual murders. Nothing more."

"Detective Blackwood," Elias repeated slowly. "You really have built a new life."

Rick was almost back to his desk. She needed to end this call before he started asking questions she couldn't answer.

"I'll send the photos within the hour. If you can't help me, tell me who can."

"I'll help," he said quickly. "I'll find a way. But Casie—be careful. If these symbols mean what I think they do, whoever's doing this isn't just killing humans. They're declaring war on every supernatural family in the region."

The line went dead just as Rick settled into his chair across from her, steam rising from two cups of coffee.

“Your phone call seemed intense,” Rick noted.

“You have no idea,” Casie stated flatly.

Rick slid one of the coffee cups across her desk, his blue eyes studying her with the careful attention that made him a good detective. "So these contacts of yours—they specialise in religious symbols?"